excuse me, are you Jesus?

The following passage was sent to me today by a Christian friend on You Tube. I was so touched and taken by this that I just HAD to share it.

Excuse me, are you Jesus?

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago . They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding. ALL BUT ONE !!! He paused, took a deep breath, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.

He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.
He was glad he did.

The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, 'Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?' She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, 'I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly.'

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, 'Mister....' He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, 'Are you Jesus?'

He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: 'Are you Jesus?' Do people mistake you for Jesus?
That's our Destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.

If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would.

Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.

We are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.

Isn't that gorgeous? May each and every person reading this come to know the Lord (if you haven't already) and start a life transforming journey with Jesus!!! Living for the Lord my friends!!!

1 Timothy 1: 1-6

^"1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time."

pain & suffering.

laying on the couch, still in excruciating pain and illness since a medical emergency on saturday - my mom askes me during our movie "bamboo in winter", "why do good people have to suffer??? be tortured? sick? why can't the earth just swallow up every cruel person???" i carefully tried to stretch stiff and sore bones to reach the dvd remote to pause our movie.

pause.

i was prepared to answer her question. i was not prepared for what my answer would bring but i am so grateful for it...

now i know and believe that every answer can be found in the Bible. the Bible holds the first word and the last word. it is solid, flawless, the honest truth and can't be changed. it is what it is.

my mind instantly jumped to these 2 deeply-planted-in-my-heart-scriptures when mom upsetting asked why good people suffer. keep in mind this was asked while watching a movie about how some Christians are persecuted, beaten, tortured and killed for their walk with God.

John 15: 18 and John 15:20 - here is the entire passage:

The World Hates the Disciples

¹⁸"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. ¹⁹If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. ²⁰Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. ²¹They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.²²If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. ²³He who hates me hates my Father as well. ²⁴If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. ²⁵But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'

²⁶"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. ²⁷And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.

she seemed to be able to rest her worry after that. later on i began to think of my situation. mom has been really concerned and crying for me and everything i have been going through the last few days. i have never been this ill or in as much pain before. i am seeing my doctors this week for medical testing to figure out what is going on. satan has been trying to rip my faith. however, after answering mom's question i have come to a spiritual conclusion - as if the Holy Spirit blew a gushing rushing wind of HOPE back into my heart. i am left spiritually refreshed and renewed! healed! restored! i come believe and receiving again. thank you Lord in advance! i leave you all with these 4 strong points:

point # 1 - if i think i have it bad think about how then i must remember how bad Jesus had it on earth and on the Cross.

point # 2 - on the cross Jesus's last sentences of His last seven were "Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last." Luke 23:46 --- In the same humble way do I want to commit my spirit, body, mind, soul, everything to Christ while living here on earth and as He decides my time is up (which I hope is not for a long long long time, smile).

point # 3 - Jesus said to Simon Peter during His third visit post resurrection and after Jesus had declared how Simon Peter was going to die to glorify the Lord: John 25:21 - Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” this brought COMFORT to my hurting soul and aching body.

point # 4 - after all those soft spiritual slaps, or Holy wake up calls, i noticed an entirely new outlook on my health situtation. i said, and am saying, to my Lord, "Father, please continue to use me as You will and if that means suffering on my end and allowing illness on my end in order for You to heal me and restore me through Your might works than i must accept this and endure it." ... my prayer says it ALL.

so i must keep faith strong and know that whatever feels wrong is a test, a challenge, endurance - for nothing i will ever go through can be compared to what Christ went through for me.

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21

beautiful.

natural beauty, inner beauty.

i was in 1 Peter 3 today and came across a passage that i feel has deep underlying beauty to it. it's directed towards women but i'm leaving this post open as a message and challenge to all those who care to read it - regardless of gender.

³Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. ⁴Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. ⁵For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. (1 Peter 3:3-5)

we (humans) express ourselves in many ways, for some people things like flashy clothing and jewelry, hair and cosmetics, body modifications, etc. are used to "represent" ourselves, likes and personalities. are these things really nessesary? most certainly these things do not define us nor do they even create us. they really are just another layer WE (not God) add to our God given flesh. it's like frosting a cake. the cake starts out bare and pure then we add to it: colors and flavors and textures... these things though, they are not used to please God but to please ourselves. some of us become so attached to these things are forms of "self confidence" or "self assurance" that we don't know how to live without them. one must take into factor though that we did not always live with them. the usage and/or dependency of these things developed over time through continued usage. the more you rely on these things the more you feel you need them, the more you use them and the more dependent you become with them. see the cycle?

today i challenge you to break the cycle - if even just for a day. true confidence is found in Christ not in material items. God looks at the heart, always. surrender something today, what shall it be? try going out in very basic clothes or freeing your face from cosmetics... even if it just means skipping the lipstick, it's a start! i size of the step is not important in this challenge, the strength and willpower is. trust that things will be okay no matter what because you have God guiding you and nothing is wrong with or about God!

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

ps. you know you love comfy clothes and a fresh clean face! how great it feels to just relax and be. breathe!

heart to heart: what will you surrender today?

Ephesians 4

Ephesians 4 ~ I certainly needed this today. Do you too? GOD has been providing me passages all morning according to what He knows I needed to hear in order to let go of a recent situation that has been keeping me in bondage. Today I pray. Today I follow. Today I serve. Today I forgive. Today let go and let GOD! Ephesians 4 hit every spot needed to be hit today : ) May it bring you wisdom and clarity too! God Bless you all...

Ephesians 4 (New International Version)

Unity in the Body of Christ

¹As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.²Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— ⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism;⁶one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

⁷But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸This is why it says:
"When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men." ⁹(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^{c]" style="font-size: 0.75em; line-height: 0.5em; ">[c]}? ¹⁰He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) ¹¹It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹²to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

¹⁴Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Living as Children of Light

¹⁷So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

²⁰You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. ²¹Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²²You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

²⁵Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶"In your anger do not sin" Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

²⁹Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Heart to Heart: Who can you allow God to help you forgive today???

jumpin' for jackfruit.

i get this beautiful gift from God locally grown in CA and organic at my farmer's market on sunday. if you haven't had jackfruit before then you are in for one sweet surprise.

here are some facts i picked up about this blessed and beautiful breadfruit...

Health Benefits of Jackfruit:

http://www.zillr.com/news/page/1375112.html

Jackfruit is the name of the fruit of the ‘jackfruit’ tree, which belongs to the mulberry family. It is native to southwestern India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Sri Lanka and possibly, east of the Malay Peninsula. Mainly found to be cultivated in tropical conditions, jackfruit is said to be the largest tree borne fruit in the world, with its diameter being at least 25 cm. There can be jackfruits measuring as much as 36 kg in weight, 90 cm in length and 50 cm in diameter. The best part of the fruit is that even its seeds have a high nutritional value. If you want to know about the health and nutrition benefits of eating jackfruit, browse further.

Nutritional Value of Jackfruit

Given below is the amount of nutrients in 100 gm of jackfruit:

• Sodium - 3 mg
• Total Carbohydrates - 24 g
• Dietary Fiber - 2 g
• Protein - 1 g
• Vitamin A - 297 IU
• Vitamin C - 6.7 mg
• Thiamin - 0.03 mg
• Riboflavin - 0.11 mg
• Niacin - 0.4 mg
• Vitamin B6 - 0.108 mg
• Folate - 14 mcg
• Calcium - 34 mg
• Iron - 0.6 mg
• Magnesium - 37 mg
• Phosphorus - 36 mg
• Potassium - 303 mg
• Sodium - 3 mg
• Zinc - 0.42 mg
• Copper - 0.187 mg
• Manganese - 0.197 mg
• Selenium - 0.6 mcg
• Total Fat - 0.3 mg
• Saturated Fat - 0.063 mg
• Monounsaturated Fat - 0.044 mg
• Polyunsaturated Fat - 0.086 mg
• Calories - 9
  4

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Jackfruit

• Being rich in potassium, jackfruit helps in the lowering of the blood pressure.
• The extract of Jackfruit root is believed to help cure fever as well as diarrhea.
• Jackfruit contains phytonutrients, with health benefits ranging from anti-cancer to antihypertensive.
• Jackfruit root has been found to be beneficial for those suffering from asthma.
• The root of jackfruit is said to be good for the treatment of a number of skin problems.
• Jackfruit has been found to have anti-ageing, antioxidant and anti-ulcer properties.

loves good movies but sick of all the worldly mind polluting filth out there these days? if the answer is yes then do i have a special surprise for you...

Christian and religious oriented. clean. quality. meaningful movies in an abundance of selections... sound to good to be true? you are in luck: www.ChristianCinema.com

they offer movies in all sorts of genres for sale or for dvd rental - exactly like netflix but only a buck or two more.

i gave up worldly movies for God and have been having a hard time finding Christian movies that will truly move me and touch my heart and life. ones that have the ability to make your eyes run a river, face ache from laughing and messages motivate you to change your life? you know the ones that have trailers and descriptions that grab your attention enough to select them --- then you can't wait to watch them, get your living room all romantic with a warm couch and candles, pop that movie in and some tea or juice and relax while you anxiously wait to watch? well, that's how i love to do it at least *hehe* i love to invite mom over too for movie nights, like last night. our movie of the night was "faith like potatoes" and i must honestly admit it was one of the best movies i have seen in a long time. i don't want to spoil it by giving it away so i will write a brief review and provide a link so you can read more about it and watch the trailer - trust me, watch the trailer!!! we still use netflix so what i did is order it through netflix. so far nextflix has a lot of the movies i have found on Christian cinema. i would eventually like to switch over to Christian cinema for rental service as i feel money is better spent there than with netflix which offers a pool of pollution movies that are not pleasing to God...

faith like potatoes: a farmer in South Africa has a change of heart and many tests of faith. this movie is based on a true story and depicts how faith in God can move mountains. it will encourage you to get saved and walk with the Lord, as well as share your own testimony of His mighty works. top three emotions i associate while i watched this movie: sympathy, hope and humble gratitude to/for God.

http://www.christiancinema.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2681

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!!!

James 2:22

"You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete."

heart to heart: take a moment to check out www.ChristianCinema.com -- bookmark and browse!