Tissue Boxs and Hugs!

It’s one of those days. You know where you just want to curl up in your PJ's with a warm cozy blanket. You have a box of tissues next to you, and you think of all the things you should be doing. I feel this way today. Maybe it’s because of the bipolar weather or maybe it’s because of how I woke up not feeling too well. Whatever it is, I am relaxing today. I am giving God all my problems and just being comforted by His sweet hugs. 

This a good verse to meditate on today

1 John 4:16 “We have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.” 

So no matter if you are tired, happy, or going through a hard time today, please remember that God does LOVE you. He is giving you comfort just reach out your hand to receive it. Beloved, God loves you so much!

No More Shame; Hope is Here!

Dear Mirror,

You have always been so malicious to me. Every time I looked at you, I become ashamed about whom I am. I think to myself that there is no hope because your shouts of lies are so noisy and loud. I just want to look at you and not feel awful at who I am, and not feel terrible about my ugly past, and not be that girl anymore. This is all I ask.

Sincerely,

Avonlea

Dear Mirror,

It’s me again. I have news for you. Don’t say a word just listen to what I have to say. For the last twenty years of my life, you have been giving me ugly remarks and spreading lies about who I am. I believed you. I thought that I was ugly, and I was ashamed every time I looked at you. Well you were wrong. I am beautiful because I was created wonderfully and fearfully by a loving Father. My beauty comes from God. No longer will you spread your lies to millions of men and women because we have hope, and His name is Jesus. Yes, my past will be ugly but I walk in liberty now. I have a Savior who healed me from my sins and bore the grave, rose again to save me. I do sin, but I receive forgiveness. Now that is true love.

Love,

Avonlea

The Joy of Friendship!

Have you ever been loved by friends, siblings of friends, or maybe even your own family? I have always wondered if my friends would take a bullet for me, or help me out when I am in trouble. They may be human just like you and me, but one we all share in common is the foundation of love for Christ. 

 

I am so joyful even time I look back on old pictures like this one. It makes me think of how my relationship was with Christ that day, how it has grown, and what I still need to work on. I feel that one area of my life that I need to work on is being a friend. 

Jesus accepts everyone: the blind, the lame, and even the tax collector. Each one of my friends has struggles, and I need to be more of a positive light in their lives.  I enjoy this translation of Proverbs 17:17.

Proverbs 17:17

 “A friend loves at all times.
   He is there to help when trouble comes.”

Am I there to help me friends when trouble comes?

Am I there to be their shoulder to cry on?

Am I there for them?

I want to encourage you, beloved to take on the love challenge. Truly listen, speak when you have to, and most important be there for your friend. I will be praying that this world can be better friends.

Victory For the Righteous!

God woke me up early this morning to read a very powerful devotional. I would love to share with you. 

It is from a book called "Breaking Free: Day by Day" by Beth Moore

July 10th

"There are shouts of joy and victory in the tents of the righteous"

Psalm 118:15

As much as I wish my testimony could be defeat followed by salvation followed by complete victory, it is not. My testimony actually goes something like this:

Salvation, confusin, misery, defeat, success, more defeat, unmitigated failure, the victory!

In essence, my testimony is that there is life after failure- abundant, effective, Spirit-filled life- for those who are willing to repent hard and work hard. Wholeness will only come when we give ourselves wholly to God and let Him fill every empty place in our lives.

(This are not my words. All credit goes to Beth Moore, author of Breaking Free: Day by Day Devotional)

You!

I looked in the mirror
and saw a different face
You were standing near
without a trace

I was so alone
desperate and confused
and that's when it happened
the day I met You

You took my hand and danced with me
You made me smile and made me free
You gave me life abundantly

And this is why I owe my life to Thee

In The Middle....

Have you ever felt like you are stuck in the middle? Recently, I have been noticing that my prayer life has been lacking. Maybe it is because it is summer. Maybe I have been distracted. But no! I do not want to make excuses for my prayer life becoming weak and frail. 

I pray in the morning and at night right before I close my eyes for rest, but what about the middle of the day? Do I think that I do not need to talk to God in the afternoon? Am I relying on myself? This makes me dishearten to hear and to have this revealed to me. I want to be a faithful servant. 

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

I’m going to change my heart because I want to serve and live my life with God. Now that I have realized this, I am going to pray without ceasing. 

Let’s pray!

Dear Father,

I pray for forgiveness for not making prayer a part of all of my day. Lord, you are so faithful to me, and I want to be your faithful servant. Help me to put my trust in you always. I want to be a prayer warrior. Thank you for everything!

I love you with all my heart, mind, and soul!

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Isaiah 40:31 “but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint.”

A Journey For A Lifetime!

My bag is packed for a lifetime commitment journey with my Savior. The only problem is my suitcase has been filled with burdens, trials, and hurts. I’ve been so consumed in my past that I forgot that God has promised me a bright future. Honestly, I did not even realize it until I heard the song “Suitcases” by Dara Maclean. I love this chorus from the song:

“You can't run when you're holding suitcases
It's a new day throw away your mistakes and open up your heart
Lay down your guard, you don't have to be afraid”

My suitcase is filled with things from my past. 

1)   The baby blanket of comfort! Wherever I am scared or need a good cry, I run to my baby blanket because it is always here for me. No longer will I run straight to my baby blanket because I know that God is the God of comfort.

 2 Corinthians 1:4 “He comforts us in all our troubles. Now we can comfort others when they are in trouble. We ourselves have received comfort from God.”

2)   Agape the Giraffe! I have conversations with this little giraffe. Instead, I should be talk to God about my wants, hurts, and needs. What can a doll giraffe do for me? She cannot satisfy me, only God can fill my whole in my heart. God is the only who can provide for me.

Proverbs 111:5 “He provides food for those who have respect for him.
      He remembers his covenant forever.”

3)   Addition is packed safely in my suitcase. I am addicted to soda especially Dr. Pepper. I’ve realized that my body is a temple, and I should take care of it. I need to be giving back to God using my body as a sacrifice. I’m not saying that you should just stop drinking soda; this is my personal conviction.

 Romans 8:32“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

These are the things that tie me down from living a life given by God. Today, I will lose these items because I am placing them at my Father’s feet. Help me get ready of my suitcase.

Galatians 5:1-3

“Christ has set us free. He wants us to enjoy freedom. So stand firm. Don't let the chains of slavery hold you again.”

Get rid of your suitcase, and walk with God on this journey called life!

Outstretched Arms!

Romans 5:2 

"Through faith in Jesus we have received God's grace. In that grace we stand. 

We are full of joy because we expect to share in God's glory."

Today, we are here on this Earth because of God's loving and gentle Grace. We are able to share the Good news to everyone. I encourage you to take up your cross and follow Jesus. God has created this beautiful sunset to remind us that in the tough times or in the good times, He is faithful. He is ready to shower you with His Grace, if you are willing to reach your hand out to Him surrendering your life to Him. 

Today is the today....

Luminous Love!

Have you ever felt like Rapunzel in the Disney movie Tangled? In this scene, I think can relate to a lot of people. She has seen the light and finally understands what her life purpose is when she is sitting in the boat with her love interest, Flynn Rider. Have you ever seen the light? Do you understand your purpose here on Earth?

John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Jesus is the light of the world. When we surrender ourselves, our goals, our dreams, and our future to Him; He will gives an abundant life worth living. So, come to the light and He will guide your life.

Let’s Pray!

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray that you will forgive me for being so blinded by the darkness of this world. I need You to be my light for my life. Guide me Father! Thank you for being the light in this dark world.

I love you, Jesus!

And I pray this in your name,

Amen!

( This is my Aunt Kami, Rapunzel from Tangled, and myself at Disneyland)

Center Stage!

It was a dream blooming into a beautiful flower of reality. There I was, standing in the middle of the stage. It was lifted off the ground almost like I was floating in the air. There I was, chosen to sing in front of everyone. What an honor! I geared up by putting on my wireless microphone with butterflies exploding out of my tummy. I rehearsed the songs over and over again. I was ready; I was prepared. 

There I was, in front of everyone. There I was, singing my heart out. There I was, leading worship. As I jumped off the stage, I went into the back room to talk to my pastor. He told me how proud he was of me, and that he is praying I could be a regular for Sundays and another night of the week. I was blown away, so I prayed about it. Bam! I was a regular doing what I love: praising my Father. 

Here I am, about ten years later yearning for that experience again. I recently came across a few of the songs that I sang for my church. When I played them, I started crying. I cried because I miss my passion for Christ. I will admit that I have not been that passionate since I stopped singing. In fact, I can even say that I have been empty because I forgot who my first love is.

I want to sing a beautiful song for my Father. He deserves all the praise. My point of this blog is not to make it a sob story but to let you know that we need to hold onto our first love :Jesus Christ. 

The Nails in your hands by The Bridge Band
“The nails in your hands
The nail in your feet,
they tell me how much you love me
The thorns in your brow,
they tell me how, you bore so much pain to love me.

And when the heavens pass away,
all your scars will still remain,
and forever they will say,
how much you love me.

Forever my love, Forever my heart
Forever my life, it's yours, it's yours.”