MISSION of Mazes, Messes, Miracles...aMazing Grace

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Becoming Me

I chose this Bible verse to be the Mission of my writing a blog:

Isaiah 61

The Year of the LORD's Favor

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me

to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
5 Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God.

You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.
7 Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.
8 "For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples.

All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed."

10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

=========================================================

MISSION

You may have read Isaiah 61 thinking, how is she planning to do this as her

Blog Mission???

I am hoping that by sharing my life journey, the MAZES I have wandered...the MESSES that I have made or been through...would result in MIRACLES of Christ working in and through me to whomever would pass this way or whichever way I may be led to through this blog world. I would like to share an encouraging WORD along the way to touch others for Christ with the love and compassion that HE shows me daily and HIS GOOD NEWS: if HE can do this for me, HE can do this for YOU! There is HOPE in CHRIST JESUS through HIS aMAZING GRACE!

My original idea was to take one facet of my life journey and reach people going through similar circumstances but I decided that it was more important to share the composite of me, and my many facets just as they honestly are...day by day...experience of the past, present and future,

in hopes that I may do exactly what Isaiah 61 encourages me to BE and DO! For I have been in many of the situations of this chapter...and believe that His aMazing Grace has seen me through them and HE has used many people along my life journey to DO as Isaiah 61 says.

Allow me the humble honor to meet you along the WAY and share what THE LORD is doing for you & for me as we learn from each other! In this way, we will bless each other's life and encourage each other in Christ Jesus through tears or laughter, through pain or gain, through prayer and study of His Word and His transforming power and grace! This is not for me but HIM! I will seek HIM and pray each step along my way of "blogging"!

I would like to use this as an EVANGELISM tool for assisting others but it seems that it is more a Christian fellowship place for me to be blessed by others, as I am away from my HOME Church...it serves to keep me in touch with believing Christian women advancing the kingdom of God through journaling and finding ways to lift and encourage one another along the way through their words, songs, studies, prayers, teachings, and Christian ideas.

It is a venture and adventure together!

The seeds planted along my journey in me and by me will grow a garden I pray and be a sweet fragrance to my Lord Jesus Christ for His Glory! I hope either my writings or comments will do

this for whoever may read Mazes, Messes, & Miracles...aMazing Grace!

I pray that I may bless you as OUR LORD blesses me thru my Mission as we accomplish Christ's Mission TOGETHER!

My Purpose for Living

~Christ Jesus~

BE GLORIFIED

With ALL my LOVE and ALL of me...

I remain Your Servant, Your Vessel

...Use me Lord...

"Mazmagi"

Peggy

In closing of my Blog Photo at the top it reads:

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."

What is YOUR Purpose for your BLOG?

You have all week from July 13th-18th to write one and join us

Be sure to visit BECOMING ME for info to Link your Blog & Mission!

and see the BLOG MISSION TOUR

IF JESUS CHRIST can DO this for me,

bring me through the many MAZES,

fix up or rescue me from the MESSES,

and allow MIRACLES

by HIS aMAZING GRACE...

HE CAN & WILL DO this for YOU!

Just TRUST Him!

or come along with me

through my Blog Adventure

and hopefully you will see-

HE is this & MORE!

MAZE, MESS & MIRACLE MONDAY

IN THE OLAS ALTAS which means "HIGH WAVES" here in Mexico~


Footprints In The Sand sung by Leona Lewis

You walked with me
Footprints in the sand
And helped me understand
Where I'm going

You walked with me
When I was all alone
With so much unknown
Along the way

And just when I
I thought I'd lost my way
You gave me strength to carry on
That's when I heard you say


I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow
And despair

And I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand
When I'm weary
Well I know you'll be there
Cause I can feel you
When you say

I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sadness and despair
Oh, I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand
(choir)
When your heart is full of sadness and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend

I promise you
I'm always there
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints
In the sand

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is what the Lord has been speaking to me.

I have always loved this poem:

"FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND"
Without going into specifics so as not to lay blame or shame,

back when I came to Mazatlan in 1996,

-which was my second trip-

this POEM became a reality and a cry to the Lord

in a deep and depressed prayer to God from me.

My heart was indeed overwhelmed

and though I wasn't lost- I knew the Lord,

I could not overcome the "rut" I felt my life was in

...and had little hope for living any longer.

It was during Easter week, the week preceding Easter known in Mexico as

"Semana Santa" Holy Week.

I had been to Mazatlan in 1995 as a tourist with my adopted son, and his friend. And felt I had heard the Lord speak to me and call me there. But in 1996 when I returned, I was very burned out, exhausted and hopeless after a very serious medical crisis with our adopted daughter, which I dealt with alone, like a single parent for 6 months of life-making decisions, except for the fact that my church family gathered around me

and that they did much beyond the call of duty.

So when I came to Mazatlan, I was really searching "alone" about what was my purpose for living.

It looked to me like I had failed at everything:my marriage, my job(s), "motherhood"...

I so longed to be with the Lord yet I knew that would not happen if I took it into my own hands again...

I walked along the beach, along the Mazatlan coast many times, but on Good Friday, when I walked, I cried out to God:

"Give me a reason to go on living..."

And I watched as I walked how the waves rescinded and there were no footprints in the sand.

And so I cried out again...

"Look, Lord...not even now, when I'm at my lowest do I see you walking with me. I don't even see my own steps-they are just as washed out as I am, the waves come crashing in against the rocks, rippling along the sand, not leaving a trace of my steps, not even like my favorite poem, so even You have given up on me...

I could walk out into those waves and never be missed, the current will pull me under and someday I'll wash up on the shore somewhere."

Please, Lord, just show me You care! Give me Your Purpose, for me to go on living".  I was very much without HOPE and saw very little purpose left in my life. I saw no resolution for my problem(s), in fact, I was told that I was the problem.

YET

Our Lord was ALWAYS THERE

HE IS ALWAYS THERE!

He doesn't give up on us

He's just waiting for you

to notice how much He cares.

I don't know WHY I decided to share this

except

to let you know

THERE IS HOPE

in Christ JESUS!

HIS PROMISES & HIS WORD

ARE TRUE!

I walked through many MAZES like this one above throughout my life,

I caused many MESSES and many MESSES caused me undue stress,

heartache and desperation,

but I am alive and living for Jesus,

a PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE,

a MIRACLE of

HIS aMAZING GRACE!

FOR
"I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Mazatlán-Minnesota "Land of the Deer"

Mazatlán is a Nahuatl word meaning "Land of the Deer".

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." Psalm 42:1

"Cual ciervo jadeante en busca del agua, así Te busca, oh Dios, todo mi ser. Tengo sed de Dios, del Dios de la vida." SALMO 42: 1-2a

Perhaps that's why I feel so at home here in Mazatlán. Perhaps that's why God put Mazatlán and its people in my heart! People in Mazatlán are warm and wonderful but really need the Lord Jesus Christ! People in Mazatlán come from all over México and settle here, some just pass through or come for vacations. So the deer have moved to the outskirts and the smaller towns [más allá] towards the hills and mountainsides, it'd be rare to have them feeding near my home here. The photo is from my home in Minnesota, which has become a beautiful refuge for some deer and their young ones from the hunters.

The photo from Crosswalk (dot)com was my original blog header (pictured above) and looks like the small lake across the dirt road from my home in MN, that has an island out in the middle. Each year, I thought about how I'd love to get out to that island. I had to wait until winter, when the water froze, so that I could fulfill that desire to cross the water and explore this island.

Mazatlán has 3 islands and a favorite place for tourists called Stone Island (which is really a peninsula - it just takes a longer time to travel around the land route, so people cross in small boats daily). The 3 islands are: Deer Island, Wolf Island and Bird Island. I renamed them years ago: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost on my prayer walks along the Malecón(the sidewalk by the waterfont and coastline). You can only see the Island of the Deer in this photo in the fog!

As you can see there are beautiful similarities between Mazatlán and Minnesota. Yet the drawing for me, to be here, is the beauty of the water. Much as the water draws the deer. I reflected on why the water draws me here. The simplest reason ~ the water symbolizes:

PEACE for me. 

The small lake, by my home in Minnesota, brings PEACE also!

Now I realize, that this same water has the power to bring mighty storms, hurricanes here in Mazatlán or floods back home in Minnesota and all along the Mississippi and its tributaries or even small lakes and streams, which leaves paths of destruction and crushed spirits from utter desolation and despair. So why does such PEACEFUL tranquility surrender to the STORMS?

Why do the deer gather in the pines by my home in Minnesota, near this small body of water?

TO QUENCH THEIR THIRST!

LORD, Draw me into your Living Water today! Quench my insatiable thirst for more of You!

Lead me by the paths of everlasting water, joy and peace that only Your Spirit brings.

Protect us through the storms of life, to BE STILL and know that YOU are God.

In these storms, hear the cry of the heart saying, "Lord save me". You alone calm the waters and reach out Your hand saying, "Come." " Follow me." "Trust me." "Obey my Word".

Let me soak in Your Presence today! Let me hear Your voice! Let my soul be filled anew!

With each new day, draw me closer to Your Living Water and You! Quench my thirst!

What's in a NAME?

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet." Shakespeare ~ Romeo and Juliet

I'm
NEW TO BLOGGING
on

April 3rd, 2008
so

Why MazMagi.blogspot.com?

... and Mazes, Messes & Miracles?...

... aMazing Grace

[added later]

but has become my main name

because of God's Grace &

 how I am more aMazed every day by how

aMazing

Grace

is

Today is my first day of entering the BLOGGING world officially! Up until now, I have just been enjoying reading inspirational blogs of others, mostly Christian women. 

Today, I launch mine:

Mazes, Messes, Miracles ... aMazing Grace
now
aMazing Grace... Mazes, Messes, Miracles

But instead of giving a purpose for my blog,
or rationale of what I hope to accomplish or post,

I will explain the NAME.

First MazMagi and then aMazing Grace ... Mazes, Messes, Miracles!

MazMagi comes from
Maz for Mazatlan
the place I call home in Mexico
away from home in Minnesota
and
Magi a nickname for my real name.

In Spanish, my real name is a drink or a flower: margarita. I never used my real name in English, except for legal matters or when my father was upset with me, then I heard the whole name!!! Margaret Mary Teresa Anderson... but especially "Margaret Mary" from my dad. It was not a name of endearment but it came to be somewhat more precious when I studied the life of the saint, for which I was named

Margaret Mary

Alacoque

(a French nun devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus)

As long as I can remember (age 3-4), I have gone by "Peggy". Most people don't even understand how it derives from my real name, but it does. My dad would say that there is no "saint" Peggy, so I pray that I'm the first. (Although I believe when I was young, I read a pamphlet on Saint Peggy.) Anyways, my real name Margaret means "pearl" and from there, and other derivatives, comes Peggy.

In Mexico, many with my real name go by "Maggie" which in Spanish is pronounced and spelled Magui. (mah-gee) I chose to go by that at first, but I wrote it "Magi" on purpose (yet that is incorrect spelling of it). The reason was I wrote it like "Magi" was because of Jesus and The Magi at Christmas! The Three Kings, who brought gifts to the baby Jesus were known as The Magi. I added the background from "The Cutest Blog on the Block" for Christmas in honor of this.

2010 and 2011

When I come to Mexico, each trip, I usually try to bring gifts, because the needs of the people are so many! I don't have enough financially, as I found out on my first trip here, to meet so many needs, but my heart just broke with wanting to leave something, whatever I had to those who had less. I quickly decided that the reason I would come back every year was because I had a gift to give: me. Whatever I am, I would give, in the name of Jesus. Be it teacher or friend, I must stir up whatever gift or gifts lie within me to serve the people here in Mexico.

Of course, having a teaching degree, I thought it would be with CHILDREN, because children have held such an important place in my heart and God's, but I was soon to learn that God would use me, mold me, and minister through me with whomever He chooses.

The spiritual gifts that He has enabled me with, He will stir up, exactly what I need in the moment He needs it. If we are open to His Holy Spirit and willing to be used, He will speak to you and through you. His Word will be made real in your daily living!

So I am Magi...His gift...and my gift to Him is wherever He calls me to serve. That is the reason I live! That is the reason for MazMagi ... (mazmagi)

I really wanted to have my Blog have an inspirational name that reflects God's work in me and my life. I have found such beautiful and meaningful names that others have chosen. Than there are others that are comical and creative! So I wanted one, that one day I would be able to use as a ministry with what I post. I don't know if and when that will happen, so I chose:

... aMazing Grace

Mazes, Messes and Miracles 

because I guess that pretty much capsulizes
MazMagi's life.

I have MESSED up many times. I have gone through many trials, tribulations and temptations that have led me through this MAZE, called life or journey and I am aMAZED how God has seen me through the good and the bad.

But, I must admit I want to see many MIRACLES still in my life! I feel that the greatest miracle is the one God does each day in my life...because JESUS, His Son, not only did miracles in His 3 years of ministry, He still CAN do miracles today, through you and me by the power of His Holy Spirit. He is the greatest MIRACLE that came into my life and has had His hand upon me daily still, even when I may not have acknowledged Him or have strayed, HE was THERE & HE IS HERE reaching out, forgiving me, holding me, carrying me, filling me, leading me, completing my journey through this life by and through His Holy Spirit alive in me. The greatest miracle is how Jesus gave His life in exchange for mine, and Rose from the dead, conquered death and sin for me, or YOU-or anyone & everyone who puts their faith in HIM.

"For God so loved YOU and me, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believes in Him, shall not perish but have LIFE EVERLASTING! "John 3:16

The additional phrase aMazing Grace was added soon after I began, because I am saved by

HIS AMAZING GRACE!
...but for the grace of God, go I...

I am who I am

because

HE is who HE IS!

and by

HIS GRACE

I am being changed

to reflect JESUS!

I added this as my THEME SONG: Amazing Grace: My Chains are Gone by Chris Tomlin and now His aMazing Grace is my main focus, not the mazes, messes or miracles. It is through His Grace that I am free.

I love the original *Amazing Grace but this one by Chris Tomlin tells more of the Freedom I have found in Christ Jesus, which is available through HIS GRACE! Not because I earned it, not because I fought the battle alone to gain this freedom, but because Jesus fights the battle along side me daily, as I put on the FULL ARMOR of CHRIST, HE goes before me and HE already won the victory so that I may have it: aMazing Grace! How sweet the sound!

Isaiah 61 is the one from which I have chosen parts as my Mission verse on top of my page

"...to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor!"

You need to click on Isaiah 61 to read the full 11 verses & have a context to understand better to whom I pray that I will minister or touch with some of God's Grace as He pours through me and my words on each post. I pray that they will be anointed!

..."I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. 
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, 
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, 
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations."
(verse 10-11)

* this version of Amazing Grace is beautifully sung by this 8 yr. old phenomena Rhema Marvanne