Birthday Surprise! It's Monica part 1

Today's post comes from the lovely Monica. I've had the privilege of being Monica's youth leader and now friend. With great joy I asked her to share her heart and pour out what God has done in her life the past few months. I am confident that you will be blessed by her. Tune in Friday for part 2.

photo credit 

Happy Birthday Blog!

I was so honored when Raquel asked me to post on the blog for its fourth birthday.

As some of you may know this past year the Lord had me go through a program called Ignite with Potter’s Field Ministries. It’s a program designed to have students give a year of their lives completely to the Lord. I spent three months in Montana, training to be sent out along with 2 other girls to the beautiful country of Guatemala.

   I spent 6 months in Guatemala, doing afterschool work with the kids in the local community, tutoring, bible lessons, skits, puppet shows, you name it! During the last three months the training portion of the Ignite school was moved down to Guatemala and my team and I were able to come alongside the then training interns ( who are now on the field) and help encourage them during their time there.

   The Lord has used the past 10  months of my life to reveal Himself to me in such a powerful way. For so long I bought into the lie that I was unlovable, that there was something defective in me that unqualified me to be loved, even by God. While I learned multiple lessons this year, none has gone deeper that the realization I had during my 3^rd month on the field.

    God loves me. As silly and basic as that might sound , after all it’s a phrase that any three year old in Sunday school can utter, it was a truth that had not sunk in very deep in my life. For so many years I thought God loved me, but it was only because I could fit under the classification of “human” which automatically made me eligible to receive His Love, but He would never really hand pick me to love, there are so many better people out there to pour out love and favor on, so many that are worth loving He definitely wouldn’t chose me if He had the choice. 

   This sadly is the lie that I had allowed to embed itself in the depths of my heart, and it was so successfully embedded that I believed it to be true, and was completely blind to the fact that I believed it about myself and my relationship with the Lord.

   During my time on the field, I literally had nothing else to cling to but Him, no familiar background, no home church, no people that I had known forever, my robotic and semi-automatic “christianese” responses wouldn’t cut in on the field. I was forced to get raw and get real with God and allow Him to strip away all the routines that I had allowed myself to hide behind, and come face to face with the ugly truth ( that was really a lie) that had been shaping my view of God and His Love for me all this time.

    I learned what it is to be Loved by the Lord, but better yet what it is to accept His love. What it is to bask in the Steadfast Love that the Lord has for me, and in that I found a confidence in being His Daughter that I was convinced I’d never be able to have.

   I’m still learning just what it is to walk in the freedom His Love brings, His individual love for the person, not for humanity in general but I’m taking it one step at a time.

   Being back home now after such a tremendous experience is a bit disorientating, but I have the Love of my Heavenly Father to ground me. I am beyond thankful for the journey He’s guided me through and the one that’s yet to come.

   Thank you to all who have been praying for me during my trip, your prayers where definitely heard and felt. May you too bask in the Steadfast Love of the Father. 

Monica in Montana with the Ignite program

Monica's view in Montana (jealous)

Monica in Guatemala

Lyrical Friday - Beautiful

Happy Friday!!! Praying that as you watch these two videos, God would reveal His heart to you. He loves you and nothing you can do or anything anyone has said or done can change that truth. God bless YOU!





But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved! Ephesians 2:4-5
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This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:10
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What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? 

If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? 

Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one— for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. 

Who then will condemn us? No one— for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. 

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below— indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39

You are altogether beautiful, my darling, 

beautiful in every way. Song of Solomon 4:7 nlt

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You are all fair, my love,
And there is no spot in you. Song of Solomon 4:7 nkjv 
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All beautiful you are, my darling; 

   there is no flaw in you. Song of Solomon 4:7 niv

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You're beautiful from head to toe, my dear love, 
   beautiful beyond compare, absolutely flawless.

Song of Solomon 4:7 the message 

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Toda tú eres hermosa, amiga mía, 
    Y en ti no hay mancha. Cantares 4:7 rvr

God's Little Girl

Hi Lovelies!
For more than a year now, I have been carrying a letter in my wallet. I'm not sure if I carry it with me to share with someone who may need the encouragement or if its more to remind me that I am loved. What makes this letter so valuable is not who wrote it but the truth behind the words written.

At the time it was written, I was preparing for a teaching on guarding our (valuable) feminine hearts. I asked a good friend of mine (whom we shall call Mr. Man), "If you could talk with my girls, what would you say to them about their value and worth?" He shared with me amazing things but in the matter of five minutes I had forgotten every point He made. So I prayed, "God, if it is your will for Mr. Man's words to be shared with my girls, place it in His heart to write it on paper." Lo and Behold, God had began that work in his heart and a few days later he asked if e he could write them a letter. I know that this letter comes not from my friend but from God's very heart. It's not only for my youth girls, or just for me, but for all of us! Be blessed dear sister by knowing and accepting your value and worth in Christ!
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Thank You Myleen for this pic of Emma! 

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To God's little girls, 
You are God's little girl. Never forget. See yourself the way God sees you, for His thoughts are what matter. No man, no boy, no one can ever take that away from you. You are worth more that your weight in gold, but even gold has no value in the mouth of a pig. Don't ever lose respect for yourself. No man can conquer you, except for He who has conquered death. He alone should reign in your heart's throne room. 
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"For your Maker is your Husband, the Lord of Hosts is His name. And your Redeemer is the Holy one of Israel; He is called God of the whole earth." (Isaiah 54:5) Guard your hearts. Men are pigs, foolish and putrid. May you be so lost in God, that in order for a man to find you, he must first be close to God. 
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You are His little girl. It is not your fault you are hurting. Rise Up! Though now you may be bleeding, never forget His Words: 

"Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." (Mark 5:34)  "I have blotted our your transgressions, like a thick cloud, return to Me, for I HAVE REDEEMED YOU." (Isaiah 44:22) 

Never forget your first love. Never look down on yourself. You are and will forever be beautiful jewels, the apple of your heavenly Father's eyes. 
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I love you ALL, 
Mr. Man 
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disregard the dust

Hi Friends.
Please disregard the dust on my blog, lol.
I am very excited to write today. It has been a most adventurous and wonderful two weeks since my last post.

July 25-31 was our annual youth camp. God was so good to us. His presence there was so powerful and sweet. We took 140+ teenagers up to Polk City, Fl and stayed at our favorite Camp: Gamp Gilead. We studied through the book of Joshua among other topical teachings and devotionals. Chains were broken, lives were healed and eyes were opened as Christ was revealed. It truly was a beautiful time. I love the camp experience and the fire it fuels in the lives of these kids. What is even more exciting is witnessing these kids seeking the Lord and encouraging one another after they have returned to their homes, to their phones, to facebook and what not. God is on the move and UTH NATION is moving right alongside with Him. Awesome God, I worship you in wonder :D

Another recap: HEAL Group. Yesterday morning we concluded our HEAL study. Lesson 6 (Abundant Living) was the perfect ending to a wonderful study through Psalm 139. This study has been most delightful and convicting. The Lord has done a great work in my heart and in the heart of the 6 girls who boldly joined me on this journey. Never, in all my years of walking with the Lord, have I experienced God's grace like I have in the last 4 months. I had an understanding of His grace yet in that knowledge I had not experienced grace in a personal and intimate way. This study has been the tool God used and continues to use as He searches my heart and leads me in the path of everlasting. Be in prayer for the next 6 girls that will begin a wonderfully made journey this coming Sept/Oct.

Throughout the course of this week, I will be sharing with you a little more about what God has been speaking to me to speak to you. Stay tunned. But for today, He has given me a portion of scripture to share with you:

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me." Isaiah 49:15-16

May we be a people who stand firm on these words. He has inscribed us on His palms. My name, Your name is written forever on His palms. You are loved by God. His word says that He loves you with an endless love (Jer 31). My prayer is that both you and I would not forget that. You are forgiven and dearly loved. You were, you are and will forever be worth dying for to God. 

 For I shall be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and My God shall be My strength. Isaiah 49:5

Lyrical Friday - Forgiven & Loved

Happy Friday!
I absolutely love Fridays: Uth Nation & Lyrical Friday.

This week's song is a catchy one. These lyrics are so encouraging to me and I pray that they do the same for you. I won't say much more, I'll let the lyrics speak for themselves .

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1 


(please pause the music player on the sidebar)
Forgiven and Loved, Jimmy Needham



Tell me I'm forgiven and loved
'Cause I hear it from the street corner priests
On our God has b
But my joy has been a holiday and my pieces almost passed away
Tell me I'm forgiven and freed

Oh I've tried and tried to rectifiy my hopeless situation
But the bottom line, I still have work to do
And now I'm workin' nine to five like I can earn my own salvation
But there is no condemnation in You
No

Oh whisper to me now that it's for real (oh)
'Cause in this silence of these walls
Righteousness lost its appeal
Dirty deeds have done me in
Oh but that can't stop the faithful friend
Giving mercy once again as you heal
Here it is I'm feelin'

Oh I've tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation
But the bottom line, I still have work to do
And now I'm workin' nine to five like I can earn my own salvation
But there is no condemnation in You

Oh He died, He died to rectify my hopeless situation
And His blood commands my guilt to leave
Now on Calvary I stand, empty pockets, open hands
Oh there is no condemnation for me
Oh I've tried

Child you're forgiven and loved (5x)

*Photo by Ariel

Lyrical Friday- How He Loves

Hola!

I have to say that ever since Lyrical Friday became to be, God has faithfully placed a song in my path throughout the week. This weeks song is How He Loves by John Mark McMillan. This song is so contagious. I spend all day singing the chorus and at times I just stop and stand in awe of His amazing love. How could He, in all His perfection love me. I am so filthy, unfaithful, wavering and rebellious- BUT GOD LOVES ME. It is that love, that pure and undefiled love that draws me near to Him and transforms me. May you be blessed by the words of this song.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.
Psalm 139:14

The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying:

Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
Jeremiah 31:3

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 
John 3:16

 (please turn off the music player on the sidebar)


How He Loves

How He Loves, John Mark McMillan

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…