Today, I talked to my friend Joonas. It left me feeling bubbly and happy. Totally made my day; he usually does. Law school is approaching its most intense weeks, but talking to him reminded me what life is all about. Have someone: who inspires you; leaves you speechless; is brilliant; is kind; has a golden heart; you have amazing memories with? Tell them.
I have been blessed with some extraordinary people in my life.
Joonas (center) and me in La Rochelle, France, summer of 2009.
“Join the Seventh-day Adventist world church in a day of prayer and fasting for two Adventists imprisoned in Togo. Pastor Antonio Monteiro and church member Bruno Amah have been falsely detained for eight months. Even though there is no evidence of guilt, the men have been held without hope of bail or a trial. On December 1, Adventists around the world are gathering for a day of prayer and fasting for the safety of the men and their families and a speedy release from prison.”
I have been following this case for months now. Please join a body of believers in prayer for these falsely imprisoned ministers.
2] “It is more important for us to talk about people to God [in prayer], than for us to talk to people about God.”-Ravi Zacharias
3] “Prendre la route et rouler…”/ J’ai trouve le sens de la vie….
Tal is a fabulous French Israeli-born singer. I adore her voice. She does great songs featuring Arab/French rappers.
/I found the reason for my life…/ (song title translation)
4] Angus T. Jones spoke out against his show and has said to have joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I thought I’d mention it. People have been outraged, some saying he is a hypocrit because he is still working under the contract, others say the church is exploiting him and it is a cult, others say he did the right thing.
I will say this: People have a right to walk in life and grow. They have the right to choose their ways even if they weren’t on that track always; that doesn’t make them hypocrits. I don’t judge. If something bothers you, perhaps you should flat out quit, whatever. That is between him and God. The truth is the show, ‘Two and a Half Men’ is trash; everyone seems to agree on that point.
Also, don’t judge a church by its people. Some may be extreme, others crazy, but you find this everywhere. The Seventh-day Adventist Church is not a cult. It is a humanitarian church that educates, helps people live healthier lives and is Biblical (If other churches criticize it for its Sabbath keeping–that is just anti-semetic convenience going way back into history). If someone takes advantage of him, tells him untrue things, again, that is between that person and God. He is an intelligent being who can reason and make choices.
Ravi Zacharias always says: Don’t judge a movement or religion by its flaws. Each one will have its flaws. Religion is a shallow term. When you have religion you arrive to a place, when you find a Savior you arrive to a person.
If Jones found what he was looking for, then that is wonderful. We all should be studying, searching, growing and changing. No judgement. I understand, I am biased.
I am a Seventh-day Adventist. Note, I am never afraid to explore things I don’t know about or things I disagree with. I think leaving a comfort zone is important. One must not be afraid to question. God provides enough for us to believe but never takes away the opportunity to question and doubt, but by this we can grow. I belong to this church despite the flaws of the people and the church itself. It isn’t perfect, but at the same time, Biblically, Christians view the church as a symbol of the bride of Christ, that which He will return for. Therefore, the church deserves respect, and it must be valued.
I realized my condition as a selfish human being who is broken. I think every human being is broken somehow and we all make mistakes and hurt; we are all looking for that person who will put us back together. Someone who will be an advocate for us; pardon us for our mistakes and take us higher; Someone who will love us so much He will show us through each breath we take in life.
Anyway, no sermon here. Just know, people can belong to something because they really believe in it. It doesn’t mean they are brainwashed.
We have so much to be thankful for! I hope that as you spend the holiday with family and friends you meditate on the great blessings God has bestowed on you. Take nothing for granted. Safety, health, family, friends, intelligence, opportunity, work– even in the bad times, we must always praise God for what we have.
I am so grateful for my family and for a place to call home.
Florida, I have missed you. Yes, my family, my bunny, my church, your sunshine, , my cricket team guys, your friendliness, the fact that you have less creeps than New York City, your pride, your RTS buses, 34th Street, the mall, Taco Bell, Weimer Hall, walking barefoot in the grass, laying lying on benches, the color green, protests and activism, awesome speakers and meeting famous people, tan skin, moist skin, the engineering building, CiCi’s Pizza (the pizza here sucks, I don’t care what they say–death in a slice), long country roads, actual houses, warm showers, a heater that works when it is needed–But thank God; Home is always home.
Thank you God, because my home is amazing, so amazing I might take the Florida Bar and bask in sunshine forever more– unless Shahid Kapoor finds me.
He just might–Then, plan B.
Have an amazing holiday filled with relaxing, laughter, memories, new faces, old faces, sunshine, good food, engaging conversation, no school work or work of any kind and Love.
Today, may you find Jesus. May you find cleansing and eternal salvation; may you find forgiveness and healing; may you find resurrection, joy and peace; may you find wisdom and knowledge; may you find fellowship, love and light; & above all, may you find Truth, a King, a Savior.
(Added to the MUSIC playlist)
Jimmy Needham-Stay
You lead me like the dawning of the day
You lead me like April leads into
May
You lead me like the stone You rolled away
You take my hand and we
will run away
Just like a child I rest upon Your knee
Just like a
song, Your love, it sings to me
Inside Your arms I find a symphony
You
take my hand and then we run away
To the place where my fears have no voice at all Only sound in my ear, the whisper of Your call This moment is frozen I’m not going anywhere I’d linger forever If only I could stay here
Remember all those years ago we met
All I recall are days of past
regret
And You felt so far but I had never left
Just wanting You to take
my hand and run
To the place where my fears have no voice at all
The
only sound in my ear, the whisper of Your call
This moment is frozen
I’m
not going anywhere
I’d linger forever
If only I could stay
If only I
could stay
In the place where my fears have no voice at all
Only sound
in my ear, the whisper
In the place where my fears have no voice at
all
Only sound in my ear, the whisper
This moment is frozen
I’m not
going anywhere
linger forever
If only I could stay
If I could stay
here
God always speaks to us. I love that about God. Somehow He finds a way to say something directly to our hearts, if we are listening. The other day I was very pensive, and I didn’t feel quite like myself. I was praying that God would help me not feel the way I felt in that moment. Sometimes, we need a word of encouragement or something that will give us that extra push. That is when the service ended at the church. Right before the closing prayer, the pastor stood there and looked up from the lectern and said, “We need to learn to expect miracles.” For those who have read me for a while, you know that phrase is like a belief system to me. Where I live in Florida, there are many country roads. I used to pass a church all the time, and its sign always read “Expect Miracles.” That sign meant a lot to me (See blog tagline). No matter what I was going through, it brought comfort to me. I know that God is the God of the IMPOSSIBLE. He has proven it.
That morning, I was leaving with a sunken and tired heart, but those words– were like a spark. I knew God was speaking directly to my heart with those exact words.
I just wanted to share, because it never fails to amaze me how God is always after us; speaking to us; loving us; warming our heart; telling us to not let go because He hasn’t let go.
I have included some inspiring music in this post that I have added to the MUSIC playlist (my inspiration playlist).
This song is so powerful. Kerrie Roberts does a passionate interpretation. I wanted to share it with you. The lyrcis, voice,–everything about this song is perfect.
A Savior To Me-Kerrie Roberts
Before the break of that first dawn You wrote the secrets of the world
And filled the ancient skies
With Your voice and light
Before the world began to spin You knew the heart of broken men And how to save our lives With Your perfect sacrifice
What words could tell
What song could sing?
And bring Glory to God above Full of truth and endless love He who is and was and always will be I surrender to the one Gentle and most powerful Of all the things You are You’ve chosen to be A savior to me
You have made Your light to shine Through the darkness of all time And that light was life In the face of Jesus Christ
You’ve caused a dawn within my soul
My heart no longer is my own
I want to praise You now
With every breath that You allow
What words could tell
What song could sing?
And bring
Glory to God above
Full of truth and endless love
He who is and was and always will be
I surrender to the one
Gentle and most powerful
Of all the things You are
You’ve chosen to be
A Savior to me
And I sing glory to God almighty (3x)
Glory to God above
Full of truth and endless love
He who is and was and always will be
And I surrender to the one
Gentle and most powerful
Of all the things You are
You’ve chosen to be
A Savior to me
And I sing glory to God almighty
And I sing glory
And I sing glory
And I sing glory
I sing glory
I sing glory
I sing glory
“Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withheld the request of his lips. Se’lah”
Psalm 21:2
3] Shallow pursuits
I think every woman has a beauty or style icon. Someone famous you adore no matter what that person does because you adore him/her for shallow reasons. Someone who you might have identified with or maybe someone who helped you feel better about yourself.
I just wanted to show some gorgeous shots of the professional, comfortable with her body, mother, hardworker, designer, Oscar de La Renta lover (my fav. designer), smoky eyed woman who says she is capable of laughing at herself and admits she is stubborn.
I present to you the lovely Penelope Cruz.
4] Guess who went to The Daily Show, and sat feet away from Jon Stewart?–Me. 🙂 Unforgettable. He is so cool, and super sweet.
Keep those sparkles in your heart–save them to warm you on a cold day.
GABRIELA YARELIZ 