Chasing, Chasing….Still

Chasing

I always this dream. In this dream I was chasing this thing. I say this thing because I never know what it is, but I am chasing this thing. I am running so fast I can feel my heart beat along with my breath panting. When I have this dream I wake up asking myself “What am I Chasing After?”  I got to really thinking about this and came up with one answer. Whatever I am chasing after must be big, because I do not EVER stop running after this thing.  It brings me to this point. Turn your bibles to

Luke 8:40-48
As you read this here was this lady who had a problem. This problem she carried with her for 12 years. This could be a problem she hid from people(besides her doctors, witchdoctors, etc), because in those times a woman who is bleeding was ordered to live outside the walls until her bleeding was done. It was also law for everything she touched to be destroyed because she was unclean. To understand more of what unclean means turn to Leviticus 15:25-30 for more information. So, I believe she was keeping this to herself. Now next I want to paint a picture of her life.

For 12 years she could not engage in any relationships. If she had kids she could not hold them. If she had a husband she could not be the wife he needed her to be. If she had friends she could not be herself.  This issue ran deep and affect her life deeply. She has been alone for 12 years. This brings lots of insecurities. She isolated her self for everyone, because she knew if someone found out that person would leave. 12 years of loneliness. So, she had 2 issues one a issue within herself and commitment issue. She knew no one would ever love her with this problem. One day that changes.

I can see her standing by a wall. Then she looks and see this huge crowd. In the middle of this huge crowd was this man named JESUS. She thinks to herself I heard of man. I heard he heals the sick and restores lives. I heard that he accpets anyone. Then an idea pops in her brian. If I can just get his attention them maybe I can be healed. Then she thought well I do not want people to know that I am sick. So, what she thought was I will just crawl to him, and all I need to do is touch the a piece of his cloth. She starts to engage on a mission to change her life. Then as you read you see she gets to Jesus, and Jesus heals her. Her life was changed. Now a couple things happened in this story.

One and very important one. She chased after her Jesus. She knew inorder to get what she wanted she needed to run after it. She knew oppurtunities like this does not happen alot. So, she took advantage of it. She left her normal life in hopes to recieve something better. 

That is big to understand she moved. Alot of us want something but expect it to come to us. There is alot of times we miss out on our need because we refuse to move out of our comfort area. This lady was use to being alone, but she realized she needed to change that inorder to get what she desired.

What is it your chasing after for? What are you willing to move from to get it?

She moved and because of that Jesus gave her much more that what she expected. 
The best part of this story was not her physical healing, but her emotional healing. Do you remeber what I told you about her commitment issue. Jesus took time to heal that too.

Jesus took time to single her out. She was singled out; out of thousand of people that was touching Jesus. Jesus looked to her and said you are healed. Finally, someone noticed her. Finally, she felt what a relationship is like. Her physical healing was important to her, but Jesus took time to heal what was important to him, her heart.

Through that touch Jesus felt and saw all of her needs. The physical and emotion. He saw through her mask, and saw her heart. This all happened because she chased after Jesus. Jesus is not only interested in our physical need. He needs wants our hearts. He just uses our needs to get to our hearts.

Hope you enjoyed this…..

-Angel

 

 

Random Thoughts

I am currently watching the Ohio State and Navy Game. I am also downloading I-Tunes on Jen’s Laptop. I really want that new Hillsong CD:Tear Down The Walls. I am eating some pizza, pizza rolls, nacho cheese doritos and drinking some hawiian punch.

I am watching this game  and I got to thinking about some random things. I thought let me write these down to get them out of my head. So, here it is….

THE CHURCH
It really bothers me when the “church” gets into this numbers game, and claim people as theirs as if the people are not soul but a number. We have become so obessed with numbers and having the biggest church in the area that i believe we have forgotten the care of the people we have.

Then you have this denomination problem, and how we can associate with people because they are not the same belief or denomination. I believe this is really hurting the move of God. (Well one of many things.) If we all can just come together and just do the Jesus mentality in ministry the church will grow, and God will move stronger than ever.

I believe God never intended his church to be divided. Division brings nothing but brokeness and bitterness. My prayer is to find out how we can fix this?  How can the Lutherns, Penecostals, Baptist, Chatolics, Etc get together and do God’s work.  

Where Am I At Right Now In Life?
I have been working alot at my current job. The benefits of that is with the overtime comes alot more  money. I like it, but I really would like to get into fulltime ministry. i know  that is where God is leading me, but have to be patient. I am doing as much ministry now so when the tim comes i can be prepared.

God Is Speaking To Me
The importance of the slience of life. You know the times when he is not moving or speaking. He brought to my mind the story of Elijha on the mountain and how can came to him in a form of a whisper. God has been speaking to me about the importance of his silence and how it helps us grow.

Sometimes I believe we drownd out his voice with the noise we create. We create this noise in hopes to get his presnce in our services or our lives. If you take a look at the bible God moved most when he had his peoples attention in the slinece of their lives.

God has been working in me. The slience is more attractive to me right now. I want to know his secrets and desires. The noise in my life needs to be shut out. The noise from the cell phone, television, and friends. That noise has been blocking his voice from my life. I am going to try to get it back.

JEN
Right now I am excited for what is to come in the next 6 – 12 months. I finally found someone who makes me happy. She is a amazing girl whom my heart always wanted. I was once a man that was afraid to take it to the next level because of the thought of passing up on someone better. I know it sounds wrong and shadey. That was my mind set. I now no long think that.

Jen is the girl I know I want, and I know there can be no one better. We do not have a perfect relationship, but we really do love each other. That is what will get us through anything.

My Last Thoughts….
I am deeply bummed by basbeball. First the steriods, and now this money thing. Sports in general are getting ridiculious, but baseball is offering these 3 years 140 million dollar deals. I mean serious. We have a nation in reccesion and here a sports orgination can pay a player 140 million. People please put a salary cap on baseball.

Also, please stop with the whole Michael Vick thing. Yes he did wrong. Yes he should not of done it. He made a mistake. He did his time. Lets move on and let him play.

Thank You

P.S.
Ohio Sate may have Running Back Issues. Heron has not impressed me in this game. Hopefully they can fix this. Well OSU is up by 8 and Pyror threw and Int. 3 minutes left and Navy is moving down the field good. Oh Boy!!!

JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL

Proverbs 3:6 – In All Your Ways Acknowledge Him And He Will Direct Your Paths.

Two words that stick out to me in the scripture, ways & paths. What drawns my attention to these 2 words are the s in the words. WAYS and PATHS.

 But before I go into I want to point somethings out. The word Acknowledge in the Greek means To Lean On. That Word  Direct in the Greek means Lead.

Now with that set up. I want to tie in WAYS and PATHS.

 Ways mean Life Style. This is importrant because LIFE STYLE is a board word. How is your lifestyle acknowleding him. I mean from the way you talk to that way you are at your job. I would even go to say the movies you watch and the music you listen too. Also, it is important to bring up the decisions we make. Are we acknowledging him in our decisions.

What I am asking is are we honestly leaning on God to direct our paths. Paths mean  decisions. Our lives branch out from the desicions we make. Are you in debt? Are you struggling with sin? Are you broke? What paths are you taking and are you aknowledging him to help navigate through even single once of your life.

I just wanted to share with you just a littleword God has spoke to me. The importance to acknowledge him in our lives. The word says with him all things are possible. We can not fail ifwe acknowledge him in everything we do.

 JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL!!!

 

- Angel

 

 

I Will Take Care Of It PART 1

I Will Take Care Of It.

Judges 7

 First God said to Gideon you have to many men to fight this battle(30,000 Men). God said I do not want Israel to get the credit for this victory. So He tells Gideon to make a cut. He tells Gideon all those who tremble in fear tell them to turn back and leave Mount Gilead. How many people trembled? 20,000. 20,000 soldiers we to scared so they had to leave. So, that left Gideon with 10,000. I am sure Gideon felt great about it. I am sure he thought to himself. I can win this battle with 10,000 soldier. Then God dropped a bomb shell on him. God said Gideon that is still too many. So, God told Gideon go down to the river and I will sift them there for you. God was going to show Gideon who should stay and who should go.

 The Israelites went down to the river. The Lord told Gideon those who lap water like a dog kick out, and those who kneel and drink keep in the army. [Another words stay humble.] Gideon did as he was told and 300 remained. Gideon went from 30,000 to 300. I want you to imagine how Gideon and the rest of the team felt. They went from 30,000 to 300. Now that is a twisted turn of events. That is a big drop. You want to talk about having faith in God. To in trust in him when your going to go in battle and then have him trim you army of 30,000 to 300.

 300 remained. 300 humble fearless warriors ready to fight for what they believed in. 300 willing to die for their belief, land, and God. What God was saying here was 300 willing warriors are stronger than 30,000 fearful prideful warriors. Gideon had to be worried but proud at the same time.

 300 remained. The question had to be ask. What is next? I mean Gideon had to ask okay Lord. I bodied you and now I have 27,000 less people. How are we going to be this army who sure out numbers us. What Gideon did intrigues and excites me. Gideon did this:

 19 -22 Gideon and his hundred men got to the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the sentries had been posted. They blew the trumpets, at the same time smashing the jars they carried. All three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands, ready to blow, and shouted, “A sword for God and for Gideon!”

 Now before I can go any further you need to understand what the trumpet, jars and the torches represent. 1

 1. The trumpet represents the praise of God’s people. This shows us how important praise is before a battle, or how important it is during a battle.

2. The Jars represent the curse or hold being broken. The Midianites had a hold on the city in

which belonged to the Israelites. When they broke the jars they were implying the hold the

Midianites will also be broken.

3. The Torches Represented the Holy Spirit. The all consuming fire of the Holy Spirit.

Praise brings deliverance, deliverance brings the fire of the Holy Spirit. Once the Holy Spirit is there Strange things happen.
In this event no one spoke in tongues. No one ran up and down the isle at the church. There was no interpretation. Instead the big army that out numbered the Israelites turned on themselves and killed each other.

 22) When the 300 Israelites blew their rams’ horns, the Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords. Those who were not killed fled to places as far away as Beth-shittah near Zererah and to the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.

This is just crazy. They hear a big crash and yelling they wake up and kill each other. Then those who were still alive ran from what? There was no one fighting them only themselves. God gave the Israelites the victory without the Israelites having to lay a finger on the enemy.

We get so wrapped up in worring, and trying to do things ourselves when God say no let me do it, but instead we try and fail. God wants to show the world he is God, and he can not do it because we are not allowing the world to see God through us. Through the pain and confusion in our lives. Through the highs and victory’s. We put God in a Box. I do not mean we put God’s power in a box [though sometimes we do do that], but we put his glory in a box but no allowing him to move in our lives like he wants.

But there is something that needs to be done. In order for us to let God truely move in our lives we have to let him have all control.

TO BE CONTINUED…..

 

 

UNTITLED LOVE

I can not explain how I feel. I mean you make me smile. You make me joyful. This feeling I have not felt in a long time. My day can be bad, but when I think of you joy reenters my life. I look into your eyes and life just makes sense. I feel complete. Your smile is so captivating. I want to stay next to you for the rest of my life. Is it possible? If you allow me I would. I would do anything for you. If you need anything yell my name and I will come running. There is no distance too long.

I love the sound of your voice. It puts me at peace. I am better with you next to me. You strengthen me. You mean the world to me. I look into your eyes and I just get lost. I forget everything around me and lose all feeling.

I think of you often. I mean more often then I would like to admit. When you decided to leave it hurt, but I did not give up on us. I believe and continued to call your name out. I want every moment of my life to have you in it. I want every corner of my mind to be consumed but you. I know it sounds a little obsessive, but without you I am dead.

I love walking next to you. I love the conversations we have. I love you’re laugh. I love when you say my name. You are making me sound crazy right now, but it is okay. It is worth it.

I guess what I am saying is. Life would be boring with out you. So, would you want to take this journey with me. I mean no pressure now. I will be right here, WAITING !!! I just wanted to let you know. That I Love you, and hope from this point forward you will see that you always be in my heart. I love you !!!

-  Me

P.S.

Is Love Alive?

Your Platform

The question was asked to me in a youth staff meeeting  “What Is Your Platform?”  This question was asked by the Youth Pastor I work under currently. It was a challenge. He wanted to know what our purpose was.

 This has taken me several years to realized this but my calling or platform is to do disciplining. I am going to be a youth pastor but that is just the little part of my platform. What I want to branch off of that is this. Intense hands on Disciplining.

 I want to be able to disciple teens and equip them with the resources and tools to allow them to grow spiritually and to walk in Gods will for their lives. I want to be a youth pastor that evangelizes. I want to create a team of teens that will travel the world with me and minister through drama and praise and worship. I want to teach them how to stay saved. I want to mentor them. I want to bea ble to keep them accountable.I want to reach out the hands of Grace every time they mess up and I want to share with them the Love of God. I want to change the world.

 My platform is to raise up future leaders and train, equip, and supply all resources to see them grow to the point where they are teaching other the same thing. I want them to get into ministry. Why is that so important to me?

 It was said that people who serve under their youth group as a teen has a 47 % chance of serving their church when they become an adult. The number is too big to ignore. I want to get teenagers in the habit of serving so when they become adults they are comfortable with who they are in ministry and they can be successful.

 I could remember first getting saved and was asked to be on the youth praise and worship team. I know all of you that know me are saying “WHAT?’. I did not understand why this youth leader would ask me to be on the Praise and Worship team knowing I could not sing. I am sure a lot of people thought that at the time, but he saw that desire and potential in me and wanted me to grow. He knew that serving will keep me interested and will help me grow. I could safely say my adventure at singing did not last more than 3 months, but it was enough time to make me want to do more. Soon, after that I became a youth leader, and that lead me to my platform today. A PREACHER not A SINGER. I believe that would of never happened if that opportunity would of never came up to sing….or well trying to sing.

 I ask what is your platform?

 Many of us have different platforms. Some maybe in medical, sports, warehouse work, or even a stay at home mom. It is important to figure out what that is. No one can perform on your platform besides you. That platform was make specifically for you.

 Jeremiah ran into a problem in in Jeremiah Chapter 1. God called him to his platform and Jeremiah resisted . Now the reason why he resisted was because he felt he was too young. He felt like he did not know any better.

 I mean think about it. How can this teenager tell the priest of the land what to do? Or who God is? Or even what God was speaking? Jeremiah was intimidated but what God had shown him. So, Jeremiah try to find the easy way and run. He did not see what GOD saw. He did not know what God knew. God knew that no one could carry this task. The only person was Jeremiah. 

A lot of us sell ourselves short of what really is expected of us. We are fearful, because we feel this vision or dream is much too BIG!!! How can I accomplish this you ask? I want to tell you. You will not accomplish it but God will accomplish it through you. Once you accept that everything will become easy.

 I remember me sharing my first ever sermon on a Wednesday night at my old church teen service. I was 19 years old. I had ten pages of notes. I was scared. I read through those pages like a book. A message that I thought would take me 20 minutes took me 5 minutes. Afterwards I felt what how can I do this. This is much to big for me. Some of you are thinking the same thing.

 It is okay. God may show you something big, but he is the one that created it. He would not put you through what he can get you through. I will tell you what God told Jeremiah in chapter 1:17-19 (One Of My Favorite Scriptures.) God said Jeremiah:

 17 “Get up and prepare for action.
Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say.
Do not be afraid of them,
or I will make you look foolish in front of them.
18 For see, today I have made you strong
like a fortified city that cannot be captured,
like an iron pillar or a bronze wall.
You will stand against the whole land—
the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah.
19 They will fight you, but they will fail.
For I am with you, and I will take care of you.
I, the Lord, have spoken!”

 That is what I leave you with today. Get up !!! Get Ready!!! Don not be afraid of anyone or thing. God has made you as strong as your enemy. He has prepared you for this very day. He has made you so you can STAND ON YOUR PLATFORM !!!

I hope this blessed you and encourages you !!!!

 

-Angel ortiz

 

Crazy In Love

It was after the youth service. I approached this man who just started on the storm youth staff and I asked him how he enjoyed the service. He had never been in a the youth service before, so I was interested in his thoughts. He began to share with me how excited he was, and he shared with me a testimony. A testimony that in my mind made me think how in the world? I am sorry for thinking that, but in my flesh I could not grasp what would lead someone to do something that he did. What was it? Well…..

I asked him where do you currently worked? He said right now I am unemployed. I said oh wow yes I see with the economy the way it is I am guessing you got laid-off. He so calmly looked at me and said…”No. I quite.” I said really why? He goes on to reply I was working 60-70 hours a week, and I had no time to do ministry. Yes, at this point my jaw dropped. This guy was making roughly 60,000 a year. Why would he leave? I asked myself that inside as we continued our talk. I told him I would pray for him.

I am going to be honest. I usually tell people that, and forget; not this time. God would not let me.

I woke up this morning thinking about this guy and his situation. I thought man how is he going to provide for his family? It was really weighting on my heart all day today at work. I even talked to a friend about it, and informed him to pray. I just kept asking myself. Why? I was in the middle of driving my tow motor to pick orders. Then it hit me.

CRAZY IN LOVE !!! This dude is so crazy in love with God that he is willing to obey God, and quite his job for an opportunity to serve for Gods Kingdom. He was and is showing his crazy love for God. I mean he has to love God to give up the money he could be making in exchange to do ministry.

He said “My heart is in ministry. I have to follow that.” How can his heart be in ministry, because his heart was in Gods hands. It was because his heart was in Gods hand. God started to form it into what God wanted it too look like. In return God gave him crazy love. He gave him the best gift of all; Joy !!!

He wants to be used as a youth pastor. He said “I want to change lives. In order for me to do that. I had to show God I am willing to do whatever it takes to get there. “

The Bible says “Obedience is far Greater that Sacrifice.’ It also tells me that pleasing God is the reason for our very existence. Paul shares with us also that we are in a race, and in this race there is a goal. Paul goes on to say also the reason why we run to get to the goal is because there is a prize. How do we get that prize?

It is found in this passage:

Philippians 3:7-11:

^{A) whatever gain I had,(B) I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. (8)Indeed, I count everything as loss because of(C) the surpassing worth of(D) knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I(E) have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (9)and be found in him, not having(F) a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but(G) that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— (10)(H) that I may know him and(I) the power of his resurrection, and(J) may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (11)that by any means possible I may(K) attain the resurrection from the dead.}

 

It is simple. Paul’s prize was not anything materialistic. It is simple getting to know Christ more. He wanted to know Christ in every aspect of Jesus’ life. From Suffering, Death, and from the Resurrection.

It just hit me. This guy I am speaking of he is getting his prize. He is getting to see one of the many faces of Jesus. I just hope to grow more through his experience.I hope to show that I am Crazy In Love with Jesus just as he did.  I hope we all can get a little inspired to give up the meaningless things, to get to know our Savior Jesus Christ more.

Show Me Your Glory? Part 2 I want more.

I want you to picture this. Moses was standing in front of God. A moment that would leave any believer speechless and frighten. Moses saw this moment as an opportunity. It was at that moment he could of asked for anything in the world, and he could of received it. He could of asked for a BMW, money, a little house on the beach, but instead Moses said “God I want to see who you are. I mean I want to see who you really are. “ It is like I said in the last writing. Moses saw God in many forms and mask, but Moses wanted desperately to see the real thing. It amazes me because Moses did not settle just for Gods voice or just hearing from God.. He wanted more of God. He wanted to know God on a more personal level.

(SIDE NOTE: I feel sometimes we settle just for Gods voice. There is nothing wrong with that but when God is wanting to give us so much more we need to run after it and get it. We can not settle for second best when God wants to give you the best. )

The interesting thing was Moses was able to make the request to see Gods face, and he received an answer granted it was not the answer he wanted but he received an answer. It was an answer that still allowed Moses to see God. Moses saw the back of God. Your saying yes he saw the back of God so….The point is he saw God. He saw our creator.

 I dream of someday seeing my creator. I want to see him as I write this. I mean I feel him as I sit in my living room writing this, but I think it would be great to see him. What would it mean to see God? For those who spent hours reading, fasting seeking God. What would it mean to actually see him within arms reach. I do not know about you but I would die (Joke).

Moses had the opportunity and he did not blow it. He took advantage of it and received it. When I get to heaven I want to ask Moses ’What was it like to see God in the flesh?” That is another point to point out. He saw God in the flesh. We will all see God someday, but that will be in the spirit. He saw God in the flesh. That to me is amazing.

I sat up late last night just over playing the story in my mind and reading the scripture on Moses life. I realized something. The Exodus 33 experience did not happen over night. It took time and a lot of time with God. This is where I want to leave you. I have more to say so please stay tuned for more.

Show Me Your Glory? Part 1

I was up last night doing some reading. I must admit that this has been something that has been a struggle as of late. It is something I also told God I will start to fix. I see these preachers and teachers knowing the word. I mean they say things that sometimes amaze me, and I say why did I see it like that? Then I realize maybe I do not see it, because I do not read as much as I should. Well never the less I was reading in Exodus 33 and it kind of opened my mind up to something’s in my walk with Christ.

The passage of scripture that kind of caught my interest was verse 18-19. In this verse Moses boldly says to God “Hey I have been talking to you this whole time. I want to see the man behind the mask. I want to see who you really are.” (Okay maybe I was paraphrasing but it sounds like something I would say.) What God says to him really had me thinking. God said no one can see me and live. That is where I kind of start to think.

The reason why I stop to think is because Moses had spent a lot of time with God. I mean shouldn’t he know he could die if he seen Gods face? Now it this is my opinion no bible or fact to cover this, but I think Moses had to know that his sinful body could not handle the pure face and holiness of God. I also believe that this was bothering Moses.

Moses saw the many mask the God wore. He saw the burning bush, and the cloud that guided them through the desert. He saw the many mask that God wore, but he really wanted to see the real face. He wanted to see the person he built a relationship with over the years. He was willing to die to do it. He was willing to die to see God. I thought of to myself this. ’When have I really got so desperate to see God that I said I am willing to die?’ Now I do not mean a physical death (though if I had to I know I would). I am talking about what in my life at this point do I need to kill so I can see more of God?

When I asked myself this question many things popped in my head. There were some things that would be hard, while others seems easy to get rid of, never the less it would require work. The question came to mind. Where do I start? Well Moses shows us in Exodus 33:7-11.

This is where I will leave you for another time. God is up to good things. He is looking for a Generation that will stop talking and listen. I mean that in many ways from our prayer lives to our actions when it comes to our Christians live. Until next time. Good Day !!!

 

You Are…

You are my obsession
My number one possession
There is no one like you
I lose my breath in your presence
I am just dust in the wind

Without I cant win
Sin tries to control me
But your blood covers me
It give me victory

My heart
Is yours
My dreams
Is yours
Im yours

You are my obsession
My number one possession
I crave your correction
In your presence
My heart skips a beat
You are my everything
You are the world to me

I need you
I crave you
I love you Lord

Without you I am nothing
With you I can do anything
I will never leave you

You are my friend
You are my father
You are my obsession
My Jesus