Alone you can't

Together we can.

--God

He makes everything beautiful, in His time....

David: Winning against the giants.

I was reading in Ephesians, and I came upon chapter 6 where it talks about the armor of God. So I decided to do a study for myself on what the armor of God really means.

Verse 10: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.

Here it is asking us to be strong in who's might? Not our own. In God's might. How can we be strong in God's might? I am reminded of the story of David. When he goes and gets permission from Saul to fight Goliath. Lets look at that story. 1 Samuel 17. When I got to verse 32, David had just been called for by king Saul, because the kind had heard what David was saying to the other soldiers. David was appalled that no one was going to fight this giant, no matter the prize, because he was defying Israel, and God. David said to king Saul, “Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” Wow! David says, don't worry, I will go and fight! When you think about it, why wasn't David in the army already? Because he was below fighting age, which was 20 years old. David was only a teenager! And after all the valiant men of war said, “we are too afraid!”, this little teenager says he will go? And on top of that, he tells the king not to worry! If I were the king, I would be worrying!! King Saul was putting his life into Davids hands. Not only his own life, but the lives of all the people of Israel.

Obviously, king Saul wasn't impressed right away. David went on to tell him about how the Lord had saved him from the hand of the bear and the lion. God had given David those victories. Why would God not give David this victory as well, seeing that this giant had defied God and His people, while the bear and lion had done nothing. What faith on David's part! I believe that it was Davids evident faith that made king Saul say yes.

Then, it says, verse 38, “And Saul armed David with his amor, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his amor, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off Him.” David was so used to going in God's strength that he couldn't go in his own strength, because he didn't have the practice. WOW!!!! He couldn't use the armor of men, because he was not used to it. He couldn't go in the strength of king Saul's armor, he had to go in the strength of God's armor. Which was the simple staff, 5 smooth stones put in a shepherds bag, and his sling. But he had invisible armor.

“And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. And the Philistine said unto David, 'Am I a dog, that you comest to me with staves?'. (Goliath couldn't see David's invisible armor.) And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, 'Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.' Then said David to the Philistine...(Up until this point, David hasn't said a word in defense. He has remained silent. But here is his chance to defend his God) 'Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: (All visible to everyone.) But I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Isreal, whom thou has defied. (David is not only fighting a physical war, but he is fighting a battle against principalities. Ephesians 6:12. And David is the only one with the invisible armor.)

This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands!'” David understood, that he had the invisible strength from God on his side, and he was willing to put his life into those invisible hands, and trust that even though he couldn't see God, that he was there. How was David able to have this trust? From experience. What a rebuke to the rest of the people standing there?? All the “supposed” men of war? They were trusting in only the visible, just like Goliath was.

So David went and with a simple sling, one shot, killed Goliath. “So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was NO sword in the hand of David.” He did not rely on mans strength at all. Everything was completely on God. We too, because of God's strength, can kill the giants in our lives with something as small as a stone and a sling, and a mustard seed of faith. Wow...what a promise. “So, finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against power, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore...” Ephesians 6:10-13

Wow, so we are to do our best in everything that we do, (having done all to stand) and leave the rest, by faith, up to God. We are not to fight the giants of our day with our own strength, but in God's strength. Which means using the invisible armor to fight an invisible devil, but we are fighting with an invisible God who is stronger than anything on this earth.  

When we do our BEST, God will do the REST.

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding...

Obstacles are things you see when you take your eyes off the goal...

Thanksgiving!

I got a new camera! Just in time for the holidays...and hopefully it has a longer life then my 3 other cameras! :)

Thanksgiving at my Grandparents

The food was delicious!

The empty plate before the meal....

Our Thanksgiving turkey! :)

My plate during the meal...and yes the salad has avocado in it...and yes I ate it! :) (the salad that is...) (the salad was delicious!)

Me and my cousin...

My sisters!! :)

The plates after the meal.... :)

 The little cook! (she had some help...)

The unthankful heart, discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! 

Happy Birthday Mom!

Dearest Mother,

from east to west your life is like none other.

From a little doll, to a big grown up girl,

Your value in my life is worth more then the greatest pearl.

When I was little, I needed a hairdresser,

then come school days? a professor!

Every time I fell and scraped my knee, 

you heard my desperate plea.

Laundry was demanding, 

yet you were fully outstanding. 

To mate all our socks, 

while curing our chickenpox.

walk into the kitchen and you'd smell Indian cuisine,

for you see, our mother is quite the cooking queen!

Driving to and fro,

even through the snow.

A violin lesson here, a swimming lesson there,

such constant dedication, I know not, with what to compare.

I no longer scrape my knee, 

yet my life has not been a cup of tea.

My hear has been crushed and my identity shaken.

Yet you reminded me I wasn't forsaken.

I needed a clear picture of my Saviour, 

you said, "don't look to mankind's behavior".

Christ's mercy and love and forgiveness, 

regardless of how we transgress,

Was offered to me. 

This you helped me to see.

So dearest Mother,

your like none-other.

For I would not be me,

I fully guaranty, 

If you were not my Mother.

-Kalyse Rose-

I LOVE YOU MOM!

Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out

Words of Wisdom

"If it cost you something to obtain it you will prize it the more when obtained." -MYP 109

"The experience gained in the furnace of trial and affliction is worth more then all the inconvenience and painful experience it costs." -p. 110

"God hear every sincere prayer." -p.110

Heart Examination

Closely examine your own heart, and the state of your affections toward God. Inquire, have I devoted the precious moments of today in seeking to please myself, seeking for my own amusement? or have I made others happy? Have I helped those connected with me to greater devotion to God and to appreciate eternal things? Have I brought my religion into my home, and there revealed the grace of Christ in my words and in my deportment? By my respectful obedience, have I honored my parents, and thus kept the fifth commandment? Have I cheerfully taken up my little, everyday duties, performing them with fidelity, doing whatI could to lighten the burdens of others? Have I kept my lips from evil and my tongue from speaking guile? Have I honored Christ my Redeemer, who have His precious life that eternal life might be within my reach? - Messages to Young People, p.122

Help in Daily Living, p.45

Men of power are those who have been opposed, baffled, and thwarted. By calling their energies into action, the obstacles they meet prove to them positive blessings. They gain self-reliance. Conflict and perplexity call for the exercise of trust in God and for that firmness which develops power.

Power

Nothing is more needed in our work then the practical results of communion with God. We should show by our daily lives that we have peace and rest in the Saviour. His peace in the heart will shine forth in the countenance. It will give to the voice a persuasive power. Communion with God will ennoble the character and the life. Men will take knowledge of us, as of the first disciples, that we have been with Jesus. This will impart to the worker a power that nothing else can give. Of this power he must not allow himself to be driprived. -Help in Daily Living, p.59

One Soul at a Time

In times past there were those who fastened their minds upon one soul after another saying, "Lord, help me to save this soul." But now such instances are rare. How many act as if they realized the peril of sinners? How many take those whom they know to be in peril, presenting them to God in prayer, and supplicating Him to save them? (Gospel Worker 65.1)

A friend told me this once...if God showed you the beginning, the middle, and the end of your life, and showed you everything that you would do wrong and right, the failures and the achievements, the people you would disappoint, and the people who would look up to you; you would laugh and walk away. But instead we shall experience and grow from our experiences. I can tell you now, I've never been more ready to learn and move on and achieve what God has planned for me.

Until I See You Again....

Oh child, precious one
Let your life shine like the sun
But you say "How long 'til I can come home
'Til I can rest  in your arms again"
And I say "Not long but don't miss this life and I'll be
Waiting 'til then"

Live with the wonder of a child
Pray with your arms thrown open wide
Love with a love that has no end
Until I see you again

Oh child, precious one
With each breath know you are loved
But you say "How long 'til I can come home
'Til I can rest in your arms again"
And I say "Not long but don't miss this life and I'll be
Waiting 'til then"

Live with the wonder of a child
Pray with your arms thrown open wide
Love with a love that has no end
Until I see you again.

-Mark Shultz

The sin and sickness that I see in this world around me makes me long for heaven. A place where there will be no more goodbyes...no more sin and sickness. The devil will no longer have a place in this earth. His influence in our lives will no longer be felt and seen. I can't wait for that day! I can't wait to see Jesus' face and to run into his arms. But until then, he has asked me to live my life to its fullest here. Reach out to those around me, and love them as Jesus would. Pray, being fully submitted to God's will. And one day I'll see Him. One day the longing of my heart will be fulfilled....all I have to do is wait patiently and do all I can to use my time to benefit Him.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, 401

Our convictions need daily to be reinforced by humble, sincere prayer and reading of the word. While we each have an individuality, while we each should hold our convictions firmly, we must hold them as God's truth and in the strength which God imparts. If we do not, they will be wrung from our grasp.

I Will Listen

Hard as it seems
Standing in dreams,
Where is the dreamer now?

Wonder if I
Wanted to try
Would I remember how?

I don't know the way to go from here,
But I know that I have made my choice.
And this is where I stand
Until He moves me on.
And I will listen to His voice.

This the faith
Patience to wait
When there is nothing clear.

Nothing to see
Still we believe,
Jesus is very near.

Could it be that He is only waiting there to see
If I will learn to love the dreams that He has dreamed for me?

Can't imagine what the future holds,
But I've already made my choice.
And this is where I stand
Until He moves me on....

I will listen to His voice.

Amaris, Melissa, Morgan, and Me!

Amaris, Thanks for taking these pictures!!! :) I love you so much!!
Melissa and Morgan, thanks for being in the pictures! lol!

I love you guys! Thanks for all being such incredible friends. Each of you have impacted my life in a very special way....thanks for being there for me when I needed you most, and for the many words of wisdom, for the hug, for the hand to wipe my tears away, for the smile to make me laugh, and for just being you!

p.s. Thanks Morgan for sending them to me! ;)

The Devil: A Roaring Lion!

Lately, I have really been shown how deceitful and evil the devil is. He knows just what to tempt us with, he knows our weakest points, and he longs to see us fall. Recently I have noticed, that often the devil will attack hardest, those who have just been victorious. Do you ever gain a victory, and after the awe at how God worked to help you gain that victory fades, you find yourself struggling almost harder then before the victory? I read in Messages to Young People, the chapter called fortitude, and I encourage each of you to read it as well. It starts out, "Those who are finally victorious will have seasons of terrible perplexity and trial in their religious life; but they must not cast away their confidence." Just a bit later, "It is his (the devils) delight to cause the children of God to go shrinkingly, tremblingly, and painfully along, under continual doubt. He seeks to make the pathway as sorrowful as possible; but if you keep looking up, not down at your difficulties, you will not faint in the way, you will soon see Jesus reaching His hand to help you, and you will only have to give Him your hand in simple confidence, and let Him lead you. As you become trustful, you will become hopeful." The devil wants us to be filled with doubt and sorrow. He wants us to be terribly perplexed, confused. But we must keep our minds clear and focused, and most importantly, full of trust and confidence in God. When we don't understand everything that is happening to us, this is when we must have full trust that God does know. So often, I find myself thinking, "Ok...then I will just sit here and trust God, and let Him do all the work." That is true to a sense, but listen to what Messages to Young People says a bit later, "If we are self-indulgent, and too lazy to put forth earnest effort to cooperate with the wonderful work of God, we shall meet with loss in this life, and loss in the future, immortal life." We must do everything in our power (which isn't very much compared with God's power) to search the scriptures, keep our minds in continual prayer for help. These things are easier said then done, and the devil knows that. After a victory, it is easy to feel that we are ok now! It's ok to let down our guard. No! Never let down your guard, that is what the devil is waiting for! This is why after victories, we often find ourselves failing worse then before. Then we find ourselves doubting God. Doubting if He is really there. We get confused in trying to solve the problems in our own strength....and that is when the devil steps in. So, my friend, I encourage you to read the chapter called fortitude. Do everything in your power to keep your mind on God, and in prayer, search the scriptures, and when you don't understand something? Be filled with a trust that God does. This will leave no room for the temptations of the devil.

Summer

Sisters are a Blessing!

The other day (week) we just had some fun taking pictures together! I love my sisters!

Praise along with our prayers...

Shall all our devotional exercises consist in asking and receiving? Shall we be always thinking of our want and never of the benefits we receive? Shall we be recipients of His mercies and never express our gratitude to God, never praise Him for what He has done for us? We do not pray, anyone, too much, but we are too sparing of giving thanks. If the loving-kindness of God called forth more thanksgiving and praise, we would have far more power in prayer. We would abound more and more in the love of God and have more bestowed to praise Him for. You who complain that God does not hear your prayers, change your present order and mingle praise with your petitions. When you consider His goodness and mercies you will find that He will consider your wants. Pray, pray earnestly and without ceasing, but do not forget to praise. -TC vol. 5, 317

Waiting

God has been teaching me a lot about waiting, and about the patience that comes with it. This weekend, me and my family were at Rosario beach, and Pastor Alex Brian gave the Saturday evening worship. That morning in Sabbath School we had been talking about Christ's second coming, and how much we were looking forward to it. I can't wait for that day, when I can look into Jesus' eyes! But here I am sitting here waiting....waiting for this sinful world to come to an end so I can be with Jesus in a perfect world. In Matthew 24:3 Jesus' disciples asked Him when He would come again. And Jesus gave them an answer, but not the answer they were looking for. Yet Jesus, in His wisdom, gave them the answer that they needed. First he gives them several signs to look for, but He doesn't give them a date. Then He tell's 3 parables that would make them think. The first parable (Matthew 25:1) is of the ten virgins. In this parable, the virgins didn't know when the bridegroom would be coming, yet they prepared themselves, and waited. The key here, is that yes, they were waiting, but they were ready to meet the bridegroom whenever He came. In the same way, we as Christians, must be ready and prepared to see Jesus whenever He comes. We will be waiting, but not sleeping. So, what are we going to do while we wait? Jesus tells the next parable, about the talents. (verse 14) Jesus was saying, while your waiting, invest your talents. Become all that you can be. We aren't to sit idle, but we are to work and invest and use the talents that God has given us. But how are we supposed to use our talents? What are we supposed to invest in? Jesus tells the third parable. This is when Jesus comes again, and separates the sheep and the goats. What makes the difference between these two groups? It's who they invested in, and how they spent their time on earth. Notice, the sheep spent their time and effort helping others. This is what Christ has called us to do while we patiently wait for His return. Be ready at all times, use the talents God has given us to reach out to those around us and help them get ready. As I imagine Christ ascending into the sky in-front of the disciples, I can just hear Jesus saying, "My children, I will return! This isn't a goodbye, only a see you later! And while your waiting for me to return and take you with me, spread my word! Tell the world of my love for them. Be ready at all times, for you know not when I shall return. But help all those around you, and you will be ready when I come to take you to be with me forever!"

Strength

Satan presents many temptations to the youth. He is playing the game of life for their souls, and he leaves no means untried to allure and ruin them. But God does not leave them to fight unaided against the tempter. They have an all-powerful Helper. Stronger far then their foe is He who in this world and in human nature met and conquered Satan, resisting every temptation that comes to the youth today...In His strength the youth can endure hardness as good soldiers of the cross. Strengthened with His might, they are enabled to reach the high ideals before them. The sacrifice made on Calvary is the pledge of their victory. -Messages to Young People

Backpacking

Prayer

Prayer brings the heart into IMMEDIATE contact with the Wellspring of life, and strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual faculties lose their vitality, the religious experience lacks health and vigor. -Messages to Young People p. 250

Family Reunion- July