HELLO.. is this thing on... I don't think its working....

12/15/2006 Estreitta 1 Comments

I have been thinking lately that we are doing something wrong here in America...  You know that there is a growing trend of "Christians" Dropping out of the church because they are sickened by the politics, people in leadership, and pride that is infecting churches across America. 

I think over the past 20 years the term "Christian" has become a cussword to the world.  What ever we have been doing is not working.. and we as the new generation being raised up in church leadership need to do something about it.

We need to share the love of Christ... that is our job....

Let the Word of God convict a person to change their lifestyle..Let the Word of God set them free from thier sin...

Far to long have we shamed the unbelievers... When we are SUPPOSED to be followers of Christ...

Look what Jesus did with Mary Magdelene... He didn't condem and shame her like the pharisees did... He just Told her to go and sin no more...

That ONE conversation with theWord incarnate that became Human set this woman free from her lifestyle and sin...

During this Christmas, as we may spend time with friends and family that may not know Jesus as their personal savior, try to find ways to share the Love of God with them like they have never experienced before... Then see God Move in their lives as they hear the birth of Savior of the World...

1 comments :

It's a Winter Wonderland in Texas!!!!

11/30/2006 Estreitta 1 Comments

Well last night it started to sleet and now it is snowing... it is so crazy cause yesterday afternoon it was 80 degrees. 

On the news since sunday everyone has been planning ahead for this "blizzard" with "continuing weather coverage" through out the nite and today. most of the schools are closed and so are businesses.  (Vacation day yipee)

This weather  is reminding me of Minnesota somewhat, i love how the snow falls on the trees then make icicles.  it reminds me of walking to class at Northwestern after it snowed.  Now i do not miss the nose-hair freezing tempatures...but probably by tommorow it will all be melted and 90 degrees again and i will have to turn the ac on again.. so i will revel in the memories of playing in the snow before it melts away!

now where are those mittens?

1 comments :

LeftOvers

11/26/2006 Estreitta 1 Comments

Last night I had a party.. It started at 7:30 PM on Satuday November 25. I invited several people I sang with in a group called Encore. It was the top show Choir in my school and even the State :)

I sent out some invites and several responded. some said they couldn't attend but wanted to, while others were enthusiastic about attending and accepted my invitation!

So I started planning for the party. Erik and I began working on  home projects around the house 3 weeks ago.. we painted the Master Bathroom (it used to be an UGLY Forrest Green Color Trim and All with cream tiles..the former owners must have been color-blind) we cleaned up the front yard from all the leaves that strated falling and stayed up late doing the laundry and vaccuming the house, shoving stuff into a room no one would look at..as would any one planning a get together at thier home..

So as Saturday happend upon us we put the finishing touches on the food and desserts put out all the air fresheners and wallah a party was ready to start.

I even went out and bought a cute little outfit!

Well 7:30 pm came and Went and then at 9:30 pm after no phone calls or emails... It hit me that one was showing up.

Now, I could get really upset and even depressed about it... I could have the thought that I must not have received the memo that they all got not to come to My Encore Reunion. I could have got down on my self and think I was always the outsider and the odd ball in High school.  But I didn't... well maybe for like a second....

I do have to say I was pretty dissapointed.  But Hey Now Erik and I get to eat all the leftovers, well the low carb opions.  The other stuff I have to through away so we dont cheat and go over our daily carb allowance.  Fudge brownies, sourdough bread for the spinach dip, Coke, Dr Pepper, & Sprite ....Well i might just give it away to some one that can use it.

Another good aspect to this no show party is we are left with a sparkely clean house that looks and smells of apple cinnamon. We also decided to take our Christmas picture... my new profile pic is one of the pictures taken. I even stayed up and ordered my Photo Christmas Cards. (Speaking of... Email me your Address if you want to be on my mailing list for a Christmas Card at the2lovebyrds@hotmail.com

So Even though i have tons of leftovers I got alot accomplished and motivated my self to finally do some projects I have been meaning to do since March, when we moved in.


In the Future, I think I will plan other parties... but It will be BYOF (Bring your own food) and then I will only plan for enough food that Erik and I can eat!

1 comments :

The Pearl Necklace

11/02/2006 Estreitta 1 Comments

I woke up yesterday morning to KLTY, one of the Local Christian Music Stations here in the DFW Metroplex, and this story was playing on my 13 yr old sony clock radio I won at Project Graduation.  I was just waking up and even though i was a bit disoriented...  It still touched my heart.   If you Have audio on  your computer click on the following link so you can listen and read it at the same time. 


It should automatically play but just in case download it and hear it!


I hope it touches your heart as it did mine!



"The Pearl Necklace"



The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.


"Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please!"


Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.


"A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."


As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.


Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere ~ Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath.


Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"


"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."


"Then give me your pearls."


"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess ~ the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite."


"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night."


And he brushed her cheek with a kiss. About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"


"Daddy, you know I love you."


"Then give me your pearls."


"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."


"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one.  Daddy loves you."


And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.


A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.


"What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"


Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."


With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure. So like our heavenly Father. What are you hanging on to?

1 comments :

I'm a quintauple minority now....

10/08/2006 Estreitta 1 Comments

- i'm one out of  according to the U.S. Population Clock 300,009,446

 

married (living with my hubby and we didnt live together b4 we got married) who now is, according to census .gov, over shadowed by the 51% of those single (gay or strait) who are living together with no intentions of getting married...we also,  according to the desparate houswives/sex in the city mentality, have a 50/50 chance of actually staying together....



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

hispanic - whose family may or may not have come into the country in a legitmate way. I am actually a part of the 14% of the total hispanic or latinos in america..then upon that my mom is Honduran which is only 1% of the total hispanic population and.... so then that means i am only a measly 0.1% of the total population....

 

 

that is a totally perfectly made  woman -who gets payed signifigantly less than than my husband and i have the full college education and he is in school still. Now, according the the US Census bureau women on the average make 30% less than a man


 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a low carb dieter - who is in the process of leaving the ranks of obese americans. Currently, 64.5 percent of U.S. adults, age 20 years and older, are overweight and 30.5 percent are obese. Severe obesity prevalence is now 4.7 percent, up from 2.9 percent reported in the 1988 - 1994 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).



 

Now i don't let these "lables" get to me.. infact i think it inspires me to break the stereotypes and be exactly who God has called me to be not what the world expects of me....

Don't let the worlds standards or lables get you down you are more than a conquerer.  God has already rescued you and you should have no worries... all you have to do is Trust in Him and everything will work out....listen to my newest tune on my myspace page "Rescue" by Jared Anderson and i hope it encourages you as much as it did me.

 


 

1 comments :

See how God Rewards those who dillegently Seek Him...

8/24/2006 Estreitta 0 Comments

Ok I need to preface this by saying that this is NOT a hoax but indeed true and verified by several people...

i do not know these people personally but they were Youth pastors for a church in the Twin Cities - Crystal Evangelical Free Church - where several of my college friends attended.

Here are the facts:

Dick and Brenda Deitrich were visiting Poland recently on vacation and Dick decided to research Brenda's family tree as a cool surprise for her.

A short time later, he finds himself talking to government officials who disclose that Brenda is the lost heir to the Prussian throne and the rightful owner of no fewer than three palaces.

The mayor--or whoever they were talking to--said that if they had shown up a few weeks earlier, she would've had four palaces. The government had been selling them off, presumably because they couldn't find Brenda.

Apparently, one of the castles is being converted into a hotel and Dick and Brenda met with the developer and he said something to the effect of they only need the first two floors and D&B can decdide what to do with the other 2 floors. For perspective on how big this castle is, the hotel will have a full service spa, restaurant, blah blah with over 150 rooms. And, and they only get 2 floors for personal use. Think it will be big enough? The developer told them, just tell us what you want us to do with the two floors and we will do it.

Once Source, Joel Hanson (of PFR), mentioned the same thing briefly on a comment he left at Bookhouse's Myspace.

Another source, said on Brainsalt myspace blog, "They are now millionaires! Can you believe it? Dick and Brenda, millionaires."


================================

It is truly amazing to see the hand of God on this situation. I am blessed by this testimony and Everyone that I have told has too. One person cried and said, "that story gives me hope to press on through my current situation and trus that God will take care of everything."

so Pass it on People...It will probably bless someone you know also!

Persisting with out Exception!
Estreitta

0 comments :

Our Dreams Can Mean Something.... (Part 2 of 3)

8/20/2006 Estreitta 0 Comments

This class was taught by Barbie Breathitt - if you want to learn more about her you can check out her website: http://www.breathofthespiritministries.com/

August 17, 2006

1/3 of our life we spend sleeping. God uses that time to speak to us through our dreams and visions.

Acts 2:17-21

"In the Last Days," God says,
"I will pour out my Spirit
on every kind of people:
Your sons will prophesy,
also your daughters;
Your young men will see visions,
your old men dream dreams.
When the time comes,
I'll pour out my Spirit
On those who serve me, men and women both,
and they'll prophesy.
I'll set wonders in the sky above
and signs on the earth below,
Blood and fire and billowing smoke,
the sun turning black and the moon blood-red,
Before the Day of the Lord arrives,
the Day tremendous and marvelous;
And whoever calls out for help
to me, God, will be saved."




Ephesians 1:17:
17 For I always pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation of insight into mysteries and secrets in the deep and intimate knowledge of Him...
What is the Lord trying to say to us through our dreams?
Seek out the meaning of what God is trying to say to you through your dreams

Dreams is a sequence of images and pictures. The Lord chooses these pictures and images to speak, relate, and communicate to us.

Jesus always used parables, stories, and imagery to reveal His truth to us. And God uses dreams to speak to us in with the same symbols, parables, and metaphors.

God gave us an imagination so he can speak to us through our dreams and visions.

Dreams give us the urgency to find out information God is trying to tell us.

As we record our dreams we can learn to discern the difference between the soul and Godly dreams.


There are different techniques for recording dreams:


DIAGRAM Method:

Using the diagram method can help you retain the thoughts and main ideas of the dream to capture as much information you can with out spending time writing out the details verbatim. Pick 3 Significant Themes. Once you diagram it is easy to go back later to write all the details if you wish.


Bullet Point Method:

This method helps you to write out random thoughts and then go back to organize the details later. Write the thoughts as it comes to you helps you not get bogged down with the details.

Maeze ran away

Erik was in the store

I decided to follow after her in the car

The breaks not working

Then I felt like I was peddling

Then I crashed

Erik Ran out and yelled that I ruined the car

Maeze still ran away


Tape Record Method:

Recording your dreams electronically help to keep the dreams intact as you remember them easy to go back and listen to them to record them on paper.


Drawing Method:

If you are creative and can draw or paint your dreams or create a visual display to help you remember your dream details.


Tips when recording and analyzing dreams:

1.) Write down as much details as you can remember (i.e. colors, numbers, people, locations...)

2.) Title each dream to help organize your thoughts and also to keep track of your dreams rather than keeping them organized by date.

3.) 95% of the time the dream is about you even though you may dream it from the different persons perspective or the dream seems to be about someone else.

4.) Search the Word/Scriptures that contain or deal same symbols, images, or metaphors.

5.) NEVER interpret your dream Literal typically it is symbolic not literal

6.) Remember:

a. Your feelings and emotions during the dream

b. Setting or location

c. Time period (past or future )

7.)

8.) When you dream about people look at the following:

a. Sometime it is a characteristic that you admire or dont in them

b. The biblical meaning of their name

Questions to ask when analyzing:

1.) What is the purpose of function of the item you are dreaming of

a. If you dream about a highlighter. What is this item used for: highlighting things, Focus on a particular item or phrase on a piece of paper

b. Is the Cap on or Off

i. If cap is on it usually symbolizes a covering/ if it isnt on then it would dry out

ii. If cap is off it usually symbolizes that it is being used

2.) What is it indicating?

a. Is the marker highlighting anything particular?

b. Does the phrase or words have a meaning?

3.) What state is it in?

a. Is it being used, unused, moving, stationery?


DEFINITIONS:

Positive Negative

Angel messenger, message warning

Lion Jesus Devourer

Candle light/revelation exposing something dark areas

Oil (Brown) Compassion/Humility

Oil (Clear) Holy, Sanctification, Purity

Oil (Blue) Healing, Revelation

Clock Point in time

Calendar Season

Bible Proclamation/ Word of the Lord Judgment

q-tips gentleness, hearing, clean Unable to hear

Doctor Jesus

Head Knowledge/intellect

Seat Rest/Examination

Zipper Revelation/Private Secrets

Dog Companionship/protector aggressor

Cat comfortable/affection stubborn/independent

Rat opportunist liar/scavenger/corruption/disease/Thief

Horse Valor/Honor/Power/Transportation stubborn

Snake Healing Devour/gossip/liar

Buffalo Bounty/source overwhelming

Bull prosperity/fertility dominant/force

Ants Cleaner/team worker attacker

Eagle Freedom/prophetic/ USA

Bear Russia/Hibernate strength





0 comments :

Our Dreams Can Mean Something.... (Part 1 of 3)

8/13/2006 Estreitta 0 Comments

Our dreams can mean something. God some times speaks to us through our dreams to speak to us when we do not hear what He is trying to say to us. It is vital to do a study on the biblical perspective on this subject in order to discern what the Lord is trying to speak to us. There is a lot of weird new age stuff out there and so studying what the Bible says about dream interpretation will help anyone wanting to learn about this subject. My husband and I are attending a Biblical Dream Interpretation Seminar and I will be displaying my notes on the blog so others can learn what we are learning.


These notes are from the Spirit to Spirit Biblical Dream Interpretation Seminar from WellSpring Church in North Richland Hills, TX Taught by Senior Pastor Jack Deere:


August 9, 2006


I. God Speaks to all people through dreams.


A. Job 33:13-18


(13) Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man's words(14) For God does speak now one way, now another though man may not perceive it.(15) In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds, (16) he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, (17) to turn man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride, (18) to preserve his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.



B. God will speak to unbelievers in dreams:
1. Abimelech (Gen 20: 3-7)
2. A Midianite soldier (Jude 7:13-14)
3. Nebuchadnezzar (Dn 2:1)
4. Magi (Mt. 2:13)
5. Pilate's Wife (Mt. 27:19)




C. Those who are called into prophetic ministry will regularly hear dreams.


1. Numbers 12:6: 6 he said, "Listen to my words: "When a prophet of the LORD is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams."
2. Joseph and Daniel had prophetic dreams regularly.



II. Dreams Serve To:



A. Warn us and correct us


1. Decreed event that can’t be changed, Genesis 41:32: "32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon. “Prepare and Pray for Wisdom. Most negative dreams we have are some kind of warning to us."

2. Potential events that can be changed, Daniel 4:27,27 Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue."



B. Encourage us to continue what you are doing in your calling

1. Acts 18:9-11: "9One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." 11So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God."


C. Guide Us:

1. Acts16:6-9: "6Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."



D. Reveal the Future: " 1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream."


E. Command Us:

1. Genesis 31:11-13: "11 The angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob.' I answered, 'Here I am.' 12 And he said, 'Look up and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted, for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land."


2. Matt 2:13: 13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."


3. To give us intimacy and communion with God


I Kings 3:5-15: 5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you.6 Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. 7 "Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for both riches and honor so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life." 15 Then Solomon awokeÃ?and he realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord's covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a least for all his court."


III. Interpreting Dreams


A. It is important to record dreams - if you are woken in the middle of the night it is important to write the dream details with a notebook beside you bed so you do not forget the details by the morning. When you wake up write your dream details, cause you may forget them by the time you brush your teeth.


B. Symbolism is an important part of nearly all dreams. The symbols shed light on the communication. Most of the time your dreams are not literal but symbolic


C. Literalism is a common mistake in interpreting dreams


D. Some dreams are simply tormenting dreams sent to us by the enemy or arising from our fears


E. Some prophetic people are especially gifted at interpreting the dreams of other people.


F. Remembering the details are an important detail. (i.e.,Colors, clothing, weather, vehicles, houses...etc.)


G. When the dreams tell a coherent dream this is where discernment comes with prayer and seeking guidance from the Lord for the interpretation


H. Noone should ever act on someone else suggestion or guidance from the dream unless it confirms something in your heart and you have a peace


I. God will give each of us our own dream vocabulary, especially symbols.


J. Sometimes the dreams are how God Views the current state of our lives and the situations we are currently in.


IV. Common Symbols in dreams


A. Women =The Church


B. Car = vehicle of ministry


C. Roof = Covering


D. Faceless man = Holy Spirit


E. Being Attacked = Something is being taken by force


F. Hands behind back = secrets


G. Snakes = gossipers


H. Bite = poisoned by gossip


I. Tornados = Change
====


About the Teacher: Jack Deere Senior Pastor of WellSpring Church

Jack was raised in Ft. Worth, Texas in a broken home that did not know the Lord. When he was 17 years old, a friend led Jack to Christ. Jack began reading the Bible for the first time and fell in love with the Scriptures. He attended Texas Christian University in North Richland Hills, where in majored in Philosophy and started working with the ministry of Young Life leading high school students to the Lord. After graduation in 1971, he attended Dallas Theological Seminary concentrating in Greek and Hebrew study of the Bible. He and Leesa were married in 1974. In 1976, he was invited to join the faculty of Dallas Seminary teaching Hebrew and books of the Bible in Hebrew. He received both a Master and Doctor of Theology degrees from Dallas Seminary. During his tenure at Dallas Seminary, he started and pastured two churches.


In 1986 after months of concentrated scriptural study, Jack reversed his position on the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit. He became convinced that all of the gifts of the Spirit were meant to be used today, including healing and prophecy. God had never withdrawn these gifts, rather many in the church had withdrawn from the gifts. Even though he had no supernatural experience of his own, Jack and Leesa along with others began praying for the sick and listening for the voice of God. Almost immediately, they saw some wonderful healings.

He left the seminary faculty at in the end of 1987 and joined the staff of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship Church in Anaheim, CA. He served with John Wimber at the church and traveled around the world with him doing conferences on intimacy with God and the Holy Spirit.
Jack left the Anaheim Vineyard in 1992 to begin his own conference and writing ministry. He has written best selling books, which have been translated into a number of languages He travels national and internationally doing conferences on many themes. He serves on the boards of a number of Christian ministries.

Jack is currently the senior pastor of Wellspring Church in Ft. Worth, Texas, a church he started in the spring of 2004. The mission of the church is threefold: to help people cultivate an intimate friendship with Jesus; to help people discover and effectively use their spiritual gifts in significant ways in the church; and having learned how to use these gifts effectively in the church, then to use their gifts in the market place where they spend the majority of their time.

Jack and Leesa live in Colleyville, TX. They have two grown children, Stephen and Alese.


0 comments :

The D-word

7/08/2006 Estreitta 0 Comments

ok i might offend some people with this blog, nonetheless it is not my intention. on the other hand, I truly have some strong feelings on this and i am honestly pretty frustrated with people in general, but specifically Christians with this issue.



About a year ago, i learned about a former pastor and his wife, after over 25 yrs of marriage they are getting a divorce.

While I attended this church, he often said that if his marriage was ever in trouble or ever failed he would step down from the ministry. he said that because his marriage was more important than his ministry. You know I always respected him for saying that, but when faced with his marriage on the rocks and separated from his wife, he chose to stay in the ministry. Saying that everyone encouraged him to stay in the ministry, so I have heard.


i have had about 8 friends of mine get a divorce and 4 friends that are in the process of getting a divorce. Some married for 10 yrs and some for 6 mos. Majority of my friends that have gotten a divorce are Christians. i only mention this because i think that they should know better. They should make every effort to keep their marriage intact even it they are not happy. Biblically speaking the only exceptions for a divorce are of infidelity (includes sexual abuse to a child), and if your spouse is an unbeliever and they leave you. There may have been only 2 of them out of the 12 friends that fell into this category.


For biblically based perspectives on divorce read these sites for further information:




What Does the Bible Say About Divorce and Remarriage?


What the Bible says about divorce and remarriage

What does the Bible say about divorce? When is it allowed?



when friends shared with me about their pending divorce, i was in utter dismay and total shock. many of these friends i thought were seemingly happy. They looked to be in love with each just as much as my hubby and I are. I had no clue that their marriage was struggling. While some have given seemingly good reasons to why they are cancelling the commitment they have made, majority have said that they were unhappy and not compatible with each other.


i look at my mom and her relationship with my dad. my father wasn't a very compassionate or loving man and often he was very condescending, cruel, and hateful towards my mother but she still stuck by him. sure there were times she felt like walking away from this awful situation, she even filed once when I was in the 2nd grade, but then didn't sign the final papers. They even separated a few times for 3 to 6 months.


my mom was a model of staying through the good and the bad, and believe me there were really bad and ugly times she went through. I always wondered why she didn't divorce him. she deserved to be happy and she deserved so much better. My mom grew up a daughter of an affluent family in Honduras, always having the best and people waiting on her at her every turn. to then become a wife of a trucker living in a worn down mobile home in the middle of poverty stricken podunk texas.


you know I always used to wonder why she didn't say, "NO THANK YOU! I am not dealing with you any more" but she stuck it out. She stayed with my dad even after he told her he was leaving her and stopped paying the mortgage and she would have to fend for her self. she stuck by him even after him constantly making fun of her and ridiculing her faith in God. She stuck by him even after he had left her and then came back home to soon find out he had colon cancer. I mean what woman in her right mind would cook, clean and care for a man the treated worse than the dirt on the bottom of his shoe.


After 30 yrs of what I used to call being miserably married, my mother got 3 months of Mr wonderful, after my father had given his Life to the Lord 3 months before going to heaven. she told me 2 days ago, that it was totally worth going through all she did for those 3 months. What a truly amazing woman. At my dads funeral my pastor said that her faith got her through it all and she personally got to see my dad give his life to the Lord by being the person to lead him to the Lord.


Now i have seriously contemplated even writing this not only because I had to watch my mother go through this but also I don't want people to think that I am insensitive to those that are struggling with their marriages. but I have to say this, I am so sick and tired of people giving up on their marriages.


back in may we saw a friend that we hadn't seen since her wedding, and it was about 2 yrs ago. i asked how her spouse was and she said they were separated and in the process of finalizing their divorce. i again was in utter shock and baffled at the destruction of this once blissfully happy couple's marriage.


I do know that personally speaking, my hubby and i have made a commitment to stay married no matter what. After learning about another couple, this weekend we have been talking about making a conscience effort to keep our marriage in check. We are going to try get involved in a young married group at a church, stay accountable with our friends when we are struggling, praying together and for each other every day, taking time for us to spend together alone ;), and most importantly seeking the Lord to show us individually what we can do for one another to encourage and edify. We have made a commitment to stay married.amd Married, with God's help, shall we stay!


so I am asking everyone who reads this, if ever in time i ever say the d-word, please remind me what I wrote today. Kick me, slap me, do what ever it takes to remind me that my marriage should important to me and should fight for the death do us part commitment i made to my hubby.


And one more thing, please pray for your married friends. Marriage is hard, difficult, fun, exciting, scary, adventurous, all at the same time. You really learn how selfish you are when you are married. And Some times things you never thought you would ever say to another human being come out of your mouth that hurts the other spouse deeply. We as Christians need to be real with each other. Share your struggles with your friends ask them to pray for you ask them to keep you accountable, ask them to kick you in the butt when you need it. Dont keep it a secret if your having difficulties cause seriously you are not alone every marriage has difficult times with some rough patches and bumpy rides along the way but thats even more reason why we as Christians should rally around each other and win this war against divorce. I know we would be happier people because of it and more people would want to be like us!


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Currently listening :
(My King) Live Praise & Worship
By Planetshakers
Release date: 24 August, 2004
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Myspace Blog comments:

Ay. Not an easy one to write, huh? I'm sorry for your friends going through divorces. It IS amazing to see what can happen and how people can grow when they DO stick it out even when everyone else would tell them it's ok to leave. My grandma's story is a lot like your mom's...he husband also came to the lord at the very end of a battle with cancer. You just never know how you can affect people ... I just think of all the tiny daily strengths and choices my grandma and your mom had to make -- probably they just asked God for the strength and courage to do the right thing...none of us are strong enough alone -- and it really inspires me to try to be centered on God everyday to make those everyday decisions in him. I know it's not by our ownvstrength...


Posted by Ranny on Jul 9, 2006 7:30 PM

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Thank you, Estreitta, for the truth that was spoken in love. I understand why you admire your mom so much! You know, unfortunately, most in my family have not stuck it out. I, in no way, am criticizing or judging, but I would like to join in on your stance and say, IT STOPS HERE! I, with you and God's help, will do whatever it takes to stay married to my husband - many days it takes God's help

But, I encourage those who read this who may be struggling in your marriage to let go of pride and remember that LOVE NEVER FAILS - seek GODLY counsel - not from your family, not from you bestfriend (unless they are Godly, which they should be) but go to a neutral GODLY counselor and God can and will change it around! Your marriage will become a testimony!

Posted by M♥NDY on Aug 4, 2006 12:45 PM

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It's not Good for Man to be alone!

6/28/2006 Estreitta 0 Comments

According to a recent study released by Duke University, they found that Americans have isolated themselves more than they were 20 years ago. The study also found that close to 25% of people surveyed said they had no close friends with whom they confide in. More than 50 % say they have two or fewer they consider to be close friends. They also reported to be closer to a family member or spouse.

Although the study didnt ask why they had fewer close ties, the Researchers believe that it could be a result of Americans are working more hours in a day, marrying later in life, having fewer children, and commuting longer distances. Interestingly enough, the study also found that Non-whites and people with less education tend to have smaller social networks than white Americans and the highly educated.

I first learned about this study while listening to one of my favorite radio talk show hosts, Dennis Praeger, on his Happiness hour he has on every Friday. He was discussing how he believes that because less people are interacting with each other the less happy we are as a society. Then he asked if there was anyone listening disagree with him. One particular caller called and said, I dont need anyone but God.

While I agree with his sentiments, my first thought was yeah I have God to get me through everyday life and I trust him completely, but then again the Lord Created humans for a reason...companionship. Then Dennis, of the Jewish Faith, began to say that he had a Christian Pastor Friend tell him once that when the Lord Created man it was God who said it is not good for man to be alone. Now why would the God of the universe who on a daily basis walked and communed with Adam say that? It is because God knew that humans need human contact with each other to communicate and interact.

I totally agree with this Pastor. I also had a Great College Professor, Lyle Larson, that made a similar remark in my Marriage and Family Statistics Class, God did not want us to go through life alone, That is why he created us for one another, why he created the Woman for the Man so we wouldnt have to go through this life alone.

Today many people live far away from family and the community in which they grew up. While I make an effort to meet new people all the time, I think that I am not the norm. Many people feel comfortable to stay in touch with a few people and not meet any more. I love meeting new people. I love making new Friends, I love catching up with people I havent talked to since the 2nd grade. I love talking to the elderly; they have so many great stories to tell.

Yesterday I took Maeze on a walk and an elderly lady was walking into her house. I said, Hi. I then asked how she was. She said, Fine thanks, and then complimented me on my watchdog. I said, Thank you! I kept walking cause It was hot and I was tired, and She looked like she wanted to talk more but I just walked on and said, have a great night. I regret that now, not connecting with my new neighbor who maybe her phone never rings but from telemarketers maybe she needed to connect with the outside world and Maybe I could have learned something from her and maybe made a new friend.

We have so much to offer one another; I wish people would stop from their busy lives and talk to their neighbors. Growing up I new all my neighbors, I have met several of our new neighbors and look forward to talking to them some more soon.
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Myspace Blog Comments
Good thoughts! I have to agree: God said it best! We need Him, but we need other humans too. Over and over in the Bible, I read of how we need others to sharpen us and to help us discern things, and to grow in our faith. In Hebrews, it talks about not falling away from meeting with other believers. Even though almost every Sunday morning, I don't want to get up and drive to church, I am literally ALWAYS thankful in the end that I did go. It was good that you brought this topic up. I'd also heard of this survery, and it'd saddened me. Have a great day.

Posted by Ranny on Jun 28, 2006 1:18 PM
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Ha! Great minds.. I didn't read your reply until after I posted mine.

Posted by M♥NDY on Aug 4, 2006 12:57 PM

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Thanks for reminding us why we are here. I believe this is also why it was said that we shouldn't forsake the assembling of ourselves together - not so that we could warm benches at church every Sunday or Saturday or whatever day you may go - but to become a Community with like believers who will stand with you in LOVE. Most of us have lost site of our purpose as believers. Just as you said, God Himself said it isn't good for man to be alone. We are to come along side eachother and build eachother up, standing together come what may. If this is a new concept or maybe you just keep forgetting to live this way, like me, start with your own neighbors, grocery clerks, whomever you meet along life's road. I'm going to work on putting this to practice in my life. Friends sharpen friends.

Posted by M♥NDY on Aug 4, 2006 12:56 PM

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I MET GEORGE BUSH YESTERDAY!!!!

6/22/2006 Estreitta 0 Comments

Last Night for my birthday, I went to Dallas to a Hispanic Republican Forum. and George P. Bush was there. (Son of Jeb and Nephew of our Great President) I even Got to talk to him for about 3 minutes about Hispanics and how to reachout to spread the word about the Republican Party. He was really kewl and very down to earth.

The meeting was very interesting. We heard from Some Political Leaders as well as some statistical data about the voting trends of hispancs in the US. It was very exciting and really has reinspired me. I haven't been that involved in politics since I was a Delegate for district 62a in the 2004 Election. I even think it would be kewl to run for office at some point in my life. I was asked if I would run in Minneapolis but I didn't think I was really "qualified", But I now my mentality was changed. I want to make a difference in this world, I want to help everyday people get opportunities to follow the american dream. So who knows I could even become president some day...


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Myspace Blog comments:


heehee. nice little birthday gift for you! so, what are the voting trends of us hispanics? i'm interested. happy for you!

Posted by Ranny on Jun 22, 2006 6:38 PM


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It was very interesting, In the 2000 elections Issues of concerns for Hispanic vs. Anglos

HISPANIC

1. Education/Public Schools
2. Race Relations
3. UnEmployment
4. Immigration


ANGLO

1. Public Schools/Education
2. Economy
3. Crime
4. Drugs

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Voting Trends

40% of age eligable Hispanics Cast Votes in the Last Election
President Bush won 39% of the Hispanic Vote

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these came from my notes, and This was all i wrote down and currently remember... But if I find further information I will post!


Posted by Twinkle Twinkle Estreitta on Jun 22, 2006 7:06 PM

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On Father's Day Honoring the Dad I never really knew..

6/18/2006 Estreitta 0 Comments

Today, I haven't really thought much of him (even though it is Father's day) until I read a friends blog where I guess she inspired me to go write things about what my dad liked and even what things I liked about him.  Thanx Andrea for the inspiration.

A little background first:
My dad passed away on Nov 11, 2004.  I didn't know him very well.  He was a difficult person to love, but with God's Help I chose to love him regardless of his cruelty.  He gave his Life To God about a month before his death...  The only regret I have is that I wish I would have known him Longer as a Christian.  

There are days  I miss my dad and even start to cry, especially the things that remind me of him. 
My dad liked to tease people and joke alot


  • He loved to eat, eat until there was no food left to eat...
  • He loved going an cutting down trees, whether it was in the back yard or some one needed help cutting trees he was ready with his trusty chainsaw
  • my dad loved movies.  He would watch movies all the time over and over no matter how many times he had seen it it was like he was watching it for the first time.  The movies he loved were crocodile dundee, weekend at bernie's, Ford Fairlane, tango and Cash, any  movie with john wayne, westerns with the guy with the one lazy eye, john candy  or jim belushi.
  • My dad loved to Bbq even if it was 115 degrees outside he would bbq for hours chicken, steak, hamburgers, hot dogs....
  • my dad loved his toy trucks, he has about 400 of them we still haven't gone through.  all of wich are collectibles.


  • he loved talking to strangers.  people would call our house looking for some one else and my dad would strike up a conversation with the person and talk to them for hours like he had known them for years.
  • my dad loved making breakfast for us on saturdays.  I remember one time when i brought Irma to texas with me and she was floored at the spread my dad prepared... she said with her rhode island accent, "Mista Maatin yu raak the housse"  My dad said I really wasn't walking around the house very hard, i didn't notice it moving...
  • my dad loved singing "i'm to sexy" ALL THE TIME...  we thought about playing it at his funeral but we ran out of time to look for it....

Even though I only heard him say it once he did love me and my brother in his own way, i guess he showed us more than he told us!

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Comments from Myspace Blog:



Great list, Estreitta. I never got to know your dad very well - I only talked to him the few times I came to your house. But I can picture him doing each of these things.

Posted by Naomi on Jun 20, 2006 9:44 AM


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Hey! I feel like I got a nice glimpse of your dad. Thanks for posting these things about him. Showing vs telling is a very interesting observation. I loved the quote of Irma about the spread!

Posted by Ranny on Jun 22, 2006 9:09 AM


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ok so im aware that this is from awhile back but i read it anyway. Just wanted to say that i remember all the teasing and jokes. I cant tell you how many times i would run to your mom when she was watched me cuz your dad was picking on me, and your mom would just laugh and tell him to stop. lol but you have to consider the size difference between us and know why that would scare me. lol. i grew up though and wasnt worried anymore, and just looked for your dad to wave driving by when i was playing outside.

Posted by ~StEpHaNiE~ on Feb 28, 2007 9:55 PM

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