Change Your Tune or Singing a New Song

Do you ever find yourself humming a tune or singing a song for no reason?  For those of us who have a long history of music in our lives- it is so natural for us to fill the empty, to fill the quiet, with a song or a melody. I've found that as I am walking in the morning and praying that I have subconsciously started to sing in the back of my head.  (For Adri-this was pre ipod) It's like I have my own built in worship band.  I prefer to think that then that I'm loosing it.  LOL!  I have wondered why this is and as I've pondered it I've come  to the conclusion that its because over time I have "Changed My Tune."  My heart is singing a new song you could say- even in the midst of the trials and tribulations.  Even during the times of joy and praise...I've changed my tune and am singing with a new heart. 

At Bible Study on Wednesday, we had a time of worship before we got into our topic for the night.  We started by singing, "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever."  As we were singing, I was thinking...yes, this is really true.  I really could sing of Your love forever.  This is significant because there was a time when I only sang of things of the world. ie: secular music.  Don't misunderstand me- there are secular songs that are ok and have good messages-I'm referring to a time in my life when all I listened to was soft rock or popular music that had worldly influences in the lyrics and not Godly ones.  When I was a senior in High School, I gave my life and my heart to the Lord. I still listened to secular music but started to become exposed to the Christian music world.  In college, my exposure to Christian music increased even more but I still listened to secular radio.  In the middle of my college career, I got caught in a relationship that left me living on the fence of the secular and the Christian world.  There were times when I was living in the world and times when I was being a Christian.  As my relationship with God began to grow, I started switching the radio back and forth between secular and Christian, secular and Christian, secular and Christian.  This went on for a few years until one day I decided no more....no more switching stations.  I turned the dial on my stereo to the Christian station, left it there, and have never turned it back. I still lived in the world sometimes, but the influence of the Christian music and Christian programing began to grow in my heart.  God used something that I loved so much- music to begin the transformation process that I might give not only my life to Him in whole but also my heart. 

Eventually, I left my relationship behind and began to Change My Tune.  My heart was beginning to sing a new song- one that didn't resonate with the "world" that I was trying to live in before.

Now, years later,  I sing songs like "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever," and really mean it because my relationship with Him has grown so much.  You should know however, that "Tune Changes" or "New Songs" don't necessarily happen over night.  They require hard work, dedication, and sacrifice.  They require lots of prayer, lots of studying and chewing on the word.  For me, it also required dealing with the ramifications of my college relationship, with my dad's death and my lack of relationship with my mom. It also has also put me in a place of rest at various times- unwanted sabbaticals...but sabbaticals none the less.  (I will talk more about this in another blog.)  It may even cause some pain and grief in order to get to the joy and the praise. 

Is God calling you to Change Your Tune?   Is He wanting to give you a New Song?

Angel Formations

For those who have read the blog about Pinones and the blog about the earthquake, I want to share something that I experienced yesterday.  (For those who haven't go back and read them) I walk the dog early in the morning.  The last few days we have gone out at day break but before the sun has come up.  Yesterday, I was thinking about my conversation with my friend about the earthquake and praying over the area in which I live as I began to walk down the board walk.  When I got to the end, I turned to go back the other way and saw bursts of lights in various parts of the sky.  It was interesting because the sun had not risen yet.  I said to the Lord that it was like seeing His glory fill the sky.  As I was reflecting on that, there was sunlight illuminating a cloud formation over the area where I had been praying for the island.  As I looked and watched the formation it looked like the bust of a woman as if she was leaning over and praying also.  I think I saw an angel that was praying along with me.  She hovered over the area for a while before moving on.  And when that happened, the sun began to rise out of the ocean to shed it's morning light over the island.

It won't be long now before the Son is shining over the entire island once again  and not just in spots. Thank you Jesus!!

Loving our Neighbor

I saw something recently that just made me smile.  There is a guy in the church who lives in section 8 type housing.  His room is small and he has to share a bathroom with other people on his floor.  He lives off of government assistance as he struggles to break free from his addiction.  As he is making strides and growing in his relationship with the Lord, I see him reaching out to others and taking huge, bold, risks.  A few weeks ago, he went through his building and invited people to Bible Study- even the ones that he had internal fights with God about asking.  Them?  You want me to invite them?  We chuckle and laugh, but the reality is that the majority of us have had similar experiences.  So, what have we done?  I don't know how many doors he knocked on but 5 people came as a result of his obedience in knocking on the doors. 

Much to his surprise, pastor decided to watch a movie that night- so, Bible Study was centered around the watching of "Letters to God" and munching on some tasty popcorn.  I wonder if he was relieved?  It was obvious that some of the people didn't want to be there at first but as the topic of the night was presented tensions started to ease.  During the movie it was a little cold because of the air conditioning.  I saw my friend get up and find a blanket for one of the guys he invited.  It was touching because he took the blanket and wrapped it around the one who was cold.  It might seem like a woman thing to react that way, but I am able to see it with different eyes or from a different perspective.  I think metaphorically, he was wrapping the warmth and love of God around his friend.  Isn't that what loving your neighbor is all about?  Wrapping the warmth and love of God around the ones whom He surrounds us with? 

 


 

Get Ready Puerto Rico...An Earthquake is Coming!

People, get ready!!  Puerto Rico is going to have an earthquake!  Saying that Puerto Rico is going to have an earthquake is like saying that it's going to rain or that the ocean is wet.  Both are true.  And, Puerto Rico will likely to continue to have earthquakes.  It only makes sense because islands are created from volcanic eruptions and our island sits on a fault line.  Yes, Puerto Rico is going to have an earthquake!  The only problem that I find with this statement is that so called "prophets" say this in front of churches when they are preaching as if they are predicting something new or some unique word that the Lord has given to them. Or they say that the Lord has given them a vision of a tsunami washing over the island. Plain common sense says, "Duh, so tell me something that I don't already know."  But instead, people take the word of these so called "prophets" to be the gospel truth and people begin to panic.  They start calling up their friends and family warning them of the impending doom and to stock up, be prepared, get ready-disaster is about to strike!!  Fear and unrest begin to move amongst the people; and in the midst of this fear and confusion, I have to question- is that really from God?  Common sense tells me yes, we will have an earthquake.  And yes, there is even a possibility of a tsunami.  Natural conditions are right for that also, but should I be scared?  Do I need to be afraid?  Should I go out to the mountain top and shout this message out to the people- creating fear and panic?  I don't think so.

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day and  we were talking about the area in which I live (see a previous blog post if you are not familiar with Pinones) and the spiritual condition of the island in general.  She was telling me that when she moved here- people covered her with prayer and continually, it was revealed to her that the island is a place of unrest and a place where satan has rooted himself deeply.  She mentioned that she had heard people preach/predict/prophesy-whatever you want to call it that Puerto Rico is going to have an earthquake or Puerto Rico is going to have a Tsunami and that her experience has been that it has only created a sense of fear among the people.  Her face was saddened and perplexed as she said that- but I assured her that indeed these predictions are correct but not in the way in which people are portraying them and casting fear into the people.  This is what I shared...

On Easter Sunday of this year, my roommate woke up early because she was playing in the worship band and they were meeting at 4am to set up the equipment for the Sunrise service.  The dogs were stirred and I was awake also. The Lord spoke to my heart and said to get up and to go to the site and pray before the service.  As I knelt on my knees and began to praise the Lord and worship him in prayer, He began to speak a loud and profound message to my heart.  He said, Enough is enough and I am taking my island back.  These are my people and I have had enough of satan's foothold on my island and over my people.  It is no mistake that you are worshiping at El Morro for the first time in years as this was once the gateway into the city and the place that provided protection from the oncoming enemy.  (El Morro is a huge fort that rests at the edge of the island or ocean in Old San Juan.  Soldiers would stand in lookout ports through out the fort looking for incoming ships with needed supplies but also for ships that belonged to the enemy.)  He continued to say- Shout to the east- Shout to the west and declare that I am the Lord over this island and over these people.  Tell them I will be their fort.  I will be  their source of protection.  I will be the one in whom they can hide.

So, I told my friend "yes, what you are saying is correct.  Puerto Rico is going to have an earthquake...Puerto Rico is going to experience a tsunami...and yes, they very well could be of the natural variety; but I believe the true message that God is trying to convey through  people who are preaching His word is not one of natural disaster but rather one of supernatural restoration and revival."  He is preparing to shake this land and to shake the people and to flood them with his overwhelming love in a way that is so strong and so powerful- a way that the people have never experienced before.  So, we do need to call up friends and family and tell them to get prepared.  We need to band together and begin fasting and praying and preparing for the spiritual battle that will come as the Lord begins to shake this place and to move His people. We need to be prepared for the fight against the evil one as he struggles to keep his chains bound around this island and its people.  We need to dress ourselves in Holy clothes and go out marching in front of the army singing hymns to the Lord. We need to get ready for the earthquake!    

Dry and Thirsty

I feel so dry.  Like a sponge that is all dried up and needs to be re-hydrated.  That's what I said to the Lord a few days ago as I was walking the dog. It made me think of Psalm 63:1 "O God, you are my God.  Earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." Both my statement and this verse are ironic on so many levels; especially, since I live on an island and we are in the middle of the rainy season.  It's been anything but "dry."  LOL.  But the reality is that I while I am surrounded by water and being rained on at the moment- I live on dry land.   A dry land that is full of violence.  A land that is tired and weary.  A land that is busy, busy, busy.  A land that is desperate.  A land that is probably not much different than other places but a land that is dry none the less.
As I continued to walk up the road, I turned the corner to begin my journey back the other direction on the Board Walk.  The Board Walk is along the ocean.  The Lord reminded me that the kind of water that we drink is important.  More often than not, we drink from the ocean which may seem refreshing at first, but only makes us more thirsty in the long run.  The more thirsty we get, the more we drink and the more we drink- the more we place ourselves at risk for dehydration and kidney failure.   We must drinking fresh water.  Water that is pure and gives life.  Water from the Living Spring.
So, with this awareness- why do we drink from the ocean and not from the Living Spring?  Why do we turn on the tv instead of listening to a Christian CD?  Why do we find going out and having a few drinks more comforting than sitting down and  reading a few passages from the scriptures?  Why do we choose to lay down and take a nap instead of getting on our knees and spending a few minutes with our Creator?  Please understand that as I ask these questions that I am in essence-"preaching to the choir."  Even though I am a pastor, a Christian, a servant of the Lord, a Christ follower- whatever label you want to place on me- I too  drink from the ocean sometimes.  Why?  Why, do I allow myself to fall into the trap?  Why do I find it such a chore sometimes to drag my butt up out of bed in the morning and to open my Bible to see what God has for me that day?  Why do I sometimes insist on drinking from the ocean? I know that sometimes I drink from the ocean because I suffer from the Martha syndrome.  The island is in such need.  There is so much work to be done and so many lives to be touched.  The people are so thirsty from all of the ocean water they have been drinking.  And, I LOVE to be so busy doing the Lord's work that sometimes, I don't stop  to be like Mary- to drink from the Living Springs. How about you? Why do you drink from the ocean? 
I'm so incredibly thankful that when I become to Martha"ish" and start to feel dry that the Lord speaks to my spirit so that I can confess and make the choice to correct the situation. 
My prayer today is to be filled with the Living Water.  Filled to overflowing so that those who are dry can stand next to me with their cups and begin to be filled with the blessing of the same Living Water that He has given me so that the land that is dry will soon be re-hydrated with Water that will bring new Life. 

Irony or an Answer to Prayer?

Currently, I live in Pinones, Puerto Rico.  Pinones is in the San Juan metro area- actually, we are right behind the airport.  Anyway, the area where I live has a long, long, long history of witch craft, satanism, and voodoo.  I understand from a friend that when the slaves were freed that the Governor of Puerto Rico offered them asylum here. Evidently, there were still slaves here on the island and the people were very upset about this situation because they didn't know who was free and who wasn't.  So, all of the freed slaves were pushed into living in this area of the island and in Loiza which is another town just up the road in order that the islanders would know who was free and who wasn't.  Anyway, with all of this, we live in a culture that is "rich" in practicing witchcraft and  voodooism.

I've always wondered about this area and even have been to one of the beaches a few times, but like the old adage goes-"Out of site out of mind."  Well, now that I'm here- it's on my mind.  I have met some of my neighbors and am plotting and planning ways in which I can reach out to them.  I think I need to note that not all of them have gotten caught up in the ways of this culture, but a few of them have.  I also have been praying for the community in general.  The last couple of days, I have found myself asking the Lord to transform this place, this community, into something that people will not even recognize.  A community in which people will say..."it once was...but not anymore."  And, I have the audacity to believe that this will actually happen.

Tonight, as I was walking along the boardwalk, I was praying for exactly what I shared in the previous paragraph.  As I walked along, I saw a tall bamboo like pole that had been placed in the sand.  As I got closer, I saw that the pole had a smaller limb tied to it making it look like a cross.

As I stood on the boardwalk and looked at this cross in the sand, I noticed that there were no footprints near or around the pole.  It could be that I didn't see any because the sand under the boardwalk and about 3-4 feet in front of it is soft and so foot prints don't show. I also considered the possibility that because the pole was in the more "solid" part of the beach that maybe, the tide had washed the footprints away.  But, when I was there,  the tide wasn't that far up the beach.

So, is it irony?  I don't think so.  I have the audacity to believe that God placed it there and that it is symbolic to the answer of my prayer.  God is going to take this community back and He has left his sign on the beach to prove it.

Now, let the transformation begin!

You've Got the Power

This morning, as I was walking on the Board Walk, I turned and started walking towards the rising sun.  I couldn't help but begin to Praise His name as I walked towards its direction.  My praising reminded me that we have the power.  In Revelation 4 John writes about what he is seeing in heaven.  He writes that "Each of the four living creatures has six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stopped saying:

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."

In verse nine he goes on to say that

"Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives forever and ever, the twenty four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever.  They lay their crowns before the thrown and say, 'You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being'."

 A few years ago, the Lord spoke to me about this verse and how we, like the living creatures in heaven, have power when we are praising Him.  He showed me that we too are living creatures and when we give thanks to him who sits on the throne forever and ever that the twenty four elders fall down before him and worship him forever and ever.  We have the power!  This is an awesome insight to know that when we praise Him here on earth that we create a reaction in the heavens that is a reflection of what is happening here.    We have the power!  But, do we use it to its fullest potential?  I don't think so because as I continued to reflect the Lord showed me water flowing from the heavens. It wasn't rain, but rather a sheet of water.  Just imagine when something like a sink overflows and you have a large amount of water running over the side. The impression I had in my spirit is that God is just waiting for us to praise Him so much that the heavens overflow back to the earth and that we keep this flow of praising Him going strong so that the waters will never stop flowing. This has so many implications...we can keep the well from running dry....we can be continually washed...the world around us can be transformed...but, not if we don't use our power....