A Dream: That None Should Perish

A few weeks ago I had a dream that I wanted to write about, but it's been a busy time, I hadn't had much time to write. Booohooo....so I'm taking advantage of these few minutes on this quiet Monday March Break week Morning. Tee hee.

I was dreaming one night that I was somewhere very high, maybe I was on a cloud, but all I remember is my view. I could see the city, the buildings, the cars, like you can see them when you are on a really high roller coaster. Than I could see my daughter, from so high up I could tell it was her. My daughter is 3 years old. I could see her walking on the streets on her own, not knowing where she was going, not knowing what she was doing. I could see the danger her life was in and I would shout and scream her name so that she would avoid, the ongoing traffic around her. I was scared for her life, in fear of a car hitting her. As much as I screamed, she could not hear me. I then attempted to scream and call out the people that were around her, so that they could help her and guide her home, but no one seemed to notice that she was around, no one seemed to see or even care the danger that this child was confronting. I remember feeling helpless and in despair in the dream because I could not do anything to save my child, I was stuck at this height and could not go down.

When I awaken from the dream, the first thought that came to my mind, was "That is exactly How God Feels, That is Exactly How God Loves". I understood it was a God given dream, not just a nightmare. In scripture God compares HIS love for humanity like how a Parent loves his child, of course He being God, His love is much greater than what we could ever comprehend, but if you are a parent, you can relate on how strong that kind of Love could be.

This world, as my daughter in the dream, is so lost in their paths, they are following a path that leads to death and destruction. As much as God calls people in many different ways, people harden their hearts and choose to ignore his call. Or they may hear him but because they have never known God they are not sure how to respond to Him. Than God tries to reach these souls through us, the witnesses of his Love, the born-again people, the people who have experienced his presence, the people who know the truth and He calls out to us, so that we can guide these people who are so lost, in danger and in trouble, but at times we are so caught up with our lives and our troubles that we don't hear the voice of God calling us to speak of His name, to the needy people of this world. We are Christians and are proud of knowing the truth, but that's it. We keep this great truth, this great hope, this great doctrine, to ourselves either because we don't want to go through trouble, because we are scared of what they will say, or simply because "because", no real excuse. Sometimes we are so focus on our troubles, on our circumstances we lose focus of the bigger picture, WE HAVE GOD to help us in our time of need, the WORLD does not and because they don't have any hope, many choose that path of suicide as a way to end it all. Sometimes we are even so busy arguing, fighting and competing against each other, "the chosen" that we even fail to see those around us that need GOD so much.

If I could in this moment, inspire you to feel a burden for those souls of this earth, that are empty, that are in fear, that don't feel love, that feel anxiety, that don't have direction, that need to be shown the way to Escape death and hell.  That we may feel that same anguish that God feels for humanity.That we may make the sacrifice that He made on that cross, everyday more worth it as more souls are pulled out of hell and headed to heaven. That we may take a moment to refocus, to put things into true perspective to LOVE as GOD has loved us. Think about how your life could have been like, if someone, hadn't dedicated time to you and ensured you were on the right path to salvation. Think about how your life could have been if someone didn't see the potential in you, if someone didn't see, with faith who you could become in the kingdom of heaven. Every soul is worth it to God, no matter how ugly, no matter how sinful, God can forgive and those people can become a great blessing and inspiration to the church as they share the GREAT things the Lord did in their lives.

May we remember His dream, that None should Perish. May we rejoice when a sinner comes to Christ, wherever it may be, in our church, their church, any church around this globe! They are souls for JESUS AND ARE BEING SAVED FROM HELL. Rejoice with the LORD.

"Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 15:10

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."

2 Peter 3:9

One Day I will Sing in Heaven!

During my years of singing there have been some wonderful moments that I've had with the Lord. I shall share one of them with you today.

This past weekend we had very blessed services. I can still taste the presence of the Lord. It was amazing. While we were singing the Song "Agnus Dei" (Hallelujah for the Lord God Almighty Reigns) as I worshiped I could hear like as if it were hundreds of people singing the song along with us 4 singers. It was truly incredible and a joyous feeling because our church is not a huge church - just yet! : ) and it seriously sounded like it as if it were angels that were singing along with us, it's quite amazing. The bible does say that Angels are present to minister to the heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14)! During my years of singing I've had this experience a few times and I've even open my eyes, to see if the Lord will allow me to have a glimpse of these angels singing along with us, but I can't say I have seen any. It may sound crazy but when we talk about faith, faith is crazy, acts crazy, but accomplishes the impossible. This experience always fills my heart of joy and takes my mind to that one day that Revelations talks about, while thousands of thousands will be singing to the King of Kings and to the Lord of Lords. Experiences like these, make me want to sing my heart out even more, be a better worshiper and wrap myself in the presence of the Lord forever!! The Lord becomes so much more real to me, and I am humbled that he would allow me a glimpse of heaven. It inspires me and encourages me to keep fighting this battle of faith, because one day, I will be doing what I love best forever! Singing to my Lord and Savior face to face. The thought of that brings such great joy to my heart and tears of joy to my eyes, to think of that day. Oh how I desire to see HIM. I am so blessed to know Him and to have the opportunity to see Him one day. For now, I will keep rejoicing in His presence and singing to Him and only Him.

"Call Me Fanatic" - Poem

Call me fanatic if you will.

Call me crazy if you will.

Call me abnormal if you will.

But you just don't get it, you just don't understand.

You weren't there, when he gave my life meaning

You weren't there, when he held me in my loneliness

You weren't there, when he gave me strength in deception

You weren't there, when he healed my loved one of cancer

You weren't there, when he saved my sibling from disaster

You weren't there, when he kept me from drugs & disease

You weren't there, when he kept me from addiction

You weren't there, when everyone left, only He remained

You weren't there, when he healed my soul from pain

You weren't there, when he kept me from harms way

You weren't there, when he provided, when there was not a cent left

You weren't there, when he showed me love in my weaknesses

You weren't there, when he made a way, where there was no way

You weren't there, when he opened a door, that was forever shut

You weren't there, when he gave me peace that surpasses all understanding

You weren't there, when he showed me light in the darkness

You weren't there, when he wiped my tears

You weren't there, when he filled me with wondrous power

You weren't there, when he forgave all of my sins

You weren't there, when he blessed me, with more than I deserved

You weren't there, when he answered all of my prayers....

Call me fanatical if you will, but YOU JUST WEREN'T THERE.

-Me

Some people will never understand why we dedicate so much to serving God, why we spend so much time in his presence, why we work in his business without getting anything in return. But the truth is, there's nothing that can compare, to God's presence, it's a bit of heaven on this earth! Anything that we do here on earth, could never re-pay the Lord for the salvation he offers us, for his mercies every morning and for the faithfulness he has shown us, even in our weaknesses. He's done so much for us, how can we not serve HIM!?!? If they want to call me fanatic, so be it, I am a fan of JESUS. Why not? The world has so many idols and love for human beings, and even cry and scream when they see them, just another human being, like you and me! So why is it fanatical and crazy to cry and worship in the presence of the almighty GOD, who is not human, who is all power, who has done so much for me and the ones I love? I say it's more crazy to worship a human being, than it is to worship, the CREATOR of all. But I'll leave that up to you to decide. Call me crazy if you will, but you just weren't there.

"Preaching about the cross sounds foolish to those who are dying in sin. But it is the power of God to those of us who are being saved from the punishment of sin" - 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NLV)

Growth Through Pain - Testimony

About 5 years ago, my beautiful mother went through a rough year, health wise. She was constanly in pain, in surgery after surgery. There were times when she would call me crying and I would feel helpless. It was a tough time and when I think about how she and I got through it all, I can only thank God. It is very possible that my mom would not be still alive today but by the mercy of God she is. It was a hard time in my life, but we made it through.

I remember one particular time, I was going to visit her at the hospital after work. I was feeling very down because of this ongoing situation. I wanted to see my mother's health restored. This had just gone on for too long and there was also a fear in me of my mother not making it. I didn't feel ready for that, eventhough I was married, I felt that I still needed her alot in my life for guidance and advice. She's always the person I turn too. That day, I felt so heartbroken, asking God "why?", I could not bare to see my mom in so much pain and suffering any longer.  I decided to play a CD I had in my car to calm me down the rest of the way to the hospital. I did not want my mother to see me in the state I was. I needed to be strong for her. As the CD played, a song came on that ministered to my heart, oh so dearly (it was God sent, I don't believe in coincidences!). It was a breaking point for me. I had my moment with God that gave me the strength to endure the rest of my mother's sickness. The tears just started to flow and I thanked God for being my strength, my refuge, my hope and my peace (Psalms 37:39 - "He is their strength in the time of trouble"). Although I was still concerned for my mother, I was finally able to leave my burden on God instead of carrying it myself.

Now everytime I hear that song, it takes me back to that moment and time. And I get teary. There are moments you have in the presence of God that impact your life forever. I'm thankful for the moments God has allowed me to pass with him. My moms sickness made me learn to trust him more, it made me grow in faith (as I saw him heal her from Cancer!), it made me mature in him, it made me value the right things in life, the things that are worth it and to enjoy even the smallest moments of life with your loved ones.

From everything we learn and I'm thankful for that. It was a painful time of my life, but now when I look back, I realize all of the great lessons it taught me. I don't think I had ever gotten as close to God as I did, when my mother was sick. I believe that is another reason why I had to go through that time, to learn to get close to Him and stay close to Him for the plans He had in my future, I needed to learn to have that close relationship with him. I needed to stop focussing on the things I was, to focus on Him and His plans for my life. During that time, He wrapped me in his arms and sustained me.

The chorus of that song goes like this (it's in spanish but I translated the chorus).

You are my Refuge, and my Salvation

In you I find, comfort in my pain,

I know that you desire, my time and my life

I give it all to you.

I leave you with this verse, which I truly believe: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28