Giving Followed by Thanks?

Thanksgiving, the one day out of the year everyone suddenly realizes how thankful they are for others. But only by words, actions seem to fall behind for the continuance of the year, myself included. Not to rain on anyone’s parade. Wow do I have an unusual way to write about the gesture of giving. I think in this particular year it is extra difficult to have the desire to give due to the hard economical times. It’s hard to not think of ourselves all the time. We seem to capture the spotlight in our daily situations. I wish sometimes I had the Lords eyes. The Lords view must be like ours when we are watching a soap opera or a movie, we see the entire story and we’re screaming at the television for the characters to “RUN”!!, “he does love you, turn the car around”!!, or “ if only you would have waited”!!. In my prior blog I spoke about never being able to see the big blessings, because of our lack of inconsistency. But I reckon that inconsistency is not the only reason for our missing out in blessings, as well as being able to watch the overflow of blessings for others in the stands. One might say that fear is an immense reason for our lack of giving. Fear of not having enough for ourselves, fear of not being able to pay the bills the following month, fear of what others may think, fear of money that seems to make so many people cautious. In our church’s and below are steeples we sing “lead me to the cross.” how about in the chaos, in the fear, in the doubt, in the fun, and kindly in the tears. Giving for the right reason is my biggest struggle, growing up I would think “well if I give him my pudding cup, the Lord is going to bless me with four cases of vanilla & chocolate pudding cups. I’m the one reaping the benifits.ha.” Low and behold I sadly report that I never saw those pudding cases. There have been endless times were I never saw the fruits to my labor, but I know they are not in vain. In my adolescent childlike thinking I now understand that in a small way I might have furthered God’s kingdom, or might have invited someone to come take a curious look. I pray that for the following year I might have a childlike faith. Many of us know the famous humbling story of the Child who gave his five loaves of bread and two small fish to Jesus. John 6:9 is a true testament to a child like faith. The disciples themselves ask how far this little amount will go? Many know the end to this story. Needless to say giving thanks, to me, must come with deeds. And willingly, effortlessly, and lovingly to see how far our generosity will go without expectations in return.
Live Out Loud
Gio Marcela

Unwritten and Unsaid

I have always been curious to know why human behavior is so inconsistent. May I add that I am one of those humans? I think I will. It has been an ongoing fight to finish things that I have begun. Small, quite inadequate things for others, but as for me the small things is where it counts. I catch myself laughing at some of the things which this past year I have but yet accomplished like, all the C.S Lewis Novel s, songs that I have whole heartedly written but never finished, clean my entire room from top to bottom, and a strong effort to close the wounds of past relationships which I have been the murderer to its ends. I cannot say that I have laughed at all these “small “unaccomplished goals. It saddens me to see that a lot of us cannot finish the small things because we will never feel the joy of seeing the blessing in the big things. I have grown up hearing the renowned Bible verse, for many of us it has become a broken record, Colossians 3:3 “whether you eat or drink do all unto the glory of God.” It is well rehearsed and memorized for many but never entirely executed to its deepest significance. If we really look at it and ponder upon its inexhaustible depth, it would shred our lack of dedication to its simplicity. Sometimes goals are not accomplished because we have made a plan to how everything will go, but as many have heard and said “if you want to hear God laugh tell him your plans”. That is everyone’s life story, ha. Along the way of our supposed success comes discouragement disguised as THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA dead end. All we have to do is get over it, easier said than done right? Well I have come to find out that once we become real with our lack of inconsistency whether relationships, promises, cleaning your room, working out…ahem…guilty! Or finishing a kind song. We have the ability to fight the inconsistency or, for many college students, procrastination to the death. This is a true fight of everyday.
Live Out Loud
Gio Marcela

"The Forced Reflection of The Heart"

I am long overdue with thoughts so lets just see what happens?.I recently went to a Hillsong United Conference, and for anyone who knows anything about this church family they have decided to live past the walls of their church. Joel Houston ,one of the leaders of the church, made a bold and clear statement saying, " Jesus Christ gave us a platform or one might say a stage".He proceeded to say that with that same stage came the choice of what that stage would bring,what it will represent,and for what reason. I sat there pondering on that question which inevitable changed my thoughts of what I reasoned the way I live.Hoping that the finding for this question would be deeper than emotion and excitment.I came to one conclusion, the only reason for that stage to be should be to further Gods kingdom and slowly begin to tear down "my own kingdom" which I have built for no reason other then self power,self pride,and self accomplishment. Their is a song by Keith Green (oldie but nonetheless terrific) called " O' Lord you're beautiful" and in the lyrics my favorite line falls upon these words, "And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown.For my reward is giving glory to you." That summed up all of "self" and shot it down to..well....where the devil calls home. For all of you with talents that have clearly been given to you in the arena of many kinds, I hope the stage you've been given is examined and purposeful. LiVe OuT LoUd. Gio Marcela

"If I find it in myself desires nothing in this world could satisfy".....C.s Lewis

It's rather late in the night and there were two things going on in this head of mine; prayers,music, and the thought of more. In the last few months my God has taught me many lessons.His word has been a double edge sword.And the moment I began to stop looking in His word my heart became restless in itself ,or maybe in complete denial of the great need that I have for Him. I recently wrote a song that was inspired by what a great friend of mine told me when I shared with him that I would be leaving Lynchburg for a little time. His words,to be exact were, "well shake it off...walk on...and ask Him for guidance." The journey from that point was beautiful/hard, but nontheless wonderful. I have met new faces,rebuilt relationships,and have written many songs...which I soon hope to share. I lead worship from time to time at my church(just me and my six string named "Nica")and everytime I do I am instantly broken down into humility and awe. I have never felt like that...just an audience of One.I want to be many things and I will strive for many things. All of this to say that.. don't just want more,want more of His character because as my title says, " If I find it in myself desires nothing in this world could satisfy." C.s Lewis/Brooke fraser song. If you look closely... you can see that in people all around us. Live Out Loud. Gio Marcela

"Everytime I hear that song...I go back"

A beautiful pic from Liberty University it was a typical beautiful sundown in good ole Lynchvegas,virginia as I would like to call it


I like to dance dance in the middle of the mountain road. I've never felt so free ....but that sunday afternoon free in every sense of the word was accomplished. "el dia was completo"This is probabaly my fav picture of that day. My friend Caitlyn and I just "jumped" and that was all that was needed!

"Because you're mine...I'll Walk the Line"...Johnny cash
"You're going inside them...you're going outside them...inside and outside them...when you get em on the run ...you're gonna keep em on the run..then you're gonna GO GO GO...and you're not gonna stop until you get across that goal line!..whata ya say men...shhh yea". I know the entire line from the movie RuDy...



I had to jump off as high as I could. My sincere apology for the backside..yea.. ha.

"Here's to a new start in the Blogging World" a little of myself...

So this blogging thing is not too shabby....I figured since there's so much going on in life...I would take a few snaps here and there as I'm going from one place to another. I'm never really sure what God brings my way...during the day but I hope to embrace it and have fun with it. Soon and very soon I'll be heading back to Virginia, but for now..miami,Fl will be the place of sunshine and work(ahh). I have an older sister and her name is patty and well she's a big deal in my life. Not to toot her horn but "toot toot".. she is an excellant photgrapher check out her stuff http://phildebrand.wordpress.com/. Music is a massive part of my life and I can't imagine myself without it...you'll soon see. Most important website to checkout http://www.i-heart.org/