Some thoughts on "Shadowfeet" by Brooke Fraser...

My wonderful and lovely friends,

I pray this one finds each of you richly blessed and enjoying a beautiful day! Rejoice! This is the day that the LORD has made! =D

This time, instead of sharing my own words, I'll be sharing the words of a great godly woman that the LORD has been using to encourage me and uplift my spirit as I go through trials and hard days. This specific song has been on my mind for days and days and has been the song that I've been listening the most to lately. Every single time I listen to it, God allows me to grasp me more of it... lyrics so simple, but still... so profound!

As I deal with a little lack of hope brought by my own flesh or accusations and fear from me, through listening to this song I'm reminded again that I'm in the hands of Jesus and that I have no reason to fear... He's everything and His grace is more than enough for me. I'm reminded that no man has power of me, no darkness, no spiritual forces, no principalities - I belong to the LORD! I'm anointed, restored, redeemed by a wonderful Savior... so I have no reasons to fear!

This spiritual warfare that has been going on, this battle of words and thoughts - all brought by men who are not serving God but their own flesh, lost in legalism and judging others, an heresy as they make themselves worth more than God, superior to God - has already been lost by the enemy... the victory is mine already in Christ Jesus!

No reason to fear... the LORD is with me!

For the Word says:

Psalm 37:4-7 (New American Standard Bible)

4 "Delight yourself in the LORD;

And He will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD,

Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light

And your judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes."

That's a promise from the LORD! He promises, He delivers! He cannot deny Himself - He is faithful... forever faithful!

Much love in Him, blessings and grace,

Helen =)

Song: Shadowfeet

(Brooke Fraser)

Walking, stumbling

On these shadowfeet

Toward home, a land that I've never seen

I am changing

Less and less asleep

Made of different stuff than when I began

And I have sensed it all along

Fast approaching is the day

[Chorus]

When the world has fallen out from under me

I'll be found in You, still standin'

When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees

When time and space are through

I'll be found in You

There's distraction

Buzzing in my head

Saying in the shadows it's easier to stay

But I've heard rumours

Of true reality

Whispers of a well-lit way

When the world has fallen out from under me

I'll be found in You, still standin'

When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees

When time and space are through

I'll be found in You

You make all things new

You make all things new

You make all things new

You make all things

You make all things

When the world has fallen out from under me

I'll be found in You, still standin'

When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees

When time and space are through

I'll be found in You

When the world has fallen out from under me

I'll be found in You, still standin'

Every fear and accusation under my feet

When time and space are through

I'll be found in You

When time and space are through

I'll be found in You

When time and space are through

I'll be found in You

*Link for the video of the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4KiGN1j1No

Giving my dreams back to God...

People I love so much!

I pray this blog entry finds each one of you well... and tremendously blessed!

I've been praying and praying and finally have the words to understand everything that has been happening to me these last couple weeks. I went from having this big dream in my heart to seeing it really close to coming true... and away from me again to disobedience to God. As everything was placed in His precious hands and I remained in silence, praying and waiting for God to work, everything was perfect... being the control-freak I used to be, I got hold of that again as I saw things happening - got too excited and allowed -my-hands to start taking care of everything... the result of all this? Misunderstanding, hurt and more praying and waiting again. God is still working, God still has this person for my life... it's just not the perfect timing. He has a lot of healing to go through, and so have I... once God is done with us on that, He's going to get the glory for bringing us together and using us to further His Kingdom. He was the right, perfect person in the wrong time... but there's still hope. God is working!

Tonight as I was at Passion City Church, got asked me to give my dreams back to Him... and that's what I did. You, man of my life, dream I've been praying for so long... you're back to God. I love you, but we can't be together now. I have sooooo much love to give you... just can't give it to you right now... but will in His perfect timing. You are my dream, my blessing, my life-partner, meu ursinho... I love you so much!

Louie led us to reading through Romans 12:1-2:

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

and Philippians 4:4, 6-8:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

I won't be anxious anymore. I'm taking my hands out of this situation. It doesn't matter how much it hurts me to not to have the control of things, to not to be able to talk with you when I want to... you need time, and I'll respect that. I think it's also part of showing my love for you - showing how much I respect you. I'm placing you in the hands of the Lord that has brought you to me. I'm placing you in the hands of the Lord that restores all things and uses them for His glory. I'm placing you in the hands of the Lord Who has called us and redeemed us. He loves you more than I could ever do... and He knows you better than I do as He has formed you... and He has your life now.

Louie was talking about things we could be praying about in this new year that has started and pointing goals with God - they were:

1. Think about who God wants you to be;

2. Trust God with all your dreams - release it and submit it and give it to Him... don't try to make things work on your own - that will just cause you anxiety and stress - in the Word we read "Be anxious for nothing!". Make your requests known to God... allow God to be God.

3. Work always as if God is on your side - that in all things! Do your best as doing everything for the Lord and not for people. Some things can be below your dreams... but not below your character. All that matters is your obedience to Him, respecting and honoring the work He has placed in your hands... no matter how small you might think it is. Honor Him in small things... so then He can grant you your dreams... greater things.

4. Give generously:

Ephesians 4:28: He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

Proverbs 11:25: The generous man will be prosperous,

And he who waters will himself be watered.

Your money, your time, your energies, your resources... give everything to God! In the American culture, we are taught to do the least so then we can get the maximum... what God wants from us is doing the most and getting the least - let's transform this culture in the culture of generosity!

For my friends who are reading this... please pray for both of us - for direction, wisdom, patience and growth in the Lord... for the development of our relationship and fellowship as I'm here close to Him, for knowing how to deal with being close after being apart for over two years... God is faithful and is already working on that!

I know that our circumstances will never outweight His ability.

I know that the size of the task doesn't determine the success of the calling...obedience does. God, please help us to hear and obey.

I love you all very, very much!

May God continue to bless and strenghten you all in Him!

Much love all the way from Atlanta,

Helen =)

Amazing quotes I read today:

"Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will."- A.W. Tozer

"Christianity isn’t a crutch for the weak; it’s a stretcher for the dead." - Michael Kelley

New Year's Resolution!

... as people say that a picture can be worth a thousand words, this one... had to be shared!

I don't know who the author is... I just think it's amazing!

Much love to you all,

Helinha :)

God is SO faithful!

People I love so much,

I've been amazed at God's faithfulness and have to write something about it... my mind has been blown away in ways beyond what I can possibly describe and all I can say is... He's faithful! All the time... good, all the time! Placing our lives and our days in His precious hands is the best choice ever! I choose to live for Him... it's soooo worth it! There's noooo better life!

Last year was a year filled with challenges... losing one of the most important people of my life - my precious dad, who was the center of my days - moving to an unknown land knowing just some people and not being able to rely on them - as God wanted to teach me to rely on Him fully - getting adjusted to a culture that wasn't mine, to a language that wasn't mine (but that was given to me by the Holy Spirit, for God's glory!), to an unknown environment... and here I am, blessed beyond words, surrounded by a wonderful God-given family, precious friends who are there for me full time, involved in many, many different college ministries, meeting amazing people who love and serve the Lord fully... I'm SO blessed! All He asked of me was that I trusted Him in all things... whatever He promises, He delivers!

God is also taking care of my heart and working on bringing restoration to a relationship that has started in His precious heart... and He will get the glory for bringing us together!

In all things, at all days, at all times... to YOU BE THE GLORY, GOD!

Much love in Him,

Helen =)

P.S.: I got this tattoo, Magen David - the star of David - yesterday in honor of my precious parents, Maria de Lourdes Santana and Leon Pelipecki. My precious mom passed away on Jan. 7th, 1991, and my lovely dad last April 21st. I've been so inspired and blessed by their steps in my life and needed a permanent reminder in my skin of who they were and still are to me, to their important in my life and in who I am today... as I went further in studying about our background, our roots, I faced Jewish blood from both sides - mom's Spanish background and dad's Polish background, both of them Jewish. It's also a reminder of God's love, grace and faithfulness to Israel, the center of His promises... now I have those same promises in my skin! I love and miss my parents beyond words!

Tinted Windows

From time to time we're caught with listening to songs that pretty much describe your life and things you're going through... that has happened with me lately with the first album released by the new band of Taylor Hanson, Tinted Windows. I looked for their songs because I had just met Hanson again - this time here in Georgia - and wanted to be updated in whatever the brothers were writing or doing outside the band. As I went through the whole album, the lyrics just sounded like the poems I've kept with me in a special diary through the time... the emotions, the sensations, everything was there.

This song "Take me back" has been on my mind for the last few days, and it has lyrics I wish I could sing to someone... and just can't... for now. Through circumstances seem tough, I'm not giving up. God is with me and working in all this and through all this, and will get the glory! The harder things are, the more the fight is worth... specially when God's plans are involved. The same amazing and faithful God that has promised will deliver... He can't deny himself.

As for me... I keep praying and waiting on the Lord WHO has promised.

You are my miracle, a promise from God... and I'm certainly not giving up on you.

Every single day here I'm reminded of Job 42:2 - "I know that You can do all things; no plans of Yours can be thwarted."

I just want you like it was before

But nothing seems to work anymore

I'm open to suggestion

Give me some direction

Tell me what you're looking for

You know I

Been working overtime

So I can change your mind

Look what you put me through

Oohooooh

It's not enough enough

To love someone

When the one you love

Just wants to cut and run

Tell me what I've got to do for you

T-t-t-take me back

T-t-t-take me back

T-t-t-take me back

I've been trying every trick in the book

Hoping you'll give me a second look

I've been driven to distraction

Still there's no reaction

You still got your phone off the hook

You know I

Don't want to waste your time

Maybe I can change your mind

If I can just get through

Oohooooh

It's not enough enough

To love someone

When the one you love

Just wants to cut and run

Tell me what I've got to do for you

T-t-t-take me back

T-t-t-take me back

T-t-t-take me back

You've got something that I can't deny

Come on now sugar give me one more try

Since you said goodbye I just wanna die

I just wanna die

I just wanna die

It's not enough enough

To love someone

When the one you love

Just wants to cut and run

It's not enough enough

To love someone

When the one you love

Just wants to cut and run

Tell me what I've got to do for you

T-t-t-take me back

T-t-t-take me back

T-t-t-take me back

Girl won't you take me back

It's not enough enough

It's not enough enough

("Take Me Back" - Taylor Hanson)

God has made a way!

Hey y´all!

I´ve been away from here for quite some time and soooo much has changed in my life! A few months brought soooo many changes, and I keep trusting the Lord who holds my life and the control of all things.
On April 21st I´ve lost the most important person of my life, my best friend, always ready to listen and counsel, my partner in life and tears, the most precious person that has crossed my path in this life - my precious dad Leon Pelipecki. He passed away just 10 days after his birthday due to a stroke that scared him and surely scared him... and then he went to be with the Lord... what brings me comfort is knowing that we will meet again - SOON!
Following the biggest lost of my life, a relationship that led me and this another person to buy engagement rings and promise to be with each other came to an end in a terrible way - that taught me more that humans fail and not to trust in promises made by men... to trust a Lord that never fails and is always faithful.
The Lord, in the midst of all this, made a way for me to come to the land where He had told me I would be serving eight years ago - the USA. Every single detail about being here was worked out by Him... I could see His precious hands in the smallest things. I had my dad´s blessing before coming and left a country that hadn´t much to offer me as a Christian, since I´ve been called to missions since I first received the Lord... being here is a dream come true!
Atlanta is making more and more dreams possible for me... God is making all things possible to me through His precious love and grace.
In Georgia God has given me a precious church to attend - the Atlanta International Church - a place where I can watch the Spirit moving in amazing ways in every service... I´ve found ministries to serve - the Atlanta Dream Center through my precious friend and sister Jessica in a ministry on Saturdays called "Adopt-A-Block" in which we take the Church to the streets through sharing the overflow of His love and grace for us... I´ve found a family in Christ through College/University ministries such as the BCM - and the awesome pastor Dave Stewart - and ECHO - that has the most powerful worship I´ve seen in my whole life! It´s such a blessing for me to watch lives being transformed, changed, restored, blessed as I go through the healing of facing so many losses in such a short time!
As I walk 'alone' - not anymore with my life-partner, my precious dad Leon - I´m coming closer to my Heavenly Father... it has been a pretty intense and wonderful journey!
I had the choice of sitting down and complaining about all the changes I went through in my life or simply recklessly abandon me in the arms of the Father who has created me and wait for the wonderful days He has ahead for me... I chose the latter!

This is my reminder of what the Lord has ahead for me:
"For I know the plans I have declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Please keep me in your prayers... I truly need them! I have a lot of major decisions ahead and need wisdom as I go through each one of them...

Have a precious night in Him!
Much love,
Through the One who strenghts me and hasn´t let me go,
Helinha s2

Why? Why? Why?

1. Why should I say “I can't” when the Bible says I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength? (Phil. 4:13)

2. Why should I lack when I know that God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus? (Phil. 4:19)

3. Why should I fear when the Bible says God has not given me a Spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound mind? (2 Tim. 1:7)

4. Why should I lack faith to fulfill my calling knowing that God has allotted to me a measure of faith? (Rom. 12:3)

5. Why should I be weak, when the Bible says that the Lord is the strength of my life and that I will display strength and take action because I know God? (Ps. 27:1, Dan. 11:32)

6. Why should I allow Satan supremacy over my life when He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world? (1 John 4:4)

7. Why should I lack wisdom, when Christ gave wisdom to me from God and God gives wisdom to me generously when I ask for it? (1 Cor. 1:30, James 1:5)

8. Why should I accept defeat when the Bible says that God always leads me in triumph? (2 Cor. 2:14)

9. Why should I be depressed when I can recall to mind God's loving kindness, compassion, and faithfulness and have hope? (Lam. 3:21-23)

10. Why should I worry and fret when I can cast all my anxiety on Christ who cares for me? (1 Peter 5:7)

11. Why should I be in bondage knowing that there is liberty where the Spirit of the Lord is? (Gal. 5:1)

12. Why should I feel condemned when the Bible says I am not condemned because I am in Christ Jesus? (Rom. 8:1)

13. Why should I feel alone when Jesus said He would be with me always, and He will never leave me or forsake me? (Matt. 28:20 & Heb. 13:5)

14. Why should I feel accursed or that I am a victim of bad luck, when the Bible says that Christ redeemed me the curse of the law, that I might receive His Spirit? (Gal. 3:13-14)

 15. Why should I be discontented when I, like Paul, can learn to be content in all my circumstances? (Phil. 4:11)

16. Why should I feel worthless when Christ became sin on my behalf that I might become the righteousness of God in Him? (2 Cor. 5:21)

17. Why should I have a persecution complex, knowing that nobody can be against me when God is for me? (Rom. 8:31)

18. Why should I be confused when God is the author of peace and He gives me knowledge through His indwelling Spirit? (1 Cor. 14:33 & 2:12)

19. Why should I feel like a failure when I am a conqueror in all things through Christ? (Rom. 8:37)

20. Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its tribulations? (John 16:33)

Herb Patnaude

[Shared by Sis. Shalini Rachel Paul]