Monday night...

I can't say much tonight as I'm very weak right now. I decided to go with the chemo one more week. Monday's the day I take it and it's been a bit rough. I'd appreciate any prayers. Anyway...I wanted you guys to know we sang "You Won't Relent" yesterday and man...that's such a powerful song to sing to Him. Especially when you're in any kind of fire. It says "come be the fire inside of me, come be the flame upon my heart - come be the fire inside of me, until You and I are one". Maybe I already said this in the last post. I can't remember right now.
Well....I just wanted to say "hi" and I love you all.......Mom/Nana

Sunday morning....

Hi All, my prayers are continual for you Patty. There's a song ringing in my head all week. If you want to hear it you can download it at iTunes. It called "You Won't Relent" by Misty Edwards. It speaks of God being the fire....the flame....whatever it takes until we're one with Him. It's impossible to explain a song as you all know. It's worth a listen, though. I hope everyone is doing well. I'm sorry I'm not in touch more these days. It's taking everything just to keep on keeping on with the ministries we've been doing. I'll feel like quitting and then everytime....someone comes up and says just the thing it takes to make you want to take that next step. Just another week. We're working on another video for the grandkids. It should be there soon. I love and miss you all so much. Gare's doing good. We had a group called "Radical Reality" come to our little ville. They have the gift of "strength" and awesome testimonies. They do the thing where you break bricks, bend steel bars, blow up hot water bottles, etc., etc. to reach kids. They came and did 5 school assemblies and a night service where they could actually mention the Lord. At the assemblies they couldn't even say "God". But you can't legislate out the Holy Spirit. Anyway . . Gare did sound for them and got very blessed. It was awesome to see 300 teens give their hearts to the Lord. Well, goodbye for now. Touch base here at the site once in awhile. I always love checking in and finding something. I love you very much....Mom/Nana

MAX!

how's patty feeling?? any updates!? we're praying, bro! love you both!

Murmurs from the past.....

Murmurs,groans,utterances.
At times it seems that even the Holy Spirit can't relay what I am feeling.

Frustration?

A sense of being overwhelmed?

Maybe I am just bored.

Stuck in a rut.

Land-locked.

Or maybe I am feeling the pain of my friend.

I wrote to you all a few posts ago about some of my friends going through tough times and there are moments where Joy is prevalent and other moments when a sorrowful tide is washing away that Joy.
It pains me to see my friends this way and in particular one very special friend.
She is going through a tough divorce (they're all tough) and I pray that she comes out "...shinning like gold but better". On top of the divorce she has other stuff going on and although she is strong I know that she is really hurting.I know because I have been there and maybe that is why she is on my heart,in my thoughts,and in my prayers so much.
I try to make it a point to let her know that even though it seems so incredibly dark right now,that she will see that light at the dawn.That Northern Star that announces the day with a radiance that is unsurpassed by even the heaviest of novas.I tell her that she is loved by many people and that we will be here for her.I know,that is a somewhat shallow comfort when you are alone at night with only your thoughts to ebb away at twilight's impending arrival.Those were the hardest times for me as well.
I remember Max staying up very late with me,talking,praying,comforting me the way only a good friend and incredible brother can.That was so instrumental to my spiritual and mental health.
So as you can see this situation with my friend is not easy.It does bring to the surface some bad memories.Not that it is affecting me directly in terms of reliving my own divorce,but knowing what she is going through and how alone she feels at times is so hard to watch.
What else can I do? I am there for her in prayer,as a shoulder to cry on,as a fellow "veteran",as a friend.

Chris and I talk about this alot.God,she is wonderful and such a beautiful friend!I can bounce anything off of Chris and I am always sure to get an honest answer and the most incredible support.I am blessed beyond what I am worth.
So,please pray for my friend that she finds Joy again,that she finds companionship when the time is right,that her health gets better,that her whole situation will one day be a shinning diamond that she can look at and reap untold experiences from that will allow her to enjoy whatever God has planned for her in a truly cosmic fashion that only our Lord can accomplish.

Laters my familia....
<><
Juan

Slides and Tunnels

Saturday evening...

Well...another week's gone by. I just wanted to tell you all that I love you and miss you. Your auntie Debbie is coming for a visit this coming Friday and will be here a week so I'm looking forward to seeing her. We'll sing a song in church together next Sunday for the first time.
Goodnight to everyone and please kiss those sweet babies for me. All my love to all of you. . . Mom/Nana

HAHAHA!

i had to post this; it's a photo i got off a friend's site, who's last name is"Grigsby"

WHO by the way has a ring on a necklace around his neck that is IDENTICAL to a sterling ring I lost in the ocean 7 years ago, and his dad found it laying in the middle of a street and gave it to him.. it's crazy! we got to meet w/ he and his beautiful betrothed to talk about life and marriage and the Lord.. they're so lovely we can't wait to watch them live out their lives.. ANYway; here's the photo.. hope it makes ya chuckle like it did me .. smoochas

Politics Schmalitics

So, here we are once again with all this political junk in front of us on a daily basis.  I really try to stay out of it for the most part because I don't really think it has anything to do with "me" or my daily life.  It also is too easy to become a "fanboy" of one party or the other and in the process lose the ability to remain objective and think clearly.  So all that being said, I do think it's OK to have an opinion and share it.  So, what's my opinion of Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin?  On the surface, I like her!  She's smart, gutsy, independent, and all the other adjectives the conservative base is using...    On the other hand, you can't help but feel like it's all a big gimmick made in desperation by a party that know's this nation has had enough.  A "hail mary" pass if you will.   I probably still lean in that direction.  I think it'll either be the thing that gives McCain the presidency or the single biggest mistake in the history of politics...  No middle ground in other words.  I did come across an interesting story by someone that's known her and her family for several years and lives in Wasilla.  I definitely think it gives you a different perspective on her because it doesn't come across as mean or praising but just "factual".  I'm sure there's some bias in there because frankly I think it's almost impossible for any of us to not have it in one way or another.  Anyway, enough of Max on a soapbox.  Click here for the story.

Tuesday....

This is a follow up the the song "Healer" that I sent the link to. As it turns out . . .the brother who wrote the song confessed that he didn't have cancer at all and had lied about that. He also confessed that he was addicted to pornography. As a pastor and the son of a pastor there have been a lot of repercussions from this. I'm ashamed at how so many act about things like this. So does this invalidate the song? Does he not need a healing just as much as if he had cancer? Jesus wants love from His children and when people fall we are tested. Anyway....just wanted to update everyone. The song is amazing and very anointed. We're singing it this Sunday for the first time and I just got off the phone with my pastor who agreed with me about this decision. Please keep Mike Gugliacucci (? spelling might be wrong) in your prayers. I love you guys......Mom/Nana

A new way of shinning our light....

In my last post I had expressed a certain level of shame when it comes to the churches treatment of non-believers.Specifically gays and lesbians.This points to a greater "eveil " that we as believers face: We have a bad reputation and image.
How so? Consider that in the last 10-15 years Christianity and it's followers have "fallen" in popularity with the non-believers.Indeed with each other! Haven't you noticed a particular shift towards animosity where the church is concerned? Back when I became a Christian in 1988 folks would be more apt to listen to the gospel in an open state of mind.Now the reaction is more than likely a resounding "Oh,you guys! You are all hypocrites,anti-gay,and way too political." Believe me,and to add to my shame, I have kept my mouth shut because of this. I know that we are to be "in the world but not of it" as Paul wrote.But that does not excuse us from representing our Lord and Faith with a genuine presence of Love towards ALL.I see that same old bumper sticker everywhere I go: "WWJD?" Indeed,what would Jesus do? LOVE,that's what He would do!
So with that I invite you to check out a very forward thinking website:

UnChristian

Don't let the name fool ya.This is a unique ministry with a radical way of viewing ourselves as believers and representatives of God's Love for His Creation.Please check it out....
I will write more on this later.
I love all of you!