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–)

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.