By: Gabriela Yareliz Spirituality is not about convenience and whatever makes you feel good. In fact, if we feel good and comfortable–there may be a problem. Our spiritual lives are compared to a race, something we need endurance for–something difficult and strenuous.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
This week, I have been thinking about how sometimes, spiritually, we make things complicated and fake. Some brush off teachings as if they are suggestions and not truth; hearts filled with pride, frivolousness and themselves.
Others, take certain teachings and cling to them by the word, trying to not mistep, and they legalistically follow everything; while hearts are filled with self-righteousness, paranoia and judgment.
I think it is important to analyze ourselves. When the Bible says be not conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, it clearly means we cannot be saved in our sins. We cannot keep living however we please and be okay. It also states something deeper: Sometimes we think it is all about the exterior, but it is not. The exterior reflects the interior, but it says we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. God wants to mold our minds and renew the way we think.
It is time we go back to the beginning, away from the mixtures and down to the pure basics. We need to go to the truth and message that comes out of scripture, which is one.
Let us study scripture, and know what truth is. Let us not choose the words of men over scripture. In the words of Hilary Duff: “Let’s go back; back to the beginning.”
By: Gabriela Yareliz
While studying, I let the semi-final play through on Rai 1 TV (Italia). These songs, voices and performances were so lovely. Had to share.
The finals are coming (Sat. night; European timezone), click here, for the Eurovision schedule.
Quotes from one of my most adored writers.-Gabriela Y.
Once conform, once do what other people do because they do it, and a lethargy steals over all the finer nerves and faculties of the soul. She becomes all outer show and inward emptiness; dull, callous, and indifferent.
-Virginia Woolf
Life is not a series of gig lamps symmetrically arranged; life is a luminous halo, a semi-transparent envelope surrounding us from the beginning of consciousness to the end.
-Virginia Woolf
Every secret of a writer’s soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind is written large in his works.
-Virginia Woolf
The man who is aware of himself is henceforward independent; and he is never bored, and life is only too short, and he is steeped through and through with a profound yet temperate happiness.
-Virginia Woolf
Nothing has really happened until it has been recorded.
-Virginia Woolf
By: Gabriela Yareliz
Cannes 2013! Ahhh… I wish I was there.
I saw Cara Delevingne, and she TOOK MY BREATH AWAY. SHE LOOKS AMAZING.
Favorite look I have seen so far:
Sonam Kapoor’s press look, from her Instagram, was also lovely.
Marion Cotillard (who is always lovely).
Ines de La Fressange (in the past) on being fab. in Cannes.
[www.lifeisaprayer.com]
By: Gabriela Yareliz “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of the God: I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. I will praise thee forever, because you have done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.” Psalm 52:8,9
Olive trees (according to Wiki) represent: abundance, sacredness, glory, wisdom, fertility, power, purity and peace.
God sees us as sacred beings that belong to Him. He longs to restore us to His image. He wants to bless us abundantly; He wants us to approach Him with purity; He promises to supply our every need; If we ask for wisdom and peace, He gives in great measure; He mercifully reveals to us His glory and power, day by day. He makes the ground we step on, fertile ground and delivers things into our hands.
Let us stand in humility, trust in His mercy, and praise Him for all of His good works. Let us have faith knowing that HE HAS DONE IT. Not that He will, but already has. Wait in His name.
Hello Friends!
Three exams down and one more to go + writing competition. I do have one thing to say:
Yes. I am alive, like Mooshoo from Mulan. Thank God. God is good. It has been a rough set of weeks, but we are almost at the other side.
My brain cells are a bit toasty (if you know what I mean? I can’t describe it– not fried; just toasted 🙂 No butter). Normale…
My mind lately:
I saw a squirrel attack some girl; I saw the girl talk back to it. Normale? Normale.
I was at the store yesterday trying to find work clothes, and I tried on a dress that didn’t want to come off. It was so embarrassing. I was probably in the fitting room for seven minutes trying to get this dress off. I thought I was going to have to walk up to the register in it and have them scan me, so I could go home, and cut it off. Normale? Normale.
I had three epiphanies on a super strange “thinker” day (when other people don’t want to think and distract themselves, I actually sit on a bench and ponder my life. I think we must always face ourselves). Normale? Normale.
After the exam today, I began cleaning like a maniac. Deep-post exam cleaning, while listening to a webinar from California on immigration and housing law. H&M actually sells bras that aren’t in the style that cut off the circulation in your bust (unlike other stores in the city). Normale? Finally, normale. Apparently, New Yorkers really like the medieval-bust-about-to-explode look and feel.
My legal writing prof gave me my last assignment, and he still wrote “Gabrielle.” Apparently, he has NOT watched High School Musical. What happened to the ‘A’ at the end of my name?
“Her name is Gabriela, and she is very nice.”-Troy Bolton, High School Musical 1
Have an amazing week. -Gabriela Y.
1] God is open to dialogue with us. If we ask Him for Truth, revelation, guidance– drying the fleece is no problem for Him 😉
Judges 6
36 So Gideon said to God, “If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said— 37 [asking for a sign] look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” 38 And it was so. When he rose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece together, he wrung the dew out of the fleece, a bowlful of water. 39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me, but let me speak just once more: Let me test, I pray, just once more with the fleece; let it now be dry only on the fleece, but on all the ground let there be dew.” 40 And God did so that night. It was dry on the fleece only, but there was dew on all the ground.
2] Choices
3] Still stuck on Scusa Ma Ti Voglio Sposare…
4] “MAY YOU HAVE FAITH IN YOUR WORTH, AND ACT WITH WISDOM.”-Tea bag on INSTAGRAM
5] Beauty and Timing
6] Ora Che Non Vivo-Jammin’
I am currently loving Nicoleta Nuca. I found her, because she does a cover on a song I fell in love with. Enjoy the song and Nicoleta, an incredible Moldovan.
Ora che non vivo
7] FAITH
8] What a beautiful photo illustrating motherhood and femininity. I want one of these someday. True Bellucci style.
9] A fantastically deep movie. It has the power of a chick flick but the depth of a serious and eye-opening conversation. I feel like every line was funny or deep.
10] I am a huge Demi Lovato fan. Her new album was released today. These two songs are my favorite.
“Our love runs deep like a Chevy…cause that’s the way we like to do it, we’ll never break, because our love was made–made in the USA.”
“I can’t sleep tonight, wide awake and so confused
Everything’s in line, but I am bruised
I need a voice to echo, I need a light to take me home
I kinda need a hero, is it you?
I never see the forest for the trees, I could really use your melody
Baby I’m a little blind, I think it’s time for you to find me–
Can you be my Nightingale, sing to me I know you’re there.”
[My amazing grandparents who sent me all of the High School Musical movies…I don’t think they know how much I love those movies. I am a big believer in singing feelings that can’t be spoken.]
GABRIELA YARELIZ 