Two Weeks

"TWO WEEKS"- That's what I said yesterday. "Two weeks" that's what she said last Spring... at Prayer and Prophecy night (on Mondays at the prayer shed behind the Jesus Burgers House. They listen and God shows them stuff about you) She asked if I like to travel coz she sensed I was going away somewhere really really soon then she said 2 weeks.... she wasn't sure what exactly it meant... Maybe that God would show me where I'd be going 2 weeks before or something but she just felt like it was significant.

Two weeks --that's what I said yesterday (and then remembered that vision) it's 2 weeks before ONE VOICE. Two weeks-- that's all I have left to get the Word out...

https://www.facebook.com/events/288394394652895/

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Update: ONE WEEK

One week down,... this week the One body team has been advertising the event on campus (digiknow, posters, flyers in the dorms and on campus and even a promo video which will be ready by Monday) and I praise God for that... now we really need help in spreading the Word to local churches and any other ministries in the area so please help us out by reaching out to your church this weekend. And please keep us and this event in your prayers. Unity is a powerful weapon against the enemy's schemes (especially unity in prayer and worship) and if you read the Scriptures that is what leads to large-scale revival and city transformation. Have Your way in our city God! =)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umQ_-cavBa8

Just Trust

Venture boldly into the unknown. For God knows it all :) 

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a Known God." 

-Corrie Ten Boom.

The Call of Abram

"The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you." (Genesis 12: 1)


"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." (Psalm 32:8)

We are going into a New season, a prophetic season (Joel 2: 28, Isaiah 40:31, Jeremiah 31:31-34). It's so exciting!! God will pour out more of His Spirit (His power, His love, His glory) on us to bring us closer to Him and to equip us to partner with Him in His harvest. I know this may sound scary for some of us and it may seem like God is calling you to leave behind everything you've known kinda like Abram. Choosing to trust His Word and His Spirit sometimes feel like falling and it may seem safer to cling onto what you've known. But we just have to trust that God has only good plans for us and He only gives us good gifts. And even when we fall, He won't let us hit the ground. He is with us and He will strengthen us and guide us along the way.(Related post: My G.P.S) So yeah, let's just let go of our lives, our plans, our all. Let's just fall into His arms because when we do that that's when everything else falls into place- He gives us the desires our hearts. This song really encouraged me: ♫ When I fall I know where I'll be landing. When I fall I know that You'll still be standing. ♫ =)

 The journey will have bumps but we have to cling onto all the promises He gives us and keep seeking His face and looking to His strength to carry on. We have to hold fast to the hope that He has called us to: “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 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: 2-3) He said it. He is faithful. He will do it! :)

Watch these video I made for us. Jesus is calling us out of the darkness into His marvelous light! ☼ He is calling us out of self-reliance to rest on His Spirit so as to soar on wings like eagles! (post: Rest => Soar) We are going to shine!!! The Kingdom of God is at hand!!! (post: The Kingdoms) Lord, help us die to ourselves in order to live as children of The Light. Please burn away anything in us that is not of You and fill us up with more of You. All for Your glory! We love You Jesus!!! =)

♫ We gon' light up the world! ♫  It's so exciting!!! Shine Jesus Shine! =)

Prepare the Way! :)

Santa Barbara, California. "The City no longer deserted" :)

Pass through, 

pass through the gates!

Prepare the way for the people.

Build up, build up the highway!

Remove the stones.

Raise a banner for the nations.

The Lord has made proclamation

 to the ends of the earth:

“Say to Daughter Zion,

 ‘Behold, your Savior comes!

Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’”

They will be called the Holy People,

 the Redeemed of the Lord;

and you will be called Sought After,

the City No Longer Deserted.

(Isaiah 62: 10-12) =)

• 

  December 4, 2011

  Charlene Wambũi Macharia

  • Hey Shayne, Bubba and Thaddeus :)

    I have something cool to share, some encouragement for being Worship leaders.

    
    

    It's cool, yesterday and today I've been led to read passages that show the important role that musicians play in a season of renewal/revival (consecration/dedication-> which then leads to revival).

    
    

    *When Solomon was dedicating the temple to God*

    "The priests took their positions, as did the Levites with the LORD’s musical instruments, which King David had made for praising the LORD and which were used when he gave thanks, saying, “His love endures forever.” Opposite the Levites, the priests blew their trumpets, and all the Israelites were standing." (2 Chronicles 7: 6)

    
    

    * When Hezekiah was purifying the temple*

    He stationed the Levites in the temple of the LORD with cymbals, harps and lyres in the way prescribed by David and Gad the king’s seer and Nathan the prophet; this was commanded by the LORD through his prophets. So the Levites stood ready with David’s instruments, and the priests with their trumpets.

    
    

    Hezekiah gave the order to sacrifice the burnt offering on the altar. As the offering began, singing to the LORD began also, accompanied by trumpets and the instruments of David king of Israel. The whole assembly bowed in worship, while the musicians played and the trumpets sounded. All this continued until the sacrifice of the burnt offering was completed.

    
    

    When the offerings were finished, the king and everyone present with him knelt down and worshiped. King Hezekiah and his officials ordered the Levites to praise the LORD with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness and bowed down and worshiped.

    
    

    Then Hezekiah said, “You have now dedicated yourselves to the LORD. Come and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the temple of the LORD.” So the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all whose hearts were willing brought burnt offerings.

    ( 2 Chronicles 29: 25-31)

    
    

    => So I think God is "stationing us" (pruning us, leading us to trust Him more and to surrender our all to Him and bringing us closer to each other-unity) for the purpose of drawing us into deeper intimacy with Him and also using us to draw other people into worship through music. So yeah so we are on a journey together, let's hang in there and keep supporting each other through prayer (and any other way). God has good plans in store for us as a worship team (and individually) :)

    May God give us His peace, wisdom and favor as we study and take our finals. God is with us! yay! :)

    
    

     Charlene :)

    
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    Let us prepare the way for the Lord by surrendering our all to Him! (God loves us with an everlasting love and He'll keep chasing after us until we give Him our whole heart. He won't relent until He has it all =) Let's also prepare the way using all the gifts and talents He has given us for His glory! :-) Watch this video I made:

    
    

More confirmation about the coming a great awakening and the integral role played by musicians in such a season.

Free to BE! Free to FLY!

My Definition of "KeEpiNg iT ReaL"

It's LIVING LIFE WITHOUT FEAR OF EXPRESSING ONE'S THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS THROUGH WORDS AND ACTIONS

It's NOT LIVING A DOUBLE LIFE-"NO! THAT'S A SCAM!"- BUT IT'S HONESTLY DISPLAYING THE CONTENT OF ONE'S HEART. "THAT'S BEING REAL!"

It's STANDING FIRM ON WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN, NOT CONFORMING TO THE WORLD AROUND YOU.

It's FINDING YOUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST, FIGURING OUT YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE and LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST WITH ABSOLUTELY NO APOLOGIES....

It's SAYING TO THE WORLD THAT LOOKS DOWN UPON YOU, "THIS IS ME! THIS IS WHO I AM. GOD CREATED ME WITH A UNIQUE PERSONALITY SO DON'T EXPECT ME TO BE EXACTLY LIKE YOU. DON'T TRY TO CHANGE ME OR BRING ME DOWN. 
JUST ACCEPT ME THE WAY I AM. EVEN IF YOU TRY TO DO SO, I'LL CHANGE FOR
NO ONE BUT CHRIST."

It's BEING YOURSELF REGARDLESS OF WHAT OTHERS THINK OF YOU OR SAY ABOUT YOU, OR HOW THE WORLD AROUND YOU ACTS.

It's LIBERATING YOURSELF FROM THE CONSTANT PRESSURE OF THE EVER-JUDGING EYES AND UNSHUTTING-MOUTHS THAT TRY TO SUPPRESS YOU, SQUEEZING THE LIFE OUT OF YOU!

IT'S UNVEILING YOUR MASKS AND THROWING THEM AWAY FOR GOOD!

In two words it's "BEING YOURSELF", WHO GOD CREATED YOU TO BE.

IT'S BEING YOU WITH ME, AND YOU, IN SPITE OF ME.

So then, KEEP IT REAL!....BE YOU! :-)

(I wrote this note on 12/3/07. Inspired by: Life, Psalm 139:14,1 Timothy 3:16, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 12:2)
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Related Quotes:
-It is better to be hated for who you are than to be loved for who you are not.."~Andre Gide

-"The real you, I believe, is not the person others see, not even the person you see, but the person God, Christ and the Holy Spirit see. Only they know the real you." ~Selwyn Hughes

-"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting" ~e.e. cummings, 1955
(For more great "YOU" quotes go to: http://www.quotegarden.com/be-self.html )
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IT'S TIME TO BE YOURSELF! IT'S TIME TO FLY!!!!!!!!!!!!

So if you've been reading my blog you probably know that discouragement/mental oppression/spiritual depression is something that I've been struggling with. But all year long God's been telling me, "Remember who you are"and "be yourself" and it's funny that in trying to do that I've faced soooo much opposition from the most unexpected sources (details later) and that's what has been discouraging me and kept me in bondage. So last quarter God told me something else, "Stop asking the world permission to be yourself. I am the One who has given you your identity and I'm telling you, you are Free to be yourself. So be!" (Read Joshua 1:9) So I realized that I had decisions to make,... I had to choose whether to listen to God and obey Him or to keep listening to the world and waiting for them to give me approval to be myself. But I let fear distract me and drive me to discouragement and apathy. At the end of the quarter I ran into these prophetic songs and God spoke to me again through them. So this Spring quarter I made a decision: to listen to God and to follow Him over trying to please the world. This was my decision but I hadn't made it official yet due to fear of even more rejection and opposition. But God has encouraged me once more to be myself and this encouragement has come from unexpected sources as well. So yeah, there's no time to fear, .... I shall soon make it official. This may all sound cryptic right now lol but it shall all be crystal clear pretty soon so stay tuned! In the meantime (and always) BE YOU! FLY! :-)

(Brothers and sisters in Christ, God is doing something new [He says so in His Word and through His Spirit] so let's ask Him to give us eyes to see and ears to hear so that we may follow Him where He is going. Let's fly with Him :)

 

THE KINGDOMS

Division.
Light and darkness,
Good and evil,
Friends and foes,
Truth and lies,
Above and below,
Heavenly and worldly,
The Kingdoms.

(No time for all this? Be sure to read "The Kingdom of Heaven" section or you can just watch the video clip at the end :)

Kingdom of the World

The Ruler: The devil aka Satan/Lucifer /The accuser/The slanderer/The father of lies/The prince of the power of the air/ The adversary (John 8:44, Ephesians 2:2, Revelation 12:9).

Background: So back in the day (before the world began) the devil was an archangel in heaven.... "lalala singing songs and playing instruments, praising God, just minding my own business lalalala"... then he decided to be proud- he planned to overthrow God and take His throne... "you know what???  I'm too cool for this! Time for a bigger and better gig...better than God's! Who's with me?".... Some angels joined him in rebelling against God. But God was like, "Uh-uh-uh! I don't think so!"  So a war broke out in heaven. Archangel Michael and the other angels fought back and overpowered the rebels. Team Satan was hurled down so fast! (origin of "Pride comes before a fall") So yeah, the devil and his fallen angels (aka demons) were thrown from heaven down to earth. Their headquarters is hell (unseen hellish location beneath the earth) but their playground ("mission field") is on the earth. They are waiting for their eternal punishment but before that time comes they are super-busy, set on a mission. (Isaiah 14:12-15, Luke 10:18, Revelation 12: 10-17)

Mission statement: The devil speaks up to promote his kingdom: "My names are reflective of my character. I am a thief. I have come to steal, kill and destroy. I like to oppress by all means and....<Reader interrupts>: "HOLD UP! What on earth is going on?? I thought that the world is ruled by people!! like duh! so what's all this devilish business I hear???".... < the devil, a lil irritated, clears his throat and continues> "... so as I was saying before that rude interruption!...ok fine! I'll explain...So I said I'm a thief... So when God created humans he made them unique. He made them in His own image. Though their bodies (seen) are but dust He made them with souls (unseen). These humans are special because God made them for relationship; just to be with them and love them. He also gave them authority to rule the earth. Also, they were given free will like the angels. So in the beginning there was world peace, love and harmony and I HATED IT with a passion! I wanted to get back at God by hurting His beloved humans. I already knew, from personal experience, what I needed to do to split up their relationship with God. So I made my first move in the Garden of Eden. Another thing about me is that I'm sly- as sly as a snake ahaha- I don't just show up in all my hideous-ness and say "Hey there! I'm the devil and I'm here to steal, kill and destroy you! Come and suffer for now and eternity!' that's dumb and no one would fall for that.

• So I come masquerading as an angel of light. All humans need and what they actually long for is God's perfect love but I lure them into thinking that they could find this satisfaction from any other sources and I do this by distracting them with temporary pleasures (lust of the eyes and the flesh). I attack their mind and use their weaknesses and longings against them. *All that glitters is not goal*(Check out my schemes in Genesis 3).
• Pride comes before a fall- I knew this from personal experience so the goal of all my schemes is to cultivate pride. Pride has many different forms since it's basically putting anything/ anyone before God coz that says to God "You are not all that and I don't really need you. I can do this life you created my way and without you." For this to happen I specialize in blinding people's minds so that they don't see the Truth (or the whole Truth). I blind people so that they don't see that God exists or who He really is and I also blind people from knowing who they really are, who God created them to be. If they knew their real identity and God-given authority then all my clever schemes will be futile.
• I also use my secret agents (aka evil spirits) such as discouragement and fear. My top agents are spirit of insecurity and spirit of inferiority. These two are my favs since they pave a way for the rest of the oppressive spirits. Look around you, this is how the world, my kingdom, operates. Once you make people feel inadequate and insecure they can do pretty much anything to try and mask it or take away that feeling. So that's when I make my next move and prey on their vulnerability to further oppress them.
• Yeah I'm a master of illusions and father of all lies. So I even blind the world from realizing that me and my oppressive crew exist. I fool them to think that the material world is all there is. The media does a great job at de-sensitizing people (it makes them think the supernatural and forces of evil are just fiction). So my plan is to get people to praise themselves (pride) and little did they know that in praising themselves they are actually endorsing my mission. Little did they know that achieving their freedom (doing whatever with their lives without including God) was actually not freedom for them but freedom for me to enslave and oppress them. They think they are building their own kingdom but they are actually building mine. Muhahahahaha <evil laugh>
• Fear is the currency and the language spoken here.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things {the things that the world chases after} will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)
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The Kingdom of Heaven

The Ruler: Jesus aka The King of Glory/ Wonderful Counsellor/ Mighty God / Prince of Peace/ The Christ (The Messiah)/ Lord of Hosts/ Lamb of God/ Lion of Judah/The Good Shepherd/The Rock/The Word/ The Way/The Truth/ The Life.

Background: Jesus is part of the Trinity (3 in One = God the Father, The Spirit, and The Son. They are all One but have some different functions). Through Jesus everything was created, things in heaven and things on earth. All by Him and for Him. Right from the beginning, God had a plan (Plan Jesus -> 'Yeshua' in Hebrew meaning God Saves) to reconcile all things to Himself after the fall of creation (when Adam and Eve fell for the devil's tricks therefore chose oppression over God's perfect leadership). The Old Testament of the Bible is full of metaphors and also clear prophecies about details of Jesus first coming into the world.

Mission Statement: A word from The Word (haha get it? Jesus is "The Word" lol ok) : You already know about the thief, he came to destroy but I came to undo his works and set things back to how they should be. I have come to bring The Kingdom of Heaven down to earth. (Oh yeah! I'll show them who's BOSS haha :) In heaven God's perfect will is done. There is perfect love, joy and peace. I have come into the world that people may have life full of life (not the fake temporary junk that the devil sells). I have come to to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, comfort all who mourn, to bestow a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. I am here for the sick, the lost and the oppressed. To defend them and to bring freedom, healing and restoration. I have come to reconcile people's hearts to The Father (restore the broken relationship) for that to be possible I paid the price for freedom to be free (I died in the place of all humanity). Not only did I pay the penalty but I also rose from the grave defeating death (Team Satan has NOTHING on me! HA! I win! Always! :)  Now all that people need to do is believe in me. They can't work their way into heaven. I finished the work that was required on the cross that's why I said," It is finished." Also, it's all about relationship. Once people seek me (accept my friend request and then actually be friends with me...you know communicate and such) everything else will fall into place since I forgive all their sins (no matter what they did or for how long), set them free from anything that oppresses them. I restore their identity, satisfy their innermost longings (longing for My very presence = perfect love, complete joy and peace that surpasses all understanding) and reveal their purpose and calling (what I created them for). Yeah so we'll party together from this life that is quickly fading onto the next (eternity) yeah there will be bumps in this life but I'll be right there to strengthen, to comfort, to help and to guide with my counsel. (John 10:10, Isaiah 61:1-3, Colossians 1:15-23)

Love is the currency and the language spoken here :)

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PRACTICALS

Yes you now know that there's a battle going on. The two Kingdoms are at war for our souls. God is fighting for us and the devil in all his deceitfulness is against us. Something else to note:

"The Battle is not yours but God's" says the LORD (2 Chronicles 20:15)

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." (Exodus 14:14)

Jesus is saying: Stop trying to fight all the oppressive forces that are against you, you are only human and are weak so just let go and I'll do it for you =)
Let us all "lift up our heads"let's seek Him and we shall find all that we need (Him) :-)

"Who is this King of glory?

    The Lord strong and mighty, 

    the Lord mighty in battle. 

Lift up your heads, you gates;

    lift them up, you ancient doors,

    that the King of glory may come in.

Who is he, this King of glory?

    The Lord Almighty —

    he is the King of glory."

(Psalm 24: 8-10)

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I have GOOD NEWS to share!!!The Kingdom of heaven is at hand!!! :D :D :D

If you still don't believe me about the Kingdom of the world being under the devil's influence then you shall see for yourself... the darkness is pretty thick. But "the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining" (1 John 2:8) =)

Numbers are significant in the Bible and 12 signifies perfection of government. When Jesus first came He came to reconcile our hearts to Himself (restore our relationship with Him). He also has a plan to restore the whole world to how it should be. Everyone is crying out for justice and waiting for a hero to step in. Jesus is the hero. He will continue His redemptive work through all who put their trust in Him (He shall fill them with His glory = perfection of government) then He shall come back again (soon!) to finish off the renewal and take His seat as the Ruler of the earth :D :D :D (Update: God told me "2012" isn't over yet. We are going by the Hebrew calendar that started in September. More details in the Human Again post. There's a difference between the rapture (Jesus' appearing in the sky) and Jesus' 2nd coming when He actually lands on earth).

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and they will be my children =) But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” =( (Revelation 21:1-8) Friends, the afterlife (eternity in heaven or hell) is real. Let's choose to drink from the spring of the Living Water, Jesus. He will deliver us from all the devil's schemes :)

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The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand 

so let us turn our hearts back to Our Father :-)

“This, then, is how you should pray {says Jesus} :“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."(Matthew 6: 9-13) =)

"Baba Yetu" = "Our Father"- The Lord's Prayer in Swahili :-)

(This has been Boot Camp essential #1: Know who's fighting for you and who's against you. Know who to take orders from; and Behold essential # 1: The King of Glory)

(Feel free to share any questions or comments or whatever. "I can be your friend!" lol :) God bless you.) Love, Charlene.
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This is a testimony of a young girl who died and went to both Heaven and Hell. It's long but it's worth it (Just watch it like you would a movie). Let me warn you though, it's pretty intense. It's so powerful, convicting and touching and her message contains urgency. She starts re-telling her hell experience please don't stop watching- I know it may be offensive but you don't have to agree with all she shares- just watch till the end for the full message. She goes to heaven and Jesus gives her an urgent message to bring back.

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My prayer: LET HEAVEN COME!!!!!! =)

BEHOLD!

Tis the season to see wholly falalala-lalalala :-)
Awareness trends at UCSB and globally.

*Behold= To direct the eyes to, or fix them upon, an object; to look; to see clearly; to comprehend.

*Awareness of= Knowledge of, understanding of, appreciation of, recognition of, attention to, perception of, consciousness of,  enlightenment with, realization of, familiarity with, mindfulness of.



At the beginning of Spring quarter I was organizing an event for the screening of Nefarious: Merchant of souls, a really awesome award-winning documentary on the global sex trade (check out the-> trailer <-). I had seen it over winter break and I really loved it. I saw on their facebook page that they were doing tours in California in Spring so I emailed them and found out that they were going in our area the 2nd week of April which was awesome since they could make it to UCSB on the 12th. So April 12th was actually a perfect date for the event since April is Sexual Assault Awareness month as I found out (we co-hosted the event with Men Against rape and the Human Rights Board).

I went to the Human rights board meeting and also to A.S. finance board meeting to request funding for the event and it was at those meetings that my eyes were opened to something that was happening on campus. It’s like all groups/clubs decided to take a day to spread awareness about an injustice, to expose myths or to correct misunderstandings about a particular issue or just for the sake of appreciation. And for many groups, one day wasn't enough, they picked a whole week in order to focus on the many different aspects of the issues they were exposing. For example, there was black culture week and 6x awareness whereby they focussed on the various issues affecting the black community at large; Rahel was putting on Health Disparities week to expose issues in healthcare faced by underserved populations; there was human rights week; middle eastern awareness week; a group of Jewish students (Santa Barbara Hillel I think) was having a week to celebrate passover and other aspects of their culture; and many other events by different groups.

So it looks like Spring is awareness season. Awareness of what? Millions of women and children are victims of sex trafficking (modern day slavery), thousands of black people are victims of racist, unjust laws, millions of people without access to healthcare, millions of children starving to death, billions of people suffering under corrupt governments, various forms of discrimination based on nationality, ethnicity, culture, sex, age... the list goes on and on. Frustrating and depressing right? In short, it is awareness of how messed up this world is; familiarity with the breadth, depth and height of the mess. So I was thinking... spreading awareness is great but after all's been said (the world is messed up) what can be done? But first, there are different categories that we may fall under:

• Ignorant- a.Those that don't know what's going on in the world around them- we don't know everything so we find ourselves in this category all the time. "It is a myth that ignorance is a solvable problem. Ignorance is not a solvable problem; it is rather an inescapable part of human condition. We cannot comprehend the world in its entirety." (David Orr) b.Those that don't know and don't care to know or pretend that they know- This is a bad category to be in because like someone said, the only hindrance to truth is a presumption that you already have it. *To do: seek knowledge or be found by knowledge.
• Aware- People who have either sought out knowledge or it has been presented to them. So they know the problems. To do: Seek out solutions and act on them. “You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.” (William Wilberforce)
• World-changers- Were ignorant, then they sought out or were found by knowledge (aware of problem), then sought out solution or were presented with solution, act on solution and make a change. Best category to be in =)

Time to Behold, Time to Know

So yeah, spreading awareness is really important since we cannot change what we do not see as a problem. So yeah we need to see, not just to see but to see clearly, to see wholly. 

“We need “wholesight,” a vision of the world in which mind and heart unite...Only as we can see whole can we and our world be whole.” (Palmer)

*We need wholesight/ unity which brings about true vision (seeing clearly) which results in true and lasting change.

The world is becoming more aware of the necessity of wholesight, for example, there's a big shift occuring in healthcare, as I found out through my underserved medicine class. Healthcare in the West is shifting from disease treatment to preserving wellness (looking at all aspects of life such as nutrition, exercise, etc).

What I loved about the Nefarious documentary is it's holistic approach to the problem (sex trafficking)- it didn't just look at the surface of the problem but it digs deep and exposes the roots ( It looks at how systemic issues such as: mafia, government involvement, economic hardships, cultural issues, family issues are fueled by spiritual issues such as lust and greed). It also takes a holistic approach at solving the problem. It shows how just educating people doesn't solve the problem, just giving money doesn't help either. If the roots of the issues (spiritual aspects) are ignored the problem will keep popping up, lasting change will not result. Exodus cry, the anti-trafficking organization headed by the director of the film, takes a comprehensive approach: political action, social action as well as spiritual action. (I have a copy of the movie if anyone wants to watch it :)
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Awareness of The Solution. Awareness of The "Real Jesus"

More than anything we need to become aware of the solution instead of just focussing on the problems. You really should watch the film for your self because I'm not doing it justice (I have a copy if you wanna borrow). If you've seen the trailer, at the very end Jesus is mentioned as the hope for change. Majority of the former sex trafficking victims even after years of counseling do not go back to living a normal life and the ones in the documentary share their story of how an encounter with Jesus changed their lives, an encounter with unconditional love. This is probably the part where you wanna tune out since I mentioned Jesus and you think you know him or you don't know and don't care, or you don't know but you think you do or you know him and are satisfied with what you know. Wherever you are in that spectrum, since he claims to be The hope for change, I think he deserves the time of day (or night lol). By the way this post is addressed to everyone, including Christians. It's "wake-up-and-open-your-eyes-wide" season for everyone :)

"Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle." (Psalm 24:8)

Jesus is the most misunderstood person in the world (among non-christians and also among many christians). That's why awareness needs to be spread about His real identity, His full identity as He has revealed Himself; who He really is, what He actually did, what He is doing now and what He is going to do in the near future. To know the real Jesus we need wholesight/unity which brings about true vision and results in true and lasting change. [I have more posts to share concerning this: Jesus and the Love and Justice combo and yes it is pertinent and urgent]

As we have established, the world is messed up. We are in over our heads and we need a Hero and His name is Jesus. He will not only save our souls but also make right this wrong wrong world we live in. He shall reign and He is coming soon! =)

(Click this link for the lyrics if you can't hear them)

"For to us a child is born, 

    to us a son is given, 

    and the government will be on his shoulders. 

And he will be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Of the greatness of his government and peace 

    there will be no end. 

He will reign on David’s throne

    and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

    with justice and righteousness 

    from that time on and forever. 

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

    will accomplish this."

(Isaiah 9: 6-7)

So since Jesus claims to be The remedy if we want to see change then let's seek Jesus for ourselves, His love is what transforms us and equips us to change the world. (A dance we did at InterVarsity's dance off after common ground lol)

“Everybody wants to change the world. Nobody wants to change themselves.” ~ Leo Tolstoy.

*Let's change the world (the world is made up of you and me), let's start with the man in the mirror =) (A dance we did in 2010 at the city clean up kick off)

"Lift up your heads, you gates;

    lift them up, you ancient doors,

    that the King of glory may come in.

Who is he, this King of glory?

    The Lord Almighty —

    he is the King of glory."

(Psalm 24: 8-10)

K that's enough for one post lol. This was like an introduction, there's more stuff I wanna share so stay tuned! Feel free to share comments or questions :)

Things to Behold:

1. LOVE! (post: I Have a Father)
2. The King of Glory! (posts: King Like Mine, Quick Testimony: FREEDOM! and Pimp My Ride) 

3. A New thing! (posts: REAL Identity and Africa ARISE!)

4. One New Man! (posts: Be ONE and I Have A Dream)

My GPS :-)

Hello everyone :)

At the beginning of this year I was really worried about my future and stressed about the present since I didn't know what I was meant to do to prepare for something I wasn't sure of. Then Jesus told me: "Girl, don't stress...

Yeah I know that you don't know where you are going or what's coming up the bend and I'm not mean, it actually hurts me to see you grope along the way and sometimes crash into walls. 

So let me direct your attention to the left over there. What's that? Yup, I have given you a GPS so I don't want you to park somewhere waiting to receive all the answers about your future before you can move on. I want you to move on so that the GPS I have given you can work. So venture boldly into the unknown because you have a GPS that knows. Wait a minute! that actually means that you have to activate the GPS first then listen to it , trust that it will get you to the desired destination that I have programmed for you and then actually follow the directions it will give you.

 So each day as you journey on you have the choice to activate the GPS and to follow the directions it gives or you can decide not to. If you decide not to then you are choosing to trust yourself. Please don't do that because it's dumb lol (but for real, you just told me that you don't know the future so choosing to trust yourself is choosing to trust ignorance which will lead to you getting lost and crashing into things. So that would be setting yourself up for failure). Speaking about failure, the word 'failure' does not exist in the GPS manual as long as you have activated it and have decided to follow it's directions. Yes you may get distracted from time to time and hence fail to hear some instructions and you may have taken a wrong turn somewhere. But no need to worry! The beautiful thing about having a GPS is that it recalculates and sets you back on the right track to reach your destination. 

Yes the destination I have programmed for you is AWESOME! but I want you to enjoy the journey as well that's why I have given you this free gift, this GPS so that you can stop worrying, stressing, wandering around aimlessly, crashing into things and getting stuck in traffic- all of this will wear you out and even prevent you from reaching the destination. This GPS is not ordinary, its special! When you first start using it you will be on manual drive (you'll probably be switching off between trusting yourself and following the GPS) but when you actually decide to follow only the GPS then auto-drive will be activated, the GPS will drive for you and all you have to do is rest and enjoy the view. So yeah, take this gift, activate it and follow it please, for your own good. Peace!" :)
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*GPS= God's Powerful Spirit aka Holy Spirit

Huh? Who? What? Where?Why? How?
 "The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him (Jesus)— 
   the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, 
   the Spirit of counsel and of might, 
   the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD— 
 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.
   He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, 
   or decide by what he hears with his ears
but with righteousness..." (Isaiah 11:2-4)

"If you love me (Jesus), keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate (Counsellor / Helper) to help you and be with you for ever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (John 14: 15-18)

"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14: 25-27)

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30: 21)

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Practicals

A. Are you driving on the wrong streets? Time to make a U-turn into the Jesus freeway =)
Check out this song by Alisa they came to perform at the Black Church Experience we had in '10 (thanks guys! for blessing us with the powerful gifts that the Holy Spirit has graced you with =).

B.Jesus is saying: Let me be your wings.... "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but they who wait for the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40: 30-31)

"Fly with me and I will be your wings"

1. Read the Bible- Anytime. Anywhere. You could try reading it right before you study. It usually gives me peace which helps me focus more when I'm studying and reminds me that the Holy Spirit is with me as I study and is there to help me and to guide me into all truth. Also, we all deal with emotional drama everyday (stress, anger, confusion, discouragement, worry etc) and that's the time that you least feel like reading the Bible but grab it anyway and turn to any random Psalm and it will set you straight =)

2. Pray- God is everywhere around us and also in us (just believe Jesus and He will be) so talk to Him anywhere, at anytime about anything and everything :) He wants to give you His peace (doesn't depend on your circumstances) and wisdom. And yeah, He just wants to hang out with you and be involved in each area of your life so let's stop ignoring Him. Let's acknowledge Him (pray) for He is always with us :)

"Leave behind the world you know for another world of wondrous things"

3. Ask. Stop being afraid of the Holy Spirit. He is pretty cool! Have you read the Bible? The Book of Acts? The followers of Jesus were having a blast walking by the Spirit and doing "crazy things" like Jesus said they would ( John 16:12).

 *So Trust God and Ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you- Yes He lives in you from the moment you believe and give your life to Jesus but He also wants to fill you (take control/ be more involved in every part of our life) so we have to lose control and for that to happen we have to trust God.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11: 9-13)

* Wanna read about my Holy Spirit filling experience? Check out: Holy Spirit Downpour at Prefall. (You don't have to have the exact same experience as me to be filled by the Spirit just do what Jesus says that's the whole point for all of us. Let's surrender more and more until we surrender our all to Him :)

K, this one was for individual application and I'll publish another one later for corporate application. God showed me that this message is not just for myself so look out for "The Desert" post (coming soon!). Peace! =)

Prayer meetings:

1. Family prayer led by me and the family prayer gang- Wednesday at 1pm Storke Plaza.

2. Racial Reconciliation prayer led by Lissah and Shayne- Fridays at 1pm ?

3. Yours- day? time? :)

4. Prayer and Prophecy- Monday nights (anytime between 7-10pm) at the prayer shed on DP

*Video Clip: Check out this interview with Pastor Guillermo Maldonado. He talks about how Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever and His promises to His followers are still true today. Check out how revival is spreading like a wildfire in places where people take Jesus at His Word. Miracles still happen! Jesus is so cool! hahaha =) And there are miracles happening right here in IV. Check this out: Jesus Loves IV.