“Eat the Meat, Trash the Bones”

This is what a dear spiritual mentor used to always say.  When a whole chicken is served to you, “eat the meat, and trash the bones”…yes sir.  Many times we encounter people, situations, mind-sets, and more of whom we may benefit or draw wisdom.  Yet, in the midst of that good, there are “other things” that overshadow the blessing.  It is in those that we must not frown on what is being served through them.  We must remember to retain the blessing and shed the negative remarks, ungodly attitudes, limiting mind-sets, and all other things that will hold back one’s growth.  Retaining the blessing is sometimes accepting a situation that brings much suffering.  HUH?  Yes, many times, it is in our suffering that we find our blessing.  I am reminded of a trip I took to San Francisco where my friend and I got to choose an oyster shell from one of the market stands and had the salesman open it to find a pearl that would go on top of each of our rings.  I chose the “prettiest” less rugged looking oyster, and my friend (a native from the southern coast of Mexico’s Pacific) chose one totally opposite from mine.  Now, my pearl was a bit bigger in size than hers, but her pearl was of much higher quality than my.  Those rugged ugly moments or encounters in life sometimes bring out the best in us if we allow them to be teaching moments and moments of growth.  At the end of the trial, we are of higher quality if we chose the correct reaction to the situation.  That is the meat of our situations.  The bones are the other trifle things such as a person giving us attitude, negative remarks, difficulty, etc.

…oh yeah, also the bones are all those who are “Power Holders” in our lives.  This is a new term I learned this past Tuesday from Bishop Gregory Holley.  He spoke to our church’s leadership on the difference between a Leader and a Power Holder.  A Power Holder is one who holds power…not in a good way but in a negative way.  Power Holders try to hold people back; impose fear through their opinions and their silence; and they use their power to control situations and people in an ungodly manner.  They set limitations and restraints on others especially if there are differences of opinion.  A Power Holder is both part of the “meat” and the “bones”.  Just because a person or an organization is displaying characteristics of Power Holders that does not mean one cannot benefit or draw wisdom from the situation.  It does mean that one needs to be extra careful by not accepting negative thoughts, harboring unforgiveness, or become judgmental to the point where one no longer benefits.  The meat part is meant to sustain and nourish your body.  Your body is not capable of digesting bones without causing some sort of internal damage. And, may I remind you how painful it will be to discard them!  (hmm…I don’t speak of a literal experience, but I have experienced those moments in life when I’ve chosen to swallow the bones of something that grieved my heart, and later had a horrible time disposing them from my heart; it can be painful.)

So, it is easy to point the finger at Power Holders, but if we are honest, we all have displayed such distasteful characteristics at one point or the other.  No matter what life brings to our table, let’s eat the meat, and trash the bones!

Week 22: Shout of El Shaddai

Yesterday, we had a great time at church. Pastor Dr. Gayla and Bishop Greg Holley are with us for a couple of days. It was so awesome how our song set confirmed the preaching. Bishop spoke about victory coming from the Lord through faithful obedience, and how to walk in and out the door of blessing. Here’s what our set went:
-Shout of El Shaddai with We Have Overcome
-Dios Sea Exaltado (God be Exalted)
-There is None Like You
-Shout to the Lord
-Danzing Generation (offering)
-Revelation Song (altar call)

The Greatest of the Three

“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13

From the beginning of human reasoning you have existed.  Though you’ve been addressed in many different labels, your presence is unmistakable because when you walk into a scene Doubt seems to flee.

Here, there, and everywhere you help people hang on to their dreams.  You’re the little voice inside that tells us giving up is not an option when you are here even when nothing is how it seems.

Letting others into one’s life, learning to live with those who aren’t always right, laying yourself down so that others might have it better are all in character of a selfless one who seeks to serve the needs of another before oneself.  You, who does not expect retribution of what you give.  You, the one of the three that can truly be pure and frankly free without expecting something in return.  Yes, you, who labors day after day seeds of yourself in hopes that a garden blooms.  You, you are a universal being for the the other two are only concepts, actions, and longings.  You are divine.   Of you the Word of many times ago, speaks giving you a title as none of the other two have: “Deus Caritas Est” (1 Ioannes 4)*.  You shed your blood in your own name.  In every nation, language, belief, and in every single heart, you are known.  Faith and hope are great, but You my prescious Love, You are the greatest of the three.

*Latin: 1 John 4

Say It To My Face

I sometimes wonder what hurts more:  The fact that a person does not tell you their intentions to your face or the thought that they can tell you to your face what you truly do not want to hear.  Sounds like jumbo mumble, right?  (Sigh)  My eyes have cried enough today.  All I can do is lift my eyes to the heavens, stretch my arms unto my Father, and rest upon the though that HIS love is unfailing.

“Beloved,

Here in my heart lies this painful dilemma.  Why have you not called?  Why have you not come?

Why have you not said it to my face?  Who shall I believe: my fears, their words, her words, or my promises?

This dilemma wants to consume me.  Is it better that you did not tell?  Is is worst to hear you say it?

I wait for you, you know.  I cannot let you go.  Patience is not my greatest virtue, I rely more on hope.

Yesterday, I prayed for you.  Today, I did the same.  Tomorrow, I will wake you with the prayers in my head.

It seems surreal.  It seems unfair.  It seems like these days have hung with forever neglecting the pain.

But, my heart knows you know who He is, and of this sorrow moments we will have great gain.

So, beloved, though I cannot say it to your face, I whisper in my heart to the One who knows you best,

‘Together we have climbed so many mountains, valleys, and shallow crests.  You are always in my prayers,

and we will triumph in this test!  I love you, and pray for the best.’”

Week 21: The LORD is Good

Yesterday, we had a sweet presence of the Lord. The end of our morning warm-up practice became a time of just flowing in worship as a team. I even saw some of those who come early and usually sit and chat with their friends while we practice, get up and lift their hands in that moment of reverence.

I can truly say of this past week was unique. I have never experienced such a situation in my life. I keep to myself and vent in my prayer-time, during my commute, and as I cry myself to sleep. I grasp on to HIS word and have become a Prisoner of Hope. As long as I have breath, my hope is in the LORD. My Lord is holy and good. Those who call upon His name will receive forgiveness and healing. We praise Him because is worthy and His mercy endures forever!

“When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:3,14

Our song set was as follows:
-Lord, You are Good
-All About You
-Holy is the Lord (Mighty God You Reign)
-I Call Your Name
-Fiesta (offering)

Prisoner of Hope

“Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope;even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.” Zechariah 9:12

Topless Miss California

Now what? Someone mentioned that this scandal is going from judging beauty to judging piety. Hmmm…though that statement is proving itself true, who’s to say that we can’t have beauty and piety walk hand-in-hand.

Week 20: Long Live the King!

This Sunday, our focus is on lifting our King on high through our praise and with all of our heart .  We are introducing a new song from Hillsong, From the Inside Out.  The lyrics are beautiful and prophetic.  My heart is deeply touched by one of their lines.  The art of losing myself in bringing God praise and allowing HIS will in my life gives life to my purpose here.

Your will above all else, my purpose remains.  The art of losing myself in bringing you praise.  Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades.  Neverending, Your glory goes beyond all fame.

Here’s what our set looks like:

• Trading My Sorrows
• King of Majesty
• Glory to the King
• From the Inside Out
• Every Move I Make (Offering)

My heart cries out:  Long Live the King!

Our Little Flower

My little flower.  We love having our niece over every weekend.  It gives us great pleasure and joy to know that she is going to do great things in life.

Week 19: Victory

“And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-Nissi.” Exodus 17:15

When Israel defeated the Amalekites, Moses worshiped the LORD for given them victory. Other versions read as “the LORD is my Banner’, suggestion that the people should rally round God as an army gathers round its standard (banner). God leads us to victory. Today’s Praise & Worship song set:

• Enemy’s Camp Medley
• Shout Unto God
• Dios Sea Exaltado (God Be Exalted)
• He Reigns
• Forever More
• From the Inside Out

Be Blessed at Church Today!