God's family - my family - your family

 Last night I met up with a friend I hadn't seen in over a year. She moved out of town and was back. In catching up I shared with her my Mother's journey in the past year with Glaucoma, loosing her sight, numerous procedures, and her sight being restored. As the words poured forth from my mouth, my heart remained steadfast and at peace. For my mind understood that God had done a great and mighty work in my Mom. My mind recognized that the prayer of God's people availed much. My faith was firm, therefore by God's doing I was able to stand firm. 

I continued sharing the grueling testimony and her eyes watered, she looked away, folded her hands, and even cringed in her seat. I then shared the last sentence, "So that's where we are at. Tomorrow (which is today) she has an appointment with Dr. Bennett who is a cornea  specialists and a glaucoma specialist. This appointment will determine the possibility of a future surgery, a delicate surgery." Her words that followed, "Raquel, this may seem strange... My grandfather who was a Pastor for many years lives just around the corner. I feel that we need to have him and my grandmother pray for your mom. Is this weird?"

Not. At. All. 

One thing I tell everyone is to never reject prayer. Never! 

Brethren, pray for us. I Thessalonians 5:25

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. II Thessalonians 1:11-12

And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:15-16

Without further ado, she made a call, told her grandparents that she was with a friend who needed prayer for her mom. They did not hesitate to have me over. These wonderful people are in the picture above. 

Jose Raul and Eda Maria Borroto welcomed me in and greeted me like their own family. I have them a quick summary of my Mother's condition and Eda Maria began to pray. She prayed for our hearts to be cleansed from our iniquity, that we may enter his throne room of grace empty of ourselves, and prayed for us to be filled by His Spirit. She praised God for giving us His Spirit who teaches us all things and gives us the right words to pray. From there we spent a sweet time in prayer and praise.

 I was given the opportunity to pray for Jose Raul, a 90 year old man who not to long again fell and fractured his elbow and hips. The doctors have been astonished with his recovery and ability to walk again. May I remind you he is 90 years young! He continued speak the Word to me and gave me specific scriptures to share with Mami. He reminded me that God is all powerful and above all He is love. 

I experienced last night the joy of being a member of God's family. In Christ, Jose Raul and Eda Maria are my family, and because you and I are family they are your family too! What wonderful and glorious news. And so I ask you to join me in prayer for these two faithful saints who are our relatives. They both suffer from numerous health complications and are in need of prayer. Continue praying for Mami's eyes, for her faith to be strengthened and her spirit renewed. 

May the Holy Spirit fill you as Eda prayed and teach you all things pertaining spiritual growth and give you words to pray. "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 "For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:12

Happy Friday friends! 

Mother's Day weekend

I had the most wonderful weekend...

It all began with a bridal shower. I love party planning, and bridal showers are my favorite! I don't often admit to being a romantic but I am, not a hopeless romantic but a hopeful one. Here are a few pics I took of Daisy's Bridal shower.

Theme: April Showers bring May Flowers

The shower was followed by a mini family reunion to celebrate Mother's Day. My dear Momma, Grandmother, Aunts, Cousins, and Family friends made up the beautiful group of Mother's that we love so much. Unfortunately, I'm related to a big group of women who don't like to take pictures and none were taken.

Sunday morning I woke up early to prepare a breakfast feas for my family and my God-Mother's family that came down from Tampa. We had a wonderful time eating, laughing, and sharing funny stories of the outrageous things my Grandfather did.

Later in the day I headed to the downtown service for church. It was very special because it was my best friend's FIRST Mother's Day and her baby's dedication. Nando, Nana, and Pastor Pedro introduced little Levi to the congregation and He was dedicated to the Lord and prayed over. So amazing to be a part of this little guy's life. After the service we took pics at our annual Mother's Day photoshoot.

My best friend Nana, her husband Nando, Levi and Pastor Pedro

Levi was mesmerized by the cars and wouldn't look at the camera

That's Yessy! Always a fun time with her! LOL



We are a tad bit on the wild side, hehe.

Top: Nana Bottom Left: Marilyn Bottom Right: Denise

 

And the best of all... Momma Hen and her chicklings. LOL


Indeed, a great weekend.
How was your Mother's Day?

"and peace I give as a gift"

Are you in need of peace? Peace of mind? Peace of heart? 

Perfect peace which surpasses all understanding is made available to us because the Father longs to give it freely to us, through the Word which is Christ, and produced by the power and work of the Holy Spirit. No positive thinking will ever produce perfect peace. No yoga, meditation, or getaway can give it to us. No messenger of God can fully produce that which only God can do. For any and every situation the Bible is our peace maker, so let's stop seeking our own solutions and go to the source of peace: 

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. Psalm 4:8

The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. Psalm 9:9-10

The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. Psalm 29:11

Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble. Psalm 119:165

People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace. Proverbs 10:10

A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Proverbs 14:30

Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict. Proverbs 17:1

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. Psalm 16:33

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Romans 12:17-19

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:33 

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:6-8

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 
He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.  
He renews my strength. 
He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.  
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me.
Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me. 
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.  
Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23

Go on, do a word search on peace and be filled. 

Sentence Tuesday

When the Lord’s standards are not our standards, 

the natural occurrence is to have double standards.

-Garid Beeler

firm faith and a right point of view

Happy Thursday. Take a look with me at 1 Samuel 17:32-50:

“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth."

But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! ³⁷ The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”

Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”
Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. “I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again.

He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.
Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods.“Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.

David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”

As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.
So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head. 

[photo credit]

Powerful little read!!! 

I covet David's unwavering faith. His was firm because he knew His God. I feel so foolish as I remember all the times that I lacked faith in my God. I know so many who have shared in my folly. May we (especially me) not lack common sense in our faith. For it is reasonable and logical to wholly trust God in all circumstances. 

David's perspective is admirable as well. When He realized Goliath's size, he didn't run or hide, he didn't quit or manipulate a way out. David did not put excuses or obstacles to forfeit the task. His perspective wasn't dictated by the monstrous size of his trouble. His perspective wasn't determined by his ability, training, or knowledge. His point of view was God. Oh that our eyes would always be fixed on the One who is greater than our dilemma. 

Praying for us, that our faith would be firm and our eyes on the Lord. 



Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm. Isaiah 7:9
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. Psalm 119:18
My eyes are always on the Lord, for He rescues me from the traps of my enemies. Psalm 25:15
I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven. We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master,  as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal. Psalm 123:1-2

promise of the Spirit

Promise of the Spirit // by Jack Hayford (Check out this reading plan on YouVersion)

The blessing of being filled with the Holy Spirit is not for the sake of mere enjoyment. It is rejoicing, to be sure! But at the core of a life of growing discipleship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is what’s most important.

It is the Spirit who keeps the Word alive.

It is the Spirit who infuses prayer and praise with passion.

It is the Spirit who teaches and instructs.

It is the Spirit who brings gifts and giftedness for power-ministry.

It is the Spirit who will bring love, graciousness, and a spirit of unity to our hearts.

God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. Acts 2:32-33

[photo credit]

If you are interested in sound doctrine on the Holy Spirit, I recommend these: 

For an individual or home study: When The Spirit of God Moves

Reading: Spirit Rising, Fresh Power, The Holy Spirit, God's Promise of Power (a favorite of mine), Touched By His Spirit, Forgotten God, The Holy Spirit: Activating God's Power in Your Life, The Code of The Spirit. 

YouVersion reading plans: Who Me, Gifted?, Celebrate, Praise in the Presence of God

Sentence Tuesday

The only thing that ever hinders peace 

is when we refuse to surrender our troubles to God.

—Jack Hayford

Lyrical Friday - Great Are You Lord

[photo credit: Kerry Halasz]

Hello Friends. A few days ago I read Ezekiel 37, the portion where Ezekiel is found in a valley with dry bones. These words haven't left my mind:

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.  

And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” 

Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”’” 

So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. 

Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’  Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’”

Wow! Every time I read this passage my bones are rattled, my faith renewed, and my hope restored. Oh to have been  present at this valley and witnessed the breath of the living God filling the lungs of these dead bones, being raised to life. This is the mighty power of God. Guess what? He didn't limit His power to only that valley, He is still pouring His Holy Spirit on dry bones today. He is still breathing upon those who are frail and lifeless.

I have experienced my share of valleys:
Valley of discouragement
Valley of depression
Valley of uncertainty and confusion
Valley of waiting and growing weary
Valley of injustice
Valley of brokenness
Valley of hopelessness

Need I continue? I am human and at the core, I am dry bones with skin. But God—  He breathed upon me each and every time as He did these bones in Ezekiel. He breathed life into my life, His life.

Are you in a valley? Are you feeling dry, frail, or practically lifeless? God can do the same with you, and breathe life into your lungs and raise your dry bones from this pit. He is that great! His hand is not too short that it cannot save, nor is He deaf that He cannot hear you (Isaiah 59:1). I am here cheering you on: Go on, cry out to God. Ask Him to breathe upon you with His Spirit. If sin has kept you far from God, repent of your sin and cry out to God. If you are bitter confess this to God and cry out to God. Believe that He can help you forgive. And the best remedy to life's hangups is praising God. Worship Him and sing His praises, for His faithfulness and loving kindness endures forever and ever. I believe that He will fill you with His Spirit.

Spirit of God breathe upon us.

Great Are You Lord, All Sons & Daughters 


You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
To give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken

Great are You, Lord

It's your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise

It's your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise

To You only

All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great... Are... You, Lord