Confessions, Realizations, Revelations, Declarations, Acknowledgments, Statements, Confirmations, Recognitions, Stories, Proclamations, Admissions, or just plain Utterance. Whatever you want to call it; this is a place for me to share thoughts my mind is dwelling on. I hope these will be a blessing to your life and to mine!







Monday, June 28, 2010

IMAGO DEI- Part 1

"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." -Genesis 1:27

How does man resemble God? Did the fall destroy or hinder this image of God in man? Is Jesus Christ the exact image of God? How did God's Incarnation effect the image of God in man? Does this image differ with Christians and non-Christians? What do we do and not do to portray this image of God? Why are we supposed to portray the image of God? When will the image of God be made complete in man?

Man, every single man, resembles God. Whether black, white, male, female, american, indian, chinese, iraqi, african, baby, adult, toddler, teenager. Every person on this earth was created with a plan in Gods mind and God is constantly pursuing everyone, all over the World, at the same time.

Every man has four endowments from God--creative imagination, self-awarness, conscience, and independant will. Creativity give us the ultimate human freedom... The power to choose, to respond, to change.

Creativity and Artistry

Look around you. The birds, the trees, the oceans, the mountains, the colors, the noises, the lakes, the sea life, the desert, the stars, the moon, the UNIVERSE. It doesn't take a genius to know that God is creative. But God is creative from Genesis to Revelation. The Biblical concept embraces a much broader canvas than merely the physical creation in Genesis one.

God's creativity always contains something miraculous and mysterious. Deuteronomy 4:32 says, "Inquire from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything been done like this great thing [God's creative act], or has anything been heard like it?"

The Hebrew and Greek words for create, respectively, "bara" and "kitzo," are very similar in meaning and are employed sparingly to denote the pinnacles of God's achievements--creating the heavens and the earth, man, righteousness/justice, the nation Israel, the Church, reconciling Israel and the Church, the way in which he accomplished this, creating the New Jerusalem, and to regeneration and worship.

Basically, if the phenomenon can be explained away by natural means, it is no longer bara activity. As lofty and explosive as the word omnipotent, charged feelings of human astonishment accompany it.

Divine creativity - like all of God's characteristics - grow in proportion to our "connectedness" to Him. If we want to be more creative, we must draw closer to God

This is a quote from Ocho, an Indian Philosopher about the human's man's creativity. And althought he doesn't believe in Jesus Christ as Son of the Living God, he sure is onto something and his thoughts cannot be disregarded. He said, "Creativity is the quality that you bring to the activity that you are doing. It is an attitude, an inner approach - how you look at things.... Not everybody can be a painter - and there is no need also. If everybody is a painter the world will be very ugly; it will be difficult to live! And not everybody can be a dancer, and there is no need. But everybody can be creative. Whatsoever you do, if you do it joyfully, if you do it lovingly, if your act of doing is not purely economical, then it is creative. If you have something growing out of it within you, if it gives you growth, it is spiritual, it is creative, it is divine. You become more divine as you become more creative. All the religions of the world have said God is the creator. I dont know whether he is the creator or not, but one thing I know: the more creative you become, the more godly you become. When your creativity comes to a climax, when your whole life becomes creative, you live in God. So he must be the creator because people who have been creative have been closest to him..."

One of the best ways to know God is to see God as Creativity. All people are born creative, each of course in the unique way in which he/she was wired. We are creative in the way we write, the way we read, the way we face crisis, the ways in which we relate to other people. We are creative with our decisions, and with our intellect; the way we conceive, consider, imagine, think, and weave is divinly creative. We are creative in the way in which we pereive things, and the way in which we bring about change. The creative process is not controlled by a switch you can simply turn on or off; it's with you all the time.

The creative individual has the capacity to free himself from the web of social pressures in which the rest of us are caught. He is capable of questioning the assumptions that the rest of us accept. When we allow ourselves to live in the creativity in which we were made, we are not only being true to the image of God which was established in us since the beginning, but we are allowing our minds to extend beyond the realities of the world and we permit ourselves to have an open mind about who God is and what He does. And when allow your view of God and what he does to be changed and not rest on the assumptions of everyone else... you are preparing yourself for REVELATIONS FROM GOD about the PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE. God reveals things to those who creatively have an open heart and an open mind... those creative geniuses who don't get caught up in the realities in which we live.

Creativity takes us from the world of reality to the world of imagination; it makes the limits of reality dwindle and suddenly everything becomes possible with God.

The bible displays a grand and sweeping image for humanity. In that we are people of creativity and change, we share the Spirit of the Creator. When God speaks and says: “look, I am making all things new…,” life itself is held up as a constantly changing gift of the Creator that will be, in a new heaven and new earth, profoundly full and rich. God will not rest until that vision is reality.

As I said before, Divine creativity - like all of God's characteristics - grow in proportion to our "connectedness" to Him. If we want to be more creative, we must draw closer to God.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Miracles

Today I was praying to God because lately I feel really discouraged. I was praying to God telling him that I know he is a sovereign God and that he is a God of love and forgiveness and so why does it feel like I keep reaping bad things. I understand there are consequences to actions but I do not believe that God sits there with his arms crossed and an "I told you so" attitude and rubs our face in our mess. If that is what you think then my whole life is proof that you are wrong. As soon as I became a Christian, asking for forgiveness for all the thing I had done was my consequence. Do we as Christians not understand that with prayer we are coming before the throne of God? Prayer is so intimate and me approaching the throne of God with all of that baggage was enough shame and consequence that He doesn't make me have tough times every single day now. Once you ask for forgiveness it is done and forgotten. You are no longer held accountable to that.

So lately, people in my life have been making me question that. So I was reading in the words of Job when Job curses the day he was born and this is exactly how I have been feeling lately. (Ch.3) and then in Chapter 4, Job's wis friend Eliphaz speaks. and he says:

"Think about how many people you have taugh and the weak hands you have made strong. Yor words have comforted those who fell and you have strengthened those who could not stand. But now trouble coms to you, and you re discouraged: trouble hits you,and you are terrified.
You should have confidence because you respect God; you should have hope because you are innocent.
But if I were you, I would call on God and bring my problem before him. God does wonders that cannot be understood; he does so many miracles they cannot be counted.
He gives rain to the earth and sends water on the fields. He makes the humble person important and lifts the sad to places of safety. He ruins the plans of those who trick others so they have no success. He catches the wise in their own clever traps and sweeps away the plans of those who try to trick others. Darkness covers them up in the daytime; even at noon they feel around in the dark. God saves the needy from their lies and from the harm done by powerful people. So the poor have hope, while those who are unfair are silenced.
The one whom God corrects is happy, so do not hate being corrected by the Almighty. God hurts, but he also bandages up; he injured, but his hands also heal. He will save you from six troubles; even seven troubles will not harm you.
God will buy you back from death....God will protect you from the tongues of others... You will not be afraid... You will laugh at destruction and hunger... You will know that your home is safe... You will know that you will have many children... You will come to the grave with all of your strength... We have checked this and it is true, so hear it and decide what it means to you."

This came after Job was even discouraged by his Wife! The one whom he loves and trusts! Even his wife was telling him that he was just reaping what he sowed and he was just getting what he deserved.

But we must understand that sometimes God is soooooooo big... he uses trouble to accomplish his will. Sometimes we are innocent and God is just doing something that our own minds can't even imagine. I believe that my God is Sovereign, I believe that God bandages those he hurts, and heals those whom he has injured, I believe God does protect me, and he will give me strength, I believe he will supply me with children when the time is right, and I believe that he will keep my home safe from demons, burglars, and other monsters! I believe he is an Almighty and Powerful God whose wonders cannot be understood and he does so many miracles that they cannot be counted... Do you?

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Word Play

"The words of a good person give life, like a fountain of water, but the words of the wicked contain nothing but violence. Hatred stirs up trouble, but love forgives all wrongs." Proverbs 10:11-12

Words... they have so much power. Words spoken can give a person hope, meaning, encouragement, dignity, and life. Words unspoken can be just as effective.

Words can make us lazy because although words should be used as a tool of communication, they are not a substitute for action.

Words can divide or unite.

Words can restore relationships of all kinds.

Words are the voice of your heart.

Words can impress the mind or words can prove foolishness.

Words are easy, like the wind; yet sometimes there are no words to express what the heart feels.

Words are often first steps.

Words can not be revoked. Words are permanent.

Words can accomplish a lie... but so can silence.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it will eat the fruit there of." Proverbs 18:21

Words are untameable. Words are unruly evil; full of deadly poison.

Words are used to bless and praise God and to curse men which are made in the image of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.

Words often symbolize surrender. Silence often symbolizes defeat.

Words used to much have lost their meaning.

Words are used by both God and Satan.

"Watch you thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions because they become habits. Watch your habits because this develops character. Watch your character for this determines your destiny."


God,
Help me with my Words! Anything that enters my mind that is not of you, seal my lips shut. Do not let worthless and violent words be spoken from your Child. Let my words give strength to the weak, hope to the hopeless, faith to the faithless, and love to those who need it most. Let my words bringeth the peace that passes understanding. Help me to speak gently and have a calm heart controlled by your spirit. Let my words bring life to anyone that I encounter. Let my words spur a passion and desire to know you into the hearts of everyone around me. Let my words be abundant with your wisdom, knowledge, and understand. Let my words be used by you and only you! I love you Lord.
-Ariel Nicole

Friday, June 18, 2010

Satan vs. God

Facing our worst fears is one of the hardest and most incomprehendable things to do. Satan, the enemy, and our own self-destructive natures combine to taunt us with "what-ifs."

Once we are in Christ, Satan has NO authority to destroy us, so he settles for the next best thing: threatening to destroy us. Based on our human histories and behaviors he deduces what we ourselves are most convinced would raze us. What we are convinced would be the "worst possible thing right now."

To the Devil, the irony is delicious: Our distrust in God tattles on us, telling our enemy exactly how to get to us. Many of us habitually rehearse, "If __________ every happens, then I'll just ___________." Our fears become like long, bony index fingers pointing at our vulnerabilities. Once Satan sees what we believe would be the end of us... he threatens and torments us with it.

Our natural human defense is to grovel before God and plead with Him not to let those things happen. Our "conditional trust" not only makes us an open target for enemy torment; it also positions us as negotiators and beggars before God instead of our real positions as secure children who trust their lives to their faithful Father.

Those times when our fears become reality, we feel devastated. We think that God is unfaithful, and Satan essentially gets what he wants--- us to believe that LIFE IS OVER!!!!!! Unless our belief system changes, for all practical earthly purposes, it is. After all, as a man thinks, SO IS HE. (Prov. 23:7)

Don't get me wrong. I'm a huge proponent of praying against what we fear and for the desires of our hearts. I also believe that we're free and safe to voice our worst nightmares to God.

But, in times of Crisis and demonic attack, however, our vulnerable souls need something more. The most critical breakthrough of faith you and I could ever experience is to let God bring us to a place where we trust him --- period. We don't just trustHim to let us avoid what we fear most. We determine to trust Him no matter what, even if our worst nightmare befalls us. We have no greater victory that can render Satan. There is no harsher blow than that.

FILL IN THE BLANKS....

"If ____________________, then God will take care of me."
"If ____________________, then God has a plan."
"If ____________________, then God desires to accomplish something moumental in me."
"If ____________________, then God's going to demonstrate his sufficiency to me."


Each one of those statements reverses the fiery darts of Satan and causes a ricochet back into his ugly, stupid face. Nothing about this approach is easy, nor am I anywhere close to mastering it.
No one welcomes suffering or crisis. Equally, no one can wholly avoid it. Though most of what we fear never happens, our lists roll out so long that some of it probably will. Our only steadfast defense against life's certain uncertainty is unconditional trust in a Savior who loves us more than His own life.

May God plant these convictions deeper than the thorns of earthly pain can penetrate. As hard as trusting can be, living with constant fears is harder.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATH STRAIGHT!!!! (Prov. 3:5-6)

This Moment

there is only ONE ho knows
what's really out there waiting.

In all the moments yet to be
And all we need to know
Is that HE IS OUT THERE WAITING.

To Him the future's history
And he has given us a treasure called RIGHT NOW
And this is the only moment we can do anything about.

And if it brings you tears
then taste them as the fall
and let them soften your heart

And if it brings you laughter
then throw your head back
and let it go, let it go.

YOU GOTTA LET IT GO!

Listen to your heartbeat.

There's a wonder in the here and now
It's right there in front of you
And I don't want you to miss.
THE MIRACLE OF THE MOMENT!!!!

(Steven Curtis Chapman- - - "This Moment")

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Deeper than that...

I was doing another Esther bible study when God revealed a little piece of a soon-to-be revelation.

The story was about how there was an edict issued in Persia to kill all of the Jews and when this happened, Mordecai and the rest of the Jews put on sackcloth and were mourning and wailing bitterly. When Mordecai went to the King's Gate, some maids and eunuchs told Esther (Mordecai's Cousin, who raised her) about Mordecai outside and what he was doing.

Whenever Mordecai told her of the edict that was issued by the King, Esther felt distressed and sent him new clothes to wear instead of sackcloth and ashes. Mordecai refused.

This is kind of what I have been doing with Jared. See, esther made no inquiry into what was wrong with Mordecai until he refused the clothes. But, Mordecai resisted the trivial treatment for his condition. And although Esther's deep concern for Mordecai was real, her remedy was wrong. He needed more than a change of clothes.

The same goes with Jared. If an injured heart covered with sackcloth and ashes isn't treated, it will manifest it's pain somewhere else. A superficial "boyfriend" & "girlfriend" title isn't the right remedy for the pain that was inflicted over the last semester. The problem is a world deeper than that. A title is a trivial treatment for the real problem and although my deep love and concern for Jared is real, my remedy that I am offering is wrong. He needs more than that.

Often times we are tempted to offer a quick fix to a problem before we even hear about it. Offering a quick fix to a hurting person can be more appealing to us than listening at length to the depth of his or her despair.

I feel like I did that with Jared because listening patiently would/will make me uncomfortable, incompetent, unworthy, helpless, and full of saddness and guilt. But I realize that I cannot apply a superficial dressing to a mortal wound.

I realize that if people around us helped us avoid every possibly unpleasantry, fixed every hangnail, and anesthetized every headache for us, we'd quit learning how to deal with difficulty. We'd forget how to cope and we'd crush under the least inconvience.

See, strength comes from muscle and muscle develops from working out. This is true spiritually and physically. My love for Jared used to be... dare I say... "superficial" or "infatuation." It was all about the butterflies, and the daydreaming.

And as painful as this process may have been and will continue to be of the tearing and healing of Jared and I's "relationship." It was definately necessary. That which shatters superficiality also shatters the fetters of our fragility and frees us to walk with dignity and might to our destinies. Instead of being some fragile flower, Jared and I are and will continue to forever be warriors of God. Instead of claiming a "superficial" love we will have a Strong relationship (with huge muscles!!! lol) and full of the real love, understanding, patience, and endurance that our destiny... whatever that may be... will require!

Abba, Father, Daddy...

I absolutely love this song. I heard it on KLOVE the other day and HAD to post it!

The topic I'm discussing today is Father's. What is their role? What does "dad" even mean? What are they there for? What are they responsible and not responsible for?

I was at the dentist when the pregnant dental assistant was telling me all about how nobody understands that just because you have a biological father doesn't mean that he is your real dad and so on and so forth. This spurred my mind into gear into thinking... what is it that makes a "Father" become a "Dad" ?

For the last semester I have been praying for God to reveal to me the whole "God the Father" role because I just don't get it. I don't think it's because my Dad was bad or anything like that. I just don't get it...

So far, this is what he has revealed to me through close friends, mentors, my own parents, my sister and brother-in-law, my cute nephew, the love of my life, the bible, and of course the holy spirit! :)

Jesus always prayed to God "The Father..." Only one prayer (the one on the cross) was not prayed to God as the father. The whole father relationship between God and us is KEY in my opinion and let me tell you it is quite frustrating when you don't understand. So the first place we will look is scripture...

"Yet, O Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hands." Isaiah 64:8

So we know that God the father molds us and makes us into who he wants us to be. But how does he do this? So, let's search some more...

"When you pray, go to your room and shut the door; pray to the Father who is unseen. Then, your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you!" Matthew 6:6

Seems to me as if God is kind of like our earthly fathers in a sense because it's like he wants us to be honest with me. See, when we are in our rooms, alone, praying we pray some of the most honest, earnest, and passionate prayers of our lives. When we pray in front of others a lot of times we pray for things we are supposed to pray for or put on a show to see who is the best "prayer warrior" of the group. (Not that praying in groups is bad... it definately has benefits (acts)). But I know that when I talk to my own father earnestly and just cry out to him with an honest and open heart, he is more willing to be gracious, more willing to forgive, more willing to see deep into my deepest desires, more willing to BLESS ME for my honesty.

"Our Father who are in Heaven; hallowed be thy name." Matthew 6:9

Hallowed litterally means sacred, blessed, sanctified, and holy. God is a father who as pure intentions and motives. A purity and innocence of heart and mind that we cannot even fathom. So respected and so honored. Not only is God supposed to be honored and revered but our earthly fathers are to be honored and revered as well. In Galatians it talks about how Women should love our Husbands like we love the Lord. With respect, reverence, and submissiveness. But that isn't all it says, it also says that Husbands should love their Wives like God loves the church; which is sacrificially, unconditionally, forgiving, peacefully, provision. and many other things.

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26

"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 7:11

I love this picture of God the Father because it shows his provision and how God literally finds JOY in making us happy even though we are evil. I do not have children of my own yet but I do have one stinkin' cute nephew and I know that when I have money or the opportunity to buy things for that cute lil thing... nothing in the world feels better than to make him happy. Seeing him laugh and smile, nothing could warm my heart faster.

Not just that but also watching Ashley and Reid care for him. Caeden is one strong-willed child (from both his mom and his aunt ariel)... lol... and nothing reminds me more of us and God than when Ashley and Reid try to help Caeden with a toy, or help him walk, or stand up and he just wants to run. He also thinks he knows what is best for himself and ends up falling down and crying... waiting on his mommy and daddy to come save him. That is how we are with God! We often times think we know what is best for ourselves and our lives but sometimes God is just sitting there with loving eyes, waiting for us to say, "Okay, Okay... I need your help!" Just as much as Ashley and Reid know what Caeden needs... our Father in Heaven knows how to give good gifts! He knows how to give us what we need and desire! He finds joy in making us happy! We need to trust in him, his sovereignty, and his provision!

"At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children." Matthew 11:25

The way I have seen my own Father work is this... If you have a humble and accepting heart, he will reveal secrets, stories, and advice to you because he knows that you will take it seriously by following it or pondering it. Whereas, a child who is a "know-it-all" or prideful will often stomp all over the valuable information with arrogant feet because of their "knowledge" or "pride". God is the same with us. The more humble, open, innocent, needy, clingy, trusting, and patient we are with him... the quicker he will reveal things to us!

"Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48

"Be merciful as your Heavenly Father is merciful." Luke 6:36

What is so interesting about these two verses is that they are both concluding the first chapters of the sermon on the mount. The are supposed to be the same sentence. But Luke puts more practicality on it if you will. The word "perfect" is translated "mature." Which is interesting because a huge part of watching my the "fathers" around me is how mercy and maturity often go hand-in-hand. Mercy is part of maturity! A major piece if not the whole thing!

"But an hour is coming and has already come, when the true worshipers will adore the Father in spirit and in truth; for such people the father seeks to be his worshipers." John 4:23

I love this verse because it equates worship with adoration of God. I find that loving God is more than just religion... it's more like falling in love, a marriage, a committment, a romance, an infatuation, being captivated by his Love. Adoring God the Father is how you Worship God. Interesting!

Anyway... this post is getting really long. So I am stopping here, but this "Daddy Talk" will be continued!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

"Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases." -Psalm 103:2-3

I read this verse two times yesterday. First, in my Esther Bible Study by Beth Moore, Second, in my e-mail as a daily bible verse from the KLOVE radio station. I love it when that happens. I was urged to tell my story because of it, so I am going to... eventually.

Suprisingly... this is quiet hard. I can tell it quickly but I feel as if writing it is more difficult. Possibly because it's easy for me to say things without thinking about them but when you write you are forced to think about what you are writing.

It's really hard not to understand everything about your past. And what is so interesting is that I can talk to people about it comfortable... I can even help other girls who have been through the same stuff as I have... I have accepted the forgiveness from God. But for some reason my "past" still evidently has effects on my life, every single day! Funny how that works huh?

This may seem random but it's kind of like those "ABOUT ME" sections on profiles/facebook/blogs and such! Those are the hardest things in the world for me to fill out. What are we supposed to write? Typically what happens when people ask me to tell them about myself I end up telling them my whole past because I dont know what else to say. I haven't figured out what everything means yet; sometimes I wonder if I will ever really know. Because my attitude about my past is healthy (for the most part). I have forgiven the people who needed to be forgiven and let go of all anger and bitterness. So why does it still have it's effects? How long is it going to take before I can accurately fill out an "ABOUT ME" section on a profile...

There are very few people in the world who can tell me who I actually am. Possibly only two. Both their names start with "J." They know's who they are. I don't know why one of them really understands but he does. I wish he could just sit me down, explain to me who I am and what I'm supposed to do and then go on living normally.

And the other one could, but he just works in mysterious ways that are exhilerating but so frustrating at times. (*Cough*Jesus*Cough*)

Well, I'm going to a dentist appointment. This was a rambling mess and definately wasn't what I intended it to be but oh well.

GOOD LUCK FIGURING OUT THIS MESS OF WORDS ON A COMPUTER SCREEN. :) HAVE A NICE DAY!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Revive Lyrics "Blink" (plus video)

Teach me to number my days

And count every moment before it slips away

Taking all the colors before they fade to gray

I don’t want to miss even just a second more of this


It happens in a blink

It happens in a flash

It happens in the time it takes to look back

I try to hold on tight, but there’s no stopping time

What is it I’ve done with my life

It happens in a blink

When it’s all said and done

No one remembers how far we have run

The only thing that matters is how we have loved

I don’t want to miss even just a second more of this

It happens in a blink

it happens in a flash

it happens in the time it takes to look back

I try to hold on tight but there’s no stopping time

What is it I’ve done with my life

It happens in a blink

Slow down, slow down

Before today becomes our yesterday

Slow down, slow down

Before you turn around and it’s too late

It happens in a blink

it happens in a flash

it happens in the time it takes to look back

I try to hold on tight but there’s no stopping time

What is it I’ve done with my life

It happens in a blink

My First Confession

Since my life is way to complex to go and explain all things. I'm going to pretend as if you already know me. Here is my first confession which was burdening my heart as I was watching my little brothers at swimming lessons today.


So I have come to realize that I have become calloused to the pain that I cause my mother. Granted, she isn’t perfect and we don’t always get along, but when I cause her pain by talking harshly, I don’t think I feel remorse like I should.

Also, with Jared. How I treated him was a crime of passion. It wasn’t knowledge, love, or understanding. It was loathing and hatred. I treated him and the military as if they hold no intrinsic value to society. And what’s even worse is that, although my sorrow is genuine, I expect him to forget about it, heal his heart quickly and get over it. When really he is thinking, “the very person who I love so dearly, who made my life fall completely apart, wonders why I can’t get it together.”

I guess the evils of my own heart are being revealed. I hate seeing it because it seems as though the hurt that I have caused all these people is irrevocable. How can I begin to show my mother love piled on top of twenty years of meanness. How can I begin to show the love of my life, my one and only, that my remorse is real and heal his heart of the pain in which I have put him through. How can I begin to put my mother’s world, and my lover’s world back together when I don’t even understand my own.