Ruth Nieves

So, guess what? We are moving! Not from our church just from our rental. Woohoo! After 4 1/2 years (marvelous ones), God has allowed us to buy a home. We feel blessed beyond measure. But along with the joys of buying a new home are the woes of packing up our rental. And to top it off, I am cramping. Ay-ay-ay! And if that weren't enough my 12 year old is acting like an alien from another planet. Seriously, "who is this kid and what have they done with him?" No, I am not complaining. This is the only place I can vent and not one of you can tell me I'm nuts or overreacting. It's nice to get it out. Things I have learned while waiting: 1. I hate waiting. 2. It's hard to wait. 3. Waiting requires trust in God, my source and the One who sees the big picture and knows what's best for me. 4. It strengthens me. It matures me. It removes toxins I didn't even know were there. 5. It teaches me to relinquish control and allow God to have His way. 6. Teaches

What an incredible weekend we had at the first ever Hillsong Conference in NYC. It was an incredible spiritual experience. At one point during the worship I felt as though  was being transported to Heaven. It was that incredible. I find it hard to believe the tons of neigh-sayers. And I have also found that those that have the most negative to say have not experienced an actual Hillsong worship experience. There were young and old, black and white, charasmatics and quieter versions, there were Christ-followers and those who had never heard the name of Jesus before. It was a diverse place. A diverse experience. Tell me that this isn't a spirit-filled, anointed bunch of worshippers. This is one of my favorite songs. Put on your earphones, close your eyes and let God move on your heart. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLqTZ07ja7g This one was short and simple. But one more thing...Joe and I did some headbangin' too to this song...see if you can do it too. http://www.youtube.co

Today, I had the privilege and honor of speaking to a bunch of wonderfully youthful middle-schoolers. I know that my son, who was in the group must've been a little nervous at what would come out of my mouth. After all I hold the secrets and the pictures to prove it all. Little does he know that I would carry these to the grave unless forced to use them...LOL! I struggled with the topic because I knew what they were going to say as soon as I said the "P" word. They were going to roll their eyes, they were going to put their heads back in exasperation and wonder why they even came to school today. I've had the same reaction when using the "p" word many times as a young person and as an adult. I've thought it was boring and sometimes senseless for different reasons, but I knew that as a Christian I was supposed to do it and do it often. As soon as I said, "Prayer" they looked glossy eyed and I could hear their brains shouting, "Noooooooo.&