“Without the cross, man could have no union with the Father. On it depends our every hope. From it shines the light of the Savior’s love, and when at the foot of the cross the sinner looks up to the One who died to save him, he may rejoice with fullness of joy, for his sins are pardoned. Kneeling in faith at the foot of the cross, he [the sinner] has reached the highest place to which man can attain.” Acts of the Apostles, 209.
Monday Inspiration: March 28, 2016
By: Gabriela Yareliz
From a productive weekend to, what I hope will be, a productive week. Happy week. We begin anew.
Last week was absolutely dreadful and draining. Not sure how I survived it, but by the grace of God and my mother’s wisdom, I am still standing. It was a loud week; a headache-inducing, loud week. One of those weeks where you feel like Hillary Clinton, giving well-deserved side-eye.
I loved Ms. HRC’s quote, saying, “When women talk, some people think we’re shouting.” I felt like that last week. Sometimes, it’s people’s perceptions that mess with our heads. Sometimes, it’s our own perceptions, too. But this week, I am coming into this hurricane with a different perspective. Oftentimes, we aren’t even doing anything wrong, but the lies we are told and how we choose to see ourselves makes all the difference.
April is just some days away. Let’s make the last of March count.
Below is some inspiration for the last days of March:
“Pray for the people God has put in your life. Let them occupy your thoughts and command your attention. Then, look for ways to flow the living water of Jesus’ love to them, as often as you can.”
T.M. Moore
“Love the ones who have been given to you, and leave the ones who left in the past. We have a short time in this world, let’s not waste it on things that are not ours. Love actively, live in humility, and be a person who makes the most of each day we have.”
T.B. LaBerge // Go Now
“Thirst was made for water; inquiry for truth.”
C.S. Lewis // The Great Divorce
“Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering. The love of God is of a different nature altogether. It does not hate tragedy. It never denies reality. It stands in the very teeth of suffering. The love of God did not protect His own Son. The cross was the proof of His love- that He gave that Son, that he let Him go to Calvary’s cross, though ‘legions of angels’ might have rescued Him. He will not necessarily protect us- not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.” Elisabeth Elliot
“Within the three days that Christ was in the grave; The world mourned, Heaven prepared a throne-room for the Eternal King of Glory, and hell witnessed the collapse of its empire. Sometimes in the silence and sorrow of life, Christ is doing His greatest work.” T.B. LaBerge
“Breathe fast with the sheer wonder of it.” C.S. Lewis
Marvel at the small miracles, this week. Don’t let them go unnoticed.
[Images from Tumblr]
Nietzsche’s “God on the Cross”
By: Gabriela Yareliz
This weekend, we celebrate God’s intervention in the universe to save humanity. I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to talk about something that is deeply important to me– the most important thing of all. It is what inspires my life, my writing, everything…
“Christianity is the only religion in which God suffers along with us.” Jesus on Trial, pg. 328, Limbaugh.
Jesus came to be a mediator. He reconciled us with God the Father. He took my guilt upon Him, so that I might have life.
Dr. Tony Evans preached that the Friday we call “Good Friday” was a dark day. The disciples saw Him, whom they knew to be Christ, crucified. All seemed finished– and then, came Sunday. Resurrection. Victory. Life. Authority. Power. Redemption.
Our victory comes from that blood that was shed. “By His wounds we are healed.”
“God wants to provide a mediator to redeem us because He loves us. He is not compromising His justice or His standards by providing Jesus to us as our mediator. To the contrary, by doing so, He has made possible our reconciliation to Him and our ability to have permanent loving relationship with Him without compromising His holiness.” Jesus on Trial, pg. 328, Limbaugh.
Today, I want us to see our lives through the lens of Christ’s sacrifice and ministry on our behalf. Christ’s victory and life is a reflection of the power and victory we can have, through Him, in our lives, today.
If you are having a bad day like Good Friday, as Dr. Evans preached, don’t forget that after Friday came resurrection Sunday. Friday did not have the last word. God did. And today, in your life, nothing and no one has the last word, except God.
Our choices and selfishness and the choices of others, plus life’s circumstances, bring about a lot pain, anxiety and suffering.
“For the real sting of suffering is not misfortune itself, nor even the pain of it or the injustice of it, but the apparent God-forsakenness of it. Pain is endurable, but the seeming indifference of God is not.” John Stott, The Cross of Christ, as cited in Jesus on Trial, pg. 329.
The way we see our circumstances changes when we come to the realization that God is always near. He has not forsaken us. Instead of forsaking us, God has paid the ultimate price and shown patient mercy.
“Where love is possible, there pain is also possible. Where resurrection is promised, there is also promise of tears wiped away. Heaven is the confirmation of our choice, to love Him and to be with Him. That is the hope of everyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ, whom to know is life eternal.” Ravi Zacharias
John Stott once said, “I could never myself believe in God, if it were not for the cross. The only God I believe in is the One Nietzsche ridiculed as ‘God on the Cross.'”
Tomorrow, as you see the sun rise and shine over you, remember the life and victory obtained on a certain Sunday that changed everything. Salvation is an open invitation to all. Everything has been paid.
If you are living a dreadful Friday filled with darkness, death and disappointment, remember that Sunday is near. Remember, God is near.
The only God I believe in is the One that left the tomb empty. He lives! And because He lives, I can face today, tomorrow and beyond. I know He is with me every step of the way. I know He cares. His hands were scarred for me. I can be cleansed from my sins and mistakes, only in His blood. He lives. “God on the cross” is my only hope.
I leave you with the words of the angel who was at Christ’s empty tomb: “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen…” Matthew 28:5-6
Thursday Badinage: March 24, 2016
If they say, “It’s impossible,” remember that it’s impossible for them, but not for you. Mindset is everything.
[From @MannyKhoshbin]
Memories: Washington, D.C. & Maryland
One hot summer day in the capital.
Blerta and I were office mates. We were affectionately called, “The meanies.” In other words, don’t mess with us.
This panel was so fantastic.
Exploring Maryland with my host family.
Mucho, the dog. We had an interesting relationship that summer.
Wearing those Spain stripes.
I love exploring cemeteries.
Reuniting with Harshul for lunch.
Annapolis for the Fourth of July!
Reflections Before Bedtime #78
“We’ve all done it; talked ourselves into the penguin because we didn’t think we had a shot at the elephant. If I am your elephant, you have a shot.” Haley Dunphy
[Images from Tumblr]
Women’s Month: Marion Cotillard
By: Gabriela Yareliz
Women’s month is ending, and there are still so many women who inspire me that I want to showcase.
Today, I am choosing a woman who has been such an icon for me. She fascinates me because she is so raw. She has that “stunning” factor. And she uses that power to promote very important causes. I am talking about, the one and only, Marion Cotillard.
Cotillard is a songwriter, actress and super environmentalist. She is a spokesperson for Greenpeace.
She has probably won every film award in the U.S. and Europe. And if she hasn’t won all of them yet, she will. Ha. Something I love about her art is the emotion she brings into what she does. Watching her is bewitching, and the memory lasting. When she appears on a screen, things get real.
I remember an interview she did, years after her movie La Vie en Rose, and she spoke about how she came to deeply identify with Édith Piaf. The woman’s legacy almost haunted her soul, and when I read that, I remember thinking, Wow, she gives 200 percent in all that she does. It just shows. She has a rawness that is rare. It reminds me of how important it is to allow myself to feel whatever I am feeling. And to feel it intensely.
Cotillard has done several significant environmental film projects. Her work with Greenpeace has been extensive. She once traveled to Congo to visit tropical rainforests and support an awareness project. And in 2013, she famously locked herself in a cage in the Louvre to protest the imprisonment of 30 Greenpeace activists in Russia. She held her banner stating, “I am a climate defender.”
She contributed to a drawings book to support the environment, and she designed her own doll with UNICEF France, whose proceeds went to vaccinate children in Darfur.
She works with the Maud Fontenoy Foundation, which teaches children to preserve the oceans. She is also involved in several campaigns aiming to preserve and spread awareness about the Amazon and its indigenous people. And she has contributed to the cause of children with autism.
Marion keeps busy with her efforts and projects involving the preservation of our unique and beautiful earth. She champions education, children’s health and the arts. She is all about life; whether it be plants, animals or humanity, itself.
If you have seen her Lady Dior commercials, you know she has a wickedly good sense of humor. She is always on the best dressed lists, and her short hair is always impeccable. She has conquered continents with her voice and the raw emotion she transmits through her gorgeous blue eyes.
She not only speaks, but she acts. And today, we celebrate her efforts and vulnerability. She continuously reminds us to respect and love beauty, nature, people– to love and celebrate life.
Monday Inspiration: March 21, 2016
By: Gabriela Yareliz
Greetings! Ready to not only survive Monday but to thrive on Monday?
It’s Holy Week and officially spring.
SPRING!!!
*Spring*
(Spring)
Spring make us feel like no other season. Autumn is cozy and romantic. I love it. However, there is something about fresh new air, soft rains and flowers. Rebirth is moving. Life is emerging. Spring will probably always be my favorite; it’s also my favorite because I am a spring baby. Spring and I have a special bond. It feeds my bohemian, free-spirit.
I remember being on my dad’s bike. There was one particular spring day when it started raining, and we rode past a bunch of blooming daffodils. I was in kindergarten, and he would ride with me on his bike and take me to school. Spring always reminds me of that. A blur of soft rain and bright yellow flowers.
Spring makes me want to shed the blazers and dark tights. I just want to sit on a dock by a lake, barefoot. *with no splinters, of course, in my perfect imaginary world*
More days in nature, and more sunshine (now that the days are longer) will give life to our souls, in the upcoming weeks. This week, let the beauty and life move you. I hope this week marks something new and different being born in your life. Let all things become new. Let life as you know it change.
“I am made and remade continually. Different people draw different words from me.” Virginia Woolf, The Waves
“I think there comes a time when you meet someone, and you just want to make them smile for the rest of your life.”
Anonymous
“I looked across the expanse of my shame, the ocean of disobedience, Christ took my hands and said ‘This is not for you to see; look to Me.’ I did, and I was made new.”
– T.B. LaBerge // Go Now
“When you pray,
your prayers are heard
by the same God who
answered Moses’ prayer
for water in the desert,
the God who gave Abraham
and his barren wife a son,
and the God who made
the slave Joseph second
in power only to Pharaoh.”
73/365 reasons to pray | Francis Chan
“If we are amazed by the stars and all the wonders of nature, can we not also be moved to tears by the grand composition that God is doing to us?”
T.B. LaBerge // Go Now
Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
Leviticus 19:2
“She doesn’t want to hear that she is flawless. She wants to hear that she is loved, regardless of the flaws.”
charmingwinds
Step out in faith. Don’t be afraid to let God reshape you. May we be reborn each day.
And remember, “These moments… are not to be despised. They come too seldom.” [Quote by Virginia Woolf]
[Images from Tumblr]
Sunday Girl: March 20, 2016
By: Gabriela Yareliz
Semana Santa (Holy Week) begins. Easter weekend is coming. Easter and Passover always reminds me that God can do and does the impossible. It’s a reminder of His crazy love for us; a reminder that redemption has been completed; a reminder to rest in His provision and leading.
I haven’t been resting much, literally, (I need more ZZZs)– so the plan is to rest a lot this week. Time to take it easy and focus on health. Better sleep; better eating; and retraining and working out.
Bring out your best Easter dress. I love wearing pastel colors this time a year, no matter how cold it is.
Yesterday, it was chilly as I was walking with some new friends. One of them said, “It’s like spring came and left, and now, winter came back and said, ‘Screw you!'” It feels that way. But I walked past an Episcopal Church with a blossom tree in full bloom, (I know that’s not the real name, sue me. I don’t know my trees. It was the one with the pink flowers…), and it inspired hope in me. We are almost there.
I hope you rest and find some magic this weekend.
This week, I was reading a lot about God and His name, I AM.
When Moses came across the burning bush that was not consumed and received his calling, God told him that I AM was sending him and was with Him. God is so powerful and amazing that the only thing that can define Him is Himself, explains David Limbaugh. I love this thought; especially now, as we approach Passover. Whatever you are going through, whatever you are facing, know that I AM has called you. I AM is with you. Remember that. He has seen your current situation and will lead you out of it.
Find your peace.
I am planning to.
Rest in I AM, this beautiful Sunday.
“But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you… I AM WHO I AM.” Exodus 3: 12 and 14
PS. As you rest, check out the new pages on the Blog Roll. The Anthropologie Blog is new. The first three photos from the post are from Anthropologie, and the others from Tumblr.
Check out the other new addition, undrthepvmnt, a new creative project piloted by a friend of mine. I hope to be collaborating soon with my friend and having some of my photography on his page. Show your support!
PSS. Bringing this classic back: Rather Be
/If you gave me a chance I would take it, it’s a shot in the dark but I’ll make it/
XOXO
[Images from Anthropologie and Tumblr]
Friday Glee: March 18, 2016
“Compassion and dialogue are essentially vulnerable positions. If you are into control and predictability, you will seldom descend into the weakness of listening or the scariness of dialogue. You will not only be incapable of hearing others, but you will also be incapable of hearing God. How we do anything is usually how we do everything. If we spend all day controlling and blocking others, why would we change when we kneel to pray?”
John Feister, Hope Against Darkness
Happy Friday!
GABRIELA YARELIZ 