It's not about you.

"Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone. To have deep soul relationship with another. To be loved thoroughly and exclusively. But God to the Christians said, “No, not until you are satisfied and fulfilled and content with living, love by me alone and giving yourself totally and unreservedly to me, to have an intensely personal and unique relationship with me alone.”

“I love you my child, and until you discover that only in me is your satisfaction to be found, you will not be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. You will never be united with another until you are united with me. Exclusive with anyone or anything else, exclusive of any other desires or belongings.”

“I want you to stop planning, stop wishing and allow me to bring it to you. You just keep watching me, expecting the greatest things. Keep learning and listening to the things I tell you. You must wait. Don’t be anxious and don’t worry. Don’t look around at the things you think you want. Just keep looking off and away up to me, or you’ll miss what I have to show you”

“and then, when you’re ready, I will surprise you with a love, wonderful than any you would ever dream. You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready, I’m working this minute to have both of you ready at the same time, and until you are both satisfied exclusively with me and the life I have prepared for you, you won’t be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with me and the perfect love.”

“and dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love. I want you to see in the flesh, a picture of your relationship with me and to enjoy maturely and concretely the everlasting union of beauty and perfection and love that I offer you with myself. Know I love you. I am God almighty, believe and be satisfied.”

For those of you seeking a love, and for those of you who wish to know why your love life is not as great as it can be, the above letter cannot be said any better. As we grow in the world, we are not told the truth about the two matchmakers out there, “Jesus our Lord” & “Satan” The letter above is God’s unfailing plan for True Love. As we have experienced anything other than that, is Satan’s worldly plan. Satan causes grief, heart break, abuse and the pains of UNTRUE Love. Unions, God as we know Him, now, can, and will unite Two as one forever. If God is not part of your relationship with your mate or spouse, Satan easily destroys it. Satan cannot defeat God, he is defeated already. The wise thing for all of us to do, is love God with all our heart, soul, and mind first. And then appreciate whom he joins us to so that we can grow together in Love. Do not discard Jesus, or you will have discarded your love of all lifetime.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I pray that everyone can understand, and find their love of a lifetime also.

We are to add what we can to life, not what we can get from it.

(via Grace Alonsabe)

Being a Man.

"The key to masculinity is this: Jesus took responsibility for Himself." -via Tyler Saldana

I chilled with my dad just awhile ago.

I think I’m really blessed by God to have a father like him. I mean the risks he was willing to take and the sacrifices he made to move to Canada.

“I was willing to flip burgers for my family.”

Shoot dad, you’re too deep. Too deep…

I really love him. He was really vague when it came to his past, but I understood. I mean clearly I could tell he wasn’t the best guy, but somehow along the way God turned him around and he really shows that he loves my mom and us. I think that’s a perfect example of God’s unconditional love you know…

”..that’s why your generation should listen to us, the older generations, we had more experiences and wisdom at your age by then… You don’t have to learn it the hard way when we’re already trying to show you, it’s just a waste of time.”

I don’t know what he’s gone through, but I know it’s enough that he’s not afraid to show his love for his children.

“Being strong is not acting tough like a nail, but being strong like steel. Being a man is not acting like a tough guy, but being strong like Jesus is.” -Grace Church

Really Dad, I don’t know what kind of memories were brought back to you, good or bad, but I love you.

And I know God loves you too; I’m sure he’s forgiven you.

-Gabriel

On a side note, I could have lived in New Zealand, whaaat?!

Helping

http://knowgodknowlove.com/

Joshua De Gracia

I don’t know if you noticed, but most Americans always seem on the go.

“We are often wrapped up in the problem of trying to live according to schedules. Everything is rush, rush, rush. Soon we start losing the time to have fellowship with family and friends and even the time to wait upon the Lord. Everything seems instant: instant breakfast, T.V. dinners, fast food counters-all is ready in five minutes. So when going to church they seem to pray, “Oh God, answer me. I have no time-five minutes-and if you don’t answer me quickly, forget about it.” They are not waiting upon the Lord.” – The Fourth Dimension by Dr. David Cho

While reading this passage in the book, I took a step back and literally looked at the “man in the mirror.” In the essence of my busy life, I at times am so focused on helping others that I neglect areas in my life that I need to work on. In times that I don’t have time to “stop and smell the roses,” I glad I have people that constantly speak into my life and keep me and my walk with God in check.

This is what has been spoken to me as of late: “I know how passionate you are about helping others, but don’t forget about yourself and your heart. You can only heal others hearts if your heart is healed first.” —Amen.

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Anytime we are given advice or correction of some sort, we can take it one of two ways. Either we accept it and learn from it or choose to become defensive. Our natural instincts say the second, but God calls us to humble ourselves and take everything with a grain of salt, whether the advice is good or not.

This time, I thought about what God is doing in my life and our ministry. Immediately I thought about how I tell others “you can’t help others if you aren’t healed first.” So, I had to check my heart and make sure it was in the right place. We are opening up our relationship series in about two weeks so I had to make sure that my heart was “good to go.”

This is what I’m getting at: Sometimes we need to stop and not only see whats going on outwardly in our lives, but check yourself from the inside out.

To be tough on others and lenient with yourself is hypocrisy. To be lenient with others but tough on yourself is holiness. Accountabilies, continue to hold me in check. If you don’t have people to hold you accountable in your life, it’s best that you get someone.

Doubt

Joshua De Gracia

Ever have those days where you feel like yelling at God?

You know what I mean right? Those times where you want to either roll up your car windows, go outside of your house or maybe stuff yourself into your favorite pillow and just scream your head off to God. Honestly, this is how the first two weeks or so of the new year has been for me.

Oh, did I give you a different mindset of me? Don’t get me wrong, I’m human and I make mistakes all the time. I’m simply an imperfect person doing his best to continue doing the will of our perfect Father.

Am I screaming to God because I fell into sin? No. I feel that I’ve been questioning God’s will and visions that He has given me the past few months or so. When God gives you a vision, revelation or a goal, it’s best to act upon it and obey. However, there is a perfect time for everything. The right thing at the wrong time is still the wrong thing and God won’t bless it because it’s on our timing and not His own. I need to continually remember this:

Isaiah 55:8

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.”

If you are wondering why I posted this and it makes no sense to you whatsoever, this is what I wanted to leave you with: There may be times when you don’t know what to do with your life. It may be concerning your job, relationship, goal, etc.. It’s okay to yell. Get it out of you and God wants to hear. Communication is a two way street. Now that God has heard us, we need to hear back from Him through His word and during prayer. It’s NOT okay to yell and take it out on others. It’s NOT acceptable to turn to things of the world such as alcohol, drugs, etc. during these times of frustration.

Psalm 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God”

When we turn to things of the world, they bring us temporary happiness. The pain vanishes temporarily and then it returns with increased “hunger.” Be still and give your problems and anxiety to God. If you’re going through hell, keep going because God is right there beside you.

Through it all, I’ve really prayed my heart out and God has always given me a sense of peace. I am an imperfect person doing the will of our perfect Father and I know that God will always have my back.

"Sometimes you say to yourself: the fire in me is going out. But you were not the one who lit the fire. Your faith does not create God, and your doubts cannot banish Him into nothingness." -Brother Roger

"Questioning God’s existence is intimately united with the purpose of human existence. Not only is it a question of intellect; it is also a question of the will, even a question of the human heart." -Pope John Paul II

Letting Go

Let go and let God.

"Everyone in your life is meant to be a part of your journey, but not all of them are bound to stay. Most often, you have to let people go." -Anonymous

"Lesson from Toy Story 3: Let go of the things that you are not supposed to hold on to. They made you happy once, but maybe this time, they'll make someone happier." -via Kathryn Cruz

"Move on. It's just a chapter in the past. But don't close the book, just turn the page." -Anonymous

“In order to move on, you must understand why you felt what you did and why you no longer need to feel it.” -Mitch Albom, Five People You Meet in Heaven

"Before we can allow God to work in our lives, we need to first let go of the past and let God take hold of our lives.

by author and fellow relationship blogger Alexandria Lanai

“but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…”

Philippians 3:13

It’s the things you “burn” that can never come back. Have you ever burned old photos or letters or things that are attached to old memories that serve not a purpose or old ways of thinking that have been outdated? If you’ve burned stuff my friend, you can’t bring them back, you can’t hope and wait till the embers and charred reminants somehow find their way back and materialize in noticeable objects.

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it…”

Matthew 16:25

I admire those who with tears streaming down their face, decided to light that match and set their past on fire – cause they know that they can’t go back to it once it’s completely burned. See, relationships and lives that are bonified “God” stand the test of time and fire! Just ask Shadrach, Mishach and Abendego. The greatest test of knowing if something is “God” is to put it through the fire – purity and honor rise up to the occasion and the dross drips from the edges. Sometimes our self serving dreams and personal relationships are nothing but “dross” – but I believe that what God gives us is indeed pure and good and sometimes like Abraham, we’re needing to let go of what God gives us to bring out the best of who we are and what our dreams/relationships can become.

Dreams are important, relationships are important – but those who choose to let go for a cause greater than themselves are indeed the firey furnace walking people of our time. What an honor to be that? I have no doubt that most of you have had to let go of someone you really loved or cared about. I hope you will trust God with me and know that your best is yet to come." -via KnowGodKnowLove

"There are people who can walk away from you.
And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don’t want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.
When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.
The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]
People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can’t make them stay.
Let them go.
And it doesn’t mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in your story is over. And you’ve got to know when people’s part in your story is over so that you don’t keep trying to raise the dead..You’ve got to know when its dead.
You’ve got to know when it’ s over. Let me tell you something..I’ve got the gift of good-bye. It’s the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye..It’s not that I’m hateful, it’s that I’m faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He’ll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don’t need it. Stop begging people to stay.
Let them go!!
If you are holding on to something that doesn’t belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to…
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to past hurts and pains…
LET IT GO!!!
If someone can’t treat you right, love you back, and see your worth…LET IT GO!!!If someone has angered you…
LET IT GO!!!
If your holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge…
LET IT GO!!!
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction…
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on t a job that no longer meets your needs or talents…
LET IT GO!!!
If you have a bad attitude…
LET IT GO!!!
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better…
LET IT GO!!!
If you’re stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him…
LET IT GO!!!
If your struggling with the healing of a broken relationship…
LET IT GO!!!
If your feeling depressed and stressed…
LET IT GO!!!
If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying ‘take your hands off of it,’ then you need to…
LET IT GO!!!!!
‘The Battle is the Lord’s!!’" -T.D. Jakes

Footprints

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. "LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied, "my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

Art

"If you think the Mona Lisa is stunning, you should look at my masterpiece. In the mirror." -God

"'Earth' without 'art' would be 'eh.'" -Anonymous

"Beauty is a key to the mystery and a call to transcendence. It is an invitation to savor life and to dream of the future. That is why the beauty of created things can never fully satisfy. It stirs that hidden nostalgia for God which a lover of beauty like St. Augustine could express in incomparable terms: ‘Late have I loved you, beauty so old and so new: late have I loved you!’" -Pope John Paul II, Letter to Artists

John 3:16

"It is really so beautiful, have a blessed day

This is so beautiful!
John 3:16

A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner,
the people were in and out of the cold.

The little boy was so cold that he wasn’t trying to sell
many papers

He walked up to a policeman and said,
“Mister, you wouldn’t happen to know where a poor boy could
find a warm place to sleep tonight would you?
You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there and
down the alley and it’s awful cold in there for tonight.
Sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay.”

The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, “You
go down the street to that big white house and you knock
on the door. When they come out the door you just say
John 3:16, and the will let you in.”

So he did. He walked up the steps and knocked on the
door, and a lady answered. He looked up and said,
“John 3:16.” The lady said, “Come on in, Son…”

She took him in and she sat him down in a split bottom
rocker in front of a great big old fireplace, and she went
off. The boy sat there for a while and thought to himself:
John 3:16… I don’t understand it, but it sure makes
a cold boy warm.

Later she came back and asked him “Are you hungry?”
He said, “Well, just a little. I haven’t eaten in a couple of
days, and I guess I could stand a little bit of food,”

The lady took him in the kitchen and sat him down to a table
full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn’t eat
any more. Then he thought to himself:
John 3:16…Boy, I sure don’t understand it but it sure
makes a hungry boy full.

She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub
filled with warm water, and he sat there and soaked for a
while. As he soaked, he thought to himself: John 3:16 ….
I sure don’t understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy
clean..

You know, I’ve not had a bath, a real bath, in my
whole life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in
front of the big old fire hydrant as they flushed it out.
The lady came in and got him. She took him to a room,
tucked him into a big old feather bed, pulled the covers
up around his neck, kissed him goodnight and turned out
the lights. As he lay in the darkness and looked out the
window at the snow coming down on that cold night,
he thought to himself: John 3:16 …I don’t understand it but
it sure makes a tired boy rested.

The next morning the lady came back up and t! ook him
down again to that same big table full of food. After he
ate, she took him back t that same big old split bottom
rocker in front of the fireplace and
picked up a big old Bible..

She sat down in front of him and looked into his young face.
“Do you understand John 3:16?” she asked gently. He
replied, “No, Ma’am, I don’t.. The first time I ever heard it
was last night when the policeman told me to use it,”
She opened the Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain
to him about Jesus . Right there, in front of that big old fireplace,
he gave his heart and life to Jesus. He sat there
and thought: John 3:16 — don’t understand it, but it sure
makes a lost boy feel safe.

You know, I have to confess I don’ understand it either,
how God was willing to send His Son to die for me, and how
Jesus would agree to do such a thing. I don’t understand
the agony of the Father and every angel in heaven as
they watched Jesus suffer and die. I don’t understand the intense
love for ME that kept Jesus on the cross till the end.
I don’t understand it, but it sure does make life worth living.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting life."

-via Geraldine Pagal

Caution

“Be careful with your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words. Be careful of your words, for your words become your actions. Be careful of your actions, for your actions become your habits. Be careful of your habits, for your habits become your character. Be careful of your character, for your character becomes your destiny.” -Anonymous

2009

The gratefulness I feel towards God for 2009 makes me want to explode!

That year I’ve never seen myself grow and change so much for the better. How much wisdom God blessed me with is on my blogspot and truly, putting away my stumbles and mistakes and just looking back at God’s love to me just blows me away at how I’m so blessed with wonderful, caring and loving family and friends.

Canizareses Baels Tangcos Zaportezas Magduas Castros Tuazons Labayogs Kims Fajardos Byuns Potuseks Medinas Ponces Guevaras Tisalonas Ruizes (Kevine and Patrick) Ruizes (Marty) Cruzes (Marisha) Diazes Galedos Lachicas Ranaras Balces Raymundos Simpsons Lims Vendiolas Cruzes (Kathryn) Lees (Jenny) Lees (Kevin) Hongs Cabanoses Aguilars Rodases Legaspis Cabreras Aquinos Abads Abaloses Concepcions Borjes Truongs Reyeses Valencias Villanuevas And all of my friends, you know who you are!

Seriously though I pray for all these families and a lot more every night and I will continue to. :D I thank God for everyone.

2009: “Let go and let God”

One of the biggest steps I took in 2009, other than choosing to walk and taking my sins as an obligation that needed to be solved even if it was going good or bad, was on a night when my mom told me something that explained a huge part of me I had been dealing with. What she told me maybe I’ll tell you another day haha, but from it I began realizing and learning to love and appreciate all my friends and to be secure and selfless in my relationships with them. It was a really big step for me. :)

And so with 2010 freshly here, i have to admit I am EXCITED for all the opportunities, experiences and memories to come.

Truly it’s time to love! And to love forever and surround ourselves in God’s mercy, love, grace, forgiveness and… Peace!

God bless! Take care!

Happy New Years, Gabriel

(from my tumblr: http://gabrielcanizares.tumblr.com/)