Sharing Our Stories: God's Calling You

Get Your House in Order
A guest post by Kai A. Pineda

When the order came to stay in our houses in 2020, I was excited about the rest I would get. Little did I know God was not only calling us to a time of rest, He was seeking a time for us to get our houses in order.

Maybe you have heard the phrase “Get your house in order” before, but this is not about spring cleaning your home. I believe God was calling the entire world to get their houses in order! From the government, all the way down to the way businesses were ran and finances were handled. Everyone had to reevaluate everything pertaining to their lives and livelihood. 

For the follower of Jesus Christ, there was another house we had to get in order: our spiritual houses. It seemed like before the Coronavirus, I would have conversations with people who would talk about how they wished they had more time to pray and or study the Word of God. Some people who spent their days comparing their walk to another person’s walk with the Lord, craved for more intimacy with the Father. Then there were those who had felt disconnected from the heart of God and the ways of God. Now we had the time. Here was an opportunity to make all these wishes come true and a genie was not required.

I will be honest and share with you the journey I had been on before March 2020. The beginning of the year was going well and things I had desired were starting to happen. At the same time I knew there was a place within God I was longing to go and He was longing for me to come to. I was to release the second volume of my book Dear Church on my birthday. It was written, edited, and ready to go.

I remember reaching out to my book launch team manager and sharing with her that I did not have any excitement about releasing the book. She told me this was not uncommon for writers. I listened and thought maybe she is right. But something else was happening within me. I pushed the book launch date back to April 16, and then life started to change. Before I knew it, the book I had written which I knew was what God wanted, was not what God wanted to say now. He told me to hold that book and write about what the world and the children of God are currently facing.

It was then that I understood the lack of excitement in my spirit. It wasn’t because it was the second book, it was because God was showing me something was coming and I needed to pause to see what He was doing. While all of this was happening I was also teaching on discipleship for the year with our fellowships. The way in which God was revealing what it meant to be a disciple was wrecking me. Matthew 4:19 says, “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”

As I began to study the word “come” in the text above, God told me that 2020 would be a year of being made into disciples and would require three things: commitment, consistency, and courage. Little did we know we would be faced with a pandemic which would test all three. Our commitment to God would be tested. Our consistency in our faith and relationship with God would be challenged, and courage would be necessary in the face of fear and the unknown. It was a year when everyone everywhere was feeling levels of pressure they were not used to. All I knew was we had to come to terms with where we were and forge ahead in faith.

Today, in 2021 the same is true. We are still being tested in these three areas as we are still confronted with racism within the world and within the church. In order for us to keep remaining the disciples Jesus calls us to be we cannot allow the world’s way and allow man’s sin to keep us from becoming and creating the Bride Jesus will come back for one day.

So what will your commitment be to the Word of God when someone hurls a racial slur? How will you remain consistent in the Word of God and the ways of God, when brothers and sisters in the faith are doing whatever they want? How will you demonstrate courage when you are confronted with doing the right things for your fellow man, when the wrong thing is so much easier?

Daily, we have to make the choice regarding who we will serve.

But for me, I agree with God’s disciple Joshua when he said, “For me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). This is my decision today, tomorrow and forever. What’s yours?

Let’s Pray: Father God, I pray simply for greater commitment, consistency and courage 

in my life. May I be like Jesus Christ and pause before doing anything that does not bring You (God) glory. I am your servant and I desire to please you through faith. Where I am wrong, correct me. Where I need to grow, challenge me, and were I cannot stay, show me the course you have laid. In Jesus’s Name I pray, Amen.

*Note from Alexis: Kai's message today reminds me a song by Steven Curtis Chapman titled, "For the Sake of the Call." Listen to it here. 

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Author Bio:

I am a fire-starter and a passionate student of the Bible who helps others discover their identity and the beauty within the Body of Christ by leading them into an encounter with the Word of God. 

I am married to a man I am madly in like with and love more than I can explain. Together we plant home fellowships within the U.S. and abroad.

I am an author who released her first book, Dear Church: Vol 1: The Beauty of The Body, in 2019. The second volume will be released in 2021. 

I have recorded two praise and worship albums and love to travel.

I am an introvert who loves her family, people, rainy days, a chai latte from Starbucks, and my Maltipoo McLovin.

I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, nor challenging people to live lives based on a biblical standard and not personal preferences.

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Connect with Kai:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kai.a.pineda
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkaiapineda/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kai_A_Pineda
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/92920689-kai-pineda

A Call-to-Action for Racial Reconciliation and Agape Love

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The Cross of Christ can also be referred to as the "Mercy Tree." God is REAL. His Son JESUS Christ is ALIVE and He loves YOU with His very Life! Read John 3:16-17.

I hope that you and your loved ones will have a joyous Easter Sunday as we celebrate God's heart of Love and Jesus Christ's sacrifice that He did for us to have the hope of eternal life.

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Post-Valentine’s Day Q&A with a man who has a heart for God and old-school romance

Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) is over but why not continue to celebrate true love?

Today, let's celebrate true love from a man's point of view. Yes, we all know Valentine's Day is all about the ladies and what we want and think is romantic. But how often do we pause to think about how the gentlemen view this special day?

So here is a little Q&A about Valentine's Day with a gentleman named Randall Flash. Enjoy! 

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Post-Valentine’s Day Q&A with Randall Flash:

Do you like Valentine’s Day? Why or why not?

Valentine's Day is cool in my book. I'm a huge history buff, and I have a little fascination with the original Valentine's Day story. It's a pretty cool one.

Do you have a significant other right now? If not, how did you celebrate Valentine’s Day as a single guy who is not romantically involved with a woman?

I'm legitimately single. As a single guy how do I celebrate? Every year I listen to Coltrane's: "A Love Supreme" and finish my day with another classic: "The Love Below" by Andre 3000.

Do you think this “holiday of love” puts undue pressure on men to go above and beyond with romantic gestures for their lady? 

I'm actually just a huge fan of holidays in general. People never celebrate enough, you know? Undue pressure? Hmm, I think it puts pressure on the guy, but a little pressure to go beyond for your lady ain't too bad. An extra day set apart to show your woman you care isn't the worst kind of pressure in the world. Sometimes folks do go overboard or there are some seriously high expectations coming from the other side of the court, so I think it all depends on the relationship you're in. As with any other day in your relationship the core principles stay the same: gotta know romance and you've gotta know your lady.

Why do you think women love the classic Valentine’s Day gifts—heart-shaped chocolate candy, red roses and a romantic evening out on the town?

I won't win fans for this one, but I'll say it: conditioning

Red roses as an instrument of love predates the Mileseans and the Hellenic period by a few hundred years. Candy and gifting sweets to loved ones also has a long history. Going out on the town? Most people just enjoy doing that anyway. Why women love the gifts? I'm not completely positive. Why these three are the gifts of choice around the world? Research the Pot Roast story. Therein lies the reason.

The focus is mostly on women on Feb. 14 but what about the man? Do you have any suggestions as to how the female in a relationship can express romantic gestures to her man? Or should that be required? Clearly men do not want roses! 

Gotta know romance, gotta know your guy.

No two snowflakes are exactly the same, but a woman can display romance by being a good listener. I'm pretty direct and upfront about what I want (whether games, a special dish, or a game night) and so a very nice romantic gesture from my lady to me would first start with her ears and then her heart. My love language is words of affirmation, but gifts don't hurt.

What advice do you have for men want to spoil the woman in their life on Valentine’s Day?

Listen, listen, listen. Valentines Day is only a day, but you have greater success if you use your hearing year-round. Pay attention and she will show you the way. If you can meet her need without her having to say it, you're already in the winners circle.

What words of wisdom do you have for men who do not care about Valentine’s Day whether they’re in a relationship or not?

Celebrate just to celebrate. Holidays are cool, man. If you don't want to term it "Valentine's Day,"then "SinglesAwareness Day" isn't too shabby for a secondary option.

Do you have a favorite memory of a past Valentine’s Day that was extra-special for you? 

The food. I've had some crazy Ramen feast on Valentines Day. Sigh, and Taco Bell in '08. Ah... the memories.

Single women who are Christian often say their First Love is Jesus Christ and they’re going on a “date” with Him for Valentine’s Day or simply spending time reading their Bible and growing close in their walk with the Lord. What are your thoughts on this common gesture?

I think that's pretty cool. I mean, you've got to keep that relationship with Christ in the number one spot. It works best if that message is out and front and both parties are on the same page.

What is perspective of Christian males who are single and not dating a lady on Valentine’s Day? Do they consider Jesus their “First Love” too? How does it work from a guy’s point of view? 

Christ is first. My faith is numero uno. I don't really say He is my "first love", that's not my lingo, but for sure he is the best love of all *Singing*: "Oh, how I love Jesus"...

In your honest opinion, what is the best way for a single person to spend Valentine’s Day?

Finding happiness where it could be found. As the saying goes, happiness is in the happenings. Do something fun! Get up, get out, get something going!

What do you think is the most romantic thing a guy can do for a girl on Valentine’s Day?

Spend time with her. Talk deeply, honestly. To be the best friend and lover to her through listening.

What is the most romantic love song to play or perform for your significant other on Feb. 14?

I think it depends on the young lady, but I'm partial to a Love Below. Prototype would be the song.

What words of wisdom can you share with couples who want to keep their relationship happy and healthy?

Love with your ears. Listen and respect each other. Communicate.

Thanks for the interview, Flash! I believe your words of wisdom, humor and passion for old school romance with God in the heart will inspire and encourage many people. 

Dear readers of "On My Heart," I hope you will interact with Flash in the comment section. He'll check it ever so often to reply to you. 

Here's to celebrating true love not just on Valentine's Day but year-round! Remember, even if you don't have a significant other, you have Jesus Christ who loves you with all of His Heart. *John 3:16* Trust Him in the process. *Jeremiah 29:11* Only God can provide your perfect match!