Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I started writing this Thanksgiving note and a thought came to mind with question marks. What do I have to thank God for today?

The obvious is all around me, and it is something to praise God, but I also thought of listening to the blessings my soul is highlighting today. The things we have a tendency to leave behind the curtains, as if ashamed of the process God uses to mold us into the image of his son, Jesus Christ.

And so, I want to thank God for friends who were with me before my salvation and transformation into the kingdom of God. Those who without understanding or acceptance of the new me, stayed close and helped me in times of hardship.

I thank God for my family in Brazil. They at a distance and in their own ways have strengthened me through their love, and patience and by being a reminder of my spiritual and cultural roots. And my family here in America, who have shaped the adult I am today, and have provided for me and my children, family nourishment.

And so, my thanksgiving comes with a reminder of where I came from spiritually, and where I am today. “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wreck like me”. This is the melody my spirit is humming today, in thanksgiving to God’s work in my life, because no other words would be able to express how thankful I am to God, for giving his only son to die on the cross, to guarantee my salvation.

God bless everyone who is reading this message today, with the same love and compassion he had for my soul. May the upcoming Holiday season be used to worship and praise, the only King of our hearts. Jesus Christ! Colossians 3:12-17                   

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

God is fighting for me and he is winning all the time!

Oh,  what a beautiful fall morning this one was!!! - I never thought I could feel like this on a cooler, overcast fall morning, but today, this is exactly how I felt as I was driving and singing alone. Smiling at nothing and driving happily from one point to another, to take care of my morning chores. There was this little happy child inside of me, that refused to be pushed around by the trials and tribulations life has presented me to these past seven years.

For the first time, in seven years, I felt what happiness really is, and I grasped that the spirit of joy had come to live with me today. Oh, the streets were beautiful and full of life. With its fall colors and smells, and the beginning of a rushed holiday season.

So, what had changed in my life since last fall, I asked? Nothing that anyone could put a penny to the material value. In many aspects, my life had changed a lot to a worse arena for the naked eye viewer, but for me, now seen through the eyes of God, things were looking so much brighter. I'm feeling stronger, although vulnerable to society. I'm happier, although I'm destitute of material means. I'm healthier physically although many do not see. I have a thankful heart in place of a depressed and hurtful heart.

Yes, the Bible passage from Philippians 4:13 that says, I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me has finely been drilled into my heart, mind, and soul and NO-thing cant ever take me back to think any other way. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Thanks, Jesus for Salvation through your blood! Amen!!!