Author: lauriann

We Failed Her…

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Mercy

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me….”  Matthew 25:35-36

This is the story of an old lady named Iris V.  She was my neighbor; lived only one apartment away from mine.  Her only living relative was a brother, but she lived alone.  I think she was divorced but never had children.  She took care of her sick mother.  She would often share her experience about how her mother passed away on her arms.

She spent her lonely days sewing, knitting and making all sorts of beautiful handicrafts.  She was a member of a nearby church.  Even though she was my neighbor, I met her at a Bible study in the apartment below mine.  Her pace was slow and so was her speech.  But she understood everything clearly; her mind was alert and she had lots of memories to share.

On a very sad day; she fell in her bedroom and broke one arm.  Nobody could hear her screams for help; she couldn’t get up.  She spent all night crying with pain on the cold floor of an empty apartment. The next day a lady neighbor from the floor below was the one who discovered what was going on because she was the one who visited Iris V. constantly to check on her.

Iris V. was taken to the hospital and after a while there; she was back in her lonely apartment.  But soon after that, she fell again and this time her brother made the decision of taking her to a nursing home.  Iris V. was happy because she thought that she would continue with her handcrafts; at least she wouldn’t be alone anymore.  She was wrong.

She wasn’t allowed to do anything, just lay on a bed all day.  The nurses said that if she did anything she could hurt herself or hurt somebody else.  The Bible group visited her once in September of last year.  We sang to her, read Bible verses to comfort her but the group leader made the mistake of promising her that the group would visit her at least once a month.  There were plans of visiting her; but for one reason or another; those plans never materialized.  No visit for Thanksgiving, or Christmas, or New Years.  There was no visit for Valentines not even on the Holy Week.  Now summer is here…

Today I saw my next door neighbor Maria.  She told me that she went this past Saturday to visit Iris V at the nursing home.  There she was informed that Iris V. had passed away since June 7.  Her brother had taken care of all the funeral proceedings and never told anyone about it.  Why would he, right?  If her church didn’t bother to visit her, her pastor didn’t even call or send anyone to comfort her, her old neighbors were too busy with their lives….why should he call?

I feel guilty because I only saw her once.  I’m not proud about what I did and I regret not being a good neighbor.  I wasn’t even a good Christian.  And I know I’m not the only one who should feel like this.  She had a church, she had a pastor, she had people who promised to seek her but failed to keep their promise.  Nobody came; just one neighbor who’s not even a Christian.  Shame on us!

While God forgives us this sin; let this be a lesson on how to treat our neighbors.  God really meant it when He said: “Love thy neighbor”.

It would have made a whole lot of difference in the last days of Iris’ life.  We would have obeyed His word….  RIP Iris V.

 

Beneficent

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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

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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…

You’ve been blocked!

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Have you ever blocked somebody on Facebook or on another social media?  Or worst, have you ever BEEN blocked by somebody? Either way, it’s never a nice experience.  If you have blocked somebody it’s because that person offended, stalked or was even hostile towards you.  If you were blocked, then you have some serious issues that need to be taken care of.

I’ve gone through both experiences.  Of course, I don’t think that I’m mean; but I admit, I’ve had my moments when kindness hasn’t been my best trait.  I’ve had to ask for forgiveness many times…and I’ve had to forgive many times more.  But if a person doesn’t want to forgive me, then at least, I tried to mend the situation.

Two weeks ago, I had to block someone from Facebook.  This person (whom I don’t know personally) read my post from this blog: “I Taught My Daughter a Lesson” and she insulted me on Facebook.  She posted on my Facebook account, that I was xenophobic and that I had to delete that post and offer a public apology for what I posted.  It wasn’t the first time that she’d been hostile towards posts that I’ve made on my FB account.  I had been tolerant before, but not this time.  My response to her uncalled post was simple: I deleted her post and I blocked her.  I won’t waste my time in futile arguments or insults.  Jesus gave us an example when he kept silent before those who accused him.  Sometimes the best way to end an argument is not starting one at all.

If there is something that I respect about social media is that on your personal page, blog, account, forums…..if it is yours, you can put whatever you want.  It’s your opinion, your rant….it’s your voice.  I don’t have to agree with you, but I respect you.  I don’t delete people or relatives because they are homosexual, agnostic or even from another religion.  I won’t even comment to a post that was made on their page, even if it is denying the existence of God…..and it’s not because I don’t care.  It is because….I do care.

Sometimes the best way to win a person for Christ is not arguing….it’s praying and giving testimony with our acts of love.  And by this I’m not saying that we should accept sin; but it’s not our place to change people, God can do that without our intervention.  If we even try to intervene; we may even screw things up for God.  His plans for redemption may be altered.  Prayer and testimonies are our best weapons against the social media hostility.

About that person that I had to block, I pray for her.  I hope that someday she will find peace and respect others the same way that she deserves to be respected.  If we learn to be considerate, tolerant and respectful with each other; then the world of social media might change for the better.  Keep enjoying your weekend.  God Bless You

I’m going to a concert today!

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In 1994, when I just started my first semester in the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico; Rev. Billy Graham came to San Juan for a Crusade.  It was so near from the campus that I usually walked from the Conservatory to the Hiram Bithorn Stadium where the Crusade was being held.  One of the invited singers for the Crusade was Michael W. Smith.  At that time, he was pretty famous even in secular music.  I had all his recordings because I had been following his career since he started playing keyboards and singing with Amy Grant.

That night that he sang in the Hiram Bithorn Stadium, it was literally packed.  He sang his iconic song “Friends”.  All the youngsters that were congregated that night, started to walk closer to the stage so that they could get a closer glimpse of such a famous christian singer.  It was a very exciting moment during that night.  I had hopes that after that experience, Michael W. Smith would decide to do a concert here in Puerto Rico soon after that.  But the truth is…that it took 20 years for him to come back to this island.

Here are my observations about some things that have me scratching my head.  First, the promotion for this concert hasn’t been the best.  It’s like a huge secret.  I haven’t seen a single announcement of this concert in any newspaper of this God forsaken island.  But the newscasts will rather give free promotion for some unknown girl who won a stupid beauty pageant.

Second, and I will confirm this tonight at the concert, I know they are still selling tickets: so I guess that the tickets haven’t been selling too well (and the Coliseum tonight will be in the small modality).

Third, I know the economy in this island is not the best, but couldn’t the promoters at least make a couple of announcements in the newspapers?  I found out about this concert because I’m an avid fan of Smitty and I constantly read his Facebook page.  But I didn’t see a single announcement of when the tickets started selling or anything.  This promoting campaign has been a disaster since day one.  I don’t think Smitty is coming here ever again unless Rev. Franklyn Graham, Billy’s son, drags him back in another Crusade.  And I sincerely hope that I’m mistaken.

It’s sad that Christian concerts have to have such bad organizers and promoters; and that also the news in this island will only promote if they see $$$.  But they will freely promote crimes, politics, beauty pageants and other stuff that don’t help us better our ailing society.

Anyway, my daughter and me, will be a part of Godly history.  We will go to the concert, praise God, enjoy awesome music…hopefully make new friends and savor this night. God still visits His people. Have a blessed Memorial weekend!

And I’ll leave a little bit of Smitty’s music…(Free promotion!)  His latest CD “Sovereign” is amazing!  You’ll enjoy it.

 

 

 

I taught my daughter a lesson

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When my previous car broke down in December 2010, I had to walk my daughter to school every morning.  On February 3, 2011, that was no exception. (This happened before I started homeschooling).

But that day, something was different.  While we walked, a car stopped beside us and the driver started talking to me.  I’m a very cautious person; I don’t talk to strangers and less while it’s still dark.  I kept a considerable distance and observed something that I didn’t like.  The guy had a Dominican accent, I could’ve sworn that I saw a head behind his seat, the car’s windows were tinted so dark I could hardly see inside that car.  All I heard was that he was saying that he had seen me everyday walking with my child and that he wanted to give us a ride to wherever place we were going.

You can imagine that I immediately refused.  At least he didn’t insist and left immediately when I said: “No, thanks”. I was worried about him saying that he had seen us before walking to school every morning.  I couldn’t change the route at the time, because that was the only way to Anna’s school.  I’d never seen that guy before but you never know who’s been watching you.

I always read the newspaper because I consider important the knowledge about the new tendencies of criminals.  A recent tendency is to kidnap people so they can ask for ransom money.  That tendency is not originally Puertorican, but it was brought from Dominicans and other Latin American countries.  Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t think that all Dominicans are criminals just the same way that I don’t think that all Puertoricans are decent people.  So it’s not that I have something against other Hispanic races.  Just making this clear. It’s just that: it could happen to anyone of us…

I always remember that on September 1990, I  had recently started a job and I didn’t have a car.  I was waiting for the bus when a car suddenly stopped beside to where I was standing.  Then this guy came out from the car with a gun in his hand cursing and yelling with all the intention of kidnapping me.  Of course, my reaction was to run.  I was much thinner, younger and very nervous.  But in my nervousness, I started rebuking the guy with a very loud voice: “In the name of Jesus!”.  The guy eventually reached me because he was taller and faster.  When I felt that he touched my hair, I turned and pointing a finger at him I yelled again: “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus!”  Then he suddenly stopped, his eyes reflecting some strange remorse and said to me: “I won’t touch you because you have the Fire”. (That’s an expression widely used in church to describe the Spirit of God).  He tried to take my purse, but not even that he could take away from me.  He ran back to the car he left beside the road. I ran to safety still trembling and thanking the Lord.  God saved me that day.  I didn’t save myself.

Days later, I read in the newspaper how a girl had appeared very near the place I was nearly kidnapped.  She had been raped and shot in the head.  That could’ve been me.  But God was my protector and he had a different plan.  I still felt sorry for that girl, if she would’ve just claimed to God….

Back to February 3, 2010….  You can imagine that the rest of our journey to Anna’s school, we had a little talk about safety.  I advised my daughter about how important it is not to talk to strangers and  to be cautious every time we have to go somewhere, no matter if we have transportation or not.

We all have to be careful.  But my advice to you, reader, is to pray before you get out of your house.  Read Psalm 91; believe that the Lord will take care of you and your loved ones.  You never know, what or who you may encounter on your way.

Be safe and God Bless You!

Not Good, But a Great Mom!

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1 Samuel 1:8-18

“Elkanah her husband would say to her, ‘Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?’  Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hanna stood up.  Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s temple.  In bitterness of soul, Hanna wept much and prayed to the Lord.  And she made a vow, saying, ‘O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.

As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.  Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard.  Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, ‘How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine.’

‘Not so, my lord,’ Hanna replied, ‘I am a woman who is deeply troubled.  I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord.  Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.’

Eli answered, ‘Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.’  She said, ‘May your servant find favor in your eyes.’  Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.”

 

Whenever I think of a great mom; I think of Hannah.  Some people may say: “Hannah?!  No way!  She abandoned Samuel in a temple with strangers, when he was just a kid!”  And I will answer: “She made a vow to God and she delivered.  Her decision was made out of pure love and gratefulness….and never selfishness.”

Let’s learn a little bit more about Hannah’s background and traits.  She was not the only wife of Elkanah, he also had another wife: Peninnah.  Peninnah had children but Hannah did not.  In those times, it was very important for a woman to have children.  Fertility was a big deal because having children was a blessing; it meant prosperity & the continual of the linage.  That’s why Peninnah would provoke Hannah until she made her cry.  Even though Elkanah loved Hannah, that was not enough for her.  She wanted to be a mother.

There are a couple of ways to see this…  Hannah may have wanted to be a mother because she also loved Elkanah and wanted to give him children too and make him proud with a sense of accomplishment as a man.  She may also wanted to be a mother because she was sick of Peninnah’s provoking and wanted to gloat back at her for being such a nuisance.  Whatever was true reason was….being sterile made a profound impact in her life.  That situation was so heartbreaking for her;  it made her lose her appetite and cry all the time. Meanwhile, Elkanah was unable to understand her.

You see, the love of a man cannot compare to the love of a child.  I have to be really honest about this: you can change your husband but you can never change your child.  Blood will always be thicker than water.  A great mother knows and lives this truth.  Loving a child is one of most purest and deepest feelings of all.   It can never be substituted, exchanged nor it will end; not even with something as definite as death.  The love for a husband can change or end. The road of romance is a bumpy one…but that’s another story.  Now, let’s bullet Hannah’s great qualities so that we can acknowledge how a great mother should be:

  • A great mom will always, first and foremost: honor the Lord.
  • A great mom will bring her troubles to the Lord.
  • A great mom will trust the Lord.
  • A great mom will not be selfish; no matter what!!
  • A great mom will honor the vows that she makes to the Lord.
  • A great mom will be thankful to the Lord.
  • A great mom will love her children and dedicate them to the Lord.
  • A great mom will rejoice and acknowledge the works of the Lord in her life and her children’s.
  • A great mom will also be a great wife and be kind to others.
  • A great mom will testify of the great things the Lord has done to her and her loved ones.

Once Hannah honored her vows to God by giving up Samuel to serve Him; in exchange, God honored her.  The best deals that you can make in your life, are the ones you make with God.  You can never lose!  From being a sterile wife, Hannah became a proud mother of six kids.  She took the risk of giving up the only child she may have had, and decided to trust God and honor her vow in total blind gratefulness.  Needless to say, God honored her unselfishness and rewarded her five times more.  She only prayed for one child; but He gave her six!  God wants to give us the best!  All He asks of us is to be obedient and honor our vows….and even if we are disobedient and unfaithful, He will still love us. But we are the only ones who can stop the prosperous hand of God in our lives.

Meanwhile, Hannah’s unselfish choice affected the lives of the people of Israel.  Her son Samuel became the last judge of Israel, he anointed the first and second kings of Israel and he was one of the most prominent servants of God in the Old Testament.  Your decision as a mother will affect the lives of your children.  Make the best choices for them and for you.  Finally, let’s learn this lesson from Hannah and not be just a good mom; but a great one!

Happy Mother’s Day!!

 

 

Rain

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 Rain is a blessing

“After a long time, in the third year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: ‘Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.’ So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.”

1 Kings 18

I remember when I was very young and read for the first time the story of Elijah. He has always been one of my favorite prophets.
There are so many things about this man that demands my attention. He was very obedient to God, but he also got depressed in the middle of his persecution. Queen Jezebel was that mean evil witch who wanted him dead…she killed almost all the prophets of God…and wanted Elijah’s head no matter how she could get it…..She was horribly evil.
Anyway, it’s such an entertaining story…but the part I was remembering now, was when the Scripture described that there was a great famine in Samaria because it hadn’t rain for a long time. King Ahab, who was married to Jezebel, was worshiping the false god Baal so Israel was sinning against God. Because of this disobedience…God stopped the rain.

The Scripture describes that the prophets of Baal prayed to their god for rain…they cried, shouted, cut themselves and did all sorts of noises and pleas…but it never rained…not one drop. Instead, Elijah prayed to God just once…and God answered. I also remembered the story of Noah and the ark…that’s another instance where God was the One who sent the rain.

These stories came to my mind…because lately I have been having these dreams where I see myself in the middle of a torrential rain.  At first, I thought that it was something bad…but then I looked at the Scriptures because I wasn’t sure what to think. But then again, God always has the answer.  It only rains because God allows it to happen.  Rain is blessings from Heaven. Without rain there is no life, there’s famine and death. God is our Provider. He cares for His children.

In these times where we see that the economy is bad, and we think that everything is falling apart around us, we should never forget that God is still King. He reigns over Heaven and Earth…He has everything under control. The ones who get scared are those who have their eyes in material and earthly things…in the visible world…not in the invisible power of the Lord.

Let’s thank God for His mercies each day and let us never forget that He protects and provides for His children.

Leftovers

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“Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.’
Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, ‘Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.’
He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.’ The woman came and knelt before him. ‘Lord, help me!’ she said.
He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.’
‘Yes, Lord,’ she said, ‘but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’
Then Jesus answered, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”

Matthew 15:21-28

How many times do we have to live with the leftovers that others leave behind? So many times in our lives we feel that we are not appreciated or valued enough, so we have to conform ourselves with what we know is much lesser than what we really deserve.
Reading the example above, I think I can relate to the Canaanite woman. I remember how many times I have grabbed that “crumb” with so many illusions and how happy it has made my life for awhile.

There are many “crumbs” in our lives. It could be an emotion, a memory or a material thing; but each one of these “crumbs” have a lot of value for all of us. We grab that feeling or memory and we hold it dearly to our hearts and mind, so it could fill us with so much happiness or excitement. It makes us feel somewhat special; even though it’s just a “crumb” not the whole bread. Just imagine what would happen if we could have the whole loaf of bread…

To whom we relate better..? The “children at the table” or to the “dogs who eat the crumbs”? I have seen some “children at the table”. They are blessed in many ways but don’t seem to appreciate their blessings. They’re not grateful for what they have and they are always wanting more. They’re never satisfied. They see themselves as worthy of such good things. I guess that’s why they let those “crumbs” fall to the floor. They don’t need what they have in abundance.
There is a difference in letting things fall to the floor than sharing what’s on the table. When there’s sharing, it’s something voluntary and it’s done at the same level of height; maybe the sharing takes place with people that are considered worthy of sharing it with.

But there are some of us who have been waiting beside the table to see when or if a “crumb” will ever fall to the ground so we can grab that memory, that simple kiss, that word, that presence and hold it dearly close to our hearts and it can fill our lives with happiness, hope, faith and love. Do we deserve to be eating from the floor? I think not. We all should be “children at the table”. But we should be grateful children, who know how to share, feel secured, loved and appreciated.

Then, why so many of us have to live from “crumbs”? It would seem life is not fair. But I think WE don’t make it fair. We just don’t take decisions to change our lives, we let others make decisions for us; we let circumstances take a hold on us; we live on excuses and more excuses….

So, let’s learn a lesson from the Canaanite woman who with one simple answer astounded even the Son of God…Each one of us is valuable, unique, rare…let’s make our faith move mountains… you see…if God, the King of kings, Lord of Lords, Creator of the Universe was amazed by the faith of a simple woman… then why can’t we amaze a simple fellow human being?

Translation jobs!

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Well, I will use this blog to promote myself as a translator.  I have a pretty good mastery of both languages: English & Spanish.  I can easily translate both languages back & forth with good skill.

My years of experience are more than 10 years as a Bilingual Typist Clerk and an English and Spanish Teacher for more than 3 years.  Plus, I have a Masters Degree in Education.  I will create a page more professional but until then; this will have to do.  So, if any of you bloggers need a translation job of documents online; for pricing and other information, you can contact me here on this page or at my email:

laurianncruz@hotmail.com or laurianncruz@yahoo.com.  Payments will be accepted through PayPal.

What frustrates you?

lauriann 4 Comments

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Thinking about frustrations; here are some of mine, if you feel the same way about some of them, I pity you:

  1. My hair.  I’ve never known how to deal with it unless I have $$$ to go to the beauty parlor.
  2. The cat.  She’s bossy and always knocks my glasses off!
  3. My grandma.  She told me yesterday that she’s not rancorous but she can’t forgive the wrongdoings that people have done to her in the past.
  4. Some of my friends. No matter how many ways I tell them the truth about how God works, they still wanna live the lie of sin.  It’s that “if you can’t beat them, join them” attitude.
  5. People who want to boss God around.  They just don’t understand that God sometimes will say: “NO”  or “WAIT”.
  6. Fleas and roaches.  No matter how much you kill them; they keep coming back.
  7. How time flies when you’re having a good time; and how time stalls when you’re working.
  8. Fights between cat and dog people.  They can never get along.
  9. Cooking.  No matter how much I try; my mom’s food always tastes better.
  10. Movies.  There are so many and I’ve seen so much; but still, I have not seen enough.

I know there are more things that frustrate me; but it frustrates me that I can’t remember all of them….

Meet Angel Morell; Former Transsexual Now Servant of God

lauriann 17 Comments

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I wish to share with you the testimony of this young man who God rescued from homosexuality.  This story really touched my heart, because as a mother and a teacher of young children, I can hardly understand why young kids go through sexual abuse.  We need to pray for the children and the youth of this world.  The world needs to know that God STILL has the power to transform a man or a woman from homosexuality or any form of sexual deviation, transgender/transsexual, adultery, fornication, bestiality…ect.  A lot of people believe that this is not possible; but the Bible begs to differ.  God is still King; He can still perform miracles: He can still free us from sin.  If anybody says that a gay person was just born that way; they don’t know how powerful God can really be!!!

Luke 1:37 “For nothing is impossible with God.”

Morell Santiago, son of Mr. Angel Francisco Morell and Mrs. Carmen Santiago, brother of Elfi Martinez, Jessica Martinez, Felito Martinez and Kenia Martinez was raised by his grandfather Juan Santiago in his native country Puerto Rico.

Angel Morell Santiago’s life was from the beginning very dramatic, because when he was three years old, his mother abandoned him in a trash can and he never got associated with his parents again.

At five years old, Angel was sexually abused by his relatives. “I told my professor and school authorities what was happening to me, they took me out of the house and I was sent to a foster home,” narrated Angel to the reporter COCN, Rubi Adames.

After spending time through many foster homes, he escaped and found refuge in the streets, there he was forced to endure sexual relations with men so he could feed himself.

When he was 15 years old and alone in his life; he became “Melania Hilton of Paris”,  and with that female fairness he developed activities that only added suffering to his life.

With only 17 years old, he moved to Ecuador to have plastic surgeries where he invested approximately $170,000 in implants and surgeries.

Angel M2  Angel M

He participated in five porn movies and in many occasions he was almost murdered, he was stabbed, he was constantly robbed and mugged and he was imprisoned in many occasions.  He was involved in drugs and witchcraft, all of that time seeking “to fill the void that he felt since he was a child” he narrates.

“I tried to take my own life many times, but I could never achieve it because the hand of God was behind me, and He had a special purpose for my life”, he tells.

Among the processes fulfilled for his sex change there were surgeries to his nose, breasts, liposuction, laser treatment, among others.  When he was about to have surgery on his genitals, the unexpected occurred: “I saw the face of God that stopped me”.

Angel says that his acquaintances accepted him because of the financial position he had obtained by means of prostitution.  He says that “for them, my multiple changes were something normal because they cared more about my money than my own suffering.”

Today, 25-year-old Angel Morell Santiago, is a man totally changed by God. “Only to Him I owe all of my transformation,” expressed Morell. In the year 2010, he accepted Jesus and four years with four months ago, his life has been different.

“One day while I was very sad inside my room, I felt that the world meant nothing to me anymore, nothing that I did replenished me…but I had a vision where I saw my ex-mate on the bed and beside him there was a demon that looked at me and I saw that blood was pouring from it’s hands.  When I rotated the mirror I saw myself transformed into a horrible monster with a crown of snakes on my head. When I tried to go to the street, very frightened and asking for help, I found a huge rat that wanted to bite me, suddenly I heard a voice that told me to look beside me and I saw a hammer, like the ones used in court and the voice told me to hit the rat with that hammer and the rat disappeared,” he adds. “Suddenly I looked upon the sky and I felt how a light came into my life and the pain disappeared for ever,” he narrates that the tears stopped coming out of his eyes and from that moment the change started to get noticed.

“A lot of people around me didn’t believe in my change, in fact, a lot of them still don’t believe it, however, only I know what God has done in my life and that is enough.”

Nowadays, Angel lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico and he’s committed to preach the gospel from his congregation, “I live by Faith Breaking Barriers Church” (Iglesia Rompiendo Barreras Vivo por Fe) where he testifies about his transformation.

He expresses feeling totally happy and renewed “by the new life that I’ve experienced in Jesus Christ,” he ends up saying: “My biggest eagerness is that millions of people, like me, come to know Christ and can be saved.”

Translated from Spanish to English by Lauriann Cruz

The following link is the Spanish version of this interview:

http://metodistalibreluzalasnaciones.blogspot.com/2014/05/angel-morell-pase-de-ser-un-transexual.html

Angel Morell’s Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evangelista-%C3%81ngel-morell/1418018628497350?pnref=story

angelito morell

The Grudge

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Yeah, I hate Mondays.  But I don’t want to hold a grudge against the One who created Mondays.  That’s a battle that I will certainly lose.  So I just don’t focus myself on the fact that Sunday is ending.  I just try to enjoy Sundays as much as I can.

Somewhere I read that “having a grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die”.  I think a Hollywood celebrity said that but I can’t remember who.  You know what?  That’s a genius comparison.  I have dealt with grudges all my life.  I have met people who have held grudges for too long.  Something that I’ve learned is that a person who holds grudges is never happy and ends up being lonely even from the people he or she loves.

Other words for grudge are: spite, rancor, animosity, contempt, hard feelings, alienation….but the worst of them all is hatred.  None of these words are encouraging or nurturing.  Holding grudges is feeling hatred so there is no space for love.  Where do grudges start?  How can they destroy a life?  How can we know if we are susceptible to hold a grudge against anyone?

The Bible identifies in 1 Corinthians 13, four traits that can make us prone to holding grudges:

  • Selfishness – When we are first, second and third in every one of our priorities.  A selfish person doesn’t like to share; they don’t know the meaning of sacrifice… only for themselves.  Selfish people look for their own benefit in any situation.
  • Envy – This feeling goes hand in hand with selfishness.  If we envy, we want for ourselves what others have. We get frustrated with others if we don’t get the best for ourselves. And that feeling will increase the next trait on the list:
  • Pride – A proud person believes that they are above every other person.  They can never lose in any discussion or any situation.  They can never tolerate humiliation or degradation.  Nobody likes to be embarrassed and we should have a level of personal pride to earn respect.  But everything has a limit; and the line draws when we disgrace other people just to praise ourselves.
  • Irate –  If we are extremely irritable; we are very likely to get ourselves involved with grudges.  Irate people easily get mixed up in misunderstandings, discussions, insults and problems that will compromise relationships and feelings.

If we have any or all of these traits, we are in danger!  A person who holds a grudge is someone who doesn’t know the true meaning of LOVE!!!  There is no happiness in holding grudges, only loneliness, sadness and frustration. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  We don’t have to live with grudges.  We only need these two ingredients:

  • LOVE – Or should I say: God?  God is LOVE.  “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
  • Forgiveness – “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins”.  Matthew 6:14-15  This means that the forgiveness we receive from God is conditioned.  We have to forgive to be forgiven…it’s as simple as that.  Once we sincerely forgive, then the peace that passes understanding will come upon us.  We won’t be lonely anymore.

So what now?  Let’s start with filling our lives with love and forgiveness.  That way we will achieve our ultimate goal: true and fulfilling happiness.  Now let me continue enjoying my Sunday and enjoy yours.  God Bless You in many ways!

The Ideal Guy

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I didn’t know what to write about for this week.  So, I took an idea from a friend of mine in Facebook.  She started describing her ideal man and she put a lot of things she wouldn’t like about him; then concluded that she would stay a “ham” for the rest of her future (the expression we use in Spanish to say that a person will stay single).

Well, at 46 years of age, I pretty well know what kind of man I would like.  My ideal guy would be absolutely all of the contrary of the guys I’ve ever met in my life.  That would make him: not puertorican, not a womanizer, not a “machista”,  extremely handsome, tall, with a great sense of humor,  a great friend, not selfish, very spiritual, decent, loving, considerate, romantic, really smart, oh and single like me.  Unfortunately the singles I’ve found are either mentally disturbed or gay.

OMG!!!  I can’t believe I’ve never met anyone with these qualities.  I really have to get out of this island.  Maybe I’ll find some crazy person who has a spaceship and I’ll end up finding my ideal guy in another galaxy.

Better luck next time; if it ever happens!  What would your ideal person be??

Five Points On Making It Through Financial Hardship

lauriann 4 Comments

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Have you ever been so broke that you can only eat one menu for several days?  For example, you gotta eat pancakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Well, I’m almost in that situation. And the worst part is that…. my daughter doesn’t even like pancakes!!

These last years I have trained myself to be a good administrator of my only income: child support.  Living with less than $700 a month is a challenge.  People would consider my financial status as living in misery.  But let me tell you, even if the same menu has to be repeated in a single day; we’ve never gone to bed hungry.

I have five pointers on how to survive with such a low income in a high cost of life island like Puerto Rico.  An example of what I mean is: a gallon of milk here costs $6.00 and if it’s lactose-free, the half-gallon will cost that same amount.  I don’t pay less than $40 a month for electricity and water is no less than $24 monthly.

My situation got really bad in 2010 when I lost my government job when the Governor and his supporters decided to lay off 20,000 employees.  I was one of them.  Since then, after losing my car, my credit, and my 3 room apartment…I had to make many decisions.  I will share a very small part of what I have learned during these years.  These are my five pointers:

1)  Trust God.  Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want”.

He still has everything under control.  He will supply for every single one of our needs.  He will never fail.  Men will lie, cheat, rob and pursue you; but God will fight for you…always!

2) Obey God and tithe.  The first money that we should separate is the money that belongs to God.  Numbers 18:21 “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them…”

A lot of people discuss and disagree about this point.  But the truth is that when you give to God with a happy and thankful heart; He is Faithful and you will always have enough to live.  This has been my experience and it has NEVER failed.

3) Be a good administrator and pay your bills first.  You must have a budget.  Don’t live beyond it.  The first bills I always pay are rent, electricity, water, internet, cell phone.  After you’re done with those, then you can plan to have miscellaneous.  I also pay Netflix, Piano lessons for my daughter, gasoline and other stuff.

Sometimes, extraordinary expenses will come.  Like in this month, for example, I had to spend on some screens for the windows.  I’ve been living in this two room apartment for 3 years and the screens didn’t fit well and were all torn and broken.  I had an invasion of insects, including too many deadly mosquitoes like the Aedes Aegypti, the one that causes the mortal dengue illness.  I had to make a decision before the warmer weather comes.  So I made a budget and bought the screens, but I knew that this month was long and I would have to risk having less food at the end of it.

4)  Don’t be selfish and give.  It’s better to give than to receive.

Even though you may not have much; you have to be willing to share of what you have.  My car may not be the latest model; but if somebody needs a lift, I have to be willing to help in any way I can.  I am poor; but if I make a budget, I may be able to sponsor a child in a different country.  There are always people who are going through worst financial crisis than ourselves.

5)  Be thankful to God for everything!  In scarce or in abundance; always be thankful to God.

Don’t be pessimist; that is too contagious.  If you want to reflect the joy of God in your life; thank Him that you got to live through another day.  There are so many simple things in life that don’t involve money.  The treasures in life are: the time you spend with family and friends, a sunny day, music, the sound of thunder or rain when it falls, your pets….so many beautiful things.

Count your blessings; you will see there are so many of them, that you will find that they are all priceless!