Something to remember

By: Gabriela Yareliz

“Whenever I despair,

I remember that the way of truth and love has always won.

There may be tyrants and murderers,

and for a time,

they may seem invincible,

but in the end,

they always fail.

Think of it: always.”

Gandhi

By: Peter Jonas

That which you have not asked for

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I was studying today in 1 Kings chapter 3, continuing my trek through the old testament. I was looking at how Solomon is establishing his kingdom after his father’s death.

I was impressed by the verse where God asks Solomon what he desires.

In verse 5, God says: At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

Then we see Solomon’s response: (verse 9) Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

We see that Solomon asks for wisdom. God says that whoever lacks wisdom can ask with unwavering faith it shall be given to him liberally (James 1:5).

What impressed me the most was that in verse 10 it says God was well pleased, and after God tells him that he will be wiser than any before him or that will come after him, He adds: (verse 13) And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.

God goes beyond anything we can come up with in our little heads. He can do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think. He gives us even what we have not asked for.

Praise God.

Disturbing the Universe

By: Gabriela Yareliz

This should probably go under the “Chronicles of a Law Student” page where I update about things that go on as a 1L, but I found this to be so powerful that I wanted to share generally. Today I watched an excellent documentary on a controversial lawyer who defended civil liberties and fought racism, but He also was seen as a hypocrit and a bit crazy as his days came to a close; William (Bill) Kunstler. His daughters made the documentary in a way vindicating but also discovering the man their father was.

Though ego-centric and though he had questionable ethical reasoning behind his representation of certain clients, I can’t help but really, really respect him. I had read, in the past, cases he litigated, and it wasn’t until now that I found out, oh wow–he was the one who won that case.

I think about many of the people I admire, such as Gandhi and Mandela, all were lawyers. I admire their passion for the people. Though they are icons now, in the past they had to go to prison, sweat it out and get dirt under their nails. They were rejected, hated and mocked. I see this man a bit like them. A man, imperfect like they all were, but a man who in the end I think really connected with people. He personified a justice that doesn’t exist in our legal system. Our definition of justice is skewed when we look at our justice compared to God’s justice toward man.

Anyway, I hope I have sparked your curiosity enough. There are still many injustices in the world. They often get transfered from one group to another. I hope we can all do our part and “disturb the universe” a bit– I leave you with William Kunstler.

February, 1970
Transcript

And that is the terrible myth of organized society, that everything that’s done through the established system is legal  — and that word has a powerful psychological impact. It makes people believe that there is an order to life, and an order to a system, and that a person that goes through this order and is convicted, has gotten all that is due him. And therefore society can turn its conscience off, and look to other things and other times.

And that’s the terrible thing about these past trials, is that they have this aura of legitimacy, this aura of legality. I suspect that better men than the world has known and more of them, have gone to their deaths through a legal system than through all the illegalities in the history of man.

Six million people in Europe during the Third Reich? Legal.

Sacco Vanzetti? Quite legal.

The Haymarket defendants? Legal.

The hundreds of rape trials throughout the South where black men were condemned to death? All legal.

Jesus? Legal.

Socrates? Legal.

And that is the kaleidoscopic nature of what we live through here and in other places. Because all tyrants learn that it is far better to do this thing through some semblance of legality than to do it without that pretense.

From PBS.

Instructions on prayer

By:Gabriela Yareliz 

“Pray and believe—God does not say, Ask once, and you shall receive. He bids us ask. Unwearyingly persist in prayer. The persistent asking brings the petitioner into a more earnest attitude, and gives him an increased desire to receive the things for which he asks. Christ said to Martha at the grave of Lazarus, “If thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God.” John 11:40. – {Pr 98.3}

“We are never called upon to make a real sacrifice for God. Many things He asks us to yield to Him, but in doing this we are but giving up that which hinders us in the heavenward way. Even when called upon to surrender those things which in themselves are good, we may be sure that God is thus working out for us some higher good.” – {Pr 112.3}

Ellen G. White

Overcome for today

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I wanted to share this thought from my devotional today.

“The truth of God received into the heart is able to make you wise unto salvation. In believing and obeying it you will receive grace sufficient for the duties and trials of today. Grace for tomorrow you do not need. You should feel that you have only to do with today. Overcome for today; deny self for today; watch and pray for today; obtain victories in God for today.“—(Testimonies for the Church 3:333.) – {Pr 93.4} Ellen G. White

Athletic

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Olympics are gone and out. I love the Olympics. It isn’t even about the athletes competing and doing their amazing things specifically; what gets me the most is how it is so patriotic. I am a sucker for patriotism and doing things to honor your flag and country. I like the idea of representing something.

The second thing that gets me the most are the athletes and everything they go through for that one moment. That ONE moment. There are so many factors they can’t control in that one moment, but they have done the best they can to prepare for it. Life is a one-time shot. No one has proven otherwise.

Athletes have an incredible abstinence and endurance. They give up and sacrifice things for something better; something that has more worth to them in their eyes.

This reminds me of our spiritual  lives.

Paul compares us in his writings to soldiers and athletes. Athletes give up a lot even if they aren’t on a team. They have incredible discipline. What would happen if we each had this kind of discipline? No fear to give up anything, if it was demanded from us. we would often rather listen to our friends, family or man in general. Tradition and desire end up winning against obedience and instruction from God.

This reminds me of Daniel.  He was someone, who gave it all, as in Daniel 1:8 says: But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the
portion of the king’s food, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Daniel stood up alone for his principles. He endured and stood the test.

What we do spiritually and how we mold our characters is not necessarily a thing about representing our countries or flags. It isn’t even to win a medal, cup or trophy.

It is deeper than that– it is a matter of life or death. a matter of representation; of taking one for the team; of being part of the body of Christ.

We aren’t saved at our convenience or with whatever we decide in our minds is good enough. It isn’t about doing things our way…

We have a coach, and to win we’ve got to play like a team. It takes sacrifice, obedience, discpline, lots of prayer, loving all who surround us–it will be worth it. Unity has done revolutionary things.

“People are raising their expectations; This is your moment, don’t hesitate; When you fall, get up–the pressure is on, believe it.”