What is Love?

Warning this blog is long. if you know me, my blogs tend to be long wordy paragraphs. I think there's something appealing about just being clear cut, simple and straight to the point to only say what ya need to say, to make it easy for readers to understand. But then I think no.. I am much more of a Mojojojo, the monkey that needs to repeat himself in several different and lengthy ways to be more thorough. To be a little extra descriptive in completing his thoughts. to keep using run on sentences. And now with new and improved colored Titles!

Discerning God's Will

Discerning God's will often takes a lot of quiet time of prayer, meditation and waiting in stillness. (scripture also talks about fasting, which is a whole subject in itself). Usually in seeking God's will, it takes a good span of time. God may not necessarily speak in words, or ways that we expect. or in the ways we're used to. Sometimes God communicates by putting certain thoughts, or feelings on our heart. Sometimes God just lets us know things, without over spiritualized or supernatural signs. God also repeats himself, confirms and reaffirms his will. God doesn't just whisper something to us once. No he continues to press it on our heart, soul and minds. This almost explainable knowledge becomes clear and distinguishable that it is from God and not from ourselves.

We are to consult God's Word to know his general will and call to justification and sanctification. But on top of that general will for Christians. we do have God's unique and individual will, purpose, call/ vocation for us, whether it be something short or long term. Also to be clear our vocation interestingly we often only seek God's will when we want answers or want something for ourselves. At the end of the day, often more important that receiving or getting an answer, is realizing that God ultimately just wants our heart and our communion with Him. God draws us to himself and then engulfs us with his love, and then we're reminded of how incredible it is to have intimacy with the living God. There is not one second that goes away, where God is not loving us.

Steve Porter

Prof. Steve Porter was my favorite Spiritual Formation teacher at Talbot School of Theology/ Biola University. So smart, so humble, such a good communicator, deep, relevant, practical and a great teacher. I wish I got to take more classes from him. He's easy to listen to and you can see he lives out to apply what he preaches. He also uses good examples, stories and experiences to teach his lessons.

One day I saw Prof. Steve Porter just playing with his kids on in the grass on campus. And I thought, that's exactly God's relationship with us. God invites us to simply be with Him, to enjoy spending time with Him, He delights in us and loves us much more than we can imagine. Without even knowing it, he demonstrated what the Father's love for us is like. Perhaps the reason he never made it to that wedding was so that it could be a great sermon example to teach others!

9 "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 
2 Cor. 12:9-10

Dear God, 
Thank you for the people in my life. Thank you for watching over the people I care about most. May you bless them and surround them with your love. Draw me closer to you in intimacy. Grow a hunger in me to seek more of you. Fill me with your desires. Create a new heart in me oh Lord. Wash away any filth I may have collected. Father God I praise you for all the big things and little things that you do. I know I can't express enough gratitude, or even worship you the way you deserved to be glorified. May I decrease, and may you increase. Protect my words and actions to not hurt anyone. Help me to be better. Help me to treat others with only love, kindness and respect. May I abide and remain in your love. Heal any brokenness I harbor and comfort me in my pain, worries or fears. May you replace it with peace, faith, and hope. Thank you for Jesus. May I grow in His likeness and in His will. Thank you for forgiving me of all my sins of omission and commission. You're grace is sufficient. I place my trust in you. God please fill me with your Spirit. Give me patience, to wait, to be still in your presence. Father God speak to me, I am listening. I give you all the praise. Amen.

I Feel Good!

Isn't it crazy how good music is? It always seems to better my mood. Gosh i feel so good right now! Aw yeah boyyy!! Turn dat muzic up! cheeewhooooo!!

There's music to pump me up, get me dancin and motivated, Den there's this kind of music that just puts me in a certain groove. those songs that u can't help but move. the beat just takes over! And then there's also a chill trap or just chill mix playlists that is usually my go to. Somethin that's relaxing and lets ya just enjoy the present. Oh and then there's also classic oldies music that always does the trick.