thoughts of a servant

Been a while...

2011-06-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

... check out my youtube page.

www.youtube.com/joemikeymapa

Do not worry

2009-05-17T17:29:00.000-07:00

Final thoughts from todays sermon.

Realize, know, and believe that you are a child of God, heirs to the throne of Grace. If God is for you, who can be against you? Do not be afraid, for God is with you, and He will never leave you, or forsake you.

May we all see the blessings of God and give those blessings back to Him.

Much Love,

joe mikey mapa

NEW SONGS!

2009-04-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

We just finished recording new songs to go to the Bridgeway242 outreach cd to give out freely to newcomers.

Visit www.myspace.com/joemikeymapa to hear the songs

May we all see the blessings of God and give those blessings back to Him

Much Love,
joe mikey maa

Change.org

2009-04-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

This is a site that i've been keeping up with.

Please take a look at www.change.org

i've been going through the One year bible, and one of the scriptures that were highlighted today was Psalm 89. Verse 14 of Psalm 89 says "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your [The Lord's] throne".

Its been said so many times, that it may be even an overused phrase now. But we cant sing songs of worship without justice. Change.org brings to light the issues going on in the world, and gives us empowerment of what to do about it. Also, sometimes we can feel overwhelmed that there is so much to do. But the truth, and comfort is that we are not supposed to do this ourselves. I've been reading "The Hole in our Gospel" by Richard Stearns. Stearns is the World Vision CEO and he writes that though there is a lot to do, all of us (especially Christians who believe what God says) need to come together and do something about it. That it's not just for one person.

So go to change.org, and they even separate the issues going on so you can be even more specific at what you are passionate to fight. i in particular read the end human trafficking site on change.org frequently because i have a passion in trying to stop that.

May we all see the blessings of God and give those blessings back to Him

Blessed

2009-02-07T07:37:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was a really good night. i opened for this guy named Wendell Kimbrough (who's a really good, and pretty talented guy btw) at Ebenezers Coffeehouse. It was also my first paid gig ever (only paid 4% of the tickets revenue, but hey, we all gotta start somewhere right? :c). Feeling extremely blessed to be able to write songs and be able to play then in front of people. Apperantly it was a sold out crowd at Ebenezers, so that was also really cool.

i was thinking today, that life would be a lot easier if i made a lot of money (not sure if its random or not), and then i got to thinking "yeah, it would definitely cause me not to worry". But then, that thought bothered me for a little while. i started thinking, why cant i stop worrying now? Also, why am i worrying now? What do i have to worry about? If i have put my life in the hands of an All Knowing, All Powerful God, why am i worrying? i then started to feel silly about that thought, and decided to just not worry today.

Looking back on my crazy life, and this crazy and amazing ride that i'm on right now, i'm realizing that i have always been taken care of. Even when i lived off of 300 bucks a month (which is a lot in many countries), i still have been able to eat every day, and live well. And i thank God for that. Anyways, so those are my thoughts for the day.

Thank you for the people that came yesterday to support me, i really appreciate it, its definitely easier when there's some people i know in the crowd. Thank you for showing me your love and encouragement. Tonight i will be in Rockville doing a set in an Arts Night. i am very excited for that, and am contemplating playing an entirely new set just cause its random. Is it cliche' to say i feel blessed? If it is.... whatever....

May we all see the blessings of God and give those blessings back to Him

Much Love,
joe mikey mapa

CompassionArt

2009-01-26T13:51:00.000-08:00

Hey ya'll..

you all gotta get your hands on this CD called CompassionArt. 12 Artists got together last January and decided to write worship songs and give it all away to fight injustice throughout the world. The great thing about having 12 different artists write songs, is that they all have different musical backgrounds, so no two songs sound the same. The songs are really great, and can definitely be used for congregational worship.

In other news, life has been really great. i have felt so blessed this weekend. i got to do a workshop for my old youth group (Chinese Bible Church) at their winter retreat, then go home and go see Fiction Family with my beautiful fiance'. Then on Sunday, it was one of those times of worship through songs that i live for. i truly felt the heart of a pleased God, and He really blessed me and the congregation. Not only that, there are some songs flowing out right now that have been a blessings to me, and i hope to be a blessings to you all... Praise the Lord!

i've been learning a lot about the Love of God recently. And as much as i learn, i'm learning even more that i have a lot to learn :c). i can barely comprehend, that there is this God that has known you and me since before we were, and He still loves us. Even typing these thoughts dont seem to do this thing justice... Amazing

Announcement!
i will be opening for this guy named Wendell Kimbrough on February 6th at Ebenezers coffeehouse in Washington D.C. Its near Union Station. And i'll be in Rockville, MD the next day as well. Check out my website at the dates page for more info...

May we all see the blessings of God and give those blessings back to Him.

Much Love,
joe mikey mapa

Wow, its been a long time

2009-01-08T18:26:00.000-08:00

Hey guys...

Man.. its been a really really long time since i blogged. A lot has happened this fall, and its been amazing. i've hopefully grown a little since august, and i'm really loving life right now. A quick announcement, if anyone in the DC area is free Friday February 6th, i'll be opening for this guy named Wendell Kimbrough at Ebenezers Coffeehouse. If you all are around the neigborhood, drop by if you can.

Sorry for the no posts for a while, as you know, life gets busy :c), i'll try (really, i will this time) to update more.

May we all see the blessings of God and give those blessings back to Him

Much Love,
joe mikey mapa

website up and busy weekend

2008-08-01T11:32:00.000-07:00

Hey ya'll..

just writing to let you know that thanks to my wonderful cousin, my new website is up.

www.joemikeymapa.com

feel free to visit and look around.

Also,

tonight i will be playing in Northern Va. and tommorow i'll be playing in Rockville, MD... check the website and go to the "date" page (wow, that feels weird to say.. hehehe)...

hope to see some of ya'll there..

May we see the blessings of God and give those blessings back to Him..

Much Love,
joe mikey mapa

Wallet stolen (video Blog 3)

2008-07-15T19:13:00.000-07:00

i realize i didnt put a time

8pm

Ebenezers Coffeehouse[+]
201 F Street NE [map]
Washington, DC 20002

May we see the blessings of God and give those blessings back to Him

Much Love,
joe mikey mapa

Video Blog 2

2008-06-26T12:34:00.000-07:00

Surfs up!!!!!

Video Blog 1

2008-06-21T20:48:00.000-07:00

thoughts from an 11 month old

May we all see the blessings of God and give those blessings back to Him

Much Love,
joe mikey mapa

Playing tag with God, seeing the moon rise, and having sunburn feet

2008-06-19T16:14:00.000-07:00

How do you have sunburn feet?

i have no idea but thats what happened today when i had my quiet time outside in the sun.. i've never had sunburn before... i think its hilarious that it was on my feet... its been an amazing couple of days... a couple afternoons ago, i went to the beach with my brother and his family.. and i did something that i dont remember ever doing (but i probably did sometime in my life)... i played tag with the ocean water and was seriously feeling like i was playing tag with God... and it was kinda funny when my brother asked what i was doing, and i told him i was playing tag with God, then a big wave soaked my shorts... to which i said... "i guess i'm it"... Last night i saw the moon rise from the mountain horizon... it was a really beautiful site...

What i'm learning most here during this sabbatical is enjoying my days with God... learning to be His child, and longing for Him just like His child.. He's been teaching me things like trust, and enjoying His presence... its been amazing having my quiet times and feeling God's arms around me and knowing what calling Him "Father" really feels like... To really feel like His child and knowing (at least somewhat) the depth of what that means... its amazing.. and to realize that we are all children of God, and heirs to Christ Jesus... this thought should blow our minds!.. why doesn't it?

CBC kids i'll be speaking there when i get back at june 29th...

May we all see the blessings of God and give those blessings back to Him

Much Love,
joe mikey mapa

Reflections of an out of shape dude

2008-06-16T20:22:00.000-07:00

So i went for a swim today... the interesting thing is that i biked there, and there at A LOT of hills in So. Cal... and the pool was only about a mile or a half a mile away (not too long)... buti had a real hard time going there.. not only that.. i used to be able to do 20 laps in the pool.. today i was stuggling after my first one but pushed through to get.. 5...

Whats the point?... i've been having a lot of time for quiet with God lately.. and its been really fulfilling and i'm learning a lot about my own faults and insecurities... As good as this time with God i've been having, its also been very humbling as He shows me what He wants to change in me... I've learned many things, but the main thing that i've been learning is my own mortality.. In the words of Francis Chan.. "Its not morbid, its reality".. i've been learning that God can strike me dead at any moment.. Even maybe as i write this i can drop dead.. Again, not morbid, but reality...

But The God of the Universe, the God who created all, who made all, and who saved all keeps me alive at this moment... And i've been asked the question.. "Are you ready?"... and my brothers and sisters.. i cannot tell you that i've been ready allt he time.. sadly, i cannot tell you that i have never wasted my day.. but i hope that this reminder will stick with me to never waste a day... and i hope it will stick with you...

May we all see the blessings of God and give those blessings back to Him.

Much Love,
joe mikey mapa

Willow Creek Arts conference 2008

2008-06-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

Prayers answered... thoughts affirmed... restful and powerful worship...

.... and that was only the first day :c)

though i have to admit.. driving up to the church the first day and walking in and seeing this... was overwhelming

yes... an escalator.. so the first couple of moments was really overwhelming.. but it made it a little easier when 15 minutes later.. after asking God to meet a worship leader from Arlington, Va... i met this guy..

this is how our conversation went..

me: you came here alone too?
richard: yeah, where you from?
me: DC, Arlington, VA area. you?
richard: reeeeaaallly?? me too
me:.... weird...

so we hung out for most of the time in the conference and hope to connect when i get back to Arlington, Va...

But it was a great time of reflection, and affirmation from God that this is where i'm supposed to be... which was great...

The closing time Francis Chan...

reminded us that no matter how much we can excel.. there is still more to what us as humans can do... We have the power of the Holy Spirit that can be given to us, and if thats not there.. .then theres no point.. That really (along with a lot of other points, including meeting brian mclaren..) stuck out to me... i pray we all dont forget where our true powers come from... Francis talked about butterflies who crawl around in the dirt.. you ever seen those?. yeah.. me neither.. but Francis pointed out that sometimes, the Church and Christians are like that.. not knowing that they are different, and that we can fly... so i invite you guys.. to fly... unabashedly, and fearlessly fly...

so now i'm here in cali.. my brother reading kailey a bed time story.. me missing the girl a bit... but still having a great and relaxing time.. i spent the most part of today napping, and sitting on a ledge outside with an amazing view while reading Chans book "crazy love" (which i highly reccomend)... this time will be good here...

May we all see the blessings of God and give those blessings back to Him

Much Love,
joe mikey mapa