cielo

cielo

bright lights and romantic sounds are heard in endless directions

the chanting never ceases; the praise never tires

a drum roll feeling has led up to this point,

this point of epic awe.

the bright white lights could not be any brighter;

the sound of songs could not be any louder

“we lift our hands high; we can’t lift our hands high enough”

tears of joy say the least

euphoria never stops; euphoria never ceases

“for you have guaranteed a home for your children; the perfect father”

monks and priests lead the way as the praise from the top of their lungs lifts us higher;

nothing but incense to his name. nothing short of awe.

cielo

believers sing and praise to the one and only; the beginning and the end

the one who sent his son

to die for us.

amen.

inside scoop

The ocean calmness reflects the bright stars and its shining moon. While the white birds chirp, a sign of morning approaches. The night was calm and relaxing, leaving suspense to wonder into the day. It was once said that a sunrise resembles God’s love on earth; the more it rises, the more it illuminates. With the shining sun approaching at a quick pace, darkness seems inferior. The bright stars that once scattered endlessly throughout the sky begin to disappear. A brighter star lights up the sky, a new day has arrived.

The pieces of sand in his toes are uncomfortable. Throughout the night, he sat with nothing but a white t-shirt and khaki pants awaiting the sunrise. He has experienced the sunrise on the same beach in the same position quite a few times already, yet every time is different. “The same sun rises; the same stars set,” he says, “that’s why I keep coming back. Everything revolves around this.” An introduction to the day can be warming to soul. No matter how upsetting the previous day felt, a new day gives off a sense of hope. Hope for any human being can calm the body, just the like ocean does for him. As the locals begin to gather onto the once lonely beach, he gets up and walks off.

A luxurious getaway for most people may include travel expenses and even reservations. For him, the local coffee shop takes his mind off things. “This coffee is extremely tasty today,” he says to himself. In a blink of an eye, a former friend sees his “loneliness” and sits down at the table. “What are you doing?” the former friend asked, looking for a “lonely” answer. “I’m trying to figure out life. You interrupted me.” The harsh words were shocking and made the former friend rise from his chair and walk inside. “You would think this coffee was bitter after witnessing that,” he said to a usual acquaintance sitting nearby. He takes out his Bible and continues drinking his tasty coffee.

The season is summer. While classes continue in August, free time and personal time dominate the days for the young college student. He consistently reads novels, literature, and occasionally writes how he feels. The summer season illuminates his mind with thoughts about the previous year, thoughts that should not have been made. With regret and failure comes depression. He does not feel depressed anymore, for he found the answer to the problem. Sometimes being alone is all that is needed.

A cold shower awakens the body, and prepares the brain. Morning thoughts torture him. With no control, the thoughts seem to distract him from focus. The focus that he never had before has created another dimension for him, a dimension that has healed his wounds and broken heart.

Focusing on a book calms his sight. Sometimes summer thoughts consume his actions, even his feelings. A good novel takes his mind off of things, inserting a focus on a different area of interest. He learns about a Valkyrie, a word that he has always taken interest in. Valkyries can sometimes be described as daughters of royalty; a guardian angel perhaps. He chooses to believe in guardian angels for protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. He hates the devil. “In modern day society, the devil is everywhere. The devil sleeps next to us and the devil walks with us. If we are not holy, as the believer wishes to be, the devil can rape us of our dignity.” What about in church, the House of God? “The devil tries his hardest in the House of God. Forming lustful thoughts, traitorous tongues, and even eyes of terror, the devil is everywhere on this planet. Defeating the devil’s wishes is one of the main goals in life.” The college student takes pride in what the priest tells him. Wisdom is one of the most inspiring attributes in a human. If there is no wisdom in a person, the human fails to guide others. While listening in church, he controls his eyes. Beautiful women and strong temptations lurk in the air. The pride in his belief stabs the devil repeatedly; he wishes he could stab the devil always and forever.

The summer sun is taking a toll on his skin. The addiction to lying on the beach may hurt him in the years to come, yet, unlike other addictions, he does not mind. Slowly and casually, a beautiful female in a black bikini walks up to him in interest. Enduring in previous relationships has taught him how to treat a lady fairly and with all chaste actions possible. The nervousness, however, can sometimes be untreatable. He quickly puts in his iPod and listens to his favorite tunes. The female walks past him, hugging and kissing what seems to be an obvious boyfriend. “One day,” he says repeatedly, “one day I’ll find a woman that suites my soul.” He begins to think about his guardian angel, hoping the angel will lead him in the right direction.

An intelligent conversation took place while ordering his next day’s cup of coffee. “You have friends everywhere,” a kind man said after offering to buy his cup of coffee. “Yes, I believe it. We’re put in specific places to glorify God with our talents and wholly characteristics. Sometimes it’s impossible though.” The kind man attempts to pay the clerk of the coffee shop, only to find the clerk giving him the coffee for free. He enjoys polite and kind attributes in others; he wonders why others are dissimilar. “Have a good day sir!” With excitement he concludes the occurrence, respecting not only the man but the man’s soul as well. “You too son, Good luck on your journey.” He wishes to see this kind man again, only because these attributes are rare in today’s society. At least he thinks it is.

Some days are different than others, and as humans we live through all of them. One day may bring a stranger offering a free cup of coffee; another day rain will prevent any socialization. The activities we do when we are alone are often different when we are with others. Examples of these may include reading a book, thinking critically, and even praying. Though where in life’s rulebook does it say that these personal activities we find ourselves doing alone cannot involve others? “Hey buddy, do you mind praying with me before I go home and pray by myself?” He has been asked this question multiple times and has always laughed at the question. He thinks about it, sitting inside the coffee shop. The rain has prevented him from smoking his last cigarette, though his body thanks him. He promises himself that he will ask someone the same question before he returns home. He looks over at an elderly couple sitting across from each other, both drinking tea. The couple is reading to themselves, together. He pardons the interruption and asks, “Hello, do you mind praying with me before I go home and pray by myself?” the couple smiled at each other and a vibe of happiness flowed through their words. “Of course,” the elderly man said. “This is a new chapter in my life; a chapter that tears down the comfort zone,” he says to the coffee shop clerk after he offered his last cigarette. The critical thinking not only inspires him at times, but others as well. He believes this.

On his way home from the coffee shop, he listens to an artist named Phil Wickham. He is a huge fan of Phil’s musical talent and inspiring words. Having one hand on the wheel and one hand in the air, he sings loudly the words of God that Phil sings in harmony. In the book of Psalms, the reader interprets the words that are written on the pages. In the book of Psalms, each line was sung and meant to be sung, though reading it means no harm of course. Phil’s harmonic voice lets the young college student listen to the words written in Psalms. It is often said, “When one sings one prays twice.” He believes this.

The drive home is always different. Different thoughts mixed with different experiences flow through the head, along with musical vibes. He lies in his bed pondering about a female that has a simple, yet complex mind. The simplicity is crucial, as well as the complexity. The reading this female does always seems to astonish him, for reading in general can sometimes be difficult. She reads romantic comedies. The smile that she gives off when he is around her is everlastingly joyous. He sends her a text message, thoughtful and comical. It is interesting how a simple

“hello” can start an intelligent conversation. Such simplicity triggers a vast amount of complexity. He likes this.

That night was uncomfortable. Dreams flow though his head that do not make sense. Tossing and turning, he tries to continue his dream. Sweating yet cold, he finds himself dreaming of something bigger than he can imagine; an idea of some sort. With the pillows holding his heavy-breathing self, he wakes up to pray. “Lord show me the way in life, for there is much more to learn about You than we will ever imagine.” He sleeps.

The next day brought nothing less than excitement; his first football game. The stands were filled with thousands of fans screaming at the top of their lungs only to be entertained by two teams of masculine skill. He went with a friend of his that received season tickets for his birthday; a crucial gift for any NFL fan. While he was at the game, he recognized a former youth pastor of his. The youth pastor was accompanied by an honorable and inspiring friend. He was a friend like no other; a friend that has traveled the world from an open door that God had introduced him to. The college student looks up to both of the friends in admiration and dedication. One day, he believes, he will pursue these traits.

Peace

In Hebrew, the word peace or completeness is translated Shalom. Shalom can be used as a greeting or a personal feeling; peaceful. Peace can be achieved in various ways. One can pursue spiritual peace as well as physical peace. Musician John Mayer sings of a perfected loneliness. “‘Cause I don’t belong to anyone; nobody belongs to me,” sings the jazz artist. A peaceful state of mind can arouse as one accepts living on his own, choosing his own paths. One may have nothing to do, nowhere to be, yet perfectly free. Perfectly Shalom.

The young man sits in his college lecture hall and listens to the professor, analyzing the professor’s public speaking skills. It was once surveyed that more people on earth are afraid of public speaking than they are of death. Death can be scary, unless one knows of where his or her afterlife is and excited about it at the same time. Public speaking on the other hand does not propose a great threat. Teachers conquer it every day. Professors take advantage of the time they have with the students and understand that there is no time for stuttering or faulty speaking skills. Death is not conquerable, yet in a heavenly afterlife, shalom exists.

In the Bible, the writer of the book of Genesis gives examples of pure Shalom. The Tree Of Life, for example, shines God’s love in a form of nature. God spoke and God created it. The Tree Of Life gives off a sense of peace in Eden. As humans, just like Adam and Eve, we are tempted to choose otherwise. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil is very similar to the battles we face on a daily basis. These battles are between something good, and something evil. What God places on His earth for us are beautiful: pure, humble, and modest. Through the free will He offers, we have the ability to choose between the pure tree, and the other tree. Now the other tree looks beautiful, yet only on the outside. Once Eve ate the apple from the Tree Of Knowledge, the beautiful outside had a not-so-beautiful inside. Embarrassment and shame are not-so-beautiful traits. God’s Shalom beauty is more attractive than the opposing threat, the evil beauty; shalom-less beauty.

The young man has experienced both sides of the spectrum: good and bad. What some may consider bad, others may consider it good. Unfortunately, the bad that looks good is not nearly as pure and as good as the real good. This he knows for a fact. Through surrender, through temptation, through conquering, he understands what is right and what is just. He understands what is wrong and what is evil. He believes it is his job to express what is good to others, to open a new door to perfect peace. He believes it is his calling to reach out to others who are hurt, broken, and incomplete, only to offer love and beauty of the one who created this peace, this Shalom.

Peace part two (humility)

This shalom we speak of has a great deal of diversity. Through conversation we are able to digest one’s beliefs and understand viewpoints and lifestyles. A common goal for a lot of followers of shalom is to delete distractions. Peace within ourselves and peace with the world can get complicated when the things that we are ever so grateful for, distract us.

Distractions can be good, yet they can be bad. Some distractions may lead to finding new things, yet some distractions keep us from finding new things. How can we tell them apart? Usually when understanding what is suppose to be done at the certain time and place a distraction is obvious. It’s like something keeping you from reaching the finish line, something that is blocking your mental path to figuring out what you are suppose to figure out. As strange as this sound, it happens on a daily basis. If we begin to think about something important or interesting, someone may interrupt as a distraction, on purpose or even on accident. This struggle that we deal with is a distraction either way, a distraction that can limit what we truly want to accomplish; What God wants us to accomplish.

“I feel as if I am doing the right thing, yet I feel like I am not putting forth my entire effort because of all these distractions,” he says. He sips his coffee and his lips slightly burn due to its temperature. “I feel as if I am on the right path, but I can completely give it my all if these things didn’t exist, but they do.” As he talks to his friend at friend’s house, he realizes he is confusing himself and is looking for answers to solve the problem. His friend, understanding and wise, listens and comprehends completely what he is talking about. “With these distractions that we surround ourselves with, we need to remember what is number one.

God is number one. Number two should be family. Number three should be our neighbors, then us.” Such wise and intellectual and inspiring words are sometimes hard to grasp, yet very challenging, in a good way. God, our Savior and King, is number one, no matter what the situation is. If it is life and death, dying for God is better than dying for anything else in the world. Number two is family. Whether we enjoy our family or not, whether some times in our lives are better than others, we must follow number one’s rule of honoring thy father and thy mother. The father and mother deserve the most respect out of any human we know, whether they deserve it or not. Neighbors should be welcome to go anywhere and everywhere we go. By shining God’s light and spreading God’s word, we are able to treat our neighbors as we would treat ourselves. Through humility, we are able to put others in front of us. We are able to give rather than receive.

“While all of this sounds extremely difficult, it seems worthwhile,” he says. “While everything makes sense, it is hard not to believe that God is our Creator. After I accepted that God was the Creator, I knelt down in awe.” Through surrender and fellowship, a single child of God can change the world; through communication, through conversation, through shalom.

Heartbreak

He takes out his pen and paper and begins to take notes on what is being discussed. He ends up highlighting half the book he is reading, and has connected deeper with his friends than ever before. The topic on his mind is heartbreak. Heartbreak in a relationship can be toxic. Yet if the toxic is experienced, solution is available. He listens to a friend’s words on relationships and sin. One is easier to fall into the devils arm much easier when he is alone, such as Eve did in the Garden of Eden. If her significant other was there at the time when the devil confronted Eve, it would have been much harder to convince both of them, rather than just Eve. “Standing strong against sin is difficult, and we should do anything and everything to stand our ground,” he says. “Our relationship with God is the most important relationship we will ever have, and sometimes we break his heart by sinning.” A creator that loves us no matter how much we fault is extremely humbling, yet we sometimes end up breaking His heart when we choose a path or a direction that He does not approve of.

He lays down on his friends couch and sleeps. The bible study that was once a hangout has introduced deep conversation, much deeper than he anticipated. God is love. Jesus saved us.

Emmanuel

an acoustic rhythm vibrates the entire earth.

at once, everyone looks toward the sky at the vast heavenly gates;

Christ is upon us at last.

God the Father has fulfilled his promise and has returned to us.

the vibrations of the acoustic rhythm are so loud they hurt.

flames.

flames that burn the soul and flames that burn our physical bodies appear;

these flames are what we have been warned of.

a scream of terror frightens those who can see the soul of a human destroyed and sent immediately to hell.

horror and anxiety crush everyone who does not understand what is occurring.

the revelation has come true; the revelation has brought divinity-

only to those who lived a fellowship life; only to those who were forgiven of their sins.

“o, for a thousand tongues to sing, the glory of our God the Father,” the humans sing as their Ultimate Father kills the Devil on earth, sending those who followed Him to Heaven.

and those who didn’t, to hell.

there is one great love.

an urgent message should not seem urgent;

such a loving message should not have to be persuaded into the minds of others;

such persuasion of trust should not be difficult to depend on.

to those who answer their problems with earthly things:

stop. you are forgiven. learn from the mistake, ask God for help.

to those who are not happy with who they are or where they are:

stop. you are forgiven. learn from the mistake, ask God for assistance.

to those who have been introduced to the Truth yet deny it:

stop. in eighty years the living will not exist as humans. we will depart from this earth into a wholly and everlasting Heaven. forgiven and saved, we will depart with a smile.

Emmanuel.

an inspiration

an inspiration from The Avett Brothers

with thoughts exactly similar

“i want to have friends that i can trust…”

trusting one another in everyday life is crucial for him.

he sees some as helpers of consuming time,

while others as helpers of life.

he notices these attributes in people with the way they talk,

the way they believe, and the way they comfort.

an unintended comfort illuminates life in an entirely new way.

doing life together contains love, hope, faith, passion, and humility.

strategies include: helping, guiding, teaching, conversing, learning.

“…that loves me for the man I’ve become, not the man that i was”

he sees those who help him consume time as friends and time-mates;

entertaining.

these men and women that i love, i wish i could teach them.

i wish i could learn from them.

i wish i could guide them.

“ain’t it like most people? I’m no different…”

for those who are sinful yet understanding can see lies;

they can understand the truth.

lies that are heard from others are downers;

lies that are listened to that hold no truth are worthless.

he listens to the lies. he laughs, yet prays for them.

“…we love to talk on things we don’t know about”

he is inspired by those who know what they talk about,

rather than those who are oblivious to the truth.

with passion, we learn.

with ignorance, we fool no one.

“They said “I hope that you will never change..

..I went and cut my hair”

we were meant to be with You

through the shame, guilt, and discomfort, the Lord is near.

at all times, God’s grace and presence is around us eternally.

we’re coming alive.

through the intelligence, wisdom, and humility, the Lord is near.

at all times, God’s love and security is around us eternally.

we’re holding on.

with the morning’s sun, the light of the world shines a new day.

with the morning’s sun, the illumination of the earth presents comfort.

for the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

for the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

in the darkness comes light; in the light comes spirit.

with the souls of the body healed, we currently live for a new purpose.

with the minds of the brain filtered, we currently live in purity.

“It is well, with my soul-

It is well, it is well, with my soul.”

the time is now to let go of our doubts, and seek the truth.

living in doubt stirs the mind with uncalled-for thoughts;

living in doubt creates a world chosen by the human race, rather than our creator.

with love and sacrifice we are healed; with love and sacrifice comes joy.

the time is now for lifting souls,

the time is now for letting go.

through  shame and regret comes a drive seen only in the eyes of ours.

when our eyes capture a moment, we remember it to an extent;

and extent that can be highlighted or deleted.

with highlighted memories comes reflection and déjà vu, creating sorrow or joy.

with the drive we propose, sorrow can turn into joy; joy can be achieved.

with deleted memories comes regret and shame when reflection and déjà vu appear.

with the drive we propose, the shame can be transformed into love.

“You’re everything to me,

forever i will tell you that i can’t live without you”

let the church bells ring, salvation has come looking for us.

grace has the ability to amaze and save us, transforming the weak into the strong.

even in the moments of destruction, our souls are still alive.

we can always pursue the love we dream of.

our heads our in heaven, our feet are on earth,

show us the way, in which you have planned since birth.

healing a nation

the day that true love died shaped the entire world.

our worries, our problems, our decision making was all altered;

altered in a form of  perfection.

for one’s own soul can be healed with the power of his mind.

with pure thoughts, with admiration, and with just thinking

comes excellent actions, shaped from the thoughts flowing through the head.

save us from evil and evil’s doings, for we know better.

i hear it in the thunder,

the universe plays it’s music.

admirable actions lead to admirable thoughts,

just thoughts lead to excellent and lovely creations.

for our souls are saved, Lord.

thankyou.

it is well with my soul

it is well with my soul.

it is well with my soul says the reader.

the reader insists he is a follower; the reader insists he is a leader.

she is beautiful; You are beautiful.

the leadership he was once taught is a never ending cycle:

reading, listening, learning, analyzing, teaching, spreading, following.

for it is well with my soul, and my soul shall lead the way.

Heaven & Earth are filled with Your glory,

our “visit” here on earth is not enough.

help us wonder; help us lead; help us follow.

my desire is lit and ready to be fanned,

“forever my heart will sing of how great you are.”

in motions and delight, i see Your face in the darkness and shadows.

in euphoric feelings, i feel the power You give me;

the power that awakens my soul.

for it is well, yes, it is well with my soul.

Hallelujah

Heaven’s gates open while trumpets and doves overwhelm him with glory.

Perfect noises, perfect feelings of grace, perfect sights are only a few of the attributes to be found.

Sounds of praise and worship glorify the heavens, while souls on earth

purify the heavens with enchanted hymns.

“Let our voices be incense to Your name”

Father, this is my prayer to You,

In all do respect, i love You.

In all do respect, we cannot get enough of You.

In all do respect, Lord, i want to be a servant of this world;

Spreading Your light, shining Your grace.

Let our souls be interpreters for the weak, and translators for the wicked.

Help us smile after sorrow; help us deliver Your word via mouth.

For You are perfect in every way.

“Tune my heart to sing Thy grace”

He stands awakened by the Holy Spirit, able to be guided by his heart at last.

Micah 6:8 interprets his stance on this earth, peacefully and humbly walking in Your name.

Guidance is with him; intelligence is reachable. The wisdom that he holds in his mind scrambles words together to form his “journal of soul.”

He couldn’t thank You enough.

He is clinging to You.

wholly ours

Persuasion and terror frighten him.

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

Rescue is coming, he tells himself twice.

There is nothing wrong with Love.

A Love so pure and so illuminate creates an attraction for Him.

Standing still, he holds her hand.

Eyes closed and ears open, they listen.

Rescue is coming.

Here are our hearts Lord, take and seal them, seal them for Thy courts above.

Let us sing loud and let us listen clearly, for there is nothing else we would rather do.

Showing a smile, a smirk, and a decision, they stick with it.

Love wins.

temptation leads to error, usually.

temptation leads to fault, usually.

temptation leads to sadness, usually.

As he stands in the thunder and rain, he watches for the lightening that brightens the sky.

With hands stretched high in the air, the Spirit flows through him, giving him life again.

Wild thoughts, interesting words, consistent feelings, and wholly freedom consume him.

A proud father sends down a guardian to watch over him while he lives in the world full of temptation; a world full of good/evil.

Wholly ours; we are wholly yours.

Here we are.

.psalm 141.

a pending acceptance

her acceptance pends as he watches her from a distance;
maybe too far, he thinks.
he calls, she answers.
she takes his breathe away.

her acceptance pends as he waits for her, week by week.
her laugh, her joy, her ability to focus on her dreams;
it's astonishingly beautiful.
he wants to be where she is.

her acceptance is pending; he awaits her phone number,
he awaits her flirtation, he awaits her daily smile.
"forever and ever, amen i say to you, i believe in this one day."
until then, he awaits her pending acceptance. 

"In my life
Be lifted high
In our world
Be lifted high
In our love
Be lifted high"