Extravagant - My Blog

Unseen Rehersal Hours

We almost made it!  Don’t forget to mark your calendars for tomorrow Friday 19 at 7:00 pm. We will be having our closing event at Jubilee International Ministries. Hope you can make it, it’s going to be amazing!

Why do we do what we do? To me, it all summarizes in one word: Passion. Passion (zeal, fervor, whatever you want to call it) moved the heart of Jesus to die for His people. It was also was behind every missionary trip of Paul, Barnabas and Peter and it was behind the non-stop 100 years of prayer of the Moravians. Passion is a powerful driving force.

We are the midst of the winter Olympics and as we watch in awe these talented athletes spinning on the ice or doing the “Double Mctwist 1260” (kudos Shaun White), my thoughts go to how many “unseen rehearsal hours” are behind every spin, flip and jump. How many broken bones. How much money is invested on it. How much of their lives and the lives of the people around them had to adjust to accommodate training for a chance to prove the world that they are the best at what they do. And the force behind all of this: Passion.

Why do I pray and fast? Passion. Passion for God and the works of His hand, passion to see change in the city I love and its people. Can I expect everybody to understand this? No. God put it on MY heart and that is all I can worry about. I believe there is no such a thing as accidents or coincidences. I’m here in Pensacola, Florida because God wants me here and even though they were times (like when Ivan struck) that I wished that God’s will for us was Hawaii or New Zealand, I knew God didn’t make a mistake and I knew His word and promises were (and are) true for me and my family.

Before we did our first “40 days” I used to talked about being “stuck” here in Pensacola. I remember this particular day (two or three before the fast started) I was running errands with my little Gracie, and all of the sudden God’s overwhelming love for this city filled my car. I couldn’t stop crying. Every building, every street, every sign, every face brought tears to my eyes. Needless to say I don’t feel stuck in Pensacola anymore. At that moment I understood that God had plans for this city and I was given the privilege to be part of it. But my heart had to be in tune with His. There is no obligation in love. There is passion, sacrifice and commitment. I love this city. I’m passionate about it. I want to see it healthy, prosperous and safe! It’s not what can I get from Pensacola, but what can I give to Pensacola and if I truly believe in the power of prayer to change and to bless, that is the first thing I’m going to give.

God’s promise on 2 Chronicles 7:14 is an action-reaction one: WE (His people) must: humble, pray, seek, turn. Then HE(God) will hear, forgive and heal(restore) OUR LAND

Have you made Pensacola truly your land? Or do you still feel “stuck” here. The change starts in your heart. We have spent 39 days speaking truth over Pensacola. The prayers we have lifted are the “unseen rehearsal hours” of a great, gold medal city called Pensacola!! Bless her, cheer for her, defend her and call her YOUR OWN and God will do the rest. Its His promise and I believe it.

Loving being here,

Karina

got DRAMA?

Wow! Can you believe this is our last week! I know it has been a real battle for some of us to stay focused in this past week especially with so many viruses, colds and flu going around but I pray that you have regained strength to press through these last few days.

I just finished bible study couple hours ago and there is something Beth Moore said that I just can’t shake off my mind and it goes something like this: “The drama we CAN see very likely PALES in comparison to what we CAN NOT”

We are surrounded by DRAMA. It’s everywhere. From the drama that emerges between my two little girls fighting over a doll to the tragedy of loosing a family member, we are surrounded by it. There is work drama, family drama, school drama and the list can go on. We are affected by it whether we like it or not. In fact, if you are thinking on it, it’s because it is affecting you.

Paul knew this when he wrote 2 Corinthians 4:17 to encouraged us: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all”  In other words: We all have drama, bad days and real tragedy in our lives, but this is nothing compare to what it is waiting for us so keep on going!”

Hell will break loose when we are walking towards our destination (sorry for the use of the H--- word, couldn’t find any other proper one), but we must know and understand that although it may seems at a times we are fighting alone, we are not. I love Elisha’s words when he and his servant were surrounded by the armies of Aram: “those who are with us are more than those who are with them”. We are not alone. God will not put us in a battle He knows we cannot win or in one where He will not show up himself. Sometimes He’ll fight for us and some others He’ll let us use our own tools and the spiritual “muscle” He gave us to get the job done (Thanks Beth Moore).

Heaven is in our side. We are in the wining side.

Prayer is our spiritual muscle and like any other muscle it has to be trained and exercised. You don’t go to the gym for the first time and attempt to lift a 120 lb weight to start your routine. But disciplined and consistent training will take you there. We had been at the “gym” for 37 days now. Picking up one weight a day. Pressing through, fighting and contending for our city, for our lives. We had been in the fire for so long that anything that does not smells like God just stinks and it has to be burned at the altar right away (words, attitudes and pride). We are in a point were we are face to face with God and He is ready to hear from Heaven (2 Chronicles 7:14).

This is not a time to quit, but to keep pressing. Why were you fasting and praying? This is it!!! This is the time to blow the trumpets and see the walls come down!!

I pray today God will open your eyes to see that there are horses and chariots of fire ready to go on our behalf. This is not the end my friend. This is the beginning…

Be encouraged today and keep pressing!

Karina