Teresa Ortiz

How important is the word of God to you – does it have any bearing on your faith? It’s a sad thing that in our country Christians do not feel the need to read the Bible, while in other countries Christians literally die for a chance to get a hold of one page.This brings a sadness and conviction to my heart. I am guilty at times of letting a week or two go by without opening my Bible. Life is busy, you know. It’s not enough to live off of Christian music or a message or two during the week by our favorite Bible teacher. We need to have our own encounter with God’s word and invite His Holy Spirit to teach us.

Lately I have been thinking about a lot of the questions that come my way from new believers and from those who want to convert me to their faith. They want to talk about what they believe or what they think, but when it comes to the Bible, they don’t want to discuss it. Why is this? One Christian woman actually told me that she depends on the Holy Spirit to be her guide. ” It’s all about Jesus and love ” . If this were true, why did Jesus put a lot of emphasis on the Scriptures? I don’t claim to have all the answers, but when it comes to the basic understanding of what it means to be a Christian, it should stand to reason that we go to the source that guides us into the truth of God.

With this thought in mind, it seemed a good time to look at a few passages of Scripture that teach us why the word of God is so important to those who claim to believe. It is my prayer that each of us would be reminded and renewed in our relationship with God through the study of His word. Anything less than His word will make us weak Christians at best. At worst, we may find that we were never saved to begin with – by then, though, it will be too late.

” The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. ” Psalm 11:6

” So shall My word go forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it ” Isaiah 45:11

” For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit and joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ” Hebrews 4:12

“ But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” 1 John 2:5

” Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. ” Psalm 119:105

” He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called , ‘the Word of God ” . Revelation 19:13

” And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. ” John 1:14

We are told that Jesus Himself is the word of God. If we Really wanted to know God, why wouldn’t we study His word?

True, we need the Holy Spirit to understand His ways, we need to be born again by the Spirit of God, but how will we know if we are listening to the right spirit if we are unfamiliar with with His word?

Sadly, many of those that begin a conversation with me regarding God, never bring Him up again. Perhaps it’s because they don’t really want to know the truth.

We must remember it’s not about what we ” believe ” or ” think ” , it is about what the Word of God says is true.

Jesus says – the WORD – says, ” I am the way the truth and the life, no one gets to the Father but by me ” .

There may be many roads that lead to heaven, but there is only One that will allow you to stay there. Every other way is counterfiet – so says the WORD.

In the Beginning was the Word – Do you really believe?

This year, like pretty much every year, had its ups and downs. There was accomplishment and regret; joy and sorrow; gain and loss. Each year I tell myself that next year will be better – I said that at the end of last year – and here we are, can you relate?

All week one of my favorite passages of Scripture has been at the forefront of my mind, so I thought I would share it with you.

“Not that I have already attained, or am perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself as apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward for those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:12-14

What does this mean in English?  Simply this; I am not perfect. During this past year I have made some stupid and sinful decisions and I have made some wise and Godly decisions; I have blessed others with words of encouragement and I have hurt them with thoughtless words and selfish deeds.  The thing is, I have sought forgiveness and have learned to do things better next time around. The truth is, when any of us cling too tightly to the past, we have no room in our hands to receive the new that await us.

This is especially true in our relationship with God. We don’t need to pretend to be perfect, but we better not be using this fact as an excuse to sin and  we should seek to do better – for ourselves and for those we love.

Today  I can see many benefits to the struggles of last year and I welcome the blessing which came from them. Same goes for my accomplishments. I know I am rambling here, but I do have a point – bare with me.

Forgetting the things that are behind me, does not mean pretend they didn’t happen or wish them away, for to wish the year away, is to dismiss all that helped us become stronger – good and bad.

Instead, it means to let them rest in a quiet place in our hearts so that we may reach for them in time of need; build upon them and grow even stronger. Whether it be as parents, as husbands or wives, single, or as employees.

My encouragement to you and to myself is this – reach foward with hearts and eyes wide open to embrace the opportunities that God will lay before us. Live realistically, knowing that a rough time or two or three will come upon us. Use them as tools to grow; enjoy and embrace the good that will come and don’t deny yourself a good cheer when things go well.

May your vision of the New Year be sweet – May God grace you with your needs and give you courage when you find yourself on your knees.

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Amen

Teresa

After being away for 15 years, I wasn’t sure how easy it would be to adjust. I am amazed at how easy it has been – right down to navigating my way through high speeds on the freeway to the bumper to bumper traffic.  I suppose I am a city girl at heart. Or is it just that I know we are exactly where we are supposed to be for this season in our lives?

Many of God’s plans and purposes have already been revealed in these four weeks since we have returned.  We are still searching for a new church home, so Christian fellowship is next to nil. However, a time of personal study, prayer, and growth seems to be the challenge for now.  As if God is using our new environment to challenge us and teach us to stand in Him and for Him in new ways. 

If you are feeling on the outs in your walk with God, use this time to turn inward and study the word – just you and the Holy Spirit. Who knows the plans He has that may require you to have had that special time of fellowship.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealved in the last time. In this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuiness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jeus Christ…” 1 Peter 1:3-7

Many blessings to you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The last two weeks have been packed – literally.  My husband will be home just in time to help pack up the rest of our belongings. The time has finally arrived. All the unknowns of the past year and our times of separation have come to an end. Our move to California will be complete by month’s end.  Alas! A new season of unknowns are ahead of us, but by the grace of God, we will face them together.

We are anxious to find a new place of fellowship and are open to what God has planned for us. I will be watching and waiting (hopefully) patiently and prayerfully for the doors of new ministry to open.  In the meantime, I will continue to study and write articles once we are settled in our new home.

I know my family is not alone in this season of change and I am praying for peace and courage to face what lies ahead for others who have been forced to step out of their comfort zone just to survive.  God is good, and He will never abandon His children. We need only be open to the new things He is doing and that He desires us to do – as a result we will grow and when we grow, we have new opportunities to minister to those who have no hope.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing…”

May the Lord go before you – I’ll be back on-line sometime after November 4th.

Share your thoughts, we are in this together!

Blessings to you! T

Even though I know I have been forgiven and freed from my past, there are those times when the devil comes to whisper (more like shout) in my ear with a voice of condemnation that says, “Do you really think God would forgive you for all those things that you have done?”

During these times, I have a choice to make. I can give into his lies and begin to doubt God’s love for me, or I can take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, stand firm and fight! I choose to fight.

If you find yourself in this place today, I pray with all of my heart that you will take a moment and do the same. 

Free from the past:

“Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be-you get a fresh start, you’re slates wiped clean. Count yourself lucky-God holds nothing against you and you’re holding nothing back from him. When I kept it all inside, my bones turned to powder, my words became daylong groans. The pressure never let up; all the juices of my life dried up. Then I let it all out; I said, “I’ll make a clean breast of things to GOD.” Suddenly the pressure was gone-my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared. Psalm 32:1-5 (The message)

“For if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 ( NKJV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away. Behold, all things become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)

“There is therefore, now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2 (NKJV)

“…For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jeremiah 31:34 (NKJV)

“But let all those rejoice who trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them. Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. For You, oh Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him with a shield.” Psalm 5:11-12 (NKJV)

Heavenly Father,

You have promised us freedom from

 guilt and shame.

From the moment we come to you

and confess, you choose to

 forget our sin. We can’t thank you enough.

 Father, help us to recognize the voice

 of the enemy so that we are not

brought to a place of doubt.

Teach us to fight as we put Your word

 into our hearts so that we would believe

that we are free from our past.

 In the name of Jesus, Amen

I pray your heart will be encouraged this day. Go in the grace of God.  Many blessings to you! T

One of the many things that come up when studying with a new believer is doubt. This is normal because everything society and science from a secular standpoint teaches the exact opposite of the word of God. 

Conversion is real, experiencing forgiveness of sin is an unexplainable joy – we know in our heart of hearts that  God is real, so we begin to study the Bible. However, we find that it is foreign, it is confusing, and it is challenging.

Our first thought is to run back to our old ways, yet the Holy Spirit will not let us go so easily.  Pretty soon, the peace that is promised is gone.

When God gives me the privilege to share the Gospel with another, I always make known the realities of becoming a Christian.  It is not easy, but worth every minute of it.  I explain that when the Light is revealed to us, we see that our “mistakes” or “bad choices” are actually sin. Something real and spiritual happens the moment we surrender our lives to Christ and we acquire a new enemy; Satan himself.

His job from the moment of our salvation is to do everything in his power to confuse us. Not that he creates situations, instead he uses the opportunities we place in front of him.

For example, if we are a student of science, our natural desire would be to use science to make sense of the Bible, this is a great quest. The problem however, is that we are not seeking out Science by the hand of incredible men and women of faith.  We run to what we are comfortable with and that is to use the resources of the secular and often times, atheistic points of view.  This does nothing more than confuse us, because the message seems to conflict.

Other times, we try to justify our sinful lifestyle by using the world’s standard instead of the biblical standard. This too causes grief, because we have to choose what we will follow. 

When we surrender our lives to Christ, we are saying we are no longer going to live according to our own standard, but live by God’s instead. But dying to the “old” us, is not so easy.

Becoming a Christian means much more than staking claim in a religion. It means we acknowledge we are a sinner in need of a Savior, it means acknowledging there is a heaven and a hell and without the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we would be destined to hell. Even Jesus told his disciples to count the cost.

Despite all of this, doubt does not remain. We can have victory over our moments of frustration with our new found faith. But the only way it will happen is if we continually run to God and immerse ourselves in His word and surround ourselves with mature believers.  In this we begin to see the beauty of God’s plan and His character and pretty soon those old ways no longer pull at us. In Christ Jesus there is fullfillment and joy while on this earth. We are free to enjoy God’s creation with being hindered by the things that had us bound and miserable before we surrendered to Christ.

We can count on it, for it is promised to us in His word. The question is, are we willing to pursue God with the same gusto as we pursue other things in life.

So when in doubt, run to God, not away.

Blessings to you! T

Don’t get all excited. This isn’t what you think. It’s a snake story of a different kind.

I love all sorts of animals. They don’t have to be furry and cute. They can be lumpy and ugly or scaly and yet somehow compellingly beautiful.

I have respect for all living things (and a lot of non-living things as well … rocks mainly) and the insect world is part of that. Cockroaches are not intrinsically bad. They are just “bad” because of the ultimate results if we were to allow them to share our homes … so we don’t. It’s a shame that it has to end so badly for the roaches. Snakes are not intrinsically bad either, but not everyone feels this way; my husband included. A measure of his devotion to me is the suffering he has had to endure because of my obsession with animals of all kinds. He’s learned not to kill the spiders living in our house. When the bugs get to be too much for him, he gently puts them outside.

One day, needing to get out of the house and move a bit after sitting at the computer for hours, I took a walk by myself. My husband, Bernd, and I usually do this together. It’s a lot more fun that way. We can ooh and ahh over the cute cottontail rabbits or the baby quail. But he was at work and I had no choice but to go it alone.

When we walk together we follow a two-mile route and when I walk by myself, I take the same route. A little less than half way through it, I came upon two older women (older than me, that is) standing in the homeowner’s driveway (I know the homeowner only to say “hi” in passing to her) about 25 feet away from a car parked on the street.

I said “hi” as usual and instead of saying “hi” back (as usual), she launched into a short speech. The gist of it was that her friend wanted to get in her car and leave, but that she could not because there was a big, huge snake underneath it.

Suddenly my brain was all lit up and saying something like, “Snake? Snake. Really? A snake.” And I just had to take a look see. I walked over to the car and got down on my hands and knees and peered cautiously under the car. I’m not totally reckless. There was a big snake under there alright. It had probably crawled under there to get out of the sun and find a little bit of coolness. When I straightened up, the two ladies had moved further away and more toward the house.

I told them that yup, that was a big snake alright and that I could try to get it out from under the car if they wanted. They said go ahead, but moved even further away. Well, they didn’t know what it might do when I tried to roust it.

I sat on my butt and stuck my leg under the car and just managed to nudge it with my foot. I did this several times before it decided that its shady spot had become way to busy to stay any longer and it started to move out from under the car. It headed for the bushes at the front of the woman’s property and that’s when she started yelling. She didn’t want it in her bushes any more than they wanted it under the car.

I leaped up and went after it. Luckily for me (and them), the snake had cooled off enough under the car that it was a bit sluggish. Snakes can move freakishly fast for all that they have no legs. At any rate, in no time I had the thing in my hands and we were busily getting acquainted. I was delighted, it was not so much so.

When I looked over at the two ladies they were now hugging each other and standing with their backs right up against the garage door. I have a healthy respect for the venomous snakes and wouldn’t dream of trying to handle one of those. But I’ve never understood the average person’s fear of snakes in general (I’m in no way trying to imply that I am anything but average). By the way, most non-venomous snakes (emphasis on the most) have round pupils in their eyes. Most venomous snakes have slitted pupils (like a cat’s). In the gloom under the car, though, I couldn’t be completely certain because, like a cat’s pupils, a venomous snake’s slitted pupils will also open up into a round shape. But it didn’t have a rattle or other warning markings.

So I was standing there with the snake trying to wriggle out of my grasp and waiting for a thank you, but all I got was a nervous, “What are you going to do with it,” from the homeowner. I assured her that I would take it far, far away before letting it go.

Me and the snake continued on with my walk. I was home before I realized it and I still had the snake in my hands. I’d met a couple of people along the way and they all kept well away from me. No one commented, however. Apparently it is best not to mess with someone who has a snake in her hands. I also realized that somewhere along the line, I had decided to keep it.

That snake was probably six feet long and was quite heavy. It was cool to the touch and smooth as silk. The play of its muscles while I held it in my hands was like music. So I put it in a big, cardboard box along with a bowl of water in case it was thirsty. I left it alone for the rest of the day. I figured it’d had enough excitement for a while and might want to rest. When Bernd got home from work, I told him I had something really neat to show him.

I took him to the box and opened the lid. We both bent over and looked inside. I said, “Oh, it’s gone.” Bernd said, “What’s gone?” He didn’t just say this like you might ask what’s for dinner. There was a bit more anxiety in the question than that. He knows me so well.

I saw that the snake had spilled its water which had softened the cardboard, which had allowed it to make a hole (on the back side of the box) in order to escape. Wiley snake. So I explained all this to Bernd and he said, “I can see that, but what was in the box?”

When I told him it was a six foot long snake, he said, “By God (see, this is where the religion comes into it … it’s very thin, I know, but there you are), you will find that snake before we go to bed tonight because I am not going to fall asleep with a snake loose in the house.” I didn’t really see the problem, but got right on it anyway. I do love him and don’t like to see him upset.

Bernd went into our bedroom (he didn’t shut the door, he has more sense than that) to change out of his work clothes and I put on my thinking cap. I figured it was just looking for a quieter place to hide (the nook off the kitchen is a well traveled area) and hadn’t really gone far. I started looking in the den and found it in no time. It was behind a couple of pillows that were on the floor against a wall.

I carried it into the bedroom and said to Bernd, “Look. I found it. Can I keep it?” His eyes had gone really wide, but I suspected it wasn’t with admiration for the beauty of it. Then he got this very sly and thoughtful look on his face and instead of just saying “no,” he said, “What are you going to feed it?” That’s when it hit me. I was most likely going to have to either buy or live-trap mice for it to eat. I was going to have to put the poor little live mice into the snake’s house for it to catch and devour. So I said, “I’ll just take it down to Clipper Wash right now and let it go.” That brought a smile to Bernd’s face.

I took it down to the wash and found a nice quiet and concealed spot in which to let it go. When I put it down, it didn’t rush off as I thought it would. It stayed right there, next to my feet for several moments. I told it to be safe and have a nice life and walked away a bit. When I turned for one last look, it was gone. As much as I love the wild things, it probably is best to simply leave them that way. I know it would make Bernd very happy.

Dianne Lehmann is a jewelry designer who has been in business since January of 2000. Her interest in designing and manufacturing jewelry goes back beyond that to 1994. It took her many years of trying various creative outlets to finally figure out that making jewelry is where she could really shine. Dianne began with simply stringing beads onto cable and has progressed from there. She is now an accomplished lapidary (cuts and polishes stones) and silversmith. Dianne and her husband, Bernd, live in northern Arizona and both love to hike. Dianne can not help but pick up rocks (they are her first love) and some of these find their way into her jewelry. Dianne makes one-of-a-kind pieces that she hopes give people as much joy to view as she gets from the making of them. If you like, you may view her work at http://www.syzygyjewelry.com To read more of her writing, visit  http://searchwarp.com/Author102664.htm

I am amazed at how easily I can slip into that place of self-sufficiency – staying busy taking care of important and necessary details of life, but forgetting the most important thing; sitting at my Father’s feet.

This past Wednesday night, I was reminded of  how Peter and the boys were blessed after they were honest in answering Jesus’ question; have you any fish? Most fisherman – I learned – do not like to admit they haven’t caught any fish after being out on the water for any length of time, it could imply they don’t know what they are doing.

What a revelation to me – I had to come to the feet of Jesus and admit I don’t know what I am doing – my nets are empty. As I poured out my heart before him regarding our new journey of unknowns, peace flooded my soul and I was able to relax for the first time in weeks.

My “To Do” list is still long, but now I face it with ease, first spending time with my Lord, trusting him to fill my “net” with my daily needs and knowing he will make the path clear when it is time to take the next step.

When Jesus taught us how to pray, I don’t think it was a mistake when he said, “give us day by day, our daily bread”. One day at a time is enough.

If you have been running on empty pretending to be full, stop. Spend time at the feet of Jesus, admit your net is emtpy and let him fill it with the proper fuel.

Blessings to you! T

Guest writers coming soon! Contact Teresa if you would like to be her guest!

July 2009

To whom it may concern:

RE: Teresa Ortiz

With great enthusiasm, I whole-heartedly recommend Teresa Ortiz for employment in your company.

For a year and a half I have had the privilege of having Teresa work for my organization, at first on a volunteer basis and then as a paid writer, writing coach, and web site manager.  During this time, Teresa has far exceeded our requirements and expectations. 

As a writer, Teresa has continually shown herself as having superior talent for communicating to her readers in a very clear, concise, and often-humorous way.

As a writing coach, she has gracefully and intelligently encouraged and instructed other writers, which is often very difficult given the personal and egocentric nature of creative writing. 

As a web site manager, Teresa has used her talent to recruit other writers and build a welcoming and focused environment in which to operate. Her writers certainly operate as a team. 

My congratulations to you if you choose to employ Teresa Ortiz in your organization!

Sincerely,
Bruce Horst
CEO, IcoLogic, Inc – (bruce@searchwarp.com)