Distraction

SO….It takes a lot to make me sit down for an extended period of time. Continuously. Without doing anything else other than homework.

I sit down, work a little..then check my email, then my facebook, then look at people’s stuff, then some new photography business’s pics, then I go back to reading. For about ten minutes.

And it happens over and over. And finally, I’ve got some work done! Goodness, why do I waste so much time being distracted by the world! The internet is especially evil. I should turn off my internet for a bit, maybe that will help me get something done…

I was such a good student in highschool! I really was. I had great study habits…and now they are all gone. College took them away from me! I wonder what else college has done to me..I’m sure I could come up with an extensive list. Hmm, I’ll make one tomorrow.

Anyone else seem to have become more ‘bird-minded’ and distracted because of college? Or maybe it’s not college? What is the source of my loss of concentration? Is it just then internet?

There is a Road

There is a road that leads to questions, there is a road that leads to pain, there is a road which brings waves of sorrow

enveloping like the rain. we all fall, we all cry, but are we crying loud enough?  do we seek what we claim to search?

The heart is deceitful above all things, who am I to trust it? rely on everything before you listen to your heart, before the wind of mental blindness washes over in the guise of love, a guise of lies which falls among the dried up leaves of the morrow.

Seek the higher way, seek His Face. For relying on the human race will hurt and gash and borrow the life from your breath til you can breath no more.

Still, I believe in One who can raise us from the death, from the mire, from the sinful life that our souls try not to desire. He can push us out, push us up, wipe the Dictator’s lies from our eyes.

Believe. And let go. Every day, every moment.

Let Him reign.

Importance

The Importance of drinking

Is vital.

To the Existence of living.

It is crucial.

To breathe in the knowledge

Of Ethereal continuity

Which connects with One.

Fail to drink, to eat,

and die.

Slowly, painfully..

dry and starving,

You cannot make it

Alone.

Your arrogance,

In self-sufficiency,

Makes me weep,

After I die laughing.

Soon you will too.

The Light in the darkness,

Cannot be found by pushing

Blindly. In the Dark.

You have to accept the Dark within

To See the Light above.

Looking to oneself for

Guidance brings gnashing

Of Teeth…tearing of

Hair, clothes, life…

I fail.

You fail.

There is only

One who does not.

His touch is Real,

His breathe Reviving,

His love Redeeming,

His Hand Restoring,

All you have to do,

Is put yours in His.

Time Flies!

I’m packing to leave for a missionary conference, and I picked up my journal. Read from the last year and a half’s entries…wow, so much has changed! God has worked in great ways all around me and within me even more! I’m humbled by His grace, love, and mercy.

A lot has happened these last two weeks, including a wonderful visit from a very loved person,  an exhausting VBS,  and a runaway ‘cousin.’ So many emotions, thought, conversations and words. Too much to summarize. Yet, I’ve seen God work mightily, and have no doubt He will continue to do so, even in the harder areas (finance and leaving home again). He is ….I have no words to fill the blank, many rush to my mind, yet none adequate to name His truly mind-blowing BEING.

He IS!!

Multi-tasking!

OHH boy! Today was a long day. Tomorrow will be too. Sheesh, not looking forward to all I have to do. But it can be done!! To God be the glory! I pray He gives me the strength to multitask and get my work done. He is amazing!! What a Great God I serve! SO BLESSED! <3

We’ve Got a Job to Do!

Today, I got to go to a Jr High grad. In Mexico, we have three years of Jr. High and three of High School. A bit more balanced! :) Ha, anyways, there were so many kids there! Each one in their own world with their own thoughts. It boggles my mind how many are living lives away and apart from Christ! The glorious wonders they miss out in living apart from God! It breaks me heart, yet challenges me as well. All of these need Christ. And so many more! What is a life if it is not devoted to bringing more souls to know this grand and magnificent One I call Lord and Savior!! I’d rather die a million deaths than live without HIM as KING of me.

What It’s All About

Today, I had to answer the question in class, “What is Christian Ethics?” It ended up being an enlightening time of typing for me!

~How are we to live our lives? How are we to know what to do or not do? What is Christian ethics?…..

It revolves around who we are in Christ.  “In Christ.”  Not next to Him, behind Him or before Him. IN HIM. Our whole life should be a development of that relation. When we believe that Christ can meet God’s requirements for us and we can be IN him before God, we are seen as Him. God no longer looks at a failed human being who failed to meet His “do’s” and “don’ts.” He sees Christ alone. If we are in Him, there is no better place to be!

When we place our faith in Him to bridge the gap between us a God, we begin a relationship. Rather, in many ways, we repair one. Ever since Adam sinned (breaking the glorious relationship he had with God), God has been offering a way to repair that. He offered the law, an impossible means of reparation. (As mentioned in the videos, Christian ethics is impossible!) Yet, this was followed by the sacrifice of Christ, a possible means to reparation of that relationship. The basis of our daily lives no longer has to be based on attempts to follow laws, or a set of ethical expectations, but it is based on that relationship. Many times, we liken the life of a Christian to a plant which needs to be nurtured and feed to grow. It is through the growth of this relationship with Christ that we know how to live. His living Spirit is what guides us!

Over the years, my mom mentions how she and my dad become more like each other each day. They adopt each others habits, or mannerisms, actions, or perspectives. Everyday they are becoming more into ONE person. I think I finally understand why Jesus calls the church of believers His Bride. Like a wife becomes more like her husband, He wants us to become more like Him. To be really IN Him. So much, that one day, we will not be able to find where Christ begins in our lives or where He ends. A seamless garment before God.

When you are in something, you are surrounded. Our lives need to be surrounded by Christ. Every moment, every breath should be IN Him. We are not our own, nor should we live that way.
In striving for this daily non-separation from Christ is where we find our identity in Him. When we give up our lives to Him, the process begins. There is no more Elise Reyes. I gave myself up to be absorbed by Christ. In Him, I should “live, breath, and have my being” as the Bible says.  It’s such an exciting and beautiful thing, it makes me want to shout for joy and cry at the same time.

Again?

So, we just said bye to one fellow missionary family last week. Now this week, another.

I really don’t like this goodbye business. Yet, missionaries have to do it over and over again. It’s a reminder in a way…not to cling to tightly to this world I guess.

Glad for Facebook though. I could not have survived as an Mk twenty years ago. Snail mail would have killed off all my friendships. I’ve been quite blessed to have been born to this generation! I’m also even more glad I serve a God who is sovereign and gives us only as much as we can take. He is so AMAZING!

I Told You So

Why do we do stupid things?

For years, I’ve been drinking the Mexican tap water (well using it) when I brush my teeth. Mama has always warned me about it. Don’t use the “bug water” to brush your teeth!! But, I did it anyway.

Fool. Haha…Now, I’m sick. That’s what I get for drinking “white man water” for the last two years at college! No…that’s what I get for not obeying mama.

How many times do we do what we know is foolish because we want our own way? How many times does it lead to pain or failure?

Why do we walk into traps when the Lord has so easily given us a way out? Why do we ignore the advice of others selfishly and end up regretting it…

Stubborn independence brings pain, suffering, broken promises, hurt, anger, regret and more. What does it take to say, “yes, You know better than I?”

Demands of the Self

How many times do we want our way and want it now? Countless times. Like my dog. I was eating cheddar cheese, and she comes up and give me that “I want some, NOW” look. Yeah, not attractive.

I’ll bet we look like that to God when we demand answers and provision of Him. Eeesh, if I look like my German Shepherd does when she is demanding I give her something…then I’m embarrassed.

And the picture to the right is too cute. But you get the idea.

~Lord, help me to not ever demand of You. Keep me always thankful and in awe of You! ~