CCCV Women's Conference

CCCV Inland Empire Women's Conference

Theme - "CHOOSE LIFE"
~ Deuteronomy 30:19, I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

The women of Gracia Calvary had the opportunity to attend this conference. It was such a blessing to have all of us sit together in the sanctuary. Then, as you can see from the pictures we had an awesome time of fellowship and food during lunch. We rejoiced in all the answers to prayer from the place to sit, to the perfect place for having lunch - God is so good. Not to mention the awesome teachings we received from God's Word.

The messages were, of course, timely and much needed. We were exhorted to be women that make godly choices and not go and be like the world. We had the opportunity of hearing from from Marilyn Laszlo, missionary - incredible testimony.

We had an awesome time being refreshed, renewed and exhorted.

Must Watch Video

Please come over to Mrs. June Fuentes' Blog and watch an amazing video about a woman born alive after her mother tried to get her aborted. It is powerful and very convicting...let's speak for the powerless and for those who have no voice.

Happy 4th Birthday Bek!

Happy 4th Birthday Sweetie!!!
We yav you:)
Uncle Jaime and Auntie Leti
(shoot over to Laura's blog for a beautiful Bek video)

A Father's Love

A friend e-mailed me this video. I had heard the analogy/story before, but to put it as a video - WOW! Must see!!!

http://www.viddler.com/explore/MaximumReferral/videos/1/

I am humbled at how much God loved me that He gave His one and only son to die so that I might LIVE! Thank you LORD, I can never repay such sacrifice.

me-helpless; God-Able

What do you do when you get a call from your baby girl crying and saying she is having chest pains, difficulty breathing and pressure on her chest?

You fall on your face before All-Mighty-God who is omnipresent (everywhere at once). You feel helpless, without any recourse…but O God! As you cry out to the Living God, He feels you with His peace which surpasses all understanding and you can go about your day with a song in your heart…yes, my friends “a song in my heart”. HE assures me that HE is there by her side and that HE will comfort her, that HE will hold her in His loving and able arms. And with that He holds me in His loving, able arms. O what a God I serve.

2 Samuel 22:7 – In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and He did hear my voice out of His temple, and my cry did enter into His ears.

Psalm 34:4 – I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Seasons

So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

Protect the Sanctity of Marriage

Genesis 1:26-28 - Then God said, "Let US make man in OUR image, according to OUR likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; MALE and FEMALE He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

God Still does Miracles

My friend invited me to a Fundraiser/Dinner on Saturday night. The LORD opened the door for me to be able to go - my hubby kept an eye on Mom and got her dinner, thank you honey.

The fundraiser was for Teen Challenge International. I really didn’t know what to expect, I was just happy to get dressed up and be out – yeah!!! It was at the Riverside Convention Center. When we arrived we were greeted by my friend’s sister and her friend. Because my friend’s sister and friend have been involved with Teen Challenge for a while they were invited to the VIP Gathering prior to the dinner. Each person invited was allowed to bring a guest, so my friend and I got to go. We went upstairs and had snacks and a yummy fruit/citrus punch. There was not much going on, just small talk and food. My feet were hurting with my pumps – I’m just not used to this. It finally came time to go downstairs to the dinner. As we made our way down the stairs I noticed a lot of people gathering at the bottom floor. Some looked dressed up, but there was another group. It was regularly dressed people and people with camouflage. In fact, there seemed to be entire families. Being the observant person that I am, I kept looking all around, trying to figure out all that was happening around me. We were slowly making our way to the room that we were having dinner at, when I finally was able to get a glimpse of what the other room was for. There was a sign that said “Farewell to Our Troops, Godspeed” and it has all the names of those who were being deployed to Iraq. It took my breath away, but before I knew it we were inside partaking of the Fundraiser/Dinner.

As we walked in this huge room there was a choir of 150 young men and women. O my goodness! The sounds of heaven – it was glorious. Keep in mind I still don’t know what this is all about – I’m just following those that invited me, with my mind still somewhat with the troops outside. We finally seat at our table. It was a table of 10. Then I knew what this was about. Teen Challenge is a place for drug addicts to come and get clean and find purpose for their lives. There was testimonies and history of Teen Challenge. At our table there was 6 students of Teen Challenge. One young man was already living on the streets of South Central LA; another has a Dad in jail and now he’s been in jail also, and another, and another, and another…the stories were incredible. I sat there and listened to these stories of victory, these stories of what God, Our God, can do. I was humbled by their enthusiasm and their zeal. Many tears were shed, much to ponder…

Have I forgotten were I’ve come from? Have I forgotten what I’ve seen My God do? Have I chosen to forget those in my life that still need deliverance? God reminded me that He is still a God of miracles. I’ve seen Him work before – I am one of those miracles, why then do I become so business-as-usual when there are lives that need a touch of this Jesus that can do all this and then some. Why do I think that there are impossible-cases for Him to be able to reach and transform? Yes, lots of personal reflection and lots of challenges that were posed to me on this night.

Then I had to go to the restroom. I made my way out and what did I see at the other end of this place, I see families saying good-bye to their loved ones. When I was making my way back into the room that we were gathered in, I stood at the middle ground and thought – what an incredible contrast. Here I go all dressed up into this room filled with joy and blessing, and here they are being torn and separated from the ones they love. As they opened the door to the room I was going into, the choir was singing again – there was such excitement and joy in that place. Before going in I looked back at our troops and their families and wanted to turn and go over to them and say thank you, would you like to come and enjoy some time of worship – wow, what emotions enveloped me. (please don't forget to pray for our troops and their families.)

The night was over. Home again to the routine, but my spirit and soul were far from routine, from business-as-usual. My heart wants to shout “My God is Able!” “My God can do abundantly exceedingly!” “My God is a God of miracles!” “My God is still in the business of transforming lives!” “My God is the same yesterday, today and forever.” O God, may I not put You in a box. May I see Your power and love still at work in our midst. Though the mountains crumble, though the oceans roar, you are God! Though there is uncertainty and chaos, In You there is consistency and peace. God of wonder, full of glory, I worship You, I reverence You.

Women's Fall Fellowship

Last night we had our church’s Women’s Fall Fellowship. Our theme verse was Lamentations 3:23(b) …great is Thy faithfulness. Our desire was to focus on the faithfulness of Our Almighty God. In these times of great turmoil, unrest and uncertainty it is much needed to refocus and regroup and realize that God is still on the throne. We read out of Psalm 33 and where uplifted by the Word of God.

Some points to ponder from Psalm 33:

v. 4 – For the Word of the LORD is right; and all His works are done in truth.

v. 5 – He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

v. 6 – By the Word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.

v. 7 – He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: He layeth up the depth in storehouses.

vv. 18-19 – Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

vv. 20-22 – Our soul waiteth for the LORD: He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in Thee.

We focused upon God’s Word being right and true. God’s Word stands the test of time. Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s Word will stand and will accomplish that which He sent it out for. The LORD showed us how “He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap” – How big is our God? Is He bigger than our problems, whatever they may be? Our Hope needs to be upon the LORD creator of heaven and earth.

Worship was sweet. God met us all in a special way. God is doing a mighty work in all our women – Praise Jesus!

Psalm 106:1-2 – Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can show forth all His praise?

We had a time of sharing, giving testimony to God’s faithfulness.

We all had such a wonderful time that we simply didn’t want to leave. Reminded me of Psalm 133:1, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Blessed Time!!!

Hearing My Child's Voice

Things around here have not been the same. So much has happened and so much hasn’t happened. Sometimes I think, “Okay - I should write about that.” Or “Hey, that would be good.” But there is no desire or energy. Now, is God still working? Is God still answering prayer? Is God still on the throne, high and lifted up? ABSOLUTELY!!!

It was so incredibly hard to not hear from Angie. To not know what was happening. I could see her face full of tears and could feel her embrace of when we said goodbye. I wanted to know something. When I received her letter I almost passed out. In fact, I was cooking when my hubby brought in the letter. He said, “Look at what you got.” I wanted to drop everything and sit and read my babies thoughts. But I couldn’t. So what I did I grabbed the envelopes and sat them right next to me while I finished cooking. I kept glancing at her writing, at her name. Then I couldn’t help it anymore – I opened the envelope and attempted to cook and read (very dangerous!) O, what thrill to read about all that was happening with her and how the LORD was already working in her. I couldn’t wait to write back so that she could write me again. But her voice, I desired to hear her voice.

I knew she was okay. I knew that all was going well. But her voice, I longed to hear her voice. I longed to hear the voice of My Child.

I tried to wait patiently, but I finally decided to try and call. The phone was forever busy, and then her schedule didn’t allow it. Much disappointment…more waiting. I kept praying and asking My Heavenly Father to allow me to hear her voice just for a second. More waiting.

Yesterday I decided, today is the day I will speak with my baby-girl. And so I kept calling – the phone was busy. I began to think that maybe I didn’t have the right number or that the number was not even a good number – I kept insisting. It rang…who will answer…will she be available…is this even the right number…Someone picked up the phone and I asked for Angie, “They are at dinner, can I take a message. They should be back in 30 minutes.” Okay, so it is a right number and someone is out there.

You see the way things work at Mt. Zion is that the students are not allowed any cell phones, internet, etc. Their mode of communication is mail (or snail mail as we know it in this high tech age). They are allowed to use a house phone, one phone per house. You are only allowed to use it for 30 minutes at a time, per day. And you can only call one person for those 30 minutes. There is a log that you put your name on it to reserve a spot. Now there is the main phone which you can call at any time in case of emergencies – and let me tell you, I was about to call this number and simply ask, “How is Angie doing?” Yeah, desperate times call for desperate measures. But God was working on my heart too, and so I waited.

After the 30 minutes I tried again. O my, it rang! “Angela Ramirez, please.” A voice said, “Hold on.” Could it be will I get to hear my baby’s voice? Then there it was, “HELLO.” – All time stood still. It took everything I had to not cry. I was hearing Angie’s voice!!!

She wanted me to tell her about stuff, but I just wanted her to talk to me. We didn’t have much time, but this was more than enough. She sounded good, mature, secure. She sounds like she is exactly were God wants her.

We said our good-byes and I sat there thanking My Heavenly Father for allowing me to hear my baby’s voice. O, what joy it brought to my heart.

But then, later in the day, the phone rang…yes, you guessed it, it was Angie again. Someone had given her their time slot to use to call someone. So I got to talk to Angie for 30 uninterrupted minutes. Wow! Exceedingly more than I ask or pray for, indeed.