Picture imprinted in my mind-two days past

One morning as I spent time quietly reflecting on things I've learned, this was a picture that filled with words that flowed like a river which source did not seem of my own.

The Footsteps of a King
By: Rachel Munoz
Have you ever thought about life and death?
All the people you see on TV who commit crimes
The ones that get caught and are held, put in prison
As they await their time---- to be tried by a judge.
Guilty or innocent.
Imagine everyone in orange.
All lined up. All accused of a crime/crimes that they committed.
This is judgement day,
Silent
The people are us, everyone.
Where you will see no white, until the Lamb that was slain comes
He will give white robes to those who know him.
The ones who love him, and chose him, the ones he marked as his
These are his family
These are his friends
People have seen him, or others in his family but usually laughed, and criticized them,
Spat at them for who they stood with, but those who were his took it, didn’t abandon him, for they knew he is the one worthy to be followed;
Awesome in character, the Son of God
Who else can be more worthy of praise.
Go back, to the trial day.
People looking every which way, worried will he pick me…
Ask yourself if you were there,
Did you pick him when everything was good?
You would risk your life for a loved one.
Is He one of them? How much do we say we love Jesus, but stop at just the idea of him,
not willing to put our money where our mouth is,
How many can proudly say, Jesus is my friend in the end of these days.
My God and Savior will come again. He will come again.
So the next time the TV comes on,
And we feel self-righteous like they got caught…they deserved that…
Remember so do we, we deserve death to be sentenced with the first degree murder, because it was our sins that placed him on that cross, our sins which hurt even the ones we love and see; our selves. We are the guilty.
Our words that slander the beautiful creator and his creation.  With this we are all guilty, of murder for crucifying the Lord Jesus who came to release up from the burden of sin. Christ our debts paid LIFE eternal to be with him. What we choose in this life, will be enemy or friend.
I like friend, but it comes at a cost; I have to put myself aside and count it a loss for time, reputation, all to sacrifice for the one I love, but he is one worthy of it. And he will come again. Jesus Christ is Lord! And I call him friend. Who is he to you?

A blog long over due

God's not dead!
Just watched this film with my brother and a friend and it is so true! God is not dead here,  nor in the rest of the world. From my adventure to Thailand, despite seeing many obstacles and barriers to the gospel being spread, we got to witness God's kingdom grow and be apart of the process! From what we had learned in the lectures, and experienced in our time in Chaing Mai, Chaing Rai, Bangkok, and Pattaya, there are many ways to share the gospel; but out of all the lectures and visual acts of sharing that we experienced, one thing is for sure, credibility. To share the gospel it is important that our lives reflect what we say. Actions speak louder than words, and we are constantly being renewed.
Our lifestyle will speak about what is important, and especially in Thai culture, relationships are intertwined with your values.
God is so good! He remains faithful though we are broken. We were pushed to our limits during our out reach time--for about 2 months we worked about 8-9 hour days in the heat, painting, scraping, moving, and cleaning, then later to come home eat, and usually plan for the future events and more meetings. But despite the physical condition, one of the most cherished things that we learned during that time was the power of prayer. It seems so small, but is so strong. Going back to even the beginning of my time in Thailand, even during the lecture phase which lasted about 3 months, when we prayed and interceded together as a body, that is when we got to hear the stories of prayers answered. Not only that, but it was cool to see the heart focus of our prayers transition into something that we got to witness in the later outreach time to come. God is so GOOD!
We begun by praying for an issue that heated our hearts and burned with a distaste for injustice as we prayed for the issue of human trafficking. We were given the home work assignment to research it and see what we could find out about it. Angrily many of us felt a sense of hopelessness as we wanted to change the circumstances and situation. But as we discussed, we realized we do not have the ability to change it by our power nor ourselves. As we began to intercede and cry out, our worship leader Tab encouraged us to write words that stuck out to us as we prayed. Words like family, hurt, and other things cam to be written, root of the human trafficking issue. But what was unique was out of the three pieces of largely cut paper-a body, a heart, a triangle- each which represented a catagorization method for the words or visions received. As the weeks passed, there came a time where our prayer focus changed, as we realized we can not stop it from the outside in, but tour heart cry was directed toward the rising generation of Thai people. For the youth. As well as came the vision for the Thai church to arise. It has been years of missionaries trying to evangelize the gospel in Thailand, but many have had trouble and there remains a percentage of less than 2% of Thai's claim to be christians.
We got to witness in the North that God is raising up a generation of Thai and Hilltribe leaders to proclaim his message. People after His heart. It was amazing to work with the Christian Paisanart School in Chaing Rai, as well as see brothers and sisters becoming apart of the community and patiently proclaiming the Gospel through the means of Business! God is alive! One of my highlight moments was seeing kids come running to the front to receive Christ, and not only kids but one of the ladies that take care of the kids who had been having physical problems and worships idols, come to the front to accept Jesus Christ, with tears in her eyes I got to see her come. The Lord knows those who are his and is claiming lives for himself! Praise God! The second amazing answer to prayer was the prayer for the 200 mattresses for the kids. Praise God for providing !!! Not only did he provide but he has such a sense of doing it. He used our group to put together the things we had, and he multiplied it! Not only that but I had made a comment that I felt that the mattresses were going to come falling out of the sky if that was even possible right? But the day that they presented the mattresses, they had the kids tossing them off of the 2nd floor balcony where they were stored! They were falling out of the sky! So cool right?

Something as simple as a mattress, but I think it was just one way that God wanted to reach out and love on those kids, to show them that even the most basic things he cares about, and that he wants good for them not harm. What an amazing God we serve.
God is not Dead!

Thank you all for your prayers and support; for your time and love to send me to Thailand to learn about the Kingdom Business. its practices. I have been awefull on keeping everyone posted and I am very sorry about the delay time. I know that especially during the challenging months your prayers were heard as God has used your prayers and love to give not only me but the team strength as we were pushed to our limits; He hears, and nothing is impossible for him. Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Chaing Rai who are sowing, planting and reapung dailiy for God's kingdom. A comon struggle was the desperate need for workers, and for encouragement. Also pray for the Tamar Center in Pattaya who continue to pull girls out of bars by sharing the gospel and intentionally living life with them; Also for brothers and sisters in Bangkok whom are using Businesses to glorify God by doing it with excellence and making him known in and out tf the workplace. And las but not least, pray for our brothers and sisters in Chaing Mai who continue to train and reach out into various parts of Thailand to show Christ's love. Blessing and may God continue to recieve all the Glory for the work we do, how ever large or small. Start as a servant, God will do the Big :)

Reclips from Thailand- July15,2015

Hi there! I feel like there have been many things that I have missed to include in this blog, as well as an unfinished ending. But infact the processing still continues, dispite it being almost a month back now, I would like to recap in parts instead of spews of paragraphs.

This new part will be quotes, stories and recollections, answers to prayers, and lessons learned from my time in Thailand.

It has been a blessing to have had a chance to serve and learn in Thailand-more than I can understand fully at this time; but with every blessing will come a responsibility to pour out, to pour back. May the reclips of Thailand be a blessing to you.

Let's start at the end.

"It has been a pleasure flying with you."
-a quote from the film Apollo 13

-at the end of the DTS this is what one of our leaders M.S said to our team in an encouragement to not leave things open, but to close them off well. Sometimes we like to stay in our comfortzone we like to live in the past. But we cannot continue to grow if we are stuck reflecting on the past, or fearing the future. Instead, in each stage, address closure; when seasons change, put up the winter sweaters and put on summer clothes! Embrace it. Pull out the tools you have learned put them to use.
There are more challenges to come! Be brave! Thank God who created you and give him glory. Ask Him for guidance and walk ignited by faith.

Yahoo lessons- May 17th, 2015

Yahoo! It has been a while since my last post, but I feel the urge to post again :).
Praise the Lord for his amazing works. One thing build on another; one at a time as though not to overwhelm, but in proportion to what you can digest in that moment. God is so good. He is so faithful. With craziness, or in the midst of a storm, he is there. He is a friend when all else goes away. Recently I have had to surrender my control and find the freedom of letting God be God. He is the ultimate caretaker, provider, friend, and protector; planner too! Praise the LORD!

Working with the kids, and preparing for the lesson, has allowed me to see how God prepares us for what is to come. Just ask and see :). One step at a time. That was clear today as we got to present the Full armor of God lesson to the Kids church at the main church we have been going to here in CR. Praise the Lord for his grace and kindness. It was not until afterwards that even the songs, the bible verse was so key. My God is so BIG! so Strong and so mighty there's nothing my God can not do. Amen! We got to intercede after church, and seeing the spiritual battle in a physical manefestation was another reminder of what we are really up against. We are in a battle. The more we listen and obey, the arrows and attacks increase. But our God is bigger!

My Friend E asked me the other day: If we are Gods warrior princes, and princesses, and we are leading God's army, who is behind you?
Today that was very real. Jesus is behind us and backs us up. He sends his angels to charge, we are not alone. Do not be afraid.

This was one lesson that sunk deep into my heart today. Don't be afraid. Ask and obey. We are in the LORD's army :) YesSir!
Time for bed. Night.

Ephesians 6:10-19
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

~R

Clear accounts quickly

we were privalaged to go to the same church as last week :)! Praise the Lord how links between faces and people are becoming clearer as the days go by. Out has been about a week now since our out reach in CR started, and it has been amazing to see the different style of challenges we have faced. But God is faithful and multiplies what we have when we offer him the things we have been entrusted which. One key thing I have been learning is that God does not need. He does not need. He asks from us not because he needs, but because we need. We need many things. But first thing is first, the heart. For us to enjoy his love and outpouring Grace, we have to surrender what we have. My friend E explained this to me the other night... If we always get what we want and we never have to forgo something, it cripples us. Thus, to grow, there needs to be a cost; for things to be cherished there needs to be a price, even if it is minuscule, costing something is important for growth.

It is amazing to see our reactions in different Cultures. Once you become expectant, Joy is easily sapped from the gift. We loose motivation to work, or value of things. God creates and places value in things. Think about people. Each has a value and a purpose. If you miss the purpose and skip over to a problem, though you are tying to help, it may not be helping. Instead it may lead to embarrassment, diminished sense of dignity and even at times reliance. But to empower some one creates the opposite. It creates a motivation to work-which remember... Is one of the mandates given to humankind! Sweet eh? :) God bless. He is an amazingly deep God!

Dare to think deeper!

Ps. Need prayer 250 for the students are needed before they come back. We are preparing the dorms and cleaning up the damages. But we need these mattresses for the students who are coming near and far; from normal Thai to the Hill Tribes that have their own language. I think there are 6 different ones. Thanks for all the prayers. It really makes a difference.

~rachel

Redemptions call- April 21

the harder topics are the ones which we avoid. This morning was my turn to lead Intersession. While preparing trying to see what was the topic or verses for our group. James 3 continued to resign ate on my heart. I felt a strong block. For some reason verses and direction did not flow as I had expected or usually feel. Leading is a bit tricky. Especially when asking a God who I  not limited by human standards. More than I can understand. Who am I to understand or ask God how to interpret or speak about His words.

I fell asleep unexpectedly and dreamt long, as I woke up I was super nervous. Though I feel like God was asking me to rely on him and letting his words flow, I wanted to be clear and know before hand. as I was washing my clothes in out Hotel bathroom (we are staying at the ymca), I kept asking God to k ow what he would have me speak about. Again just hearing that it would be about James 3.

Closer to our devotion and worship time, I began getting impatient and nervous, feeling still unprepared to lead. During worship, Star led and opened with a song about repentance and being humble before God. It was amazing to see how the Holy Spirit prepares the way for things to follow. It proceeded to getting to a song about cleansing, and redemption. One sister prayed and encouraged us that God wants us to look past our current situation and hold on to the Hope of God's bigger plan. We ended singing God of this City by Chris Tomlin. So cool right!

Next it was my turn. Beginning with a bit of silence, and opening in prayer by one of our brothers, nervously I asked for a few volunteers to take turns reading the passage. Later, when it was my turn to read two versus, a heavy weight fell on my heart as I finished up to verse 12.

There was an intense burning in my heart and weight to the things that came out of my mouth. One of the sisters yesterday mentioned that it is the little things that build up and make an impact. The little things that build and make up our character. Just like the little things which leave an impression on others, so are words. It can take one word to build up or even one to tear down. But how much do we say unintentionally to break? Yet like accidentally forgetting the small amount of yeast in a bread recipe, it can change the entire outcome. When representing God's kingdom, we need to be rooted in His word and be mindful of the things we say and do. We are free peoples! We are also harvesters, and for this time here given the task to harvest. I know to be called there would be a need that is expressed. Hearts cry to the Lord for people to help with the harvest, and that is when He provides. Build one another up and carry each others burdens.

Later...
In the afternoon,  Mr.John came to speak to us about culture and the ministry here in Chiang Rai. It was so cool to see how many echoes of the things we talked about and heard in the morning were confirmed. The Holy Spirit uses God's word to pave the way, then affirms the message later--when no one knew what the other person would talk about. Even with such an overwhelming task, it is the little things that count. You do not have to do much. But many workers doing something little creates a unified change. So is the Message of the Gospel. It starts with something so little. Hope. Faith. An act of love. The ripple effect is what is so amazing to see. But it can change.

Right now just to serve as a servant to servants. :)
What is so cool is no matter what field you are called in, what venue you use, you only have this time. Use it! People say all the time You only live life once (YOLO),--which can be taken in many ways-- which way will you live if you know you only have today? It starts with the small things.

<3 all="" along="" and="" are="" be="" but="" celebrate="" could="" doing="" enjoy="" every="" given="" glory="" god="" guys="" hearts.="" here="" i="" in="" industry="" is="" laugh="" many="" may="" meet="" minds="" miss="" nation="" of="" or="" over="" p="" peace="" sector="" side="" silly="" so="" talk="" that="" the="" there="" time="" to="" together="" tribe="" we="" wish="" with="" work="" world="" you.="" you="" your="">
Verses:
James 3:1-12

1 John 4:4;11-14


~Rachel

Learing then processing.

Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

It is so cool. Thursday night, I finished watching Divergent with my girls here. It was a movie that I began to watch on a late night with Sherley from back home, but we did not get to finish it because it was so late and I had a lot of work to do. I love action movies, although it was not like a war movie's level of action, but the excitement of challenging and standing apart was food for thought as I took a night walk. The rain had just finished pouring (which was loud and powerful during the movie, adding to the suspence). 

It is so cool to see the things that excite us. Somthing that I forget sometimes or even try to avoid, but God is a powerful One right:) He is just. He is truth. The movie strikes up courage to stand out if needed to do what is right, to fight against the norms. Even more, it shows the potency of judgement and objectivising people. We are NOT a problem that needs to be fixed. When ever there is something Good, there will be a potential for corruption. It does not mean the thing is bad, but it does mean that it needs to be redeemed. Just like me. 

God is so good! 
Movie Moment. :) 

~Rachel