He's writing my story!

I'm blessed in watching God has been doing with my life... He is writing my story and I've gladly placed the pen in His hands. He's giving me the peace to just sit back and enjoy the ride... and there's comfort and peace when I say it.
These past two years have been interesting to say, at least... processing all the losses - a beloved dog that passed away in my arms after fighting epilepsy so bravely, my fiance, my beloved dad/hero/best friend... right after that being sent to the mission field through coming to America, learning to live in a completely different culture and feel that as home, adjusting to this same culture and relationships here, arriving here as an orphan and being given a family through God that is stronger and closer to me than my own earthly family - all in all I can say that God keeps blowing my mind! I don't focus on the losses, but on what's God is going to do with my story - He's all around my days.
God is moving fast. His timing isn't our timing... there's a sense of urgency in my soul related to the things He's placing in my hands to do. On my own I could never be the leader He is calling me to be... it's through His strength and through Him only that I have taken up the tasks He is graciously placing on my path and will finish them bravely, beautifully for His glory - it's His promise... He'll complete the work He has started in me.
After years of fighting, struggling, trying to get the control of my life, I finally surrender and admit... the Lord has had the control and the hands on my life all the time - simple statement, but not to a former control freak like me.
God wins. I'm His. My life is not my own... and I couldn't be happier in saying that!
The lesson for today and these past few weeks is... there's freedom in surrender!
No more me... more of You and less of me, Lord Jesus.
You have my life in Your precious, sweet hands...You've had it all along, and I just was blind to that. Thank You for giving me clarity and allowing me to see Your work, Your grace displayed through all my steps.
I live for Your glory only, to be a reflection of You on this earth.
My eyes are set on the goal, on the prize of spending eternity in heaven forever worshiping You... for now, I enjoy the ride of knowing You and making You known!
It has been and will continue to be a marvelous adventure with my Life-Giver!

In all things, I just recognize... You're Creator and I'm what You've made.

No more procrastination!

I'm letting go of the spirit of fear. I've been hiding under this spirit of self-pity and it's time to let go.
God has blessed me with gifts so that I could bless other people and praise His Name through every breathe of mine. He has given me a history filled with pain so that people could see His grace, His hope, His rescue, His restoration in it. I'm handing the pen to a God who writes our stories way better than ourselves, for His glory only!
NO MORE FEAR!

... You're Creator and I'm what You've made.

Letting go of a distorted notion of love!

Talking with a friend today I was led to think about God's grace. The truth that when I deserved nothing, He gave me everything has finally hit me, and became tangible in my life.
I've been in a long journey of finding beauty in myself through God. From abuse to relationships that led me to being hurt and made me feel like nothing to finding God and His real, tangible, refreshing, eternal love, the road has been tricky, but interesting. I have finally learned to let go of control, knowing that even the whole notion of control is nothing but an illusion. Control is in His hands. In letting go, I found God. In letting God, I found the love that is transforming my life - the way I see people, the world, myself. 'Letting go, letting God'... easy to say, hard to do... but what a freedom can be found in those simple words!
In this world, we are presented a distorted notion of love: we do everything to gain the person's attention, it's all our doing. We become people's pleasers - opposite notion to Colossians 3:23 - and nothing we do is ever enough. We are humans, in our flesh we fail. People will fail us at some point... that's life in a fallen world, in a fallen nature. God make us new creation, but we live in this tent called our flesh, still bound to our flaws until the day we die. He is still gracious in transforming us in our journey with Him, more and more according to His Son, but still... we fail and people will fail us at some point.
God's love is gracious, kind. Just go back to the description of real love presented in 1 Corinthians 13. The main difference between that distorted love presented to us by the world and God's love for us is... in the latter, it's all HIS doing. We are just receivers. There's nothing we can do to make Him love us more. NOTHING. That notion that blows my mind! He knows we will fail Him at some point then get back on track, but still... we all fail at some point. Through His infinite grace, He rescues us. Even His grace= undeserved favor. Accepting this transforming love is hard... it takes letting go of ourselves, of our old ways, dying to ourselves, allowing God to re-program, to install a new software in our minds, change our way of thinking - Romans 12:1. It's not easy... it's a process.
I'm going through that process right now, and falling more and more in love with this Lord and Savior! The more I receive and accept this love, the more I'm transformed and love people through the overflow of His perfect love for me. Once again... mind-blowing!
World's love - our doing, His love - His doing! I LOVE it! Oh, the sweet taste of the freedom found in His Spirit!

I pray these words bless you!
With all His love,
                          Helen =)



... You're Creator and I'm what You've made.

I'm engaged to Christ!

... You're Creator and I'm what You've made.

Hello, beautiful people!
It has taken me a while to finally be able to upload a picture or anything related to my baptism that happened last night at ECHO at North Metro Church, the ministry that has been church to me since I first arrived here in Georgia. I'm still blown away at what God did last night... the worship, the message Rob shared, the baptisms... the Holy Spirit was just SO present in that place!
The whole week I felt God preparing me for that moment of going under the water, attending my own funeral, to the death of my old self and to the new 'me' being born through Christ Jesus... and by going under that same water, I was being born as the bride of Christ, engaged to Him, openly longing for the coming of my Lord, Savior, Lover, Best Friend... my Husband! Everything in that place screamed eternity!
Surrounded by the beautiful 'cloud of witnesses', people who have been watching me walk with the Lord - and fail at times, too... I'm far from being perfect, I'm just clay being molded in the hands of a Heavenly Father - people that I have met in different paths, ministries, churches... all there, over 100 people standing side by side with me as my death was proclaimed and as I raised out of the waters being made new in Christ Jesus... publicly! To the people who were there... through your presence there, I was overwhelmed by the Lord's presence... and what I mentioned in the video of my testimony of knowing that His love, His Spirit of adoption is real... He has adopted me through each of you! To all of you, my sincere 'Thank you!'! I love you all beyond words!
To my Savior, my Groom, all I can say is that I'm falling more and more in love with you each day and that I'm anxiously waiting for Your coming!
For the Spirit and the Bride, His Church, say 'Come, Lord Jesus, come!'
I couldn't be happier of being Yours!
I'm finally complete!

formspring.me

Ask me anything! http://formspring.me/worshipersheart

formspring.me

Ask me anything! http://formspring.me/worshipersheart

David Crowder*Band - Foreverandever Etc...

... You're Creator and I'm what You've made.

This song makes me smile BIG! :-D

Have a blessed day in Him!

Laura Hackett - When I Am Afraid

... You're Creator and I'm what You've made.

I just love this song too much not to share!

I'm singing it at the top of my lungs!

I pray you're having a wonderful day!

Let's celebrate the life we have found in Christ today! :-D

Healing hand of God - Jeremy Camp

... You're Creator and I'm what You've made.

Seasons!

... You're Creator and I'm what You've made.

Writing for me was always a therapy... and even so, I've been so far from that! 
I think writing also helped me to deal better with my emotions and go through that wonderful thing of finding people who are going through the same... and be encouraged by that, and encourage them back.
I guess these lines are pretty much to say... I'm back! I've had a bunch of wonderful ideas in writing and haven't been putting them on paper... I promise I'll do that more often!
My journey with Christ has been incredible! God has been doing so much and I've been so unfaithful in posting about it... I need to make justice to all the grace He has been displaying right before my eyes.
Here you have a list of some inspiring things around me:


1. It's Fall here in Georgia and... it's breathtaking. I love being able to walk outside and watch the leaves changing colors, leaves falling... it's a party to our eyes... literally!
2. All the changes, living pretty much in suitcases... I'm learning to let go of comfort and be satisfied, happy with whatever the Lord provides to me. It's His care. He hasn't allowed me to go homeless or even without my meals. I've been learning to depend on Him for everything... and that feels awesome! A lot of discipline is taken... but He has been teaching me. I'm finally open to learn!
3. My heart. Oh, so much going on with this little heart of mine since in early August I decided to give it fully to God... I've fallen completely in love with Jesus Christ, and that's the best thing ever! I finally can speak about God's love because I'm living it... feeling it... and enjoying it!
4. I'm back to noticing cultural differences between here and Brazil... and really enjoying it! I'm embracing diversity to the fullest, and that feels WONDERFUL!
5. I'm finally accepting myself for who God has made me to be. I'm allowing myself to be molded by the Potter... I'm simply clay in His hands. Not my will, but His will be done in my life!
6. God heals... literally. I was an emotional wreck a few weeks ago... and God has brought the perfect people to be around me and lead me in the process of being in control of my emotions, and allowing the Lord to touch them and heal them. God is faithful!
7. No doubt my husband is in this country. I have already met him. God is working. I have no reasons to worry! Aaaaand... I can't wait to get married and start my family! I'm SO ready for this! :-D


I'm hopeful... I'm peaceful... for Jesus is my hope, and He Himself is my peace!
Much love and many bear hugs to you all,
                                                              Helinha =)

"Baby", by Os Mutantes

... You're Creator and I'm what You've made.

He Reigns - Newsboys (w/ Lyrics in Time)

... You're Creator and I'm what You've made.

Just Stop and Think

... You're Creator and I'm what You've made.

In the Words (of Satan) - The Arrows

... You're Creator and I'm what You've made.

Sunday Morning

... You're Creator and I'm what You've made.

Back to one of the things God has gifted me with!

Oi, my dear ones!

How are you? I pray this finds you well! I've been away from everything praying and going through many changes. God has been stirring my heart and working on it and making it closer to His... like His own heart. For years and years I've been praying to become a woman after His own heart... I feel that those were more simple words than anything else. The desire to change, the desire to become better, the true desire to be a woman according to His design, being led by Him, aligned with His heart... wasn't really there.

I've been here in Atlanta for over a year now, serving with many different ministries. I've been so focused on serving others, on being always busy that it became who I was. I wasn't Helen anymore. I was purely the servant. No, that's not bad at all... depending on the heart and intentions you have with that. I became the 'people pleaser' to be accepted, to feel like I was blending in a culture that wasn't originally mine. Time passed and then I started struggling with my own identity... the whole feeling of being a 'world citizen' took me. I forgot to be the 'heaven citizen' that I truly am, through serving God.

A year has gone by, I've been hurt a thousand times, struggled to not to hurt people with being sincere and honest to myself... and in pieces, torn, I come before the Lord... and finally receive and understand His love. I had to be made empty so then He could fill me up again... and that couldn't feel any better!

I'm just in the beginning of the process of understanding His love for me, but that is already changing me... yes, I still love people -so much!- but I have finally turned the full focus to God!

I can't wait to finally become the woman He has created me to be! No more running, no more hiding... just making myself vulnerable before a Lord that is 'Creator and I'm what You've made'. (Misty Edwards and her songs have been teaching me a lot about God's heart for me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JoQ3gJ1JPg)

I'm finally learning that submission and obedience lead to freedom in His Spirit.

I pray you have a blessed day!

With all His love,

His little princess. :)

This has been me for years and years:

Salvation - 1st entry on the basics of Christianity.

Hey all!

I pray this blog entry finds you all well! =D

I've been going through some teaching and was led to think more about the core values and doctrines related to Christianity and decided to share it with you all. It will consist of fourteen entries that will describe the basics of Christianity and how to share our faith with others.

I pray this blesses your heart!

Much love in Him,

Helen :-)

Salvation

1. the act of saving or protecting from harm, risk, loss, destruction, etc.

2. the state of being saved or protected from harm, risk, etc.

3. a source, cause, or means of being saved or protected from harm, risk, etc.

4.Theology. deliverance from the power and penalty of sin; redemption.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:3, 7

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

1. Why do we need to be saved?

2. How does God provide salvation for us?

3. How can we receive this salvation individually?

Sin is the disobedience to any commandment or law from God.

1. How does the Bible describe sin?

1 John 3:4

"Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness."

2. What is the result of sin?

Romans 6:23

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

James 1:15

"Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."

A way of understanding sin in a better way the consequences of sin, think about the word death as separation.

A. Spiritual death: our sins separate us from God.

B. Physical death: our spirits and our souls are separated from our body.

C. Eternal death: if we choose to remain lost in our sins, they will separate us from God's mercy forever - and that's the biggest punishment... eternal life spent in hell.

Being just means doing what is right, or in other words, being completely innocent before God when it comes to the obedience of his commandments.

3. How many of us can be called or described as just people?

Romans 3:10

"as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;"

4. How many of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory?

Romans 3:23

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

5. How was justification found for us?

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

6. Does God love us as sinners or do we have to become good somehow so then He can actually love us?

Romans 5:8

"but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

7. Can we reach salvation just through Jesus or is there any other way through which we can obtain salvation?

1 Timothy 2:5

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"

Acts 4:12

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

John 14:6

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

The Word of God states that sin causes death. Jesus died to bring us salvation.

8. How did Jesus pay the penalty of our sins?

1 Corinthians 15:3

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,"

9. What should we do to have Jesus as our Savior?

Romans 10:9

"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Acts 16:30-31

"Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Believing means union and trust.

Confessing means admitting our guilty and acknowledging that we are sinners.

10. The Word describes the difference between works and faith. So how are we saved when it comes to those two concepts?

Ephesians 2:8

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,"

Titus 3:5

"He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,"

11. Why aren't we saved through our own efforts?

Ephesians 2:9

"not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Justice is receiving what we actually deserve.

If God was only just, we would die.

Mercy is not receiving what we truly deserve.

It's by God's mercy that we are forgiven.

Grace is receiving something without actually deserving it.

By God's grace - and not through our own efforts - He sent His Son to die for our sins.

Faith is accepting as real things that are not seen. It's fully trusting God.

12. What's the result of God's goodness/kindness and God's love?

Romans 2:4

"Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?"

Repentance means change of thought. It's through the change of heart that men walks away from sin and comes closer to God. Repentance includes:

A. True, genuine repentance from our sins.

B. Constant purification, santification from our sins.

C. The desire of submiting ourselves to God's will.

13. What does happen in heaven when a sinner comes to repentance?

Luke 15:10

"Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Some thoughts on "Shadowfeet" by Brooke Fraser...

My wonderful and lovely friends,

I pray this one finds each of you richly blessed and enjoying a beautiful day! Rejoice! This is the day that the LORD has made! =D

This time, instead of sharing my own words, I'll be sharing the words of a great godly woman that the LORD has been using to encourage me and uplift my spirit as I go through trials and hard days. This specific song has been on my mind for days and days and has been the song that I've been listening the most to lately. Every single time I listen to it, God allows me to grasp me more of it... lyrics so simple, but still... so profound!

As I deal with a little lack of hope brought by my own flesh or accusations and fear from me, through listening to this song I'm reminded again that I'm in the hands of Jesus and that I have no reason to fear... He's everything and His grace is more than enough for me. I'm reminded that no man has power of me, no darkness, no spiritual forces, no principalities - I belong to the LORD! I'm anointed, restored, redeemed by a wonderful Savior... so I have no reasons to fear!

This spiritual warfare that has been going on, this battle of words and thoughts - all brought by men who are not serving God but their own flesh, lost in legalism and judging others, an heresy as they make themselves worth more than God, superior to God - has already been lost by the enemy... the victory is mine already in Christ Jesus!

No reason to fear... the LORD is with me!

For the Word says:

Psalm 37:4-7 (New American Standard Bible)

4 "Delight yourself in the LORD;

And He will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD,

Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light

And your judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes."

That's a promise from the LORD! He promises, He delivers! He cannot deny Himself - He is faithful... forever faithful!

Much love in Him, blessings and grace,

Helen =)

Song: Shadowfeet

(Brooke Fraser)

Walking, stumbling

On these shadowfeet

Toward home, a land that I've never seen

I am changing

Less and less asleep

Made of different stuff than when I began

And I have sensed it all along

Fast approaching is the day

[Chorus]

When the world has fallen out from under me

I'll be found in You, still standin'

When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees

When time and space are through

I'll be found in You

There's distraction

Buzzing in my head

Saying in the shadows it's easier to stay

But I've heard rumours

Of true reality

Whispers of a well-lit way

When the world has fallen out from under me

I'll be found in You, still standin'

When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees

When time and space are through

I'll be found in You

You make all things new

You make all things new

You make all things new

You make all things

You make all things

When the world has fallen out from under me

I'll be found in You, still standin'

When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees

When time and space are through

I'll be found in You

When the world has fallen out from under me

I'll be found in You, still standin'

Every fear and accusation under my feet

When time and space are through

I'll be found in You

When time and space are through

I'll be found in You

When time and space are through

I'll be found in You

*Link for the video of the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4KiGN1j1No

Giving my dreams back to God...

People I love so much!

I pray this blog entry finds each one of you well... and tremendously blessed!

I've been praying and praying and finally have the words to understand everything that has been happening to me these last couple weeks. I went from having this big dream in my heart to seeing it really close to coming true... and away from me again to disobedience to God. As everything was placed in His precious hands and I remained in silence, praying and waiting for God to work, everything was perfect... being the control-freak I used to be, I got hold of that again as I saw things happening - got too excited and allowed -my-hands to start taking care of everything... the result of all this? Misunderstanding, hurt and more praying and waiting again. God is still working, God still has this person for my life... it's just not the perfect timing. He has a lot of healing to go through, and so have I... once God is done with us on that, He's going to get the glory for bringing us together and using us to further His Kingdom. He was the right, perfect person in the wrong time... but there's still hope. God is working!

Tonight as I was at Passion City Church, got asked me to give my dreams back to Him... and that's what I did. You, man of my life, dream I've been praying for so long... you're back to God. I love you, but we can't be together now. I have sooooo much love to give you... just can't give it to you right now... but will in His perfect timing. You are my dream, my blessing, my life-partner, meu ursinho... I love you so much!

Louie led us to reading through Romans 12:1-2:

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

and Philippians 4:4, 6-8:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

I won't be anxious anymore. I'm taking my hands out of this situation. It doesn't matter how much it hurts me to not to have the control of things, to not to be able to talk with you when I want to... you need time, and I'll respect that. I think it's also part of showing my love for you - showing how much I respect you. I'm placing you in the hands of the Lord that has brought you to me. I'm placing you in the hands of the Lord that restores all things and uses them for His glory. I'm placing you in the hands of the Lord Who has called us and redeemed us. He loves you more than I could ever do... and He knows you better than I do as He has formed you... and He has your life now.

Louie was talking about things we could be praying about in this new year that has started and pointing goals with God - they were:

1. Think about who God wants you to be;

2. Trust God with all your dreams - release it and submit it and give it to Him... don't try to make things work on your own - that will just cause you anxiety and stress - in the Word we read "Be anxious for nothing!". Make your requests known to God... allow God to be God.

3. Work always as if God is on your side - that in all things! Do your best as doing everything for the Lord and not for people. Some things can be below your dreams... but not below your character. All that matters is your obedience to Him, respecting and honoring the work He has placed in your hands... no matter how small you might think it is. Honor Him in small things... so then He can grant you your dreams... greater things.

4. Give generously:

Ephesians 4:28: He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

Proverbs 11:25: The generous man will be prosperous,

And he who waters will himself be watered.

Your money, your time, your energies, your resources... give everything to God! In the American culture, we are taught to do the least so then we can get the maximum... what God wants from us is doing the most and getting the least - let's transform this culture in the culture of generosity!

For my friends who are reading this... please pray for both of us - for direction, wisdom, patience and growth in the Lord... for the development of our relationship and fellowship as I'm here close to Him, for knowing how to deal with being close after being apart for over two years... God is faithful and is already working on that!

I know that our circumstances will never outweight His ability.

I know that the size of the task doesn't determine the success of the calling...obedience does. God, please help us to hear and obey.

I love you all very, very much!

May God continue to bless and strenghten you all in Him!

Much love all the way from Atlanta,

Helen =)

Amazing quotes I read today:

"Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will."- A.W. Tozer

"Christianity isn’t a crutch for the weak; it’s a stretcher for the dead." - Michael Kelley

New Year's Resolution!

... as people say that a picture can be worth a thousand words, this one... had to be shared!

I don't know who the author is... I just think it's amazing!

Much love to you all,

Helinha :)

God is SO faithful!

People I love so much,

I've been amazed at God's faithfulness and have to write something about it... my mind has been blown away in ways beyond what I can possibly describe and all I can say is... He's faithful! All the time... good, all the time! Placing our lives and our days in His precious hands is the best choice ever! I choose to live for Him... it's soooo worth it! There's noooo better life!

Last year was a year filled with challenges... losing one of the most important people of my life - my precious dad, who was the center of my days - moving to an unknown land knowing just some people and not being able to rely on them - as God wanted to teach me to rely on Him fully - getting adjusted to a culture that wasn't mine, to a language that wasn't mine (but that was given to me by the Holy Spirit, for God's glory!), to an unknown environment... and here I am, blessed beyond words, surrounded by a wonderful God-given family, precious friends who are there for me full time, involved in many, many different college ministries, meeting amazing people who love and serve the Lord fully... I'm SO blessed! All He asked of me was that I trusted Him in all things... whatever He promises, He delivers!

God is also taking care of my heart and working on bringing restoration to a relationship that has started in His precious heart... and He will get the glory for bringing us together!

In all things, at all days, at all times... to YOU BE THE GLORY, GOD!

Much love in Him,

Helen =)

P.S.: I got this tattoo, Magen David - the star of David - yesterday in honor of my precious parents, Maria de Lourdes Santana and Leon Pelipecki. My precious mom passed away on Jan. 7th, 1991, and my lovely dad last April 21st. I've been so inspired and blessed by their steps in my life and needed a permanent reminder in my skin of who they were and still are to me, to their important in my life and in who I am today... as I went further in studying about our background, our roots, I faced Jewish blood from both sides - mom's Spanish background and dad's Polish background, both of them Jewish. It's also a reminder of God's love, grace and faithfulness to Israel, the center of His promises... now I have those same promises in my skin! I love and miss my parents beyond words!