Conflict Zone VS Comfort Zone

This is just something that has been on my heart for quite a while... pretty much my entire life... lol but for some reason today... it has just been in the forefront of my mind... so I'll share.

Countless times I've seen, heard or learned of some type of injustice going on around the world, a need that needs to be met, people or causes that need to be helped. Whether its: feed the children commercials, homeless people on the streets, abortion, human sex trafficking, people needing to vent, a pet dying, financial issues, health issues... (seriously, I could go on forever). You get my point, right? There are a lot of things that go wrong on a daily basis. Can you agree with me that there are certain issues that just really pull on your heart strings? So much so that you're moved... it does something emotionally to you? Maybe its because you can relate... you were at that point before, you know someone that has been there, or you just have a soft spot in your heart for the people or area going through that. There are many different reasons... but regardless... there is a trigger and it has an effect. How often do we actually RESPOND and ACT on this heart string tugging?

sym·pa·thy/ˈsimpəTHē/

Noun:

Feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune. Formal expression of such feelings; condolence

In a nutshell... as humans if we see, hear, or learn of something unfortunate happening... we are sympathetic towards them. Correct? But... Do we just leave it at that? Far too many of us... (especially in the Body of Christ) feel that being sympathetic towards somebody is enough. Is it really?

 If you were going through a tough time, lets just say that you're mourning; would you prefer for someone to tell you that they feel bad about whats going on with you? Or would you prefer for them to cry with you--to share your burden with you? Let's flip the script a bit... If you were celebrating a great accomplishment... what would you value most? A "good job." or a friend that is excited and celebrates with you? I love how The Message puts it:

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

Romans 12:14-16 MSG (Emphasis added)

These verses are not describing sympathy... they are illustrating what it is to be EMPATHETIC.

em·pa·thy

noun \ˈem-pə-thē\

1: the imaginative projection of a subjective state into an object so that the object appears to be infused with it 

2: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner; also : the capacity for this

To be empathetic is basically to feel with someone... whereas to be sympathetic is to feel for someone. Sympathy is like the first step towards empathy... but why do we stop there and not take the extra steps to actually experience with whomever or whatever it is that is triggering us to feel??? This is where the Conflict VS Comfort Zone comes in to play... 

Have you ever noticed that, most of the time--  The people that put themselves "out there" to help... the people that are always there for you... that go out of their way to help... that are your shoulder to cry on... etc... are the people that have been through a lot? They've lived through the dark times... and have come out survivors!.. they shine the brightness of their light in whatever part of your life that you need them to? How about the people that have nothing really going wrong in their lives... they're... comfortable? How many comfortable people do you see putting themselves out there to help? From personal experience... when I'm comfortable... I don't want to move one bit... because then I will become UN-comfortable. But did you notice how self centered my previous statement was; who does that help? 

  I actually got this concept from Father of Lights... and I'm paraphrasing, 

'...there are 2 zones in the world: a conflict zone and a comfort zone. The church that is in the conflict zone is united... The church that is in the comfort zone, doesn't care.'

Can I get an "AMEN!" over here?! Some of the strongest bonds that I have with people or causes have come from troubling times. Its in these times of turbulence that you discover who and what is true and what matters and you don't let go. Why do you think that most often, people seek and cling most to God during their dark seasons? Jesus has been through it ALL... He knows what we're going through because He experienced it and prevailed... as a human!

Being in the comfort zone is such a dangerous place to be in. You don't do anything. There is not change, no growth--that means that you have NO AFFECT on anybody. You still have feelings and opinions... but what good are those if there is no action coming from them? 

 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

James 2:14-17 NIV

I've written all of this to say, STEP UP... if you feel these injustices... do something about it! Take that extra step... don't just have an opinion... have an action to back it up! Take a moment to ponder what the world could be like if we each stood up for what is right... is it worth the discomfort? I think so.

May God bless you. I ask in faith right now, that the Holy Spirit stir your heart... that you become uncomfortable and remain uncomfortable until all of the wrongs are righted. I pray that you are filled with strength & boldness that is not your own, but your Heavenly Father's. I declare a revolution in your life that affects many and changes the world! All of this in Jesus' mighty and holy name, Amen.

This photo was taken on an ordinary winter day. My grandparents and I were in our front yard when we saw this homeless man limping with no shoes or pants on. He was only wearing long johns. We gave him clothes, shoes, a blanket, food, water, and called the ambulance because he was injured. Did this interrupt our ordinary day? Yes. I wouldn't have it any other way. Go the extra mile, folks. Not so that you look good, but because it's the right thing to do.

Much love,

Alyssa Ponce

Loved by Love Himself

Hi daughters and sons! I'm Loida AKA lloyds, lloyders, yoda, and Loda. I guess people like to make some names up for me! I like them all :). As I'm writing this I'm laying on my couch on my iPhone tapping away at the screen thinking about how beautiful and awesome God has been in my life. So I was asked to share my story. And what's awesome is that we all have one. So as I share my life I pray that you may find that we don't walk this path alone. But together as one in Christ.

I am 25yrs old and the youngest of three. My older brother is 10 years older than I am and my sister is 4 years older than I am. And if you've been following revelations of a daughter than you've already read about my sister (Ruth). She remembers more of our childhood than I do, and she has an awesome testimony about how God freed her from the grip of depression.

 I've seen Gods hand upon my life in many situation but never really came to an intimate relationship with Jesus until before my junior year in High School. What I can remember growing up was when my parents stopped going to church and when they reverted to old habits. When my dad started to drink again and would get so drunk he would get up at night to go to the restroom and instead of going to the bathroom he would end up in the closet, he would argue and fight with my mom, he would yell at us, and he would come from work already drunk. This went on for years, and on top of my dad drinking my mom no longer was working so therefore we hardly could pay for our house or pay the utility bills. This one incident I remember we didn't have enough money for bills and the electricity was shut off and my mother, sister and myself were home afraid, almost in tears, waiting for my dad knowing he was going to blow up. And sure enough he did. That's what I remember in my childhood. I remember my parents always arguing and me being afraid that it was my fault, that I did something wrong. I was filled with guilt at young age. I was full of shame and anger for what was going on at home and it spilled out in my social life at school.

I tried to be a rebel but was to scared to do something wrong. I was lost in my own way of thinking of myself. I thought that I was a horrible person. That I came into this world as a problem. I was terrified of arguments so I would always try and please everyone. I felt like I couldn't stand up for myself because I felt like I didn't have a voice. And I was alone because I could never let anyone ever really see me. I carried this way of thinking into High School, and in high school I joined the girls basketball team trying to find some sort of community and family.

I made friends with a girl my freshman year and immediately I noticed something different about her. There was something that made her seem light, like if she had no worries or anxieties. She was always smiling and she always was encouraging. So I was drawn to her and as we became friends she began to tell me about Jesus Christ. No one, ever had told me about the redeeming love of Jesus. No one had ever shared with me about what Jesus had done for me on the cross. She was the FIRST person that introduced me to Christ, in fact, she was the only person to tell me about Christ in high school. Well, my new friend gave me an invitation to pray with her and accept Jesus into my life, and at the moment I rejected her and Him. I said no to the freedom of knowing Christ and decided to stay chained to my negative thinking. And the enemy fed on my response to Jesus. Throughout the next year I went through more pain in my life, more loneliness, and more solitary moments than ever before. I was surrounded by friends and family but never truly opened up and allowed someone to really see or help me. And I dug myself, what I felt like, a hole. A hole where all I thought about myself was how ugly I was, and how shameful and weird I was. And how if anyone really saw me they wouldn't love me anymore. So one day in the quietness of my room, alone, I cried (which was normal at night). And I sat up on my bed and said

"God, I'm tired. I'm tired of hating myself. Please come into my life and help me."

 So with tears filling my eyes I didn't know what else to do so I turned on the tv to TBN thinking

"I just need help."

 and the man on the tv that night said

"You've been feeling hurt and alone and God wants to let you know He is there for you and he will love you every step of the way!" 

So I jumped at the opportunity to pray. And at that moment I prayed that Christ may be the Lord of my life. And from that day on its been rainbows and butterflies!!!

Yea, RIGHT!!!

I struggled, a lot. I found help in my friend from 9th grade. She prayed for me and help me read the bible. Then in my close friend's life the Holy Spirit was working and she accepted Jesus into her life. She invited me to her church and that's been my home for almost 9 years!

It was a struggle to really understand that God called me beautiful, wonderful, and His daughter. I knew it because I felt His peace and His presence, I trusted that the Bible were His words so I clung to it as if it were my breath. But my head and my thoughts would betray me and I would struggle with the old way of thinking. I couldn't understand how God fully knowing me would love me and still do what He did on the cross for me. And at the same time I was falling in love with Him because He was never scared of my thought life. He walked right into it and began to clean it up.

There's been times in my ride with Christ where I've felt dry and separated from Him. There's been times where I've refused to come to my hiding place with Him. But I've come to a place in my life where I know, that I know, that I KNOW that I am a Daughter of the God of the universe, that I have been adopted by the creator of the heavens and the earth. That regardless of all the junk that I've brought into my life, He still looks at me with loving eyes and is always waiting for me with an open and loving heart! There is really no one like Him. And because he loves me, my response is to love Him back. My hearts desire is that this LOVE of the FATHER be made known through me.

My prayer is that you, the reader (son/daughter) may NOT feel as If you are alone. That you may find a story that you can relate to here on Revelations of a Daughter. That you may find encouragement, joy and laughter through these words. And that you cry with us as we cry with you. And that you may find healing as we find healing. I know my story is different, as is everyone's, but I pray that your heart is stirred to really know that you have a DaDDY that will pursue you, and will give you love and identity! May Daddy God bless your hearts as you end this and as you read some of my favorite scriptures!

Mucho Amor para todos :)

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mothers womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in numbers than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You. 

(Psalm 139:13-18 NKJV)

---And--- 

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

(Romans 12:2 NKJV)

Ruth Isabel Arriaga . . . Daughter of the Most High

First of all, I want to say how excited I am to be coming along side Alyssa Ponce in such a beautiful way. I hope that through this many healings happen, not just in my life but in the life of anyone of you reading this.

Alyssa wants me to first share a little bit about me, not a very exciting post, but non the less its me. So here we go.

Like I said my name is Ruth Isabel Arriaga, and I'm 29 yrs old who's single with a heart to know more about my Savior Jesus. But even in my singleness I've sure had many  moments where all I could think about is having a boyfriend. But non the less I cherish my relationship with Jesus, right now the way I am single and loving every minute of it no matter how hard it can be. It reminds me of this scripture I read just this morning. It goes,  

"though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of MY salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deers feet; and He will make me walk on the high hills." Habakkuk 3: 17-19. 

Its a beautiful scripture and one I will forever hold dear to my heart.

I was raised in an EXTREMELY pentecostal home. Where the women didn't wear make-up, nor pants, nor jewelry, nor dye their hair. We couldn't go a day without having our hair covered especially if we were in the presence of God. That's what I mean by extremely pentecostal. I have to say that, that is one reason why growing up I wasn't the most social kid around. I was shy, super duper sensitive ( i still am) and I had a hard time making true friendships. Besides all that my parents were so OVER protective. We couldn't go over friends houses to go to a parties, sleep overs WHAT?!?! ne se diga! So you could imagine, my already natural habits were getting worse. To top it off my parents where at church, whats seemed like 24hrs a day. No joke! And please don't get me wrong I love my parents to death, this isn't a rant of how horrible my life was growing up, its just a way so you could get to know me a little better. I absolutely thank God for the household he chose for me, and now at my age would never for a million yrs have it any other way.

I have an older brother, who was and is the one who will always pick on his sister. I love him so much and am so proud of him and the person that he is allowing God to mold. He is going to get married this year, WOOHOO. I also have a younger sister who by the way is pretty darn AH-MAY-SING! She has become my best friend, and my I add she was one of the first people to start leading me to repentance! Well knowing what I know now, it was the Holy Spirit. But any who, that's a bit about my growing up and my family.

Now for the more interesting part of the story. Lol! I was saved in 2004 at a Billy Graham crusade here at the Rose bowl in Pasadena California. Billy Graham himself lead the prayer to accept Jesus that night. And I remember clearly that Third Day was leading worship that night. I remember he made the altar call, and I was so hesitant. But my sister looked at me and saw that something in my heart had been stirred. So she said what any christian would say in that situation, or actually maybe just my sister, "do what you want to do" lol maybe she said it in a more delicate way. But anyways, I went I did the prayer, cried my eyeballs out, and then, someone took my information, but come to think of it, no one ever followed up with me. Hmm, I wonder what happened to my info. It must be in the christian database, under the title of ' need to contact immediately'! lol! I didn't have this radical change happen to me. For me, its been a snail pace change, believe me. S.N.A.I.L pace.

The moment that I felt the radical change of Gods ultimate love, was one day in my shower. It really all hit me at once and I had come to my wits end. And the thing that led to that moment was a serious case of DEPRESSION, dun, dun, dun!

I had spent the previous 2 and 1/2 years under a serious "spell" of depression. I didn't find joy in the things I would normally find joy in. My sarcasm level increased 2 fold, 3 fold maybe even 4 fold. The thought of suicide never did enter my mind, I think because I was to scared that my parents would come hunting me down in the "after life" just to give me a good whooping! lol!

But on the real, I never thought of suicide, but I did want to runaway from life. It hurt too bad. Even taking a breath hurt. I would cry every chance I got. I felt so incredibly alone. I mean, when I say I felt alone I felt alone. I hated myself. I hated my family, my friends where never true friends cause they didn't know what I was going through. Nobody asked, therefore in my mind they didn't care. What a lie! That's why I call it a spell! Its like the devil snatched my body and made me a puppet. No happiness what so ever. No light at the end of the tunnel. And in my mind NO BODY REALLY LOVES ME! I HATE MY LIFE! I NEED TO LEAVE THIS JOINT CAUSE I CANT BREATHEEEEEE HERE!! That's exactly what I felt and there was no one around. I was sucking the life out of myself and there was no one around to help me. I had pushed people so far away from my life that I didn't know where to turn. And the devil was just laughing, pulling the strings tighter around my neck. Little did I know that I was the one who made my own noose .

The morning of my deliverance came in such a weird form. I totally did not see that coming. And the situation the Lord used was so unpredictable as always! I became jealous of my sister. I had been with out a job for almost 2 years and she came back from a job interview that day boasting about how good it went and that she loved the place and how much they would pay, and inside of me a pang of jealousy hit me like a ton of bricks. OOOh I hated her at that very moment. But at the same time I hated myself for what I was feeling. So I went into the shower, pretty much right after our convo, and as soon as the water hit me, it was burning me. The rage that was inside was so strong! I remember at that very moment I asked why? still no answer! I was so angry with God for yet again not answering me. So I finished I stepped out of the shower and the flow of tears just came, at that very moment I hear a voice saying,  'ask me for help, not the why' and as hard as it was I held my head and just said ' i need you Jesus, I cant do this by myself anymore. Please help me' And the craziest thing happened right at that moment. I felt like this dark veil come up from my feet and undo itself from around my head. And all of a sudden I was seeing myself. Not the image of the person I used to be but the new creation. And I saw a brilliant light surrounding me, and at that very moment I felt the embrace of my father. I felt the love of my Daddy saying to me I LOVE YOU DAUGHTER!!

And ever since then my life has not and will not ever be the same. I have my struggles here and there, and the Devil is known for using old ammo, so every now and then I feel the sting of my old depression hit, but it will never be me making that noose.

I plan on always living my life with the Love of Christ in the fore front of my thoughts. That even in my moments of wilderness, which I know there is more to come, will I ever let myself think that I am alone. Because that is far from the truth. I want my life to reflect thankfulness toward my one true love and most important I want to live my life with a connection so deep to the friend who is closer then my skin, Holy Spirit!

Oh my dear dear friend. Without You this life of mine would be uncontrollable chaos. Without you in me, my life would be my own. And that is unimaginable. I love you Holy Spirit, more then the air that I breathe. The thought of your presence in me, brings tears to my eyes. I love you my dear friend, my comfort in time of need. You bring me closer to the presence of my Creator and for that I am indebted to you.

Well there's a little about me! I cant wait to share more of my heart with all of you! Love you!

Remember to live your life, from Glory to Glory to Glory! Praise God in the downs just as much as in the ups. He is always with you! No matter how deep in the wilderness you are.


Much love and blessings from a Daughter of the Most High :)

A New Beginning

(Image: Google Images)

Hello Readers!
If you're reading this, you probably learned about Revelations of a Daughter by either Facebook or Instagram. I thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart for checking out this blog. Your time and attention is incredibly appreciated!

Let me give you a little back story to why I, Alyssa Ponce, even started this blog:

I've always liked to write... whether its a letter, email, fb post, fictional story, essay, journaling, anything... the list goes on. Well, I was searching for another way of glorifying Poppa. At that time, I found myself learning a lot in a quick time and wanted to pour into someone else's life... one of the problems is that, I didn't really know who or where to start with. Then it hit me, (thank You, Holy Spirit)... what if i blogged about what I learned? Somebody out there should/could/would be able to relate, right? Well, that's what I hoped and prayed for! However, my posts seemed to be all over the place... from community service to rants... it felt like something just wasn't clicking... but what was I doing wrong? Haha. That brings me to now :)

Now, more than ever I've had the opportunity to notice and appreciate how everybody that I come into contact with is different. How we all go through different trials and tribulations... How we deal and cope with our circumstances... How we speak, act, think... Our backgrounds... Our strengths and weaknesses..

ALL DIFFERENT.

It's beautiful, really. I'm reminded of a sisterhood... brotherhood... better yet... of family. We all come together to support each other... to be a part of something bigger than our individual selves... to bring out the best in each other. Like a beautiful, vibrant, fragrant bouquet of flowers. One flower on its own may be pretty, but when you put various types of flowers and arrange them just right... WOW! Each one "shines" on its own while still highlighting the beauty of the others around.

(Image: Google Images)

So what's your point, Alyssa??? Well... my point is that I have come to the realization that in order for this blog to thrive and really serve its purpose to glorify God, 

I can't do this on my own. 

 Yes, of course I can continue posting blogs just about my life and my experiences... but my life and experiences are all existent for a purpose that is not my own. I would hate to hinder the impact that this site can have by limiting it to one perspective. That is why I have asked an ELITE group of women... and men (differing in age, stages in their walk with Christ, personality, culture, background, interests, circumstances) if they would be willing to pour out into this blog forum, this ministry... because in reality... that's what we all will be doing, ministering to complete strangers. 

Each of the individuals that I have asked, loves the LORD wholeheartedly and expresses it in totally different ways. I believe that they have accepted to join me because of their love for our Abba... and their passion to spread that love to YOU (the reader), in hopes that you may spread that to others that we may not be able to reach. I pray that Holy Spirit touches your heart and stirs something inside of you so that you truly are impacted by this and in turn are driven to impact others.

Please stay tuned for the first post which will be up soon! I invite you to participate. Lets bring this thing to LIFE!!! Feel free to comment, either to ask, add, or just co-sign what the author said (remember... a little encouragement goes a long way). If you feel that you would like to submit a post, please, please, PLEASE do not hesitate... you can message it to the Revelations of a Daughter Facebook page (www.facebook.com/RevelationsOfADaughter). Feel free to post prayer requests or anything that you feel led to. You are loved!!!

Be blessed,

A Daughter.