Fear Not

By: Gabriela Yareliz

“But now thus says the Lord that created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you: and through the rivers, they will not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, neither will flame kindle upon you, for I am the Lord you God, the Holy One…” Isaiah 43:1-3

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely  for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commended His love toward us that, while we were yet sinners and in rebellion toward God, Christ died for us.” Romans 5: 6-8 Emphasis added.

Know today, that God loves you and you are precious in His sight. Know that He has promised to be with us always. Know that through our weakness we are strong through Him. That while we would rarely die for a good man, He gave us His and paid the ultimate price and took the ultimate risk, dying for us while we were in sin, so that through Him we could be reconciled to Him.

Fear not. One has already given so much for you, will never forsake you.

The Island

By:Gabriela Yareliz

Today, I spent time on an island off of Manhattan. It was pleasant. The breeze was soft, the sunshine was on and making my face feel warm and alive. This was a nice contrast to the NY I have known so far. The church organized a picnic there. There were some rickshaw looking things, and a man told us they were free so four of us got in one and peddled down the path for 5 min. and then back and an angry family was waiting for us. Turns out they aren’t free and we were unintentional bike-jackers. Terrible. So we stole the cart. On ACCIDENT! The husabnd seemed amused, the wife– not so much. we just test drove it, and the man said it was FREE. Never listen to strangers.

When I was coming back, I was suffocating in a woman’s perfume. It was terrible. Today, I wore my Spain jersey. Hilariously enough, I met a Spanish family on the subway freaking out because they were lost, and when they saw me in my shirt they found solace and their countenances lit up. Not even a shirt is a coincidence sometimes.

I wanted to mention that I am shocked at how unmanly guys can be. I am not just talking about the fact that they might wear shirts and pants waaay too tight for their own good and oversized thick framed glasses– I am talking about guys who fail to be gentlemen, and they are selfish, just thinking of themselves. Like they want you to take a train when dark and then walk alone. WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT? He has got to be OUT of his MIND. DENIED.

Crazy people.

I don’t know who is worse… the freaks that want to rape or mug you or the ones who want you to expose yourself to that.

Time for Civil Procedure! YES. Statutes here I come.

THE END.

 

Memorable remark from a pastor and his loss-stricken heart

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Today, I heard a testimony of a young pastor whose wife recently passed away. They weren’t even married much beyond their first year, I believe. Her strength and faith, and his peace and love have captivated many hearts. Something he shared today (quote from memory):

“I have not and will not, ever, doubt the goodness of God.”

That is so powerful coming from someone who just lost the person they love.

It reminded me of Job. Job, no matter how bad things got for him, he could never doubt God or curse Him, because he had experienced Him.

Despite the suffering sin and selfishness create in this world and the injustices our fallen humanity encounters: God is love; God is goodness; God is God.

UNdaunted

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I heard the testimony of this woman, who goes from small beginnings (like finding out she is adopted at 33 years old and feeling unwanted) to becoming a hero for saving young women from human trafficking and sexual slavery. Her name is Christine Caine. God has blessed her with a meaningful ministry. So often, we confuse sympathy with compassion. It is time for action and to do something for someone else.

Please take the time to listen to her powerful and short message (15 min.) You won’t regret it.

Moody Radio Florida Clip of Christine Caine

For more on her campaign and ministry visit: http://www.TheA21Campaign.org/home.php 

May God bless you.

Elijah, the man of faith

By: Gabriela Yareliz

These excerpts are taken from chapter 13 in the book, Prayer, by Ellen G. White.

We have a God whose ear is not closed to our petitions; and if we prove His word, He will honor our faith. He wants us to have all our interests interwoven with His interests, and then He can safely bless us; for we shall not then take glory to self when the blessing is ours, but shall render all the praise to God. God does not always answer our prayers the first time we call upon Him; for should He do this, we might take it for granted that we had a right to all the blessings and favors He bestowed upon us. Instead of searching our hearts to see if any evil was entertained by us, any sin indulged, we should become careless, and fail to realize our dependence upon Him, and our need of His help. – {Pr 139.2}

The servant watched while Elijah prayed. Six times he returned from the watch, saying, There is nothing, no cloud, no sign of rain. But the prophet did not give up in discouragement. He kept reviewing his life, to see where he had failed to honor God, he confessed his sins, and thus continued to afflict his soul before God, while watching for a token that his prayer was answered. As he searched his heart, he seemed to be less and less, both in his own estimation and in the sight of God. It seemed to him that he was nothing, and that God was everything; and when he reached the point of renouncing self, while he clung to the Saviour as his only strength and righteousness, the answer came.—(The Review and Herald, May 26, 1891.) – {Pr 140.2}

 

Pray in faith, and know He answers.

REM sleep

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I think I got my REM sleep last night. We must repeat this.

While doing readings, briefing and making sure I don’t lapse into a fugly look, I still listen to NPR. Yesterday, as I performed my duties as masterful chef (giggle), I was listening and I discovered Gaby Moreno. I like her because she has my name. Just kidding. She is someone who isn’t a stereotype. She is fresh and her music, each song should be on a movie soundtrack.

She has that jazzy, emotional voice, without being depressing like Adele. Raw talent, all the same. Her songs can range from bouncy to introspective (if that makes any sense).

And so, I thought I’d share. her voice is great. The kind you’d hear in your dreams while you run through a field of  sunflowers.

Enjoy.

Politicizing Religion

By: Gabriela Yareliz

There is an 11-year-old girl being held for possible blasphemy for potentially having burned pages of the Koran in Pakistan. An 11-year-old girl?Really? That is terrible. This is what happens when religion becomes part of a political system. It is disgusting, it always has been whether it was with Catholicism, Islam–whatever. Houses have been burned, and people have fled.

If someone makes views contrary to or desecrates Islam, it is punishable by death, so they say.

It bothers me that many are trying to take Christianity out of the U.S. and make it seem like if you are a Christian you are intolerant, but I can assure you, that no other world view, but the Judeo-Christian world view promises value of life, unalienable rights and equality among all human beings. No other religious worldview. This country could not have been founded on any other belief system and have been the same.

We have centers in this country for better understanding other religions, but do you think that in a Muslim country, it has a center to teach others about Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism or Judaism? I bet you I wouldn’t find one in Saudi Arabia. As Ravi Zacharias once said, a religion that is politiciized is in danger of extinction. When people are afraid to think and question, something is wrong. I am saying this for all religions. When this happens, there is grave danger.

Also, it is important to know that discrimination is wrong wherever it happens. By the U.S. striving for tolerance, which has stopped meaning respecting world views to now accepting world views (BIG difference), we forget that while people here raise issue over “small” things, if we were somewhere else in this world we would not be treated with the same kindness or effort. My point is, despite the injustices  and degrees we assign to injustices on the small scale of pathetic human justice, discrimination is wrong no matter how “big” or “small” or where.

I hope this girl is found to be not guilty– I am not justifying what she did, but as someone who believes that the U.S. First Amendment should be an unalienable right to all, I cannot agree with this type of law and restriction of freedom.I know these are some provvocative statements, but I was appalled this morning by this news.

Where is love that grants freedom? God demonstrated the greatest risk and love by giving Himself to us and also giving us FREEDOM; freedom to choose or reject Him.

Freedom.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/08/zardari-orders-probe-into-arrest-of-christian-girl-on-blasphemy-charges.html

(Sorry for the typos! With Love–)