THE LORD WILL GIVE YOU YOUR HEART’S DESIRE!

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:4

Hello Ladies,

When I wrote the “Stay connected with the Lord at all times!” blog, it was also giving me a reminder of how to stay connected with the Lord. Since then, I have been following the five steps (1. prayer and fasting, 2. reading the scripture, 3. be still and silent, 4. be obedient, and 5. praise and worship.). Having done so, things started to change in my life.
There is one example that really comes to mind. Before I tell you, I want to ask you a question. Did you ever have a desire in your heart, and thought that it would not come to pass, so you forgot about it? I did. It was in my heart, for years, to complete my Associates Degree in Business Administration. I stopped taking courses for a while; I went on to Bible Institute. Last year, I officially graduated with high honors from Bible Institute, but it was still in my heart to finish my Associate’s Degree too! I don’t know about you, but I want to finish what I start. Yes, I started taking college courses before my kids were born, and still it is in my heart to finish.

Well, now you know the background info…LOL, I’m getting back to the example on how things started to change in my life. A couple of weeks ago, a co-worker (out of the blue) asked me “Are you going to school still?”. I answered with “No”. The co-worker replied “Oh, so you finished your degree, right?”. I answered with “No, not yet”. The co-worker replied, “Well you should!”. I was overjoyed with this conversation. It reminded me of the stored desire I had in my heart and the scripture (“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desire Psalm 37:4”) came to mind.

I prayed about it and asked God to confirm it…The very next morning; I bump into a classmate (also a co-worker) from college. The classmate asks me “Are you going to school still?”. I answered with “No”. The co-worker replied “Oh, so you finished your degree, right?”. I answered with “No, not yet”. I told her I just had this conversation with another co-worker just the day before. The co-worker replied, “Well you should go back to college!”. I will always know that God always answers prayers in His Perfect Timing!

I have to make you laugh. Just yesterday of me writing this blog, I bumped into another classmate and guess what she asked me…you guessed it…“Are you going to school still?”. I answered with “No, not yet”. The classmate replied, “Well you should go back to college!”. Thank you Lord, for reminding me of my heart’s desire!

Why I’m telling you this? It’s because sometimes we have desires in our hearts that we keep for storage in our hearts and the doubt of completing them sets in. Well, I’m casting the doubt out of my mind and heart and taking a stand and with the Lord’s help, I’m going to start taking a college course starting Fall 2010.

I encourage you to stay connected with the Lord and do not lose heart on the desires of your heart. Remember “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:4



God bless you always!
Maria Guzman

Hope to see you on Tuesday, June 22nd!


Wednesday's Blog: Ponnie, "Living Single & Loving It"





¡EL SEÑOR TE DARÁ EL DESEO DE TU CORAZÓN!




“Deléitate asimismo en Jehová, Y él te concederá las peticiones de tu corazón.” Salmos 37:4

Cuando escribí el Blog "¡Manténgase conectado con el Señor en todo momento!", también me daba un recordatorio de cómo mantenerme en contacto con el Señor. Desde entonces, he estado siguiendo los cinco pasos (1. Oración y el ayuno, 2. Lectura de la Escritura, 3. Estar quieto y en silencio, 4. Ser obediente, y 5. Alabanza y adoración.). Habiendo hecho esto, las cosas empezaron a cambiar en mi vida.

Hay un ejemplo que realmente viene a mi mente. Antes de decirles, quiero hacerle una pregunta. ¿Alguna vez tuviste un deseo en tu corazón, y pensaste que no habría de llegar, por lo que te olvidaste al respecto? Yo lo hice. Estaba en mi corazón, durante años, el completar mi Asociados en Administración de Empresas. Dejé de tomar cursos por un tiempo, me fui al Instituto Bíblico. ¡El año pasado, oficialmente me gradué con altos honores de Instituto Bíblico, pero todavía estaba en mi corazón el terminar mi Grado Asociado también! No sé de ustedes, pero a mí me gusta terminar lo que empiezo. Sí, empecé a tomar cursos de la universidad antes de que mis hijos hubieran nacido, y todavía está en mi corazón el terminarlo.

Bueno, ahora conoces el fondo de la historia... LOL, estoy volviendo al ejemplo de cómo las cosas empezaron a cambiar en mi vida. Hace un par de semanas, un compañero de trabajo (de la nada) me preguntó "¿Vas a la escuela todavía?". Le respondí con un "No". El compañero de trabajo respondió: "Oh, así que terminaste el grado, ¿no?". Le respondí con un "No, todavía no". El compañero de trabajo respondió: "¡Bueno deberías!". Yo estaba encantada con esta conversación. Me recordó el deseo que tenía almacenado en mi corazón y me vino a la mente la escritura (“Deléitate asimismo en Jehová, Y él te concederá las peticiones de tu corazón.” Salmos 37:4).

Oré al respecto y le pedí a Dios que me lo confirmara... A la mañana siguiente, me topo con un compañero de clase (también un compañero de trabajo) de la universidad. El compañero me dice "¿Vas a la escuela todavía?". Le respondí con un "No". El compañero de trabajo respondió: "Oh, así que terminaste el grado, ¿no?". Le respondí con un "No, todavía no". Le dije que acabo de tener esta conversación con otro compañero de trabajo el día anterior. El compañero de trabajo dijo: "¡Bueno, deberías volver a la universidad!". ¡Siempre sabemos que Dios siempre contesta las oraciones en Su tiempo perfecto!

Tengo que hacerte reír. Ayer mismo yo escribiendo este blog, me encontré con otro compañero de clase y adivina lo que ella me preguntó... lo has adivinado... "¿Vas a la escuela todavía?". Le respondí con un "No, todavía no". El compañero respondió: "¡Bueno deberías volver a la universidad!". ¡Gracias Señor, por recordarme el deseo de mi corazón!

¿Por qué digo esto? Es porque a veces tenemos deseos en nuestros corazones que mantenemos almacenados en nuestros corazones y la duda de completarlas se establece. Bueno, estoy sacando la duda de mi mente y de mi corazón y tomando una posición con la ayuda del Señor, Voy a empezar a tomar un curso universitario a partir de otoño de 2010.

Les animo a mantenerse conectado con el Señor y no desmayar en los deseos de tu corazón. Recuerde “Deléitate asimismo en Jehová, Y él te concederá las peticiones de tu corazón.”
Salmos 37:4



Dios te bendiga siempre,
Maria Guzmán

I AM........

During the last few weeks of school, my kids have both been working on their end of year personal portfolios to submit for their final exam grade. Their portfolios are to be a compilation of some of their work over the school year that they are proud of and want to showcase for others to see. It should also include reflections of what they have learned and their successes in all of their subjects.

My kids see this as busy work. I am sure many of the kids feel the same way…LOL! My daughter made a statement though that I think captures their principal’s vision for the students. While my daughter was going through old Language Arts writings, she said to me “ Mom, look at how much I have improved since the first day of school!”

I was looking over some of her assignments and she really has developed into quite a terrific little creative writer. (Don’t worry...this isn’t a blog to brag about the wonderfulness of my daughter…LOL!) I can remember when she was given certain homework assignments and how she whined and complained because this particular teacher gave them so much homework. At the time she couldn’t see the value in having to do all that work, however now, she loves to write and has some great poems/writings that she has created to prove how much she has grown as a writer.

This morning I work up and had to really, really, REALLY talk to myself to get out of bed and to go for a walk. I was up late and I just wanted to sleep in. (I’m still trying to beat this laziness bug…LOL!) I started whining and complaining...to no one in particular...of how I was so tired of having to do the work to get healthy and fit. Why is it taking so long? But then I remembered my daughter’s statement and felt convicted...”But look at how much I have improved since I have started.”

I’m tired of the work...my stats are not as great as I would like them to be but I can honestly say, “I have improved so much over the past few months!” I pulled out my journal that I started using since the beginning of the year during my times of devotion and started reading some of my entries. I began to see and realize that I have improved/grown so much as a person...as a woman. This morning, I realized that my journey is not only a journey to become Fit by Forty....but it has also become a journey towards Wholeness.

Thank you Holy Spirit for helping me to see how much I have grown today. And Thank You for helping me along this journey in finally becoming the woman that God the Father has created me to be.

One of the pieces that my daughter wrote this year was called "I AM". I am not a creative writer by ANY means...but I loved the poem. I am following the template that she used and I’m writing my own version to kind of reflect my journey so far...I hope you enjoy!

I AM
I AM fearfully and wonderfully made.
I WONDER if I will ever see a size 6 again.
I HEAR God’s voice whisper to me that He loves ME.
I SEE God’s glory all around me.
I WANT to be made whole. I AM a fearfully and wonderfully made

I PRETEND that I am happy and that I have it under control.
I FEEL scared and alone and that I will never reach my goals.
I TOUCH the hem of His garment with my prayers.
I WORRY that I will never receive the desires of my heart.
I CRY when I look in the mirror. I AM fearfully and wonderfully made.

I UNDERSTAND that I can do all things through Christ.
I SAY that I won’t give up and I won’t get discouraged.
I DREAM to be Fit by Forty.
I TRY to walk by faith and not by sight.
I HOPE to be the woman that God has created me to be.
I AM fearfully and wonderfully made.



In sisterly love,
Sasha

I will be back on Monday, June 21st, hope to see you then!


Tuesday's Blog: Maria will be bringing us, "Life Unscripted"

The End of an Era (Not Quite)

Hi everyone!

This past Thursday night was a really special for me. Want to know why? It was graduation night for the seniors at my school. I had been looking forward to graduation for a while, but when it finally came, I began to feel a twinge of sadness. You see, 8 of my friends were graduating and I came to the realization that we won't be able to hang out quite like we used to. I'm the only girl in my class with a bunch of boys so it was really sad to see them leaving me. They're like a big group of brothers and I realized that, as annoying as they can be at times, I was actually going to miss them. But, it turned out to be a really fun night because we all got together and hung out after the ceremony, and I didn't cry so that was good. ~smile~ And I'm technically a senior, yay!

The graduation speaker this year was our Bible teacher, Mr. Morse, and he spoke about whether or not we are promotable. When I first heard him say "promotable" I was like, "What does that mean?" His speech to the seniors was about how graduation was a sort of promotion out into the world, and how we should work to be promotable in God's eyes. He used Jesus' parable about the man who gave his three servants talents to watch over while he was gone, I've included the parable below:

Matthew 25: 14-30 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' 21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' 23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' 26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Mr. Morse talked about how we should strive for and work hard toward being "promotable" in God's eyes. I had never thought about life in that way; that we should be promotable for God. Mr. Morse also stressed how God is always there with us, even when we fall and mess up a lot. God loves us with an unconditional love, and he is happy when we take just one step in the right direction, regardless of whether we fall down right after. Much like parents are excited to see their child take his or her first few steps, God is cheering us on in the exact same way. God will never fire us, or leave us because we are taking to long or we just aren't getting it right. I don't know about you, but I'd like to be the servant who was given ten talents and earned ten more. He was deemed a faithful and responsible servant in the eyes of his master, just as we should be to God. Now that's a promotion that we all could use! As I am now entering my last year of High School, I hope that my life will be "promotable" in God's eyes, and that we will all reach the goal that He has set for us.

I am sorry to say, that I am leaving “The Kitchen Table” because the demands of writing essays for the 5 colleges I am applying to, filling out college applications, and my volunteer work this summer, I feel might all be too much. I want to thank my mother for this great opportunity she gave me and I love all the women who write for the table. Blessings to everyone and I will miss you!



Signing off for the last time as "Life of a HS Junior,"
Love, Tovah


Monday's Blog: Sasha "Healthy Lifestyles"

The Cheese Stands Alone

Do you remember the children’s song The Farmer in the Dell where every person and animal paired off and the cheese is left standing alone? As a child I hated playing the cheese, standing in the middle of the circle by myself being surrounded by everyone singing “The cheese stands alone, the cheese stands alone, heigh ho the derry oh the cheese stands alone.”

"Alone." For some being alone may bring about a sigh of relief. Others may feel that being alone is a five letter curse word and dread the thought of solitude. There are times in our lives when God calls us to separate and be alone. People that we depend on may seem to not have time for us, some relationships end through discord or the person may pass away. It could also be as simple as you feel a tug on your heart that God is leading you away from some situations.

When this happens it’s easy to feel sad or discouraged. You may feel tempted to throw a pity party for yourself. I have! Please remember that if you’re going through a season of solitude it’s because God has a plan for your life. According to The Message Bible (Jeremiah 29: 11 – 14), God said: I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen." When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." Could it be that we’re alone because we aren’t seeking God more than we seek people’s attention, company or approval? In these quiet times God is protecting and preparing you for your destiny. When Jesus needed his friends (the disciples Peter, James and John) the most, they fell asleep. Did you catch that? Even Jesus was left alone. (Matthew 26:36-46)

When I looked up the word alone, the definition was: separate, apart. “Great!” I thought; however when I started to read the synonyms I found: abandoned, companionless, deserted, desolate, forlorn, forsaken, friendless, isolated… and I’m not done! We have the list of the “Un’s”: unaccompanied, unaided, unassisted, unattached, unattended, unescorted, unmarried followed up with widowed. Just when I was about to resume my pity party for one I found the words single, individual and solo. Then I scrolled down and found another definition and list of synonyms. Definition: to the exclusion of, unique. Synonyms: incomparable, matchless, unequalled, unparalleled, unrivaled, and unsurpassed. Aha, now there’s hope! Do these words describe someone we know? Of course it does, JESUS. As followers of Christ we can also claim these words for ourselves. Jesus is our example of how to deal with being alone and also fulfilling God’s plan successfully.

We can shift our thoughts and feelings about being alone. We don’t have to feel forsaken or forgotten; we can choose to believe we are set apart, unique. The choice is ours.

What will you choose to do in your time of solitude? Will you complain, get depressed or try to reopen doors that have been closed to you? Or will you be patient (I admit that patience isn’t my strong suit), seek God and get with His plan?

In my seasons of solitude, I have felt sorry for myself, (How come my child’s father can get married although he mistreated me and doesn’t spend time with or even call my daughter? Even he has someone? Are you serious God?), been angry (Why am I trying to live right when others aren’t and seem to never have any problems?) and tried to shut God out. In fact, I’ve just started to go back to church on a consistent basis. In this current time of flying solo, I’m talking to God more, listening to inspirational music and reading uplifting books as well as the Bible. I’m also listening for God’s voice, making plans to finish school and getting my eighth grade daughter ready for graduation along with working a full time and part time job. I’m also planning to take Zumba and yoga for my health and to have some fun in the process. After listing everything I’m doing and trying to accomplish, I have no time for a pity party or anger!

My prayer is that everyone reading this will be strengthened whether you are entering into or leaving a season of solitude. This is the right time to purposefully talk to God, ask Him about His plan for your life, learn and grow.

Be encouraged and remember that as long as you have a connection with God, you are never truly alone.



Blessings,
Jennifer

See you on Wednesday, June 15th!


Saturday's Blog: Tovah "Life of a High School Junior"

LET US BECOME FAITHFUL IN PRAYER

Sisters, it has come to my attention, that as women in the Body of Christ, we are really going through some difficult times. And when I say the “Body” I am talking about our sisters in every different country and place there is. We all have our trials and tribulations to bear, but it seems that the things that many of us are experiencing “may be common to “man” but they are not common to us. This is what’s different about this time we are in.

I am asking that all the women who read this blog join together to start praying for our sisters. Romans 12:12 (NIV) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. What are we to pray each other? Whatever current struggle is going on in our lives and hearts at this time. We should pray for all our sisters who are going through the same thing.

Years ago I lived in an apartment building where you could hear everything. And the woman who lived above me was the neighbor from hell. I must add she is a Believer now, but back then she was not God’s child and lived the grand life of a sinner. She was rude and very inconsiderate. The noise was almost unbearable and effected my daily life, until one day, my mentor had, had it with me complaining about the noise, and said, “Why don’t you stop complaining every time the loud music comes on or whatever, and GET UP and PRAY!!!” Wow!! Yes, she did get my attention. First, she made me see just how much I had been complaining about the situation, and second she gave me an out when the music came on at 2 o’clock in the morning. Instead of lying in my bed moaning and groaning to God, I started getting up praying for her. Oh yeah, I prayed for her and her son. This helped to soften my heart toward her, (because we really can’t pray for someone on a daily bases and continue to have ought against them). But then I also began to pray for all of my brothers and sisters who were subject to kind of daily disturbing noise. Living in a big city, other peoples noise is a real problem. I can’t say how long it took but after awhile I looked forward to getting up in the wee hours of the night to pray for her and others. Well, soon after my heart had grown to the place of loving to pray for her and others, most of the noise stopped! I think for two reasons. One, God’s purpose had been fulfilled and our enemy’s was no longer being fulfilled! LOL!!

If you are experiencing financial woes, then pray for our sisters in the “Body” who are experiencing the same. If your family is going through any type of crisis, pray for our sisters whose families are being destroyed. If you are battling the enemy for your health, if your marriage is hurting, your children are acting up and acting out, pray for our sisters who are crying for the same reasons. If you are dealing with depression, sadness, and or feeling hopeless, pray for our sisters who may not be able to get out of bed today because of depression. If you are in a state of being displaced or hungry, pray for our sisters experiencing the same thing. If you are having turmoil on your job, in your church, in your community……PRAY for our sisters!! Whatever your life struggle is at this time, pray for those who find themselves in the same place. Why? Because from your own struggle and experience, you will offer up a more “Fervent” prayer and James tells us that kind of heart felt prayer, can achieve much. But also as you begin to pray for others, the Holy Spirit is going to take you to another level, which is very exciting. We are not alone in our struggles and problems. Everyone has them.

I do want to look at something before ending, and that is being “faithful in prayer”. Technology is wonderful, but like everything in this world, the good always has a flip side. There was a time if you wanted others to pray for you, you had to pick up a phone. Even if it was just to activate the prayer chain at your church, women’s group or talk to a friend. And even in that, most of the people knew you in some way. But today’s technology has aided Christians in being lazy in praying for the things they should be praying for themselves and not involving others. Do not misunderstand what I am saying, I am not saying that we should not ask others to pray for us or with us, but what I am saying, is that we should not be so quick to ask others to pray for things we should be praying for ourselves. Example: over the years I don’t know how many times people who are having problems in their church have asked me to pray for the situation and their pastor. And when I say, “No” you should see the looks on their faces. (Now, mostly I have to do it via email.) Why do I say no? Because for one, I don’t know their pastor, I’m not connected to their pastor and there is usually a bunch of mess attached to that type of request. Sisters, if your church is having problems, you better fast and pray. Do not run around asking others who do not go to your church to pray for the situation. It is your responsibility! If you want to touch and agree with your spouse, children or a sister in your church, then by all means do so. And if for some reason you are not confident enough to believe that you can get a prayer through to God about the Under Sheppard He has placed in your life than you should be asking the Holy Spirit what is wrong and how to correct that. And even when you are touching and agreeing with someone about prayer for problems in your church, MAKE SURE this is not a pretense for gossip. In fact to ensure this does not happen, only get involved with someone who is more mature than you are. Make sure this sister is known “to not be a gossip” and you will keep yourself safe.

Prayer is a special gift, and our way of communicating with our Father. We must stop taking it for granted. In order to be faithful in prayer, we as individuals must take our responsibility seriously and stand up and pray. Let’s grow up and start living Romans 12:12 and James 5:16b. And let’s start by lifting our sisters up who are experiencing the same trials and tribulations we are. This alone will make a “Huge” difference in the spirit realm of God’s Kingdom.

I pray that I have provoked you unto good works on this glorious day our Lord has gifted to us!



Blessings and Love
Ponnie

I will be back on Wednesday, June 9th for “Single and Loving It!”

Friday’s Blog: Jennifer Spence has a special blog for us gals. Make sure to tune in.