Rooted and Built up in Christ

"Don't get tattoos, Don't get piercings" the religious folks would say. But God has them. The only difference between Jesus' tattoos and piercings and most people's is that His aren't frivolous. They hold great value and are symbolic of His love for us. I must also add that His piercings aren't cute either. He went to great lengths to get them on Calvary's cross. The crown of thorns on His head, the nails in His hands, the nails in His feet, the spear in His side...He did it all for you. In chaotic times like this, when we feel alone, forgotten, and helpless, I hope this image remains clear in our heads. God loves us. I pray that we come to understand how far-reaching, deeply intimate, and endless this love is in this season (Ephesians 3:18-19 TPT). "But Dara, I've lost my job. I'm depressed. I'm hungry. I'm frustrated". God sees you. He has tattooed your name on His palms and you're always on His mind (Isaiah 49...

The media does what it does best, which is, sell fear. Let's be real, how often do we hear good news on the news? From health to politics to the economy to immigration, you name it, it's all negative. So, in the midst of all these happenings, especially in light of the corona virus, just wanted to remind you that as believers we are covered. This is not to downplay the situation or say you shouldn't do what you're supposed to do like eating healthy, staying hydrated, and washing your hands, but this is to say don't give in to fear. With schools getting shut down, grocery stores running out of supplies, and workplaces switching to working remotely, it is very easy to cave in. But as believers, we must learn to take our stand in situations like this. The scripture that readily comes to mind about protection in times like this is Psalm 91. Please take time to meditate on the entire chapter but I will share a few of my favorite verses below to encourage you. 1. Go...

The end of the year is usually a reflective time for all of us. We would use different adjectives to try to qualify what the year has been, and as I scheme my mind to find an adjective to qualify mine, words fail me.  2019 started on a very rough note. I graduated with my masters in August of the previous year, and had received an offer to work for an organization I was so excited about. But my excitement was cut short by some of the challenges international students face in the U.S. The protocol here is that you apply for your work authorization document 90 days before graduation or 60 days after, and the normal processing time to receive the document after you turn in your application is usually no more than 90 days. I applied for mine well in advance of graduation, sometime in June. However, for whatever reason, I did not receive my work authorization card until sometime in February, 238 days/8 months later. Those 238 days were some of the hardest times of my life. I mean I ...

Hi Lovelies! Been a while!! *sigh* But I have been lifing/adulting, the way the young folks of these days like to say lol. And if you don't know the meaning, just look it up in the urban dictionary. But today, I was inspired to write for two reasons 1) a post I saw on the Instagram story of one of my followers which in summary talked about the importance of developing passion because passion grows with utility. In other words, what you don't use, you lose. So, lovelies, whatever your gifting is (singing, speaking, writing, art etc) make sure you intentionally develop it by USING it. 2) My 25th birthday was 5 days ago and this past one year has been pretty challenging for me *phew* my faith has been tested like never before, and while it's been a painful process, I'm thankful for the growth and lessons I've learned. So, today I will be sharing some of the lessons year 25 has taught me: 1) Trust in God's timing for my life: the older I get, the more I...

Hey Lovelies! It's been a while! I feel like I always start my posts with an apology for how inconsistent I have been and a promise of how I am going to do better and I end up not following through *sigh*. So, today I am not even going to make any promises lol. I am just going to say Happy New Year!! and dive into the topic for today :). The past few months have been very trying for me as I have been waiting on God for breakthrough over a certain situation. And mehn... it's really been a journey. There are days where I am all fired up and my faith is all out regarding the situation, and there are days where I just want to stay in bed all day and sleep, sort of as a coping mechanism, and honestly, there are days where I've really done that. However, I thank God for His word and my wonderful support system, which have kept me going. My siblings, my parents, and my church family have really been amazing. It is such a great thing to be surrounded by people of faith whe...

How long, Lord, how long? I know you're never late but I guess we see time differently To you a thousand years and a day are the same because you're not bound by time You live in eternity So while I watch my clock and count seconds, minutes, days, weeks, months, years.... Waiting for you to show up You whisper to my worried heart: "I'm right here with you" Oh I ought to know that by now, we've been friends a long time now And you're a true friend, one that sticks closer than a brother But I forgot that so soon.... I got carried away waiting for the arrival of that special gift that I thought you left me Oh how easy it is to focus on the gift that we miss out on the giver Oh how easy it is to forget the many mountains you've brought me over So while I'm in the waiting room, Help me to see things through your eyes, Lord Help me to see time through your eyes, Lord Teach me the lessons you want me to learn And most importantly, may...

Hi lovely people! I know I've been MIA and  I   honestly  have no excuse so I won't even try to give one. But thank God for the STRONG inspiration to write today :). I emphasize strong because I've felt God speaking to me in the last few days about self-love and just embracing how He has made me. Today, I was watching a video on Ashley Empowers youtube channel (side note: go check her out, she's so inspiring!) and the video resonated with me on so many levels. The video was based off a question a lady had sent to Ashley and basically the lady was wondering if she'll ever find love as a plus-sized woman. She's in her 30s and now considering losing weight so she can find a man. Sure you guys may be wondering why this resonated with skinny Dara lol. But yes it did because it took me back to my teenage years when I was still in highschool and used to be so insecure about my weight. I was super skinny and the smallest girl in my year. I was made fun of, called...