Encouragement Notes Podcast

Unfinished: What should we do?

Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy. And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below— blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. King David said this about him: ‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’ “Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave. “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”’ “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. Acts of the Apostles 2:14‭-‬41 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/act.2.14-41.NLT

“Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike. And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth— blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape, just as the Lord has said. These will be among the survivors whom the Lord has called.
Joel 2:28‭-‬32 NLT

“Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike. And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth— blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and terrible day of the Lord arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape, just as the Lord has said. These will be among the survivors whom the Lord has called.
Joel 2:28‭-‬32 NLT

What should we do?

1. Accept the message and trust in Jesus Christ

2. Be baptized. It’s a public declaration that you are following Christ.

3. Live a life of obedience and tell people about Jesus

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Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Unfinished: The Birth of the church

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other. But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”
Acts of the Apostles 2:1‭-‬13 NLT

The Miracle of Pentecost

1. The Background

Jewish Feasts

1. Passover

“In addition to the Sabbath, these are the Lord’s appointed festivals, the official days for holy assembly that are to be celebrated at their proper times each year. “The Lord’s Passover begins at sundown on the fourteenth day of the first month.
Leviticus 23:4‭-‬5 NLT

2. First Fruits

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. When you enter the land I am giving you and you harvest its first crops, bring the priest a bundle of grain from the first cutting of your grain harvest. On the day after the Sabbath, the priest will lift it up before the Lord so it may be accepted on your behalf. On that same day you must sacrifice a one-year-old male lamb with no defects as a burnt offering to the Lord. With it you must present a grain offering consisting of four quarts of choice flour moistened with olive oil. It will be a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. You must also offer one quart of wine as a liquid offering. Do not eat any bread or roasted grain or fresh kernels on that day until you bring this offering to your God. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation wherever you live.
Leviticus 23:9‭-‬14 NLT

3. Pentecost

“Second, celebrate the Festival of Harvest, when you bring me the first crops of your harvest. “Finally, celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest at the end of the harvest season, when you have harvested all the crops from your fields. At these three times each year, every man in Israel must appear before the Sovereign, the Lord.
Exodus 23:16‭-‬17 NLT

2. The Signs

1. Wind

Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.
Acts of the Apostles 2:2 NLT

2. Fire

Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.
Acts of the Apostles 2:3 NLT

3. Languages

And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
Acts of the Apostles 2:4 NLT

3. The Response

1. Confusion

When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee,
Acts of the Apostles 2:6‭-‬7 NLT

2. Curiosity

and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.
Acts of the Apostles 2:8‭-‬12 NLT

3. Contempt

But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”
Acts of the Apostles 2:13 NLT

Memory Verse

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts of the Apostles 1:8 NLT

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Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

About Last Night: A Gushing review of my friend D. Scott Eads

Last night was a blast; I definitely had fun! I had the pleasure of seeing my friend D. Scott Eads in concert at Sterling’s Upstairs at the Federal. As always, he was amazing, and he played in a sold-out room of 100 people!

The standout moments of the show:

1. I haven’t met you yet

2. Sway

3. Time in a bottle

Invite cards can help you make friends: our story:

I met Scott at Sterling’s Upstairs at the Federal three years ago. We were attending a show, and he was seated behind me. We introduced ourselves to each other and, while talking, traded social media info. Then he handed me an invite card with a headshot and information about his upcoming show. He told me that I should go, and I did; it’s one of the best choices I ever made 😊 I am blessed to have gained a wonderful friend

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D. Scott Eads Facebook

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

A review of Pretty Woman The Musical

This is all of the things you need to know, that I did not include in the podcast episode

1. I would highly recommend this musical, but keep in mind that Pretty.Woman is still pretty woman. There is lingerie style nudity, so in my opinion, I would keep the invite to mature family and friends.

2. The running theme in the show is What’s your dream? Everyone needs to have one.

3. My Adam Pascal Story

The first time I met Adam was in 2006; I was 24 years old. My mom and I went to see him in concert in a theatre in Westwood. He was playing the music from his album Civilian. We had third-row seats for the show, and, of course, I screamed my heart out in excitement because, OMG, It’s Adam in person, and he’s a hottie 😊

After the show, the audience got in line to buy his CDs and line up for a meet and greet with Adam. Being one of the last people to make it to the lobby, I asked the house manager how long she thought it would be before I would get to see Adam.

She kindly responded by saying,

Can you hang out for a minute? I’ll be right back

When she came back from outside, she said,

Adam said he will be back in the house in 15 minutes to meet with you one on one !

My heart started to race; I couldn’t believe what was happening!

Just as he promised, he came into the room 15 minutes later. I think I giggled and said hi, I’m Marie

To which Adam said,

Hi Marie, have I seen you somewhere before? You look familiar.

I giggled again, and I said

I don’t think so.

Adam tried to help me out by asking are you sure? Because he didn’t want me to fall flat on my face. I was so overwhelmed and flustered that that’s what happened. I didn’t pick up on the fact that he was trying to flirt with me as Roger, his character from RENT. He asked if I wanted to take a picture, and I said yes. My mom took our picture, he signed my cd, and we walked to our car.

It was then mom said,

Marie! You didn’t get what he was trying to get out of you.

It was then that I felt like I could kick myself.

Looking back and sitting with all those memories made me proudly realize that if we were to meet again, and he asked me that flirty question again I would be able to say

Have you been to the Expo? It’s where I work; I dance.

Then, I would probably pose in a cheerio, a move that we do in dance class. It’s the same move that Adam does for the word handcuffs in the song Light my candle in RENT ♥

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advocacy, Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Over Turning Roe V Wade

This is what I think

I am a Christian, a person who has accepted the gift of salvation that Jesus Christ offers to all people. I might get hate for what I’m going to say, but here it goes. If we are truly followers of Christ, we cannot force everyone to follow what we believe; that is what being a street corner Bible-thumping megaphone-using person is, and the Lord we follow is not like that. Yes, abortion is death, and it is wrong in God’s sight, but those that call themselves Christ-followers need to put into practice the gentleness and respect that we are taught in 1 Peter 3:15
Instead, you must worship Christ as the Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
1 Peter 3:15 NLT
We need to learn how to love people to Jesus Christ not be bullies

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

The End of Stage 1

This morning I had my final zoom call with the ladies of The Boundless Babe Society stage one. If you had asked me a year ago if being connected to a group of women who use wheelchairs sounded like a good idea, I would have called you crazy, but my life has changed a lot in the past year, and I recognize the importance of living and not sitting around doing nothing.

Since I have been part of BBS. I have gained the ability to go out independently using a van service called access service. I have enjoyed meeting friends for lunch, hanging out with my family at life group, and having time to myself at cute coffee shops.

I can’t wait to see where God takes me next on this Boundless Journey.

Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Six things the class of 2022 needs to know

This is advice from a member of the class of 2000

1. Your graduation day is the beginning of your adult life.

2. You can do anything; choose to do something instead of nothing.

3. Know that keeping up your education does not mean that you have to sit in a classroom.

4. If you feel stuck in life, help someone else

5. Go out on your own often, even if you choose to live at home. Time away from your protective bubble will help you understand what you want in your life.

6. You’ve got this! Keep God at the center of your life, and all will work out.

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Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Just sayin’: The truth in Love

Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.
Proverbs 18:21 MSG

What is confrontation?

A confrontation is a meeting between two friends for the purpose of restoring Godliness.

How does God call us to have a confrontation?

We need to follow God’s leading carefully; if you’re excited to confront someone, it’s not from God.

2. Meet privately

“If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend. If he won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won’t listen, tell the church. If he won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love. “Take this most seriously: A yes on earth is yes in heaven; a no on earth is no in heaven. What you say to one another is eternal. I mean this. When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.”
Matthew 18:15‭-‬20 MSG

3. Prepare tactfully and compassionately to confront.

The way to prepare:

Check your own heart first
Written prep
Approach with a story

Once you share the truth, be quiet and let God take over and do the convicting.

4. Offer grace and support

Questions to ask yourself and God:

Is the sin dishonoring to God?
Are others being hurt?
Is the person being hurt

Challenge: I will compassionately confront if needed.

I will receive confrontation if needed.

Be open to what God wants to say to you.

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Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Around the World with John Lloyd Young

The Set List for the show:

1. Can’t take my eyes off of you
2. Oh what a Night
3. What a difference a day makes
4. Con Tigo la Distancia
5. Show and Tell
6.Annie’s song in Spanish
7. Usted
8. Hold Me thrill me Kiss Me
9. California Dreaming
10. Theme from Crazy Rich Asian
11. Mi RI tenia
12. You are everything
13.Theme from scar face
14. Working my way back
15 Sherry
16 Cara Mia

My favorite songs of the set:

Usted
Con Tigo la distancia
You are everything
Annie’s song
Hold me, thrill me , kiss me
Can’t take my eyes off of you

Fun fact

John serenaded me with Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, and Usted when I went to his shows by myself, and he felt the need to check on me

Our friendship Story

I met John at his concert at Sterling’s Upstairs at The Federal on October 13th, 2014. During the show, he strolled through the audience, singing Hey There Lonely Girl. He made his way to my table in the back of the room, and he tried to hold my hand, but I wouldn’t let him.

After the show, there was a meet and greet! After taking a picture with him, I asked him if I could have a hug and he said,

How could I say no?!

He hugged me, and I left. I thought that would be the only time I would see him but to date I have seen John over forty times in Los Angeles alone.

In the past eight years, I have come to consider John, a true friend. During the pre-pandemic era, he always made time for all his fans and asked them about their lives. I loved the time I got to spend with him for a chat and a walker free photo

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Faith, Dance, Books, advocacy

Unfinished: Rolling the Dice

So they left the mountain called Olives and returned to Jerusalem. It was a little over half a mile. They went to the upper room they had been using as a meeting place: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James, son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas, son of James. They agreed they were in this for good, completely together in prayer, the women included. Also Jesus’ mother, Mary, and his brothers. During this time, Peter stood up in the company—there were about 120 of them in the room at the time—and said, “Friends, long ago the Holy Spirit spoke through David regarding Judas, who became the guide to those who arrested Jesus. That Scripture had to be fulfilled, and now has been. Judas was one of us and had his assigned place in this ministry. “As you know, he took the evil bribe money and bought a small farm. There he came to a bad end, rupturing his belly and spilling his guts. Everybody in Jerusalem knows this by now; they call the place Murder Meadow. It’s exactly what we find written in the Psalms: Let his farm become haunted So no one can ever live there. “And also what was written later: Let someone else take over his post. “Judas must now be replaced. The replacement must come from the company of men who stayed together with us from the time Jesus was baptized by John up to the day of his ascension, designated along with us as a witness to his resurrection.” They nominated two: Joseph Barsabbas, nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, O God, know every one of us inside and out. Make plain which of these two men you choose to take the place in this ministry and leadership that Judas threw away in order to go his own way.” They then drew straws. Matthias won and was counted in with the eleven apostles.
Acts 1:12‭-‬26 MSG

How the first Christians made a difficult decision

They were obedient
They applied scripture
They sought wise counsel
They connected with God through prayer.
They rolled the dice

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5 and 6

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