Staying Connected!

John 15:5 ”Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

I love to look at vineyards. I do not drink wine, but I do enjoy grapes, raisins, and grape juice. One of my only “chick flicks” that I enjoy, besides Braveheart (yes, Braveheart. It’s a love story you know) is”A Walk in the Clouds.” Not because of Keanu Reeves, or because it’s a Mexican family (I’m Puerto Rican, just saying). What attracts me to this movie is how the grandfather explains the relationship between the family and the vineyard. Their lives we surrounded by the life of the grape fields.

It is no different for you and I. We need to stay connected to God not just for grow but for life. Staying connected to the Word and prayer gives me life.  But I am learning that continued growth comes through the trails of training and pruning.  

Vines are trained to grow up and off the ground because if they droop over, it stunts growth.  So they are twisted and tied and learn to grow upward. Many times throughout the year they are adjusted. God allows twists and ties in our lives so that we will have the discipline to grow towards Him. As many times as it takes, He adjusts us.

I always thought that pruning was a little trim for growth. But it is far more than that. It is a cutting away of all by one or two small stubs of the branch. It brings you back to where you started from. God does not desire a onetime harvest. God desires people that will continue to produce more and more each year.

I can do nothing without God.  But with Him I can change the world for His glory. Staying connected!

808 Project Update

The past two weekends have been phenomenal.

On April 25th we were in Hollywood, California with Apostle JR and Deanne Rodriguez. We intented to be a blessing to them; however, we never expected the tremendous blessing that they would be to us. Christian Worship Center in North Hollywood felt like home. Beautiful people, hungry for the advance of God. We left encouraged and supported.

May 2nd we were with Pastor Angel and D Menchaca, who lead one church with two campuses in Cutler and Dinuba. What a truly awesome community of loving people. Anthony preached a message of encouragement and God did the rest. Once again we left feeling encouraged and received much confirmation.

As we get our hearts, minds, and spirit ready for the new land that God has called us to, we are learning from a great company of believers. God has orchestrated everything for us before we even thought of it. It is so good to know that this is all God and we are just along for the ride.

I want to say thank you to all of our supporters, both financial and prayerful. We couldn’t do it without you. I will continue to update my blog as we get closer to our flight date and when we arrive.

You can partner with us.

Join us in prayer.
Give financially.
Tell someone about our cause and tell our story.

If you would like more information, please visit our website at: 808project.com

For donations, mail to:
Christian Worship Center
241 South Main Street
Milpitas, CA 95035

Make checks out to Christian Worship Center and put Hawaii in the memo.

Your continued support is appreciated.

808project Update

Good Morning,

I apologize for not writing for so long. God is on the move and great things are taking place. The 808project is gaining support and Anthony will be preaching all over through the end of May. This is an exciting time as we spread God’s message and reveal His heart. We will be ministering at Christian Worship Center Hollywood this Sunday, May 25th. Apostle JR Rodriguez is a powerful man of God and has graciously opened his doors to us. We are expecting a mighty move there on Sunday.

You can become a partner with us.

Join us in prayer.
Give financially.
Tell someone about our cause and tell our story.

If you would like more information, visit our website at 808project.com.
For donations, mail to:
Christian Worship Center
241 South Main Street,
Milpitas, CA 95035

Make checks out to Christian Worship Center and write Hawaii in the memo.

Your continued support is appreciated.

The Power of One

Deut. 10:18 “He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing.” (New Living Translation)

An orphan is not a term widely used in America. When we hear the word orphan it is usually in reference to children in other country. America camouflages the problem by using the term “foster youth.” Whatever term you use, it describes a group of children from birth to 18 years of age that have been separated from there parents. Whether from death, abuse, neglect, abandonment, or juvenile delinquency, these youth need help.

God specific challenges His people to “administer justice” to these young people. What does that mean exactly? It means to correct the standard to what is right.

In the past two and a half years of working with foster youth I have found some of the most creative and talents youth. However, the emotional and mental strongholds of there childhood hinder a successful future. I have made it my personal responsibility to correct the wrong done to foster youth. Can I change the whole system? Probably not, but that does not mean I can’t make a difference.

Christian Worship Center Hawaii is on a mission to love, encourage, and support foster youth. We are committed to developing security, significance, and strengthen that will enable each young person to be whole and capable of a bright future.

You may not be capable of reaching these people; however, you can assist us in our efforts.

· Pray for Christian Worship Center Hawaii
· Attend our up coming Benefit Dinner March 27th.

Go to 808project.com for details
· Become a sponsor.

Send donations to:

Christian Worship Center

241 South Main Street, Milpitas, CA 95036

It all begins with one. Will you be one who makes a difference?

Got Grace?

Deuteronomy 9:26” I prayed to Yahweh, and said, Lord Yahweh, don't destroy your people and your inheritance, that you have redeemed through your greatness, that you have brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.”

What is grace?

” grace is not an abstract quality, but is an active, working principle, manifesting itself in beneficent acts, Gen. 6:8; 19:19; 33:15; Ex. 33:12; 34:9; I Sam 1:18; 27:5; Esth. 2:7. The fundamental idea is, that the blessings graciously bestowed are freely given, and not in consideration of any claim or merit.” Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, 1949), pp. 426-27

Moses understood grace and he gave it easily. He did not have to intercede for the children of Israel. He was not raised with them nor did he have strong relational bonds, but grace was internal. Moses had received much grace since birth. Pharaoh’s daughter showed him grace when she took him as her own son. Pharaoh himself showed grace allowing Moses to be raised in his home and given status as a Prince of Egypt. He was shown grace by Jethro and the Midian family in the desert and taught a trait. Moses understood that grace is not earned, but given out of love.

Grace is rarely seen today. Kind acts with no expectation of reward, yet ever heart craves it. God is truly a gracious God. He thinks about us more than we do Him, and still does great things for us that we do not deserve. As if sending His own son to die for our sins were not enough. When the love of God over flows in your life you don’t have a problem giving grace. Grace comes out of a changed heart.

I Corinthians 13:4, 5 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

These are examples of grace that come when the love of God is present. My prayer for this season of my life is to love bigger, with no limitations. Love is powerful. I want everything that I do to ooze love and the grace of God.

What do you want your life to ooze?

Prison

Acts 24: 27 “When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.”

Most of Paul’s writings were while he was in prison. Prisons were not like our modern day prisons with beds, TV, showers, and hot meals. Don’t get me wrong, prison is not a comfortable place, however, in Paul’s day it was torture. One of the prisons that is said that Paul lived in was 'Tullianum', or 'Tullian dungeon' (medieval Mamertine Prison), beneath the Capitoline hill. The ancient historian Sallust said it was 12 feet below the ground and "neglect, darkness and stench make it hideous and fearsome to behold." Throughout Paul’s writing he encourages and praised God continually despite his conditions.

I am humbled at the joy that comes from Paul. It is a true example that joy comes from within and not from external comfort. I am not to look at the physical details of life, but focus on God and God alone. All around me people are losing there jobs and homes, not knowing what tomorrow will bring. It’s easy to say to trust God. In my own life I have found peace in counting my blessings and remembering the faithfulness of my God.

What every your circumstance today, be encouraged, you are not alone.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Unfailing

Psalm 13: 5,6 “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.”

This week has been a roller coaster of emotions. I have been so overwhelmed and yet my God is always faithful. When things look there worse, He comes in and changes everything and He is not slow to answer me when I call. In the midst of the storm, I have felt abandon. However, I count my blessings and remember He has never failed me and so I press on with expectance. Wow, what my God can do is amazing. I do not know my next step, but I do know that He has it all under control. My heart is full of joy and praise. I love to lift up my voice to my God. I will shout His praise for He is worth.

Lessons from Auntie Ruthie

It’s funny how God works. He uses that which is familiar to speak into your life. I have an amazing Aunt named Ruthie; five years ago she went home to be with the Lord. She has three talented children and a husband who remain here on earth with us.

Early this morning, God used Auntie Ruth to speak into my life. In a dream,I saw Auntie calling me to follow her and she took me to a living room where Uncle Danny, Amy, Michael, and Ryan were. They were discussing plans for something they were creating. I saw pictures laid out on the floor and walls. Uncle Danny suggested building another wall, and Ryan a place for an aquarium, and Amy added details for the wall. It was some type of memorial of all my Aunt’s work and accomplishments. Crafts, songs, lessons learned, a collection of what she left behind. I have never seen them so excited and happy together. They were celebrating not auntie, but what they had together. Auntie Ruth had me look closer. The memorial was not real, it was there lives that were on display. They were creating it with there lives. This memorial to her was them, as they used the gifts and talents that Auntie Ruthie encouraged it them. The love and security she gave to nurture them to take flight. It was there accomplishments on the walls. She was showing me how proud she was of them, not herself.

In life sometimes as a Mom I question myself. Am I a good mom? What can I do better? Have I missed it? If I do nothing else in life, but raise my children to love God with there whole being and find security in Him. Then I can die happy.

I want to be a mom like Auntie Ruthie, a mom with no regrets. I want my children to find safety in me and know I will always be there cheering them on in life.

Thank you God for the blessing of knowing and loving such a great woman. I will never forget you Auntie.

Amazing

Lord God, You amaze me. Outside the wind is blowing and the rain is pouring out and yet somewhere else in the world it is sunny and bright. You alone can see it all.

I cannot comprehend that Your words, mere words spoken into the air made this world. What authority the sounds that come forth out of your mouth create. I am overwhelmed to think of how small I am, and yet You think of me. You have fellowship with me and desire to dance with me in this journey we call life.

I feel so secure in You. I can truly say with all confidence that You are all I need. You hold my every desire because it comes from You. My heart beats for what Yours does. You make my life full and worth living. I love You because I have felt Your love for me. Life is not perfect but I am not alone. How can I thank You? I give You my life, it’s all I have. It belongs to You and I am happy to be free.


Psalm 8: 3-4 “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?”

It's All Good

Genesis 35: 14-15 Jacob set up a stone pillar at the place where God had talked with him, and he poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it. Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.

As I think about my life I notice there are many times that God has shown Himself to me. I like being able to look back at the landmarks of victories that God has brought me through. When life is uncertain, I glance back and remember God’s goodness. It gives me confidence that the future is secure in my Lord. Just in December alone I have seen the greatness of God.

· Dec. 21st: Isaiah and I were in a car accident that totaled the car. We walked away with no injuries.
· Dec. 26th: We bought our new car at a low interest rate and the monthly payment we wanted.

It may seem small but God deserves praise for all the things He does in my life and as I look to my future, I know from experience that everything is going to be good.

Thank you, Lord for always taking care of me.

Do you love enough?

Jude 1: 22-23 “Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”

Sharing the life I live in Christ is no secret, and yet how much do people really know? People all around us have titles. Director, Doctor, Christian, but these are all quite general. Director of what? What kind of Doctor? Christian…what religion? God gave us a mandate to tell the world of His love and how to have a relationship with Him. This is what I was created to do. Being a follow of Christ is the best life I know. I have the awesome opportunity everyday to love someone out of hell. The question is how well am I doing that?

Honestly, I have battled with the balance of gentleness and harshness in regards to telling others about Christ. As a young Christian, I threw peoples sins in their face and demanded repentance. As you can image that didn’t go over so well. Jesus said to be merciful, to appeal to others in love. Then I loved so much I didn’t speak of the consequences as much. God also said “mixed with fear”. Fear is not a bad thing, when you become aware of dangerous consequences to your actions.
Jesus said to love others as you love yourself. If I am to truly love others, I need to be able to speak the truth.

· There is nothing wrong with saying Jesus loves you enough to die for your sins. We are kidding ourselves to think we don’t sin. Sometimes the truth hurts.
· It’s ok to say that rejecting God will one day result in eternal punishment. All decisions in life have a result, this is one of them.

I want to live my life with no regrets. So, if speaking the truth gets people angry at me, or gets me fired its ok. I will love as Jesus loved but not candy coat the truth. It’s my responsibility to pull them out of harm’s way.

Do you love someone enough to tell the truth? Maybe a better question is, what will happen if you don’t?

Compassion

Matthew 14: 13-14 “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

Jesus just heard how His cousin was beheaded. What terrible news. I can’t image the horrible feeling of losing someone you love in this way. Jesus wanting to be alone, understandably, but He can’t even do that. The crowds follow Him. Can I be honest? I would have told the people to leave. I would have probably been angry that they had no consideration for what I was going through. Thank God I am not Jesus. Jesus does the unthinkable. He puts His feelings aside and takes care of their needs.

I am learning that I am self centered. Yup, I said it. Sure I love people and I do many different things. But genuine love for others comes when you are in great need and give anyways. Jesus compassion was not based on convenience. It was based on the great need of the people.

I have been truly blessed and I’m not talking about finances. I have a wonderful family, the best children, and an incredible husband. I have a great God who loves me. Today, I am so thankful that Jesus cares about me and that I can learn to love others the way He did.

Lord, You blow me away with Your huge love and thoughtfulness of others. Teach me how to be more like You. Amen

Savory

Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”

We have all heard people say,” I don’t go to church because they are all hypocrites.” It is hard to hear and not completely true. However, there are enough people who claim to be follows of Christ but their actions prove otherwise. Jesus was the real deal and yet we find that Christians have a difficult time doing what is right. We are not perfect, the bad thing is when we try to act like we are and fail. I will be honest; there is not a week that goes by that I do not question my example. I’m not swearing or doing some horrible sin, but I want my actions to glorify God in all things.

Have you ever eaten anything with no flavor? It’s edible, but not good. What about something too salty? When it’s too salty you can’t even eat it. Neither of these is a good. See either people can’t stand you because you are throwing scripture at them and the next minute blowing it. Or you are so neutral that they have no reason to desire Jesus.

Today, I am taking a good look at myself. It my life savory to sinners? Do I cause them to want what I have? What about you?

Lord, I see areas that need more salt in my life. Help me to not be a hearer of the word only but a doer in all things. Amen.

Thank You pt.2

I have being going through 25 days of thankfulness with Isaiah. Today, I asked him to name five people he is thankful for and why.

This was his list.

You Mom: your nice to me
Dad: he is fun
Leia: she is funny
Tino: cuz
Julian: because he's good

This morning I am thankful for Julian Contreras. Julian is twice Isaiah's age but has never devalued him. When Isaiah was four years old, I had to change jobs and Isaiah spent two days a week with the Contreras family. Julian was and continues to be a wonderful example, teacher, and friend. Thank you Julian, you are an awesome young man.

Thank You

2 Corinthians 8:13-15 “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."

We received a magazine from World Vision the other day and Isaiah was reading it. He showed me a page that said that $25 could buy chickens for a family in Africa. As he read through the book he became more excited tell me more things that could be bought and there price. He finally looked up and said I have $25, what should we get them?

If there is anyone who should be concerned about the poor it is the people of God. In a time when there is little, God desires that we are all equal. No one should have too little and no one should have too much. I am blessed that I can give of what I have.

I have a responsibility to care not only for my families’ needs but when possible the needs of those around me. Thanksgiving and Christmas should not be the only times when others are important. It needs to be all year round. Getting gifts can be fun, but the joy of helping someone else in true need….priceless.

This year Isaiah will be helping feed people in need on Thanksgiving and blessing a family in Africa. I am thankful for the blessings of God and even more thankful to teach it to my children.
Lord, You are awesome and I thank you for your blessings. I pray that I would be an example of gratefulness and generosity, in Jesus name. Amen

Who Knows Better?

Job 38: 19-21 "What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside? Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings? Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!

God’s conversation with Job is crazy. It’s like a parent talking to a child. I begin to shake as I read the words. God does not defend Himself in any way as He has no need to but instead questions Job authority to question God. It makes me realize how very small I am.

What causes me to think that I have any authority to question the Almighty?

“Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!”

Ouch! These words cut deep into me. What is 33 years compared to eternal? I have created nothing of myself, how could I think that I know better than the Creator of the Universe.
The fact that He even thinks of me is beyond belief. God understands our questioning. He created us with wonder. However, faith is not rational. But faith in an all knowing God is completely rational. Children are trusting, understanding that an adult knows more than them. Sin has caused distrust in our lives. I have no reason not to trust God. He is the only one who has always had the right answers for my life.

Lord, forgive me for trying to do thing my way and questioning when I do not see the results I want. I know You know everything and I trust Your lead. Amen

God's Permission

Galatians 1: 15-16 “But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man,”

Paul always knew he was created for something special and when he received Jesus Christ as Savior he became a Jesus freak. Let me explain. He went out with a passion and deep conviction to tell everyone. Not from emotion, but with fact and personal experience.

I remember my “first love” with God. I was willing to do radical things for Christ. See I was a shy girl with extremely low self esteem, but God changed all that. When it came to Christ I didn’t care about what other people thought about me. I only cared about what God thought. Paul didn’t wait for anyone to tell him it was ok to preach the good news of Jesus salvation. Neither should we.
I’m going to be very transparent. Lately, I have had this longing to go up to people with visible disabilities and pray for healing. It’s not a crazy thing and I know God can heal them. However, I realize that I have become more comfortable doing this in a church setting than on the street. It actually causes sorrow in my soul to even write this. With tears, I confess that I have withheld someone healing for fear of mans response.

God did not call us to church, but to Himself. Healing belongs on the street not hidden within a building and the only permission needed is Gods.

Lord, forgive me for holding back victory from people. Let me be passionately crazy for you once again. Let me care only about what you thing and no one else. Amen

Seek God

Deuteronomy 4:29 “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

We are in a season where national people become very focused on money and material things, and yet they call it the holidays. Finances are tight everywhere and giving is low. Strange how only two times a year the communities feel it necessary to provide large meals to the homeless, Thanksgiving and Christmas and yet choose for forget these people the rest of the year. In the book of Acts people heard the word of God and the change within their hearts changed the way they lived. They gave abundantly and everyone’s needs were met.

It can be easy to focus on our own struggles as we enter this season of life; however it should be different for us as children of God. Our focus should be on the Savior and nothing either. Yes, we need to plan and be proactive. But I find too many times we plan and then ask God to move in our plans.

God desires for us to seek Him first, just to know Him. He has it all worked out but we need to get close to Him without any alterior motives. As much as I need direction and answers is how much and how often I must pursue God with all my heart. Not for the answer, but for all that I need in life. Peace, gentleness, wisdom, these things come as a result of being in the presence of God. Seek means to search for and try to discover.

• Pray. To know Him better.


• Read. To Understand Him more.


• Praise. To thank Him for what He has done and is doing in your life.

I need Him more than anything else. He has everything in His hands.

Lord, I need You and only You. I want to walk with You and rest in You. You are my everything. Amen

What are you doing?

Acts 11:17 “So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?"

Peter had just come from ministering to the Gentiles and the Jews questioned him on this. Jewish custom forbid Jews and Gentiles to associate together, let alone be in each other’s house. Peters response is great, “who was I to think that I could oppose God? This got me thinking. Do I put God in a box? Are there boundaries to what I think God should do and how it should be done? The answer is yes, we all do. God’s ways are not our way, nor are His thoughts our thoughts. His ways and thoughts are way beyond what we can comprehend. When things don’t make sense to us we natural discount God’s abilities.

Peter saw and heard the Gentiles speaking in tongues, this was not fake and he couldn’t deny it either. So he accepted it. God does crazy wonderful and unexpected things, so why limit Him. I am on a journey of healing right now and it is nothing that I thought it would be, and that's ok. It’s the best, it's a complete work. Dependency can be scary, but in the Master’s hand I have nothing to fear.

Keep working on my Lord, I know I’m safe.

Matters of the Heart

Acts 5:1-2 “Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.”

This circumstance is not a matter of money as many think but a matter of the heart. See many people were hearing and accepting the message of Jesus Christ. This new found faith had opened there eyes to the needs of people around them and people began to free give to those in need and share there resources so that more people could hear the message of Jesus. A true act of kindness. Now many had begun to think that this was the evidence of having a new life in Christ. That is an understandable conclusion, because when Jesus comes into your heart there is a change.

Ananias and Sapphira however, did not have a heart change they only had a physical one. Let me explain.

1. Anyone can give an offering and they are customarily given to the priest, not the apostles. By laying the money at the apostles feet Ananias was looking for recognition for his deed and praise from the people.
2. By doing this he was testifying that he had given all he had for the cause of Christ, which was not requested of him.
3. His wife lied when asked directly about the amount.
4. They both died for their hypocrisy.

God is more concerned about the heart than the money. If we given out of a heart that is glad God is pleased and His blessing will be poured out. However, if our motives are incorrect, we cause our own judgment.

Lord, I thank you for those who give out of a good heart. I pray your many blessings on their lives. Amen