When I Consider Your Heavens…

Posted on July 16, 2015 by lainamunoz

G-d has taught me a lot since my 18th year here on earth. But what He does for me still blows my mind and makes it hard to do anything but praise.

May I always sing Your praise

Enjoy this #ThinkBackThursday

23 July 2009

As much as I want to tell you how excited I am about You… I must admit that I feel inadequate to sing most of the time. I start praying and I feel like I’m stopped abruptly with thoughts of “you’re not worthy to praise Him. Nothing you could offer would repay”
While that is completely true, it seems as though you still accept everything I have to say to you. Why you take time to listen? Shoot, I’ll never know.

Psalms 8.3-5
“When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.”

Shoot guys, did you catch that? G-d made us right under heavenly beings… like… you got G-d and Jesus and the trinity…. Heavenly beings… Then us?
Seriously? Why?

All I know is G-d is good…. and if that’s how He says it’s going down, you better take it and run with it.

I guess my mind is just blown right now so I’m not sure if you needed to read this… but I needed to write it.

((Hey, maybe someday when you really need it… it’ll be sitting here.

Pardon my hardly edited post… we are in the end of Hillsong Conference for this year and I need to get to bed… but I’m still reminded of commitments that I’ve made and a calling I have. So enjoy this old writing on this fine #ThinkBackThursday

I am responsible for my own actions and I will be judged according to the choices I make. In two days, it marks the 1 year of when I started the 30 day challenge and I’ve often thought of writing different things to finish but never got around to it. Sometimes the hardest thing is finishing. But even before you finish, taking responsibility for the things you were supposed to or committed to do.
My creativity, my art (if only for G-d to teach me, and even if you get nothing out of me publicly posting it) is to write and in 365 days I’ve put up 28 pieces. 29 if you count this one I’m writing. I don’t feel a need to apologize to you because I never promised you that I’d write. I feel like for one of the few times my life I’ve realized the importance of telling G-d “I blew it” I made a commitment to be better by tracking growth and letting Him inspire me and I let myself get to busy.
So, if this has nothing to do with you and this is all, “my bad” why post it?
Accountability. Encouragement. Correction.
My responsibility is to own my mistakes and confess them, though I’ve only sinned against myself and G-d by breaking a commitment it is now (because you’ve read this) your responsibility (or option depending on how much you care I suppose) to pray for me.

James.5
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Maybe you don’t think there is much to pray for. You don’t want to go to G-d with one of those, “uh, help Laina… Um finish her posts? Cause I guess she wants to”
But it’s not about that. In the little things we develop habits. Breaking a commitment here and there turns into a lifestyle. I wish I would finally commit to exercising on a consistent basis, to budgeting and making a priority of saving, to writing songs, writing thoughts, to letting G-d change me constantly to be more like him, to thanking Him for his mercies and everything He’s given me.
I’m a spoiled girl.

Sigh

Mind you, a lot of these posts are me thinking out loud. And to be taken “general” by the public. I guess what I’m saying is don’t try to become my accountability partner just because you read this. I’m more guarded and wise then to let just anyone pour into me or know everything about me. But. I guess if you can find something in here that makes sense to you, great. If I’m just posting this to own my…. lack of responsibility. Then let it be. Let me grow and if you think fit to bring me before the creator in prayer. I’d appreciate it.

Drift\\

Posted on June 25, 2015 by lainamunoz

Sometimes I feel like I repeat seasons, and I can’t even get upset about it because it’s really funny. I’ve for sure felt like this over the last few months with writing. It seems like now that I’ve made a commitment to have something to say, I have nothing to say – at least nothing of any significance. But my prayer is that it is seasonal and that when you read it you ARE encouraged, challenged, and feel loved. It doesn’t have to be the best because it probably wont be but, it will be my best. Please enjoy this #ThinkBackThursday from my 20th year of life.

I hate feeling distant from G-d, I hate second guessing if He hears me. Ever since I decided to do this “30 days of creativity” it seems like I’ve been the most… un-in-tune with my Savior that I have been in a while. I feel like since I promised not to live watered-down and be honest that G-d has found out how to make me learn in every situation. I’m not much for filters – by that I mean I stink at keeping them on. So, generally, what I’m thinking comes out. I’m not thrilled when I have to lead a family group, or a worship set, or a Sunday school lesson feeling like I’m living in the wrong. Have I talked to G-d about all the junk I’m feeling? Yes.

Do I understand why it’s still there after?

No. Not at all.

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” -Hebrews 2.1

Attention is hard to give when it is being demanded in so many places. But obviously, G-d knew the important places it should be given.

((So G-d, help me. Help my attention to shift cause if I am or not, I HATE feeling like I’m drifting. You have more for me than this.

Scrabit: Art

Posted on March 11, 2015 by lainamunoz

#ThinkBackThursday

20 October 2010

“Most artists can’t draw, but all artists can see.” – Roy Simmons

“He said, “Go and tell this people: “‘Listen hard, but you aren’t going to get it; look hard, but you wont catch on.’ Make these people blockheads, with fingers in their ears and blindfolds on their eyes, so they wont see a thing, wont hear a word, so they wont have a clue whats going on and, yes, so they wont turn around and be made whole.”

Isaiah 6:9-10 (MSG)

It seems like G-d might have wanted us to understand something here. Art isn’t just about ability; it’s about seeing what needs to change and creating something that can make a difference. And G-d’s art is to make us whole through giving us the vision to see what needs to change.

I was reading a delightfully short book by Seth Godin called Graceful where he took a full section to talk about Art. He defines art as this: “Art is anything that’s creative, passionate and personal… Art is a personal gift that changes the recipient.”

G-d’s art is revealed in the everyday continuation of what He started long ago.

“First this: G-d created the Heavens and Earth – all you see, all you don’t see” Genesis 1:1(MSG)

G-d was the original creator and the only one by which we may LEARN what He wants to do with our lives. The beauty of His art is there is still life yet to be revealed. Some things in creation we are still waiting on, there are things and colors in heaven that we still haven’t experienced ((and I cannot wait)). He set the heavens in place, His majesty is seen in all there is and He holds my heart and molds it everyday into something reflecting Him.

G-d is a passionate G-d, He is a compassionate G-d, a G-d who thinks about us and has purpose for us. He is a wonderful, powerful master who sees us in the state we are in and calls us His. He is a personal G-d who cared so much about the people He created that He sent His one perfect thing He had left – His son so that He might be reunited with us.

I can’t help but think through a few things…

First. Are you letting G-d’s art CHANGE you? When was the last time you admired the sunrise or sunset and couldn’t focus cause the presence of G-d was so thick through your thoughts that you broke out in praise with your entire being?

2nd. Are you letting G-d direct your art that He has for you? Some of you have read these posts and thought, “oh that’s nice, but I don’t have art to give”…how selfish… You have a gift that only you can give, you have an art that only you can perfect FOR HIM and you don’t care enough to search it out? Maybe it doesn’t look like messy hands from painting, or like a keyboard to type stories into. Maybe it looks like buying a bag of food a day and driving till you see someone who might need it? Maybe it looks like having a conversation everyday in which you remind someone of how much they mean to you? Possibly you could take 30 days to spend time perfecting listening to G-d? Maybe G-d has given you a heart for missions but you’re in a different season where you can’t leave yet? What if you were to passionately pray for a different location or people group for 30 days? What if you were to check up on the area to see what G-d was doing with your prayers?

“The more people you change, the more you change them, the more effective your art is… If there is no change, there is no art. IF no one experiences it, there can be no change.” –Graceful

What has changed around you lately? Have you inspired the change?

The First Step in Failure : Scrabit Genesis

Posted on March 5, 2015 by lainamunoz

#ThinkBackThursday –

So, a lot of you will be new to my writing and ‘story’ if you will… Therefore, I’ve dedicated Thursdays to reflecting back (for you and for myself) on things I’ve previously written. One of my FAVORITE scriptures growing up was Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” The revelations and realizations you get from the Father aren’t just for your now: They are for your tomorrow, they are for the future and they are for you to always remember. With that, please enjoy this post I wrote on 26 September 2013:

I actually can not do this alone, I’m afraid of failure in the deepest part of me and I need help. You see, I’ve been numb and I’ve held back so many tears that some of you believed I was strong, and maybe I even convinced myself I was. The closer I get to adventure the more my heart wants to jump out of my body and run straight to it. But this body literally trembles at what could happen if I fail.

But child, I am bigger than your failures… EVEN the tasks you haven’t attempted.

I’m not good at failing because most of the time I’m too afraid to try things I know I’m not good at, so I don’t. My life is in a funny spot right now because there keep being things that I’m unsure of and all I can hear is “Jump, you might fly” so I’ve been jumping and forgetting to breathe. Also not beneficial. But now I feel like I AM in this free fall and there is no going back. I can’t get back to the top of the building because I wasn’t ever supposed to stand there. I’ve begun to learn to let people in and to accept that I can be loved deeply and honestly. I’ve begun to trust that: even when I don’t know what comes next, I’m ok. It doesn’t mean that I have no dreams or goals – it just means I’m in the process of learning something vital for the next season, or something I need to share with someone else for this next season. What blows my mind is the people who believe in me while I don’t know… They truly are the most patient people I know.

And G-d, how patient and kind you have been with me though there isn’t a thing I could do to deserve it.

I was sitting at a park the other day and saw a man with his dog. They were playing catch but the man would direct the dog to start running even though he still had the ball in his hand. And the dog ran. It wasn’t until the dog was about halfway to his destination that the man would throw the ball. The dog just had to obey even though if I was the dog I’d feel crazy for running after something that wasn’t there yet. But his master knew the entire time what the plan was and instructed the dog accordingly. Seriously, sometimes I swear animals are smarter than we are… and so much more trusting. I wish that I obeyed like that, following when I don’t even see what I’m running towards, heck, even when there literally ISN’T anything I’m running towards. I’ve developed fears, both real and irrational about where I’m going in life. I make myself sick over what is coming up in life and for what? G-d takes care of the birds and how he loves me.

There is nothing as reassuring as the Fathers love.

I long for more somewhere in my innards, I believe there IS more. It takes a creative mind to look past what others would view as ‘the end’ and realize it is only another beginning. We are given SO many chances to start again and this time it has to be all or nothing. This is my free fall. This is my potential failure. If I jump I HAVE to fly.

I am not brave

I’m just throwing myself out in midair to see if G-d would grab me

Looking over the edge isn’t enough anymore.

Fear of failure and fear of living has crippled me. G-d, take away my fear so that YOU can heal me.“Nothing cures fear faster than action.” So I’m moving and trying to take action against what I’m afraid of… some of these actions are easier than others, I’m getting to the more difficult ones for sure. My stomach ulcers are proof of that.

“No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. “Be strong and courageous.”

Hey kid, let go.

Joshua 1

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your G-d is with you wherever you go.” WHEREVER I go… everywhere. Lord, you’ve been with me and will go with me. Thank you. G-d, You know me – You’ve been there with me at all times and have told me to be brave because of no other reason than the fact that You are here. I don’t want to be afraid anymore.

“The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.” Psalms 19.9

G-d, to fear You is pure, not painful or crippling. A Holy reverence that can set me free and make me whole. And once I know You let it be forever on my heart.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me on paths of righteousness for his names sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalms 23

:: And I will call upon Your name and keep my eyes above the waves, when oceans rise my soul will rest in Your embrace for I am Yours and You are mine. Your grace abounds in DEEPEST waters, Your sovereign hand will be my guide, my feet may fail and fear surround me… You’ve never failed and you wont start now.::

I no longer know how to fight fear other than take action against it. I want to jump, I want to walk on the waves keeping my eyes on YOU. I heard G-d and He didn’t say no. Sometimes it’s about what He doesn’t say. Point is I heard Him. I hear the Father.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its root by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. The heard is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17.8-9

The LORD searches the heart and examines the mind.

“Rejoice in the LORD always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The LORD is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to G-d. And the peace of G-d, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praise worthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4.4-8

Always– every situation and through all things I will rejoice in G-d. My anxiety has been terrible lately and my patience sucks. I’m not sure what exactly to do or what I can do but something needs to change. I don’t want to live the next season of my life like this. So, what do You want to do? How do I hear You now?

Story Time With Laina

TBT