God, Where are You?

The past several months have had a lot of grief all around many people I know and people whom I do not know.  I don't have to look far to see brokenness.   The world is full of hurt in all different shapes and sizes.  My heart has been heavy lately because there are so many lives being taken away at all different ages.  Just about every week, there's another memorial service.  You may be reading this, and are someone who has lost someone dear to you.  There isn't anything that I can say that could take the pain away completely, because grief is just very painful and very real.  I've been there, and I still have my hurts that will last a lifetime but the only thing that gives me hope, is from God alone.  The title of this blog is definitely very different, compared to the previous titles I've had, but when we go through tough times, this question gets asked.  We may feel that God has left us, or is so distant from us and doesn't understand what we are going through.  Perhaps we don't believe He cares. 

There are many different thoughts that come across our minds in this but God understands.  I can tell you that He is never too far away, or not there at all.  He has you engraved in the palm of His hands and will never let you go.  Go ahead and cry out to Him and talk to Him like your best friend,because that's exactly Who He is.  He loves you more than anyone in the world, and loves you more than you can possibly comprehend.  Life is full of hard times.  Some people seem to have more than others, and it may seem like some don't have any at all.  We don't know what the person next to us is going through, but that's not for us to know.  God knows.  Right now, God says to give your worries, and troubles, and absolutely everything to Him.  Let Him carry the load you have on your shoulders.  He will always walk with you and carry you.  You never have to go alone.  Actually, you were created to need Him.  You can't do it alone, no matter how hard you try.  We need a Savior every moment of our lives. 

If you are going through grief right now, or some other difficult storm in life, I can't promise you that you are going to not feel pain or hurt when clinging to God, but I can promise you that you will have a peace, and joy and reassurance that only He can give.  I can also promise you that you will be comforted in ways that you never have before and will have a hope.  Death is not a pretty thing, but it is a part of life.  We are all going to die one day, unless Jesus returns before we do.  If you were to die right now, are you positive you will be going to heaven?  Jesus is the One and only way to heaven. It takes more than believing Jesus exists, and believing that He died on the cross.  Satan himself believes that much.  We need to have a relationship with Him.  God wants us to come to Him, and accept Him into our hearts.  He wants us to love Him above all and to give our lives over to Him.  You may be afraid of the word "surrender."  Let me tell you something.  Surrendering to God doesn't mean you will be captive and not have a free life.  It actually means being more free than you could ever be before.  You don't have to fear death, or shame, or anything because of Christ's love and ultimate sacrifice for you.  Your life will become complete with God in it.  Without God in your life, you will always try to find something to fill that void, but God and God alone can fill it.  Material goods, drugs, alcohol, money, and everything else in the world can never fill that void.  All of those things are useless, when we think about it.  They don't make us happy, nor complete, nor do they satisfy, because we are always going to be longing for more.  Not only does God meet every need but He gives us more than enough.  he also gives us love, peace, hope, and fills our hearts with assurance that we would never have without Him.  He gave up His life on the cross, so that we can have eternal life with Him in heaven and not eternal death in hell. All we have to do is accept Him and His amazing grace for us.  God is ever faithful and always will be.  He is always there for you, and loves you more than you could know. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5 

 "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'   The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:22-26

"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11 (Favorite Bible verse.)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

One of my favorite speakers in Jennifer Rothschild.  I saw a video the  other day with her and Krik Cameron.  I encourage you to watch it.  It's only 10 minutes long, but very true, and well said.  I will close with this: no matter what happens in life, just know that God does care, and holds you tightly to Him, and He is good all the time. 

Choose Joy

What does the word joy mean to you?  Is is a noun or a verb?  Maybe it's both?  I will tell you, it's both.  Though, when you think of the word joy, what comes to mind?  Do you think joy means to simply be happy all the time?  Why do you think joy is a fruit of the Spirit but happiness isn't?  These are questions to think about really.  I looked it up in the dictionary just for the sake of it, but I would prefer to say what God thinks about it.  He wrote about joy long before Webster did.  (For all who wonder who that is, just a name of a English dictionary.)  

Look at the picture here.  There  is a reason we sing Joy to the World.  Christmas we celebrate the Savior's birth, but I hope we do more than celebrate.  I hope we can say we rejoice in His birth, death and resurrection daily.  Jesus did come down from His heavenly throne for us.  Because of His amazing love, we can live a life with Him, and have the reassurance of eternal life if we have chosen to accept Him into our lives, and confess our sins to Him.  He is the answer to everything we need, and He is the reason why we have joy.  Even when times are hard, we can still choose joy and we should.  Choosing joy doesn't mean that you slap a smile on your face 24/7 and are happy all the time.  When trials come, it's not wrong to have grief and pain because of it.  However, when you have that true joy in your heart that only Jesus can give, and focus on  that, and focus on the hope, and reassurance that comes from Him, a strong sense of peace comes over us.  The peace of knowing that no matter what, Christ will walk us through.  

There's an old saying in life, that you either look at the glass half full, or you look at it half empty.  To be honest I was never really a fan of hearing that.  Usually I needed to though.  I want to give you another challenge though.  Whether you are struggling with some sort of hardship now, or the next time you do, turn those doubts, fears, sadness, loneliness, worry, grief, bitterness, and whatever other down emotion you may be having, into prayer and give all your concerns to God.  Let Him fill you with the joy only He can give.  Let Him comfort you in a way that only He can.  God loves you.  When you are in the storms in life, God isn't far away on the shore, He's right there in the boat with you.  He knows your pain even better than you do.  Let Him carry you and walk besides you.

This Christmas, focus on the true meaning.  Never lose focus on why we celebrate this joyous season.  I know that so often the season can be hard for many of you because of loss and heartaches in your life.  I struggle with it myself.  When we fix our eyes on Jesus though, He does give us the strength we need to carry on.

So no matter what, choose joy.  There is always something to be joyful about.  The greatest Gift of all, loves you.  He loves you more than you can possibly imagine.  He collects every tear in a bottle. For God to hold onto every tear, really means something.  He really wants to be your comfort. Your strength.  Your absolute everything.  He's your Heavenly Father.  He knows the number of hairs on your head, and not a one of them falls off without His knowing.  Let Him surround you.  He truly is the answer. There is not one materialistic thing in this world that can satisfy your needs.  Even if you have everything you could possibly want, you will never have the true joy in your heart.  Only Jesus Christ can fill that void in your heart.  Once you focus on Him, your life will never be the same.

Giving Thanks

This week the United States celebrates Thanksgiving Day.  Many people spend the day with their families and eat until they can't get another bite in their mouths.  Growing up, I would usually go to my grandparents house for Thanksgiving with the rest of my family after the Thanksgiving church service.  I think about it though and I want to be thankful more than once a year. In fact we should be thankful on a constant basis.  God requires that we show Him gratitude for all He has done.  No matter what country you are from, you can celebrate Thanksgiving because we should always be giving thanks. Not just when things are going well but in all things, we should be. We should worship the Lord with thanksgiving.

I know that there's countless people who are hurting and not feeling very thankful right now.  Maybe you lost your job and you are struggling to get by each day.  Maybe you are feeling a bit lost and not sure what Gof has in store for you.  The doctor may have come back with your test results, only to tell you the news you have been dreading.  Maybe you have lost loved ones this year and really don't feel like celebrating anything because it's just too painful.  The tragedies in the shootings again this year were horrific.  Thousands more lives lost or changed forever because of violence.  The hurricanes this year has destroyed homes and many were killed.  The eakrthquake that occurred in the Middle East, yet another devastation.  Maybe you are reading this and you are one of the people affected by these tragedies, or something else that has really been painful and a devastating blow to your life.

You may be asking me through your computer screen, how can I say to be thankful when it hurts.  I have to be honest with you, I have asked that question many times in my life.  I have lost dear loved ones at a young age in my life, including my own father.  I have battled different medical challenges throughout my life.  But I have so much to be thankful for.  No matter what we go through in life, there's always something that is positive.  You are now asking me,... "Are you kidding me?!"  Allow me to give you a little story of when my dad had his heart attack and was in and out of hospitals....

When my dad was critical and we really didn't know if he was going to pull through, we were out of state and nowhere near home.  Even so, the body of Christ surrounded us.  They took care of us when we needed it and they visited us and prayed over us and for us regularly.  In spite of all of that was going on, my faith was strengthened and my relationship with my family and church family grew tighter and we pressed forward together with the help of our Heavenly Father.  Not only that but people were watching us and strangers came up to us to say that they would be praying for us.  God was touching lives through our hardship.  Not only was this so but God never let us go. He was with us and He is still with us every step of the way and He does give us strength.

I know that there's so much hurt in this world.  But I also know that God wants to walk you through whatever you are going through.  One of my favorite songs (I have countless favorites but I have always loved music.) is Through it All.

I’ve had many tears and sorrows,
I’ve had questions for tomorrow,
there’s been times I didn’t know right from wrong.
But in every situation,
God gave me blessed consolation,
that my trials come to only make me strong

Through it all,
through it all,
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus,
I’ve learned to trust in God.
Through it all,

through it all,
I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.

I’ve been to lots of places,
I’ve seen a lot of faces,
there’s been times I felt so all alone.
But in my lonely hours,
yes, those precious lonely hours,
Jesus lets me know that I was His own

(chorus)

I thank God for the mountains,
and I thank Him for the valleys,
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through
For if I’d never had a problem,
I wouldn’t know God could solve them
I’d never know what faith in God could do.
(Chorus)

I can testify to every word in this song.  It's so true that in our hardship we are strengthened through God's power in us.  However we have to depend upon God and His Word daily.  God doesn't force Himself upon us, He wants us to desire to come to Him and give Him our burdens.  God loves you!  Like a parent who comforts their child when they hurt, God comforts us. We are His children.  He created you and you are His most precious creation.  You can depend upon Him through it all.
You may not think you have anything to be thankful for this year, or maybe you are beyond thankful because you have had many blessings come your way, whatever your situation may be, know this, because of God's grace and everlasting love, He is all that you need.  No matter what.  

Had Enough

Most of us, have either heard and/or used the expression, "I've had enough!"  We all I'm sure have said or thought it ourselves from time to time.  It can be about anything we've grown tired of.  Or simply we can say, we've had enough to eat, enough TV, it doesn't really matter.  Now here's the bigger question.  Have you ever said you've had enough with life?  Or enough of different aspects of your life?  Or enough of uncontrolled events or situations in your life?  Maybe you've felt defeated, and not feeling like you can go on anymore.  Have you been overcome with fear?  Honestly the list is endless.  We all are human and we grow tired.  Our patience can get worn thin.  Each day can present new challenges.

If we look at the world around us, we don't have to look far to see hurtfulness and brokenness.  Sadly this world is full of it.  To this day, I remember all of the lost and broken people throughout the city streets I walked.  There was so much that I witnessed, that was far beyond my imagination prior to joining urban ministries.  I remember walking around feeling like I had such a heavy weight on my shoulders.  I haven't been able to walk the city for over 4 years now because of medical reasons, but the memories of it all are still fresh.  While I was in Mexico, I witnessed and heard so much brokenness as well.  What I all saw, was only a very small percentage of a broken world.

  I think of this past hurricane, and how it destroyed many lives just like that.  I think of the terrorist attacks that happened a few miles from home, in San Bernardino just about 1 year ago.  Even though life moved on, lives were dramaticallly changed and lost by people's act of violence, and hatred towards others. Then a few months later another attack in Orlando, the devestating crocodile accident, and a shooting of a young vocal artist, all within the same week.  There has been devastation around the world from shootings, terrorism, accidents, sickness, poverty, and the list goes on.

Every time I turn on the news, the first several minutes, are about shootings, horrible crimes, fires, and just sadness.  I must admit, I have said it many times that I've had enough with it all.  It breaks my heart.  I wonder what causes people to do the things they do to others.  I think to myself often, of how much it breaks my heart, it must break God's heart immeasurably more.

I've had so much physical pain in my life, to the point where I have told  my mom several times how I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy, and have said I don't want anyone to ever go to hell.  We can't imagine how horrible hell will be.  When we look around the world, and hear about all of the torture and suffering people go through, hell is so much worse than all of that.  None of us can comprehend how horrific hell will be, any more than we can begin to imagine how amazing heaven will be.

I have often thought, when God will have had enough with this world.  We long for Jesus to come again soon, and to take us home.  But  at the same time, I hope that God will wait just a little bit longer to come because of so many people that don't know Him.  I have people in my life that haven't accepted Jesus as their Savior.  Every time a shooting happens, or attack happens, I have an inner thought, hoping that they knew Jesus and went to be with Him.  Sadly there are people that die everyday that didn't know Him.  Nothing breaks my heart more.  As much as I am tired and longing for Christ's return, I'd rather suffer much longer, for the sake of others to come to know Christ as their Savior.

For all of you going through hardships, I want to tell you not to lose hope.  Trust in the Lord, I promise you, He will always carry you through and will forever be by your side.  If you do not know Jesus as your personal Savior, and want to have the hope of living pain free for all eternity with Jesus, all you have to do is ask Him into your life. Jesus died on the cross for you and wants you to come to Him.  His grace is free for all who choose to accept it. Trust me, your life will be so much greater, with Jesus in it.  I've gone through a lot of different hardships all my life, but I'd rather have a life of hardship with Him, than a so called perfect life without Him.  Jesus is everything to me, and it's because of Him, I can wake up each day with a hope.  I know that when I die, or when Jesus comes again, I will never suffer again.  I'll live for all eternity perfectly whole.  If you would like to invite Jesus into your life, I want you to pray this prayer.  Prayer is a way of talking with God, and He loves you so much, and wants to hear from you.  He knows you better than you know you.

For those of you who have said yes to accepting Jesus, here's a simple prayer you can pray.  This is an example prayer, and you can pray it in your own words.  Pray what's on your heart.

Dear Jesus,  I know that I am a sinner.  I know that Your grace is something I can never earn, but it is a gift from You alone.  Lord, I'm sorry for all of the sins I've committed in my life.  Please forgive me for all of my sins Lord.  Come into my heart Lord Jesus.  Lord, thank you for loving me.  Thank you for dying on the cross for me.  Lord I love you and desire to have a relationship with You.  Help me to walk with You.  Show me Your ways Lord.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.   

If you prayed this prayer, I welcome you into God's family!  The next step would be to get a hold of a Bible and to find a Christian church to attend to.  If you need any help with this, you can contact me through this blog site.  There are a lot of online resources out there that can help you too.  Most church's have websites and their contact info on them as well.  God bless you dear friend.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Like a Rose

It has been a long time since I've written last.  To be honest I don't have a good excuse as to why, other than I've been struggling a lot lately and I really have not felt up to it.  I know that is a pretty lame excuse, but I don't have any other explanation.  However, I'm writing now and I want to get back into the swing of doing it more often again.

As many of you know  the last several years have been very hard.  I've been stretched to my breaking point, or so it felt, again and again.  I've felt the feeling of not being able to go on anymore.  Life has just been really hard to be frank.  But I did not decide to write again just to unload on you.  I have more to share that's a lot better.

Today I was outside watering some plants.  God has given me this picture many times, but as I was watering I took a literal look at it.  That is the picture of a rose.

When I'm standing above a rose, this is what I see.  A beautiful rose blooming perfectly.  If I didn't know any better, this would be all I thought a rose was.  But when looking up at a rose from underneath, I see something totally different.  

I see a bunch of thorns twisted around the stem among many leaves, and I barely can see the actual rose.  It doesn't look as pretty from the underside.  How often do we look at our own lives this way?  If we compare this to our lives, and we try to look ahead, we too see a lot of twist and turns that don't make any sense.  As we endure suffering and pain, life just looks like a bunch of thorns to us.  Pain hurts,  it hurts bad.  No matter if it is physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual, we don't like it when we have to endure pain.  I know I don't like it.  All the storms that have been thrown into my life have been incredibly hard.  Everything from dozens of surgeries, loss of loved ones, various medical problems, etc.. Very much have felt like a twisted mess not making much sense to me.  but one thing that has been a constant thing in my life is God's everlasting love.  He has walked by my side through all of the ups and downs.  He's carried me through when I had no more strength left within me.  He's used me to touch other lives and to bring honor and glory to Him.  I've had great divine appointments through the years.  I've gained great friendships and through it all, I know that Jesus has never left me alone.

When God looks down on me, He is looking at a beautiful rose that He created.  God sees the whole picture of my life, and He knows what He's doing.  He wants others to come to Him and He uses our trials and tribulations to bring people to Him.  The people who have influenced me the most in my life are the people who understand.  

I want to encourage you.  I want you to know that you're a beautiful rose that God sees.  You may feel like your life is a bunch or twisted thorns that seem unending but through God's eyes, He does see the whole picture.  You're growing into a beautiful rose as you walk through life.  God promises to never leave us.  Not only does He promise us that, but He also died for you so you can have a relationship with Him.  You can cry out to Him directly and He will hear you.  He's there to comfort you no matter what you are going through.  He also understands what you're going through.  While Jesus was on earth He went through much pain and suffering of all kinds.  We can't even imagine what He al went through.  He did it all because He loved us so much.  He will forever walk with us.