A Layer Deeper

2011 is almost gone and I can still smell the cookies my family and I baked last January 1st! Where did my year go? He, he! Thankfully I feel like this has been one of the best years of my life. Filled with Papa's goodness, generous provision, dreams come true and hope for the future.

This year I've gotten the chance to do all kinds of things! From staffing a Worldview School with YWAM in Chile, to becoming the Coordinator of Bethel School of Supernatural Ministries DVD Curriculum translation. I'm such a privileged child of my most loving Father! This year He gave me the joy of spending the first half of the year in South America (getting to go to Buenos Aires and Santa Fe in Argentina, and Santiago, Viña del Mart and Valparaíso in Chile); to spending the second half of the year in the US (Alabama, Tennessee and now California). Yay God!!

My heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness... God is so good! He's good, He is so good!! not only that, but the "Christmas miracle" this year was being able to come home (to Monterrey, Mexico) for the holidays. Something that was not at all on my budget! He made it possible through a very generous offering that I got just for this purpose! ...(speechless, in awe).

"Just when you think you know how good God is, 

He takes you a layer deeper into His goodness" 

-Bill Johnson

That sums it up for me this year! Yay God!!

So on the verge of the new year my heart is filled with joy and expectation, of the next layer of more of Him, of getting to co-create and co-labor, to stick to Him through thick and thin; to see His kingdom come in and through me! I am blessed to be a blessing; I ask for His blessings that the Nations may know just how incredibly GOOD my God is;

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us —so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you.

Psalm 67:1-5

That's my prayer for you and I, have a great 2012!

♫ ♪ Mi Padre Me Ama Tanto ♪

For the last week I've had an ongoing song in my head! It's a song by Dominican salsa singer Juan Luis Guerra. For many years he has been an icon of salsa music, and then a few years ago he was radically saved. The song in my head is from his first album after his conversion and the lyrics that keep going through my head go kind of like this:

Mi padre me ama tanto que

Su Hijo dio por mí

Por siempre las gracias le daré...

Mi Padre me ama tanto

Su amor es eterno y santo

Tan grande que no puedo entender

Me viste de ropa fina

Me anhela y me dio Su vida

Gloria, aleluya, Padre fiel

Mi Padre me ama tanto que

Soy su heredero

Me ha dado Su nombre y Su poder

Me viste de gloria y de bondad,

Bendito mi Señor

A mi Dios por siempre exaltaré

Y cantaré...

Which means:

My Father loves me so much that

He gave His Son for me 

I will always be thankful...

My Father loves me so much

His love is eternal and holy

So great that I cannot understand it

He clothes me in a fine robe

He longs for me and gave me life

Glory, halleluja, faithful Father

Mi Father loves me so much that 

I am His heir 

He's given me His name and His Power

He clothes me with glory and kindness

My blessed Lord

I will always exalt Him

and I will sing...

Pretty powerful lyrics! There's actually more to the song (and it's all very good), but those are the words that have kept going through my head... over and over. I'm soaking them in, getting them deeper, singing to Him, hearing Him sing over me! 

So in this season where meaning can run through the cracks of shopping madness, end of the year anxiety, and a loss of true meaning; I'm reminded of this extravagant, indescribable, unfathomable, wild love that my Papa loves me with. He is, in deed the reason for the season... it is all about His love, for He is LOVE!

The Sky Clears Up

Oh!! Black Friday... There seems to have been some madness out there, with shoppers desperate to get their deals... thankfully, I celebrated the "holiday" by staying at home, making "next day turkey carcass soup" (which turned out really flavorful and yummy!), and painting!

On Thanksgiving we had decided to put out a big canvas for our guests to paint whatever they felt like painting and end up with a corporate painting. Someone started with a blue background, then someone else added the ocean, then a sun... then big dark brown clouds!? I'll spare you the pic (it wasn't that bad, just not what my roommates and I had hoped for).

So yesterday we... um, we had to say something. Big dark clouds wasn't going to do it for this beautiful canvas that was to decorate our home. Thankfully one of my roommates mentioned it first and so we were able to agree with her that we had bigger and brighter dreams for this canvas.

I was determined! I got all set and started by making the sun way bigger, covering part of the clouds even with that move. Brightness and joy started to jump of the canvas, and I started feeling like I was truly performing a prophetic act. One cool thing about painting is that no matter how bad it looks you can always change it, you can always make it better, it's up to you...

I kept feeling like I was clearing the skies. No matter who had painted on it before, no matter what they had done, no matter how dark those other clouds were, it was up to me to bring the light. It took a couple hours (it's a big canvas) but I had so much fun playing with the colors and discovering all that came out from the experience. Then there it was:

Sunrise!! Clear skies! Yay!! It might not be perfect, and I could probably work some more on it, but I like where it's at right now... lighter colors, warmth, joy and peace... the canvas is what I make of it (with the help and inspiration of Holy Spirit, as I partner with Him in everything), even if others bring darkness, I can clear it up, clean it up; I can bring the Son-Rise ;)

...

Speechless.

Thankfulness is the theme of the day, but in my life it's been the theme of the season. Really! Where do I start? My Papa has always been so good to me and He's teaching me to have eyes to see beyond, into the little details and thoughts through which He celebrates me... He celebrates me! That in itself it's reason to be thankful for life; and then a long list of blessings rushes into my mind and my heart is overwhelmed with His tenderness and joy! Wo-hooooo!!! He loves me! :D Him and I we have a history, it's been growing, it's unfolding, it's ours alone, it's intimate & miraculous... and I'm simply thankful.

I'm thankful for this season and the seasons prior that brought me here, I'm thankful for my spiritual and biological family, thankful for friendships of a lifetime and new friendships, thankful for His faithful provision and His teaching of living in joy through anything as log as He's with me; I'm thankful for the assignment over my life in this season, thankful for the amazing people involved in fulfilling it with me, thankful, thankful, thankful and then some...

I'm alive, I get to smell, see, hear, touch and taste the goodness of my Maker in His creation; beauty all around! Each day a new chance to see His mercies, His care, His righteousness and power, His love. I get to feel beyond my senses all His goodness, all His care. "God is good" is so much more than a phrase that a congregation shouts when the pastor prompts them to, it's a profound reality beyond this world, beyond the very words that utter it. God is good!

Sorry for the rambling, but this morning my heart was overflowing with the theme of the day and I just wanted it to leak through my fingertips as I wrote this entry. May our eyes be opened even wider to the beauty and the love of the most incredible Lover, the most thoughtful Savior and Friend.

Feathers

 It is 11/11/11 the global day of worship, and Bethel Church in Redding is having a 48 hour House of Prayer event, with continous worship that started last night and goes on until tomorrow. I love creative expressions, and always wanted to worship through plastic arts. I remember that when I was little I thought it would be cool for someone to paint on stage while worship was going on... that was way before I ever saw it happen through other people. ha,ha! Yesterday, my friend Janelle and I got invited to sign up to paint at the front of the Twin View Campus, where the House of Prayer is event is happening. Honestly it was a bit intimidated and I said no at first; but she knew it was something I'd been wanting to do and offered to do it together. Yay!! 

We signed up for today on the 10am-12pm, which meant that in this glorious day of worship, we would be doing prophetic art at 11:11 am on 11/11/11, how cool is that?? We wanted to do a test run, so during last night's worship we asked Papa for a picture. He gave us the concept of rain down, feathers and gavel; and together we painted the picture on the right that I feel stands for Papa's justice with a rain down of feathers in colors that represent glory, revelation and healing... it was so much fun! 

So today we went for the real deal, right at the front, with another 4 artists we took position before the canvas. By now I was no longer scared but excited and with anticipation of what Papa and Holy Spirit would do. It was so much fun!! I felt an explosion of creativity in worship the whole time. It was so good to partner with Holy Spirit and connect with my friend. Isn't that what life is about? Relationship with God and relationship with people that brings forth beauty and speaks life to this earth. That's exactly what we did, and God spoke so much, and it felt like such a life & love giving experience. My friend and I kept sharing what we felt God was speaking and painting over each other's work, and this was the result; fun worhsip! We actually did two pictures, the one on the left of this paragraph is one of them, we felt God wanted to release a continuation from last night's painting with the feathers... and then refining fire, gold of joy and beauty.

I can't get over how fun it was to do this; listen to Holy Spirit, worship Jesus, honor Papa, paint with a friend... I'm so thankful that we had this opportunity and that creativity is released in His presence. 

Pozole

The weather's getting cooler, the year seems to be dialing down, 9 more weeks for 2012!? I feel like I'm just getting started!

Around the awesome culture that I live in these days, a lot of people come and go. There's always something going on, "special events" are more regular than "normal days". It's glorious! It's crazy! I love it! ... and in the midst of that one gets asked "what's next?" rather often. It's so tempting to come up with some smart answer or wild vision, it's encouraged, and I agree with the encouragement... and yet... well... I like planning, trust me; but I feel like a lot of times Papa won't give us the next step until we're ready for it, and while dreaming and envisioning are crucial for our lives, planning without Papa's direction can go downhill pretty quick.

I believe that the true meaning of living by faith is not necessarily connected to monthly support vs. paying job; living by faith is about knowing we each have a customized path, and we are to dynamically follow the Teacher in order to run the race. "Customized", as in we cannot compare ourselves with anyone else; as in following in the "good works" that He prepared in advance for us to do... We are to dream wildly, but hang loose to those dreams because only Papa knows how they'll play out.

So, that brings me to Pozole; it's a Mexican soup made with spices, hominy and meat; in my culture we have it on special occasions, like family gatherings and wedding after-parties. We make it when the weather starts to get cold so that it warms up the house. I made some for a lunch for Latin-american leaders the other day; and it was so yummy!! The texture, and the blending of flavors that comes from the ingredients boiling together for a long time; delicious! Pozole takes a while to cook, and it's all about "enjoying the process"... see where I'm going?? he, he... that's the path that I feel The Teacher has me on right now; dreaming unreasonably while seizing the day! I don't want to focus on tomorrow's circumstances because I have no idea what they'll look like! So, my apologies to Paul Manwaring, but I don't have a plan ("I Have a Plan", is the theme of this year's deployment program)! I'm not making excuses for it, not saying I won't come up with one in due time. My plan is to not plan, unless I get a blueprint from Papa; I want to live by faith, in constant dialogue with the One who has all the answers, rather than making stuff up or comparing my walk with others. 

Autumn

Pumpkin patches, nutmeg & cinnamon, leafs turning colors... yup! Fall seems to finally be here. Well as much as it is going to be in Northern California. The pic might not reflect it that well, but we have definitely have some fall-landscape going on. I'm enjoying it!

Seasons are really good when we learn to enjoy the nuances of them. Right now I'm in an amazing season, and the colorful surroundings just highlight it all the more. It's not that there haven't been any challenges, but it's easier to face them when you're at the right place, at the right time. There's such a deep sense of peace in my heart just from knowing that; I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, come what may.

I'm learning all kinds of things, I'm using and growing in the gifts that Papa has placed in me, I'm part of an amazing community, I am free, I am loved; I am speechless at the goodness of God and how much He knows my heart. I used to think "God's goodness" was completely mysterious, and you had to figure out what it meant in each circumstance. This has been a time of realizing that while I may not understand the full extension of God's goodness, it is quite literal. He knows my heart, He's redeemed it, it matters to Him! How awesome is that? He cares about the things I care for... A lot of times even more than I care for them. wow!! He is so good!! God is so good! God is so good!

The Blue Box

One of the things I really enjoy is art. Performing arts, plastic arts, art history all have taken a special spot in my hearts since I was a child. I took painting lessons growing up, and really enjoyed it. ...But it never occurred to me that the arts could be used for "ministry" until a few years ago. Then I started to hear about prophetic art and really liked the concept. If only there was a way that I could get activated in using the technique that I had learnt with the prophetic that Holy Spirit had in store for me? I wondered.

I had painted landscapes and basic figures, but I felt there was more to it. I just didn't know how. I experimented with a couple things as you can see on the pics made with color pencils (my thing is more oil paintings and pastels, but I tried). Coming to Redding one of the things that excited me was being able to somehow get involved in the arts and grow in it. So I signed up for a short course on "Supernatural Art". Today was my first class and it was fun!!! 

The speaker had a word of knowledge about "blue box", a couple people shared what it meant to them, and I remembered that growing up I put all my painting materials in a blue box (they're still there at home in Mexico). She prayed over us for a release "out of the box", a time where all creativity would flow like it did with Bezaleel (Exodus 35) when he was filled with the Holy Spirit. That's it! That's what my heart identified with!!! I always thought of myself as more of a craft girl, rather than an artist... the difference being artists are creative and craftsmen only follow patterns or things they see. But I've realized I was wrong; Papa put creativity in me and He is waiting for me to partner with Him and use it. I'm excited for what will come out of this season of activation and experimenting, I'm excited for the prophetic and the supernatural side of this ability that I had already been working on... I'm excited for the growth and the learning experience that I'll get. The colors, the brushes, the styles, the textures need to come out of the box... out of the blue box.

A Simple Prayer

I don't have much to say today. This has really been a blessed season and I'm enjoying it to the fullest. My heart is sincerely overflowing with thankfullness... and then some :). Yay God!!

The word that keeps coming to mind is surrender; which is what this pic says for me;

Today I came across this prayer, called "The Franciscan Benediction", and I wanted to share it, I'm definitely praying it over me, but with as all good things I cannot keep it to myself, so here it goes:

May God bless you with discomfort

At easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships,

So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger

At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,

So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears

To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,

So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness

To believe that you can make a difference in the world,

So that you can do what others claim cannot be done,

To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

Yeah! 

Merchant of Souls

Yesterday a friend and I went to the showing of the documentary "Nefarious; Merchant of Souls". Honestly I didn't know what to expect at first. I knew it was about human traffic, I knew it was going to be heavy, and I was honestly hoping it was well made.

I was blown away! Not just by the high quality of the material, but more so by the weaving of the issue it conveys. Sexual slavery is a real issue, and as embassadors of the Kingdom, we cannot afford to ignore the reality of it. "Nefarious" tells the story of the journey of Benjamin Nolot and his crew, as they travel through four continents unveiling the deep layers of this horrible crime. As a true abolitionist and a true believer, Benji does an amazing job at bringing both awareness and hope to the situation. Watching the film stirs anger, despair, grief, hunger for justice, and in the end the realization that the only hope is Justice Himself; Jesus Christ.

I could say much, much more. There is so much to be said about the subject, about Christian documentaries, and causes, about Kingdom justice and how to bring it about. But I rather let you experience this film and feel, and see for yourself all that I saw and experienced. So watch it if you get a chance, go to their website (www.nefariousdocumentary.com), help bring awareness... and as you do, ponder the words of slavery abolitionist William Wilberforce,

“If to be feelingly alive to the sufferings of my fellow-creatures is to be a fanatic, I am one of the most incurable fanatics ever permitted to be at large.”

... and become an incurable fanatic.

Saturday

Time, and dates and all those fun calendar things are always a mystery to me... I love how time goes by, and many times I live in these peculiar tension of feeling like the days fly by, yet the time goes slow. Sometimes  the former season feels miles away. Today is one of those days where I feel like the Alabama summer, and visiting with my family in Mexico was so long ago, like I've been living in Redding for longer, certainly for longer than the actual 25 days that have gone by since my arrival.

Today is Saturday! Slow going, cooler weather, background music, chill Saturday! Finally things came together and I have a place to live, a bed to sleep on, a cell phone to communicate with... it finally feels like I live in Redding, Ca... It's wonderful and new, yet it already feels familiar. I'm still in awe, ever increasing awe, of Papa's care and ways; to bring me here, to put everything together, to provide for everything. This has been such a season of discovery, and it's only getting started! The feeling of being exactly where I need to be is so relieving! It enables me to enjoy every minute of the day, every person I meet, every project that begins, every miracle that invades... It takes a day like this to sit and soak it in; yay God, yay Saturday!

...And then God became Real

As I just posted on Facebook, 10 years ago today I started Youth With a Mission's training program, called Discipleship Training School. I had come to know Christ as a child and since I "prayed the prayer" I knew something was different, that I was free. But on the summer of 2001 something else happened; all those words I had learnt in Sunday School became meaningful in my life. We learn to say, that God is good, faithful, generous, loving, involved; and it's true, but this time around they were so real in everyday life!

I experience God showing up, speaking to me, providing, healing, leading. You know people say that you really get to know someone when you travel with them? I met Papa in travelling with Him. I felt His compassionate heart for people and nations, for creation and communities. I experienced His love for me and for others. I heard His voice and learned to depend on Him. I learned He really cares!! he, he, even over the details, the cravings, the "little things".

I still have a long ways to go. There's so much more of Him to discover, to encounter, to learn. I've been so hungry for more and I find myself ten years later in the beginning point of a new awesome adventure with Him that I know will take me to another level! I want more!

As I start this project of translating the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministries I feel honored, humbled and overwhelmed by His goodness in choosing me and bringing me her for such a time as this. This is definitely a dream come true, and I'm thankful for it.

Today I look back on my history with my Papa and see His faithfulness and love; I look forward to the road  ahead and see His grace and favor. Deep gratitude in my heart, expectation, and excitement fill me, as I stand in worship to the One in the midst of this amazing community of believers. Yay!

I made it. Now what?

After months of prayer and preparation I made it to Redding, California on September 6th. It was very early in the morning and so it's all kind of a blur, but the good thing is that I'm finally here, yay God!!

To be completely honest, moving to Redding, and having this opportunity at Bethel is a dream come true, so it's a bit surreal to see it all happen before my eyes. Yesterday I got a tour through the offices at Bethel Church and that made it all the more real. There's no turning back, I'm here for this season. The best part is just seeing how incredibly faithful Papa has been throughout this whole process. Visa, plane tickets, favour, favour and more favour  He's so good. It gives me so much peace to feel His guiding hand holding mine every step of the way.

Janelle Fite (a friend) and I, have been staying at a temporary house that once again we got by His grace and favor, but we need to find a permanent place to live ASAP. Specially since next week we have a lot of activities beginning. I'd appreciate your prayers in that regard, I know Papa has the perfect spot for us (affordable, close to Bethel, etc.)!

Today I met with Amy, she will be my leader for the next year (at least). We talked and casted vision for this season... it was so great, I could've stayed there for hours! It's going to be a great, busy, challenging, amazing, growing, incredible time... I can feel it :).

Fulfillment... Chronicle of the Year so Far

In January of this year I had the chance to say good-bye to my mom and my family once again. I had had the joy of spending Christmas at home, and it was now time to get back to South America. I was leaving on a one-way ticket, so I didn't really now when I would get to see them again. My plan was to go to Chile and Argentina for the first semester of the year and Colombia for the second half.

As my mom hugged me good-bye at the airport she said "This is going to be a year of fulfillment for you, the Lord just told me". I thought the word was more to ease my mom's concerns than for me, but I was more than thankful for Papa's affirmation. 

In deed the first half of the year was great! Looking back I have nothing but gratefulness in my heart over His faithful provision and all that I got to do. From staffing the Worldview course, to getting some down-time in Viña del Mar. I travelled through Chile and Argentina seeing His hand upon me every moment. Yet there was some kind of unsettling in my heart about going back home.

I remember one day during my time with God I heard Him say, "You're going back home but not to stay". That could mean so many different things. It was a few days later that I got an email from Leanne about the opportunity at Bethel. I immediately knew that was it, even though the process came through much later.

My mom's word keeps echoing in my heart... a year of fulfillment. I feel like I've live so much this year, and yet I know there is so very much to come still. I will be in Redding a week from today. Things have worked themselves out so smoothly, it's a miracle everyday.

Thank you reader and friend for partnering with me in this adventure, for taking the time to read this, support me, pray for me. I pray for you. I "continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God..." (Colossians 1:9-10)  

Deployment

I'm a word geek. I always had a fascination for knowing where words came from and what the true meaning of them is, which has helped me a lot as and interpreter/translator. So when I was told that I'd be going through the "deployment" program at Bethel for the internship in September, I immediately looked up the real meaning of the word (also because it's kind of a difficult word to translate into Spanish, and many times it's more helpful to get the meaning in the original language, and find yourself the word that applies for the term in the other language).

Deployment: "move into effective action/ move into position for military action."

Loved it!! In September I'm being "deployed" to Bethel, Redding to be positioned into action for the destiny that God has given me. One of the main parts of my assignment description will be to translate the School of Supernatural Ministry material into Spanish. I've done translation for many years and now it seems like at least in part it's for this time, for this assignment. I know there's more to it, and more to the life that God has given me. I don't think I'm "just a translator", but I do believe it's one of the gifts where I've found most favor, and it's opened many doors for me! So I'm very, very thankful! ...and in the midst of it all I get to be a student again; a student of Jesus, a student of miracles... the more I learn the more I realize there's so much more to know!

Saturday I fly back home to Mexico from Alabama. I can't believe the summer has gone by so fast! It was such a blessing to spend time with Leanne Goff (my spiritual mom) and to help develop the Seeing through Heaven's Eyes seminar. I can't believe I get to do be a part of this! God is so good! Isn't it amazing how the connection that God brings into your life just bless you and help you be a blessing to others? I believe the subject of this seminar is crucial in the season that we're in; so if you get a chance buy Leif Hetland's book "Seeing Through Heaven's Eyes" and sign up to listening to what he has to say. Daddy God has given him an incredible revelation that overflows with real love and truth.

Anyways, one step at the time. I'm excited about going home for a couple weeks, getting things ready, seeing my family... eating real Mexican food! :) God is in deed good & faithful!

The Currency of Heaven

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)


I've read this passage many times. I've heard it quoted when at the times of the tithing and the offering. I never really thought about what Paul meant by the statement "He became poor", and I mean, Paul is in deed talking about money, but at the same time he's talking about something much deeper: love & relationships.

Yes, Jesus had everything He needed in Heaven, but what could he possibly need? What is the currency of Heaven? Not gold, that's for sure, what is valuable down here is pavement material there... The currency of heaven is love, and a love that can only be expressed through relationship. Do you know where I'm going with this?

The other day I was reading about the source of poverty and how it really has nothing to do with resources or possessions. I was researching on the causes of poverty as a mentality, and how it comes from the lack of relationship with the One who made everything that is. It suddenly dawned on me; Jesus Christ, having the most amazing, close relationship with His Dad, chose to come to a place where that relationship was limited, so that we could have access to that wealth. Wow!! His sacrifice in coming wasn't so much about having to be born in a manger, or be raised by a carpenter; but about being in a place where the honoring, perfect relationship with the Father was under a different dynamic. He had to actually set time apart and encounter God, He had become poor, so that we could become rich...

The Road

I love road trips! he, he, I love how you get to sit, to be still, and yet go somewhere. It might help that I'm usually a passenger and not a driver, but I think even if I drove I would like it.

Today we went from Florence, AL to Nashville, TN to spend the day. The landscape on the road was beautiful; trees and rivers lit by the shinny sun, a clear path. It made me think about the One who called Himself the Road. Jesus Christ. He's a much, much, greater "road".

Jesus is the path to our most important appointment ever, the one with the Father... and I'm not talking about the "when I die" kind of trip; but more like the everyday necessary journey, constantly bringing us to encounter with our Maker, constantly standing on Truth & Life. He's not the "safest" road, but definitely the most worth going through. So, enjoy the ride!

To Be? To Do?

Neither? Both?

I used to have such a crisis about this! haha... Though I really didn't grow up in a church that was activism oriented, you always hear about your "duties" for Christ. Then I went to YWAM and really tried to live by the slogan: "To know God, and to make Him known".

Many teachings are out there emphasizing one side or de other of the equation. "We need to get out there and do more, there's a world out there that needs to know of the Savior" or "just be, you're a daughter of the All Mighty and His grace is upon you, you don't need to do anything for Him to love you more".... ahhh!! which one is it?

As with many issues of the Kingdom the answer is: both! The truth is that there should not be a separation between who I am and what I do. Our identity is always related to our assignment. Always!

There didn't use to be a separation in the Hebrew culture, which is why you don't hear Jesus saying "don't do, just be". What He did do was encourage people to choose their activities wisely, like stating that Mary had chosen the better deal when she sat at His feet to hang on to His every word. He too would sometimes choose to pray all night, or set Himself apart from the crowd. 'Cause the truth is that "being still", "meditating", "soaking"; are all activities that require intentionality; and witnessing, sharing, spending time with our family, working, going to church, and hanging out, should all to come out of who we really are.

There's a whole lot of doing out of who we're not, and not doing out of who we are; and my challenge every day is to be coherent in my actions, so that they may follow my identity. If I really believe that what I believe is the truth, then I must act in accordance. But often times people don't, I don't. It's the same problem James was having with the people in His church;

Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, "Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I'll handle the works department."

Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.

James 2:17-18, The Message

When we really know who we are and Whose we are, nothing can stop us from fulfilling our destiny; and the best part is that is that there's a "destiny"! God wants to partner with you & me in co-creating actively. This isn't about some pre-determned fatalistic fate, it's about a purposeful adventure with the most benevolent Father! Sign me up! Yay!

A Spec

The Pale Blue Dot

Cool Picture, huh? Have you seen this before?

This is a picture taken back in 1990 by the Voyager 1 looking back to Earth as it continues its travels. It's called "The Pale Blue Dot". Do you see that tiny blue spec on the fourth ray that almost looks like a flaw on the lens? That is Earth.

Um... We're small in a vast and amazing Cosmos!

The Atheist Scientist Carl Sagan said about this picture:

From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of any particular interest. But for us, it's different. Look again at that dot. That's here, that's home, that's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.

The man has  point. But he looked at that little dot rather hopeless, and though it makes you feel very, very small it also helps me put things in perspective. I am small, God is big! He really, really y BIG! He made all those people I've loved, and every hero, and every superstar, He made every star on the sky and He knows them by name. He knows me by name... and, in that vast Cosmos and beyond, HE REIGNS! What a marvel to be able to put things in perspective thanks to the science of astronomy!

The heavens really declare the Glory of the All Mighty God! And there is so much more that's still being explored. No problem is too big, no circumstance to overwhelming for our God. Yaaay! Isn't that a relief?

Summer in Alabama

Yup! Like the country song... I'm currently in Florence, Alabama spending some precious time with my spiritual mama Leanne Goff, and our Kingdom Family up here. Aside from catching up on life and hanging out, we're putting together a seminar on Kingdom Worldview! wohooo!

I've been reading Leif Hetland's book "Seeing Through Heaven's Eyes" since he's the one that will be developing the seminar and the culture of seeing from a Heaven's perspective... it's awesome! Highly recommendable, aside from the fact that is such an easy read. Usually stuff on world-view can get to brainy (not that I entirely mind that), but he mainly takes you on a journey of discovery, the journey he himself walked to get to where he's at right now. Precious!

We're asking the hard questions with a twist: why do we believe what we believe as Christians? ...but more importantly: How do I see myself? How do I see God? How do I see others? And, how do I see the future? When we get encounter revelation of those answers it unveils a whole different perspective that brings you to an upgraded vision, a truer one.

Anyway, I'm also moving on with the preparations to more to Redding, California! So exciting! ...more details still to come (as I find them out myself).

News!!

All rightie! A new month has come, and with it some exciting news:

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

I so identify with that verse right now. In the best of ways! I had plan to spend the second half of the year in Colombia, learning about communications for the Kingdom. Well it seems that Papa’s plan was along the lines of communications, but quite in the way I thought.

I just got an internship position at Bethel Church in Redding, California, to help translate all the material of the School of Supernatural Ministries! This is a huge blessing and a dream come true, as I have a deep respect and appreciation for this church and the way their community brings His Kingdom. It is also a chance to extend this amazing revelation to the Spanish speaking countries, which is where my heart is.

I’m really excited about this opportunity, and I ask you to pray with me for the things that need to be worked out so that this calling may be fulfilled:

• The grace, favor and skill to do all that’s required of me as I fill this position. I’ll be working with the group that coordinates the planting of new schools at Bethel, so there’s more to it than the translating.
• The timing and logistics to work out. I might need a different kind of Visa than the one I currently have, so please pray with me that I can get it and that it would be ready on time for me to start my job.
• The finances. This is not a paid position. This is one of the biggest challenges for me, since life in Latinamerica is much cheaper. Right now I don’t have a specific amount of how much I would need, but I’ll let you know as soon as I do. In the mean time, please pray with me for Daddy’s provision. He’s always been so faithful at that!

I’ll let you know more details as I find out more of the specifics… Thanks for taking the time to read this and share this joy with me!! Please let me know what you’re up to and how I can pray for you as well.

Be abundantly blessed!

I Can Do All Things...

Very famous verse: Philippians 4:13... 


Not so famous context: 
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:12-13).


Riiight! So, even tho' I've used this verse many times as an encouragement to get over situations. I think it can work like that too... but, God is giving me more and more revelation of what Paul meant, and what that means in my life. "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty..." Such is life! Specially the life of a missionary to the Nations. Don't get me wrong I don't think having a "misery mentality" is what Paul is talking about here, and neither am I. 


A few weeks ago I was in Santa Fe, Argentina having lunch with a family from a local church, and they asked a friend and I if we'd ever been "in need" while travelling. I've experienced God's faithful provision for many years, He's taking me to amazing places from Africa to Europe, to South America... so I could never said I was in need! But no, I usually don't stay at hotels, nor do I always eat food that I would prefer, or even have greatest accommodations. ...so my reply was, -people always give us their best- and it's true.


Everywhere I've had the privilege to go, the body of Christ has received us with the best they have. So while that might mean a hut in an indigenous community (been there), it might also be a room all to myself in a home house (done that too). Thus, I prefer The Message's version of Philippians, just because it's more what I've lived:


"I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am". :)

Daddy's little girl, Christ's little sister... rooted in Him!

Youth With A Mission is an international-interdenominational movement that began 50 years ago with the dream of a young guy who had the guts to believe His Father to bring "waves of young people to reach out to the nation..." through mercy, evangelism and training... what does that have to do with me? Well, I am part of that dream... On april 7th, of 2001 I joined the 18,000 people force called YWAM. I am a YWAMer, I speak YWAMese; I know the meaning of DTS, SOE, quiet time, outreach, LTS and a bunch of other words that one can learn. Yet, before being a YWAMer, I am Daddy's daughter and Jesus' co-heir... wow!!! what a privilege!

I don't think I'll always live in a YWAM base, and I actually feel Daddy's calling me to a time of closure of the active membership of this organization... but I cannot forget that it was through this tribe of radical Christians, that my Daddy first taught me what "missions" is. I'm thankful! Looking back I can only thank God and the people He surrounded me with for the incredible journey of discovery and service. By His pure grace, generosity and love I've been able to travel to 13 countries in 4 out of the 5 continents of the world, carrying His Kingdom! 

One word: THANKS! To my Papa, to my family (both biological and spiritual) who has believed with me in God's call, to everyone who's been a part of it!!!

World... who???

I'm helping organize Kingdom-World View Seminars... what is that about?? Well, we get that question a lot.

You know those deep questions in life; Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I going? What's valuable? For some reason, every culture has asked that question (maybe it has to do with that verse in Ecclesiastes that says He's put eternity in people's hearts even if they don't understand it). "Worldview" it's about studying the different responses that different cultures have given to those questions. It goes deeper than that, it goes into studying how reality is interpreted in different ways by different cultures... what "glasses" do people see reality with. Then again it's not just about all that information; because we can study history, and philosophy, arts, science, geography, literature and all those from different perspectives and in the light of different religions, and that would only give us so much light we could go blind all together.

So? What to do then? ... We ask the Holy Spirit!! Oh relief! He knows what to do, He's the source of all true creativity and inspiration, He is God! Studying all these deep things is not about become smarter, or being able to analyze everything we see and do, even though that is the result of it sometimes. It's about the cross, it's about recognizing those people who truly had a Kingdom World-view and changed the course of history in their nation and ultimately in the world. It's about becoming inspired by those giant killers and following their lead into every sphere of society.

Christians with courage are the authors of such things as the first universities, the Red Cross, the abolition of slavery in England, changed economy systems to take their country out of deep poverty in Norway. People who saw heroes from the Bible like Daniel, David, Solomon, Joseph the dreamer, and instead of saying "why?" and giving all kinds of dogmatic pseudo-Christian excuses, they said "why not?" and believed God for the impossible!!

I believe those future heroes are hidden among us, some of them don't even know it yet, some have given up, some think they're calling is to "secular" and God could not possibly be calling to something such as politics, or anthropology. But Daddy God has started to give me His eyes to look at these treasures and recognize His dreams in them. I can only be faithful and become His accomplice in this amazing conspiracy to bring His Kingdom to all in all. There's no better place to be at!

um... so yeah, that's Worldview, or something like that...

Community!

Before becoming a YWAMer (almost ten years ago), I used to think "Christian Fellowship" referred to a church event. Like "the youth group is getting together for tacos" or, "the women are going to have a "ladies night out". It always made me think of a song we have in Spanish, from that Psalm that talks about how it's good and delightful for the brethren to dwell together.

I sometimes laugh a little inside when I sing it in church, because Christian fellowship has become so much more than getting together on Sunday's or Wednesday night, to talk about the Bible or sing... My name is Jazmin Garza, and I'm living at a YWAM base, in Argentina right now. Through that, I've learnt the other meaning, the kind that starts at the shower line, at 6am, when you're waiting for the girl with the long hair to get out of the shower; the kind that involves sharing with an Ecuadorian, an Argentine and an American for lunch (when we all have very different cultures about what "lunch" means).

It's awesome! It's so real... um... and it has its challenges. It's one thing to sing the Psalm when you gather wearing your Sunday's best, it's another to actually live everyday with people, getting to know them at their best and worst. It brings a different kind of closeness, people become more attached more quickly. it makes you so vulnerable, it opens your eyes to "cultural principles" as opposed to "world wide truths". So the confrontation with everything you believe may not be the smoothest, but it's certainly a blessing. Church happens in the midst of daily conversations; worship happens as you clean toilets together, nations bless each other and look out for each others needs. I admit it's not as poetic as it sounds, yet it is truthful, it's enriching.

To me Christian fellowship is not longer some church term for a scheduled meeting with a certain group. It's life itself. We were created for relationships, and living in community brings that blessing!

I'm in Buenos Aires, Argentina right now. It has already been a year filled with surprises and gifts from Daddy.

I spent January and February, mostly working with the YWAM Worldview School in Santiago, Chile. The school gathered teachers that work in both Christian and non-Christian schools, to explore the truth of God in the Education realm. It was fantastic! We were able to set the foundation that God IS in education and science and arts and literature. It's not about us trying to put Him into those subjects; He is the author of real education and creativity; the maker of the nature we study!

At the beginning of March I came to Argentina, to help out at the YWAM base here. I've been interpreting for the Discipleship School, for the Art School, and mainly helping put together a Worldview School here. We're calling philosophers, scientists and professionals who have a Kingdom view, and are making a difference in society, to come and share. We're calling young and old who would want to come and listen, so that they can live differently in whatever area of society that they might be involved with.

I am here, in the middle of everything that's going on in the world, my prayer and my goal is His Kingdom come...