Debs

greetings fellow "bloggers",

still getting used to this spot to blog, or "blogspot" rather.
Goodbye "xanga", what's good "Blogspot"! ;D*

the probable cause of my conversion is due to my beloved D.E.M. kids, how awesome it is to read the blogs of high school students who are being radically molded into the likeness of Christ, and this Christ-likeness is what encourages and compels even their teacher to persevere on the same path.

a path of glory, gratitude, and yea... even suffering.

as God has been doing cuhrazy things in my life recently, i'd like to share the story of a friend.

one of my recent praises has been the reuniting of my friend and i, Deborah.

a friend from when i was in middle school who has been going through some struggles and knew i had given my life over to Christ and become a "Jesus freak"....took the initiative to track me down, literally..... hoping i can help guide her to a different path.

for those of you who have heard my testimony, starting from my middle school years have not been so pleasant. One person who knows this truth first hand is my old friend Debbie.

beginning her search from the websites and groups on my facebook, she diligently found the church i attended in Queens for friday worship and researched the service times hoping to cross paths and visit me at EMC (Ebenezer Mission Church) for Sunday worship.

not knowing i serve at Diaspora Church in Jersey on weekends, she had made the 1 p.m. service only to find her friend was not there.

in disappointment and grief as she was about to leave.... God spoke and convicted her enough to stay and listen, through Pastor Jae.

she was bold enough to stay for the whole service.

afterwards, she continued her frantic search for her friend.

and as a result of her determination and openness to a different approach to life, she found her friend who recommended she try Jesus. =)

we attended Times Square Church last Sunday and she found herself in tears at times not really knowing what was happening, i told her it was the Holy Spirit.

She plans on getting plugged in back with her old church b4 she gave up on God and is currently being consumed by the truths of the gospel of John, praise Jesus!

If you guys can say a prayer for my friend, she is indeed one soul that God is rejoicing over.

and dont know if you're reading this Debs~ but girl... u the WOMAN~ seek truth, seek Christ and u'll find flowing rivers of peace, joy and love from a King who is mighty to save, proud of u.

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i hope this blog can be an encouragement for people who don't think people see the Christ in us Christians..........cause we definitely are an encouragement to them.

evangelism doesn't always have to be through the four spiritual laws or following protocol (not saying we shouldn't spread the word through word of mouth either), but something as simple as who you turn to in times of trouble or how you approach certain situations or how you interact with certain people.... simply life.

"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." -1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV)

werd
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here's a poem that i also posted on the "Diaspora English Ministry" facebook group, which i recommend you guys to check out and encourage one another through sucha tool!!!
=)

Christians - By Maya Angelou

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say. "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace,somehow.

werd