The Purpose of Life.

“A faithful, sensible servant is the one whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them.” Matt 24:25 

 Recently, a friend and I were talking about her concern for prayer not being enough. And while we both feel prayer is essential and powerful (see Matt 21:21)...its high time people, including us start getting our acts together and doing something to make a positive change in the life around us! As I listened to her voice the concern about the future and condition of our country and government...and fear that getting too involved may be dangerous for her family.... I couldn’t help but think we all have a part in the plan for change but lack the motivation to seek out what it actually is. This can even make us so angry that we blame others for not fulfilling our part. Ridic. Also find it saddening that sometimes we know the role we are to fulfill but fears take over and we are scared to step into fight for our rights.

          I believe God has a specific plan for each of our lives, that no one else can fulfill. I also believe He is calling us to fulfill them which will turn some of our prayers into reality. My friend and I sat there trying to think of how to figure out our purpose is and when the plan will come to fruition.

 With this on my mind, I opened up to Matthew. God started to spill out simplicity....

 When they asked Jesus what’s the most important commandment, He replied to Love the Lord your God will all you heart, all your soul and all your mind.

 -Quick stop and think of where my mind has been all day and sadly it wasn’t on Jesus, so How do I expect to fulfill my purpose when I wander, eyes off Him.

 Jesus also voiced the second commandment was equally as important “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

 -Quick stop, how many times do I think its all about me, me ,me ? --Too many!

 You know sometimes I think we can overcomplicate the idea of the “purpose of life” when we need to look no farther than God’s word.

 We were created to have life to the full, abundant, overflowing. John 10:10
 Love God.
Love People.

 (Shout out to Rev Dunn, just realized our church mission statement has become a little clearer to me, ptl. We appreciate you!)

 Simple as that. I think too often we search farther than our own backyards. When the truth is God gives us all we need to do all he has called us to. Love God, Love People. However that may look for you, just do it.  And for those of us struggling with fear, because we all do, Allow your passion and love for God and those around you to consume and motivation you soo much to the point that your life is nothing if it means those around you will have a better one!

 With this I leave you a blessing,

 And everyone who has given up houses or brother or sisters or father or mother or children or property for my sake will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be greatest then. “ Matthew 19:29-30 

 Thanks for listening,
 Allie

Somebody oughtta make time for that!

A right time to lament, another to cheer (Ecc. 3)

This pre-Easter Lent season is showing me so much about humility, repentance, suffering. Last weeks topic was Lament. So honest to Jesus I wasn't really sure about lamentation and if we needed to do so. I realize its essential but still not sure if I use it correctly in a sentence. Here are my notes and some captions of the Journey To the Cross devotional...

Lament: to show sorrow, regret, grief and mourn.

+We lament to realize the power of God in our suffering...

We often think that being a Christian means we must always be happy, sweeping our grief under the rug of God's sovereignty. YET God desires to enter into our pain: 

Romans 8:26-28

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

 +We lament to remind Him of his promises, we become less focused on the suffering and more focused on his mercy and forgiveness---his salvation open to us. AT NO COST. 

It is such a peaceful rest that blows ice coffees and massages out of the water. 

 

So what are we supposed to do with our pain, anger, grief and confusion? Can I bring these before God? Yes- David, Jeremiah, Job and even Jesus revealed to us that these emotions can actually be turn into prayers of faith. 

Jeremiah laments: 

...We hoped for peace— nothing good came from it; We looked for healing— and got kicked in the stomach...Your reputation is at stake! Don't quit on us! Don't walk out and abandon your glorious Temple! Remember your covenant. Don't break faith with us! Can the no-gods of the godless nations cause rain? Can the sky water the earth by itself? You're the one, O God, who does this. So you're the one for whom we wait. You made it all, you do it all. (Jeremiah 14:19-22 MSG)

Better news! Not only does God hear and understand our pain, Hes especially inclined to those who are hurting. 

Ps 34:18 says God is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 

+We lament before God, also for and with one another. 

It takes a different kind of faith and courage to do that! Often times we're afraid of other people's pain and we're afraid we don't have answers. To enter into someones suffering and to lament with them is to seek God with them. 

This devotion goes on to say the same way our failure to lament cuts us off from the heart of God , it also cuts us off from each other. If we are to love one another like Jesus commanded, we have to learn to weep with those who are weeping. Romans 12:15

We must pray with and over the hurting. This is essential to authentic Christian faith: "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galations 6:2 

Eugene Peterson says "For at least one reason why people are uncomfortable with tears and the aight of suffering is that is it a blasphemous assault on their precariously maintained American spirituality of the pursuit of happiness"  Its a lot easier to keep the American faith if they dont have to listen to our laments, if they dont have to deal with our tears. 

The way of Christian fellowship is  empathy, which means we must not assume that everyone around us is fine. We must listen for complaints and cries and help them become laments. In our gathered worship we must acknowledge hurting and leave room for suffering and silence.

We cant close our eyes to the things around us. We cant/ don't have pleasure and feel pleasant all the time. Dont get me wrong pleasure and joy are not bad things. But if we think our life should be pleasureable all the time, we are never going to be satisfied. We have to trust that God is with us even when things dont feel so good. Sometimes they are for our own good, and sometimes it a hurt result of the sin in this world. 

But I think we are so used to having what we need for all comfort- lattes and pedicures. We dont even turn an ear to the shoeless and hunger pains. 

We can act like its somebody else's problem, but face it --when you are having a problem you want and sometimes even expect people to be there helping you out. and remember God is always there.

+We lament to tune into God's plan and purpose...

I learned in the Lioness Arising study by Lisa Bevere, that when we truly see our God's purpose for us as "one reaching many" --thats where we find full satisfaction and healing. 

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10 NLT) 

That even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) (Ephesians 2:5 NLT)

For this reason I lament, and for this reason I rejoice.

Thanks for listening, 

Alyssa

To have it all is to stop doing it all.

So I used to think Lent was so other religions and glad I never had to give anything up. [lol, smh] Now I am seeing how Lent is close at the heart of Christianity! We give up [all preoccupations] so we can take up [all that we should be focused on] Anyway Raul found an awesome devotional for Lent, So I wanted to share what God has been showing me and was completely summed up on Day 14 of the devotional... During Lent, Jesus especially calls us to re-right our lives, to “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). The simple practice of self-denial in Lent teaches us that those who trust God to meet their needs are free to consider the needs of others. They discover this gospel paradox: As long as I’m looking to get my needs met, I will never get my needs met. But when I begin to meet the needs of others – when I begin to live for them instead of for myself – I find that God graciously takes care of my needs in the process. The grace of God turns us into servants. Instead of demanding that we be served, we joyfully lay down our rights and seek to serve God and others. God’s grace toward us in Christ needs to get down deep into our hearts in order to change us. We need to acknowledge our resistance to grace, which manifests itself in our desire to establish our righteousness and meet our needs apart from God. Jesus came to serve—to heal, to feed, to make more wine, to wash feet, and to die. When we humbly receive the fullness and sufficiency of his love, then we will find ourselves increasingly joyful and selfless as we delight in serving others. Closing Prayer O thou God of all grace, make me more thankful, more humble; Inspire me with a deep sense of my unworthiness arising from the depravity of my nature, my omitted duties, my unimproved advantages, thy commands violated by me. With all my calls to gratitude and joy may I remember that I have reason for sorrow and humiliation; O give me repentance unto life; Cement my oneness with my blessed Lord, that faith may adhere to him more immovably, that love may entwine itself round him more tightly, that his Spirit may pervade every fibre of my being. Then send me out to make him known to my fellow-men.[VOV] Amen

Day 9 (Rich & Satisfying Life:21day @YouVersion )

• 2 Kings 4:8-10 Woman from Shunem set up a room for Elisha to stay when he came by
• Acts 16:13-15  Lydia- insisted that Paul and Silas stay at her house. God gave her trust. 

I pray that God would give us trust. As we grow older, our hearts seem to grow harder. But If we have that trust we can know that when we do what God wants us to do, things will work out good- for his purpose! 

It was awesome that Lydia opened her house and Paul and Silas always had a place to stay and receive a meal and be encouraged. We need to be that for other people. We need to stop looking at just ourselves and how other people can help us. But how we can reach out and help other people. TRUST right now, with even the little you may feel you have, God can use it in a BIG BIG way. 

So I went on to read the story and it talks about a slave girl, physic who followed Paul and Silas for days until they finally got tired of it and commanded the spirit out of her. Her owners were upset because they couldnt make any money from her now. So they got Paul and Silas thrown in jail. And after beaten black and blue and thrown in the worst place, THEY PRAISED GOD! --God sent an earthquake, broke the chains off the prisoners. Its incredible to me, that they didnt say to themselves "Hey its a sign from God, lets run away!"- I probably would have. Yet they stayed uncomfortable because God had them there for a reason. They had known God  to be faithful. First setting the slave girl free, and breaking the chains on all the prisoners in the cell... which eventually lead to the guard (people fighting against Jesus) to be fighting FOR Him. I am totally amazed. 

Do you know God to be faithful?

Ive read this story time and time over, but this morning God really showed it to me in a new light and I am trying my best to convey it to you. I can't help but think of the many who are in-slaved today, and how much has to be done to rescue these sons and daughters. But if we are faithful, stick around and stay in the fight---just like Paul and Silas we will see many free and come to Jesus. This just excites my soul so much. That my attitude changes to those who ARE being rescued, and even just for one to be saved, my fight is worth it. Tears come to my eyes when I think to a few months back, I had dreams literally scared for my life to get involved in the fight of human trafficking. But as much as my heart aches now for those unsaved, how much more it would to ignore the issue! 

We, I, you and Me--need to open not only our homes but our hearts to the people around us. At the end of the story it says Paul and Silas go back to Lydia's house. A home that they know to be safe and they encouraged their friends there. If Jesus is rescuing people, they need a place to stay and be loved on, and that's where we come in. Foster kids, elderly, disabled, trafficked, hurting and even missionaries need places to stay. If we open our homes up (for a fact) because we set out to bless someone, God will actually pour blessings out on us. (See Mark 10:30) He is faithful to do it. He sees us and knows our biggest needs. Lydia, a woman of trust, trust God that He is good and he is able. 

My hope for you today starts with a quote  "Not everyone can do everything, but everyone can do something." We busy ourselves and think we have no time because we're trying to do other than what God has called us to specifically. Ask God what that is for you today. Do you want to set captives free? Do you want to be free? God can give us way more abundantly than we every thought possible to accomplish everything He wants us to do. 

 Maybe your fight is not directly related to human trafficking. OK. Ask God, He will lead you. Whats your passion? Line it up with God's. Injustice in the world is SO overwhelming; we look at it and say it's too much, there's nothing we can do. But we have to be the change we want to see, we have to inspire those and be thankful for those who have inspired us. We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and what he is doing, Stop ignoring it. Slow down. Enjoy life, God and all he has for you, even right now. 

My prayer for us today is what Paul writes to us in Phil 4:12...

"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."

R u Trippin?

 A Cause and Cure for Worry.

So I got a letter from my dear friend Joyce Meyer. It was entitled cause and cure for worry. Honestly it probably sat in my mail pile for about 3 months now. Today, I picked up and go hmm, I should give this to my mom, sounds like it’d be good for her. Then I thought hey, if Im going to give it to her I should probably read it first. And turns out it was for me, her and everyone else who turns an ear to what God has to say...

Joyce started talking about the greatest thing that separates Christians who enjoy their lives and everyone else.

If people are to realize all God has for them, their lives need be characterized by a heart fully at peace. 

You will never live in peace until you allow God to show you the cause and cure for worry in your life. 

Lets STOP. I knew I couldn’t entitle my blog today “cause and cure for worry” because you probably would have not read it, thinking the same as I did, tell yourself you are not a worried wart, everythings all good, and the truth is you might be worried if you are actually wasting time clicking the link to my blog. You might be worried that by the time you get to the end of this, that you may not be able to deem it as important productivity and therefore a complete waste of time.  But this truth of God has lead me to slow my life down enough to write this blog so bet your bottom dollar, it will give you freedom and victory, read on...

I always say when God is saying something to his people he comes at it in all directions. Conversations with my husband, bible study, sunday morning, Moms Connect group, in every area God will bring up what he is trying to get me to hear. Honestly I think if our ears are open to what he’s saying, we can hear him speak in a lot more ways. But I loved the message on Sunday morning talking about alone time with God, and how we need solitude and silence. Its when God rejuvenates us, gives us peace, confidence, strength and the next step. But it is sooo hard to quiet our little lives. The pastor had mentioned that his doctor sees a least 7 people a day about aniexty. People---we/I have a peace problem okay?? Im a the first to say it, and not always the first to jump in line and get with God. I try to go and go and go and go and go on my own til I completely break down and crawl back to God as I picture him half smiling, wanting to laugh, but recieving me with open arms to again put me back together. 

Phil 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything. Matthew 6:25 Do not worry about your life, what you will eat, drink or wear. 

Jesus says worrying is what unbelievers do, and we do not have to live this way! 

Living in peace is a promise for the believer, but worry is Satan’s attempt to steal it.

See we need to embrace God’s offer of rest, quietness, and trust instead of relying on our ownselves! (<--yup thats not real word but you get it) 

Are you tired of doing it on your own? 

Ready to recieve the peace and joy only God can offer!? Me too. 

The Israelites in Isa 30 rejected Gods offer and in verse 15 goes to say “only in returning and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength...”

Vs 18 “So the Lord must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His unfailing love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.”

Will you wait for his help today? 

Get with God and ask him what causes you to worry, ponder it. Ask him what will cure that worry...

Be blessed by His words,

Alyssa 

Please check out JoyceMeyer.org and her series on The Cause and Cure for Worry, to help you identify major sources of worry and fear in your life and begin to live at peace.

Faith in my fruit smoothie, pls!

So Raul wrote a blog, Are you Fruity?, talking about the Jesus being the vine and producing in us good fruit. He also gave a challenge to think about the fruit that is or isn't in our life. And I wanted to post my response in my own blog. Here we go...

 Lately, I think I struggle with Faithfulness, a little, alot, n all around. I so love and appreciate the fact that even though we are unfaithful, he remains faithful b/c God cannot deny who he is. There is so much to be faithful in! - friendships,marriage, mom duties, wife duties, and basically God's overall call on my life. I want need to be faithful to Him, and in the Word and prayer mostly and like Matt 6:33 seek first the kingdom and all will be added unto you. I believe if my time w/ God is in its proper place, fruit starts poppin like automatic. If I put it on the back burner, my fruit gets real ripe like no other, expired maybe? Forsure! but  I do struggle, being faithful- staying on top of all I have goin on and having faith, knowing that God has equipped us for every good work he has planned for us in advance to do. (He has, btw Ephesians 2:10)

Today, Adopt-a-block was amazing. I know its really going to work, draw people, its almost scary. I feel like the need is beyond me. Of course it is, but its never beyond God. Even though there is so much to be done and so much that I cannot fulfill, tonight I find it hard to rest in the fact- Its all in God's hands, each person and every need. I need some strt up faith, halleluyer. This does not mean I give up, God calls us to be faithful, thorough in performance, and steady in allegiance! just because our part may be small, we point ppl to him and he can do BIG things. 

 I will suck it up, press forward, b/c He's faithful. 

-Allie

Check it out, Gal 5:22-23

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

--------------------------------

Because I'm alive, I'll give You my life 

Because I am free, I'll bow at Your feet

Because I am loved, I'm able to love

Because I am Yours, my worth is secure

God be praised. 

Allie

A Hero...

So I find it incredibly ironic... that both of my Grandpas have recently died with opposite issues and one common denominator that finally took them, advanced age.


 My mom's biological dad, Judge Walt, passed in Nov 2011, having a great physical body but forgetting who he was in his mind. And Her stepdad, Wallace Wolf, who was more a father than the 1st, passed on Sat. June 30th, having a weak physical body and great mind. Now I think Wally got the better end of the stick, being fully aware and connecting with this loved ones before he left to hang poolside with Jesus. 


Now, while I didn't have much of a relationship with the Judge, Wally took a great place in my heart. Here is an excerpt I will be sharing at the His funeral later today:

When I think of Grandpa, I remember one thing he always did since I was little. Whenever we were together, He would ask how I am doing, what I am doing, and what I am going to do. And even if I didnt know, by him asking me it would help me to ask myself what I wanted out of life. Grandpa had such great patience, to hear my different answers. One year it was a doctor, and the next a hairdresser. He was always encouraging no matter what I wanted to be that day. The great part is that when I saw him again he would remember and make sure I was still on track with it. And again he'd encourage me to see things through. So I can say, He's helped me to live my dream. 

Z

Also when I think of Gramps, I think of a man named Job in the bible. If you havent read it, you should. Its a really great story of a wealthy man, who God allowed to lose everything, wife and kids. As you all know, Gayle was grandpa's second wife, and Wally has a daughter who is not with us here today. 

But the great thing about Job is that he never cursed or blamed God for what happened, but he lived his life as it came and rolled with the punches. As for Grandpa you know, he lived a life with such for forgiveness and mercy towards others it was incredible. 

So God decided to blessed Job giving him more now that what He had lost before, and when I look at all the people in his life today, all the kids and grandkids, fam and friends. I see how blessed and loved Wally truly was.

And at the end of the story, it says that Job died at a ripe old age, having lived a long full life. 

When I think of a full life, and what that means, Grandpa had one! He did lots of things, and has been lots of places, traveling the world. He knew a lot and loved a lot. 

But now that Grandpa isnt around. I will make sure to ask myself “What am I doing today thats going to help me get to where I want to be?” -which is having lived a long and full life like Gramp. and I think we need to be like that for each other, helping each other live accountable to their dreams and what God has called us to do. 

So If I could tell Grandpa one thing, it would be that I love him, and Thanks for being a Hero, to so many of us. 

Most Valuable Lesson Learned

So I picked this blog topic before I even really knew what I was getting into. This will be cool; we'll be able to learn from each other. I began to think of certain life lessons God has taught me. He used some pretty great people too, friends family and strangers. Here we are: seek him first, quality of friends is better than quantity, treat others the way I would want to be treated, and so on. However, everything I was thinking of became better than the next until I realized the thing of upmost in importance in my life:

the love of God

I wish I could say it was a certain day I remember, but I dont. In fact, it has been many days I've encountered and days Ive had to reencounter. My whole life, I knew and trusted that God loved you. Its easy for me to believe that God loved everyone else and I always said he loved me too. But then when I truly thought about it...

God loves me personally!- not matter what I have done, and no matter how many more mistakes I will make, He loved before I was born. He knew I was a mess and He chose me!

Say that to yourself right now. Do you believe it? It brings it to a whole new level of God is Love. God is love but he is giving it to YOU! And He is right with you, wanting to show you how to live free!

For me, when I really think about it and really get how much He has done for me, sent His son to die for me, so that I could live forever with Him, its amazing and tears flow automatically.

I have to admit though, when I haven't spent time with Abba, its easy to forget how much he loves and is for me, nothing can be against us when were together! It would be the best to start everyday with that undefeatable thought. Truth is I can and you can. The best part is God is always there and my prayer for you and me today is that He will continually keep us at a place where we need and can't live without Him, that our lives would be wrecked until we come to him and see it through His eyes and His love.

Love you girls.

Heres some more thoughts on life's most valuable lessons by some awesome chicas...

Shelly and Emily

Consider it Pure Joy.

This is hard for me to write this morning. As I thinking of my greatest joy and biggest trial right now, I laugh because they hardly differ:

My time with Jesus is a sincere joy, and often I fail to meet with him on a regular basis.

Truly being a homemaker this year rocks my world, and at the same time trying because I know it would be easier and perhaps more instantly gratifying to step foot back in the barbershop.

Ministry loving kids in the Nursery is amazing, but I struggle in almost every aspect of running it.

I love doing hair, and have trouble managing my time.

Pregnancy is a great treasure, and at this moment I feel like I could a) nap b) vomit.

I long to have a me-moment (take 5 min n paint my nails), but hardly do it because I don't think I deserve it.

One of my greatest joys is helping others, but I can do it with the wrong motive.

I know all this might sound crazy to you. God is challenging me. I know that I can't stay the same. Things have to change. He is teaching me to be faithful in what I have. I'm learning to manage and make use of what I've been given. I want him to be able to use my life for His glory, and right now he keeps showing me how I must be faithful in what he has already given me.

I really think that in every joy we have, the devil tries to steal a part, if not all of it. Im determined not to let that happen. Im going to run this race. Heb. 12:1

God made me who I am, where I am for a reason. Im so incredibly thankful that He loves me enough not to leave me how I am, and Im so ready for Him to change me into what He wants me to be.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,

not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

A verse to live life by!

"Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions.

Don't worry about missing out.

You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met."

Matt. 6:33 MSG

I was raised "christian", around other "christians" and grew up in church. Although, looking back it wasn't until I truly grasped this verse that I began to truly live my life for Christ.

Story began when I was 19 yrs old, ya know the crazy stage where you're not quite sure what to do with your life. Im not a kid, and not ready to be old. I fell somewhere in the middle. And I dont know if this is normal for some people but I've always wanted to do things as fast and as soon as I could in life. I took drivers ed a week too early, so I had to -wait- patientlyfor my permit. I took my road test before I was 16, so I could walk in SOS on my birthday to obtain that license. I managed beauty school and high school at the same time, so that I could graduate early. By the time I was 18, I had my high school diploma and my license to do hair. I was proud of myself and where God had taken me, yeah. At the same time, believe it or not, I was quite upset with myself and God that I was not with the person I was supposed to marry. Like really God, my mom was married at 19 about to have her first kid, I need to be doing something with my life! It might sound crazy I know. But at 19, I thought getting married should have already been in the works. Anyway...I've had one semi-serious boyfriend in my life but I hung around a lot of guys, I figured someone was better than no one. Plus hey if they liked me it was fun to hang out. I knew I did not want to date them and it was wrong. Everyone could see it, me, my friends, family, and most importantly God.

Then I went to IHOPE (international house of prayer) @ 10mile n Frazho. I know y'all are thinking pancakes sound good right now, me too but lets stay on task. So I couldn't see truth from my friends and family about how I was living my life in sin, God decided used some older guy (think he might have ran the meetings) I have never met him in my life to come up & pray with me tell me these words...

"But put/seek God's kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all of those things (he inserted)- all the relationships and stuff that you crave- will also be given to you."

I was blown away, like really God I am that ignorant that you tried to use my family and friends and when that didn't work you cared enough about me to send some random guys to speak your truth and know what was going on in my life. It was stinkin' amazing! Plus, Everyone I went with was spoken to by God that night.

So then I had a decision, and many decisions after that. I chose to seek God with all my heart, drop everything that hinder me from getting to know and fall in love with my wonderful creator. Literally I came to a point, I remember sitting in my car thinking, God if I never get married, I will be happy as long as I know I'm doing what you for me.

I was in this life, and in it for Him. Honestly, soon after that...I became friends with my future perfect husband. It even took me a little to be fully convinced by God that this was what he wanted for me because I just told him I was okay if I never married, secretly hoping he had a back up plan. But thank God it didn't take me to long to see Raul was the one for me because I had a schedule of babies to have & keep before I'm 30.

This one's for the LLaaaadies!

When you read the title, think Baby Mama.

Okay so the JCM topic was Why girls need girls, why girl friends are important. In raw honesty, I have to admit my first reaction to hearing the topic was "ugh sounds sappy." FYI, Urban dictionary defines sappy as "something very lame, or something so sweet it makes you want to puke." Thank God for 2nd reactions...I began to think about it and got excited to write on the topic. Since everyone loves a list, Here, in no particular order, are the reasons I came up with- Why girls need other girl friends:

* I can't have guy friends when you're married. (Don't fight me on this, it's true. I would say 90% of my friends, and including myself have said they grew up hangin out with boys and not girls. I have come to realize why this was, at least for myself. Girls size other girls up, and compare, too much! Girls have an undying need to be cuter than the next and since girls cannot be compared to guys, girls hung out with guys. Every girl, including myself will simply state this "because boys are less drama." Not to mention its always easy to hang out with guys because GUYS like girls. One exception to having a guy friend while married is another couple you and your spouse hang out with)

*I need someone to tell me if its too low,short,tight and just ain't right! We have our girl friends because they are honest with us and our clothing choices. and We know guys are biased on this subject. ;)

*I might need someone to cry with. Again 90% of my friends, including myself would say they are NOT "criers" but in raw honesty, we cry sometimes and it's just a little easier when your girl friends feel ya on a given subject.

*I need opinions and advice. Whether its marriage to babies, girls need advice from godly women who might have been through the same things--& Guys dont pop out babies or have been through every weird thing that comes along with it.

*I need someone to listen. Okay guys might listen, and I have a great man who does. I do find that my girlfriends will patiently hear out my details of the story. I find most girls are good listeners and this is something I do need to work on.

*I might need someone to be excited about the 2nd, 3rd, 90th kid I am having. Boys don't get this, its cool for the first but not so much the second OR 90th. and if you a guy and reading this...Your woman needs just as much love and pampering as she got on the first baby, maybe even more because now she has both hands full. Girls get this!--and your really close girl friends will try to get scheme their way into your delivery room, just to show you love.

*Friends help me focus!

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm

not turning back.

Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal.So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. (Phil 3)

I'm sure my list could go on, and although I can hate to admit I need other people, I surely do. And I am so blessed with friends around me who keep me accountable and tell me what I need to hear. They ultimately make me a better woman, and to quote Emily, "the woman God knows I can be."

Thanks to all my GIRL friends, I love you beyond words, and appreciate you more than you understand! <33

Check out 2 women that have made my life so much better! Emily & Shelly 's blog on this topic.

Ps. I can dig sappy.

A servant's heart

The motivate of a servant's heart shows it to be true or not.

Many moons ago a topic, chosen by my accountability group, was to describe yourself in one word. And in this one word we were to describe ourselves, the good and the bad. My first thought was how can that be possible? As I pondered the thought more, the first word to illustrate both the good and bad parts of my character was: servant.

I'll start with the unpleasant. One bad part about serving is that sometimes I can serve for my own benefit, serve so others will serve me, or serve so others will like me, mostly serve so things can work out my way. I see myself as a hard working person who loves to be appreciated much to the extent of doing things for others just for approval & apprecitation. Thank Jesus, he nipped this in the bud. How he did this was kind of interesting. I was at the barbershop cleaning my life away, and began to have conversations with myself (come on we all do it) about how if I wasn't cleaning it wouldn't matter because no one appreciated it anyway. I mean my peers or my boss didn't even notice! Then I heard the voice (we've all heard it) ya know sounded like my own but its the one that shows me how wrong I've been. It's the voice of God. What he reminded me of that day was Gal. 1:10 and how I was living quite the opposite. NLT states it, "Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." It wasn't until I heard His voice, that I understood why I did not recieve appreciation and pat on the backs from people. He wanted me to get my approval from Him, and now thats all I really need.

I don't think I have to talk too much about the good side of it. It's pretty self-explanitory. I do believe its a desire God put in me and puts in all of us to serve and love him. By doing this, it most always means we have to serve and love others. When I am spending time with God on regular basis, to serve others is second nature. When serving now, God reminds me of this verse in Phil 2:5-7

In your relationships with one another,

have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God

something to be used to his own advantage; rather,

he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Please enjoy some other good blogs on One-Word descriptions by Emily-Kate & Shelly.

Blessed by Tuesday

I'm starting a tuesday blog topic called Blessed by Tuesday, which means every Tuesday I will be posting how God blessed me since the last Tuesday. He's so awesome I could do this hourly, but I'll try to cram it in on Tuesdays :) Got this idea from Emily Kate's Worldlessish Wednesdays. Kinda different but it keeps me accountable to blog writing and sharing what He's doing in my life. God is always up to something. And this week blew me away!

So blessings, right. I feel like I should make a list, b/c Shelly told me people like lists and prefer reading list instead of paragraphs! but I feel like this needs a little background so before my list...

The weekend started goin over our bank account, paying bills, paying off debts, all good things and Yes! we had enough to make our bills this month exactly literally down to the last tank of gas. God is totally sovereign. Thank Him for my car being broken because we saved a lot on gas :) blessing in disguises are weird, but Thank God for friends who love to give rides! So the week started making crazy meals out of the randomness of our cupboards, not too bad. Definitely a weird feeling when you can't buy a soda, or afford a dollar sundae from Mc D's, but we can deal. I think its good for us. Then came August and I started to freak out because Raul will be gone for a week on the mission trip, and out of vacation time- no check for the week. But why do I do this? Sunday I stressed myself into waking up with a coldsore the next day. Let me just say come Tuesday, I trust God is our provider and will not abandon us. Here's a list of some blessings we've received since last week:

• diapers
• $50 grocery gift card
• Rib dinner from the neighbors!
• Eye exam, w/ 2 pairs of glasses- FREE
• $50 check towards Rauls Mission trip
• babysitter- Free
• 2 movie rentals
• Starbucks coffee (necessity?-idk yes.)

and so much more. I'm blessed having people that want hair dos- God provides in big ways. I'm not trying to brag on all the things Gods given us, but in a way I am because I'm hoping He gets all the glory for it. I pray if you're going through tough times and trying to figure it out on your own, you would GIVE UP. Give it up to Him, and he will take care of you. The bible says not to worry about the food we eat, or the clothes we wear. God feeds the birds in the air, and we are worth far more than birds! So please don't stress yourself out especially to the point of a morning coldsore, one word- ugly, so sit back and watch God do all the work.

So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time.Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

Humble yourselves before God and He will exalt you in due time.

Resolutions to Revolution!

Carpe Diem. Its an old saying right? An awesome one at that. Lately Raul and I have been saying "Live it." To me, it means the same thing. Take the life that Jesus has given us and use it for a purpose to glorify him.

A lot of people, including myself, start off the New Year with a few resolutions. For me, I know there's changes to made, goals to accomplish and things I need to finish. Sometimes I just lack motivation or a reason to get it done. But why wait until the New Year to start?- Is that not procrastination all the more? That's why right now, I compiled a list of things I hope to achieve before the New Year even comes around. I encourage you as well, if you've been wanting to start, quit, get, or give...start today! You'll have more to celebrate when the new year comes around. Feel free to comment with your number one resolution to revolution!

Here we go:

• Hang pictures in my house
• Pray more on purpose.
• Read 2 books (Don't laugh.)
• Catch up and Stay on my Chronological- one yr. bible reading plan @ youversion.com
• Rejuvenate our church Nursery
• Redo some furniture
• Spend time with Family/Build relationships
• Learn frugality (Have a Pay Debt/ Save MoNey plan-actually have money in our savings acc. come Jan 1st 2012)
• Give more money and of myself.
• Do Small group homework before the day its due- Live on purpose.

No particular order, for anti-judging purposes. Haha :) This blog was inspired by Jesus and the Coffee mommas. Shelly, Emily and I ...were not out there to get big or rich, we love us some Jesus and like us coffee drinkin'. Our purpose is to inspire, encourage and motivate not only one another, but everyone around us. And Yeah we write some awesome blogs for anyones enjoyment, so be sure to click their links and see their resolutions!


"I don't wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work." –Pearl S. Buck

There's Christmas in July if your papi is Jesus!

So God is crazy awesome. He must have another, more sovereign sounding word for this but all my human ability can only come up with crazy awesome! God knows our hearts, our desires, our every need. What's more? That he even cares about our needless wants. My unnecessary wanna-get-its!

See, I have short prayer list of things I would like to have, things that sometimes I think would make my life easier. These are things I could go without, but look much cooler with! Stuff the budget doesn't always allow for like couches, a car, outdoor furniture, house, grill etc. True story, I have asked for all of those things and more at different times in my life and at random times God has brought them into my life. It is crazy to think about praying for something and almost forget you even used to pray for it and God gives it to you. I wanted a couch, I like to call a "small group couch"-- L sectional, for months and then my aunt moves into a house and her nice couch doesn't fit so she offers it to us. Totally God. I used to drive an orangsicle corisca car, you guys know the type. Needless to say, I hit up the prayer list for a diff one right away. Haha, but it wasn't until I was finally unashamed of my creamsicle that God layed a pt cruiser w/ leather, sun roof, the works (yups for free!) in our hands. These things dont always happen back to back, months or years can come in between but the timing is always perfect.

This summer, renting a house n all I thought it would be nice to have a few lawn chairs and a grill. Thought about buying a cheap camping one. I didn't want to spend the money on it, other things took priority, so I was on the look out for a blessing. A few weeks ago driving, I spotted my chairs in the trash. We actually ended up passing them up but I told God I knew he loved me and if he wanted me to have those chairs he could make it happen. Twenty mins later, my bro in law shows up at our house with them! God is the best. I almost gave up hope for grill coming this summer. Then My sis in law called and asked us if we wanted one that uncle Tim found scraping. I was pumped! Lord, I would have been happy with a tin can w/ a rack on top. To my surprise it was a Char-broiled stainless steel. It amazes me how much God can love us and care about details.



I've been asking God for crazy stuff for few years now. I'm trying to think back to when it all started and my memory keeps coming to the time I "asked" God for a husband. It went more like this "God, you know I want a man and you know I think I should have already been married at 18, but I decided that as long as I'm doing what you want , and you're doing what you want with me, I will be happy even if I never get married." Before that, God knew my deepest desire was to find the husband I knew he had for me. He also knew that I needed to want Him above that. Attitude and priorities played a big role in how much God was willing to bless me with. I finally came to a point where knew I needed God first above all else, and if He was number one, I would be happy and content with anything else that fell into my life.


Since then, I find it really cool to put in His hands things I want but would never let take His place in a million years. When I do that, it helps me to be perfectly content without it.

P.S. I married the best husband who couldn't be anymore perfect for me. Now come to think of it maybe I'm asking for the accessories to go along with it.

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. (Matthew 6:33 MSG)

Creative houses from reclaimed stuff | Video on TED.com

Dan Phillips: Creative houses from reclaimed stuff | Video on TED.com




Interesting, n some cool ideas.

Simple by design, manner, & style.

So You may ask, what's simple? ... but Probably not! However, Today I'd like to start this blog out with the definition of simple. My fav descriptions were...

1. unaffected; unassuming; modest: a simple manner.

2. not complicated: a simple design.

3. not elaborate or artificial; plain: a simple style.



I've been thinking a lot lately about how to live simple, in our means, rid of excess, and self inflicted complications. Needless to say, this started the inspiration for this blog. I picked these 3 definitions because I would like to live simple, unaffected by the influence of others, unassuming of the ones I love, modest in fashion as well as life style, not complicated in ways of communications, not elaborate in speeches needing a quick point, not artificial in face and and last but not least, Plain. I would like for God to show me plainly the steps he has for us to take, and be with us every step of the way!

If you ask people what a "simple life" for them might look like, We would get a ton of different answers. Some people live in messy houses and don't mind, to them its "simple" --just don't pick up your stuff and others know in order to be stress-free they must pick up the house before they can fully relax. (I'm the this one, if you couldn't already tell.) But what I am beginning to see and seek out is living a simple life daily led the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For me right now, complex comes before simple. I run a hamster wheel in my head 24/7 of how, when, what, where, why and, will it be done in the most time efficient way? See, I don't like to live in regret, so I always must make sure the order of things are going to work out perfectly before I try them, otherwise I just wasted time if they didnt. (so wrong I know)To put things into a shorter version, instead of going to God and asking him what should I do next? I spend 3.8 Bajillion years of try/fail/try/fail...before I come to him and ask what I really should be consuming my time with! Why is this?--Comment if you know but I think Im just going to say it like it is I, Alyssa Arredondo, can complicate things beyond reasonable need. Although sometimes, my effort to work things out in efficient ways is a great blessing. Such as combining trips to save gas, time, energy, etc. However I realize I spend an unreasonable amount of time thinking about whats next, prepare, whats next, prepare. I don't take time to fully enjoy where I am. (which right now is tea time, midnight snack and blogging.) I really want to. So I'm asking God to show me in ways to live simply where he wants me. My most efficient way to do this is to stop and listen to his voice. And seriously I know its crazy but I will get a thought about doing something and roll with it, and things work out better than I could have planned myself, and not so good if I didn't listen. Anyway, I am here to say...God is awesome. Pray, Put Him first in your life, and complex becomes simple. Things that maybe took you years to figure out are become second nature, problems you rack your brain trying to think of answers...now have solutions. God loves you so much and is waiting for you to just ask, he will answer, he loves to love us. God wants better for us than we want for ourselves. Lastly, and Im out, I just want to share a few verses that are Simple by

-Design-
Ps. 139:16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.


-Manner-
Ps 62:11-12 God has spoken plainly,
and I have heard it many times:
Power, O God, belongs to you;
unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.
Surely you repay all people
according to what they have done.


-Style-
Ps 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.


Check out some great friends of mine wrote on their idea of Simple.


Emily Kate & Shelly HD

Get some!

I want to share with you real quick what God has been teaching me. I read this verse...

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. Gal 6:10

I thought to myself, often times I will help out people that I think need help, usually people who I consider myself better than. And its usually more like when I feel i have time to take the opportunity. If the opportunity rises and i'm busy I think thats not for me. But what if when I have the opportunity (which is all the time) I did good to people because I wanted to and because its how I would want others to treat me. Life would be great, right? I struggled with the second half of the verse too. it says to help everyone and especially those in the faith fam. I always thought it was all about unsaved people. If I jump to help unsaved people and step back when it comes to my fellow christians, thats wrong. I guess sometimes I think there are other christians to help those who are christians, how dumb is that? God wants all everyone to be blessed. When I bless others God blesses me ten times over, so why not! This has also brought me to wonder if i dont feel like helping other christians because I compare myself to them. Maybe I dont want them to be better off than me. Then God hit the nail on the head right when I read this...

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct. Gal 6:4-5

How awesome is that? Some are good at things, different people are good at other things. But If I do what I am good at, what God has called me to do, help who he says to help and pay attention to my own stuff... Life would be more simple.


I also just want to remind you guys that ...

God is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. (Eph 1:7-8) So if you need some, like I do, GET SOME!