Proper Priorities

I've been feeling disappointed and angry at myself because of how my spiritual walk is going...I'd explain but there's no reason to. I've been asking God what to do and He has been responding each and every time, I just didn't know it..Until I read this devotional today. It really hit home for me. Hopefully it will help someone else going through the same situation. I guess we sometimes forget this is about Him and me, but especially about Him.

" Proper Priorities

""[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him..." - Philippians 3:10 AMP

I recently heard from a young woman who had become frustrated and bewildered in her walk with the Lord. She said that as much as she had felt the urge to move forward, her spiritual progress had nearly come to a standstill. There were even times when she felt like her prayers weren't being heard. She went on to list a number of good works that she was performing in her church, as well as personal achievements she had accomplished in the Lord's service. She ended her note by saying that she felt as though she was helping everyone else to deepen their walk with Christ, but she was neglecting her own relationship with the Lord.

Unfortunately, this scenario is not uncommon among God's people, and it's nothing new, either. Back in the time of the prophet Hosea, the Lord told His people: "I don't want your sacrifices--I want your love; I don't want your offerings--I want you to know Me." (Hosea 6:6 TLB) I can remember growing up, and my grandmother telling me, "I don't want your gifts, I want your love." Hearing her words often made me angry, especially if the gift I had given her was costly. The truth was that giving her material things was a lot easier than loving her the way she desired and deserved. How often do we do this to the Lord? We don't hesitate to write out a check for our church, or a favorite ministry. We volunteer for various ministry-related duties, especially if they profit us, or bring us recognition somehow. But we wince and whine at the idea of meeting alone with God on a deliberate, consistent basis in order to engage in undistracted communion with Him. It's not that the Lord doesn't want or appreciate our service to Him and others, but He wants us to get our priorities straight. Our good works apart from nurturing a personal, intimate relationship with the Lord mean very little to Him.

The apostle Paul wrote: "[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly]..." (Philippians 3:10 AMP) Paul's highest priority in life was to know Christ in a deep and intimate way. As a result, he is still impacting lives for the Lord 2,000 years later. The young woman who wrote me obviously wanted to make her own mark on the world, but she was going about it in the wrong way. She was focusing too much on her personal ministry and good works, and not enough on getting to know the Lord better. As a result, she was drifting away from the very God she sought to serve. Scripture says: "The people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits." (Daniel 11:32 NKJV) In other words, if we want to do great things for God, then we must "know" Him--not in a superficial or surface way, but deeply and intimately....(Read the rest of the devotional at: www.Jesusfreakhideout.com)"

God Bless!!
Rita M.

...Funny thing about the title is I was thinking about sorting out my priorities, but like always i let it slide...

True Love

Someone once asked if I had found true love. Years ago I would've answered yes thinking of some crush that never knew I existed and yet I thought of my feelings for that person as true love. But now that I am asked again I can truly say that I have found True Love. Pure, unbreakable, unending True Love. And I think we all know who that person is. But, it is easy to say that you truly love someone, perhaps not as much as the other person loves you. The hard part is living that love, it is showing it. Why a post on true love? Well, I was surfing the net like usual and kind of stumbled across...well no..I found this blog which had one of those test thingies you take, it was something about "What is your theological world view" and well for the heck of it I took it..The result was that I was 90% John Wesley, and so I, ignorant to who this person was googled him and started reading about his life, what he believed in and some of his sermons. For one, I found the answer to a question that had been lingering in my mind for weeks :D, and then found the following lines:
"O grant that nothing in my soul
May dwell, but thy pure love alone!

O may thy love possess me whole,
My joy, my treasure, and my crown!

Strange fires far from my heart remove;
My every act, word, thought, be love!"

I rejoiced while reading this and prayed to God to teach me how to love Him this way, how to give myself wholeheartedly everyday and in everything I do.

May God Bless you all! and May His love reign in your Hearts and Lives!
Rita M.

In The Spirit

In The Spirit III
Originally uploaded by mo0nangel.

I wrote this poem last Wednesday.

In The Spirit

I do not know if he was born in April.
I do not know if he was born in May.
I just want to celebrate my Savior.
His Birth, as God had promised Israel.

My Lord was born in a humble manger,
With humble parents my dear Lord was raised.
And humbly he lived a life as teacher,
And in a humble cross my Lord, died He.

He came to teach His people a few lessons.
A spotless, sinless Life lived He.
He gave examples of how this could be accomplished.
And sacrificed His life for all to see.

He taught us of an unending love,
He taught us of a mighty God, Graceful He.
He gave us all a purpose, a life worth living.
A life of righteousness, and key to set us Free.

My loving God had promised to never leave us.
And though He died on the third day He broke free.
He beat the devil and the death that would destroy us.
And He came back as He had promised it would be.

Our Lord and Savior now resides up in heaven.
With God our Father, for us to call on when in Need.
But sent us down the Holy Spirit to live inside us.
To guide us when in darkness we should ever be.

And that's the meaning Christmas holds inside me,
When caroling and colorful Christmas trees I see.
When gleeful lights lit houses upon houses,
And people speak about our Lord's History.

To Celebrate my Lord and Savior's birth
as God had promised me.

©2006 ~mo0nangel

3:35am and My Head Wont Shut Up...

I said there was a lot I needed to say..well here goes.
I had been thinking about all the people who hate that I'm a Christian and who desperately want the old Rita back. And its funny, when I needed these people they weren't there, when I wasn't interesting or fun enough they all bailed out, but now that I'm happy, that I threw out the old clothes and have dressed in new ones, now that God picked me up and made me whole again, now is that they want me back. Well among the obvious reasons, here's a list of things I have been given because of my decision:
1. Happiness (What I had been seeking all my life)
2. Love (What I desperately needed)
3. An amazing relationship with my Sister (Its a long story, point being: I hated my sister and I think I was not her favorite person either and now its like we're kinda sort of best friends)
3. Truth!
4. Self-esteem
5. A Clean Slate
6. An Amazing Church!! (I LOVE my church, its like a million miles away from my house, and a lot of people have insisted I go to another one closer to home, but it is the church God has given me and the easy way out is not always the best solution)
7. Internet Friends Who Care about me! (Christian internet friends)

And the list goes on...
God Bless!!
- Rita M.

Life, Love, Faithfulness and Grace

I have so much I need to say...First of all I had the most wonderful 1 year being a Christian anniversary. God is sooooo amazing, during down time, during the best of times. And I just happen to be a witness of His eternal Grace, of His unfailing Faithfullness, of His love. I had been in such a desert, I had stopped reading my bible, I had stopped going to church for various reasons: 1. No transportation 2. No friends there 3. No desire...It feels terrible when you want to go to church and at the same time because of the situations feel so discouraged. But I prayed and prayed and I argued with God, and had no specific answers for months, 2 months to be exact. God let me know He was there and He knew my situation but I wanted to know when the desert would end when would things be like at the beginning. Almost 2 weeks ago God answered my questions. I had gone to church early, it was the first time I had been there for the first service in 2 months, and Pastor Miguel was talking about God's Grace and what it meant and how it worked. And I just felt my heart sing out to God to rain his Grace upon me, it was amazing because saturday oct 21st, at 3:00am I couldn't sleep and so I layed there on my bed talking to God about my problems once more, about wanting Him to rain His grace upon me, and the next day there I sat listening to the Pastor talk about God's Grace, how it is not gained, how it is undeserving, how it is through Jesus Christ and how it is given by God. It sounded like me, the last thing I deserved was God giving me what I had wanted so since day 1 at that church. After the service I happily went over to the nursery to see if they needed any help, but they didn't, instead I was sent with the Youth Pastor's Wife(she has a name I just don't know how to write it *blushes*) as her assistant for Sunday School (Ages 5-6 Group). For the first time in a year I had opened up to someone from that church and it was to her, she was SO nice to me and asked me all these questions about me and my life, she was a friend when I didn't actually feel like I needed one and it was great! But it doesn't end there, I had such a great time being an assistant and I expressed my happiness to her and she suggested I signed up as one! and I did! Finally! I had wanted to be a part of that church so badly, to be in one of the ministries! and I will finally be in one! So last sunday I went to the info booth and signed up! Oh my heart leaped with joy! And that is how the desert ended. God showed me Grace in such an amazing way! He says that when we are unfaithful to Him, He remains Faithful. Faithful to His promises, Faithful to His word. And He did.
I had been wanting to write this for so long, a week and 2 days to be exact. I'm glad I did.
Its so weird though, to be "alone". I had always had someone to talk to, or go out with. But now I walk the halls of my uni alone, I walk to the cafeteria alone. I go to church alone, or with my neighbour. Its strange really. I've grown to like it somehow. Sometimes I sit and wonder of all the things I could do. I've thought of going to "El Sitio de las Palomas" with my bible in hand and sit there and read while talking to God. Or walking the streets of La Zona colonial and see where God leads me. Bah, I'm rambling now. It's late, 3:30am to be exact and I think I better be off to bed.

God bless you all!!
Sleep well,
Rita M.

Why?

Today has been quite a day, I've been reading my bible, Isaiah to be precise (I knew this would be my fave book) and I've been in awe with what I've read not because I didn't know it but because reading it, understand it and knowing it just leaves me utterly amazed. And so I ask why do we not trust God? Why do we fear for our salvation when we've sinned? Why are we afraid of the enemy? Here I leave you some of the more encouraging words of God.

Isaiah 40:21-24


21 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood since the earth was founded?

22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

23 He brings princes to naught
and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.

24 No sooner are they planted,
no sooner are they sown,
no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.


Isaiah 40:28


28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.


Isaiah 41:8-13 (New International Version)


8 "But you, O Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham my friend,

9 I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, 'You are my servant';
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

11 "All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.

12 Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.

13 For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.



These promises are not only for Israel, but for us Gentile's, we too are His people.

God Bless you all!! And never stop praying!

Rita M.

Looking Up

Well things seem to be looking up for me, although the situations i'm facing are still here I'm yet again reminded of God's promises, the risks I've assumed, the sacrifices, the path I'm treading. Last wednesday was comunion day at my church and I was glad to assist. Arriving brokenhearted and with the lamp of my soul fading and left filled with God's Holy Spirit. Left only to arrive to a place where darkness reigns in every corner, and where keeping this light bright and shinning is a struggle. But I extend my hand out waiting for God to grab it and tell me everything will be ok. Comfort words that are every where if I only sought them.
I wish I didn't complain so much. I offered myself to be a servant and I have done a crappy job as one. You start at home before you can be one out there, but if right here at home I can't contain myself from complaining and muttering words of discomfort, and this is when you realize you need to stop, look up and pray.
Dearest God I know You said this wasn't going to be easy and I'm sorry I've failed to understand it. But God as merciful as always, today sent words of hope and encouragement pointed my way. Today's sermon was about God's Holiness. How precious His Holiness is. How important it is for us to know He is Holy, and how there is no comparison between God and us. But also how He, througout the bible, stresses the importance for His people to know that we have to be holy because He is holy. Meaning for us to have a good relationship with God we have to recognize that He is holy, that He cannot come in contact with Sin, so we have to step away from everything and anything that might taint His precious Holiness. Meaning we have to lead a life of sanctity because He is Holy. The sheer desire of wanting to be with Him is not enough if we don't strive to live a life of sanctity. This message to others might not sound hopeful, but to me and God knows why, it gave me all the Hope I was searching for.
Another light shed my way was being able to step out of my box and seek advice and someone who'll listen. After church today I went to Ms. Persia's house and oh surprise food was waiting there for me as well!! :D well thats besides the point, the thing is I felt so relieved for the first time in a long time. Writing about my feelings and my situations is ok, but to have someone to talk to is even better. And this doesn't mean that God isn't enough, God wants us to reach out to others in need and to let yourself be reached by others when needed.
As hard as this walk may be, I'm more than thankful to be in it. To be part of God's family. To be in the Truth and not wondering if there is more to life. I'm blessed inmensly and I owe it all to what Christ did for you and me.
May God bless you all!, May you proclaim His name as Holy!! King of Kings!! The Great I am! And if you as well are struggling know that God is here, that Christ is alive, that His promises will never fade!
Rita M.

Oh and yeah...

If that weren't enough I'm dyingggg to get married and have babies...I knitted my first baby hat (does this count as nesting even though I'm not married nor in a relationship at the time?) I was at my aunts house today, we went shopping for yarn and needles and such so I decided to spend the day at her house. Both my cousins' sons were there (my aunt's daughters) one of them went to sleep with his mom so I stayed with the other little one and we had so much fun together, I read him the Jungle book and we played with this green stuffed frog and a winnie the pooh stuffed animal...pretending i was ms. Frog (or was it a toad?) and he was mr. Bear...waaaaaaa :'( and we watched cartoons...and anyway..i'm dying to do all of these things with my own little ones one day but it just seems like tomorrow is never going to come...The weird part about it all is that I look back and notice how time has flown by, but I think about the future (not worried about it, more like hmm in this or that amount of years i'd like to do this...but let God's will be done, even though I have plans I know God has His..and well better His plans than mine that is for sure!)..it seems like the future is a million years away...so there...that really is the end of my not so mini rant.

My not so mini rant on my current situation

I have a huge big blott of problems...nothing too dramatic or oh-gosh-its-the-end-of-the-world sort of thing...i'm not poor, or being kicked out of my home, nor pregnant, nor living in a foreign country illegally...nothing of the sort. But problems are problems and when you feel like you're stuck, confused, at a crossroad not knowing where to turn, not hearing well the voice of God or not being able to distinguish which of the thousand voices in your head is His, this affects your life. I feel so disappointed in myself, for a lot of reasons...you see I know that the past has been washed away and sins forgiven, thank God!, but these wounds have left permanent scars (well permanent in the sense that they'll be there for as long as I live on this planet) But the effect the scars have made on my life at the present time can be fixed I just don't know how.
1. I don't have friends, really, friends as in "Lets go to church this sunday i'll pick you up, lets start that bible reading group you've wanted....really?? we should talk to our pastor about that idea.....so how's things with ___?" you know, the kind of person I can actually talk to about anything and everything and would actually understand (and yes that includes my being Christian...it truly is a problem when you can't really talk about your issues with God to a person who doesn't see God the way you do)
2. I don't know how to approach people with my problems, meaning my pastor, my youth pastor, etc..
3. I don't know how to approach people in search for their friendship...due to my problems in the past I have lost trust in people in general and as a mechanism of defense I guard my heart by shuting others out of my life...i know its terrible but I don't know how to fix it..and please spare the "praying for it" because i've done it and I know it takes more than praying and patience, it takes something I am lacking..
4. I would really love it if my family finally understood that i'm christian, that i'm never going back to the catholic church, not because I hate it or anything but because I like my new church better. I would love it if they would accept that my children will not be raised the catholic way, nor will I get married on a catholic church, nor will I live or at least have any desire of living here. I wish they would understand that I have my own life and they should let me live it, instead of wanting me to do whatever they had planned for me.
5. I would really love it if people finally understood that I HATE parties, I certainly don't like alcohol anymore and will not drink it if it was the last liquid on earth. If they'd get that I'm not the crazy bubbly girl I used to be and I love it this way, i don't need their sympathetic looks like i'm missing out on something, if anyone is missing out on something it is them. Missing out on the greatest Truth one could ever know.
6. I know my great er umm friend Ed said that we are being used by God every second of our lives, or something along those lines, and I fervently believe that but I would really love it if God gave me the strength and courage to put my, well His ideas through me, out there and finally be used to do something huge.
7. I haven't been reading my bible like I should, I've been skipping church a little too much and the book I've been reading although its exactly what the "doctor" preescribed the way I'm handling myself spiritually it is doing absolutely nothing...its ironic how I have this enormous patience when it comes to doing things and waiting, but when it comes to seeing actual results I get really desperate.
And well tis the end of my not so mini rant i've been keeping inside of me...
May the Lord bless and keep you all!
Rita M.

PS: Oh and if anyone out there in this huge cyberspace happens to stumble accross this space and feel that he/she can help me and/or will pray for me, it is greatly appreciated in advanced!!

The Making of a Tare

I know there are some things in me that need changing, a lot actually, like being more diligent, not being lazy, being more open to people and asking for other's advice rather than me reaching my own conclusions based on my opinion...And I believe the Lord has been breaking me down all these days, putting me through fire as to eliminate all of those "impurities" or things neither Him nor I want to see in me. But after a big "breakdown" there is always the "picking up the pieces" wether it be through some bible reading (which by the way I haven't done all these days thanks to the computer and final exams) or an article, or a devotional. Well here's the broom for today.

The Making of a Tare

September 2006 by Bill Gillham

I don't believe anyone intends to become a tare. I've known people who set out to go on a tear, but never one who wanted to be a tare. Jesus said tares—"grain-like weeds that grow in a grain field"—face a horrible eternity. A tare appears to be wheat until you bite into it! Jesus used tares vs. wheat as a metaphor to differentiate between "religious" folks and the real deal—spiritually reborn saints (God's holy people). Religious folks are merely members of the church organization while saints are members of the organism—the body of Christ. Tares are spiritually dead; saints are alive, spiritually alive. Saints are in God's forever family; tares won't make the cut.

Jesus' disciples wanted to go on a tear "pulling up" tares to protect the wheat. But, Jesus told them to cool it; that it was too early for that; that tares would be dealt with later (Matt. 13:24-43). We know, however, that Jesus loves tares because He died for them. So, how does a person become a tare?

I strongly suspect the fly in their anointment is that they never repented. When an unregenerate sinner recognizes and acknowledges his guilt before Holy God and his intense need for Jesus to become his personal Savior and Lord; when he desires to turn 180 degrees and trusts Christ to forgive him, enter into him and change him, God calls this repentance. You must want to become a new person before God will change you into a new person. This is mandatory to regeneration. Jesus said, "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal" (John 12:25). Did you come to hate life before you were reborn in Christ? The person who "loves his life" as is has no motivation to change. He likes things as they are. C. I. Scofield said, "Repentance is not an act separate from faith, but saving faith implies that change of mind which is called repentance." This is not simply human opinion; the Bible teaches mandatory repentance:

• John the Baptist paved the road to Jesus by preaching only one message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 3:2). Jesus' forerunner taught repentance as embracing our Savior.
• Jesus launched His earthly ministry, "From that time Jesus began to preach and say, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' " (Matt. 4:17). Jesus taught repentance.
• Jesus anointed Peter as "apostle to the Jews" and Peter preached, "Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away" (Acts 3:19). Peter preached repentance.
• Jesus anointed Paul as "apostle to the Gentiles." Paul taught, "God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent" (Acts 17:30). Paul preached repentance.
• Everyone is either Jew or Gentile. Man must turn from "doing it his way" (repent) and come to Christ in faith to be saved.

"But, Bill, what about the thief on the cross? He didn't repent." A salvation prayer does not necessarily employ the R-word, but upon having a repentant attitude. The thief on the cross demonstrated a repentant attitude (read Lk. 23:39-42).

Jesus taught, "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:27). You can be saved, but you can't be Jesus' disciple (sincere adherent) unless you agree to the terms of the cross. God says you were crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20). You get a new lease on life, a new beginning by first being crucified, then spiritually reborn in Christ (1 Pet. 1:3). You don't crucify yourself any more than you saved yourself. God did both, for us to claim by faith. Appropriating this means "taking up your cross"—a moment-by-moment attitude of mind and heart. You have already been crucified in Christ, but similar to salvation, this will benefit you only as you agree with—embrace this truth, by faith.

The man who takes up his cross has no rights. His confidence and hope are in Another. The man who takes up his cross is no longer in control; how much control can you have hanging there? None; his destiny is in Another's hands. The man who takes up his cross can be unjustly humiliated by the world; the cross overrides his pride. His significance and acceptance are in Another's hands. The man who takes up his cross no longer seeks to take care of number one; he trusts Number One to take care of him. The man who takes up his cross has given up on finding meaning in the world system; he's found meaning and purpose through intimate fellowship with Jesus (Jehovah is Salvation; God in a Human Wrapper).

If I had just one day...

"Lord if I had just one day I'd surely spend it studying..." I said out loud last night while thinking "right...there is no other day, tomorrow's the test period" I had not slept one bit, it was almost 6 am the sun was out and people here were starting to get ready to go to work. "I'll sleep a couple of hours and then I'll study some more" I thought. "Oh God please!!!! I'm going to flunk! I've tried studying but it just wont get in my head...I can't flunk this class" I said out loud, while I chatted and skimmed through the pages of the Pathological Anatomy II classes all at the same time. 6:10AM time to sleep a bit. I slept like a baby. 10 A.M. well time to get up, and study some more. "The test is in 4 hours I think I might be able to cram in some more" or so I thought. 11:00 Nothing, my head was empty, bits of information here and there but nothing that could possibly make any sense.
*Ring Ring*
- (Marcos) Rita?
-Yeah?
- (Marcos) where are you?
-At home, I'm getting ready to go to class.
- (Marcos)The exam started an hour ago...
-WHAT!?
- (Marcos)Ehh... yeah!
- But, But!! isn't the test at 1???
- (Marcos) No! the class stars at 11 and ends at 1pm
-Your kidding!!!
- (Marcos)The teacher says you can come and take the test tomorrow at 10..lol...
-Omgosh how embarrassing!!! please tell him it was an honest mistake! oh gosh!
- (Marcos)Lol! I will don't worry..he says to come at 10 tomorrow, room 307.
-Oh my..i'm so embarrassed ok..thanks marcos!
*click*

"Oh DEAR GOD THANK YOU!!!!" I yelled as I fell to the ground on my knees.
If I had just one day...

So yeah, that happened today!!!!! And I'm taking advantage of my extra day!!
Pray for me!
And may God bless you all!!!
Rita M.

*UPDATE* [9/11/07]
Funny thing is this class which I was repeating is sort of like the continuation of Histology which was the first class I flunked after I had told God to leave me alone and let me find my own happiness.... :) just a thought

I keep pulling a "bree"

So I have recently been through a slight disappointment *sigh* and well besides God I still haven't found that one person who I can open my heart to and pour my soul out...I've always wished for it to always be me and Jesus and Lord knows it..but He was right when He said "It is not good for man to be alone"..and I'm not talking about my chihuahua Penny. I need a friend. Lord, all I ask for is a friend. A christian friend, who likes going to church like me, who likes to talk about the bible and about You Lord. A friend who'll listen and trust me to listen back as well. A friend on this side of the computer lol! :P...Well thats it..Wherever he/she is may the Lord bless him/her dearly!

and May God bless you all!
Rita M.

Back to Cloudy days and Rainy nights

Figuratively speaking the title to this blog would sound like there's some trouble. The truth is, that is how God and I like it, Cloudy and Rainy and cozy. After two weeks of going through a dry spell in my relationship with the Lord, He brought me back with an amazing sermon last Sunday, an amazing book (Isaiah) and some other amazing things He has put in front of me. So today I'm taking the time to Shout out to God and say THANK YOU!!! And I LOVE YOU!! YAY!!!...I'm sorry my heart is just leaping with Joy :D:D:D It just feels so good to "be back" but I'm glad we went through it because God made me realize some things that were not right with me that needed to be "fixed" and so Him and I have been working on it...One of the things that we still have to work on is my being selfish sometimes and not apologizing for it. Hopefully this week things will be back on track yay!. Please pray for me!! It is much needed. And thank you :)

May the Lord bless you all!
Rita M.

Cartoons

I've had the opportunity of spending time with a wonderful 2 year old named Robert. Mostly what we do is watch cartoons in the morning while his mother cooks and cleans downstairs. What we always watch is Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go, Blues Clues, and on Discovery Kids we watch the backyardigans, Clifford, Bob the Constructor, Pinky Dinky Doo, Jim of the moon and among others.
All of them excellent and educational cartoons, some even teach english to the little ones. There are some cartoons which have a hint of "magic" and "sorcery" and sure kids are kids and they do not catch on those kinds of things, but these images they see and what they hear stay in their little minds until one day. But the easy solution to that is to not let them watch the cartoon in question, period.
What I haven't yet seen is the mention of God anywhere in any of these cartoons. Or christian cartoons anywhere. Some people think that talking about God to a kid is too heavy but it is not, there should be the option of wanting to show your kids Gods greatness through the thing they like most at a young age, cartoons.
But I guess there's no immediate solution to christian cartoons, for now. Someday maybe. There's always the old fashioned ways, through songs, the bible and myself.

Blessings to All!
Rita M.

Two Love Birds

So today I was asking Father to inspire me to draw, but instead He has filled my heart with love and has inspired me to write. It's been a while since i've written poems, and I had left poetry because it didn't seem to suit me, but now as I've matured in heart and soul, I "draw" the feelings harbored inside. So here's one of the two poems I've written. It's not really about anyone at all, honestly. It just sort of popped in my head. More like about nature and love within it.

Two Love Birds
by: Rita Martinez

Two Love birds sing away,
Branch to Branch,
from a tree on a steep.

Each heart is array
waiting,
for their love to meet.

One tweet tweets,
the winter day away.
The other, to impress,
his wings it flaps.

One is bright,
and
with a colorful display.

The other,
large in size,
and dimmer colors it has.

The one offers a straw
for a nest to bear,
The other,
the warmth of her bosom
for little ones to hatch.

When spring arrives
and flowers bloom,
the tweeting,
carries off into the wind
A song to join two lovebirds
on a branch.

Picture taken from: MAARS.org

Wisdom, Medicine, Science and God...

As a medical student, I have learned quite a handful of incredible facts about the human body. As a person interested in how the world ticks I have sat numerous of occasions in front of the television watching Discovery Channel, Discovery Home and Health, Animal Planet and other channels of the sort, and I have learned many interesting FACTS about how this world works. One thing that does not cease to amaze me is how people view Science and Theology (if it can be put that way) as opposites.
I had a teacher once ask me 'how can you be a Christian and study a science?' I, very fond of this teacher, tried to explain all the reasons why I believe in God and how it doesn't conflict at all with the career i'm studying. But today after reading some parts of Bertrand Russell's "Why I am not a Christian" I have come to the conclusion that it is incredible that a medical student after knowing how a human body works, after studying carefully every little system, every organ, every vessel, every fluid, and most importantly the brain; would not conclude that for such a wonderful creation to be able to exist, there has to be something, Someone, a Designer of it all.
I have heard many an argument of non-believers in which they state that there is no God, and that we exist just because. My apologies to these fine people, but to live with such a thought, is to have an empty life. Is to deny any knowledge they have acquired throughout their lives.
Be not mistaken, I too lived a life blindfolded from the Truth, but still I wondered could this possibly be life!? If we can imagine that the universe is inside a box, where is the box resting? I fear these to be unanswerable questions to a person who thinks that we're here just because. I've always been afraid of telling such people "then what are you living for?"
You see in my opinion, which is to be respected just as I respect others choices and opinions in life, there has to be a reason for us to go through all of this hassle of a life. To study, to make a career person of yourself, to work, to make money, to raise a family and teach the generation to come to do the exact same thing. I believe the great and Wise Solomon would say to this, as he has said in Ecclesiastes,

"Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun— all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." (Ecc 9:7-10)

BUT ladies and gents, the good news, to all of those who believe, is that there is a purpose. We're not here just because. Our lives are not composed of the many years spent seeking wisdom and knowledge and making something of ourselves. Life trully starts the day you meet the Lord. For the lucky ones, they've been raised in a family where the Truth lives in abundance inside their hearts. For the late lucky ones, it happens throughout the many years of our lives, whether it be in our 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's-90's.
So fear not dear friends. There is always time, it is never to late. And God is always knocking on everone's door.

May God Bless you All!
Rita

Talk about Purpose...

Sometimes I wonder, who am I writing all of these things for? Don't get me wrong I do it because I love to write, thoughts are always jumping around in my head, and when an idea pops my heart is restless until I write it down. But the Lord well knows that in my little heart lies a hope that these blogs might come a cross anyone and might make their little hearts itch with curiosity. I've been asking myself this question for quite a while, and the Lord has answered it many times, but sometimes my patience comes to a stop and I wonder.
One of the answers I was given was one day at church, not that I had asked anyone, the answer just came across. I can't remember well what the Pastor was talking about that day, but I do remember he said "Remember that while Isaiah spent many years preaching and though never won a soul he did what he was called to and that is what mattered". So sure I am not a prophet but I do feel called to use my talent for God's glory. And telling the world how He has changed my life, how He has given me purpose and happiness and LIFE, wether it makes a difference or not, is what I feel to be the right thing to do.
So this is to whoever is out there in space reading my rather long blogs about God and what He has done in my life. I know there are more thoughts than actions in them but hopefully and SOON!! I will be used in many other things as well.

God Bless!
- Rita M.

Before Mine Eyes

So this morning, well..i wouldn't call 12:17 PM morning, but as I lay there still in bed a poem sprinted inside my mind, out of Divine inspiration I can only assume. And well here it goes:

Before Mine Eyes
by: Rita and The Big Guy

I fell on my knees
in Prayer to the ground,
And Light had shined
before mine eyes

An Angel had appeared
With golden wings
And fire engulfed his deepened eyes

And in his hand
he held a Gem
Crystal clear
and Blue as sky

And in it I saw
A beautiful face
And Christ,
a carved name that shinned

As he turned the glorious gem
inside it held a Golden key.
And up he threw the gleaming Gem
And clouds did part
to open the sky.

A glorious throne
was made evident,
A radiant light
before mine Eyes.

And In his other hand
he had held a copy
of the Golden key,
A Name was carved around the top.

Twelve gems now lay encrusted
Inside the Golden key's design.
A story written in brilliant letters
And blood indicating a sacrifice.

Up he threw the key again
And narrowed was the door up high
"Few Shall Pass" the Angel said,
And vanished right before mine eyes.

Everything is Meaningless!

Before I write my fave proverbs I thought it important to write a little something about what I've been reading in Ecclesiastes.. Truthfuly there is a time for everything and the perfect timing for me to read about Ecclesiastes is precisely now. Not because I feel the way the auhor (presumed to be Solomon) was feeling at the time, but because I feel a tad identified with some of the things he wrote.

The introductory parragraph for the first 6 chapters in the bible I'm reading is the following:

"The Emptiness of the ocupations in life
Summary The average man of the street may ask himself: 'What is life' And his answer may surprise or entertain us. You can ask the same question to the Preacher of Ecclesiastes and his answer may baffle you: 'Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless'(1:2). This answer is not merely a comment of any bohemian nor of the philosopher on the corner, it is a reasoned conclusion of one of the wealthiest, wisest man and with more influence from the Bible: King Solomon, 'Son of King David', (1:1). Looking at life from under the sun, Solomon realizes that all his vast possesions and grand enterprises will not bring the ulterior happiness and satisfaction possible. Just by including God into the ecuation can we really put all the pieces that make up life together inside a significative and complete frame."(a) Amen!!

Reading the first 6 chapters of Ecclesiastes brought back memories of the days I used to ask my college friend Jenny what the meaning of life is, I'd expressively say "This can't be living, this day to day thing". Now don't get me wrong I'm not the wealthiest, nor wisests, nor powerful, nor popular, nor famous person ever, not even close to any of that. But I had started to lead a lifestyle in search of that "Ulterior Happiness and Satisfaction possible" and just like the Preacher I found that everything was meaningless. That every single thing I did would never grant me what I had always wanted and had always looked for ever since I can remember, happiness and purpose. But just like the Preacher found the answer to the question, so did the answer find me. The answer is God.

"Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.

For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil." (Ecc 12:13-14)(b)

May God Bless you All!!
in Christ,
Rita M.

(a): Translated from the bible "Tu Andar Diario" (Daily Walk Bible)
(b): Taken from BibleGateway.com (NIV)

Patience

I wrote this while reading proverbs which is like one of the best books in the bible ever..I know its a tad repetitive but that's one of the things I love most about the bible, it is not obvious in some teachings. In a lot of things you really have knock your head down thinking about the meaning of what you've just read. The fact that Solomon repeats things a lot in different ways is not accidental, he's only stressing the importance of a few things. I haven't finished reading proverbs but when I do I'll make a list of the wise advices I liked most and why. For now here's my little devotional on Patience.

Patience, a virtue or capacity that many people lack and few would like to have. Some people have it by default, others acquire it in time, others are too selfish to want it and many would like to have it but can't.

By definition, Patience:

1. The capacity, quality, or fact of being patient.(1)

"Synonyms: patience, long-suffering, resignation, forbearance

These nouns denote the capacity to endure hardship, difficulty, or inconvenience without complaint. Patience emphasizes calmness, self-control, and the willingness or ability to tolerate delay: Our patience will achieve more than our force (Edmund Burke). Long-suffering is long and patient endurance, as of wrong or provocation: The general, a man not known for docility and long-suffering, flew into a rage. Resignation implies acceptance of or submission to something trying, as out of despair or necessity: I undertook the job with an air of resignation. Forbearance denotes restraint, as in retaliating, demanding what is due, or voicing disapproval: “It is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other” (Patrick Henry)."(2)

The great Solomon advices us to be wise and among the many qualities of wisdom, patience is highly esteemed. Not only this but as you read on you can see that Christ was the biggest 'patient' of them all. He carried patience on his back. When you read about Solomon, in the bible it says that there is no one else like him, nor will there ever be. Thats true, but I heard someone ask is Solomon then greater than Jesus? If we take a look at Jesus' character, Jesus was wiser and of course greater than Solomon. The difference between Solomon's wisdom and Jesus' wisdom? Solomon talked about wisdom and taught how to obtain wisdom. Jesus is the living, walking and breathing incarnation of wisdom. All wisdom comes from God, and Jesus is the son of God.

Quotes on Patience,
Proverbs 14:29
"A patient man has great understanding,
but a quick-tempered man displays folly."
Proverbs 15:18
"A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension,
but a patient man calms a quarrel."
Proverbs 16:32
"Better a patient man than a warrior,
a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city."
Proverbs 19:11

"A man's wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense."

(1)(2) Definitions: taken from Dictionary.com

Blessings to All!
Rita M.

Unknown White Male

I was watching a Film/Documentary of a man named Doug who one day lost his memory. Completely lost his memory. One day he was Doug the photographer waiting for a friend who was to sleep over at his flat, hours later he is an unknown white English male walking down the streets of New York, with a backpack on his shoulders and no documents to identify him. After turning himself to the police and finding a phone number of a person that came from his backpack he finally found someone who knew who he was. A female friend he had dated very shortly not too long ago. She told him who he was, the kind of life he led and all sorts of things. After that he embarked on a two year journey to find out who he was, his past friends, families. But the new Doug was no longer anything like the old Doug. The old Doug was a cynical, extroverted, sarcastic, cocky, cold English young man who lived life much like a lot of people in this world, having fun partying with his friends and enjoying himself. The new Doug is sensitive, emotional, kind of shy, a more intuitive and a more passive person. The old Doug lived a fast life, collected things, was once in the stock market, and not very happy with his life. The new Doug continued the photography classes the old Doug had started, didn't care much for collecting or keeping things, realized the importance of living life at a slower pace and was more philosophic about life and existentialism.
Doug got to a point where he just didn't want to remember anything at all anymore. He liked the way he was turning out now that he had been given a 2nd chance at life, if it can be called that. His friends though missed the old Doug.
As I viewed this movie I thought wow. Such luck. If only he would have been surrounded by Christian friends at the time wouldn't it have been more awesome to be born again with a, literally, clean slate? But you see we are given a clean slate. Our mistakes and sins are there for a purpose. You learn to appreciate your new life even more, knowing that the things you did in the past have been forgiven. But one must know what wrongs one has done in the past to truly know what one is being forgiven for, right?
Then I thought, look at how this person was changed completely by the "deletion" of his memories, his old attitudes, his old ways. Something big has to happen to a person in order for that person to change radically. In order to become someone else.
And then I remembered what happened to me the day I was given a clean slate. A second chance at this thing called life. Something "big" happened to me that day. I too like Doug was living life at a fast pace. And like him I changed completely. The old Rita sort of died off. She was "deleted" from the database. The memories are still there, but the person no longer lives in me. There are some traits still hanging on. But the old depressive, introvert, rancorous, rebellious, angry at the world, funny, "sweet" Rita was erased. That is my description of her at least. The new Rita is living life at a slower pace as well, I have a new view on life, a purpose, I live for God now, I don't drink, I listen to Christian music, I don't collect things, I'm shier, I'm sweet, and many other things that if you'd like to know you should get to know me. How others viewed the old Rita? Crazy, fun, drinker, emo, party girl, conversational, sarcastic, and many other things. They too have missed the old Rita.
The difference between Dougs friends and my old friends is, that they hang on to the hopes of him ever recovering his memory again while mine know that life for me is so much better and that I simply do not want to ever go back to being her again. The one thing Doug and I have in common? A chance at a new life and the desire of never becoming our old selves ever again.
This life is good. I can tell you that. Far better than any of the things I used to do and live for. To feel loved the way I do. To have a purpose finally!!!. To live for eternal things. To change. To have a second chance. To love. To be forgiven. To forgive. To be born again!

May the Lord bless you all. May He lead you through righteous paths, and may you all find a reason to live and be happy!!

Yours Truly,
Rita

Tis been long

I know I know it has been a while..oh wait only 16 views? heck well then I guess no one really reads my blog...so it really doesn't matter if I haven't written in such a long time...don't get me wrong I still write only it is kind of hard keeping up with 3 blog thingies..but nothing is too hard if the purpose is to honor God right? So..if anyone at all is interested, you can read all my writtings at:
My Msn Space
My Myspace
Or you can search for my comments at:
Faith Community Network
A wonderful Forum where you can learn about Christ, about the Christian life, and a place to mingle with the most awesome christians ever :)

What you MUST know!!

THE PROBLEM

Here’s the deal; God is Holy and righteous. Righteousness demands justice. Because of God's righteousness, He cannot permit a sinner into Heaven. For example, if you get caught speeding on the highway, you will get a ticket and there will be a fine to pay. The law enforcement officer will not be interested in excuses; you broke the law. Even if you didn't think you were speeding!!
The Bible is very clear that there is a price to pay for sin... and the only payment God accepts is blood. (That’s why the Old Testament is so full of animal sacrifices.) God requires blood to pay for a person’s sins.
But what is sin? How do you know if you are a sinner? God gave us the Ten Commandments to show us want sin is, and therefore what will require payment. Here is a quick test... Have you ever told a lie (regardless of how big or small)? If you have then you are a liar! Have you ever stolen anything (regardless of value)? If you have then you are a thief! Have you ever used God's name as a curse? If you have then you are a blasphemer! Have you always obeyed your parents?.... if not, you are guilty of breaking God's law. Judge for yourself... will God find you innocent (and accept you into Heaven) or guilty (and send you to Hell)?
Remember that whole deal in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve? By eating the fruit they broke the law God had given them. They tried to hide their sin, but let’s just say God noticed the fig leafs. They were sorry they had sinned, they offered excuses and blame, but were still judged and found guilty. Make no mistake, God loved both of them, but God's love does not overlook sin... what kind of "good God" would allow liars, thieves, and murderers into Heaven?!? Simply put, sin will be paid for.
And so, God replaced their fig leafs with animal skins, (not because God was concerned they would get cold, but remember, blood has to be shed to cover the sin). This was the first of many blood sacrifices to atone for sin. But there was a little problem with these sacrifices. Bulls and goats were all imperfect and therefore their blood only a temporary covered the sin... it couldn't pay for it. That is why they had to keep sacrificing an animal every time they broke the law.

THE SOLUTION

God’s solution to this little problem was simple. He would send His own Son into the world to be the sacrifice once and for all. His Son was perfect (meeting all the requirements of a sacrifice) and, as long as He came into the world through a virgin, He would not be born under sin. Jesus could then offer HIS blood to pay for the sins of all people (not just temporarily cover them up.)
So, it was all set, God sent His Son into the world through the virgin (Mary). Jesus grew up fulfilling the prophecies (all of them) spoken about Him; and at the ripe old age of thirty-something, He was crucified. He was buried (because He was dead… not just sleeping… not pretending… DEAD) and rose from death three days later.
Remember our little test earlier. The fact of the matter is that no one (who is honest with themselves) can pass that test. The Bible teaches that everyone has sinned and will fall short of the Glory of God (translate: you will not be going to Heaven). So then, the only way to Heaven is to receive the gift God gave us in the sacrifice of Jesus. By accepting the sacrifice, you are allowing Jesus' blood to cover your sin instead of trying to use your own blood.

THE QUESTION

The question is - what have you done with His gift? God paid a GREAT price for our salvation.
And how do you think God will respond to those who have sinned. What about the people who nailed Jesus to the cross… how do you think God will deal with them? Our God is a loving God, slow to get angry and quick to show mercy, but let’s face it, if anyone has a reason to fear God they do!
If the blood of Jesus was shed for everyone, then we all had a part in His death. How do you think God will respond to us if we choose to ignore His gift… double jeopardy… not only did we have a part in killing His Son, but then we say "No Thanks" to His offer of forgiveness.

THE RESPONSE

So, what will your response be to this free gift that God has offered you? If eternity hangs in the balance, can you afford to wait another day? Today is the day for salvation, you are not promised tomorrow. Click here to see the 5 simple steps to salvation!

Salvation, Obedience, and faith go hand in hand

So yesterday at church we were learning about the VIIth Pillar of Faith, Salvation. And it struck us all that the salvation door is so narrow. It leaves no space for any other option than, Jesus is the only way. We couldn't understand why it had to be that way because a lot of people don't actually get to know God, or they do not get to know Jesus. But as I was reading today my virology material for tomorrow's midterm I've come to realize that God put enough evidence of his existence in everything and everywhere in this world for everyone to wonder where all of it has come from. I've heard people say but what if I'm taught ever since I'm a child one thing. We all have something in common, we feel when something is wrong and when something is right and all we have to do is either ask, or investigate elsewhere. Truth is most people do not want to hear that they can't do whatever they want with their lives, or they do not want to admit that they are sinners, or they know the truth but their hearts are as stiff as a stone. God's will and plans are not only perfect and just but their is no question that he has layed out the cards on the table for us. He's not the one being unfair, we are the one's being stubborn.

I finished reading Leviticus and it's amazing that at the end of this book God tells them look: these are my rules if you abide by them you will recieve much blessings, but if you do not obey them..and then He lists a number of horrible of things that could happen. Clearer than cristal water he could not have been, and yet they disobeyed him. And those people, the people of Israel, they presenced God like everyday, they had not seen him face to face, but they saw the smoke up in the mountain of Sinai, and above the tabernacle or temple or whatever its called in english. And they still disobeyed Him. It's a pattern, i've seen it throughout the histoy written in the Bible. Instead of being so stubborn we should learn from the teachings and from our mistakes.

Lord knows he has to teach me something everyday, like today, i got an 0.8 out of 1 in a quiz and I was so angry because the only mistake I made was to leave out a word of almost no importance to me, everything else was perfect so I asked the teacher why it mattered so much for that stupid word to be there, and she said look I repeatedly asked for all of you to put approx. before any number because these numbers are not exact, and I just found it so unfair that on other exams she didn't even care to mark it as wrong but on my exam which had nothing else wrong she had to mark it. But I was stubborn and selfish and God told me do not mention that she did not take points away for that on other people, do not mention it..im telling you. But no, stubborn and Proud old Rita had to mention it. The teacher got angry, made me cry, and to make matters worse she said that if I had not mentioned the other students thing she might have given me the points. Ouch! what a blow on my pride, but I have learned my lession. Who was I to judge her grading rules, in that classroom she is boss. Just like in this world God is boss, His rules are His rules and we must follow them whether we like them or not.

God Bless,
Rita