Month: June 2014

Beneficent

lauriann 2 Comments

Beneficent

On Wednesday, my daughter and I went to see the movie “Maleficent”.  My interest on seeing that movie had nothing to do with watching Angelina Jolie with the overgrown cheekbones; it was more because it seemed to be an interesting take on the story of “Sleeping Beauty”.

I liked how the story dealed with the whole Maleficent character.  I never liked how in children’s stories the evil character is all black without any good feelings at all.  I’ve always liked how in japanese animation or anime, the evil characters have always been portrayed as complicated beings dealing with their good sides.

In the movie “Maleficent” there were no blacks and whites.  There were grays; so the movie made more sense and it was less predictable.  It was just like real life…

 Each one of us has a bad side and a good side.  We all have the choice to choose which side we are gonna let loose in our lives.  What makes more sense is how we can’t predict which side of us will be the winner.  We should want the good side to take over but I often find people wanting the bad side to win.  They even feel proud when the bad side gets what it wants.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 7:14-25 “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.  I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate to do.  And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing.  Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.  For in my inner being I delight in God’s law, but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.  What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

So we all have a little maleficent in us: our flesh.  It constantly fights with our spiritual side, I will call it: beneficent.

Now the question is: who will YOU let win the fight for YOUR life? Beneficent or Maleficent?

Choose wisely and you may enjoy eternal life.  God Bless You abundantly!

Former transexual Angel Morell will visit the U.S.A

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For those of you who live in the U.S.A. (specifically in the Florida area) and if you are interested in witnessing how God can transform a young man from the claws of sexual abuse, drugs and homosexuality into a servant of God: know that Evangelist Angel Morell will be visiting Vero Beach & Palm Bay in Florida on August 23 and 24.  The above image has the phone numbers and addresses about these glorious services.  He will also have available his powerful testimony in DVD.  More info about that on his Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/angel.morell.71?fref=ts

Hope that you can be there and be uplifted by the powerful Word of God!  GbY

You can get the DVD of his testimony at the email address in this video:

Sponsor

lauriann 1 Comment

awesome

In August 2013, I felt the need to do something different in my life. I had always heard about sponsorship programs whenever I saw those sad commercials where they show you very thin kids with even flies surrounding their faces. It always made my heart churn to see kids crying and begging for food.
All those commercials make you think about how well you got it even if you know that life is not easy where you live. It seems that everything gets more expensive; the more you got, the more you have to spend.
But those commercials show you what you can’t see otherwise because you don’t have enough money to travel and see how poor can other folks be.
We are poor but at least we can manage, right? There are others out there that can’t manage. There are other people in other countries that have to maintain a family of 4 with only $194/monthly. How can they do it?
I have to manage with $600/monthly with only my daughter and me and it is very hard. It is extremely hard sometimes. I know it has to do with the place I live. Food here is very expensive when you compare it to the mainland U.S.
I always use the milk example: in the states you can get a gallon of milk for aproximately $2.50 depending on the state you live. Here in Puerto Rico a gallon of milk is $6.00 and they want to increase the price.  And milk here is not imported or exported.
And if you’re like me; lactose intolerant, then you have a bigger problem.  A half gallon of lactose free milk is $6.00. If I want a whole gallon, I have the pay the whooping price of $12.00. Consuming milk and it’s derivatives is a luxury in Puerto Rico.
But I didn’t want to write about food; the thought of it, it’s just too depressing. I want to talk about blessing others. We can make a different for the less fortunate, even if we overpay for milk unnecessarily.
That’s why in August of last year, while in the midst of poverty, I made numbers and decided to sponsor a child.
I heard of Compassion through the Contemporary Christian Music ministry.  I searched the internet to make sure it was not a scam or a hoax.
After my inquiries I went into the Compassion site and decided that I wanted to sponsor a child born specifically in November 23. That’s my daughter’s birthday and I allowed my daughter to choose the child we would sponsor.  I wanted her to be a part of such an important decision.
My daughter selected a girl from Peru who had been waiting for a sponsor for more than a year.
Her name is Keila Yvette and we’ve been sponsoring her for almost a year. She was 4 years old when we started sponsoring her. Now she will be turning 6 in November.
Sometimes I like to image how happy her family must’ve felt when they got the news that after more than one year on a waiting list; someone got interested in helping their little girl.
There are no words to describe the happiness we feel whenever we receive a letter from her. In her last letter, she called me “madrina”. That literally means ‘godmother’. I was so touched the day I received that letter and read those words.
Today I saw a photo of how she’s been. She has grown sooo much, she looks very happy in comparison from the last photo that was posted on the Compassion site.
I loved her pink Minnie Mouse clothes. She looks well fed, well taken care of & her smile made my heart overflowed with joy. I wish I could travel and meet her.
Compassion will be hosting a trip to Peru in June 2015 and they will be opening the seats in August 2014. I really wish I had the money to go; but even if I can’t, I’m so satisfied to make a change in her life.
But I’m praying because God will continue to help us, help her.
Today I just want to tell you, the reader, make a difference in someone else’s life. There’s no greater satisfaction to know that you are loved, needed….and when you’re gone….you will be missed.
Enjoy your weekend! GbY

Sponsor a child!

http://www.compassion.com/

Dadda

lauriann 5 Comments

silla

Psalm 27:10 “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”

Dadda….that’s one of the first words that a baby says when they’re still toddlers.  It’s easier to pronounce the consonant “d” than the consonant “m”.  Kinda frustrating for all of us devoted mothers.  But there are still devoted fathers out there.  Not in the majority; but they are still there.

Well, these thoughts go for those devoted fathers who are awesome enough to not just think about themselves; but to live to see their offspring thrive and become honest citizens of this society.  We need more fathers like them.  Fathers who will dare to take a challenge of being real men by assuming their responsibilities.

It is often believed that a boy becomes a man when he lays with a woman.  But that is not true.  A boy becomes a man when he is unselfish enough to make a difference in the lives of those who surround him; starting with his family and then to his other acquaintances.  A real man is not just smart; a real man seeks wisdom.

Proverbs 1:7  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despite wisdom and discipline.”

A real man is a good servant of God; he loves God with all his heart, mind and soul. A real man is a good son; respecting his parents and honoring them.  A real man is a good husband; considerate, faithful and kind to his wife.  A real man is a good father; by being a good example, a counselor, a guide and a provider.

There is no perfect man in this world; the same way as there is no perfect woman.  Both will make many mistakes until they reach a certain level of maturity and wisdom.  But the effort of reaching that goal has to be seen and it’s not worthless.

I always like that saying that says: “a man is tall when he falls on his knees”.  It’s a beautiful thought.  Humbleness makes a person great.

But why did I mention Psalm 27:10 as the beginning verse?  Well, it is law of life that our parents should leave this earth before us.  Unfortunately, it’s not always like that; but that’s another sad story.  But this thought is for all of us who have lost a parent because of that law of life.

While your dad is still alive; tell him that you love him, hug him, talk with him, give him a call, take him to his favorite restaurant, take him a movie.  If your dad is sick, make sure he has everything he needs to make his illness a less painful experience.  If your dad hasn’t been the best dad: forgive, forget, ask for forgiveness.  Heal your heart with feelings of love, warmth, mercy and grace.

If your dad is gone (like mine); remember him, treasure the good times, share with your kids those experiences that they may enjoy to know and eventually, they will share them with the next generations.  Keep the memories alive and honor them.  Our Father in Heaven will father us in the meantime.  Enjoy your weekend.

Happy Father’s Day!

(Painting was made by my uncle Frank Cruz)  Representing my sick dad being touched by the merciful hand of Jesus.

I Fixed The Comments Issue!

lauriann 4 Comments

Compu overload

I really apologize to my readers because the settings in my dashboard didn’t allow to make comments on my posts.  This was not done on purpose.  I had no idea what was causing the problem and I tried to fix it and succeeded.  I changed the settings many times but for some reason some of my posts couldn’t be commented and others could.  Now if you have a comment on any of my posts you can comment freely because the problem was solved.  I will gladly reply to you.  I’m really sorry about this past situation and I hope it doesn’t happen again.  Thanks for your understanding and support.  God Bless You all!

Dear Iguana

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I know it’s not your fault that your kind was brought to this island.  I also know that you are running free without any natural predators that could stop you.  You are not from this place, iguana; you were brought here by people who could care less about the dangers that they could do to our ecosystem.  Iguana, I don’t want to harm you; but everytime I go to my car and see your droppings all over it, I can’t help but get mad.

Today, while I washed my car, I was talking to you.  Yeah, I know that it sounds crazy, iguana.  But you have bothered me more than you will ever know.  I can’t help to park my car under your favorite tree.  That parking was assigned to me.  But you have transformed my car into your own personal toilet and while I was washing it today; apart from being truly disgusted by the stench, I wished that the guys who work in the chinese restaurant near my apartment would capture you.

If they get you iguana; you will probably end up being a nice dish of pepper chicken.  And I wish from the bottom of my heart, that the same people who brought your kind to this island, are pepper chicken lovers…