It’s Only Life

Kate Voegele Lyrics

Tears are forming in your eyes
A storm is warning in the sky

The end of the world it seems
You bend down and you fall on your knees
Well get back on your feet, yeah

Don’t look away
Don’t run away
Hey baby it’s only life
Don’t lose your faith
Don’t run away
Hey baby its only life
Yea it’s only life
You were always playing hard
Never could let down your guard

But you can’t win
If you never give in
To that voice within
Saying pick up your chin
Baby let go of it

[Chorus]

Take your hesitance
And your self-defense
Leave them behind, it’s only life
Don’t be so afraid
Of facing everyday
Just take your time, it’s only life
I’ll be your stepping-stone
No, don’t be so alone
Just hold on tight, it’s only life

Yesterday, during the lesson study at church, I was asked to explain the difference between knowing about God and knowing God. This was a question they sought a personal answer to.

I recalled somethings from the past that hurt. We have all gone through something that is painful (I assume–though I have met people who say they have not, but I think life eventually throws everyone a curveball); something that shaped us in an important way. Something we learned big lessons from.

I realized and remembered that some of these things were like the end of the world. And not to belittle them, they were the end of the world as I knew it. Then, I began to think about who I am today. These things seem strangely distant, yet so much a part of me.

So this is a message for you. Whether you are struggling, losing faith, feeling disoriented or already broken:
It is okay to fall, cry and feel numb.
But fall on your knees, cry out to God and let Him pick up the pieces when no one else will, and let Him heal you. Sometimes this feeling will reappear but send it into His hands everytime.

It may be impossible to get out of the numbing state and end up depressed if you shut yourself in and choose it to be that way– but that is the difference between those who have hope and faith, and those who do not.

Have faith and stand back up even if everything is against you. I promise, someday it will be distant. It won’t always hurt as bad as it does now.
Don’t lose your faith, don’t run away… it’s only life.

With God, you can win at this thing called life. Things may bring us down, but you will not be utterly detroyed and cast down because His hands will hold you.

Someday you will be strong, it may not all make sense (I can’t promise that), but you will know one thing for sure: You were not alone. God never leaves us, and He walks with us always.

In the end, our sufferings are but a snapshot, a passing pinch, compared to the glory that will be revealed in us. Compared to eternity, our pain is only for a moment. Trust in Him.

Our problems now, whether they be abandonment, loneliness, heartbreak, betrayal– stand up, don’t run away. Don’t become like many: bitter, defensive, cold and out of reach.

I think it is important to remain open, to love and to see the beauty that surrounds us. As the journey continues, what it means to know God becomnes crystal clear; He is the one that has been walking with you, healing you, holding you.

Stand up, love, trust, believe. Everything else–It’s only life.

Quote of the Day: Ravi Zacharias

“Mahatma Gandhi made the comment that of all the truths of the Christian faith, the one that stood supreme to him was the cross of Jesus. He granted that it was without parallel. It was the innocent dying for the guilty, the pure exchange for the impure. This evil cannot be understood through the eyes of the ones who crucified him, but only from eyes of the Crucified One. It is the woman who has been raped and not the rapist who understands what rape is. It is the one who has been slandered who understands what slander is, not the slanderer. It is only the One who died for our sin who can explain to us what evil is, not the skeptics. The cross points the way to a full explanation.”[1].

[1] Ravi Zacharias, Beyond Opinion: Living the Faith We Defend (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2007), 205. Print.

The Great Controversy-Book

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Today, I got an interesting surprise. I received a The Great Controversy in my mailbox. Why is this strange? It is one of my favorite books (and it was in my mailbox).

A book that deals with philosophy, current events, prophecy, history and the future. It holds so many answers to things we wonder and think about; humanity as a whole. As the world gets stranger and times are changing, we often find ourselves asking difficult questions or wondering where we are going.

I hope people will take the time to read the book. I hope they don’t judge it by the front or back cover, or by the author.
The book is very relevant. I think it proves itself on many levels to those who give it a chance. It is historically accurate and Biblically accurate, and therefore the authors credibility stands. There is something about this book, that when you read it, it reaches you. A sort of conviction forms.

Throughout history in the Judeo-Christian tradition, prophets were those who spoke according to the Word of God in scripture. The interpretation of prophecy and showing how prophecy was fulfilled in this book certainly impacts.

I take leave, with high hopes that people will open and read this marvelous book. It has an intense beginning, then there is the historical part, which I won’t lie, can get dry but it is interesting and good to know nonetheless, but then it gets “crucial” (chapter 25 on).

[By crucial I mean:
see high school definition and example:
crucial: intense, memorable, poignant.
If you are trapped in a building, that is crucial.
If the building is falling down and you are in it, that is extra crucial.]

Past. Present. Future.

Shakespeare was right in one sense… the world is a stage…
the only difference is we are not merely players…
We are players, but it is a lot deeper than that.

Influences

By: Gabriela Yareliz
When you look up a comedian, musician or entertainer, often times, something that pops up are influences. Those who they grew up watching or listening to, who greatly influenced them as a person.

So, other than Jesus, my mother and the influence of family, like grandmothers, I was thinking who in the public eye, who is a woman, influenced me while growing up. These were women (there are men too, but I wanted to focus on women) that I admired a lot other than my mother. There is something about each one that is memorable from my childhood. And as you can tell, I am Latina; I had a very rooted upbringing and I am grateful for that.

1] My mother- woman of faith, independent, intelligent, real.

2] Michelle Kwan- for being a champion and her discipline

“You can train your hardest, you can try your best and have no regrets — and still not get what you want. That’s a hard lesson to learn in front of millions of people.”
— Michelle Kwan on missing out on the Olympic gold

3] Selena- because even though her life was cut short, her songs and spirit lived on.

4] The Little Princess, Sarah- she suffered loss, and knew that being a real princess was about your heart.

5] Angelica Vale- she is an amazing actress, comedian and imitator. Never afraid to be funny or not look fabulous.

6] Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen- fashionistas who travel, hilarious, boy crazy-what is not to love?

7] Thalia- her enchanting stories circled the globe and her songs endure.

8] Hilary Duff- scandal-free Lizzie Mcguire saw us through our most awkward moments and reminded us what dreams are made of.

9] Adamari Lopez- THAT is an actress. Cancer survivor and fellow Puerto Rican.

10] Mandy Moore-fearless. I know all of her songs by heart, and cut my hair in a pixie after watching How to Deal in junior high.

11] Anne Hathaway- had a wholesome image and showed it was okay to be different. To me, she will always be Princess Mia.

12] Nicole Richie-rebellious, hilarious, bad girl gone good. Cleaned up. Big sunglasses; “that’s hott.”


13] Amanda Bynes: Funny is awesome.
image
14] The Sisterhood-Friendship despite distance, through love, heartbreak, loss and change. Because they are just like us.


Answer to prayer

The answer may come with sudden velocity and overpowering might, or it may be delayed for days and weeks, and our faith receive a trial. But God knows how and when to answer our prayer. It is our part of the work to put ourselves in connection with the divine channel. God is responsible for His part of the work. He is faithful who hath promised.
{SR 247.1} Ellen G. White

He never makes a mistake

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

“When we go to the Source of power, we know that we shall receive that intelligence and wisdom which comes from a pure source, which is not mixed with anything of humanity. As we pray, it is our privilege to know that God wants us to pray, to ask Him for help. “Ask, and ye shall receive” (John 16:24). It is for you to believe that you will receive. He wants us to become acquainted with Him, to speak to Him, to tell Him of our difficulties, and obtain an experience in asking of One who never misjudges and never makes a mistake….” —Manuscript 144, April 3, 1901, “Early Morning Meeting.”

This Week’s Picks: March 31, 2013

By: Gabriela Yareliz
April begins! 🙂 February and March have been very intense, and April has more up its sleeve. As a law student, it is time to finish classes, prepare for the ever exciting and grueling exams, and time to celebrate because we are almost done with the famous 1L year, by God’s grace.

With April here, we must keep hope and Truth ever before us. No matter what we go through, we must cling to God. As Ravi Zacharias says, no matter what we face just say “but Christ…” for Christ is the center of all things, and He is the reason for our hope and blessing.

1] “Cynicism is the last link before apathy.” Ravi Zacharias

Don’t let this happen to you. Always stay engaged; always have hope; always be interested; and always be different.

2] “Sometimes before the darkest moment, the brightest light will shine. I believe it will be like this in our days.” Ravi Zacharias

3]

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5] /Sit by my side and let the world slip; we shall never be younger/ Induction II, Sly, The Taming of the Shrew

6] Jaane Kyun…

Searching

By: Gabriela Yareliz

A current theme in my studies of scripture is Truth. How far are we willing to go to search for Truth and to live the Truth. How much are we willing to sacrifice for Truth’s sake; are we willing to leave tradition, formulas and our own little ways–all of this has been running through my mind.

I couldn’t agree more with the following quote. I think that no matter what it is we each believe, we can make this message ours and take it to heart as we continue to be searchers of the Truth. You’d be surprised how many people believe what they believe, and they don’t even know why. Refuse to be a puppet or blind follower of anything; instead, search all things, and know how to explain what it is you believe.

“Jesus meant just what He said when He directed His disciples to “search the scriptures.” Searching means to compare scripture with scripture, and spiritual things with spiritual. We should not be satisfied with a superficial knowledge. We should search for the hidden treasure concealed beneath the surface, as the merchantman seeks for goodly pearls. Light, great light, will reward the diligent searcher for truth….We have lost much in not living up to the light of the solemn truths which we profess to believe.” Review and Herald, June 4, 1889

“But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” 1 Corinithians 2:10.