All posts tagged: Christ

Our awareness directs our action

In Genesis 28, Jacob was running away because of his lies in the past. He was at a low point in his life – in the desert both figuratively and physically. However, God reassured His promises even though Jacob knew that he messed up repeatedly. Jacob was in no position to earn God’s favor but God promised to be with him. This event marked the beginning of Jacob’s lifelong relationship with God. Since then, he operated his life at a higher level, he believed God even through the tough times in his life. He trusted God’s promise in the midst of being taken advantage of by his Uncle Laban over and over again. His awareness expanded beyond the physical realm.

‎”Our awareness directs our action and our collective action changes our culture.” ~Merlin Gonzales

We are aware of the benefits of exercise. How about eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep, living a less stressful life and the importance of education? All these are good information that everyone should know about. It could change how you feel, how you look and how you live. But they are only information; unless you act on them, they will remain in your head and they may not have a direct effect in your life.

Awareness directs our action but only when you act on it, then it will have impact on your life. You act on things that are important and according to your priority. A good example that all of us can relate to is breathing. Everything stops in your life until you have your next breath. If you are under the water and needing to breath, you don’t stop to think about the nice coral or fish next to you. All your energy, all your focus will be to swim above the water. The information of not breathing is good but until you act on it, you’ll die.

Our next step is to expand our awareness of the Kingdom so we can see what’s available to us and how we can act on it. If all the aspects of your life, your family, your work, your money, your business, your promotion and your future depends on the Kingdom of God, what would you do today, tomorrow or the rest of your life? How would your priorities change, how would you rearrange your schedule, where will your focus be?

My next Blog will be about simple steps to expand our awareness of the Kingdom.

Merlin GonzalesOur awareness directs our action
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April 28, 2013: Sermon by Merlin Gonzales at Deer Creek Community Church, ArtSees Diner Radio

artseesdiner bannerListen to Merlin Gonzales, author of Kingdom in Our Midst, and founder of Faith, Hope and Love, International – Indianapolis on ArtSees Diner Radio this Sunday, April 28 at 10am

“Take a fresh look at your neighborhood” is the topic of Merlin’s message Sunday. Listen live at ArtSees Diner Radio.

Where: ArtSees Diner Radio

When: Sunday, April 28, 2013

9:00am CDT, 10am EDT

 

Selena Design BlessingsApril 28, 2013: Sermon by Merlin Gonzales at Deer Creek Community Church, ArtSees Diner Radio
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April 24, 2013: Kingdom In Our Midst Series #4 on ArtSees Diner Radio

artseesdiner bannerKingdom In Our Midst Series – Featuring Merlin Gonzales is a special presentation brought to you by ArtSees Diner Radio, and ArtSees Production. The week series with author, community activist and church leader Merlin Gonzales. Merlin founded Faith Hope and Love Intl., which collaborates with churches crossing denominational lines. He has developed the concept of “Mission Trips in Your Own Backyard” to unify the Body of Christ by bringing the love of God into the community. Merlin’s messages and teachings are about raising up a generation passionate for God to build a legacy of transformation.

7pm eastern time!

Where: ArtSees Diner Radio

When: Wednesday, April 24, 2013

6:00pm until 8:30pm CDT, 7pm EDT

Selena Design BlessingsApril 24, 2013: Kingdom In Our Midst Series #4 on ArtSees Diner Radio
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The Next Step

Previously, I wrote the article about Missional Community and the most recent one was about taking the time to be intentional to have a transformational community.

I mentioned that I will be writing about the next step towards building missional community. In order for us to have lasting changes, we need to build a strong foundation. Our foundation is the Biblical Principles.

I am currently conducting a teaching series on “a study on Living in God’s Dominion Here on Earth.” Here’s Session #1 Introduction to the Kingdom

Be blessed!

Merlin

Merlin GonzalesThe Next Step
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Take the time and be intentional

Completed  illustration of the KIOM Video Trailer

Completed illustration of the KIOM Video Trailer

You are probably wondering what the heck the image above is. Well, check this video to see Take a fresh look at your communities.

In my previous Blog, I asked you to take a second look at your community. What did you see? Did you walk your neighborhood, did you talk to the people in your church or in your school or the Cashier at a grocery store?

If you were not able to, there’s grace for all of us. But if you did take the time to “explore the land”, you should notice some obvious things that became familiar or were neglected – in the physical, emotional or spiritual realm.

Two years ago, I found out that my cholesterol was high. I tried to eat healthy foods and I exercised regularly. However, the busyness in my ministry prevented me from following through what I’ve started. Last Saturday, I found out that my triglycerides was very high.  If I wanted to live longer and live a healthy life, I need to take the time to exercise and to be intentional to eat healthy foods. (I’ve started eating healthy foods and did some exercise last night and this morning – shoveling snow).

So the first step in order for us to have healthy neighborhoods, we will need to the take time to see what’s happening and we need to be intentional. In order for a change to happen, we need to know what needed changes. We need to find what the problem, then we can start finding the solution.

BTW, hope you liked the video trailer; please consider sharing it with others as we work towards missional communities.

Merlin GonzalesTake the time and be intentional
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