Freedom

Faith

My freedom only comes when I completely surrender with everything I am to God and a love that never fails…

In the spirit of 4^th of July, the shout of independence reigns free throughout the United States.  The idea of freedom coincides with the idea of bondage.  What things tie me down and break me? How many times do the things of this world subjugate my demise?  When will the curtains of sin stop clothing my life?  I don’t want to be a prisoner to the law of sin.  I find hope, power, and liberation to overcome sin only through Jesus Christ.  I am not bound to this world and appreciate the place the Holy Spirit has in my life and the promise of both present and future blessing God has for me as His child. 

In Romans 8 Paul outlines how in Christ, there is freedom for those who walk in accordance to the Holy Spirit.  It is because of the blood split from Christ that the consequence of ours sins does not condemn our death.  Rather, for those who have the Holy Spirit dwelling within, we are led to be heirs with Christ. 

Our future glory resides in our sufferings.  Against the will of sin we remain patient with faith for the revealing and “glorious freedom from death and decay,” Romans 8:22.  There is freedom when the Holy Spirit intercedes for us as we pray.  There is freedom for those who love God and surrender to His purpose.  There is freedom in all things working together for God.  And there is freedom for those God elects to conquer over all things.

We recently had Michael Franzese speak at Crossraods and one of the most influential things he said while being interviewed by Pastor Chuck was that he always accepted Jesus Christ, but it was only when he surrendered himself to the will of God was he finally freed. 

Dear God,

Your love brings me to my knees and I won’t stop believing that you alone bring the lost back home, Your cause is good, You are the light, and Your love is my freedom. 

I love you.

Here's a clip from Michael Franzese, former mob boss for the Colombo crime family in New York, now a servant of God.

Food

Nutella Ravioli!!! 

I actually made this as well for my friend Mayra's engagement party.  Perfect dessert I must say.  Adopted from my favorite Giada De Laurentiis.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chocolate-hazelnut-ravioli-recipe/index.html

I added strawberries... nice addition I must say... ENJOY!!!

Furry Animals

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep your animals hydrated and cool!!!!  So important when California gets hot like this... Don't make the foolish mistake of thinking your animals are okay outside.  If they are, make sure you have more than enough water and shade available for them.  Or be nice to your pets who love and adore you and let them hang inside.  If it's hot for you, its hotter for them.  Hose them down if you have to or take them swimming. And if your dog is just plain weird and enjoys falling asleep in the spa, God bless their little hearts... 

Dexter passed out in the spa... Laura provided him with a pillow

Raft and life vest... Safety first...

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

Prayers Answered

There will be no post regarding my food or my furry animals.  I truly felt that God wanted me to share my story of His never ending love so please bare with me and I hope you enjoy my testimony on how God has already begun to answer my prayers...

Faith:

I didn’t think I would be writing another entry til later this week but I can’t wait to share how amazingly wonderful our God is.  So last Sunday I decided to get baptized on Father’s day with two intentions.  Aside from deciding to change my life around, which by the way is going great (Praise God), I really wanted to invite my dad to come to Church in hopes that he could experience the love of Jesus Christ as I have.  Up until my baptism, I believe my dad hadn’t stepped foot in a church for almost 20 years.  Now a little background on the family dynamic between my dad could be described in one word, which is “non-existent”… My dad and I haven’t been close for quite some time.  Being a first generation Korean and I being the white wash Asian everyone knows me to be, communication is not our strong suit.  Language barrier on top of cultural differences makes for a difficult and often times uncomfortable confrontation as to who I am and who I was expected to be.  I feel like my dad sat idly by often seeing only the superficial actions of my life without ever seeing the deeper side of me because that would only lead to awkward misunderstandings and miscommunications.  I believe I grew up on my own and my dad wasn’t really in the picture.  He never knew who I truly was and there was no way he could find out when one or two words every other day signified the gist of our relationship.  Despite our lack of relationship, I never yearn to change it because it was so much easier not talking than it was to actually sit down and get to know one another.  It wasn’t one of my top priorities and I was merely satisfied in saying “hey dad” when I was home and “see you later” when I left.  It wasn’t until I truly knew my Lord Father that I realized how the relationship with my dad was below sub-par. God truly opened my eyes to something I never knew I wanted which was for my own dad to come to church and for him to know the God that I know, who is full of love and hope.  I prayed that my baptism would start a fire in my dad’s heart.  This is where majority of my quiet time and prayers went and I can humbly say with tears of praise and gratitude in my eyes that God has started a revival in my dad’s heart.  Unbeknownst to me, my dad and mom went to my church’s 9am service while I was serving in the nursery.  Two missed calls and voicemails later my mom said, “hey, we’re here” and “hey, we’re leaving.” This sent shocks of gratitude through my body, which I can only describe as the Holy Spirit working through me. Could it be that my dad decided to come to another service despite the fact he can barely understand pastor Chuck?  Did my dad really just come to church… again??? Was the message really about marriage??? The answer to all these questions wass YES!!!!!  After listening to my voicemail I tried to reach my mom but didn’t get through and being I was ready to go to the 11am service I told myself I would call her back when I was done.  However I forgot in the midst of my responsibilities as a discipleship trainee and went about fulfilling the duties required by the program.  When we finally finished at 7:30pm, yes I was at church for over 12 hrs and yes every minute of it was amazing, I realized I had another missed call, but it was from my dad.  I tried to call him back but he didn’t answer and as I walked to my car, I found a note on a flier for women’s ministry that read, “ We love you (Jenn), mom and dad.” Right as I finished reading the words, tears begas to swell up in my eyes, and right at that moment my dad called me back.  He called to ask how I was doing and applauded my perseverance in serving all day at church.  I could barely get words out of my mouth when my mom asks to speak to me and proceeded to tell me how my dad stood up in tears during the 9am worship and how much they both enjoy coming to Crossroads.   God went above and beyond in answering my prayers and I can truly say how blessed I am to serve such a loving God.  He truly is my Savior. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 it is written that,

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. “

With this I pray,

Dear Lord Father,

I sit here with only one thought in my mind, which is to praise You with all my heart and all my soul.  I am so unworthy of Your love and yet You never cease to give so abundantly.   Words are not enough to describe Your endless love and I can’t wait for the day when I come before You and You welcome me home.  I pray that I only grow more and more in my faith and I just want to say how much I fall in love with You every day.  I pray that as I discipline myself in Your word that my heart is revived each and every time.  I pray that I always thirst for You and that my thirst is never satisfied except when I drink of You.  You alone are worthy and You alone provide.  I love you God and the grace You have shown me and my dad.  I pray that he continues to feel Your presence working through him and that he steps forward into Your arms.  Let the small fire you have lit in his heart ignite with passion and zeal for You Father.  I humbly fall on my knees and thank You once again for the work You are doing in my life.  I love You!!!

Always,

Your humble servant.

With this I invite all the women who read this to number 1, Radiant Woman's Bible Study on Thursday nights at 6:45 and number 2, everyone to Generate on Wednesday nights at 7:30... It will truly change your life... It has for me, and it continues to do so... Message me if you have any questions!!!! 

New Beginnings

Faith 

This is a new beginning.  Recently I rededicated myself to Christ and got baptized. Thinking back to when I got baptized at such a young age, I realize now more than ever the true significance of what Jesus sacrificed.  Baptism is the outward expression of the inward miracle and my miracle is that I am saved and loved by my Lord and Savior.  I was dead and now I am alive with the Holy Spirit.  I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and I accept Him as my Savior.  I repent all my sins and I'm turning my life around.  I am putting my past behind me and I fully put my life and trust into Jesus' hands ready and willing to do His will whatever it made be.  

"One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism."

Ephesians 4:5

Special thanks to my friend Rayna Horton who has showed me such love and support from the moment I decided to come back home... You are truly a blessing.

I don't really remember anything Rayna was saying to me at this point...

Baptized by full immersion... 

Food

I recently threw a small engagement party for my friend Mayra in hopes of getting to know the other bridesmaids and decided to serve some Chicken Cacciatore.  I adopted this recipe from one of my favorite tv cooks Giada De Laurentiis.  Her style of cooking is so contagious to watch and I have to say falling asleep to the foodnetwork on numerous occasions has inspired me to be the cook I am today. This is her recipe for Chicken Cacciatore and its muy muy delicioso!!   

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chicken-cacciatore-recipe/index.html

I've made this countless number of times and fiddled with the ingredients here and there but what I made with the leftovers is what is featured below.  

Toasted French bread with extra virgin olive oil, chicken cacciatore sauce, and a sunny side up egg.  Breakfast was good...

Furry Animals

The first post has to include the love of my life, my Rottweiler Bear.  Words can't describe the love I have for this kid and his loyalty and love for me reminds me of the childlike faith I strive for with my Abba, Father the Lord Jesus Christ.  Funny that I get inspiration from my dog yes, but for those who know my dog know how intelligent and loyal he is to me and I to him.  I have never found such obedience in any other breed and compared to my French Bulldog who challenges my patience everyday, Bear tends to remind me to be the type of person he knows and loves me to be.  With that being said, this portion of the blog will be used to help people with questions about their dog whether it be about vaccinations or surgeries.  I am in no means a veterinarian but I am working on getting my technicians license.  I have  however worked with animals all my life and for the things I do not know, I will surely seek advisement and answers from professionals such as my boss and other colleagues.  

Bear in my Lakers jersey <3

I try and raise him right...

"Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; clint to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves."

Romans 12:9-10