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Friday, January 3, 2014

Dear Families...

Jesus came as a Lamb but He's coming back as a Lion!
Psalm 96 
1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
  sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
 tell of His salvation from day to day.
3 Declare His glory among the nations,
 His marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before Him;
  strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into His courts!
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth!
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
He will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the Lord, for He comes,
for He comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in His faithfulness.

While in the deep darkness I saw the Light. He said that He is Coming SOON!
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 Background

This has been in my drafts since May 2012. I knew God wanted me to share it but I kept avoiding it coz family is a subject that's close to my heart so it's really hard to talk about... especially in the heat of all the things that were going on... then I forgot about it but here we are back in the desert and it's time to face this in order to stop going round in circles. Also, later in the Fall of 2012 I took the Adolescent Psychology class and a lot of the material reminded me about my life as well as my family's. God has been forcing me to face my issues through my classes, wish I paid better attention though (depression was distracting). Don't have those notes with me right now so I'll just share my stories, it won't be sound scholastic but try to learn something. (I tend to write a lot and give too much background info so you can skip ahead to the main message: *A TIME TO HEAL.*A CALL TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY. *A CALL TO WORSHIP. *REVIVAL AND RESTORATION. (and if you don't like to read stories you can just watch the videos I posted for confirmation and also listen to the music).

Life wasn't perfect in Kenya but when we came to America it's like all hell broke lose, drama escalated to another level we hadn't seen before (fights, cops, jail, division, relocation, eviction notices, health problems, hate, depression... ) not all at once though. If you're my facebook friend you might have read the piece I wrote to my sis Flo. Here's another summary: I'm from a family of seven kids, middle class, my dad's an entrepreneur  with small businesses here and there, the original plan was to send us abroad for university after we graduated high school but we also tried applying for the greencard a couple of times but didn't get it. My sister Florence, the second born got a visa (it's really hard to get) and came by herself to the U.S. when she was only 18. In the year 2006, she had a plan to help the whole family come to the U.S, we ended up going to the embassy and a miracle happened - we all got visas that day, all 6 of us (2 big sisters of mine wanted to stay in Kenya so they didn't apply with us). When people in line saw the size of our family they laughed , I remember the guy in front of us told us we weren't going to get it. It's really hard for one person to get a visa and they usually drill you with questions but the guy who interviewed us, an America, simply asked us what we were going to do there, joked around with us then stamped our visas onto our passports. Just like that! That was God!

The American Dream

Ok I can write a lot but I have to cut this short... So it was God who opened a door for us to get here. It was His will for my family to be here and He used my sister Florence to bring us here. She has sacrificed so much for our family. She brought us here so that we could get an education and take advantage of all the opportunities offered here, for a better life. The American dream. She achieved so much on her own in spite of the obstacles so she knew that there was nothing we couldn't do as a family. But things panned out differently than she expected...

Remember my paper, also blog series: Reforming the American System, Reforming Education?  that was inspired by my personal as well as family experiences while here in America. But what's wrong with the American dream? It's just striving for a better life? Well there's nothing wrong with working hard to achieve your dreams. The problem comes in when it's "Money over everything, money on my mind." Cause there's obviously more to life than that. "God over everything, love on my mind."

"The American Paradox" -"soaring wealth and shrinking spirit." He states that: "More than ever, we have big houses and broken homes, high incomes and low morale, more comfortable cars and more road rage. We excel at making a living but we often fail at making a life. We celebrate our prosperity but yearn for purpose. We cherish our freedoms but long for connection. In an age of plenty we feel spiritual hunger." (Myers, 2009) "The challenge for wealthy nations, then is to foster improving standards of living without encouraging materialism and consumerism that displaces the deep need to belong." (David Myers)
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1. A TIME TO HEAL

So why didn't we just come to America and excel like Flo wanted us to. Coz we were all broken. Well I can speak for myself.  I was a mess before I left Kenya and a bigger mess when I came here. I was depressed, the past was holding me back and I needed healing, emotional and spiritual healing (post: Remember). Here's a fb message I wrote my family (we had a thread of messages going, that's one way we kept in touch with my sisters in Kenya): 

  • Ok here it is again: Hey family ~~~A Story and Apology~~~
    So last summer before I went back to school Flo asked me why I wasn't myself anymore. Why I wasn't how I used to be when I was younger- more talkative. And how come I expressed myself with my "facebook family" but not with my real family. She asked if I was afraid but I just said no but I didn't explain after that. So I finally want to explain. I'm going to start blogging the whole story of my life later but here's the summary: "The acceptable false self arises from the adolescent's perception that the real self is rejected by parents & peers." (from my Psychology class). I was myself until I thought being me was a problem for people. I felt like everyone wanted me to change but after I changed because of them, they were like "Why did you change? I actually liked how you were before" (If this is too long to read then just read the last paragraph for the apology or we can just talk about it later 

    When I was younger yeah I was talkative but I was quiet sometimes and observant. I used to like nature and space. And I used to like thinking a lot/ daydreaming so I was usually never bored when I was by myself. So one time I was thinking (I think I was in class 5 or 6)... "Mum raised us Christian but what if i was born in a muslim family would I be muslim." So I wanted to be sure for myself that I was following the truth. So I thought to myself: I know God exists because of the beauty of creation. There just has to be a Creator or nothing would make sense. So I decided to go to the source. So I figured because God is big, he is everywhere so everywhere I go I can always talk to Him. And because He hears my thoughts I can always talk to Him in my head. And that's how I developed a relationship with God. Jesus became my best friend since He was always with me. I guess that's why I always had joy and peace and He started giving me Wisdom too.

    So I stopped talking to you guys as much as I used to when I smaller because as we were growing up we started developing different lifestyles. I used to be best friends with Yvonne until she hit teens and that's when she would hang out with you guys and I would hang out with Moses and Olivia. And that's when we started fighting more. I remember we used to fight over music all the time. Before I also used to listen to secular music with you guys but when I developed a relationship with God my interests changed. And He gave me Wisdom so I knew that the music you listen to (it's message) can influence you. That's why I was angry at Yvonne when she would watch music videos with akina Moses and teach them secular songs. Because I didn't want them to imitate the lifestyles of those musicians and get the idea that life is all about how you look, money, cars, having a girlfriend/boyfriend and partying. So I would always play games with akina Moses and do Bible study and worship. I wanted to be a good influence. But when I went to boarding school I would come home and see that akina Moses changed and I felt like I had lost influence over them since I wasn't home that much.

    So I mentioned that God was the source of my peace and joy and He also gave me Wisdom but I was hiding it because I thought I was too young and no one would want to listen to me. Also I wanted to remain a kid as long as I could for the privileges haha ;) I remember you guys had told akina dad that you weren't kids anymore so they used to take me, Moses and Olivia out on Sundays.

    Another thing was... I used to speak my mind when I was younger and it was seen as funny and cute but later (Kileleshwa) mum would say I was being rude and dad would tell me to nyamaza. Then there's the day when dad beat me up because he said I was being rude to mum. So after that I saw that being myself and speaking my mind at home was a problem so for the sake of peace I stopped expressing myself. And I got used to it. But it was depressing because mum and Yvonne would talk about me like I couldn't speak for myself ... but I didn't speak for myself because everything I said was rude and would get me in trouble so I didn't know what to say so I just didn't say anything. I would go to school where I was free to be myself with my friends then I came home and just did my own thing: homework and studying and then later I went to boarding school. So that became the new me. And at the same time when that happened (back in Kileleshwa when dad and mum thought I was rude), a similar thing happened in school when I was accused of starting a strike. So it came down to people in authority telling me that being myself was a problem so for the sake of peace and being obedient I changed. I stop expressing myself much in school as well. I would just be myself with my close friends. So when I went to boarding school is when people started noticing that I had changed.

    So the same people that I changed for were the ones asking why I had changed. They said they liked me how I was before. So it was sad that I had changed myself so much and there was peace but I still didn't please them. And I had changed so much I even forgot who I was. And it even affected my relationship with God that's why I didn't have joy and peace anymore. And later (at the gallery) I wished I didn't change myself for peace because it was at the cost of relationship. I saw Yvonne, even though she always fought with akina dad she had a good relationship with him. They still talked and laughed. And then with Olivia she would be shouting at mum and then dad would tell mum to wait for her to cool off before they talked.

    Anyway, that's the story of how I stopped being myself. I'm not blaming anyone for anything. I know adolescence is a tough time in itself and parenting is even tougher with all of us. I want to apologize because looking back I learnt some things. So I realized that it was spiritual warfare going on. It was the devil who lied to me that I was a problem and that I had to change. So by changing I let him break my identity and I let him steal my voice, my joy and peace. When I skyped with Sheila the other time and she told me there was a time she was searching for God and she even felt like He didn't care about her but then God spoke to her through Melissa's friend. Hearing that made me sad because I had a relationship with God but I didn't share that with you guys because I thought I was too young and you wouldn't listen. So that was the devil's plan to break me and leave me voiceless so that the light of God couldn't shine through me to even my family. So I'm sorry for that. When you guys say you miss me I get surprised coz I don't know what you miss because I don't even talk that much so we just see each other then I go back to school. I realized that it was the devil's plan to break me so that I could be depressed which makes me be selfish -> so i stopped expressing my love to you guys like I used to. So I'm sorry for changing. I'm working on expressing myself more.

    Also I miss how we were closer before but part of that is because I'm the one who's out of the loop of things. I miss how we used to sing together. Also God wants us to remember who we are. We need to remember His love for us. It's in Him that all things hold together. We need to love each other and forgive each other. We need to trust God with our future things are changing and we can't put out trust in money, education and jobs (yes those are all good and we need them to live but we need to put God first). Things are gonna go down for those who put their trust in the things of this world but for those who trust in God we shall soar in this coming season. God has great plans for us. Our family has strong personalities (hence the drama) that's because being leaders is in our DNA. Let's place all out trust in God. Listen to these songs. We are going to shine! (So I'm sorry and I love you all )
  • January 6

  • So... I'm not afraid to talk about this stuff. It's like I've been waiting for God to do something in our family, waiting for the right time when I can finally be myself, waiting for a breakthrough. But that time never seems to come. And God has been waiting for me to be myself. But I haven't been and I've been afraid to be vulnerable. He gave me the time = each time that we are together. But I don't take it and then I go back to school with regrets; sad that I let the time slip by without being myself with you guys but then again God encourages me and gives me hope for the next time I come home but that same cycle continues. So why do I let it keep happening? I've noticed it's because you guys have your own routine and I don't want to interrupt your schedules and be an inconvenience so I just join in the routine or form my own (blogging and making videos). Remember the time when I wanted us to have a family meeting but we never did. Because I wasn't firm about setting a day because I didn't want to inconvenience people.
    So anyway, I'm going back to school tomorrow and I don't want to leave with regrets as usual. I let the Winter break slip by again but I still have one more day with you guys so I want us to have a family meeting. We're not going to church but we'll get up and get ready and pick up Olivia. Then we can have a meeting before me. Livy and mum go to Yvonne's house. It will be a presentation by me. I'll introduce myself and say what I've been trying to say for once.

    So at that meeting I ended up just breaking down and not saying much. But I did manage to share something that I'll get to in the next segment. And I made this video for them when I got back to school.
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2. A CALL TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY 


What I managed to share with my fam was about my bro Moses... Anyone from Kenya knows that America is not the best place to raise children so it was hard for my younger siblings especially Moses. He came when he was beginning his teens so he was in Junior high. At home everyone was busy with their own lives, school and work, and something huge was missing... the feeling of love and togetherness we once shared. When we arrived we did more stuff together (bowling, tennis, etc) but then we stopped... why? Flo stopped initiating. She was tired of always being the one to bring the family together like it was only up to her and no one else cared. Well, we were all pre-occupied with our own lives, and for me with my selfish depression. And there came a time when Mozez started really changing and one day me and my mum found out some secrets. We found out that he was smoking weed. My mum and I were shocked, hurt and afraid when we found out. We didn't expect that from Moses though I had sensed that something was off. We found him in the park and we called him to the car and confronted him about it. My mum was quick to belt out her disappointments and we questioned him. I really wanted to understand, "Why?" I asked with tears in my eyes, he finally confessed, in an honest voice that I recognized as my baby brother's, "Because of mum and Olivia." The schools he went to were not good schools (low graduation rates) and his friends were not the best influences. But Moses was always ambitious. Though he was surrounded by negative peer pressure he didn't let his friends influence him because he had his family. But when he would come home it's like he walked into a war zone. Him and Olivia always got into fights and Olivia would go tell on him to my parents and they always took her side and blamed Moses, even though most times it was Olivia who started the fight. And this made Moses really angry coz my parents didn't listen to him. Another thing, when Olivia and I went to the Onething conference, I mentioned in the Let go. Let love flow. post that we had a cry session with Livy on New Years, what was that about? Moses. That night during worship, God baptized my heart with anguish for my brother and all I could do was weep and pray in tongues coz I didn't have the words to pray about what I was feeling. So when we got back to Lorna's apt that night I had a talk with Olivia and she too started crying. I told her that God made me feel how Moses felt and convicted me of my guilt. We stopped doing things together as a family, I stopped initiating coz I was consumed with myself, and when Moses would ask me and Olivia to play with him on the xbox or football we would say no coz that was guy stuff and we didn't want to. Then we'd tell him to get off the xbox coz we wanted to watch our shows and since he's the only boy he always lost the vote. Also he had less attention from my parents coz they were much busier with work. So Moses was feeling left out and unloved and he would let this out aggressively and also by spending less time at home and more time with his friends who were bad influences. Then my family would always lecture him about his lifestyle and tell him to get his life together and plan the future but without us seeing his pain and our contribution to it. So that day at the meeting I shared this with my mum and Flo. Also here's one of the messages I sent them.
  • So I was going to share this with you guys a while back but I didn't so hear goes.
    *Mozez is really close to giving his life back to God. I have been seeing this from Winter break and from sending him messages and how he has been responding. And when I asked my friends to pray for him today one of them said that God told him that God is calling Mozez into deeper relationship and Moses is struggling with how to respond. But there is something in the way that's a huge obstacle....guess what that is???? WE ARE!
    *HOW? OUR MOUTHS. - Your tongue has the power of life and death: So by just pointing out his mistakes, shouting at him you are partnering with the devil. Another thing, stop asking him about his plans for future. (What he is going to do after he graduates). I know you care but all that is doing is adding him more pressure, worry and reminding him of his failures. So you are also partnering with the devil in that way. What you should do is put first things first. Pray that he seeks God first because everything else will be added to him after that (Matthew 6:33).
    -STOP FIGHTING! "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12
    -Stop treating him like your enemy. We are on the same team. FIGHT IN THE SPIRIT (praying, fasting, praising God. That's how you fight against the enemy.)
    ***What can we do to help Mozez go back to God??? UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.
    -> Yvonne STOP shouting at him. STOP telling him to leave your house. Don't expect him to do anything, don't ask him to do anything for now. Just love him as he is. You won't make him change by shouting and repeating yourself over and over. PRAY for him, love him like he has done nothing wrong to you. LOVE changes people. Do this and you will see. What you have been doing (fighting with your mouth does not work, it is partnering with the devil and hurts you both). Love him whether or not he respects you. Love will change him. He really looks up to you from when he was younger. You make a HUGE impact in his life. Yvonne if you start loving Mozez unconditionally you will save his life. I know the things he says and does hurt you but this cycle will never break if we don't start somewhere. So let's start with putting him first and loving him as he is- this will change him and the things he says and does.
    "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you." (Proverbs 25: 21-22)
    **What Mozez needs is LOVE and Family (friendship)- So just treat him that way (not like an enemy or a counseling project). Watch movies, family videos with him, play games. Also watch this: http://www.sidroth.org/site/News2?abbr=tv_&page=NewsArticle&id=10965&news_iv_ctrl=1141 This guy, Steve Foss, had a similar background as Mozez and he shares his story of how God changed his life. Also God showed him the root of all sin: spirit of inferiority and insecurity.
    Wow that is really deep... And true and profound...I love you for that balu!!!
    • April 15, 2012
    • Sheila Muthoni
      love it charlene. i was also told he is searching 4 God, n Gods grace is upon n that hatapotea. the thing with us, when u hear smth like that you would be like but he is doing this n that, concentrating on now n not on what God has said. the problem with some of us is that we r judgemental. anyway, lets keep praying 4 each other, n start closing all the doors we have given the devil access to. love u all.
    • April 27, 2012
    • Lucy Macharia
      Thank you Charlene for opening our eyes. May God forgive me for the part I have played in hurting my son Moses and my whole family through the words of my mouth! May the words of my mouth minister peace and grace to those who hear them! Satan is not going to use my mouth to curse or delay my children's salvation in the name of Jesus!
    Seen by Olivia
My mum did have a talk with Moses and apologized. I was touched by what he told her, he said that I was the only one who didn't judge him. When he felt like everyone was against him, I was the only one on his side. I don't want to take credit for this coz it was God who opened my eyes to see him like God saw him and loved him. It's not that I approved of his actions, I just decided to love him regardless, to make him feel loved and seen. With much sowing: prayer, fasting, encouragement from me and the rest of my family, God did a mighty work in Moses heart, filling him with hope. Though there was a lot of factors working against him, including his own teachers and administrators (who even admitted holding him back) he graduated from high school. My sis, Florence, told him about a job he could apply for at UCI and he got it! He's working as a lifter and getting paid well. He's saving for a car... and the sky is not even the limit. Things are getting better and better. God has great plans for him and I'm so overjoyed for all He has done already! Thank You Jesus! Here's a video I made for his birthday :-) (Also I'm not putting his business out there like he's the only one who had secrets. Here's some of mine: Quick testimony! and I'm yet to share more of my stories, it's all for His glory! God makes beautiful things out of the dust, He makes beautiful things out of us! post: Pimp My Ride :)

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2. A CALL TO WORSHIP: Sing a New Song!

*Finances & Living Situations: So when we came here Flo showed us all the ropes and helped us get on our feet. Like I mentioned, family dynamics changed since mum was not working and also going to school. My dad was working longer hours including night shifts and it was taking a toll on him and his health. People usually say that Kenyan men can't survive in America (*not compatible with the life here) because of their egos. My dad was his own boss back in Kenya, he made his own hours.  He didn't go to college but he took a business course and had years of experience running his own businesses and he made ends meet for the family. But he couldn't just come to America and start a business just like that, so he had to take the jobs he could find but it reached a point that he couldn't take it anymore and decided to go back to Kenya to restart his businesses and revitalize some of them then come back here when there was a steady flow of income. For my dad it wasn't just about his ego, he was willing to do whatever for us, but he was concerned for his health and he had hope that his plan would work out, plus he wanted to go back to fight for some of our land that was stolen. He had a bunch of court cases to attend. My family didn't agree with his plan and wanted him to stay... I understood both sides... my dad left though (he's being going back and forth)... It was just the timing that wasn't the best, with Moses' situation he needed a male figure around whether or not they were seeing eye to eye, my mum was left in the apartment with most of the bills, Yvonne helped out with the bills but with her baby coming up she couldn't help as much. So my sis Flo, out of the kindness of her big heart came up with a plan. She decided to let my mum, bro and sis move in with her that way my mum could work less and start taking nursing classes. It was a tough transition time, Mozez didn't wanna move coz it was his senior year in high school, then some drama erupted so my sister's boyfriend took him in, so he stayed in Anaheim with Yvonne. 

Anyway, there was much more drama all over the place. Each time I came home I was happy but also sad to see the state of things... I remember one time I told God that I was waiting for Him to breakthrough, but what He told me was challenging and convictin, "I am waiting for you to be yourself."... I'll come back to that.... So Flo had originally wanted my mum and us to stay at her house for just one year at most as we waited for my dad's return but plans changed, things were taking longer than expected. And all this was taking a toll on Flo, she's all about having a plan and keeping it. Also she has sacrificed so much for my family (even though she has her own) over the years and hasn't received much back from us, just more heartache and pain it seemed. So she decided to "kick out" my mum and sis, she said this because she was desperate for change and suffering more than we knew, When this would happen we would have meetings to talk about the problems and so we can come up with a plan of action, or we would just write to each other messages like the one below.
  • Flo, yeah that's true we don't ask since we assume and yeah I'm also guilty of that  So I'm sorry for assuming and not asking and for us taking advantage of you

  • Also, let's do this... on Saturday when dad is leaving (that's the right day right?) let's all meet up at Yvonne's house and have a meeting led by me. Yes I'm stepping up, thanks for the challenge (I'm serious, no sarcasm).
    Flo I can now see how deeply you are hurt and how we are responsible. I look around our family and I see hurt in all of us and in different ways and how we may or may not be responsible for it. I see oppression in different ways and WE HAVE TO OPEN OUR EYES and realize that we are NOT fighting against flesh and blood (our real enemy is the devil who is working against us all). We are a family and deliverance for EVERYONE (not just one person at the expense of the rest or the rest in the expense of one person) will only come when we look to GOD AS A FAMILY.
    The devil knows the power of prayer and especially unity in prayer so he wants to bring confusion and conflict to divide us to prevent us from reaching our OH-SO-NEAR DESTINY our REAL IDENTITY and CALLING.
    So if we are ACTUALLY devoted to receiving personal peace, true love (as the Bible defines it), unity, healing, freedom and prosperity, then WE HAVE TO put FIRST THINGS FIRST. AS A FAMILY, LET'S COME TOGETHER AND PRAY TOGETHER. MONEY does not fix things, akina mum moving out right now won't fix things (it won't fix the roots of the problems, the hurt and everyone's situation).
    GOD IS FOR US!!! ALL OF US!! And He wants to bring restoration and wholeness to ALL of US and to ALL areas of our life.
    So for ONCE. Let's quit fighting like the world does (with words) and LET'S USE THE WEAPONS THAT ACTUALLY WORK (PRAYER, FASTING, WORSHIP). GOD can fix years of a MESS in just ONE DAY. HE IS GOD. He kept giving me this chapter 1 Samuel 7 -> He wants to give us everything we've been wanting and more.
    Flo, I know you have worked hard and long and have really sacrificed. GOD SEES ALL OF THAT. AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE RELIEF YOUR CRAVING AND YOU SHALL SEE THE PROSPERITY YOU'VE BEEN WANTING TO SEE IN OUR FAMILY. HE SHALL REPAY ALL YOUR SELF-SACRIFICE. I'm not trying to justify how we've treated you. I'm sorry and please forgive us. I'm just saying that GOD SEES you when all of us failed and HE WILL REALLY BLESS YOU FOR FREE. You've worked so hard for everything you have and now HE WANTS TO GIVE YOU REST AND OTHER FREE STUFF.
    HOLD ON EVERYONE! We can't give up now. We are sooo close to all we've been longing for.
    WE ALL JUST NEED TO WAIT ON GOD--> which means ACTUALLY SEEKING HIM. HE WILL COME THROUGH FOR ALL OF US.  


Also I watched this video and Cindy's story reminded me a lot about my family and I feel what she teaches, "Commanding your morning" aka "singing a new song" is what is going to bring breakthrough and restoration. Check out her story it's really cool, almost unbelievable but with God all things are possible! =)

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3. REVIVAL AND RESTORATION: God is doing a New thing!

So remember when God told me, "I am waiting for you to remember who you are. I am waiting for you to be yourself," as if that was the answer to all my family problems. So when the problems got intense for me, not just at home but at school as well. I forced to turn to God. I had so many questions for him. Why did He bring my family and I here? To suffer? Was that His plan? Why are we here? Why am I here? When I started asking Him these questions and seeking Him so desperately (fasting, worship and His Word) coz I had caved myself in and there was no where else I could turn. So that's when He started giving me the bigger picture and the purpose to the pain, kinda like the story of Joseph. And He even started revealing more about our identity, which revealed more of our calling. Related post: REAL Identity.


Here's a message I wrote to my sisters:
******GOD HAS SPECIAL PLANS FOR THE MACHARIAS********
  • I went to this church a few weeks ago and people with the gift of prophecy were prophesying over the congregation. It was my first time there and this woman looked at me and told me that each time I smile I change the atmosphere of the room because of the joy of the Lord, and just by smiling I'm making an impact in people's lives.
    Then later on that night one of the pastors pointed me out and called me, I went to him and he asked me, "Do you know that you are royalty?" and I was like, "Yeah I know God is the King and I'm a princess." But he said, "No, do you know that you have royalty in your earthly bloodline?"
    He told me that 5 generations ago there was some royalty in our family and that person was also righteous in God's eyes and so He said that God sees that and He is going to bless us, we are being blessed because God blessings goes onto the next generation and the next... The pastor told me to research that person. I asked mum but she doesn't know lol
  • Charlene Wambũi Macharia
    And like a year ago, dad, mum, me, Moses, Olivia and Yvonne had gone to this church called The River. And as we were on our way out this lady stopped us and asked to pray for us. She then told us that she got a vision of us wearing golden wreaths
  • Sheila Muthoni
    charlene, am so happy 4 u. i wish i was there with u. most churches here r dead, without the Power of God, i pray i will find one soon. i want to grow n grow spiritually. i want God to use me. the end is near, n the last of the prophecies that were made is that sons will have visions n daughters dreaming dreams.....,n now all these r beginning to happen. the end is near. we need to be prepared. i pray 4 all of us to be saved n transformed. wa, charlene, am so happy 4 u.
  • Sheila Muthoni
    i love reading psalm 18:1 i love you, O Lord, my strength.
  • Charlene Wambũi Macharia
    Yeah, like the prophecy, revival will start here then it will spread around the world
    About the golden wreaths...I looked up the significance. This is what it means: "Wreaths were taken to symbolize a person's divine favor, back in the day. It was taken to mean that the person wearing it was important in the eyes of God. In the wreath, the circle signified eternity since there was no beginning and no end in a circle."
  • am so jazzed. what? royalty? no wonder i ve always felt theres smth special abt me....lol. but no wonder satan has been working so hard at fighting attacking this family, trying to destroy us completly. he has no idea the kind of fight we r going to put up against him.
  • Charlene Wambũi Macharia
    Yeah the pastor said that's why when we smile we change the atmosphere of the room because we are royalty and when royal people walk in the room people notice. And that's true, that is why the devil has been attacking us and trying to bring conflict and division amongst us so that we don't realize who we are and the good plans that God has for us
    We are not fighting against each other (flesh and blood) but against the devil's schemes to keep us from loving each other and turning to God.
  • Charlene Wambũi Macharia
    ****LET'S LOVE & FORGIVE EACH OTHER*********
    "Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.Anyone who loves their brother and sister[c] lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them." (1 John 2:9-11)
  • abt the smile, its landed me jobs. i remember my 1st job in tune inn yaya centre, i handwrote my cv in the car n handed it in like that. i remember flo laughing telling me mine will be overlooked coz it wasnt typed, but i told her mine will be picked coz its different, i was called 4 interview then during interview, i was told i have a great smile n was hired.
  • thanks 4 the info princess charlene. i wonder how the wealth, name of the royalty was wipe out completely with no one to even speak of it. hiyo ni homework.
  • Sheila Muthoni
    just prayed with pastor Gabriel. God revealed its on mum's side. funny the way mum doesnt even know she is royalty. ha ha. but God is faithful.
  • November 18, 2011
  • Florence Macharia-Zilko
    Hey baluu.. thanks for replying... eventually .. yes i remember you told me about the laughing.. has that happened in fellowship again since?.. It is so nice to see you so spiritual.. i remember there were days when i was there... im sure there is still alittle bit of that left somewhere deep inside... ... like rafiki said.. i probably do not remember who i am anymore.. just dissolved into life and everything it calls for ... starting with a psalm a day is a good idea.. i will try it out... ROYALTY... WOW THATS NEWS... nice that you get so many phophesies over you charlene and that God is on your side.. .... by the way i am replying as i read the messages i didnt realize there ws so many... ati mum doesnt know who the person could be .. how come no one has told me these things before??? .....well baluu... i know we all have grat smiles.. but the prophesy was for you and your smile... .....mson.. wow i vaguely remember the tune in job.. but was i here in the states already when that happened?
  • Florence Macharia-Zilko
    ok now i love the sound of this royalty thing in the family but what does that mean to us now.. we have homework todo... we have work to do.. or should we just wait for these blessings?... dont mean to sound greedy but im just saying.. life seems like a never ending struggle so when do we get a break?
Sheila Muthoni
we r royalty like that movie-coming to america. the king of zamunda etc...lol. well, all i know, when we align ourselves with God, the rest will fall in place. He has already promised us a bright future.
  • Charlene I didn't know about you walking backwards in circles!...cool! Flo unanichekesha,ha ha ha ha ha. Kama hauja ambiwa about ur smile shauri yako!lol, I am always told that my smile brightens pples day, all the tucucus I used to work for they used to tell me that. I also think its true that we are always noticed everywhere we go......
Yvonne Macharia
LMAO....Sheila, really??? The King of Zamunda, nimecheka karibu nikojoe, you are too funny. Na hiyo royalty ati its on mums side? Because mummy said that her dad used to have a lot of money lakini I guess pherithi alimaliza....

  • Yeah it makes sense that the royalty is on mum's side. My friend Priscillah commented on one of our family pictures and said that we all have mum's smile. We have inherited a lot from mum. It is because of her that we know God. She brought us up teaching us to pray together, going to church...giving us advice and teaching us about God.
    @ Flo no I haven't laughed like that again. But now I sing with the worship team, and there's a difference in how I sing. I sing without caring what people think of me, I sing loudly and from the heart. "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24) And I agree with Sheila, God just wants us to trust Him with our lives and our everything. Then He is the one who will guide us and reveal the good plans He has for us. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, (acknowledge Him) and he will make your paths straight. (He shall direct your paths)" (Proverbs 3:5-6) *** @Flo- you had taught me that verse a long time ago :)
Sheila Muthoni as i was saying, amenitoa mbali, n its been miracle after miracle, stopped drinking, moved to a new hse that we will own, got a car, stevens promotion, restored marriage, sean healed of skin asthma, me toe, hip joints, now my skin,........n still counting. but most of all is the peace n joy of the Lord that we experience. the spiritual realm is more superior to this physical one, what we see now is what was in the spiritual. the spiritual is eternal n the physical is temporary. so we need to work on our Faith.
Charlene Wambũi Macharia
  • ambia mum amwagie flo ile holy water kama bado iko....lol. oh ya charlene, i remember us singing in the kitchen. flo, u might not have the voice but i know with the Holy spirit u can do anything, like God showed me in a dream, i was singing with a beautiful voice n preaching to a big crowd. i was told that God wants to use me in that way. i remember my secret dream was that, i used to tell God every time, if u bless me with a beautiful voice, i will use it to praise u. n when it comes to public speaking, i get shy n i stumble/fumble(choose one..lol) with my words, but with the Holy spirit, i can do anything. i thank God 4 the free gift of salvation, i thank Him 4 Jesus, n 4 the Holy spirit. this is a life i never thought existed, as in, focus n God n He will focus on u n all ur needs. can u imagine, the other day we were pray with pastor n Gods spirit revealed to him that we pray 4 our car it doesnt get spoilt. i have never felt so touched, as in God is so involved in ur life if u let Him, n He goes clearing the way for you.
Charlene Wambũi Macharia
Hey Oh yeah, last Monday when I went to the prayer night. The guy prayed and the only thing he said was that money is a big issue for our family.

Ok that's just a snippet of our long convo. It actually begun with me sharing with them this story: Hello Africans... -My experience of God setting me free with His Spirit and waking me up to who I am and the times we're living in. And throughout the convo singing is brought up, we also talk about it more in later but I didn't include the whole thing for sake of length. But yeah these are the days... things are changing... the kingdoms of this world are more corrupt than you think. The government will need to be overthrown, yes Heaven is coming down. Jesus is coming and He also wants to fill us with more of His power and glory so that we rule with Him. He wants to empower us so that we can prepare the way for Him. Lots of changes are coming so it's imperative to turn to Jesus our Redeemer, He will protect us and restore our fortunes, all for His glory. And this message isn't just for those who happen to have Jewish roots somewhere in their bloodline, it's for everyone since He is doing a new thing, He is creating a united people, "One New Man." K this is long enough, you can check out the video below, God revealed stuff to me when I was making it so pay attention to the scripture. Here's more scripture He gave me for my family: Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Joel 2:23-29. Peace =) Here's another confirmation video:


Summary: We need to Remember who we are (Look to God), We need to love and reconcile, We need to unite and fight for each other (praying and worshipping together), We need to sing a New Song! -- instead of talking about problems it's time to declare a new day. It's time to speak life and take a hold of God's promises by faith. More about that in a post I'm working on called, "Resting Place." And yeah, Jesus is coming soon so let's get it together! =)

Oh yeah, my family never came together in worship and prayer... but this Sunday it's gonna happen. Please pray for us for healing and breakthrough. Also these are my stories, I haven't talked about all the problems and challenges we've faced, but I'm sharing this as a testimony. To God be the glory! Great things He has done and greater things He is yet to do! PRAISE GOD! =D



Wednesday, January 1, 2014

NO LIMITS 2014!!!

This was originally the "Thumbelina" post from Summer but all I did was just post the movie so now (12/30/13) I wanna share what I got out of it as well as additional confirmation I gathered in the Fall.

♫ You're sure to do impossible things if you follow your heart. You're sure to fly on magical wings when you follow your heart. "Oh that is very nice and I like what it is saying. It is saying: Follow your heart and nothing is impossible! ♫ ~Jacquiomo, "swallow extraordinaire and lover of beautiful things" in Thumbelina :-)

In this post: *Here's to 2013.*Walk by Faith Not by Sight. Guard Your Mind. *Success Stories.*Year of the Open DoorS. NO LIMITS!! *ONE Love: SB Edition.


Here's to 2013. Here's to Hebrew Year 5773



Photo from Beckah Shae's fb page :-)

Check out the video above, it was one of ads on youtube that you could skip but I'm glad that I didn't. "In 2013 the world searched for: New Beginnings, New frontiers, Ways to help -"Our values call upon us to care about the lives of people we will never meet," Courage - We realize the importance of light when we see darkness. Goodbyes- Baronness Thatcher, Paul Walker, Nelson Mandela, Inspiration... ♫ Yea it feels like I've come home. Ohh yeah it feels like I've come home. ♫ Search on."

It was moving, in a painful way, to watch that because that's what 2013 was meant to be for me, for us. God told me a lot about the year 2012, and later I learnt about the Jewish calendar 5773 (kinda like the school year, overlaps 2 years, starts in late September). It was the "Year of the Open Door," "The Year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God,""The Dawn of a New Era." Much was going to happen that year and a lot did, but all of it happening was dependent on our partnership with God (Related post: A New Road). Some doors closed early that year because there was a new one that was opened for us and all we had to do was walk through. But some of us (like me) didn't get it at first and kept banging on the closed doors.

In the loneliness and disorientation of Fall 2012, I saw the deep darkness (depression) and I saw the Bright Light (revelation when I looked to God. I got so juiced and vision which filled me with such an urgency and brokenness... I was an explosion about to happen. In 2013, my aching heart and excruciating hunger drove me to places that I had never been, places that I would not even consider venturing into before... But once I was there all I had to do was deposit what was burning within me. To simply breathe out, release. But instead of following my heart, I followed my mind and held back. My mind would tell me that my heart wasn't worth it :( It was as effortful and painful as holding my breath and I made myself suffer immensely to the point of numbness. After every season (end of the school year, end of summer, end of Fall) it was painful to realize what could have been - how my dreams would have come true if only I followed my heart. From my failure to launch, I can attest to that quote, "Take risks: If you win, you'll be happy; if you lose you'll be wise."And I'll add "If you don't take risks you'll be miserable in your uncomfortable comfort zone but there is grace and mercy so rise up again and give it your all!" I can whine for days but that's not very beneficial so I'd rather share what I learnt and we'll also hear from people who took risks and made their dreams come true in 2013.
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Walk by Faith, Not by Sight. Follow Your heart, Guard Your Mind.

"Think before you act" can be the dumbest decision you'll ever make. That's what got me into trouble all year. God was opening doors for me, giving me opportunities to meet new people as well as to renew old relationships, new platforms to share the Wisdom He gave me without the constraints of the previous year, and yeah just the freedom to live, love and breathe... to be me, who I fully am. But when these doors were opening it was kinda like a bus... you don't have forvever to board, you have to jump on it! And that's what my heart was telling me to do, jump! But my mind would tell me to stop and make calculations and before I knew it the door would close, an opportunity would slip by then another one would arise and it became like a cycle. When I remembered God's grace and the vision of hope and purpose He gave me, I'd rise again and start again but I'd stop myself from giving my all because of the reputation I had built for myself, how people saw me, then this would discourage me once more.

K, enough of that... What was the most painful thing about that restless cycle is knowing that by choosing not to follow my heart (/not taking risks/not walking by faith), I was not pleasing God, I was disobeying Him </3 :'((((( See what's going on? This is a call for MIND RENEWAL! "Simba, you have forgotten me...You have forgotten who you are and so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself Simba. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the Circle of life."- Mufasa (post: REMEMBER).

Check out the 58 sec video below. The mind can be an enemy working against us that's why it's imperative to walk by faith. This is also a call to guard our minds, to put on the helmet of salvation. Post: Full Armor of God. "and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth."// "and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator." (Ephesians 4:23, Colossians 3:10)


Check out the super-encouraging video I stumbled into this year. "... You're Ready! It's Time! Even the devil can't stop it coz it's Time! You used to say "I can't!" but now all of a sudden you're saying, "I'm raring to go! I'm ready!... It looked as though things were over for you... Get ready! Your most rewarding accomplishments are just around the corner, ... roll up your mat, not angel is being sent to stir the pool but JESUS Himself is passing by and you will receive your healing... You got things to do, places to go, things to say. Your healing will be both in mind and body. You will need to be healed in your mind so that you can begin to see yourself healed in your body, coz you're mind has already accepted that this is the way things are going to be but it's NOT! JESUS is passing by!... He'll turn your mourning into dancing!...You will finally begin your odyssey in the ministry God promised you years ago... It's your childhood dream."

  

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2)
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Success Stories

"God working mightily in the human heart is the spring of all abiding spiritual power; and it is only as men follow out the promptings of the inward spiritual life that they do great things for God." -David Livingstone. (Stole the quote from Caralee's wall :)

1.) Brandon James - Producer of "Create to Relate"
Brandon James (Dec 12th)"God has been nothing but great to me this year. My dreams have been made into reality and now I continue to push myself to becoming the best I can be. I cannot take credit for it all. I only take credit in my choices but the blueprint of my life is given to me page by page. What we fear most doing is usually what our life instructions are. So a good portion of 2013 I was scared... in a very very rewarding and enlightening way. I usually get very excited and motivated in the ending days of every year. Last December I knew that 2013 was going to be a life-changer for me. I told individuals that were close to me about this feeling. I put it into existence. It was. 2014 I feel will be exponentially more rewarding. It almost makes me nervous but I know without a doubt that something big is coming. I write this post not to seem over-confident. I write it to say what I simply believe. The biggest lesson I have learned in 2013: The most powerful force any man or woman can have is to believe in themselves, but most importantly, believe in their minds, 100%. Some people call it cocky, I call it faith. Because the Lord speaks to us in the form of thoughts and direction. We as people have a natural tendency to fog our minds with doubt. So with all that said, possibly in a very confusing manner, 2014 is already set for me as 2013 was. Set it for yourself." Here's an example of Brandon's work, featuring the beautiful, gifted Miss Lande Lo' also a UCSB alum' :-)

  

2.) Mac Montgomery from FMLYBAND
Saw this on the fmlybnd fb page on January 17th: "Both Ethan and myself (mac) got tattoos today. Ethan's is John 15:5 and mine simply says "Dream!"- with that to say, because we are the branches and He is the vine, we are in Him and He in us, we are able to dream! dream bigger and bigger everyday! its just crazy! recently some big big big opportunities have been coming our way! so here we go! the sky is not even close to the limit!!"

Mac posted this on his wall on Oct 25th: "When you don't despise the days of small beginnings, this is the type of stuff that starts happening.. #fmlybnd #usopenofsurfing #vans #houseofvans #modestmouse #thefaint #twinshadow #livemusic #summer." Here's a video interview where they talk about the origins:  The Showcase: FMLYBAND. And here's some of their music:


3.) Thumbelina :-)

I like how it starts with Jacquimo's narration: "These are stories about people with impossible problems: Samson & Delilah, Romeo & Juliet,... and the story of Thumbelina." This song that Jacquimo sung throughout the movie really stuck out to me:  ♫ You're sure to do impossible things if you follow your heart! Your dreams will fly on magical wings when you follow your heart. If you have to journey far, here's a little trick. You don't need a guiding star, trust your ticker, get there quicker haha! You're sure to do impossible things if you follow your heart! Come on Thumbelina! You're going home. Your mother is waiting! Get up, Get up! ... Which direction is the best? If the choosing gets confusing maybe it's the math you're using. You don't need a chart to guide you. Close your eyes and look inside you haha! You're sure to do impossible things if you know where to start... Always follow your heart! ♫

So at the beginning everything is fine. Thumbelina is with her mother, then she mets this fairy prince and falls in love then everything went downhill from there. She was stolen by the frog and got separated from her mom and her prince. She goes through a long journey, she is told that her prince Cornelius died, and also she gives up hope on ever finding her way home. Jacquimo is positive throughout the film and keeps telling her not to lose hope. Towards the hope he even gives her the key to her freedom: He told her to sing! Watch from 1: 15:30. In case you can't here is the convo:

Jacquimo: I have found it! I have found the Vale of the fairies...It's true!... We are here! This is it!! // Thumbelina: This?! This just looks like a patch of ordinary weeds -_- Oh Jacquimo. Take me home!// Jacquimo: Oh sing! Thumbelina, Sing! // Thumbelina: ♫ You will be my wings. You will be my only love. You will take me far beyond the stars! ♫ Jacquimo, this is silly! This is a weed patch! ...Take me home please. // Jacquimo: ♫ Let me be your wings! ♫ Sing, like that, sing! // Thumbelina: ♫ You will lift me high above. Everything we're dreaming of will soon be ours! Anything that we desire, anything at all. Every day you'll take me higher ♫ Let's be practical. This isn't the Vale of the Fairies and Cornelius isn't coming back. // Cornelius: And I'll never let you fall! // Thumbelina: You. It's You! Cornelius You're alive! // Cornelius: Thumbelina, will you marry me? // Thumbelina: YES! ...Wings, I have wings! My very own wings! // <Wedding scene> And always follow your heart. "And of course they lived happily ever after!"

As you've seen, Thumbelina wasn't a believer throughout the film, she battled doubt towards the end when things were not going her way and the people she encountered kept discouraging her, but she still managed to sing the song, even though her mind fought her ("let's be practical"). And when she sung her dreams came true. Cornelius showed up and finished the song, she unlocked the vale of the fairies, and they had a royal wedding. And I really like what Cornelius said when he appeared ("And I'll never let you fall!). Though she doubted that he was still alive he remained faithful to his promise to her. God has spoken to me before through this movie (post: Soon) and also through the song: Let me be your wings. He wants to bring restoration. But this time He stressed my role in making our dreams come true: Singing. Not just me but all of us who are longing for restoration. It's time to sing our freedom and speak life into our circumstances then watch how God will show up! =)

“Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, break out in a song! Arise, Barak, lead away your captives, O son of Abinoam." (Judges 5:12) // "Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn." (Psalm 57:8)

Also another important thing He gave me confirmation about through the movie is about the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus) with His bride. I still need to blog more about that but I talked about it in ( To be human again). His return is soon and He wants us to be prepared and to prepare others and the means, once again involves song. That scene reminded me of the two songs below. ♫ My God's not dead! He's surely alive! He's living on the inside ROARING like LION! HE'S ALIVE!! ♫ // ♫ He will come riding on the clouds, with justice in His heart. And a sword upon his side and all will see the glory of this man. With fire in His eyes. He's jealous for his bride. He's faithful to the end. He will come and marry me. ♫ ~ Faithful to the End by Cory Asbury.


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5774 {2013-2014} : Year of the Open Doors. NO LIMITS!


"Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 40: 4-5)

♫ There are no limitations in the Spirit. There are no limitations in the glory realm. I can be who you want me to be. I go where you want me to go. I can flow. Nothing is impossible for those who believe and I believe. Nothing is too difficult with God.... No limits. No holding back no more. I'm letting Go. No limits in where you can go, in what you can do, in how you can be used. ♫




"We don't dare because things are hard, things are hard because we don't dare."- Seneca. (Saw that quote on Danielle's wall) So another reason why the past year was "hard" for me was because as new doors were opening no one else around me seemed to be walking through them. I knew that God was doing a new thing all along and I had spent the year before that trying to tell people what God was doing so that we could follow Him there together but no one seemed to be listening. So when the door closed I was forced to go for the new doors myself but I didn't go all the way because I wanted unity to happen first, unity in the body, unity in the harvest. But really my hesitation was fueled by self-esteem issues, I was looking for approval from others (the church) and basing my worth on that. So anyway, at the end of the school year is when I realized what the year 5773 was meant to be about. It was the year of the open door for the forerunners. I was waiting for unity to happen before walking through the doors and claiming what was on the other side, instead of just moving forward myself and preparing a way for others to follow. It was also meant to be the year of the roaring lion for the forerunners. I mentioned before that it seemed like no one was listening to me the previous year, 5772 so I was actually meant to go to the desert (outside the church) to prepare the way for the Lord there, and in doing so creating a greater sense of unity. It was painful to come to the realizations of my failures at the end of the year. The devil lied to me that my heart wasn't worth it and in believing him, I prevented love from flowing in and out of me, I failed those I loved, all my friends and family and God :'(  BUT! THERE'S GRACE!! And that's what this year is all about!! :D

When I came back to SB in the New year 5774, Fall quarter, God kept blasting me with confirmation everywhere I looked. He was saying IT'S TIME! I've been waiting for UNITY to happen and it's finally time for that. Everyone's speaking the same language, not just in the body but even outside the church!! IT'S TIME!! FOR REVIVAL. FOR RENEWAL. God told me UNITY (love) is the key to revival in this land :D So although, my year was a failure, nothing is wasted, God is still faithful. I am grateful for all the different people God allowed me to meet. I went to SB House of Prayer on Rosh Hashanah (the Hebrew New Year) and Jacob Reeve was preaching about the significance of this year. Hebrew letters have a lot of meaning behind them...  I didn't take good notes so I'll just give you the general meaning instead of breaking it down: The Year of the curtain/open door, it's a year about access, connection, networks being established, it's also a decade of revelation of what God is doing, the eyes of the heart being enlightened. Then I got so much confirmation pretty much everywhere I went in the Fall. God is building his Kingdom here. His Kingdom is a family :-)

♫ We are FAMILY! ....living life is fun and we've just begun. To get our share of the world's delights. (HIGH!) high hopes we have for the future. And our goal's in sight. (WE!) no we don't get depressed. Here's what we call our golden rule. Have faith in you and the things you do. You won't go wrong. This is our family Jewel. ♫



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I HAVE A DREAM: ONE LOVE, SB EDITION :-)

My dream is basically seeing heaven come down. "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7: 9-12)


God was showing me how He's bringing unity in the body, unity amongst the peoples. Though Africa feels (and is) left out most times He hasn't forgotten us and has plans to use us to bring this restoration (post: REAL Identity). God is creating "One New Man."I haven't watched the whole of the Princess and the frog but I run into this song the other day. Listen to what Tiana says at the beginning," I gotta make sure all of daddy's hard work means something// Tiana, your daddy may not have gotten the place he always wanted but he had something better, he had love." This reminded me of the Scriptures below about David and Solomon.
"Then he called for his son Solomon and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. But this word of the Lord came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever."

I just found this on the internet. I didn't know the background of those Scriptures :"In historical chronology, King David had recently put down the rebellion of Sheba. He put aside the mistakes of his past and led a righteous life (Philippians 3:13). He was now influencing Judah and Israel to do the same. He was trying to unite the nations of Judah and Israel under one banner. After the threat of Sheba was removed (by removing his head), David's enemies were subdued. The land was free from war by foreign enemies. How could he bring Israel and Judah into one united nation? Whether this was his intent is not totally certain, but the timing seems significant. David ordered the gathering of materials and workmen for building a magnificent temple to God (1Chronicles 22:1-19). David's actions, leading the people to seek God's glory and build him a temple, would finally help bring the two nations together."

And that's all I've been wanting to do this whole time. Get everyone together and just worship the King. He promised me more of His glory, and we need it! I was all washed up from the year but God, who is always faithful still wants to use me, He wants me to a part of what He is doing. So now I'm planning a worship night on January 25th 7pm called ONE LOVE: SB Edition Here's a message I sent to Mac about it: "So towards the end of Fall quarter I went to an inter-faith dinner where I met Pastor Dave Goss from Light and Life Goleta church. After he heard about the ONE Body (United for Christ) group that's forming (students from different ministries coming together for the purpose of planning unity events) he put me in contact with his wife, Tracey Goss, who was actually planning a reception "for the Christian orgs to have a time of sharing about what God is doing in our groups, encourage one another and pray for our ministries and our campus." She wanted it to be done in the Fall but there wasn't enough time to plan it so now we are shooting for early Winter, the 15th. God really impressed unity on her heart this year... her mom had a dream that God would use Tracey to bring small lights together to make one huge light. I'm was really excited that the Spirit drew us together coz that's the same vision I have. I'm excited and expectant for this event... when the circuit riders spoke at Upper room that one time... I knew it was time for SB... God was confirming that the time for revival is now and what will bring breakthrough is more unity in His body, more love. One Love!  Tracey didn't have anything planned she just wants to help bring us together but I really feel like worship should be central so I want to invite the IV worship team to lead worship. I'm also going to ask some other worship teams. I know it's coming up soon but really all I want us is to come together and worship and expect God to show up in a way that SB has never experienced, we are hungry and the land is ready. And yeah, you guy's presence will really help unite people and your worship is so powerful. Sorry I'm a little wordy when I'm excited. Let me know. Thanks!" =)

“Now, my son, the Lord be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the Lord your God, as he said you would. May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged."

I can't do this alone. I need your help. So please help. It's not about me or us, it's about Jesus. Peace. Happy New Year! =) Like in the video below, Tiana's mom was giving her some advice on love... Tiana was so busy working towards fulfilling her dad's dream that she wasn't paying attention to love, she wasn't letting love in. And that's my problem too, I'm lovesick :/ I've been shutting out the key to all my dreams coming true and I CAN'T go on this way anymore. I NEED you.

♫ I know exactly where I'm going and I'm almost there. People down here think I'm crazy but I don't care. Trials and tribulations, I've had my share. Aint nothing that's going to stop me now coz I'm almost there... People gon' come here from everywhere and I'm almost there... There's been trials and tribulations, you know I've had my share. But I've climbed the mountains and I've crossed the rivers and I'm almost there ♫



"Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told from the Lord." (Luke 1:45)

Confirmation I just received right now (12/31/13):   2014 - It's time for the Idols to come down & the truth of GOD to rise up! and The Coming Promise, and I saw this earlier this on year: New Life, New Hope, New Dreams.  and 22 Prophetic words (prophetic words for 2013 but I believe we can still claim them for 2014 :)