My Heartbeat

The youth at The Pentecostal Church of Hollister are awesome! Each of them are very special, unique and dear to my heart. They have amazing gifts and talents and are not afraid to use them. We live in a wicked world. They have struggles that we probably have never had to face, yet, they continue on and choose to serve him. They live in a world (some live in homes) that does not acknowledge or honor God. If we struggle as adults imagine how much more they must endure. They are doing their best to live a Godly life. Let's do our VERY best to help them along. Please pray for our young people. Pray for our children. The enemy of their soul is relentless and does not stop; why should we? When you see a young person struggling, instead of condemning them, love on them, pray for them and listen to them. It will take all of us doing our part to make a difference in these young men and women’s lives. I wholeheartedly agree with my Pastor, children, young people need boundaries. They need to know that some things are just NOT OKAY; end of discussion. They want you to lead them and guide them. They of course will never admit to it.

It has been so heavy on my heart lately that we are not fighting enough for our young people; this includes our children. Folks, everything in this world is trying to kill our children. The world is molding them and shaping them to conform to it’s theology and morals.

As parent’s we are first and foremost responsible for our children’s spiritual walk. Let’s make sure we are setting the example, especially, before we expect anyone else to. It is our responsibility to teach them the ways of the Lord. Be mindful of their prayer life, what they read, watch and listen to. We must take them to Sunday school, every church service and yes this includes youth services as well.

Titus 2
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

Titus 3
1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

God Bless our YOUTH!

Happy New Year!

I was going to post 1-45 reasons why I love Christmas, but I missed that boat. Next year.

I love a new year..I love the idea of starting fresh and new. I really feel like this year is going to be the year of tremendous breakthru not only in my own spiritual life but also for our church. I believe there is victory and blessings to be had in 2009 despite what we hear on the news. I know God is willing and able, we just have to believe and step out in faith. I don't want to be the same in 2009..I CAN'T be the same!

Since, I am so good at frequent postings..HaHa..Here's a picture recap of 2008. It's going to be long, so make your self a nice cup of hot chocolate or tea and sit back and enjoy! Love ya all!

God's Mercy

I've said it, you've said it and it's preached; Without God's mercy where would we be. Do you think there is a point when the Lord has had enough and mercy is removed from us? I have been in a place where God allowed me to feel what it was like: without his presence, mercy, forgiveness, hope, etc.; but I will get to that later. Sis. Hurst posted a blog that touched me deeply http://iluv2prshim.wordpress.com/ and as I sit here writing this post I am consumed, overwhelmed with tears of sadness and thankfulness. You see, the Lord knocked on our hearts door in 92' shortly after Marcus was born. Kirk met Bro. John Berrera at his work, who set him up with a bible study with Bro. & Sis. Robert Espinosa. I was 20; young, dumb and with child; and completely and totally weak. We had our bible study and even invited my cousin over; however, I can tell you that even to this day there was nothing I heard that made a difference in my heart, at that time. Why? It is because I was not willing to give up some things in my life. I had to change and was not willing to. God's creation can be so stubborn and stiff necked. I was and I turned off the word of God and the man God placed in our life to lead us to his truth. My cousin did not. She accepted the word of God and so began her journey walking with the Lord. What became of us? Hell on earth, is how I can only describe it. The thing that gets me is that it did not have to be so, had we just surrendered our will to the Lord's. I believe he was trying to spare us from the things we went through. Needless to say my cousin later told us that just when she was about to give up on us; stop inviting, stop praying I came to the Lord. For me it was the preached word and a desperate desire for forgiveness that I knew only God could give. The preacher laid it out and said, Do you want your son to go to hell because of your sins and immediately I knew this was truth and desired change not only for me, but for my innocent child; who was now 3. To the altar I went and asked God for forgiveness. I will never ever forget the wonderful feeling of peace and love; true God given love. I received his glorious gift and while speaking in tongues my cousin asked me if I wanted to get baptized. Immediately, there was a struggle between my flesh and mind versus my spiritual man. My flesh and mind was yelling NO, NO, don't do it. Right then I felt God's presence removed from me. Despite everyone around me I was in place, state of mind if you will, that was void of any emotions, hopeless, dark, destitute, lonely and empty. There are really no adjectives that can do justice to what I experienced. After realizing what it would feel like without God in my life, I made up my mind and said, "Yes,yes I will" and have never looked back since. I know without a doubt had I said no I would have missed my opportunity to be saved and I would have been lost forever. I am completely and totally sold out to serving the Lord and honestly desire his will above all else. Can mercy be removed from us? I believe for me it would have been.

I urge you, please don't stop praying and inviting loved ones and friends to church. So what if they reject you and when it looks like they are at their worst rejoice and praise God. Don't mumble, complain, or look down upon them, because such was some of us. You cannot give up. You don't know when they just might say yes and forever be changed.

Voter Beware

I received this email this morning and thought it to be very thought provoking. What do you think?

OLD VERSION:

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible for yourself!

MODERN VERSION:

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.

CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America is stunned by the sharp contrast.

How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?

Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'

Jesse Jackson stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the group singing, 'We shall overcome.' Jesse then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake.

Nancy Pelosi & John Kerry exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.

Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.

The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the government.

The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ants food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it.

The ant has disappeared in the snow.

The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.


MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful how you vote in 2008.

My Little Girl

On Saturday, we celebrated Vanessa's 11th Birthday. When she woke up Saturday morning I asked her how she felt. To which she replied "old". LOL. As is our family tradition the person of the day decides where we eat and what we do. This year Vanessa wanted to go to Grandma's house first (to open presents), then do lunch instead of dinner. After lunch and school shopping we headed off to Santa Cruz beach boardwalk. It is hard to believe that my little girl is growing up. She is such a blessing. She is very kind, funny, unique, loving and smart. I feel privileged to be her mother and have enjoyed watching her grow into her own little self.

Pismo Beach

A little late, but mentioned nonetheless. In July our youth group went to Oceano Dunes fka; Pismo Beach. Oh, what a time we had. I could mention that we got lost, and stuck in the sand, but I will not as others have already posted about the series of misfortunate events on their sites. I will note that; the weather was perfect, company was great, hearing the ocean roar in the morning was awesome, riding the sand dunes was gnarly, and making precious memories was priceless. Click on Tina's Pix's.

Philippians 4:8

Perspective: the science of painting and drawing so that objects represented have apparent depth and distance; the aspect in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed.

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about how different our perspectives are and how they vary so widely between individuals. I do not want to live as an ostrich with my head in the sand, but my desire is to be able to paint a picture of hope, beauty, delight, and happiness concerning my future and that of others. It takes no effort or talent to tear down, destroy, and to think only about the worst in something or someone (God forbid).

How are you mentally viewing things? Do you find yourself always talking about the negative or are you looking for positives in all situations and people? Do I have my moments? Sure, and thankfully, I have a husband, and a wonderful Friend, who keep me grounded.

So, today, I choose to think on ; whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think on these things.