My youngest daughter recently performed a Lyrical Dance to Peter Furler’s song “REACH” at a church. Sometimes God will use a child to reach out to you and I believe this video will bless you and encourage you to keep reaching out to a God who really cares about you and loves you; no matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done. Reach, keep on reaching and NEVER give up hope.
Assume-To take for granted, or without proof; to suppose as a fact; to suppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively.
Today I want to share some truths that I had to discuss with my kids last Friday. We haven’t attended church on a regular basis up until now, so I had completely forgotten what the church atmosphere can be like at times. Here are 12 things you never assume about church.
1) Never assume that everyone in church will welcome you or your calling.
2) Never assume that everyone that goes to church has your best intentions in mind.
3) Never assume that everyone that goes to church is going to be friendly.
4) Never assume that you won’t find bullies in church.
5) Never let just anyone lay hands on you or pray with you. Someone with a wrong spirit can defile you if you let them pray or lay hands on you.
6) Never let just anyone prophesy on you. Words are power and words spoken in a wrong spirit or out of timing can defile you.
7) T.D. Jakes once said: ” Remember this, folks is crazy.” Never assume that there are no crazy people in church.
8) Never assume that there are no cliques in church.
9) Never assume that everyone who goes to church is a nice Christian; there ARE wolves in sheep’s clothing going to church right along side with you.
10) Never assume that the people in leader ship like the pastors and the elders see or hear everything that is going on. They are after all, human like all of us.
11) Never assume that everyone who goes to church loves and serves the same God you do. There are people in church who serve their own version of God. Jesus said we would be known by our fruit (or lack thereof) so become a fruit inspector. 🙂
12) Just because someone sits in a garage doesn’t make them a car; in the same way, don’t assume that everyone who attends church is a Christian.
If you keep these things in mind, then your church going experience might be pleasant. I have met some of the nicest people out side of church and I have met some of the meanest people inside the church walls.
“I am a bit too worldly for the religious. And I’m a bit too religious for the worldly.” -Phil Keaggy, Musician
“You are responsible not only for what you do say, but also for what you do not say.” —Martin Luther
Life is eternal and so are words. Why is it that people think they can say whatever comes to mind and not receive repercussions from their spoken words or deeds. Life is in the tongue; the tongue can create or destroy. How do you use words on a daily basis? Do you speak in order to hurt others or to build them up with encouragement. 
I grew up never being allowed to speak my mind; it hurt me in more ways than I can possibly realize. As I have gotten older I see the travesty in not telling your children that they are loved on a daily basis. When I was a child I was never told that by the people who raised me and it has made me insecure in some areas of my life. Now that I have kids of my own, I lavish them with encouraging words because I know the terrible void
unspoken words have left in my heart.
We set things in motion when we speak; what are you speaking over yourself? Have you ever stopped to listen to what you actually say to others and to yourself? Take the ear phones out and turn off all of the noise around you and really tune into your inner voice.
What does it sound like? I do that often and it helps me by correcting the things I say to myself. Choose this day what words to say; you can curse or bless but you can’t do them both simultaneously.
Fear is false evidence appearing real. Think of it, fear lies to you and tries to keep you where you think you’re safe but you’re really not. There are different kinds of fear; there is the healthy fear or respect that you have to teach a young child about not touching a hot stove with their hand or they’ll get burned. 
Then there is the fear of God; it’s not that you fear Him because you’re afraid he might squash you like a bug. This fear is more of a respect out of an acknowledgement that HE is God and you’re not.
The kind of fear I’m talking about is the fear that paralyzes a person and keeps them trapped as in a cage.It lies to you telling you not to trust anyone because there’s no good people out there. Another lie it whispers is the “you’re jus not good enough” and “you’ll never be anything”. This kind of fear alienates you and keeps you from forming healthy relationships with others. In the end you end up destroyed by the very thing you feared. 
The one thing that conquers fear is LOVE. God is Love; love is God. His perfect love annihilates fear; it renders it obsolete. Did you know that the human brain was wired for love? We were not designed for fear!! SO if you are living afraid it’s because you are allowing fear to rule and not love. It’s so black and white, it’s simple. We either live in hate or in love, but we cannot do both.
” You shall know them by their fruit…”
Dear Diary,
I went camping yesterday with a few adults and a group of kids. I am new to this church I recently started attending. My Ma avoids going to church because she doesn’t like religious folks so we have stayed away from church circles for a while. I love God and I have a deep faith in Him because my Ma models Him for me everyday. But just recently I felt drawn to finding a church to call my 2nd home. And, I thought I had done just that until I went on this trip. Boy was I blown away with the things I saw some of these “nice” church people doing.
The leader of the whole group was nice at first but in time I saw his true colors.
I heard him talk down to a lot of kids and when one of the adults got hurt he was so lacking in compassion. I thought,’ I’m supposed to listen to him? Why?’
Then there were the various groups of cliques that had formed
; I felt just like I do when I go to school everyday. The popular kids hang with each other and the regular kids like me we sought out the ones who were ignored by the popular kids. I thought.’ No wonder my Ma stays away from all this craziness.’
I saw another thing that really made me sad and it was how this one youth leader whom us guys are suppose to look up to was rough housing and playing with some of the girls that came. This guy was trippin’…on his own ego that is. Wasn’t he supposed to be looking out for all of our safety? Isn’t that what leaders do? I saw two girls I had been talking with all week end long get injured under this guy’s “watchful eye” when the raft they were all on was capsized and it landed on both girl’s heads. Hmmmm you be the judge God and you show me if I’m being judgemental or not. If I am forgive me; but if I’m not, help us all act more like you.
Lastly, I read somewhere that we will be known by our fruit. One of the fruit of The Spirit is LOVE. This week end I saw love in some people that came on this trip; there were some parents that came a long to help out the youth leaders; I saw love in them. Then I saw love in a couple of the other youth leaders. May be just maybe, the rest of the youth leaders came along to learn to love by having to serve the whole group. You decide.
I’m glad I went on this trip though because I did get to meet some really cool kids.
Talk more later…
Carlos G.
P.S. To ALL youth group leaders everywhere: Please remember we are still kids and if you are trying to lead us, we watch what you DO, way more than what you SAY.
Just the other night I heard my ten year old say the funniest line and as I pondered it, I saw how deep this girl can be at times. Raquel, ” Mom, why do people say they want to be on fire for God? That’s so stupid, don’t they get God wants them to be ALIVE?” 
My daughter had heard a man say that one day a while ago when we used to take them ice skating. We met a man who had 3 kids and he claimed,” My kids are all on fire for God! Bless God!!” One by one my kids came to me and told me that when they had spent time with the ” On Fire For God Kids,” they were amazed by all of the filthy things that came out of their mouths when their dad was out of sight.
Today my 13 year old son made another keen observation,” Mom, I notice that people who act like they’re devoted to God, really aren’t. But the ones who don’t act like it, they’re the ones who really are close to Him.” I love the way children just call it like it is. Kids can smell out a phony from miles and miles away. We need to take great care with what types of behavior we model for our kids; they are ALWAYS watching us!
Don’t let love be a mere outward show. (Romans 12:9)
I look into the mirror and what do I see?
A new creation
the old has been swept away into the sea-
of forgetfulness. 
I have a new role to fill;the old one is obsolete,
it has been swept away
into the sea of forgetfulness,
nothing new exists there,only the old.
I look into the mirror and what do I see?
A new creation who trusts in You more than before.
It’s not a blind trust but a quiet certainty.
a steadfast determination from way deep inside;
a knowing You’ll see me through.
Gone are the old worries, fears and tears,
they tried so long to alienate and annihilate my soul.
Now I know for sure you have it all under control.
From my inception
came so much corruption and deception-
the worst of my enemies.
They fought hard to keep me blind and hopeless.
My blind guides led me to a pit of distress.
The past has no eyes.
Looking back there for direction is useless.
The past is an old sage holding up signs,
warning me of the paths I’ve tread on before
and reminding me those I should now avoid.
From my past I only take the good:
memories to warm and comfort,
on my journey forward.
On my left and right my two loyal friends-
HOPE and FAITH.
During the worst of times
I hoped against Hope,
while Faith carried me on her strong shoulders.
Before God builds a new creation,
He sweeps away the old debris.
A new foundation must rest upon solid new ground.
He doesn’t search in the rubble or debris,
those He cast into the sea.
A single cornerstone He saves:
My Faith.
Up ahead I see brighter days.
God never REBUILDS;
for to re- anything is a do over,
from a pre-existing plan.
The Master Builder employs His own blue print:
THE ORIGINAL!
Mirror, Mirror on the wall, 
I see me no longer
fearful, worried or angry.
Mirror, Mirror on the wall,
I like the new me…
I smile at myself and I’m standing tall!
Eva Santiago Copyright 2011
Bom dia meu Deus incrível! ( I picked Portuguese today!)
So many things to discuss with you today God, but alas I think I must thank you first for your presence in my life. What can I do for YOU today? What can I bring you? What can I say? Ok, I’ll just hang out here with you until you tell me 🙂
A friend of mine , his name is Tim just shared how he went to visit his grandfather’s grave. It’s been many years since he passed away and my friend told me that while at the cemetery a beautiful butter fly was following him around and would not let him be.
Tim said that he told it to go and it did and when he called back the butter fly, it obeyed him. First of all, I applauded Tim for sharing such a wonderful story; I find it amazing when a grown man opens up and shares from his heart. Many men struggle with talking from their hearts and when my guy friends do so, I’m all ears because I know how difficult that can be for some.
Tim wanted feed back on what that butter fly represented and I shared with him that I thought God had used that tiny winged creature to touch him and remind him that even though his grandfather isn’t here in this life anymore, his Spirit is very present with his grandson. God, I wish people were open to letting you blow their minds more. We are all curious about the super natural realm; really think about it, why do you think so many people turn to psychics and fortune tellers?
So I say to you Tim, never ever close up to God and His wonderfully unique ways that He uses to reach out and bless you. God is not some horrible task master; He so loves you and because He does, He sends you messengers, even that tiny butterfly to remind you how special and amazing you are to Him.
” For I know what plans I have in mind for you,”says The Lord. “Plans for your well being and not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future. When you call to me and pray to me I will listen. When you seek me you will find me; provided you seek for me whole heartedly, and I will let you find me.”
Eu volto a minha grande Senhor! 
When you sing a song to God, hold on because He will sing it back to you!
When you praise Him for all that He’s done and all that He is; He will praise and brag on you, His child.
When you give something to God,He gives it back to you-multiplied! everything he does is magnified.
When you worship God from your being, He shows you how much He adores you!
Hallo Gott! (Hello God, in German).
Yesterday I was telling a friend how people can look at me as if I’m crazy for the way I praise you during a church service. Some people will give me funny looks as if to say,” What’s the big deal here? Does she need really to go on like that??” I find it amusing that folks will literally fall apart when their favorite NFL team 
scores during a game, yet when it comes time to praise YOU, they turn suddenly shy and uncomfortable.
So next time you pass judgement on someone like me, who has freedom to hoot and holler for her God; remember if you have that kind of zeal for your favorite pro ballers,
God would like to hear you go on like that about Him from time to time 🙂
Ich werde mit dir reden später … Ich liebe dich!
Ok God, please remind me to start doing laundry earlier in the day so I won’t be out here at 3pm when it’s the most scorching . The beads of perspiration forming on my upper lip and forehead remind me of the sound sizzling bacon makes on a live griddle.
Thanks for sending Raquel out here to pitch in. She said, “Mama I love the wet clothes on me ’cause it’s so hot.” Lightbulb! 
What a great idea. The help didn’t last long though; she couldn’t take the heat trying to bake her all of 4’5 frame so I sent her along.
Where were we God…AH yes, I know hell exists because I live in a hot, arid climate and I imagine this has to be hell on earth! One big difference between this and the furnace that burns eternally: There is cold water, an occasional light breeze and shade! That’s what I imagine, it’s not like I want to find out! 🙂
Before I hang this last pair of socks,
I just want you to know God, how glad I am that you are my friend.Chao for now ( as I make a fast dash for the shade of my porch where my ice cold water awaits.
Eva Santiago 