Jesus Suffered, Why Shouldn't We

Things have not been the same since my mom got sick in 2009. I have lost the desire to keep posting on my blog. I do visit occasionally and post something from time to time.

I have had my share of struggles and trials. I lost my job, my mom got sick and then I had to sell my house in order to survive financially. Thank God I have not lost my sanity and my relationship with God. I often remind myself that Jesus, who is sinless, suffered when he was on this earth. I am a sinner by nature, why shouldn't I suffer. God did not promise us that we would not suffer, even if we walk with him. He said, because he suffered we also would suffer. He also said that because the world hates him they would hate us also. If we are a part of the world, the world would love us, because the world love its own.

God does not always answer our prayers immediately, sometimes he wait until the last minute. He is not doing it to tempt us but to strengthen our faith. Although we sometimes cannot see it that way. I think of Abraham who was about to plunge the knife into his son's body as a sacrifice to God, when the angel held back the hand of Abraham. God tested his faith. The Bible says that faith without works is dead.

I have a friend who had been unemployed for four years. She prayed and prayed for a job but still had not found one. Finally, when she stopped worrying and left it with God, not long after she found a job.

I am a distributor for a US company that manufactures health products, but it's not going well.

USE NOAH'S ARK AS A GUIDE IN LIFE

http://http://www.lcrawfords-manymansions.com/Philosophy/Philosophy%207.htm

You Raised Me Up - Dedicated to my wonderful mom

It's been a long time since I had the desire to write anything on my blog. Since I lost my job in January, 2009 and then my mother's stroke in July of that same year, things have not been the same for me. My faith has been tested to the limit. I've always prayed and asked God to mold me and shape me to his likeness. I had no idea this is his way of doing so. Although he has given me trials to strenghten my faith he has never left me alone to deal with it.

My mom, after spending seven months in the hospital, is now in a nursing home. Although there has been some improvement in her comprehension, she still cannot eat, talk nor walk. I believe one day she will be able to do at least one of those things.

I would like to dedicate this song to my wonderful mom, "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban. http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1naver/www.utube.com/watch%3Fv%3D6VqR103wa1A. She is a very strong and courageous woman who loves the Lord. She has raised us, six girls, without a father. He died when we were very small.

Thanks mom, for everything. I love you.

Servants Maintain a Low Profile

I would like to share with you one of the daily newsletters that I've received from Rick Warren.

Servants Maintain a Low Profile by Rick Warren

And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, "God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5 (TEV)

Real servants maintain a low profile. Servants don't promote or call attention to themselves. Instead of acting to impress and dressing for success, they "put on the apron of humility, to serve one another" (1 Peter 5:5 TEV).

If recognized for their service, they humbly accept it but don't allow notoriety to distract them from their work. Paul exposed a kind of service that appears to be spiritual but is really just a put-on, a show, an act to get attention. He called it "eyeservice," serving in order to impress people with how spiritual we are (Ephesians 6:6 KJV; Colossians 3:22 KJV).

This was a sin of the Pharisees. They turned helping others, giving, and even prayer into a performance for others. Jesus hated this attitude and warned, "When you do good deeds, don't try to show off. If you do, you won't get a reward from your Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:1 CEV).

Self-promotion and servanthood don't mix. Real servants don't serve for the approval or applause of others. They live for an audience of One. As Paul said, "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10 NIV).

You won't find many real servants in the limelight; in fact, they avoid it whenever possible. They are content with quietly serving in the shadows.

Joseph is a great example. He didn't draw attention to himself, but quietly served Potiphar, then his jailer, then Pharaoh's baker and wine taster, and God blessed that attitude. When Pharaoh promoted him to prominence, Joseph still maintained a servant's heart, even with his brothers, who had betrayed him.

Unfortunately, many leaders today start off as servants but end up as celebrities. They become addicted to attention, unaware that always being in the spotlight blinds you.

You may be serving in obscurity in some small place, feeling unknown and unappreciated. Listen: God put you where you are for a purpose! He has every hair on your head numbered, and he knows your address.

A Spiritual Journey by Wind Walker

For the past four months I've had very little desire to write on my blog. My spirit has been broken because of the trials I am experiencing. I cannot seem to focus. Occasionally I would post something I find interesting and enjoyable.

I came across this poem by Wind Walker

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A Spiritual Journey by Wind Walker

Across from the mountains,
A little house sits in the trees,
I'm lost in tranquility,
As my soul tries to breathe.

White clouds moving slowly,
The breeze a calm still,
I'm caught in the moment,
As my heart starts to heal.

A piece of me,
In the startling blue sky,
As I spread my wings,
My soul starts to fly.

I fly to unknown places,
Where pain and hurt once dwelled,
As the memories flow pass me,
My eyes start to swell.

Tear drops drip slowly,
Down my cheeks,
The wind wipes them dry,
And gives me some peace.

Soaring so free,
Over water and land,
My Spirit Guide gently,
Takes me by my hand.

He shows me what was,
And what's meant to be,
And why my life,
Is so important it seems.

A long soar,
Like the eagle high,
I bow my head,
And I start to cry.

Back on the land,
Across from the trees,
I began to realize,
What healing means.

It means not to forget,
Let the past flow,
Of all the horrors,
One soul had to go.

To take the strengths,
And apply them to life,
Is a valuable lesson,
I've learnt this flight.

Alone in the sunset,
I watch it go down,
When I finally realize,
What peace I have found.

A Spiritual Journey by Wind Walker @FamilyFriendPoems