Marriage Advice to my Son

As the mother of the groom, on February 2013, my son asked me to share three Bible verses at his wedding. These are the ones I shared:

Ephesians 4:26 

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry."

I said, "It happens. Sometimes we do go to bed angry with our spouse, but we can still pray when we're angry. We can ask God to soften our hearts. When I do this, God reveals to me that I also need to ask for forgiveness for what I said and other times as soon as I finished praying, my husband came to say he was sorry."

James 1:19

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." 

I said, "This one is self-explanatory! My husband and I have been married for 33 years and we would've avoided many arguments if we had been quick to listen and slow to speak. So we're still practicing this one!"

My last verse was my favorite...

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

I said, "This life is temporary. Marriage is until death do us apart, but the love of God is FOREVER. God's love is ETERNAL!!!

SLOW DOWN...

High blood pressure and anxiety? Why? I'm a happy and content person who trusts God, so what's going on? First, I thought I wasn't trusting God as I should with my life. After slowing down and cutting down on daily fun activities, yes, fun activities, I was able to notice what my body and mind needed--rest!

Even Jesus told his disciples to come away with Him to a quiet place and rest (Mark 6:31). Please take time to relax and meditate on God. Let Him quiet you with His love. Zephaniah 3:17 says, "For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” - New Living Transalation 

May you have a quiet and restful Christmas season and may the Lord give you a healthy body and mind on 2015. 

Draw closer to Him and be blessed!!!

Love, Hope, and Faith with Heather Murdock 11-28-12

God's Great Dance Floor With Lyrics by Chris Tomlin

Chris Tomlin - I will Rise w/lyrics

DEATH - PART THREE "Death Is A Glorious Thing!"...Really?...

Picture this with me: A glorious crown over your head, complete splendor, dressed in white, filled with joy, redeemed, forgiven, no worries, no fears, no pain, a new glorious body, feeling completely loved and accepted, the most breathtaking views surrounding you...This is how God describes in the Bible the eternal life that awaits us after this life when we have chosen to trust Him, believe Him and put our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ!

This is the final part of my blog on the Death Series. On my blog, "Death - Part 1", I wrote about how I woke up the first day of the year, 2014, feeling led by God to write a blog titled, "Death." The next thought that entered my mind on that day at 5:00 a.m..."Death is a glorious thing!" My very next thought was, "How can it be a glorious thing?" Then as I meditated on the promises of God about our own resurrection and arrival to our eternal destiny, I totally agreed with that statement!

Here is an excerpt from my book titled, "How To Love God with all Your Heart" Copyright 2015.

..."If you lost a loved one, God can ease your sorrow. He does it with the comforting hope and assurance that those who died in Christ Jesus will be reunited with all believers in heaven. Notice how verse two mentions what we desire to have on earth. One of them is rest and the other one is peace. Those who have gone ahead of us have both and much more.

 GOD’S LOVE PROMISES

10.  What is Jesus’ promise to all believers? Read John 14:1-4.

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus went ahead to prepare a place for us who believe. One example I use to explain this is a trip to Hawaii. What if I told you that while I was there I would see the most amazing sunsets, waterfalls, sunrises, beautiful trees and flowers? Everything would be perfect. I would not experience pain, sorrow, hunger, sickness, anger, or disappointment. Everyone would be kind and friendly. I’ll have no fear of danger or trouble. I would only experience relaxation, peace, joy and great love. Would you feel sorry that I was going to this place? Of course not, you would want to come with me! This is a small illustration of what happens when believers go to Heaven. Should we be feeling sorry for them? It’s normal to want our loved ones with us and to miss them greatly. But, remember that in reality, they’re living a better life than us."

I have not experienced the death of a close loved one and I do not mean to underestimate the pain and sorrow from the separation and hurt that death causes. I don't want to be insensitive to your loss, if anything I want to give you hope and even a glimpse of joy based on God's Word. I hope the following verses will bring you comfort and peace.

2 Timothy 4:8
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

James 1:12
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

1 Peter 5:4
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

(Jesus speaking on this following passage)
Revelation 3:5
The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 

Revelation 21:4

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Philippians 3:20-21

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

1 Corinthians 15:42
So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable.

There is so much to talk about this subject and so many Bible passages, but then this wouldn't be a blog but a whole study on this important matter. Please feel free to send me your questions or comments. Also, on the right hand side of this blog site I included a link to Billy Graham's website where you will find a wealth of information on questions and answers about life and death.

In the meantime, enjoy these songs and may God bless you!!!

http://youtu.be/IifTXVqpV-E

http://youtu.be/FP73T3Pv6Wg

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” 
Luke 15:10

If you want to know how to obtain eternal life, you can visit several of my blogs where I speak about salvation. You can also watch my interview here and say the prayer at the end of my interview or simply say this prayer:

Dear Jesus, 

I know I'm a sinner and I repent of all the bad things I've done. I believe by faith that you are the Son of God. I believe you died on the cross to pay for the penalty of my sins and make me right with You. I receive your forgiveness and give my life to you now. Thank you for washing my sins away and giving me the gift of eternal life. I pray this in your Name. Amen!

This is the link to my story...

http://youtu.be/pM5bnOu7Ymk

I Can Only Imagine - MercyMe (Lyrics Video) (HD)

DEATH - PART 2

Excerpt from my book, "How To Love God with All Your Heart" Copyright 2015 by Guadalupe C. Casillas. 

In this section I described my fear of death and what, or better yet, "Who" made that fear go away...

"One of the reasons I love Jesus so much is that He made a way for me to have eternal life with Him. I’m especially grateful to know this because I used to fear death or the thought of my loved ones dying. When I was about nine years old, my parents and I were returning from the beach on a dangerous road in Nicaragua—no guardrails along the winding road and steep cliffs. Many crosses with flowers honored those who died there. The thought of my parents dying one day made me sad. Tears began to roll softly down my cheeks. Death preoccupied me constantly after that. 

In my early twenties depression filled my life. I didn’t want to live. My doctor thought my condition had to do with hormones. I wasn’t attending church at the time. I had lost my faith in God (in a later chapter you’ll read in detail how this came to be). Even though I had a wonderful husband, a beautiful house and was able to stay home with my two children, I wanted to die. One day, I almost did. My husband, Eduardo, and I were in an indoor swimming pool at a hotel in Lake Tahoe, California. I didn’t know how to swim. Standing in the shallow end, I moved slightly and wasn’t able to touch bottom. I called Eduardo for help and raised my arm before going under. As I was drowning, I prayed, “Lord, I’m sorry. I don’t want to die. Please save me.”

God heard my prayer. Eduardo came to my rescue and saved my life. He was exhausted as he kept pushing me to the edge of the pool. He had to push me away so I wouldn’t pull him down. Otherwise we both would have drowned on that day. 

My most recent close-call was different. What I’ve learned about my eternal future with Jesus and the beauty of Heaven has helped me overcome the fear of death. My love for Jesus has increased over the years, and there is no place I’d rather be than with Him. 

Light rain hit the windshield as I drove up Highway 50. I was listening to a CD song based on the Twenty-third Psalm. The lyrics talk about God being in control even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. My car had slid a bit twice after hitting a couple of potholes. Remembering that I needed new tires I decided to slow down. On the third pothole, my car hydroplaned and spun onto the center divide. There was no guardrail back then to stop me from heading into oncoming traffic—only a wide patch of grass. Unable to make my car stop from spinning, I said aloud, “Oh, so this is it. This is how I’m going to die—age forty-three—car accident.” It felt like I was spinning in slow motion. Thinking one or more cars would hit me, I imagined the tragic picture of my death in the local paper and the sadness of my loved ones. 

All of a sudden, I thought, “Oh, this means in a few seconds I’ll worship you, Jesus… face to face!” I became excited and joyful, because I love to worship God and sing praises to His name. The thought of doing this in His presence was breathtaking.

In my thoughts I told God, “Okay, Lord, I’m ready. But please make it quick. I don’t want to be in pain for too long.” Then I uttered, “Lord, please protect me.” That’s not what I had intended to say. I wanted to go home with Jesus. I’m crazy in love with my husband and love my two wonderful sons, but I love Jesus more.

When I called on the Name of the Lord, I felt as though a hand had squeezed the midsection of my right foot. That touch brought awareness that my foot was pressed all the way down on the brake pedal. I didn’t want to remove my foot from it. But I automatically did and surrendered control of the vehicle. 

The steering wheel began to turn on its own and my car soon stopped. I couldn’t believe it! I said, “Thank you Lord. You saved me.” Through the rear view mirror I saw that my trunk had popped open. When I got out of my car to close it, I noticed my car was perfectly straight and centered in the divide. I don’t know how to park straight. I knew God had come to my rescue that morning. 

My CD began to play again. I heard no music when my car was spinning—only peace and quiet. In those few seconds, I had nothing to confess. No regrets. When I’d failed in the past, I had repented and asked God for forgiveness. I know I’ve been forgiven of all my past sins.

Surviving that near-death experience allowed me to tell my loved ones the joy I felt in knowing I would have met Jesus. If I had died, they might have thought I’d been terrified, but it was nothing like that!

A few hours later I asked God why I hadn’t been worried about my husband and sons. In my thoughts I heard, “It’s because you have already given them to me.” When I die, I know God will take care of my family as He has taken good care of me."

I leave you with this beautiful song, "I Can Only Imagine". Imagine what it would be like to be in the presence of Jesus! On my next and final blog on this subject, "Death - Part 3," I will show you the verses of the Bible that describe Heaven and the beauty that awaits us after this life. Be blessed!!!

https://youtu.be/Da4fnYIuV9s

If you cannot open this YouTube link, I will share the video separately...

DEATH...

I woke up around 5:00 a.m. on the first day of the new year with the thought of writing a blog titled, "Death" and this Bible passage, "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” - 1 Corinthians 15:55. My immediate thought was, "Who is going to want to read a blog titled, "Death?" Especially as we start the New Year? And then I thought of the great news that Jesus conquered death with His resurrection. And because He lives we will live also. Death is not the end. It is actually the beginning of a glorious eternity with Jesus Christ.

I included this picture of Cancun where we eat our delicious breakfast during our vacation time. And I think this is paradise! Actually, the true and most beautiful paradise awaits for those who have placed their faith in Jesus, the Son of God! Can death be painful? Yes. But it can also be a glorious thing! I don't know who needed to read this, but I know I needed to write it. I was not planning to blog until a month from now, but the Lord woke me up with these beautiful thoughts of a glorious afterlife with Him!



"When King David’s baby died at birth, he was sure he would see him again in Heaven. He said in 2 Samuel 12:23b, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” If you lost a child soon after he or she was born and you didn’t have a chance to dedicate the precious one to the Lord, rest assured you’ll be reunited with your baby in Heaven. God is good and gracious. He knows babies don’t have a mature mind to decide whom to place their faith in, like we do. God let us know His Kingdom belongs to little children." (Excerpt from "How To Love God with All Your Heart" Copyright 2015)

"If you lost a loved one, God can ease your sorrow. He does it with the comforting hope and assurance that those who died in Christ Jesus will be reunited with all believers in Heaven." (Excerpt from "How Do You Love God with All Your Heart?" Copyright 2015) 

I will continue this blog to share about my fear of death and what changed that on my upcoming blog titled, "Death - Part Two".