Modern Christmas carols II - 'How Many Kings'

If you don’t listen to Christian Radio, you probably have never heard this song. It’s relatively new and it’s not a classic yet. But it’s one of those that makes you stop and think. It’s not your traditional “Hark” song. But it addresses why a King would be born in a stable.

How Many Kings
From the album Bethlehem Skyline by Downhere

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe, after all we've projected,
A child in a manger?
Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother's shawl - just a child
Is this who we've waited for? 'cause...

How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior
All that we have, whether costly or meek
Because we believe.
Gold for his honor, and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross he will suffer
Do you believe?
Is this who we've waited for?

How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Only one did that for me.

All for me...
All for you...

Downhere live performance

“How many fathers gave up their sons for me?” The answer is only one.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him..." ~ John 3:16-17

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ~ 1 John 4:8-10

No other king, lord or god ever did that for mankind, for you.

Merry Christmas

Giselle Aguiar

Soli Deo Gloria

www.giselleaguiar.com/wwjd 

A modern Christmas carol - 'Mary Did You Know?'

Last Sunday at church we were asked to reveal what our favorite Christmas carol is during greeting time. A few years ago, I would have said, "O, Holy Night!" but now it's "Mary, Did you Know?" - A modern Christmas Carol.


You'd think there were enough of them. You hear them every year for 2 months or more. Most of you know them by heart. It’s one thing to sing along mindlessly and it’s another thing to take in the real meaning.

In 1984, Mary Did You Know? was penned by Mark Lowry, a Christian comedian. He wrote it for a Christmas play thinking about the questions that he would ask Mary, the mother of Jesus, if he had the chance. It became a new Christmas classic.


Mary knew her Son was special – an angel from God announced that she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and give birth to a Son and He shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:26-38)

That’s all she was told, all she knew and she replied, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."

She had no idea what she was getting into, but she put all her trust in the Lord.

When you read the words to this song, think about that young mother with her baby and then who He grew up to be.

Mary Did you Know 
by Mark Lowry

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.


Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.


The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.


Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

Here are two other versions with videos that help tell the story:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1oHJR2g7Tw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcb6B9dAZ88

Merry Christmas
Search Amazon.com for Mary Did You Know?

Giselle Aguiar
Soli Deo Gloria
www.giselleaguiar.com/wwjd

Ask and you shall receive

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" ~Matthew 7:7-11

If you don’t ask, you won’t get, right?

At the end of a job interview what are you supposed to do? Ask for the job. If you don’t, how do you expect to get it? Ok, you may get it anyway, but if you ask for the position, it shows you are earnestly interested in it and you have a better chance of getting it.

If you need help, ask for it. You never know who may be in the position to help you. If you don’t ask, you’ll never know, will you?

If you’re lost, ask for directions. (Why do guys have a problem with this?) It may take you a long time to figure out where you are, even with a GPS in your car. If you program the wrong address or if the street is new, it’s not going to give you the right information. Save time, ask for directions. (Even Mapquest gets it wrong sometimes.)

That’s how God works. Kind of like the jeanie in the bottle. “Your wish is my command!” Well, sort of. King Solomon had that opportunity once. One night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." (2 Chronicles 1:7).

Solomon, wise man that he was, could have asked God for wealth or power, but he actually asked for something he already had - wisdom. Wisdom to better govern God’s people.

God did better than just giving him wisdom, but He blessed him with the riches that he didn’t ask for, simply because Solomon was humble, not greedy or power-hungry. You can read all of what God gave him in 2 Chronicles 7:8-14.

So, don’t be shy, ask God for what you need and don’t be greedy about it. Ask Him for what you need, not what you want. There’s a big difference.

How? Just pray. Talk to God. He’ll listen. You may ask Him for next month’s rent money and you may end up getting a good permanent job. You may ask Him for a job, but he may give you a new direction to go in with better opportunities.

You won’t know until you ask.

God Bless
Giselle Aguiar
Soli Deo Gloria
Search Amazon.com for christian books
www.giselleaguiar.com/wwjd

Know Thyself

Note: This is an exercise in getting to know yourself and what you want. If you haven’t read the previous blogs on What Marriage is Not, please do so before you start this.

Exercise 1: Know Thyself and What Thyself Wants. Now that you know what marriage isn’t, you need to understand why you no longer want to be single. And it had better not be for the reasons mentioned in the previous blogs! Yes, I know you’re busy, but you need to take time each day to pray and to go over your day and examine yourself quietly and calmly giving yourself a space to grow, to change and to find different ways to get what you want.

Some things to think about are:

Who am I?

What am I doing here?

What is the purpose of my life?

What is God’s plan for my life? (That is sometimes not so obvious – I keep asking him and I still don’t know – but I think I’m getting close.)

Is there a reason why I am living, and is there a reason why I am living single?

How much of this is my own creation, and what can I do about it?

This is silly, you may be thinking, “I know who I am.” But, do you really? As mentioned before, you have to love yourself before you can love someone else. And you have to know yourself before you can love yourself.

Some other questions to ask yourself:

Did I achieve everything I wanted to accomplish today?

What did I do to today to accomplish what I want?

How did other people see me today?

How did I see myself today?

What did I do to improve myself or understand myself better today?

How do I feel about myself today?

Did I take time for myself today to plan and then review my day? If not, what got in the way.

Where do I see myself a year from today?

Where do I see myself five years from today?

Where do I see myself ten years from today?

What do I really want, short term and long term?

What am I doing everyday to get it?

What does the future hold for you? God only knows, right? While I lived in Florida, we had some visitors named Andrew, Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. Needless to say, these hurricanes got in the way of the plans and goals of many people. Everyone had to accept the fact that their world was literally turned upside down and they had to manage to turn it right side up again and get on with their lives.

You may think, “Why should I have plans and goals if life’s going to turn it upside down?” Life is a journey not a destination. If you don’t know where you’re going, you’re going to end up somewhere you don’t want to be.

If you need help in getting to know God and in turn, discover what His will is for your life, first you need to have an intimate relationship with Jesus. Visit this website for answers.

God Bless,

Giselle
http://www.giselleaguiar.com/
Phoenix Singles Examiner

Technorati Tags: love,marriage,relationships,knowing yourself,God,Jesus,romance,soulmate,single living,singles,loneliness,dating

Freedom Isn't Free

When I was a teenager I dreamed and looked forward to the day when I'd be FREE! Free to make my own decisions and not have to get my parents' approval. Free to live how and where I wanted. Free to come and go as I please. Free to wear what I want, date whomever pleased me and do whatever I wanted. FREE!

As soon as I left for college, I was FREE! I stopped going to church - my excuse was that I didn't like the church in my college town - but I didn't bother to go "church shopping". I had better things to do on Sunday morning - like getting over a hangover from Saturday night! I was FREE to party hardy and I did. I seriously don't know how I survived my college years. Many a morning I'd wake up and not remember how I got home the night before - but somehow, my car was safely parked in the parking lot and I was in my bed unharmed. (Albeit with a nasty hangover - until I discovered that I didn't get a hangover with Southern Comfort and 7Up - I could drink those all night and be right as rain the next day.)

It wasn't until I was in my 30s that I started my spiritual journey back to a solid relationship with God and Jesus Christ. And it wasn't till last year (35 years since I first left for college), when I realized that the FREEDOM that I thought I had was really keeping me in chains.

I was watching The Truth Project and Dr. Del Tackett read this passage from the Old Testament:

“…You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD your God.' " ~ Numbers 15: 39-41

It was like God had slapped me upside the head. (He does that sometimes when He really wants to get our attention. Too bad many times we ignore Him.)

“…not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.” The phrase “prostitute yourselves” can be replaced by “sell yourselves out.” Isn’t that what we’re doing when we have sex outside of marriage? We are selling ourselves out to hopefully obtain someone else’s love and affection. People, it’s not worth it. (Good Book: 60 Things God Said About Sex by Lester Sumrall.)

I finally realized that I was a slave to my "lusts" - and not just sex, but money, power, food and drink - the "lusts of our own hearts and eyes." There's a phrase for when we fill our plates with more food that we can eat:
"Your eyes are bigger than your stomach".

We overeat and overindulge because it's free - or we think it's free. We're paying by the consequences of our actions. God gave us FREE WILL. We are free to make our own choices, but that doesn't mean we are free to sin to our heart's content! God gave us FREEDOM, but he gave us rules to live by. He gave up His son, Jesus, to die for us so that we would be FREE from sin.

But there are times when that "freedom" of sin is too appealing. Oh, it's not so bad. Once won't hurt. If it feels good - go with it. Go with the flow.

A wise man once said, "The best way to resist temptation is to avoid it in the first place." (Scott Pixler, First Christian Church of Phoenix).

God knows what's good for us and he laid it all out in the Bible. He drew boundaries and we must trust the protection of those boundaries if we are to be truly FREE from SIN.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. Jesus paid for our FREEDOM with His LIFE.

Sin’s lure may look like freedom
But in its grip we’re bound;
It’s when we’re bound to Jesus
Real freedom will be found. —D. De Haan
(from Our Daily Bread - June 25, 2009)

So, before we do something that's "iffy" we need to ask ourselves, "Would God be pleased with my actions?" If the answer is NO - DON'T DO IT! It's that simple. And guess what? God's FREEDOM is the best FREEDOM in the world!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7

If you have not found the FREEDOM that God offers, all you have to do is sincerely pray this prayer:
Dear Jesus,

Come into my heart. I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. I repent of my sins. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you received Jesus into your heart, welcome to the family of God! The following will help you deepen your relationship with Christ:

1. Pray. Just talk to God no matter where you are. He doesn’t care what the words are, just that they are sincere.
2. Read the Bible everyday to learn about Jesus and how to live that pleases God. Start with 1 John, then the Gospel of John, the Philippians.
3. An important part of helping your relationship with Christ grow is to tell others about Him. Demonstrate God’s love and be active in telling others about Jesus.
4. Find a bible-based church and become active getting to know other Christians. Find one with a singles ministry or groups for people your age. Many have groups for different interests. Shop around, but commit yourself to finding one and joining a church family. (Read the Benefits of a Church Family).

God Bless,
Giselle
http://www.giselleaguiar.com/novel1
Follow Giselle on Twitter

Time on Your Hands

If loneliness is a problem in your life, you may just have too much time on your hands.

Being happy as a single is no accident. The secret is to convert wasted, tentative time to convert it to positive, committed time. Since many singles have time on their hands during evenings, weekends, vacations, it’s easy to turn nonproductive time into a time of growth.

No matter what your business or social schedule is like, taking time every day to review the day and to look at yourself quietly and calmly provides you with a space to grow, to change and to find alternative ways to get what you want.

Some things to contemplate are:

• Who am I?
• What am I doing here?
• What is the purpose of my life?
• What is God’s plan for my life? (that is sometimes not so obvious)
• Is there a reason why I am living, and is there a reason why I am living single?
• How much of this is my own creation, and what can I do about it?

Some of these may seem silly. You may say, "I know who I am." But, do you really? As mentioned before, you have to love yourself before you can love someone else. And you have to know yourself before you can love yourself.

Some other questions to ask yourself:

• What did I want today?
• What did I do to get what I wanted today?
• How did other people see me today?
• How did I see myself today?
• What did I do to improve myself or understand myself better today?
• How do I feel about myself today?
• Where do I see myself a year from today?
• Where do I see myself five years from today?
• Where do I see myself ten years from today?
• What do I really want, short term and long term?
• What am I doing every day to get it?
• Did I take time for myself today to plan and then review my day? If not, what got in the way.

Making the Most Out of Being Single

Creative Outlets in your own home:

• Learning a foreign language
• Playing a musical instrument
• Surfing the Net
• Learning new computer skills
• Reading
• Discovering hidden talents
• Exploring your spirituality
• Gardening – indoors and out

Getting Out – Don’t sit and wait around for things to happen. Mr. or Ms. Right probably won’t just come knocking at your door. You have to go out and meet them

• Take classes
• Volunteer – Free
• Go to the Library – Free
• Go to the park – Free
• Go bike riding – Free
• Get involved in church or community activities

But be careful not to over do it. Taking on too many responsibilities can lead to burn-out. Don’t be desperate to fill in those lonely hours by volunteering for too many projects. Remember, when you volunteer to do something, you are expected to do the job well. If you take on too many projects, your results will be sloppy. It’s better to take on one or two projects and do them well, than to burn yourself out trying to do too much.

Remember, you are NEVER ALONE! God is always with you. Jesus is always walking by your side.

If you don’t have that type of relationship with God and Jesus, then sincerely pray this simple prayer:

Dear Jesus,
I am a sinner and need you in my life. Please forgive me of my sins. I believe that You died on the cross and rose from the grave. Please come into my heart and life. Thank you for helping me turn from my sins and follow you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you received Jesus into your heart, welcome to the family of God! The following will help you deepen your relationship with Christ:

1. Pray. Just talk to God no matter where you are. He doesn’t care what the words are, just that they are sincere.
2. Read the Bible everyday to learn about Jesus and how to live that pleases God. Start with 1 John, then the Gospel of John, the Philippians.
3. An important part of helping your relationship with Christ grow is to tell others about Him. Demonstrate God’s love and be active in telling others about Jesus.
4. Find a bible-based church and become active getting to know other Christians. Find one with a singles ministry or groups for people your age. Many have groups for different interests. Shop around, but commit yourself to finding one and joining a church family.

God Bless,
Giselle
E-mail: deovolente.love1@gmail.com
http://www.giselleaguiar.com/
Phoenix Singles Examiner

Another Year Older and Still Single

Birthdays, Christmas and Valentine's Day used to depress me somewhat when another would roll around and I was still single. As I celebrate my 54th birthday this week, I'm still single, but I'm OK. I'm blessed. I'm unemployed and in a financial hole, but I'm blessed. I praise God for another year.

Since my birthday is in June, my years are broken up in to 6-month intervals. For me, my birthday is a start of a new year. At Christmastime, that marked the half-way point to another birthday. (I was happy when I could exclaim, "I'm 10 and a half!")

I'm blessed that I'm in relatively good health. Yes, my hands (and now my feet) ache with arthritis. Yes, my asthma kicks in every time I try to exercise. And, yes, my allergies are unbearable sometimes.

I'm blessed that my mom, who's turning 86 this year, is still healthy and sharp as a tack.

I'm blessed that I still have my house and my car.

I'm blessed to have a great church family.

I may not know what tomorrow holds for me, but I do know that I can trust that God won't give me more than I can handle and that He knows what's best for me and He has a plan for me. I've learned to be patient. It's God's timetable not mine.

Once I did that, I stopped worrying. WOW. That's a relief! I always have a worse-comes-to-worse scenario and somehow, that never comes to fruition. Somehow, the bills get paid. Somehow there's food on the table. Somehow, there's gas in the car. Sure, one has to make scarifies when times are tough. First thing that went was the Dish Network. I just couldn't see paying $55/m for 150 channels that I only watched maybe 25 of them. I got my antennas and my digital boxes and I get 25 or so channels FREE.

OK, I do miss the History Channel, but PBS makes up for that. And I still have the Internet. And if there's nothing good on TV, I turn it off and read a book. (For someone that grew up with TV as their babysitter, that's tough).

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~ Matthew 6: 30-34

So, another year and I'm still single, but I'm not alone. God is with me 24/7.

God is waiting for YOU to acknowledge His presence in your life. Just sincerely pray this prayer and He will!

Dear Jesus,
Come into my heart. I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. I repent of my sins. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

If you received Jesus into your heart, welcome to the family of God! The following will help you deepen your relationship with Christ:

1. Pray. Just talk to God no matter where you are. He doesn’t care what the words are, just that they are sincere.
2. Read the Bible everyday to learn about Jesus and how to live that pleases God. Start with 1 John, then the Gospel of John, the Philippians.
3. An important part of helping your relationship with Christ grow is to tell others about Him. Demonstrate God’s love and be active in telling others about Jesus.
4. Find a bible-based church and become active getting to know other Christians. Find one with a singles ministry or groups for people your age. Many have groups for different interests. Shop around, but commit yourself to finding one and joining a church family. (Read the Benefits of a Church Family).

Feel free to ask questions. Either comment on the blog or email me.

God Bless,
Giselle <>< deovolente.love1@gmail.com
http://www.giselleaguiar.com/
Phoenix Singles Examiner

Compassion - What it is and Why You Need it

Compassion: Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it. (American Heritage Dictionary).

I was watching the video A History of God and theologian, Karen Armstrong said something like this:

"Compassion forces us to dethrone ourselves from the center of our universe. We prefer to fulfill our needs first. But we are supposed to see the needs of other people before ours."

My first thought was: "That explains a lot." Compassion requires true selflessness.

I once told a guy I was dating that he was incapable of thinking about anyone else but himself. He replied, gee, I was just thinking of calling you. (I was going through a tough time and he offered no support.) That was the red flag of red flags. I liked him, we had a lot in common. He was a gentleman (I think that was more from his Army training.)

Kindness is not compassion. Kindness may be the first step to compassion. Kindness is having or showing a tender, considerate and helping nature. Compassion is different because of the word "passion" and its origins:

Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin passi , passin-, sufferings of Jesus or a martyr, from Late Latin, physical suffering, martyrdom, sinful desire, from Latin, an undergoing, from passus, past participle of pat, to suffer; see p(i)- in Indo-European roots.

Kindness becomes compassion when suffering is involved.

Jesus Christ came into the world to show us compassion.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16

How can we be expected to truly love someone else if we don't know the love of God?

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. ~ 1 John 2: 15-17

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ~ 1 John 4: 7-8

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. ~ John 4:16b

If you want to feel God's love and have a relationship with Jesus and be guaranteed a place in Heaven, then pray this prayer wholeheartedly right now:

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross and shedding your precious blood for my sins. I am sorry for all my sins. I ask you to come into my heart, forgive all my sins, and be my Lord and my Saviour. Father, I thank you now for forgiving all my sins and giving me eternal life in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

If you received Jesus into your heart, welcome to the family of God! The following will help you deepen your relationship with Christ:

1. Pray. Just talk to God no matter where you are. He doesn’t care what the words are, just that they are sincere.
2. Read the Bible everyday to learn about Jesus and how to live that pleases God. Start with 1 John, then the Gospel of John, the Philippians.
3. An important part of helping your relationship with Christ grow is to tell others about Him. Demonstrate God’s love and be active in telling others about Jesus.
4. Find a bible-based church and become active getting to know other Christians. Find one with a singles ministry or groups for people your age. Many have groups for different interests. Shop around, but commit yourself to finding one and joining a church family. (Read the Benefits of a Church Family).

I welcome questions. Either comment below or email.

God Bless,
Giselle <>< deovolente.love1@gmail.com
http://www.giselleaguiar.com/
Phoenix Singles Examiner

The Benefits of a Church Family

This blog post is now at:
http://giselleaguiar.com/personal_blog/benefits-of-a-church-family/

Pay It Forward

Yesterday's Our Daily Bread devotion was entitled "Pay It Forward" recalling the movie of that name about not repaying kindness, but passing it on. Being kind to others makes us feel good - and it doesn't need to cost us anything but a little extra effort. There's a commercial for Liberty Mutual that shows an act of kindness witnessed by someone, then that person in turn performs and act of kindness to someone else and it goes on.

Last year I read The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life by Piero Ferrucci. (Warning: he quotes the bible in addition to other non-Christian sources). It's chapters cover: honesty, warmth, forgiveness, contact, sense of belonging, trust, mindfulness, empathy, humility, patience, generosity, respect, flexibility, memory, loyalty, gratitude, service and joy. Those are all feelings that we long for and feelings that we get in return for being kind to other people. To quote Ferrucci, "Kindness frees us from the weights and obstacles that imprison us."

As singles, sometimes we have a lot of time on our hands. To find ways to help others, go to Volunteer Match. There you enter your location and the type of volunteering you are interested in; ie. working with children, the elderly, hospitals, homeless, mentoring, etc.

Many of you may find yourselves unemployed right now. Looking for another job should be top priority in your lives, but you still may find yourself with time on your hands. We are social beings. Since I've been out of work, I miss the daily interaction with coworkers. Volunteering even it's only a hour or two a week, when you're unemployed helps you to socialize with other people and it also looks good on a resume.

Before Jesus shared in the Last Supper with his disciples' feet and said, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." ~ John 13: 14-15. He was telling them to "pay it forward."

To quote the ending passage from the Our Daily Bread devotion, " To know love, open your heart to Jesus. To show love, open your heart to others."

If you don't know Jesus and want to, just pray this prayer wholeheartedly right now:
Dear Jesus, I am a sinner and need you in my life. Please forgive me of my sins. I believe that You died on the cross and rose from the grave. Please come into my heart and life. Thank you for helping me turn from my sins and follow you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you received Jesus into your heart, welcome to the family of God! The following will help you deepen your relationship with Christ:

1. Pray. Just talk to God no matter where you are. He doesn’t care what the words are, just that they are sincere.
2. Read the Bible everyday to learn about Jesus and how to live that pleases God. Start with 1 John, then the Gospel of John, the Philippians.
3. An important part of helping your relationship with Christ grow is to tell others about Him. Demonstrate God’s love and be active in telling others about Jesus.
4. Find a bible-based church and become active getting to know other Christians. Find one with a singles ministry or groups for people your age. Many have groups for different interests. Shop around, but commit yourself to finding one and joining a church family. (Read the Benefits of a Church Family).

God Bless,
Giselle
I welcome questions.
E-mail:

deovolente.love1@gmail.com
http://www.giselleaguiar.com/
Check out my new column for singles at Phoenix Examiner.com

Determination: Never Give Up

Many people are going thru tough times right now and it's really hard to think of one's dreams or goals when you're wondering how you're going to pay next month's mortgage or rent payment. But like this article from Joyce Meyer Ministries explains "God is a rewarder of the relentless, of those who are determined, persevering, steadfast and faithful."

When I was going through my trial last fall, this passage helped to get me through: Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. ~ Romans 5:3-5

Rejoice in our sufferings? Be joyful in our trials? Yes. God never said that life would be without trials. He gave us free will and we make mistakes, make wrong decisions, take the wrong path. We are supposed to learn from our mistakes and trials. Sometimes trials happen thru no fault of your own - like lay-offs at work. But the idea that we need to keep going, to get up after falling down, PERSEVERE.

I used to say "I'm going to have great character when this is over." And I think I do. Now as I wait yet again for unemployment insurance to kick in, I'm in a better place. I am at the mercy of the State of Arizona and there's nothing I can do but wait. Yet, I'm not sitting twiddling my thumbs. I've started this blog and 2 others, I've revised an old singles website of mine and set up my novel's website (see links below).

Character builders I've learned:

1. Trust in God - He is there 24/7.
2. Patience - there are a lot of things that are beyond your control. There's nothing you can and there's no sense getting angry or upset.
3. Don't be lazy - If there is something that is in your control - do it.
4. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help -- $200/m in food stamps comes in handy. I've got free health insurance and prescriptions.
5. I spend more time with the Lord - praying and reading the bible.

I recommend Philippians and James. Here are a couple of quotes from each:

Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ~ Philippians 4:6

It's hard to be grateful to God when you're going thru a tough time, but you have to. Give thanks for the food you do have, the roof over your head - whatever it may be, the people in your life, etc. Count your blessings.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ~James 1:2-4

There's that perseverance word again.

And of course, the old standby - the 23rd Psalm:

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, [or through the darkest valley] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

When I feel my lowest, I always take this out and read it aloud. I copied it on an index card and carry it in my purse.

Evil is the absence of God just as darkness is the absence of light. Strive towards the light- Jesus Christ!

Read Joyce Meyer's latest book:
Never Give Up!: Relentless Determination to Overcome Life's Challenges

If you don't have a relationship with God and Jesus, pray this prayer wholeheartedly right now:
Dear Jesus, I am a sinner and need you in my life. Please forgive me of my sins. I believe that You died on the cross and rose from the grave. Please come into my heart and life. Thank you for helping me turn from my sins and follow you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you received Jesus into your heart, welcome to the family of God! The following will help you deepen your relationship with Christ:

1. Pray. Just talk to God no matter where you are. He doesn’t care what the words are, just that they are sincere.
2. Read the Bible everyday to learn about Jesus and how to live that pleases God. Start with 1 John, then the Gospel of John, the Philippians.
3. An important part of helping your relationship with Christ grow is to tell others about Him. Demonstrate God’s love and be active in telling others about Jesus.
4. Find a bible-based church and become active getting to know other Christians. Find one with a singles ministry or groups for people your age. Many have groups for different interests. Shop around, but commit yourself to finding one and joining a church family. (Read the Benefits of a Church Family).

If you have questions, please feel free to comment and I will reply.

God Bless,
Giselle <>< http://www.giselleaguiar.com/
Check out my new column for singles at Phoenix Examiner.com

No Regrets

A few days ago, I briefly tuned into a PBS Nova documentary: "Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives". Mark Everett's father, a quantum physicist, introduced the scientific world to his radical theory of parallel universes. In a nutshell, he says that there are parallel worlds for each person of what would have been if a different decision had been made.

For instance, when I was in 3rd grade, my parents made me decide between piano lessons and dance lessons because we couldn't afford to do both. I chose piano. So according to Everett, there is another Giselle in a parallel universe who chose dance. I've always wondered what my life would have been if I had chosen dance instead of piano. For one thing, I probably be skinny. I'd probably be a choreographer on Broadway since I love musicals or a professional ballroom dancer. (Right - imagine me on Dancing with the Stars!)

Another major decision in my life was moving to Puerto Rico after college rather than staying in NY and working for K-mart in NJ. I moved to PR with my parents. So, in this other world, is there a Giselle running a K-mart in central Jersey?

Four years ago, I opted to move to Phoenix to escape Florida hurricanes. Is there a Giselle somewhere still working as a church secretary in Florida?

I don't think so. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. One could waste a lot of time wondering "what if." Forget it!

Today's Memorial Day - a day for remembering and it brings back memories. Memories of times past and a lot of "what ifs." We can't relive the past or go back and take that other fork-in-the-road. We need to remember and learn from our past and move on. Many times I think about past decisions and mistakes that I've made and when I realize what I'm doing, I shake the thought out of my head and focus on the current moment.

Lot's of things trigger memories - one can't avoid that, but the idea is not to dwell on them. We've all made mistakes, but if we don't learn from them, we're doomed to repeat them. And we are probably going to make more mistakes. We are not perfect - only God is. God gave us Free Will to make decisions on our own. He also gave us the Bible to show us how to live to avoid the mistakes and to help us learn that the mistakes of the past are all lessons and that we should not make those mistakes again. God forgives us for our past mistakes, but we have to ask for His forgiveness. He sent Jesus to die for those mistakes. Jesus guarantees that we will not go to Hell, but live forever in paradise with Him.

...But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 3:13-14

If you don't have a relationship with God and Jesus, pray this prayer wholeheartedly right now:
Dear Jesus, I am a sinner and need you in my life. Please forgive me of my sins. I believe that You died on the cross and rose from the grave. Please come into my heart and life. Thank you for helping me turn from my sins and follow you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you received Jesus into your heart, welcome to the family of God! The following will help you deepen your relationship with Christ:

1. Pray. Just talk to God no matter where you are. He doesn’t care what the words are, just that they are sincere.
2. Read the Bible everyday to learn about Jesus and how to live that pleases God. Start with 1 John, then the Gospel of John, the Philippians.
3. An important part of helping your relationship with Christ grow is to tell others about Him. Demonstrate God’s love and be active in telling others about Jesus.
4. Find a bible-based church and become active getting to know other Christians. Find one with a singles ministry or groups for people your age. Many have groups for different interests. Shop around, but commit yourself to finding one and joining a church family. (Read the Benefits of a Church Family).

Happy Memorial Day,
God Bless,
Giselle
I welcome questions.
E-mail: deovolente.love1@gmail.com
http://www.giselleaguiar.com/
Check out my new column for singles at Phoenix Examiner.com

Up the Down Escalator

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