Posted by Sudi in General on December 14th, 2006 at 12:44pm
Many years ago a jewish young woman was chosen by God to give birth to His Son. I imagine she was something very special in His sight, a woman with a deep and abiding faith in the God of Abraham. A woman of godly character.
A beautiful song about Mary and Jesus was written years back, and it’s one of my favorite Christmas songs.
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know, that your baby boy
Has come to make you new? This Child that you delivered,
Will soon deliver you!
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Will give sight to the blind man?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Would calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know, that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod And when you kiss your little baby,
You’ve kissed the face of God?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know, that your baby boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know, that your baby boy
Was Heaven’s perfect Lamb? And this sleeping Child you’re holding
Is the Great I AM!
Posted by Sudi in General on December 13th, 2006 at 01:45pm
Yesterday I read a few excerpts from “Radical Reliance” by Joe Stowell about pursuing intimacy with God. Some of the quotes are really worth sharing.
The pursuit of intimacy is an intentional commitment to take steps towards God. It is the process of God-ward motion through which we grow more deeply conscious of, connected to and confident in Him as the only source to satisfy, sustain and secure us.
The pursuit is intentional. It doesn’t just happen, it’s not automatic, it is an act of the will. Getting to know God increases my confidence in Him. Confidence in His ability and commitment to sustain and secure me.
If God never does anything more then redeem us, cancel hell and guarantee heaven. If he never does anything more then that, he has already done more than I deserve.
God doesn’t owe me anything. He did it all on the cross and I am forever indebted to Him.
God is doing a lot of things for us that we don’t even know.
Sometimes I wonder how many things the Lord has rescued me from, how many things he does for me each day that I don’t even realize. The Bible says that His mercies are new every morning.
When the arrows of my passions and worship point from me to Him, I’ve successfully reverse the direction of my expectations.
A few years ago I read a book that said “It’s not about you.” Life is not about me, but about God and His eternal pruposes. That is why my passions and desires need to be lined up to Him. I was created for Him, not the other way around.
The experience of true intimacy with God does not require perfection but it does require that I am fully surrendered.
Posted by Sudi in General on December 12th, 2006 at 10:56am
I’ve always struggled trying to figure out what God wants me to do. Some people are better at just doing things and trusting that God’s blessing will follow, others just know God wants them to do this or that and many others, I suppose, don’t really care what God wants. I’m neither, I’m not desicive, I don’t “just know” and I do care a great deal. So that is my struggle, almost constant. Does God want me to do this or that, does He wants me to do this now, or next year?
Last week I read a portion of the Discovery Series on God’s guidance, I was reminded of some verses that brought me great comfort.
Colossians 1:9-10 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Psalm 25:9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
I’m going to read these verses and remind myself that God wants to show me His will, far more than I could ever want to know it. I need to read my Bible and keep my eyes on Jesus.
Posted by Sudi in General on November 30th, 2006 at 10:36am
There seems to be a divide between the Christians who place the highest importance on evangelism and those who consider social justice the most urgent need. I’m trying to figure out why these two views can’t come together. Growing up, I attended an all-girl Catholic school in Mexico City for 7 years. The highlight of every year I spent in that school was the day we did community service. I visited orphanages, schools for blind children, nursing homes and very poor villages. I had a sense that we were changing the world. Those values were deeply engrained.
When I became a Christian in 1988, I was introduced to a different way of seeing things. I was trained to be a minister, and worked many years with children and youth. My biblical and theological training along with my church ministry experience taught me the paramount importance of the gospel. So at that point these two views married each other in my mind.
Not long ago we read an article about a billionaire who has given billions to charity and thinks that by doing so, his soul will be saved. It was sad to read, first of all because many charitable organizations mean well and attempt to do great things but without an eternal perspective there is not lasting impact. It is also sad, because his conclusion is that good works lead to heaven but the Bible says, “it is not by works, so that no one should boast”.
So what is better, to feed a hungry man a piece of bread or to share with him a verse in the Bible and invite him to surrender his life to Christ? If I had to choose one, I would always choose sharing the Gospel, because that hungry man will hunger again for bread, but if he is fed the Bread of Life, his soul-hunger will be satisfied forever. I believe that sharing the Gospel with someone is the most loving, selfless and life-changing gift anyone can give to another person.
But it doesn’t end there, I know which I would choose but I don’t have to choose one or the other, so it is very much one and the other. Jesus, while on earth, went around meeting a lot of people’s physical needs, he fed the hungry, healed the sick. His underlying and fundamental purpose was the spiritual redemption of sinners, but Jesus never forgot the immediate needs of the poor and the sick and the forgotten. He had a keen perception and deep sensitivity and compassion and he acted upon all of these.
I am reminded of what my pastor always tells us, “God gives to you, so you give to others”. We are so rich, we have so many opportunities, resources, freedoms and wealth in this country, so there is no excuse to not give to those who have less than I do. Giving was modeled by Jesus, he is and was and always will be the ultimate GIVER, He gave it all, He gave His life. Everything the Father entrusted to Him, he offered back as a sacrifice to pay for my sins.
All this to say that I think the best way to spend one’s life is to bring as many people as possible to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. But this passion in no way lessens my responsibility to attend to the needs of people who are less fortunate. The Bible says that “by their fruits they shall be known.” The trademark of a Christian is and should be “giving”. Not giving leftovers, but giving the best, giving sacrificially. The greatest testimonies I’ve heard are those of people who received a blessing from a Christian and asked “Why? Why are you kind to me? Why do you give so selflessly?” Because Jesus gave so selflessly, He gave his life and died on the Cross so that you and I might live.
Posted by Steven in General, Home on November 6th, 2006 at 07:34pm
I just stepped out onto the balcony and counted eight airplanes and helicopters in the night sky, all visible at the same time. It struck me as interesting and so I am sharing it.
Posted by Sudi in General on October 19th, 2006 at 11:48am
A “gratitude visit” was developed by Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman to promote strong emotional health. He tells people to think of someone who has made an important difference in their lives. He asks them to write the story of how that person has helped them, and then to visit that person and read the story aloud. Tests show that a year later the people who had done so were happier and reported fewer episodes of depression. Even more important, think of what it must have done for those who were thanked!
The apostle Paul had a long list of people who had helped him and for whom he was grateful (Rom. 16:1-16). He wrote that Phoebe had “been a helper,” Priscilla and Aquila had “risked their own necks” for his life, and Mary had “labored much” for him. And he took time to write his thanks in a letter to the church at Rome.
Who has helped to shape your life? Could you make a gratitude visit—for their sake, and for yours? —Anne Cetas
After reading this, I sent out 5 emails to people who have made a tremendous difference in my life.
Our trip to Puerto Vallarta was unforgetable. We ate the most delicious food, enjoyed beautiful sunsets, had a great time with Lucy and friends and rested. We also celebrated our third wedding anniversary on September 8th. It was truly wonderful. We created 6 galleries, click on the pictures below, they will take you to all the pictures on that category. Enjoy!
Posted by Sudi in Church, General on August 10th, 2006 at 09:28pm
God’s mercy and protection were evident today as the attacks planned against the UK and the USA were bravely and strategically thwarted.
Today’s events were unfortunate, but they serve as a wake up call to all those who have critized Israel’s actions against Ismalic fascists. It seems like we have forgotten 9/11 and what it felt like to be invaded and terrorized but today we were reminded that 1) we are vulnerable and 2) the goal of Islam is to destroy not only Jews and Israel but also the USA.
Today in the Jerusalem Post an article read ” Israel is fighting for its own future, but it is hard to think of another time in history when so small a nation has done such a favor for the rest of the world. If free nations cannot bring themselves to show gratitude or even openly acknowledge what is at stake here, as they know they should, the least they can do is to avoid making Israel’s job more difficult.”
If there ever was a time to support Israel and their fight for freedom, which is our fight for freedom against the same enemy, it is now. And for whatever it’s worth we and millions of Christians are grateful to Israel.
We put together a list of resources regarding Israel. Mainly because the media (CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, BBC, PBS) is very slanted and conveniently leaves out important facts. We thought you would appreciate a Biblical perspective on the current situation. Feel free to send our link to friends, family and pastors. We hope these resources will be a blessing to you as they have been to us.
May the Lord Bless You as you study His Word and pray for Israel.
“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12 :3
“See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth.” Jeremiah 31:8
