GABRIELA YARELIZ

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What’s in a name?
Apparently, a lot.

There are many popular gyms in New York, as a “Manhattanite” student, two come to mind: Crunch and Equinox.

Crunch can be found on many street corners of the Manhattan. It has a purple banner with its bicep logo. Students often go to Crunch. They fulfill their workout routines, blow some steam, watch others and sometimes get a scoop of gossip. Crunch is “affordable,” and so law students from around the area sign up.

Then, there is Equinox. The two I have glanced into have a lobby that looks like a ritzy hotel lobby. Marble counters, grand staircases–at first it was hard for me to believe that it was a gym. In the window, there is usually an ad for the gym. An oversexualized portrait of a fit man, usually in what looks like an expensive suit with a woman, who looks like a runway model, all over him or displayed on a staircase, table or bed.

I once had a classmate who signed up for an expensive cycling class at Equinox. A celebrity she liked would attend that same class once in a while. The power of that membership resulted in rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous.

The thing is, you cannot have a membership to Crunch and then show up to Equinox and expect them to let you in to use their top-notch glitzy machinery.

To have access to what you want, you need to sign up for what you want to access. In short, if you want a cycling class with your favorite actor, you better be willing to say goodbye to your Crunch sling backpack and bring a credit card to swipe your life away at Equinox (student perspective, of course).

Spirituality functions similarly. If you look at an atlas or globe, you’ll note that all rivers do not lead to the same sea. If simpler things in life work this way, like a gym membership, how can we expect something as complex as worship and belief to work in the way we want them to.

Just because we want to invoke whatever name or worship whatever we think is right, doesn’t mean our opinions change the truth.

Our opinions or convenience does not change the way the universe works.

Just like I can’t show up at Equinox with a Crunch membership, I can’t approach God in anyway other than the way He provided and prescribed for humanity.

Fortunately, membership to access God is free:

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray (Luke 11:2), He also taught them to pray to God the Father in His name.

“Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13.

Jesus made clear that the path to God the Father is through Him, God the Son.

“Jesus saith unto them, I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Belief in Jesus’ sacrifice for you; invoking His name in faith–that is your bridge to God.

Through sin, we distance ourselves from God. Jesus, through His sacrifice, reconciled us to God and gave us access to the “throne of grace.”

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

As we continue to pray for God’s Holy Spirit, let us make sure we are coming to God in faith; faith in the name of Jesus. He says, if we ask in His name, He will do, so that the Father may be glorified.

There is only one name above all names: Jesus.

For more information on the Ten Days of Prayer:

http://www.tendaysofprayer.org

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Day 3: Name above all names

It’s all in the family

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Recently, I was walking in front of a stair case when I saw her. She was intensely familiar but at the same time very different. She had a phone in her hand. She was animatedly talking to someone. A look of confusion flashed on her face, and then, she spotted me. A smile transformed her face, and she waved at me. Inside, I felt relieved that she knew who I was because I certainly knew who she was.

Seeing her face, took me here: I remember those hot summer days at Bible camp. Our campers arrival was a big deal. We, the counselors, would line up, with our clipboards in-hand by the entrance of registration. We would all search for our campers and make sure there were no “contraband” items against camp code like nail polish, jewelry or if you were a girl, pants.

I remember the heat was so strong my denim skirt was sticking to the back of my legs. I met her that day. She was one of my campers.

I don’t want to go into too much detail, but she was a feisty and angry little creature. He hair hung straight, she wore baggier clothes than the other girls, and she flirted with the guys that were older than her.

That year, my co-counselor and I had our hands full. We had multiple girls in our unit who were into self-destructive behavior, and we had to constantly be watching them. I don’t think the girls realized how drained and concerned we were for them. We would monitor their every move.

Every night, my co-counselor and I would go outside, just outside of our tent circle for our unit, and we would spend hours in prayer for the girls and for strength.

There were many moments of spiritual battles with these young girls. I particularly remember that this young girl had a breakdown one night; she was so angry at the world, so dark, yet so talented. She could play music by ear, and she was gorgeous. I wondered to myself why it was so hard for her to see herself as we saw her or better yet, as God saw her.

I was 17 that summer. It was my first summer counseling, and at first, to be honest I felt like my co-counselor and I had scored the therapy group. The group from hell, where none of the girls were happy.

At first in my prayers, I figured I was given this group because they needed me. By the end, I realized we needed each other.

As a 17-year-old girl, I was not immune to social and image pressures. I was insecure, and little did I imagine that I would soon be facing a heartbreak.

That summer, as I prayed for those girls, I grew to care for them, protect them and become their friend. I knew I really loved them. I saw them as children of God.

I would need to learn to see myself in that same light.

When I saw her coming down the stairs, not too long ago, I saw a happy, Godly young woman. She embraced me, and there, I knew those many hours of prayer had been answered.

Sometimes, we pray and think about things for a long time. I had often thought of her, but I figured I would never see her or run into her again. I thank God he allowed me to see the young woman she has become.

God answers prayer, and I am convinced that He does everything for the salvation of His children. We are all children of God, and He calls at each of our hearts by name. Will you respond to your Father’s call? He longs for you to pray to Him. When you do, He will not disappoint, instead, He will provide.

He cares. He heals. He loves. He listens. He works on your behalf. Why? You are a child of the Most High God.

“And he said unto them, When you pray, say, Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us this day our daily bread.” Luke 11:2-3

“But to all who believed him [Jesus] and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

Pray to your Father in heaven.
“If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask for a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

Being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more shall your heavenly father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask?” Luke 11:11-13

For more information on the Ten Days of Prayer, visit:
http://www.tendaysofprayer.org

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This was Day 2: Children of the King

Secret to Power

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Happy 2014 to all of you! 🙂
It has been lovely to take a long (and well-deserved) break from school.

As we start the new year, I thought it would be appropriate to begin by joining the world-wide and annual”Ten Days of Prayer.”

At GYC (Generation.Youth.Christ) 2013, there was a seminar held by medical missionaries. The hosts were doctors who have done medical clinics in India, the Philippines and Bangladesh.

An Asian doctor who went to Bangladesh for medical missionary work told us this experience:

There was a doctor on the team who would take his laptop to the town square. From his laptop, he would talk to the town’s people about Jesus. People would gather around the doctor and his laptop to hear his gospel stories.

One day, the doctor was preaching. He was preaching about the paralytic man whom Jesus healed (Luke 5:17-26).

Awkwardly,a crippled man was brought and set in front of the doctor while he told the story of Jesus healing the paralytic man.

The doctor finished his story and then waived to the villagers nervously to bid his goodbye. The translator, who had been beside the doctor the entire time, asked the doctor where he was going.

“What do you mean?” The doctor replied.

“The crippled man, he is waiting for you to pray for him,” the translator said.

The doctor nervously turned back toward the crowd and saw the crippled man’s hopeful eyes.

The doctor prayed. He nervously prayed a long prayer. He practically preached the entire gospel in his prayer; the doctor continued to pray for the Lord’s will to be done. After the prayer, the doctor nervously thanked the villagers for their attention. He felt mortified and humbled by the crippled man’s hope and longing for healing.

The doctor went to another village with the team. While he was there, he received a phone call from the village where he had been with the crippled man in the town square.

“Is everything all right?” The doctor asked the team member from the other village. He wondered if a riot had been started or if he had left a bad impression of the doctors on the team.

“The man, after you left, the crippled man stood up and was healed!” The voice on the other end exclaimed.

Stories like these from far places inspire our faith. I am not talking about churches with people strewn all over the ground, where people shout and “healings” and other things occur through emotionalism and sensationalism. I am talking about a doctor who earnestly believed, and who with humility and a trembling spirit prayed to God for a crippled man who had faith in the healing Jesus he was hearing about.

A crippled man who was filled with enough faith to “rise up and walk.”

Clearly, the doctor takes no credit for this miracle. He simply prayed a humble prayer, and as any of us might have, he left the town square feeling like a failure.

God chooses impossible and dark moments to show His power before mankind.

This doctor and us, we have no power of our own, but we can choose to be connected to one who has ultimate power, God.

Power is attractive because it’s the power to effect change. God has the power to make a change in your life. He has the power to heal and forgive our sins.

The secret to power is the prayer of faith to God, our Father.

“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When you pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdon come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” Luke 11:1-2

While Jesus was on earth, He taught us to pray. We are not to use vain repetitions or prewritten prayers or mantras. He wants us to open our hearts. He wants us to bless His name for all of the blessings we receive from Him. Rather than Him hearing a prayer from centuries ago, He wants us to tell Him our needs and to ask for His perfect will to be done in our lives.

Ellen G. White compared prayer to opening your heart to a friend. (Steps to Christ).

I often go to a church that is open during the day to pray. Going to a church to pray is not necessary, since we can pray anywhere at anytime, but I find this church to be a really special place. Anyway, when I go, there is a stained glass window depicting the story of Lazarus.

Sometimes, I go into the church with a heavy heart, but looking at that window always reminds me that God makes all things new. He can turn something dead alive again; He can restore, renew and fulfill promises beyond our wildest imaginations. Why? He is an omnipotent God. There is nothing too hard for Him, and His promises are sure.

This new year, is there something you want to change? An old habit to replace? Do you need healing? Do you want influence? Do you want life? Trust your life to the Hands and Power that gave it all for you.

“…By His wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

For more information on the Ten Days of Prayer, go to: http://www.tendaysofprayer.org.
Jan. 8-18, 2014

Day 1: The Secret of His Power

Merry Christmas

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Hello Friends!

I first wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas. It has been quite an amazing year. It was a year of realizations, maturing, growing up, hard work, solitude, spiritual decisions, wonderful people, emotions and many, many blessings.

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of taking part in a lovely Christmas concert at the historic Manhattan Seventh-day Adventist Church. I was overwhelmed with thoughts on how much God loves us. That is really what Christmas is all about.

Because God is so amazing, we experience His love on more days than just Christmas. I remember going down the stairs after my last exam. All I could think was, Thank you God for another semester. Every day was a new journey and experience with Him. Every day had its own miracle.

One of my recent miracles: While coming home, a family decided to move via our Super Shuttle, when we arrived to JFK there were hundreds of people. I was still in the security line when my plane was boarding. A woman called me out of the line where I was and put me through a faster line; a man freaked out in another security line because some dude dropped a piece of luggage in line and left it there. All of us saw our lives flash before us. My mom kept texting me telling me it would all be okay. I arrived to my gate as they were closing the plane door.

This is how life works out sometimes. It’s crowded, scary, and time seems to fly when you need it to slow down the most…sometimes, the door is shutting in your face, yet somehow, you get what you need, and God gets you through.

There is fear, uncertainty, sometimes anger, agitation, resignation, but in the end, you get what is meant for you if you leave it in God’s hands.

The birth of Jesus is the fulfillment of a promise. He was the answer to our mistake and rebellion. For our mistake, He gave us His love.

On this day, in this season, let us renew our gratefulness and our awareness of God’s love. Let us reflect His love and reach out.

I thank all of you for your support and friendship through this blog; for dealing with my randomness, complexity and silly humor. I hope you are with those you love. Cherish every day. Smile at every miracle, and allow God’s loving hand to guide your life.

May God bless you abundantly, so that you may be so filled that you pour yourself out to others.

Merry Christmas! And as we press forward, may we all continue to expect miracles. 🙂
GY

Tim Halperin: Under That Christmas Spell (as heard on Kidd Kraddick in the Morning)

This Week’s Picks: December 22, 2013

“Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.”
Khalil Gibran

2] Miguel Angel Silvestre y Blanca Suarez

5] Royal Commitments

Rumor has it, Pippa is engaged! Too cool. Her style is always impeccable. Simple, modest and elegant. People are saying Harry is next, too. We’ll see how many royal engagements we can get out of the season. 😉

6] Sorrento, anyone?

7] Loco–Enrique Iglesias ft. India Martinez

The Most Handsome of 2013

By: Gabriela Yareliz

In high school, Alli D. and I would make a list of the best looking guys, modeled after People’s Sexiest Man Alive list.
I thought it would be fun to make a list of the guys who made my list this year (and practically every year–with the exception of some new ones).

These are the guys that make me say:

Shall we begin?

Man (or should I say Student) of the Year

Siddharth Malhotra
-Indian-
Perfection in flesh form. Kukkad (the song below) matches perfectly. I think that is what we all think when we see him.

Latin Flavor (Speak to me in Spanish!)

Eduardo Verastegui
-Mexican-
He should probably be under “Old Classics” because he always makes the list, and I have had a crush on him since childhood.

Mario Casas
-Spanish-
Que chaval. 😉

protegidamarineraconsentida.blogspot.com

William Levy
-Cuban-
Always a cutie. Lucky I found a pic with him fully clothed.

Hindustani-Bollywood Fab

Farhan Akhtar
-Indian-
One of my favorites. Always. Smart. His voice. His hair. His scar.

Ranveer Singh
-Indian-
His face and fresh little attitude to go along with it. Bittu.

Aamir Khan
-Indian-
An emotional Aamir Khan is always wonderful, but he is also so…bindassssss.

Old Classics
Chayanne
-Puerto Rican-
As the years go by, the face becomes more handsome.

John Stamos
-Greek/American-
As a child, I had a crush on Uncle Jesse. Two words: Have Mercy!

Hugh Grant
-UK-
His movies are always great. Love the accent and quirky facial expressions.

The Ones I Want To Dance With

Shahid Kapoor
-Indian-
SHAHID! Teri Meri Kahaani.

Romain Duris
-French-
His replica of Dirty Dancing’s “Time of My Life” is amazing. He is truly l’arnacoeur (the heartbreaker).

Dhanush
-Indian-
Why this Kolaveri di? 😉 I would learn Tamil…

USA

Scott Disick
-Jewish/American-
LD is back!

Will Friedle
-American-
The classic Eric Matthews from Boy Meets World.

Euro Men

Nicolas Cazale
-French/Algerian-
Do you see what I see?

Guillaume Canet
-French-
Memories of love me if you dare!

Raoul Bova
-Italian-
Scusa, ma ti voglio sposare 😉

This semester, brought to you by: Jesus

How I feel after my last exam today:

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Here is to the end of the semester! It wasn’t until recently that I was able to walk around NYC with a friend under the holiday lights and hidden stars. School hit us hard this semester. Words–I feel like they’ve been flashing before my eyes for months. It was weird not having a break in the summer. Welcome to adulthood. No more vacations like the way we used to have them. Our longest vacation is this one; the one between semesters. This means, we must enjoy it.

The semester was so difficult, probably tougher than 1L. I feel that this semester I had a 1L load + clinic work. Yet, despite the busyness, it was enjoyable. I learned a lot. A lot of goals were fulfilled in a way, and my days were filled with sunshine. God is so good. This semester was definitely survived only through Jesus. The sleep deprivation, the four-hour a night weeks, the long hours reading from dusk to dawn.

Healthy, in shape & smiling.

Life continues to unfold in weird but delightful ways.

Half way there.

Sarko’s Destiny

Photo from: The American Hungarian Federation

“Nicolas Sarkozy: my return is destiny – I don’t have a choice”
Telegraph.co.uk-Dec 12, 2013

(Grin) I hope to see you back Sarko. This man fascinates me to no end.

Bearing Fruits

By: Ellen G. White, from Testimonies for the Church, vol.1, chapter 81

“I saw that it is no light thing to be a Christian. It is a small matter to profess the Christian name; but it is a great and sacred thing to live a Christian life…
The question will never be asked, How much did he profess? but, What fruit did he bear? If the tree is corrupt, the fruit is evil. If the tree is good, it cannot produce evil fruit.”
{1T 454.2}

Quotes of the day

“Those who have grown the most spiritually are those who are experts in living. And there is yet another joy, even greater. It is the joy of communion with God.”-M. Scott Peck

“The world breaks everyone and afterwards many are stronger at the broken places.”- A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway (the last page)

“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one sees rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”-The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery