Blazing with Rach!

22nd March 2015, I received a Whatsapp message from my sisters and cousins that Singapore's Founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) has passed away!  Well, we were expecting it but it still shook me a little bit.  If I were in Singapore right now, I will join the millions waiting to pay their respects to a great leader.  But I am not in Singapore, though right now, my heart is among the millions who mourn for the nation's architect. Photo by Reuters In the last two days, I have read so many tributes from all over the world and have once again begun to discover more about this Singaporean in his death than when he was alive.  And what stands out above the rest is that LKY was a man of integrity.  He demanded honesty.  He refused bribes ( http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/lee-kuan-yew-rejected-s33-million-bribe-1960 ).  He was honest about loving his wife ( http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/lkys-daughter-love-does-indeed-spring-et...

Sitting at my patio.  Having my breakfast of cheese sandwich and home-made mint/ Earl grey tea. Listening to Messianic worship songs.  Watching the birds, bees and more than a dozen butterflies - salve to my eyes.   The constant zooming of cars, buses and trucks do nothing to disturb the serenity.  There is a sense of peace. Love walking around my garden just to check on them, plants and trees. What can I say?  The song I am listening says it all, "My God, My King, Holy, Holy, Holy". Thank you Jesus for this tranquility. Have a peaceful day, Rachel

My Spanish language teacher gave me a piece of homework the other day.  I had to create a story, just use my imagination.  Tough call. After being immersed in reality for decades, how do I imagine a story? I guess, imagined stories may have bits and pieces of reality in them.  Anyway, I asked God to give me a creative mind.  And the verdict: my teacher liked my story.  I enjoyed writing it. Naturally, there were grammatical errors to be corrected. So, here's my little story in the beautiful Spanish language: Era un magnífico día.  Salma, una mujer de Indonesia estaba de pie en la playa del hotel.  Su cabello volaba en el viento.  Pero su pensamiento estaba muy lejos.  Ella volvía a su hogar, en su pueblo pequeño en Bali.  Ella recordaría ese último día in Indonesia. La lluvia más fuerte para Bali fue registrada en ese fatídico día.  Su pueblo sucumbió ante las inundaciones.  Salma escapó subiéndose al tech...

As the New Year begins, I am studying the epistle of Jude, a psalm and the story of Samson and Delilah in both English and Spanish.  And it is definitely not an easy task.  It's taken more time to get through this study.  The essentials are all there; still, after making a major word-error among friends in a casual setting, I thought that it would be to my advantage to study in both languages.  Well, everyone had a good laugh at my expense:-).  And then, to be even more accurate, I definitely need to refer to some Greek and Hebrew meanings of certain words as well. Who says that studying the Bible is easy? At the end of the day, I am the one who benefits tremendously from the insights and revelations guided by the Holy Spirit.  So, I gain some knowledge...and then, what?  I usually tell the pastors and leaders whom I have taught, "You have learned nothing until you learn to apply the truths to your life and relationships".   And I need...

My last week of the year 2014 would be from 22 -28 December.  I have been a home-body this week. Got all dressed up on 24 December to attend church service and the taxi-driver couldn't pick me up at the last minute.   His story:  the police up the road had detained him and were taking their time looking at his papers.   My thought:   "Poor guy, I hope he makes it home early enough to celebrate with his extended family.  You see, he had planned a Christmas Eve dinner with his family". My own reaction about not being able to participate in church service:  Disappointment which turned quickly to acceptance.  No worries. 25 December was really quiet - just me, God and a whole lot of peace.  That's what God promised when one accepts His Son, Jesus (romans 5: 1).  With the peace, there was a whole lot of joy.  Inevitable isn't it - joy in His Presence (Psalm 16:11).  My house in Honduras has nothing Christmassy about it -...

My helper Noella invited me to her church last Sunday.  Iglesia de Dios Olympica was re-dedicating herself to the Lord.  What a celebration it was!  The children, youths and adults celebrated with only one thing on their minds:  Sumergeme En Tu Gloria! Immerse me in Your Glory! It was a long taxi ride for me but I am glad that I accepted this invitation.  This church which still needed some paint was packed.  Everybody worked to make things happen.  The pastor was very humble. I was impressed with their children's ministry - they had a children's worship team and began the service; a seven-year-old was the intercessor and a five-year-old decked in a suit preached from Acts 2: 17 with authority and power!   Acts 2:  17  And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dr...

Thanksgiving is really an American holiday.  And I have too many American friends and non-American friends who celebrate Thanksgiving.  So, here's wishing you all a season of blessedness. Increasingly though, and even in Honduras, the season of commercialized Christmas seems to have superseded the Thanksgiving turkey in all its roasted glory.  I am once again reminded of this season through an overdrive of American retail marketing, the number of likes and re-posts on Facebook.  Don't get me wrong.  I think Americans have a stronger reason to celebrate Thanksgiving than Halloween and it's a great time to reflect on God's goodness. So, how do I, a non-American, respond to this special holiday in a foreign calendar? And this is my way of giving thanks to God Almighty - yes, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit: 1.  Take a breather - chill, sit in my most comfortable chair with my Bible in hand.  And let my mind reflect o...