Numb-ered Days

We count the stars, money, friends, possessions, followers and accomplishments. But of greater value is to number our days (Psalm 90:12). One must use her time to seek God and His will, and God will provide for all her needs (Matthew 6:34). God rewards those who are good stewards of the little they have, and He builds us up for what is in His blueprints, His plan for our lives (Psalm 127:1; Proverbs 19:21; Luke 16:10). Therefore, one must ask herself, or himself, if what they are seeking and treasuring is of God and beneficial to honor Him (1 Corinthians 10:23).

Treasures in Heaven
 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:19-21

As the saying goes, time is money. Following that same assertion, time is also the most fleeting and valuable commodity, as you can invest it all you want, and you may not ever see a return on your investment…this side of eternity. You cannot go back in time, only forward. Therefore, a risky investment is an opportunity to which one spends his time. Furthermore, one can assume she has 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day and seven days in a week (so on and so forth), however, no one truly knows how much time they have left (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32; James 4:13-17)! Yet, we all have time at our disposal, and dispose of it we do.

Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. - Ephesians 5:15-17 
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. - Psalm 90:12 

I want to number my days and not presume upon the future. I have lost much time by either acting in mindless ignorance or blatant disobedience; either position is wrong as I did not treasure time God has given and was not living wisely. Guarding and maximizing on the treasure of time which God has given me takes concerted effort:

  • Start the day seeking God with a mindset to please God and help others; remember the eternal impact of the work I do.
  • Seek the Lord to provide for the day, to take my worries away, and lead me away from the temptations that rob my time (Matthew 6:9-13; 1 Peter 5:7).
  • Be prayerful about where the Lord wants me to invest my time and make best use of it. Ask for His hand and provision in those efforts. I want to hear, “well done, good and faithful servant” one day (Matthew 25:23).
  • Learn how to discern God’s voice and obey what He has taught; be a doer of the word, and I will then be a good steward of my time (James 1:22).

Time Flies by Gianna Elyse

As I get older, and count days gone by, they seem to move quicker and blur together more, similar to how I feel playing T-Rex Runner in Google Chrome when there is no internet connection. Without a reverence for God, I can so easily waste what He has afforded to me.

Ⓒ Copyright 2022 by Gianna Elyse Carrasco
Time flies by like a sigh
Brings on a new air to the blues
Time feeds fire, soul's desire
Adds to the old, standard tune

Hear how it hums, carries a drum
Louder each moment, dying with distance
The farthest you've come, the shortest you'll run
Body and spirit, growing resistant

Time flies by like a sigh
Brings on a new air to the blues
Time feeds fire, soul's desire
Adds to the old, standard tune

Feel how it jumps, it's never enough
Ends in the silence, you'll never miss it
Then fixing the wrong, God brings you home
Goodbye unrented, careful to kiss it

Time flies by like a sigh
Brings on a new air to the blues
Time feeds fire, soul's desire
Adds to the old, standard tune

Ⓒ Copyright 2022 by Gianna Elyse Carrasco

Clues From My Early Days

One of my earliest memories was of my third birthday, which, at the time, I did not understand why so many people were gathered at our small upstairs ‘apartment’. My family lived in my grandmother’s house which was split into three levels, with my parents, sister and I living in the top level. My brother would be born less than three weeks later. We celebrated my sister’s 2nd birthday the same day because her and I have birthdays just days apart (we were almost Irish twins)!

After pushing past some confusion, I realized the gathering was Blues Clues themed, and a man in a giant ‘Blue’ costume came out to greet us. I don’t remember much else, except, at the end of the gathering, I followed the giant Blue to the room where he was going to change out of his costume. When I tried to enter, he had a few choice words to express to me, however. Perhaps he could have done better to heed the words of Jesus:

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.  And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.    Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
- Matthew 18:1-5

The memory of my 3rd birthday is from so long ago (March 2001) and perhaps I mixed up some details in my mind over the years, but I do remember how I felt. I felt confused at first, and I felt the anger from that man. Maybe I had a good time, but maybe I was overwhelmed, but certainly all of it is a blur. It is interesting that I did not realize the party was for me, but I got a chance to act on my curiosity, and what I discovered left a lasting impession.

I don’t know if I wanted more time with Blue or if I wanted to see who was under the costume. Whatever the reason, I followed that blue alien dog (the O.G. before Lilo & Stitch) as I was acting in my own real-life Blue’s Clues episode.

March 2001
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
-1 Corinthians 13:11

To this day, I’m more of an introspective type and not into large gatherings. I find myself looking for ways God chooses to show his glory and will for my life. My curiosity for God propels me forward to discover clues into what I was made for and where I am going. What’s important is that I do not allow the many distractions and trials of life to stunt my relationship with and growing knowledge of God, but to continue to mature in my faith and to even challenge myself out of the comfort zone.

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.
- Philippians 3:20-21
Thinking of You – Original Song by Gianna Elyse ©️ Copyright 2021 Gianna Elyse Carrasco
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
- Romans 1:20

To this day, I want to know what I can share with others while I am learning and growing as a living testimony to many things God has done through Jesus Christ in me. I am excited to continue learning and professing His name!

For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.  Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 
- Hebrews 13:14-16

Pulling Weeds

Pulling Weeds by Gianna Elyse


Sitting on the sidewalk
Watching birds find their purpose
I just wanna reach the surface
To breath
So I'm waiting on the sidewalk
Pulling Weeds

I was made to fly
Much like a sparrow
Mocked in the spotlight
With no strength to fight
I know where to borrow
Pulling weeds at midnight

Shuffles on the sidewalk
Strangers' feet are hurried
I can taste the dust as they talk
They can't see I'm drowning
I look up

I was made to fly
Much like a sparrow
Mocked in the spotlight
With no strength to fight
I know where to borrow
Pulling weeds at midnight

Ooh...


Copyright © 2021 by Gianna Elyse Carrasco

Bloganuary

Where do you go when you need solitude?

Solitude can feel painful, because so many fail to master it. My solitude is found in Jesus Christ. I love to walk in nature, because I feel close to Him, as it all points to a magnificent Creator (Romans 1:20). And when I do not read and apply His Word to my life, then I am failing to find solitude (James 1:22). Prayer is also an important aspect of solitude, as it expresses reliance and trust in God through every circumstance, because “Nothing of eternal significance happens apart from prayer” Jerry Falwell Sr.

In Hebrews 4, the rest that believers have in God is considered in greater detail.

https://www.biblestudytools.com/hebrews/4.html

Verse 16 says: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

When I fail to find solitude, things like envy and depression seep in. The scripture rings true: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12

Jesus said: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:9-11

And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:4

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

take a walk everyday

I am late again. 🤷🏾‍♀️ #bloganuary2022

Broken Vessels

Gianna Elyse Covers “Canvas and Clay”
(by Ben Smith, Chris Tomlin, Pat Barrett)

I am shaped to the tune of His grace

Yet, see the people I face

How can He pour in broken vessels

That which is precious?

For the broken vessel cannot appreciate

What flows through its cracks

Yet, the Potter (God) forms of clay

Purposefully and straightway

And what He completes

Can receive the Word He speaks

And sings into it

Gianna Elyse

Copyright © 2022 by Gianna Elyse Carrasco

Thanks to my friends

Thank you for your friendship and patience with me as a broken vessel; God is patching me up, re-forming me. Sometimes, I am not ready or willing to receive something because I have yet to learn a lesson, or become a doer of the Word in that area. Essentially, there’s been fear…bitterness…and conditions which I allowed to hinder my love.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18

Prayer and Affirmation

Thank you, God, for helping me to do what I need to do. I pray you overshadow me with power and grace in the areas I am weak and tired. I pray you overcome my insecurities and help me to grow past them.

Wash me with your Word, Oh God, and let not the worries of this world hinder it (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:18-19; Luke 8:14; Ephesians 5:26).

His Word will produce fruit from me, a positive growth (Isaiah 55:8-13).

He is able to complete the good work He started in me, perfecting my faith (Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 12:1-3).

Create in me a clean heart, O God (Psalm 51:10).

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I did not realize that the #bloganuary challenge was initiated. Better late than never…

Blessings,

Gianna Elyse

#bloganuary2022