danmendoza:

This weekend I had the privilege of spending some time at the beach with my family. As we played in the water I started to think about the power of the waves and how awesome the ocean is. Then I had a thought that truly rocked my world. Can you separate the wave from the ocean? I mean we talk…

I was blessed to be with my good friend Sunday morning and able to visit Jubilee during service. When I say I was blessed, it was by so much more than just the service. I have been facing many battles concerning my family as of late. Nothing has changed, we are still in the middle of a battle. But through the worship and through the message Sunday God spoke such wisdom into my life. That was the blessing. God has given me a new strength to walk the road that we are on and to stay the course. Thanks go out to all of the praise team and leaders of Jubilee. It is through your obedience that God spoke.

Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.? Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way.
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There’s work to do, deadlines to meet;
You’ve got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and scurry-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

In the midst of family chaos,
‘Quality time’ is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER.

It may seem like your worries
Are more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather-
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

God knows how stressful life is;
He wants to ease our cares,
And He’ll respond to all your needs
ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

Although things are not perfect 
Because of trial or pain 
Continue in thanksgiving 
Do not begin to blame 
Even when the times are hard 
Fierce winds are bound to blow 
God is forever able 
Hold on to what you know 
Imagine life without His love 
J oy would cease to be 
Keep thanking Him for all the things 
Love imparts to thee 
Move out of “Camp Complaining” 
No weapon that is known 
On earth can yield the power 
Praise can do alone 
Quit looking at the future 
Redeem the time at hand 
Start every day with worship 
To “thank” is a command 
Until we see Him coming 
Victorious in the sky 
We’ll run the race with gratitude 
X alting God most high 
Y es, there’ll be good times and yes some will be bad, but… 
Z ion waits in glory…where none are ever sad! 

As our kids either go back to school this week or get ready for when they do I start to hear topics of old in my heart. I remember many converstations where people are angry that our children are not allowed a moment of silence for prayer, they are disturbed that the government has baned our teachers from speaking the name of Jesus. Through the years we have allowed our government to expell Jesus from our public schools. Well I am here to tell you that is so untrue. God is alive and in the schools no matter how hard others have fought to keep him out. Every one of our children who know Jesus carry him around living and breathing inside of them. The government mandates your child go to school. My Jesus said he will never leave you or forsake you. So, if Jesus doesnt leave us then each child that has Jesus in their heart is carrying Jesus to school each morning. Now, tell those kids it is allowed to let their  Jesus out. They are allowed to tell a friend that Jesus loves them. They are allowed to say a prayer of thanks before they eat their lunch. They are allowed to pray for grace in a tough situation. If the government tells us to send our kids to school then there is no way possible for Jesus not to be in the schools. I challenge everyone to adopt a child whether it be their own, a friend, or just a child needing an adult. Make sure that child knows Jesus. Then support them in their daily walk. Support them as they go to school and let Jesus out.

Last Thursday night God blessed my family with the birth of my first grandchild. God has used this situation to speak not only to my family, but many others around us. First let me thank my Lord for the gift of life. No life can be formed without God. No man or any spirit can give life, only God has authority over life. Think about this for a minute. Jesus was born of the flesh as an innocent. He walked among man without sin. He was crucified, died and buried. On the third day he rose. HE DEFEATED DEATH. If he defeated death that tells me he and only he holds the gift of life in his hands. So regardless of what your circumstances, if you have life you have been blessed. I feel so many times we overlook the blessings that we have unless they are huge and out of our normal range of site. We see life everyday. When you wake up and see your family, when you go to work, siting in that dreadful traffic, in school, everywhere we look we see life. How many people have you seen this morning? How many times have you thanked your Lord and Savior for those lives? We all need to take a moment and give thanks for the lives around us.

Over the past few months I have seen God moving in my life in ways that I have not experienced before. I, like so many others have a comfort zone that I have been quite happy with. I enjoy working behind the scenes for God’s glory. If no one ever knows a single act that I have completed then that will be fine with me. God has taught me to give and I do so in a way that the receipant doesnt know where it came from. I pray without asking for any prayer in return. I work without wanting any pats on the back. I am happy in this place. God aparently isnt happy with me in this place. I see him pulling me and pushing me beyond my comforts. He keeps placing me in roles that I have to be seen. I ask God why? I dont want the recognition, I want your kingdom to be uplifted. God spoke to me and says your walk with me has grown to the point that the world will not see you, rather they will see me through you. What more can I ask for? There is no other purpose I would rather have in my life that to allow someone to see Jesus through me.