HE has promised to remember NO MORE!

"For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."  Jeremiah 31:34

How many times have we heard the voice of the accuser, accusing us mercilessly?  satan delights in trying to watch us writhe in agony over our past mistakes, over our past failures, and over our PAST period.  At times he has won the match and i start to feel myself sink into the muck and the mire of my past.  Feeling the unworthiness of my human self.  The unworthiness of bowing before the throne of God in prayer.  Yes satan would like to keep me there, he would like to keep all of us there!

Ha!  No way mister!  My Jesus paid the price for my past! Glory to God, my debt is paid!!

How wonderful it is to discover the Grace of God in our lives!  I love the promise in this verse, because the Lord himself promises, decrees, states, that HE will remember our sins NO MORE!  HE does not say, "maybe i will forget, or if you do such and such i will forget, or in due time".  No, HE is very clear in stating that HE will remember no more!  You may ask yourself, can God forget? Will God forget?  He said HE will and He is a God that does not lie!  HE means what HE says! 

Our Lord is always a God of second chances.  Never third chances and never fourth chances.  It is always a second chance with HIM!  Why?  You got it, because HE forgets!  He throws our mistakes, our sin into the depths of the sea, never to be remembered again!  My friend, when that old fool tries to slither his way into your thoughts, to accuse you and to confuse you and to make you feel unworthy.  Remember that God promised to forget! I read once that when satan comes knocking on your door, just look up to Heaven and say "JESUS, CAN YOU GET THAT?"  Love it!  I love the thought of Jesus answering that particular knock, don't you?  Bahahahaha   Haleluya and Glory to God!
A debt that is paid . . . Is no longer a debt!!!  JESUS PAID IT ALL!
My friend, please remember to rejoice and to give Glory and Honor to our Lord and Savior who has promised you and promised me . . to remember NO MORE!

Thank you Father God for your great mercies that are new every morning.  Help us always to remember, that YOU Father remember NO MORE, and so because of your precious son, we are worthy to be called your children!  In Jesus name, Amen

If you have a prayer need, and you would love someone to come along side you in prayer, feel free to email us.  The Exchange Life Team will be more than happy to respond to any prayer request or question that you may have:  gal220@exchangelifephotography.com

"And,  When they were come in to the boat the wind ceased!"

Matt 14:32



Yes, I have been gone for a while.  I feel a bit "shishkamobbobby"!  I may have made up my own word but most of my friends and family that know me, are very aware that I have no qualms in adding my own contributions to Websters.  Albeit, without his knowledge, or invitation!  LOL

Ah well, such is life!  If life drives me to the invention of new words, so be it!  As long as my Lord and Savior and my friends do not mind, we shall go on inventing.  I know as a certainty that my enemy will not give up in trying to get me to quit my Jesus, so, Webster make room! Ha!

 You know, I love the story of Peter and his "Walk in faith."  I have heard countless sermons on this and have wondered many times, if I would have made it to Jesus.  Do you ever wonder?  If you had the opportunity to try?  Would you make it?  What interesting thoughts to ponder.  

But today I want to talk to you about something that has been on MY mind.  I hear a lot about keeping my eyes on Jesus. I hear a lot about how the storm was calmed.  I hear a lot about how the disciples praised my Savior after the storm was calmed.  And how God WILL calm the storms of our lives!  AND HE WILL! Have no doubt, HE will calm those storms!

Yet, today I want us to take a look at the moments in between, and this is where I fall to my knees in giving praise and glory to my Jesus!  You see Jesus reached down into that deep, dark and stormy water and pulled Peter up and out. 

BUT, JESUS KEPT PETER SAFE FOR THE ENTIRE WALK BACK TO THE BOAT!
My bible tells me that Peter walked for a bit, before he became frightened and began to sink.  It tells me that he reached down to Peter and pulled him out . . BUT it also tells me that it was not until they were in the boat again, that Jesus calmed the storm.  So one of the important parts here that we must all remember, is that Jesus is with us, AMIDST THE STORM!  He walks with us and he keeps us safe and secure, no matter the trial and no matter the outcome.  I believe my Jesus could have calmed the storm instantly to ease Peter's fear.  Jesus could have resolved that immediate circumstance in so many different ways.  

Instead HE chose to walk with Peter through the storm!  I believe to teach Peter and all the disciples, and thereby, all of us, that HE, JESUS himself walks with us through life's turmoils and churning waters!   And boy howdie, does life have those!
You know, you see YOUR storm raging around you, I see my storms raging around me.  While we get battle weary, we must always remember, that right beside us walks Jesus, and we will never again be alone, whether it be on a glorious mountain top or among the raging waves of the storm tossed seas that we call our earthly lives.  
I am reminded once again that Christ himself walks with me and HE walks with you!  Never forget that!

Father, please help us all to understand that it is to you and you alone, that we must turn to in our time of need.   I thank you LORD, because I now understand, that I / we do not have far to run, for you walk right next to me/ us every moment of every day!  In Jesus name, Amen.

While I'm Waiting


"Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby HE is able even to subdue all things unto himself" 
Phillippians 3:21

Waiting, waiting in line at the grocery store, waiting at the doctors office, waiting, waiting and waiting some more!

But what are we really waiting for?  What am I waiting for? What are you waiting for?  Are you waiting for that answer that the healing has come?  Are you waiting for that answer that says your marriage problems are over, or possibly for that financial situation to be rectified?  It is a worrisome and often tiring state to be in, THE WAITING.  Because we are waiting for that one moment in time in which the answer will come that will end our painful waiting.  Oh sometimes it may not be a physical pain we feel, but the anxiousness we feel down in the pit our tummies and the weight of the worry on our minds, is very physical and very real.
I have just yesterday received some very sad news in regards to a dear lady that I admire and love so very much.  I had already been informed in Sunday School about her situation, but the moment that she wrapped her arms around me from behind and whispered in my ear, "My cancer has returned, can you please pray?"
I felt my heart drop to my feet.  It was at that moment that I wanted to drop to my knees and just cry like a baby to my Lord.  I could not wait for the invitation to be given, my poor Preacher could not finish his sermon fast enough!  The pain I felt for this family was almost unbearable! I needed to be at the altar.  I wondered at one point, " Will I be chastised for just walking up and praying before the sermon even begins?"

I wanted to tell her--Look and Live!  No I wanted to shout, "Look and Live!"
"And the Lord said unto Moses, make thee a fiery serpene, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that everyone that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, . . . . SHALL LIVE!!  Num 21:8

Now I know that snake on the pole at that time was a TYPE OF JESUS.  But all of us who look to JESUS will be healed!!  Now please do not misunderstand me.  Gods will, will always take place.  But that is just it!!  Your heart will have complete healing in CHRIST, even if our physical bodies do not.  While we are waiting if we LOOK upon CHRIST, we shall LIVE!!  Even if it is Gods will that we join HIM in heaven, or if it is GODS will that we sit a little while longer in the situation in which HE has us, if we LOOK to HIM we will LIVE!!  My friends do not allow yourself to be "BITTEN", bitten by the roots of anger, by the seed of jealousy, by insecurity, by any of satans flaming arrows.  Yes i know . .he has some real doozies in his arsenal.  Memories by far are used most to hurt our Christian walk.  Memories that pop up and rear their ugly heads from time to time, but my friends . .LOOK and you shall LIVE!!  Look upon Christ, walk with Christ, talk with Christ! Develop that relationship, cultivate it, encourage it, devote yourself to it, further it, promote it, pursue that close fellowship with God!  And you shall LIVE!  Oh my, you shall live, while you are waiting!!

Tell me what are you waiting for?
I once heard and explanation of hope.  I took this right to heart. 
Hope is not a wishful thought for the miracle to happen,  it is the waiting time in between when you asked for it and when it arrives.  I LOVE IT!!  I am not sitting here waiting to see "IF" it is going to happen, I am sitting here waiting for the time in which it HAPPENS!  You see?
Oh yes! I am waiting! And while I am waiting . . . . 

"I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You, Lord, And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord, Though it is painful, But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident, Taking every step in obedience, While I'm waiting
I will serve You,While I'm waiting, I will worship,While I'm waiting
I will not faint, I'll be running the race, Even while I wait

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You, Lord, And I am peaceful, I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy, But faithfully, I will wait, Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting, I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting,I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting, I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord"

JOHN WALLER
While I'm Waiting:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9DTwLOxzhE

While you are waiting, make HIS choice, . .your choice!
"He shall choose our inheritance for us."  Ps 47:4

Whilst our enemies would wish the worst for us.  We are not left in their hands!  Praise God that the he will make us STAND and our current place is appointed to us in HIS infinite wisdom.  Thank you Lord that your wise mind arranges my destiny!

"Father God, gives the wisdom to look up to you each and every single day and no matter the circumstances, may we affirm in our minds and our hearts, that while we are waiting, we will look upon YOU and live!"  In Jesus name!  Amen and Amen.

KEEP YOUR FIRE BURNING!

" Meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all."
1 Timothy 4:15

I think that a lot of us are like Timothy.  He was a young Pastor and therefore may have been looked down on by other "older" Christians.  But you know, regardless of your age, GOD can use you.  I was told once "  GOD DOES NOT CALL THE QUALIFIED, INSTEAD HE QUALIFIES THE CALLED!"  Live so that others can see Christ in you.  No matter your age!  Let the joy of the Lord reflect in you.  Some one is watching you, and learning from you.

I once had a very dear friend, whom I admire and love tell me, "Carolina you are burning up!" 
How I long to hear my Savior say that!  So when I finally get to hug my Jesus and kneel at his feet or dance with HIM, I want to hear HIM say, "Mija, you were burning up for me."

You know God gave me a fire at one of, if not the most hardest time in my life.  A fire that I wish I had known many years before.  It has been a fire, that has gotten me and practically dragged me through the roughest time of my life.  Because in HIM I have everything.  I want to burn, and I want to burn so brightly and so strongly I want to scorch everyone I come in contact with!!  I want my JESUS to shine!!

Yet there are moments in which I struggle to fan the flame, moments in which only my spirit can speak for me to my heavenly father, because my heart hurts so much.  Do you have those moments?
I am quite certain that at one point or another, we have all had a heart breaking moment in which we struggle to understand the why's and the how's.
My friend it is in those moments that we must shine and burn even brighter!!  It is in those moments in which we have been driven to our knees in which only our spirit can word our prayers, that we are most effective in reflecting Christ to those that are watching us.  Make no mistake. . . someone IS watching you.  They are learning from you.  They will measure you, they will measure your walk with the Lord by how you react when you forcefully hit your knees.  At this point you need true heart energy!  Do you have heart energy?  I ask myself this question frequently.  And then I pray for mercy.  lol

If we keep our head and our hearts in the word and work of the LORD and give ourselves wholly then shall we profit.  Profit, you may ask.  Yes profit!  Not profit in silver or gold, but profit in knowing that you have a Savior that will hold you in times of trouble.  A Savior that will comfort you when the tears will not stop.  A Savior that stands and fights for you, as the enemy accuses you.  A Savior that removes the debris and clutter from your heart and keeps HIMSELF accessible to you at all times, day or night.  Acts 18:10

My friends keep your fire burning!!  For things that are visible are brief and fleeting yet those things which are invisible are everlasting.
How is your fire doing?  Do you have a fire?  Do you want a fire?
Like Timothy, we must not fear what others think of us, there is only ONE that we need worry about.  Only HE can qualify or disqualify us.  Are you burning?

Father in Heaven:  Thank you Lord for everything!  Thank you for the works you have done and are doing! We praise your holy name. Keep our fires burning and let us shine for you at all times and in all seasons!  Amen

 

ARE YOU WALKING ON TURBULENT WATERS.

"When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet."    Proverbs 3:24

Hola friends!.  May God bless each and every one of you, that is my most sincere wish.

Today I am so thankful for Gods mercies and His tender loving care for HIS children.  I write to you today from Mukilteo, Washington.  What a beautiful place.  Our room is right on the water!  Yes that's right, the waves are lapping right under our window and the sea gulls are announcing their presence with plenty of gusto!  LOL

You know, God knows our needs so much better than we do.  I was a bit hesitant to leave my home.  For some reason I thought the world as I know it would come to a complete stop.  All the "what if's" assailed my thoughts.  My mind ran through every possible scenario and caused me to drag my feet about being excited for this trip.  Praise God that my husband paid for the airline tickets and booked the hotel before I could utter all of my doubts and reasons for which I could not possibly leave.  The business, the new blog, the kiddos, my princesses.  How could I leave all of that for a week?  What if . . .  resounded loud and clear in my head. 

So I prayed, and I prayed.  I longed to be with my honey.  I love to see his smiling eyes, to walk hand in hand with him.  But more than anything thing, I wanted him to know that after GOD, he is my number one priority.  I wanted him to know that I love him more each and every day of our lives together.  Yes, somehow that is possible, to love your husband more and more each and every day.  And so I prayed.  Except that this time, while I prayed on the plane, listing all of my concerns to my FATHER.  HIS answer was.  I'VE got this, you rest.  I giggled a bit and said "yes SIR!".

As I watched the waves from our windows, I sat there, thinking and marveling at God's creation.  The sky turned cloudy and overcast and the calm and peaceful waters began to turn "choppy".  I couldn't help but watch the water and wonder what did it look like when Christ told Peter "Come!" What would I have done if I were in Peters shoes.  What would you do? I wondered how easily we let the choppy waters of our lives deter us from doing what God wants us to do.  In my case, spend some much needed quality time with my husband, my Tangi!  I call him my Tangi, because Eric is my tangible gift from God.  I can feel him and touch him and I know without a shadow of a doubt that my FATHER in Heaven loves me and blessed me with my hubby. Without God intervening, we would have never met.  I am so glad that God knows and orders our steps for HE knows us, and our needs, better that we ourselves do.

When I lay my head down to sleep now, this verse in Proverbs comes to mind, as if GOD was speaking directly to me.  And HE says, rest my child and let your sleep be sweet!  IT HAS BEEN! ;)

Trust HIM and let your sleep be sweet! 

Father, let us always rest in you.  Let our comfort and confidence emanate from you Father.  Let us walk each day trusting fully in you and let us pillow our head knowing that because we belong to you, our sleep will be sweet. Amen and Amen!

FEAR

What shall we then say to these things?  If God be for us, who can be against us?

Praise God in time of fear, just like Daniel did in the lions den:

Do you ever think that because you aren't good enough for God, that HE will not save you?  Do you ever feel that salvation is for  everyone else but you?  How many times do you hear the words whispered over and over again in your ear, "you are not good enough".  "God does not want you".  "Where do you get off thinking that you would ever be good enough to enter Heaven after everything that you have done?"  Sometimes these thoughts kick us around and back again, until they land us right smack on our derriere. The fear that overcomes us keeps us in a state of despair and worthlessness.

We need to learn to recognize these thoughts and literally "ARREST" them.  I oftentimes wonder how Daniel felt as he arrived at the entrance to the lions den.  He knew without a shadow of a doubt that his  GOD was with him regardless of the outcome!  He faced the men and the lions in a fearless fashion!  How do you face your lions?  Do you have lions or am I the only one that has lions?  My lions sure do like to roar in the loudest, and most ferocious manner.  And at times I must confess that they do instill fear in these old bones.  However, we must must NEVER ALLOW that fear to set up residence within us.

Can you imagine what would have become of Daniel if he had allowed that fear to envelop him?

Or David, as he was literally hunted by Saul? He trusted only in his God.

Friend, what hunts you down?  Where are your lions?  Those are somewhat important questions.  But the Real questions that you should look deep down within yourself to be able to fully answer is:  Are you certain, deep down to the tip of your toes certain, that Christ wants you, loves you, died for you and has risen once more to sit at the right hand of the Father while HE awaits your arrival?

YOU SHOULD BE!!  For God is not a man that HE should lie; neither the son of man that HE should repent.  Hath HE said and shall HE not do it; or hath HE spoken and shall HE not make it good?  Numbers 23:19

You see the greatest danger lies within ourselves, as our carelessness in regards to our thoughts. My preacher tell us quite regularly "THE BATTLE IS FOR THE MIND".  My friends we must watch and pray.  Arrest those thoughts immediately!  Turn that concern into a prayer, recognizing that your GOD is greater than any peril that may threaten to bring upheaval to your life.

FATHER in Heaven. May I always recognize the whispers that are yours and allow them to soothe my tired soul. Teach me to discern the flaming arrows that are shot my way.  Father help me to immediately recognize that you are in control of every moment of my life. And because of that I need not fear.

TAKE NO THOUGHT

Matthew 6:25

^"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? "

Because of the effects of worry, Jesus tells us to "take no thought" about those needs which GOD promises that he will supply.  Because of worry, we end up at times in rather unfortunate circumstances.  It is bad for our health, we become overtaken or consumed with the object of our worry.  This in turn leads us to distracted thinking and acting.  It could affect our productivity at work or our efficiency at what ever it is we may be doing.  It could negatively affect the way you treat others, and like it or not, people are watching our actions and behavior.  They watch how things affect us and what we do in response to the circumstance that is for the most part, thrust upon us.   I believe that the worst of all of these however, is that, worry reduces your ability to fully TRUST in GOD.

That my friends, is when we are knee deep in the muck!  We become stagnant.  We are stuck and at times helpless in helping ourselves.  We forget that the unseen hand is still there and still extended toward us, waiting only for us to reach up and grasp it!  Oh my friends, grasp it with all your might, for our Jesus promises to be with us always even unto the end of the world.  HE certainly is committed to you and to me.  You may ask, as I do from time to time. "If HE is that committed and promises to never remove HIS hand, then why am I in this "stuck" mode?"  According to my bible and my Preacher, God did not move, WE/YOU/I did.  Oh my cow!!  What an eye opener, that means that I feel this way, because I let worry creep up on me and I did not arrest those thoughts before they could negatively affect me!  Grrr  we must "take no thought"!

Trust me, I have tried hiding behind the, "I'm just CONCERNED" statement.  Do you know the difference between worry and concern?
Worry immobilizes you, it renders you useless!  Your nails are gone, the worry lines are etched in your face and your vocabulary does not contain the word VICTORY in it!
Concern on the other hand, spurs you into action!  What does GOD want me to learn.  What does GOD want me to do?

My friends, Glory in the trials of your faith!  Give honor and praise to our risen Savior.  Remember that we have an enemy!  For if your faith was not being tried and if everything is running hunky dorey and smooth as pie.  THEN AT THAT POINT I HAD BETTER BE CONCERNED IF THE ENEMY IS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT ME.

Father, thank you for your faithfulness!  Thank you because you promise to always be there for me and for anyone who seeks you.  May i always hear when you whisper into my heart "I am here".  Father may your peace reign over every area of concern.  Let me remember to turn my concerns into prayers, for I know that you Father are in control of every situation.  Amen

Thank YOU JESUS!

1 Thes 5:16-18  
" Rejoice evermore.   Pray without ceasing.   In every thing give thanks: for this  is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Sometimes when we find ourselves surrounded in circumstances that are so completely beyond our control, we find ourselves at a total loss for what to do, how to act, react, and what to say.  I have found myself there a time or two in my journey.  It is such an overwhelming feeling of utter chaos and loss.  Life will never return to normalcy, and at that precise moment it feels as if peace will never again be known by you.

It is painful, I know, to reach down and pull yourself up by your boot straps, as they say.  First of all do I have boot straps and second of all, how on earth am I expected to find them?  Have you ever asked yourself that question?  How? How? and How again?  How can I go on when my heart has been ripped out of my body and torn to shreds, and then somehow I am expected to shove those shreds back inside and function as the WIFE, MOTHER, FRIEND etc. that I am.  Oh my, yes we hurt, but oh my what a pity party some of us can throw.  Yes my heart is in pieces, yes, life will never be the same, and yes I hurt a very real and very deep agonizing pain, that always lives as a dull ache of wanting and missing that very vital part of me.

And while I am wallowing in my self pity and blubbering my wants and needs to GOD.   By the way, I am HIS princess and yes I blubber to HIM, for HE is my father and HE loves me even with all my blubber, and my teary, swollen red eyes!  I love climbing into HIS lap because then HE wraps HIS arms around me and HE gently reminds me . . . . . 

I know what you mean, I know what you feel, I recognize that pain!  I felt the same way when my son died on that cross!

HE reminds me that it was then that HIS son looked out across time and saw me and my loved ones and you and your loved ones and HE decided then and there that HE would die for us!  All of us.  Whether we deserved it or not, the gift was given!

So my FATHER whispers in my ear. . .TRUST ME, for you and the ones you hurt for were born in my thoughts.  I know your beginning and I know your end!  I have ordered your steps, your stumbles and even those races that you win and those that you lose-  I AM!  And therefore I am all that you need.

Until the time in which HE chooses to make right, the shambles that are my upside down world, I will trust in HIM, for HIS word says that HE works all things for good.   Even though there are fleeting moments of panic, GOD has proven HIMSELF faithful over and over!  And so I continue in this journey of trusting in GOD'S will-- FOR THE COMING JOY IS INCOMPARABLE!

Father:  May we rejoice evermore and may we give you thanks in and for every single moment of our lives!  Father may I be able to recognize, that no matter the circumstance or joy or the pain, that it is YOUR perfect will for me!  Teach me Father, in everything to give thanks for YOU are in control and therefore, i need not try to be. 

Galations 2:20  
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 

Hi there, my name is Carolina and for some reason I am being called to blog.  I am not certain why, but I do know that there is ONE who knows why, and I will obey.

I am new, and really at this moment have no idea exactly what it is that I am doing, but God says that HE honors them that honor HIM.  That is my greatest desire!  I want my mind and my life to be so fixed on God and the Heavenlies, (I may have just created my own word, I am good at that. Lol)  That I have no desire to focus on a future on this earth.  My family and I have based our lives on living the exchange life in Galations 2:20. Won't you join me on this journey of promise?

I hope to be a blessing to all who may read my posts.  Join me and let us walk into the heavenlies together!
You may also read a dear friend of mines blog, she loves the Lord and is a pleasure to read!  You can find Jenny @http://sunflowersundays.blogspot.com/2013/01/minty-minerals-toothpaste-updated-recipe.htm

Pray for me as we embark on this new journey of promise.  I will pray for you as well, and I will pray that God may give me the words that will be a blessing and comfort to you, my readers.

Thank you,
Carolina