reTHINK

Who Are We Fighting?

2009-11-21T11:19:00.001-08:00

Whenever you get into some kind of altercation there has to be an opposition, otherwise it isn’t much of an altercation. Even when there is war within a country there is always two sides engaged. When civil war broke out in our country, it was the Union North, against the Confederate South. In a boxing match there is always two guys in the ring standing toe-to-toe, exchanging blows to determine who is going to be standing at the end. Whether it be friendly competition or a war, in order for the conflict to be a conflict there has to be two opposing parties.
As long as you know who you are fighting against and can identify the difference between your opponent and your friend things will be alright. The last thing that anyone needs in any form of conflict, is for even one person to be confused. One person on your side that is confused as to what they are doing, or who is on whose “team” can ruin the whole effort. I can remember when I was in high school playing on the school basketball team. One of our key players got injured and coach called one of the kids who never got any playing time.(No not me, I didn’t even get in that time.) Well, when you don’t get to play much, eventually you stop paying attention to the games all together, because you don’t expect to go in anyway. That night, this was the case. Poor guy was so excited to get in the game that he stole the ball and shot it into our goal. Yes, he scored for the other team! At that moment he was the most popular guy on both teams. Boy was I glad I wasn’t in at that point, and when coach put me in, I knew that there was nothing I could do to look worse than he did. Amazing how relaxed I was playing after that. From that point forward the game had changed. They had the momentum, and getting back on track from that upsetting moment of the game, was just something that we were unable to do. We were the better team, but we just didn’t have enough time to gain our composure again and come back. Had it been in the first half we would have for sure. Had it been the first half though, and it happened again the second half…well, you get the picture. Having to deal with someone on our team continually shooting at the basket we were trying to defend would have made our job even that much harder. Sometimes I feel that way as a Christian. Especially here in New Orleans, because you can go to the French Quarter and see people posted up with signs and big six foot PVC crosses telling people that they are going to hell. Or you can see groups of people during the gay pride festival chanting out “God hates queers!” It is like having to watch out for fire not only from your front, but from behind you as well. Getting shot in the heat of battle is hard enough to deal with, but for the right causes we are proud to. On the other hand getting shot in the back by one of your own, is pretty much just plain crappy.
Who are we fighting against? What is it that we are doing here? Are we here to “scare the hell” out of people? Or are we here to love them into Heaven? It makes it really difficult to talk to people, and show them the love of Christ when you have a bunch of people CLAIMING to be on the same team as you are; wearing the same colors, and sporting the same “logo”, displaying nothing but hate, arrogance, and down right ignorance. I have listened to people talk about going into battle for Jesus, and putting on the full armor of God, but then they use it to “protect” themselves against the wrong thing. They put on this armor and use it to create distance between them and the world. When they do this they put distance between them and the people in the world. The same people that on Sunday morning they claim to have compassion for. Then they come into contact with those same people out in the world and ignore them, or look down on them. Grabbing their children and bringing them closer telling them “don’t look at him” while all he is doing is smiling and waving at the children. The compassion for those people that they speak of in church, is the same compassion that drives them to lie about whether they have change or not. This kind of “Christian” has taken “not of the world” and used it as an excuse to not serve the world. They shake their head in disgust at the homosexual people in the community, or out right show a lack of respect for the person wearing baggy pants and a big shirt with his hat cocked to the side.
It seems to me that we have forgotten who the enemy is. We were right to put on the Armor of God, but wrong in the way we used it. Even better, we were claiming to put on the Armor of God, but it belonged to someone else. The Armor of God will protect you form evil, and the attacks of Satan, and at the same time allow you to embrace the people around you with the Love of Christ. We spend so much time fighting against the wrong enemy, the real one is running free causing turmoil throughout the world, and to make it worse inside our camps. When are we going to figure out that we are fighting the wrong enemy? Why can’t we realize that what we are doing is not hindering the enemy, but helping him? Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that our battle is not against man, but “the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”(Ephesians 6:12b NIV) Our efforts are aimed in the wrong direction, and all that we are doing in killing the people that are caught in the bondage. If your trying to abolish slavery, you don’t go and kill all of the slaves. You go after the one selling them, and taking them to be slaves. This isn’t rocket science. Where did we go wrong? How do we get the slaves to trust us when we try to set them free, when their slave master has hired people to dress like us, talk like us, and look like us, to go in and kill them? The only thing you can do then, is change your look. Put on a new uniform, and bring out the one thing that sets you apart from the other guys. LOVE, true compassion, and an outright attack against the real enemy.
“10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:10-12, NIV

A Leader Into Battle

2009-11-20T09:05:00.000-08:00

Some might notice a pattern of thought in my latest “notes” or “blogs”. My focus lately has been the focus of the Church. Having found my self convicted of my desire to “plant a church”, God has brought me to a place where I am really looking deep into the root of where that desire comes from, and also what that really means. One of the things that I have said lately is that I am not called to be a “church planter”, I am called to make disciples. I am not claiming that planting a church is not one of the ways that this might happen, all I am claiming is that God has revealed to me the way that He wants me to do it. Part of this is the fact that God has caused me to rethink some of the things that I believe about His Church, my purpose, and the mission. Also, this new journey has given me the ability to sit back and take a different perspective on the way the church functions here in the United States. (In my circles anyway)
While sitting back and looking at the church I have noticed a few things about the way we do things, and the things that we teach. I hear a lot about going out and being “doers of the word and not just hearers.” Pastors and teachers calling the charge to go out and work in the mission field that you are in everyday. These things are great, and true. I love the fact that they are being taught, but the problem I have seen is that though the battle cry has been sounded, there is no one to lead the charge. I can’t pretend to believe that no one in the world is “leading the charge”, but I can tell you that in the majority of the “churches” I have visited, or been a regular attendee, the cry is sounded every week, yet no one leads it. There are always a few in the congregation that want to, or talk about it, but are soon discouraged because of the resistance from the leaders.( I know right!!!) So the teaching is good, the battle cry has been sung, but the person making the cry is stuck in the pulpit, and pleading for the people to go and live dangerously. Jason Dukes, in his new book “Live Sent” writes “ It’s not what you teach, it’s what you emphasize. Being a missionary, loving your neighbor, and getting involved in discipling are all great things to teach and push people toward. But they are more importantly great things to emphasize over and over again in more than just words.” His emphasis is on emphasis (you see what I did there?) and we should all be emphasizing that. We preach and teach what we should do, but then don’t actually do it. We sound the battle cry and then just sit there and wonder why nobody is charging. Robert E. Coleman writes in his book The Master Plan of Evangelism, “One living sermon is worth more than 100 spoken ones.”
Jesus not only sounded the battle cry, but he lead the charge. He not only invited His men to become fishers of men, He showed them how to fish. He not only told them to love the world, but showed them what it looks like. Jesus not only taught what to do, but He emphasized it every day. A real leader rallies his troops and then leads them to the fight. A real leader sounds the battle cry, and then is the first one to charge. A real leader says he is willing to die, and then doesn’t shy away from the opportunity to do so.
We can teach all day what it means to be a disciple, but only when we show them what it looks like to be one will they ever learn how to.
“Something is not being emphasized when it is just talked about. It is emphasized when its message influences both what is said as well as what is done. Something is emphasized when the practical day-to-day strategic purpose of a specific group reflects that emphasis in everything they do.” Jason C. Dukes. Live Sent

Where We Go

2009-05-11T02:27:00.000-07:00

In the face of danger we have this natural instinct to go and hide. When a hurricane comes we board up our windows, and take shelter. Those of us here in New Orleans, pack up and leave. We flee in order to keep safe. The same thing happens when we are challenged. The natural reaction is to back down, to submit to your normal ways, and not move forward. This is the natural way, however most of us have come to accept challenge and move forward to face these challenges. Sometimes when we chose to face the challenge we come victorious, and others we fail. Natural reaction would be to give up, not continue to try, just move on to the next. Some however have come to the place where they can continue on until they arise victorious and have defeated that challenge. Most people shy away from change as well, we don't want to go outside of our comfort zone, and comfort is more often than not the same thing that everyone around us is doing. If we do as others do, we fit in, skate through life un-noticed and don't stand out. We can move through and be accepted by one group or another. A fad can soon become reality, and your new way of life. Some people don't grow out of different stages in their life, they find comfort and come to believe that this is the only way. Where do we go? We go wherever life is comfortable, and convenient. How many people do you know have taken on a way of life, or a philosophy and chose to take it as their defining thought process? They find something that fits their personality, and take it on as their way of living. Trying to show this person that they are wrong is useless sometimes, because they have been sold out to the idea that their comfort is what is most important. How many times have you heard someone say, "I don't know, it just feels right."? It just feels right! Since when did the thing that "feels right" become the right thing. How often is the thing that "feels right" in all actuality wrong? I would have to say pretty often, at least in my life. I have come to see that more often than not the things that feel right are the things that I know are wrong. I don't know about you, but if it comes natural to me then I know that I need to evaluate that and see what is at the center of that feeling. To often people walk away from what they know the bible says because they don't agree with it, or because they aren't comfortable with the way it makes them feel. If you are one of those people who aren't comfortable with the way the bible makes you feel. GOOD! Keep reading it, that feeling is what is going to probably save your life. Jesus was full of teachings that didn't sit right with people, because a lot of what He taught went the opposite directions from their traditional way of thinking. They couldn't fathom that what He was saying about Himself was true. "How dare he speak of himself that way", they chose not to accept Him. They would follow Him as long as He was doing things for them. They sat and listened to Him teach while He was healing their sick, they ate the food that He miraculously gave them, but when He started to teach the hard to swallow stuff, the stuff that was hard to imagine as true, or took them away from what they thought was right, they turned their backs on Him. We do this a lot don't we. I remember hearing someone say to me once that they don't believe everything that the bible says. WHAT?!? I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This is a person who called themselves a devout Christian. But this isn't their fault, they listen to their feelings, that is what they did. They read some stuff they didn't like because they felt that it challenged some of the stuff they were doing in their lives, or in the lives of love ones and thought they would just choose not to accept it. This is what we so often do, we feel like this is wanting us to change who we are. We don't want to have to sacrifice who we are, who we have made ourselves to become. It is natural to shy away from change, to be scared of being someone that is different from the things that we know. "Does this mean I have to stop...?","I don't have to change _______ , do I?" We fear change, we hate change, we can't accept it in our natural state. Because of this natural reaction to change, people have perverted the truth. People have changed the Bible's teachings to fit their lifestyle. They begin to fool themselves, or choose to follow a teaching that doesn't require them to change. I would have to say that if there is a teaching that doesn't require who you are to change, then I would suggest that you re-evaluate yourself and really look to see if change is in fact what you need. I would say that we all need change, we all need to become different people than we are. "I can't change, I have been this way for too long now." I know. This is true, YOU can't change, but the great part about all of this is all you have to do is recognize that you can't and submit yourself to the forever changing and saving power that is Jesus Christ. The chances are that there are a lot of things that need to be changed about all of us, but the difference between me and some others that I know, is that I am willing to allow Jesus to change those things about me. I know that I am not perfect and that once He changes one thing there will be something else that needs to be changed, and I am okay with that. I am ready for Jesus to change who I am everyday for the rest of my life, to break away the peaces of rock that formed the person who I was, and carve in me a new life, making me a new creation. One that does not crave the things I once did, a creation that is free from the bondage of "comfort" that I fell under. I am ready for the things I am currently comfortable with to be uncomfortable to me. I don't want to be in a comfort zone, I want to be in Christ, where I am always changing and being prepared to be comfortable in the place He is making for me. " 60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" 61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit[e] and they are life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." 66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. 68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." John 6:60-68We to often hear a tough teaching that hits us right where we are, and makes us get up out of our comfort zone, and choose to walk away, to turn our backs. We chose to follow what makes us comfortable, not willing to accept the teaching God has given us in His perfect word. Where do we go? We go to a place where no change is required. Where should we go? I mean, Jesus has the words that leads to eternal life. Where else is there to go?

The Kingdom

2009-05-11T02:24:00.000-07:00

This morning in church the pastor preached a message titled "His Kingdom Never Ends", and as I was sitting there God kept laying different passages on my heart, and different illustrations, so I had to come here and write a little note about it. The focus passage was Hebrews 12:28-29, where the author writes " 28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29for our "God is a consuming fire." When he made his first point he was talking about the "kingdom that cannot be shaken". Here it really hit me, God spoke to me loud and clear. The kingdom of God is here and it is not going anywhere, nothing anyone can do is going to break the walls of God's kingdom down and infiltrate. God is too strong and His kingdom will always be. This truth is not just so in the life we are living here on this earth, but it will continue for ever, through out all of eternity we are going to be living in the Kingdom of God. Not weapon, not man, not science, not Satan himself will be able to destroy the kingdom.Jesus came and started preaching this all around, He came saying " repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near", He spoke parables trying to paint pictures of what the kingdom is like. The kingdom is like a mustard see, like a man who sows good seed, like yeast that was mixed into flour and then made into dough. He commanded us to seek first the kingdom of God, he explains who will have the hardest time making it into His kingdom. He explains the type of person that will inherit the kingdom. Jesus focused a lot on teaching of the kingdom and I feel like we neglect to understand, or even think, or more importantly focus on this kingdom that God has built for us. Well, what is this kingdom Jesus spoke of, where is it? The same Jesus who teaches us what the Kingdom is like tells us where it is, well Heaven of course, but how is it that I can say the Kingdom is here now? Because Jesus tells me in His word that it is inside of me, and all of us who believe in Him. Luke 17:20-21 " 20Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within[a] you."Here is where my strength is found, this is why I know that I am indestructible. Sure you may be able to take the breath from my body, but inside me lies the kingdom of God, the kingdom that cannot be shaken, and for that I am thankful. I am a part of the kingdom that has endured thousands of years of people and powers and principalities trying to break down the walls, trying to persecute to the point where nothing will remain. The kingdom I am a part of survived great persecutions from the Roman empire, under Nero and Domision, countries leaders like China and Russia try to keep the kingdom from being preached in there nations but were unable to stop it. China is said to have the strongest church, the most active and full body of Christians in the world. Why? Because you can't stop it," the kingdom of God is too big to hide" Dr. Thomas Strong. The word of God is too loud to silence, the truth my friends has set us free, from any bondage, any chains that this world can put us in. I am reminded of a story in Acts 5 where the Apostles were in Jarusalem and they were performing all kinds of miraculous signs, and all of the believers were meeting in a part of the Temple called Solomon's colonnade, and the high priest and his Saducees became jealous so they arrested them. They were wanting to persecute them, but along came a teacher of the law named Gamaliel and told them " "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." And here we are! Still strong, still unshaken, un able to be contested. All of these people who try to stand against the Kingdom of God find themselves defeated and unable to silence God's people. And one great and glorious day will come when we get to be in this kingdom that God is preparing for us, a place that we can't even beguine to imagine. This is the place where I have made my home, this is the place that I get to spend eternity with my Savior. " 15The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. 16The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia[a]in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits[b] thick,[c] by man's measurement, which the angel was using. 18The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.[d] 21The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass. 22I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp." Revelation 21:15-23 This is where we will be, let's not neglect to introduce as many people as we can to this stronghold, this unshakable kingdom of which we are citizens.

What Do We Fear

2009-05-11T02:22:00.000-07:00

What I'm about to say is based off of my own convictions, and of the response to the same question by some other people. I would have to say though that based on the average response this is probably one of the general reasons that people don't spread the gospel. Having said that, why don't we do a better job of spreading the gospel? The answer I think is because of fear. We are afraid of our knowledge, or lack there of. Another question for those who don't fall into this category is for the leaders of the church. Why does you congregation not grow, or what is the reason your people aren't spreading the gospel? I say the answer is the same, fear. I know as I came up I was afraid to share my faith, afraid to go up to people I didn't know and strike up a conversation about one of the two topics that people were reluctant to talk about.(religion and politics) "What will I say?", or "What will they say?" The average person that attends church, or even serves in the church doesn't really understand, or think that he/she has the words to say in this kind of situation. Why? Why is there this fear? Is it because of our leaders? What are you teaching in your pulpit? Are you preaching blue skies and rainbows, or are you attempting to "fan into flame, the gift of God" (2 Timothy 1:6) Perhaps they don't even know that they have these gifts. Are the leaders of the church igniting the burning coals of passion that are smoldering in the bellies of believers, waiting to ignite and proclaim the gospel of the resurrected Christ from the roof tops.Why do they fear? They fear because they don't know enough to know that "if God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) They fear because they don't know that the foundation on which they stand in Jesus Christ is solid rock and nothing can shake the ground under their feet. That though our lives may be taken, and this body in which we live may be put to rest our spirit is in the grasp of the All mighty God, protected by the impenetrable walls of His grace. I fear that today's leaders of the church may have lost that passion, that burning desire to step outside of the confines of the church building and go mix it up, and pick a fight with Satan himself. Are our leaders out at the front lines ready to lead the charge, or are they giving their students the basic knowledge and a sword and sending them into the charge, while they sit safely behind the protection of their office. I tell you the truth, if this be the case we are not dealing with leaders, but we are dealing with cowards. Jesus said that "the kingdom of God is forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it."(Matthew 11"12) A line from one of the movies I love so much "Remember the Titans" said "attitude reflects leadership" if this is true and the church today shows the attitude of timidity, where are they getting it from. Because I know for a fact that the spirit given to us by God to dwell in our bodies is the spirit of a warrior. Bold, and forceful, passionate, and true. "But God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7)What are you teaching? Look at your congregation and ask yourself what attitude are they reflecting from their leader? Hear the battle cry, and LEAD the charge.

Staff Support

2009-05-11T02:20:00.000-07:00

Today in Sunday School we talked about Hur. For those who don't know who Hur is, this isn't just a misspelling of "her" this is an actual person in the Bible. In Exodus 17:8-16 you'll find the story. The Amalekites attacked the Israelites, and Moses told Joshua to get some men together and go and fight them. He said that he would go to the top of a hill with the Staff of God in his hands and Joshua and his army would defeat the Amalekites. So that day Moses, Aaron and Hur went up to the hill. As the Israelites fought the Amalekite, Moses held the Staff up in the air, and as long as he was doing so Joshua and his army would be winning, but if it came down they would start to lose. So Moses had to keep this Staff up in the air. Needless to say he got tired and was unable to keep it up, so Aaron and Hur got a stone for him to sit on, and they each grabbed an arm and held it up till sunset.This is so cool, you see here what an important role Hur played in this key event. I think we discovered that Hur is only mentioned one more time in the Bible. Aaron we know is mentioned more, and he plays some big roles in the Story. Hur on the other hand did to. This goes back to a great sermon series I heard called HIStory. This was a teaching about the roles we play in the story of God. This whole life and history is a story God is writing and He wants to cast us. What role will you play? I look at Hur here and see that there is absolutely no role too small, and no role in this big story of life that can't have a big impact on the kingdom of God. We all have a part to play, some are big mega evangelists and others are pastors of mega churches. Some are Sunday School teachers, or small group pastors. Still some are missionaries that go to far off lands and spread the Word. Others stay here and head up organizations to fund and supply these missionaries. Still again others set up chairs, and run I.T. equipment for corporate worship service. Some clean the bathrooms, drag trailers, and take out the trash. There are people who hand out bulletins, and sharpen pencils. All of these people from the greatest to the smallest have a role in the big picture of the will of God. All are important, and none should be overlooked.I can remember when Whispering Pines Community Church(now known as Anytime Church) in Port St. Lucie, FL launched in an Elementary School cafetorium. People were all over the place, setting up, and greeting people. Some brought the coffee, and doughnuts, others set up the chairs, others set up the sound equipment, KidZone, and nursery. Hospitality table was always manned and the result was worship service. At the end people stayed behind to tear down and make sure that it was left the way we found it. I remember there even being someone who every week took charge of making sure that the trailer got packed up in an orderly fashion. If you have ever stood in the back of a trailer that has been closed outside in a Florida summer for a couple of hours, you would get it.The point is that some people lose the passion, and the interest in doing these things because they feel insignificant. I know this isn't so for a fact, because I have seen at that same church the level of help go from everyone to a need for people to commit. Every person in that community that pitched in from the biggest job to the smallest, from preaching to music, to set up, to setting out the coffee straws, made a big impact in the bigger picture that God was painting. Outreach was possible, the gospel was taught, and worship was something that was never missing. So, we need not lose the passion, we need to see that just as Hur was mere "staff support" he was a key player in the winning of the battle. So I say grab an arm, take hold of the HUGE job God has for you, pitch in and allow gospel to reach the ears and hearts God has prepared. Just as important as preaching and music is for reaching the lost, so are the people who are big enough to do the small jobs.

Walking along the narrow path

2009-02-08T23:52:00.000-08:00

Matthew 7:13-14 (New International Version)
The Narrow and Wide Gates 13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
I was a girls gymnastics coach for quite some time. I was fortunate enough to see some great gymnast practice and compete. These girls are so incredible to watch. They have the strength, stamina, and focus that I could only wish to have. These girls put in countless hours at the gym. This sport requires years of training and practice to become great. Dedication and perseverance are as important as natural ability. These girls start when they are very young and spend more time at the gym than most people spend at home. Their entire social life revolves around that facility. Their friends are their team mates, and their influences are their coaches. Being a gymnastic coach in my opinion is more than just teaching them about the sport. You develop a personal relationship with those kids. You instruct them, discipline them, and encourage them. The skills that they do requires a lot of concentration and development over the years. As they get older, and more mature in the sport they are able to reach higher levels of difficulty. Out of all the apparatus the one event that intrigued me the most was the balance beam.
The balance beam is 4.1' high, 16'4" long, and 4" wide. Not very easy to walk on, not to mention preform acrobatic skills. It is so interesting to me to watch the development of a girl who is training on this apparatus. When they start out as a young girl they have to learn how to walk on it, back and forth, over and over. This sometimes takes months or even years to be able to do comfortably. Then they progress to turns, and leaps. Eventually to cartwheels and handsprings. Then to tucks, and layouts(flips). One of the keys to being able to effectively preform on one of these balance beams, is where your focus lies. When learning to walk on these, they are taught to keep their heads up and not to look down. "Look down, fall down", that's what I used to tell them. When first getting comfortable with this apparatus, looking to one side or the other will cause you to fall that way. This reminds me so much of the narrow path we as Christians walk on a daily basis.
As disciples we are constantly maturing, constantly growing, and learning. We start off born again as new creations learning and growing as infants do. We learn how to walk on the narrow beam of salvation. As young gymnasts do we look left, or right, and stumble on the beam. When a gymnast first learns how to walk they start on what is called,"the low beam". This is done because the coaches know that they will fall off. This keeps them safe, provides them with confidence to walk down the narrow beam. Often the coach will walk next to them holding one of their hands to give them confidence and talk to them, encourage them correcting their mistakes. We as Christians have the same luxury, the blood of Jesus Christ gives us the confidence that tells us when we fall we will be allowed to get back up on the beam. God puts mentors in our life to hold our hand at first and show us the proper form in which to walk a successful beam. Just as gymnasts progress, the coaches change, coaches that are able to mold you and teach you how to use the gifts God has given you in order to walk the beam in a way that the Judge will be pleased with. As you progress and mature, your strength grows and your balance. You learn how to focus on the end of the beam in order not to fall. Some times the skills that are required, the elements that are in the routine cause you to stumble, or even fall. The good news is that unlike the judges at a gymnastics competition our Judge doesn't deduct for our falls. He allows us to confidently jump back on the beam to finish the routine.
The point is, that you don't put a five year old girl on a balance beam and expect her do an Olympic caliber beam routine. It takes time, and training to be able to comfortably walk down that narrow path. Gymnasts fall, over and over again. They get discouraged, and frustrated when they don't get the skills quickly. It is the coaches job to encourage them, and train them to focus on the future. To show them that in time they will be able to walk the beam and do skills on the beam with ease. As it is with us. We will fall and stumble, we will get discouraged and frustrated. We need to look to our Lord, our focal point so that we can learn to walk the path comfortably and with confidence. We need to keep our mentors close by and look to them for encouragement and wisdom. Paul had to encourage and instruct the churches, and Timothy. We need to stay in God's word in order to keep our eyes focused on the future. We stay in the Word so that we don't forget our basics, our foundation, our strength. The path is narrow, the journey is hard, the reward is glorious.

A Gift

2008-12-22T12:21:00.000-08:00

It is the week before Christmas and all through the town, car horns are honking because traffic slowed down.
People are yelling and flipping the bird, because lines in the stores are so long it's absurd.
Morale is down and stress levels are high, people are searching and searching for the right present to buy.
A race to the register, or the last one on the shelf, any thing they can do to make it better for themself.
There is anger, even violence in the line at the stores, people walk out and don't hold open the doors.
This season we're in of love, peace, and joy, has become more about TVs, jewelry, and toys.
On this day I'll celebrate out loud with a horn, my trumpet will sound on the day Christ was born.
The gift of salvation which he freely gave, He freed me from sin of which I was a slave.
Twas a gift on that night the Lord born as a babe, He came not to condemn the world, but to save
With Him came peace, and joy, and Love, a gift not from a store, but from Heaven above.
The gift of salvation came in this little boy, a gift not comparable to any expensive toy.
Tis a gift to us given from God on that day, A gift given at a price we could never repay.
So I vow to my God, Savior, and king, to him be the glory of everything
And I'll always take the time on this night to remember, The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ our Redeemer.

Mauricio Hance

Problems

2008-11-15T19:57:00.000-08:00

I was feeling down the other day. The problems of daily life were really hitting me hard. I have put in an application to go to seminary in New Orleans, but I don't have the money to pay for school. I don't know where to find it, or how I'm even going to afford to move there if I do get accepted. On top of that I was having a proble paying my rent, food, not even gas. I had a horrible day at work and am tired of going there everyday and working hard for little. My wife had a rough day with the kids and the kids were complaining more than normal it seemed. I was really just ready to pack it in. My wife sent me to the store for something and to be honest I was ready to get out. As I'm driving home from the store a song on the radio comes on, and these are the lyrics...

Been a hard one
Been a bad one
Been a tough one
Been a sad one
It's just been one of those days
That keeps chipping away at my heart
Nothin' new here
It's what I do here
It's a stereotypical day in the life
I'm surrounded by all of the pain and the strife
But I know it's alright

'Cause it's only the world I'm living in
It's only today I've been given
There ain't no way I'm giving in
'Cause it's only the world
I know the best is still yet to come
Cause even when my days in the world are done
There's gonna be so much more than only the world for me

This really hit my heart. How incredible is this truth? This is only the world! Why should I let this world that I'm not even part of get me down. How can I allow myself as a new person in Jesus Christ allow this fallen world to cloud my joy. I face everyday battles as I'm sure do you, but I have something to keep hold of. I have the Holy Spirit of the living God living inside of me, and He want's so for me to allow Him to take over and worry about this crap for me. All I have to do is sit back and let Him do it. Money, time, work, and problems are only the world. I can expect the world around me to be stressed in this time of unstable economy. I can understand when a rough day at work makes these people of this world to be angry and agrivated. I'm not surprised when I see people blowing of steem by yelling and screaming at their wives and childred. Why? Well because these people are of this world. They not only live here, but are subject to the happenings of this world. I on the other hand, and you as well if you are a follower of Jesus Christ are in this world yes, however are now part of a new creation, a new Kingdom that is led by Christ. This is just temperary, this place is not my home and how I long for my home. This fallen world is going to forever try to bring me down. I can not allow it to, or shall I say if I try to face it on my own I will allow it to. So what is the answer? How do we face off against the difficulties we face as strangers in this world? By allowing the gift that God has given us to guide our steps as we make this walk. This walk of faith that allows us to let go and let God. God is so much stronger than the powers of this world, and has given us oppertunity to tap into that power, by submiting all to Him. He will provide, He will guid, and He will protect us from the worries of this world. So what do I say about the crap of this world? I say bring it on, I have no fear, for the Lord my God will bring me through victorious, and allow me to walk through this short life focused on the work He has given me, and that is the furtherance of His kingdom.

So when the problems of this world come at you, as they will daily, remember "It's only the world", and that you are no longer part of it.

The Church

2008-08-11T19:32:00.000-07:00

What is the problem? Is there a problem? Some would answer,No! There is no problem with the Church. Leave well enough alone. Some would say that the problem with the Church, is that there are people out there saying there is a problem. People would say that I"m the problem with the Church. I'm the kind of guy who goes around disrupting the order of what is going on. I'm stirring up issues, that if I would just get on board and shut up wouldn't be issues. Is that true? Am I just making something out of nothing? Is what we see in our country now what the Church is supposed to look like? You know, what are we trying to accomplish as a Church? I'm not sure that this question gets asked enough. I'm doing a study on a book called "The Barbarian Way" by Erwin Raphael McManus. In this book there is a part that says "... Jesus began His public ministry with a simple invitation: "Come, follow Me." His closing instructions to His disciples can be summarized in one word, "Go!" A quick survey of the modern church would lead you to believe His invitation was " Come, and listen." and His closing mandate would be summarized in the word "No!" Is this true?

What if it is? If this is true what would the Church look like? I think that it would look like a bunch of individual groups of people. It would look like a building with one name on it, was in competition with a building with another name on it. It would look like building "A" would be competing to get more people in it than building "B". It would look like building "B" is trying to recruit people from Building "A", because these people have gifts, or skills that they don't have. It would look like people measuring their success by how many people are there every time they meet. It might look like people in the Church are only identified as Church people, because they go to one of these buildings once a week, dressed up in a "uniform" in a sense. It might even look like certain people aren't aloud in one building or another because they don't dress up to social standards. If this were true about the Church it would look more like a social club rather than a place of worship. Now the question is, what does the church look like here today?

Does the Church look like a group of people working together to achieve a common goal? Does the Church look like the different branches of the military working together, using their different areas of expertise to defeat the common enemy? Does the Church look like a building? Or does it look like a Kingdom? When people ask you "What Church do you go to?" Is your answer: "This Church, on this street, in this city."?

If it is, what are you learning from "This Church...."? See when I read the Bible, God tells me that I am the Church, that You are the Church. He tells me that we are all one Body, yes different parts of that Body, but one Body just the same. He tells me that no part of the Body other that the Head is more important than any other part. I know that each part of my body is for different things, and serve different purposes. I also know that when I want to run, or jump, or walk, or even stretch. All the parts of my body need to work together to achieve that Goal. In the same way so does the Church. We do have a job. We have an objective, given to us by our Commander In Chief. How successful would a wide receiver be without a Quarter back? How successful would a batter be without a pitcher to throw him the ball. How successful can the Church be, without The Lord being the center of our focus.

Satan thinks like boxers. If the body goes down the head will follow. What Satan doesn't take into consideration is that our head is watching every punch he throws. It's telling us which way to move in order to dodge his punch. He is telling His hands which punches to throw. His feet which way to step, and his body to tighten up to deliver the blow. God is undefeated, and undisputed. He defeated the one thing that Satan had control over, Death. The best way to get to your destination is to follow someone who has already been there, and who knows all the safe routs.

Take a look around, and tell me what does the Church look like here today?

Just let go

2008-08-09T21:19:00.000-07:00

You know, I have been having problems, at work and at home. The biggest problem I have been having is in my walk with Christ. Well, today I hit rock bottom. I took my dog out, and because she wouldn't go to the bathroom when I wanted her to, I actually kicked her. I felt so bad, and started wondering. If I did this to my dog, whats next? So God told me that I needed to talk to someone about this. I ended up going to one of the men, who I look at as a big brother, and spiritual mentor's house. We sat down and had a couple of cups of coffee. We talked for about two hours. We talked about everything, I mean I held back no punches at all. I let it all out. I humbled myself and let this guy know everything that was bothering me. We went back and forth like I said, for a couple of hours. He really helped me out a lot. He re introduced me to the passion that has slowly been seeping out of my soul. I had to go over there, there is no doubt about it. See, God is always giving us ways to get out of the hole we put ourselves in. Sometimes we go day in and day out, and allow the things of this world to bring us down. The devil will put temptations and put just enough in our lives to let us slowly walk away from Jesus. What are the things that we do to allow this to happen to us? We allow ourselves to be "too busy" for God. We stop reading the Word everyday, and slowly take our armor off. You wouldn't go into battle without your armor would you? I have a friend who is a cop and he won't go to work without his vest. In the same way, how can we go into this fallen world of evil and temptation without putting on our armor every day. The same way that friend of mine won't go to work without his vest, he definitely wouldn't go to work without his weapon. God has given us a sword to take with us into the daily battle we face. How do we use this? Jesus gave us an example in the desert, when Satan tried to tempt Him, He came back with scripture every time. This is the same way we use the sword every day. It is also there to convict us of the things we do everyday that God isn't pleased with. Keep in the Word, and so Will I. Put on your armor, hit your knees every morning be for you go out into the world prepare yourself, for the junk that I promise you will encounter every day. Let's go out into battle, as the armed, protected, and passionate soldiers that we are. And may the strength and wisdom that comes from the Holy Spirit, that God has so graciously given to us, guide you through your daily battle. Amen.

What to do

2008-07-23T19:34:00.000-07:00

At work I have had something bothering me for a while. Recently certain things took place where I had the oppertunity to bring these things to the attension of the people who needed to know. In doing so the result was peoples lives would change drasticly. It did change these peoples lives. What I did was the right thing, and I know it. God without a doubt kicked me in the butt and made me say what I was fighting to say. Now I know that what I did was the right thing, but now I feel like I'm getting punished for it.

I don't get it. I am now working more hours in the week. Don't get me wrong, the overtime is good to have, but now I'm spending more time at work and less time at home, or in ministry. I know a lot of that ministry part is my fault. I need to be doing ministry at work just as much as anywhere else. I've beed given this great honor of being the men's ministry leader at my church and don't get to do much with is, because I work every other Sunday. I feel like I don't know anyone at church, and as the men's leader I should be building relationships with people in the church. I don't know what to do. I feal like I want to leave my job, but I know I can't. It is also taking a toll on my personal relationship with Jesus. My studies have almost completely stopped. I know this is my fault and no one elses, but I'm so tired at the end of the day. All I ask is that if there is anyone out there who accually reads this. Please pray for me. I really need it. May God help me.

Brother in Need

2008-06-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I got a phone call from one of my Christian brothers whom I have been trying to talk to for weeks now, because I have noticed a few things that have bothered me that were taking place in his life. I know that for some that read this(if anyone still does) some one elses life isn't any of my business. I tell you that it is. Why, because of the aforementioned phrase "Christian BROTHER", brother of course being the key word. Yeah, you might say that even my biological brothers life is none of my business either, but yet again I tell you that if you can't tell your family the direction they are traveling is the wrong one out of love, who can you tell?

So, when I got home from work I called him back and asked if we could meet somewhere to talk about what he had mentioned in the phone call he made to me. After he agreed I asked if I could also invite another man that him and I both look up to, to join us in the conversation. With his consent I made the call. With no hesitation he agreed to tag along. At the agreed upon time the three of us met at a local Starbucks to pray and talk over his problems. Well, to make a long story short after we had beat that horse long enough the conversation had worked it's way into another direction. After a couple of hours I was ready to call it a night, but one of the other guys convinced me to hang out for a little while longer. After just a few minutes my brother just so happens to pull into the same Starbucks we were at for a cup of coffee.

So he joins us, and being another one of the man in questions trusted friends he fills him in on what is going on. I tell you this knowing it to be true, that was no accident. Oscar my brother had a lot of God given wisdom to bring to the table. At that moment all that I knew in my heart was confirmed once again. It was no accident that God put the four of us in that moment, at that place, all together for that reason. We still aren't sure what the tough decision that this man has to make will be, however I can tell you that it will be a choice guided by God himself.

It was amazing to see the things that I have learned through the last couple of weeks, and the sermons that I've heard all come together in that moment for the plan God had for us tonight. God is Great, and He is alive. He is working everyday in us, and as He has given me the strength tonight to obey him and get these three brothers together to lift up our falling brother, I pray that He continues to do so in my life. I challenge all who read this to take up arms and fight the good fight, obey the Lord our God and do not allow the evil one to attack our brothers and sisters, stand strong and know that God will give us the weapons to come out victorious. So, when you have a brother or a sister that is walking down the wrong street in the dark, take him/her that lantern that God has so graciously given us, grab them by the hand and lead them into the light.

2008-05-08T19:54:00.000-07:00

What are we doing? Look around, at all the people around you. What do you see? I see a lot of people that are losing the battle. I can't stand the idea that there are so many people out there that just don't get it. It hurts me to see all these people that just don't understand, and deep inside they have a real want to understand. When you go to church on Sunday, what do you see? How many people go to church on Sunday and stop there. Or, I guess this is a better question, do you go to church on Sunday and leave it there? Your Christianity that is. Or when you talk about it with someone out of church do you lay it all out there for them, or do you tell them that it's all peaches and cream. How often do you preach the word of God. Once a week, or in a safe place. You know it seems like we are afraid as a whole of our Christianity. Like we hide it, we do our thing on Sunday morning maybe mid week as well. Sure we tell people to come and see, or put up signs. How about telling them why to come. How about getting out there and doing what Jesus told us to do. How about instead of our church life not conflicting with our work schedules, our work not conflict with our ministry. How about taking any opportunity to minister. I don't know about you, but the God I read about in the Bible isn't all about coming and sitting in a little safe haven and talking good things. I see the God of the Bible coming out of that situation and becoming flesh in a human form, to suffer and die. I don't know what you think about that, but to me that is the opposite of scuttle. That to me is a down right wake up smack in the back of the head.

Why do we shy away from the things God wants us to do? Oh, I know because people don't want to hear us say this stuff. Well guess what, people don't want to stop at the red light on their way to work, but they need to so that they don't cause an accident. So you don't think they want to hear it, well tell them anyway, because that might have been what they NEEDED to hear. I look at the apostles and see, not some guys who went to church every week, but some guys who brought everywhere they went. And guess what, they left it there too. When they left, they left a church behind. Those people didn't know that they wanted hear the stuff they heard. These guys walked around and ate what they could find, and took beatings and imprisonment. They were criticized and humiliated. Yet they still pressed on. It didn't matter the obstacle that was put in front of them they had no intentions of stopping. They were not going to hold back because the people around them thought it wasn't "PC". Instead they spoke louder. Civilized, hardly, controlled never, passionate OH, yeah.

These guys knew that the enemy was strong, and tactful. Still they pressed on. They knew that they would be persecuted. Still they pressed on. They knew that the punishment for the words they were speaking could be and ultimately was death. Still they pressed on, and continued to add in numbers daily. They didn't give up our cower in the face of the enemy. They pressed on. I challenge you to do the same.

Come out of your comfort zone. Trade in your suits and ties for armor and swords. Your 1000 dollar Italian shoes go in for boots and a shield. Put on your helmet, grab your megaphone and Bible, and go find a corner and preach to all who will listen. Fight with all the weapons that your God has given you, prayer and love. Unite together as one body and fight the enemy with passion and courage. Face you adversary face to face standing strong under the protection of the Lord. Don't give God instructions, just show up, shut up, and report for duty. Be still and know that He is God.

My first.

2008-05-04T19:18:00.000-07:00

I preached my first sermon today. All I can say is WOW!! I now know how pastors feel. I wish I could do that every day. I don't know how I'm going to be able to deal with having to wait for the next time I get to preach. It is such a great feeling when you know that your up there doing something for the Lord. How can people get up there and do that for so many years and then deny that there is a God? No lie, I felt like I was standing in front of Him as He watched over my shoulder.

When I woke up in the morning I was so nervous, I was feeling nauseous. I was shaking and scared I was thinking about how bad I was going to do. "I hope they like it", " I hope that I don't mess up". What if... what if.. Everything was going through my head. I forgot my glasses, you name it I was afraid it would happen. Then, on the way to church I turned on the radio and David Jerimiah was preaching on the kind of nerve, or bravery we as Christians should have. We Christians should have the kind of bravery that surpasses the idea of failure. The kind of bravery we should have is the kind of bravery that doesn't recognize failure as even an option.

I get it now, the reason those feelings were there, is if you will look back at the earlier text in this blog you will see that the word "I" is in one form or another the most written word in all of the blog. So, now there is the reason why those feeling are overcoming me is because I am thinking about I too much. I"m not going to be doing anything. The Spirit of God will be the one doing the talking. Matthew 10:19-20"19But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." So when you feel like you are worried about not having the right words to say, Don't worry you don't have to say anything as long as you just submit, humble yourself, and let the Spirit of God speak on your behalf. At that point the wrong words will never come out of your mouth.

Paul

2008-04-27T14:04:00.000-07:00

I persecuted many people and put them under the knife,

The people who spoke of the Son of God that brought eternal life,

i didn't believed about who they spoke and laughed at what they said,

I knew for sure the man they call the Son was crucified and dead,

One day as I was traveling knowing every thing I've done was right,

I suddenly found my self on my knees, blinded by the light.

To my dismay the man they called the Son , and spoke wonderful things about

There he was in my face ready to call me out.

So, now here I am using whats left of my youth,

traveling from town to town teaching the truth.

So what is it that I denied that now I know is right?

OH, yes that's it, Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light.

So as you go on through your week and live out you life as normal. Take the example that Paul set for us and show people the way, by speaking the truth, so that they can see the light.

The Ten Commandments

2008-04-24T19:04:00.000-07:00

The ten commandments, most of us know them, we often refereto them. It is said that out laws were made based on them. People often say that you need to live by them. My question is do you? Should you live by the ten commandments, what are they good for, and are they the basis for what we decide if we are " good " or not? Are we living the right way if we follow them.

Here is what I have to say about the ten commandments. I have had many debates about them, I have also got into some arguments about whether or not they mean anything to us or if we should just forget that they were even written? I say no. I think they are important, but not for what most people do. They are important for learning, for knowing that we can't do life by ourselves. If you think your doing right by following the ten commandments your not. How can you live by only ten of the hundreds there were. The ten are a summery if you will of the hundreds of the laws of Moses. Number two is that the law of Moses was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Without the New covenant in Jesus we would not be able to do it. That's the whole point. We as a race were failing. Now in the new covenant we are saved by the blood of Jesus. We no longer have to try to look at these laws and navigate our live according to them. God has given to all who believe and are reborn into a new life the gift of the Holy Spirit who works with us who are in fact spirit and lead us on the path to righteousness. You no longer stop and think about throwing something out of the car window because you see a sign that shows you the fine for littering and it is against the law, you stop because you know its wrong, you don't need the law to tell you, you just know. It is the spirit of God that tells me not to punch the guy at the restaurant for talking junk to me. Not the idea that if I do I'll go to jail. See I don't need the law because the law isn't what shows me how to live, I have the Spirit of God living in me telling me what to do and not to do.

Going back to the commandments , They hold no relevance as law, because of Jesus. they are nothing more that a tool for teaching us that we have not the power to live according to the law even if we know what it is. And even if you go all your life referring back to the ten commandments and don't "break" any of them you still sin. So going through all that to follow them isn't going to save you anyway, the only way to be saved is by the blood of Jesus. So if you live your life according to the law you deny the power of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you live life by the laws then the gift of salvation by the grace of God is not accurate. But you believe in the new testament which preaches salvation through Jesus by the Grace of God and are trying to earn your way to heaven by following the laws instead of just accepting the gift. Hebrews chapter 8 verse "13By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear." So utilize the gift God has given you and live life guided by the Holy Spirit and forget about the law. You will not break them is the spirit is leading you.

Christian Connectivity

2008-04-02T14:55:00.000-07:00

I am a part of a men's group that meets every Thursday night, we do book studies and video studies, sometimes we pick a topic and take turns teaching on that topic(which is fun), but it is always an open forum, everyone has the opportunity to speak, ask, or put input. We do have rules, or more like guidelines if you will. Everything has to be scriptural, the common phrase used is that you have to be able to prove it by scripture.

Here is something that I have to say about that. I by no means think that the leader of the group feels otherwise, but as a general idea for people who take this phrase and literally go by it is a dangerous thing. Let me explain. The idea of using scripture to prove your point is something that shouldn't be practiced. What we need to do is get away from that and start speaking on the things that scripture already proved. It is very easy to take verses out of the bible and put them together to "prove" your worldly understanding of a spiritual meaning. Instead I say take what the scripture, God's living Word, has taught you and relay the message. This is where we get into these doctrinal differences, this denomination says this, this denomination says that. How can you take your views on something especially something Devinne and put your own little finite ideas in it and call it the Word of God? Not to mention what gives you the right and/or ability to tell someone else that they are wrong? I don't know about you, but I know that I'm not God, and if the Bible has all authority and is the living word of God then who else but Him has the right to do so?

The bottom line is that there is only one true, right, and sound doctrine. The doctrine of Jesus Christ the son of God, who died for our sins and gave us everlasting life. We need to go back to that, we need to go back to preaching Christ resurrected, and speaking only on the things that the Bible speaks. I know that there are people out there that do this, I wouldn't dare to say that someone is wrong unless they are obviously teaching what isn't written. I do know, and not by a lot of experience that it is easy to fall into the trap of using the Bible to prove your point. I just write this as a cation to any who might find themselves doing this. Just study, and pray. Speak only on what God tells you to speak on and nothing else. Teachers have been given an awesome gift, and responsibility in the Church so don't take it lightly, and remember when you teach to make prayer a big part of your preparation.

If your not a teacher and your ministry is different, take the time to pray over, with, and for your pastor. Let them know and see the love and support from their flock. Start a prayer ministry where every Sunday before the service gets started pull him aside and pray for him and the service. I know he will love it.

Why Did This Have To Happen To Me?

2008-01-09T18:52:00.000-08:00

How many times have you asked yourself this question. While your in pain because of an injury, perhaps you have just go the news that your getting fired. Maybe worse, the loss of a loved one, the serious illness of a child, or sibling, or spouse. Your car gets stolen, you feel like you have had this incredible run of bad luck, "why me?" My answer to that is, as a wise man tells me on a regular basis, "It's none of your business." How right is that? I just so happen to find that 100% correct. It really isn't any of our business why these things happen to us, however it is our responsibility to keep our eyes open and our hearts pointed to God so that we can listen when he tells us or shows us why.

You hear a lot of people or even maybe yourself lose or question faith in God because of these things. Have you ever thought" would God really let me go through this" or " how could a loving God let this happen to me?" First of all as I said it's none of your business and if he wants you know He will tell you. Second is something that I read that really hit me and I love the way the author said this in Lee Strobel's "The Case For Faith" Peter John Kreeft, PH.D. said in an interview " How can a mere finite human be sure that an infinite wisdom would not tolerate such short-range evils in order for more long-range goods that we couldn't foresee?" See God can and often does make the most beautiful roses grow out of the ashes of evil to create a beautiful garden of good over it. The only way to see this is to keep your faith and let God show you.

Seven years ago I tore my A.C.L. in my left knee. All I could think about was, why? What could be the reason for this to happen to me? This was the worst physical pain I have ever felt, and emotionally it was pretty heavy too. My soccer career was over and that was all I had. Well, seven years down the road I get what I think might be the answer. I hurt my knee again at work, this is the worst I have injured it in seven years, and this big ordeal came of it with workman's comp. I never wanted or pursued this, but some how it came into the picture. Anyway I ended up going into work to talk to the district manager whom I have never had a face to face or otherwise conversation with. A couple of minutes into the conversation it was obvious that the conversation was heading down hill to the point where termination was almost in the next sentence. With help from my manager we saved my job, and the point of all this is, that they will give me some light duty and put me up front learning the computer system and dealing with customers to learn the sales end of the company which is like a fast rack to management. In fact, the district manager told me to apply for the sales manager position. Point? It took me seven years to get the answer to the "why" question, but it will come if He wants you to know.

Dr. James Dobson said, "Continuing faith is proof of true conversion" It's by faith we are saved not by works, so no matter how high the "highs" are or how low the "lows" are don't lose your faith. Find comfort in knowing that Jesus sympathises with us and all our "stuff". He knows what life is like to sleep well knowing that he understands and is on our side.

Authority

2007-12-31T14:14:00.000-08:00

I once wrote a blog titled "The Living Word", in which I talked about the Bible and how the words never change, but what I get out of those words changes almost every time I read them. The Bible is God's written word and has all authority. What the Bible tells me is what I need to live by. because this is God telling me what to do. Now God being the creator of all that we know, and above everything tells me what to do I need to listen. Also when it says what not to do I should listen. I would think that this is a basic belief for all Christians. Especially when this same book tells me what the result of not listening is.

I was having a conversation with someone not too long ago and I'm not sure how but the conversation(like it usually does with me) ended up being a spiritual discussion. One of the things that the other party said really got to me. "I don't really agree with some of the things that the bible says". What? I can understand not accepting everything that I, or any one person says, but the Bible? I don't always agree with what my pastor says or does, what my father says or does, but I will always go back to check out what the Bible says about it so I know where to put my beliefs. So, one person no, but the Bible yes. I don't care who you are or how long you have been alive, if the bible says something different then I have no choice but to go with that. I know that the Bible is God's word, I know that everything that He wants me to know He will tell me through it. So when someone tells me that they don't agree with some of what the Bible says I say then how do you believe any of what it says?

We have been given this incredible "gift" if you will of free will. God gave us the power to choose. He also gave us the Bible so that we know what to choose. We know what is right and what is wrong, we know what the results of our choices are and we know eventually we will have to accept the reward or consequence of our actions. We choose to believe or not to believe or I guess what we believe. But I tell you that I believe in Christ resurrected. I believe in God incarnate coming to die so we don't have to . I believe that "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God and He was with God in the beginning." I also believe that the words that were given to us so graciously by God so that we could be eternally with Him in Paradise namely the Bible has all authority over my life, and that I shouldn't make a choice no matter how big or how small without consulting God through prayer and the Bible. I encourage you to do the same.

Private Practice

2007-12-10T20:08:00.000-08:00

When a doctor comes out of Med. school, or a lawyer out of law school they often get a job with another physician or a hospital, or an already existing law firm. When they get a little more experience a lot of them go out on their own. If you were to ask a doctor or lawyer what they do for a living they will tell you that they practice law, or medicine. Practice huh? You would think or hope that when you go to a doctor or lawyer they wouldn't have to practice anymore they will know what they are doing. Well no matter how good they are or we think they are they will always learn something new. They will always get a little better at their jobs.

My dad often tells me that no matter how old he gets he learns something new everyday. I will have to agree with this because I often learn something new everyday. No one ever really knows everything there is to know about everything. So when these doctors and lawyers get there own office these are known as "Private Practices" because they are practicing, growing and getting better everyday. The same thin applies to me and you. Everyday we will learn something new, and everyday we should. I have a private practice, and that is Christianity. I have been learning so much everyday, when I talk to the people that I go to with my bible questions, or as I dig into the Word and God tells me something. You can go years thinking that you understand something about the Bible and then all of the sudden one day you get something different about that particular subject.

In everyday life you go through your day and if you work its more often than not, pretty ordinary. Every day same little routine, you go through your day like you always do. You don't even have to think about it, heck you probably don't even need to wake up all the way, you can get by some days just going through the motions. That's dangerous to do. God puts things in front of you everyday, opportunities to serve and do His work. To witness to someone or to set a God example to the people around you. When you become a Christian you start to notice things changing in your everyday life. The things you used to do you don't do anymore, your attitude towards people changes, from being a jerk who really doesn't care about others, to some one who loves everyone he comes in contact with. And truly cares when he sees someone he doesn't even know going through some hard times. You are constantly growing and maturing in Christ. You change for the better and the older you get, the more consistent these things that you never knew, or thought you would do you are dong and can't see any other way. Not because you are trying so hard to do it, it just comes natural. It is natural, you allow the Spirit to lead you in your ever day walk and you change with out knowing. You become a better Christian. Your everyday life is a Private Practice.

See that's exactly what Christianity is, it's not a religion, it's a private practice. You devote your life to growing and maturing in Christ Jesus, using the Spirit everyday and feeling weird if you don't do something putting others first. The more you study and pray and allow the Spirit to take over you become more and more like Christ. Looking and acting like you know He does and not even knowing that your changing. How do you become a better doctor, lawyer, athlete? I believe the phrase is "practice makes perfect" well, that applies to Christianity. You will never feel a greater satisfaction than that of growing and maturing in Christ. So if you haven't pushed all your chips into the center of the table, taken the leap and started your own private practice, or perhaps need help getting started, go find someone who can tell you how to get your own "Private Practice". Don't worry there isn't a bar exam or anything like that all you have to do is believe and devote your life to Christ and His work.

I'm All In

2007-12-03T16:19:00.001-08:00

Las Vegas-

The room is dark, and smokey. There are hundreds of people watching, the drinks are flowing but still the room is quiet. The only light in the room is above your head and that's dim because of your sunglasses. Your elbows on the green felt, sweat beading on your for head, the inside brim or your visor is soaked with the sweat of nervousness. Three people left out of at least 300. It's been a long, stressful day, but you made it to the last table, with three of you left. Your friends and family said you wouldn't ever make it this far in the Texas Hold- Em world series. You throw in the big blind and the dealer starts to deal. You look at your cards and see pocket aces. You hold in your excitement not to show the chip leader across the table who has been after the rookie all night. Stone faced you start the first round of betting, the guy to your left folds right out of the gate. The chip leader looks at you and calls, "shoot!" you can't help but think he also has something good. Here comes the flop, three spades, but wait the last one is an ace. Now you have three aces, but who knows what he has, lets see how he bets. He raises big, now this is either your chance to make a name for yourself or he knows he has the flush. What do you do, this could be your chance to double up and become the chip leader, and the way you've been playing all day that would almost seal the deal, you could control the rest of the game from here on out. What do you do? See if the next two cards come out and he gets the flush, but your stuck with three aces you lose and your out all that time and money. This is where the choice gets tough.

What if you knew that one of those cards was going to be an ace? What if the dealer promised and showed you the next two cards? In fact he showed everyone but you were the only one to see. Would you fold, or go all in? 4th down and 3, 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter down by six, your on the 18 yard line what do you do? Well what if you knew without a doubt that the linebackers were going to go into pass coverage and the left end was without a doubt going to trip at the snap and leave a huge gap to run through? Would you go for it? I would.

In fact I did, not the poker thing or the football thing, but the God thing. You know God calls us all to do His work, to minister to other people, serving the Lord. He tells us what He wants us to do, and gives us all the tools to do it. Our skills, our gifts, our passions. He allows us to go through junk so that we can come through stronger and wiser on the other side, to give us a testimony for the things that He has done for us. A way to communicate His greatness to others through personal experience. James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." God allows us to go through these things that we may be better equipped to do His work. Have you ever noticed that every time you go through something and come out the other side there is usually someone waiting that is about to go through the same thing, or something very similar? Think about it, do you think that is just by chance? No, it's God giving you the opportunity to do His work by using the tool He just gave you! Isn't that cool! He puts people in front of us all the time who need some help getting through something that we have already gone through, but we have to say yes. How many times are you with a group of believers maybe at church service, or midweek bible study, or perhaps an e mail sent to all the members of your church, from the pastor, or someone asking for help? Now, how many times have you not responded or held your mouth shut, because you were scared that you would have to devote time or money to this person. Or afraid to leave your comfort zone, and be in a strange place away from family or friends with a big job in front of you that your afraid you can't do. Well, your probably right, but if God is the one who puts this stuff in front of you and you accept His work than you shouldn't worry, because you aren't the one who will be doing the work really it's the Spirit in you. So, don't say no, especially because of fear, because I promise you that God wouldn't put anything in front of you that you can't handle, and He will give you the strength as long as you ask for it. He will provide everything for you to do the things according to His will and that's all that matters anyway, His will.

So, push all your chips to the center of the table, sit back take off your shades and let the dealer deal out the winning ace, because you know it's a sure thing. Make the call to the quarter back to hand it to the running back, tell him to run left and jump over the left end, take off your head phones and prepare for the bucket of Gatorade and ice, because it's a sure thing. Say yes to God and all His works, because He is always a sure thing and He'll make sure you get the ace or the three yards you need to finish His perfect will.

Christmas

2007-12-02T20:09:00.000-08:00

Ahh, Christmas, my favorite time of the year. I know that there are a lot of people out there that feel the same way about it. The lights, the music, the cookies, the decorations, the feeling of joy in the air. This is a time of year when people think twice about how they act towards somebody else. They let them pull out in front of them in traffic, skip in line at the grocery store if they only have a few items compared to their basket full. Giving to the salvation army, or presents. People think about others, charities, and people who could use a little help. I wonder why that is. Is there a reason why people become, well lets just say it. More Godly. This hit me this morning at church. Billy in the sermon referenced this idea of the Christmas Spirit. I'm sure you have all heard someone say that at least once in your life " I'm filled with the Christmas Spirit." I wonder if that is accurate. Is it just by chance that at this time of the year this all takes place? I'm not sure that I think so. I wonder if anyone has ever entertained the idea that the fact that this time of year just so happens to be the same time when Jesus was born, and that having a lot to do with it.

Giving, humbling, loving, filled with joy, singing a happy song, putting others first. Why does this sound familiar to me? Oh, that's right it's because these are all characteristics of Jesus Christ. How funny is it that people do these things for others around that time. Jesus Christ our savior, the one who has been given the name above all names, the one who has all authority, the one whom in all things were created, and all things created for, was born into a human body, lived a perfect life and then became obedient to death so that all of our sins would be forgiven, was born in this time. I think that has a lot to do with these feelings. We are influenced by just the presence, and I think that this time of year is the perfect way to show examples of how awesome God is. People who normally wouldn't do these things for others, do in fact do them.

Lets go back a couple of steps and look at Halloween. What does that do? What does that "holiday" bring out of people. Fear, mischief, evil. This is a celebration of evil is it not. Horror movies on TV, stories about murder, and monsters, and ghosts, demons. People walking around dressed up as these things. Dressed up as the devil himself. The devil claimed himself a holiday, where people go out and prepare, and decorate and enjoy this. Yet another testimony on how powerful God is. Our church is one of a few that I know of that do this thing called trunk or treat. We take the evil out and put God in. Take the scary out and put happy in. Take out vampires and demons and put in princesses and super heroes. Play christian music instead of scary sounds. This is God at work. God defeating the devil, good triumphant over evil.

How do we beat it for good? We take these people who are filled with this so called "Christmas Spirit" and show them that it's the Holy Spirit of God at work. Introduce them to the Christ that they celebrate at this time of year. Show them that this feeling of joy isn't limited to the month of December. That the spiritual gift that God gives is better than any gift Santa Clause's elf's can build. That the giving and love for others and family never has to stop. That God is around for the other 11 months too, including October. That this feeling of joy comes from serving not being served. And the material things that we lust for are unimportant in life, that the Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior's birthday should be celebrated for the remainder 364 days in every year as well. Glory be to God all mighty for ever and ever. Amen

Lets set this example after Christmas too.

The Lord's Supper

2007-11-27T19:36:00.000-08:00

Well, today at our Hot Spot we talked about Communion and the importance of remembering. The problem I'm having is that I feel like there are a lot of people out there that over look the importance of taking of the Lords Supper. I think when people take it they are taking for granted what they are doing, and or supposed to be doing. I feel that we have labeled it as something that we do because Jesus told us to and forget about what it symbolizes.

What are we doing when we take communion? Well, Jesus said when he broke the bread " this is my body; which is for you, do this in remembrance of me" and " this is the new covenant in my blood; do this whenever you drink this in remembrance of me". So what are we doing? Remembering, acknowledging the body of Christ. Yes, the physical body that got beet up and tore up for us, but what about the BODY OF CHRIST, us the church. Christ united the church. Anyone who believes in Christ Jesus the Son of God our Saviour is a brother of mine and we are one in Christ and part of the same BODY,and in taking the fruit of the vine we are remembering the new covenant in His blood, in Jeremiah 31 it tells us of the new covenant that Jesus signed with His blood. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

So, what are we doing when we take part in the Lords Supper? What is it symbolizing? We are proclaiming the death of Jesus Christ until the day that He comes back!!! So I say what are we supposed to do on Sunday mornings? We are supposed to PROCLAIM THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST AND TEACH CHRIST RESURRECTED!!! So make the focus of the Sunday morning fellowship the Lords Supper, then sing songs, and praise the Lord and preach the GOOD NEWS, leave and go do God's work. AMEN

Read 1 Corinthians and study it I know I am.

What Am I Going To Do?

2007-11-19T19:31:00.000-08:00

Do you get your check at the end of the week and wonder where your next dollar is going to go? Do you ever worry about how your going to buy food for the week, or gas? How often do you worry about cloths, or bills? I know I do every day. Well, not anymore, because I know that those are all going to be answered. Have you ever waisted a day on worries? How many times have you gotten in bed at night and realized you waisted your whole day worrying about something that is going to happen the next day or next week? Look back on those days and think about how many opportunities you missed for good conversation with your co workers, or family. Is it worth it? Do you like feeling miserable all day? Stress, is that something you like? I know I don't, and I know that has happened to me one to many times in my life. So, guess what, I'm not doing it anymore. Why? I'm glad you asked.

Matthew 6:34 "Therefor do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Jesus said this. If Jesus our Lord and savior is telling us this then we need to listen. Earlier in chapter six he tells us that God knows what we need, and He will provide it for us. Does a bird worry about cloths, or food? No. God provides the bird with food, why wouldn't He do the same for His children? If your worrying about these things then how are you focusing on the things that God wants us to focus on? Verse 33 of chapter six tells us to "seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." He wants us to focus on Him, and because He wants us to focus on Him, God is going to give us these things so we don't have to be burdened by these things and can focus on His glory and not on our junk of life. Jesus will make our burden light, He has promised us all these things that we worry about so that we don't have too. I can't stress this enough, don't worry about these earthly things about food, or cloths Matthew 6:27 "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Not me, I know that everything I have is given to me by God, nothing I do, or try to do is going to change that. I'm not in charge and guess what, I don't want to be the one to break this to you but neither are you. God is, Jesus has been given all authority not me, so I don't care how much I want or think I want I'm not going to have it unless Jesus wants me to. So, why worry about it? If Jesus has given you eternal life, what right do you have to worry about such simple things as food? He has given you life eternal and everything that comes with it, and here on earth that means food and cloths and drink. He knows, and will take care of your needs.

What about all those times when you were worried about these things and missed out on an opportunity to witness to a co worker, or teach your family about God and his everlasting love for them? Cause I know when I worry I am too stressed out to even listen to what anyone has to say. So, just chill out and focus on the Kingdom of God and help grow His Kingdom and He will take care of the rest. See we aren't promised tomorrow, and today is a gift, so use this day that He has given you, not to stress about tomorrow, but to grow His Kingdom today, and If the Lord is willing He will give you tomorrow to do it again.

SHUT UP AND LISTEN!!!

2007-11-18T10:40:00.000-08:00

Today I was teaching a Sunday school class called Kid Zone. Our congregation isn't quite big enough yet being a news church to split the kids up in different classes according to there age. So all of our kids go to the same class. Anyway, I was teaching the kids about the time when Elija went to the mountain of the Lord and God spoke to him in a whisper. I wasn't really happy about teaching today, not because I didn't want to do it, but because I went to the nascar race yesterday and I was crazy tired. I also didn't feel that I was prepared enough. I lost the paper work that the person who does Kid Zone gave me on the lesson. By the time I got new copies it was Friday. I didn't study as much as I like to before I teach.

I woke up early this morning and went over 1Kings 19 again to refresh before I got to church. The whole drive to church I was nervous and scared, to be completely honest. I didn't want to bomb in front of these kids who need to be taught with confidence and the up most understanding so that they can get the most out of what the lesson is. Well we were in the service and it felt like the time went by faster than normal for the kids to come back. I prayed to God to please take over and let these children get the message straight from Him. And He sure did. The great part about that is that if I'm up there and it's not me teaching. Whether or not it's the children or the adults I get just as much out of the lesson as they do. If I'm not the one teaching I get to listen, so If I'm up there and I just let God take over than I don't have to worry about bombing first of all, and second, I get to listen to the message.

I learned something that I have been forgetting lately. I pray constantly through the day, and I ask God for the things I need according to His will, and to give me the strength to get through the day, and for my kids and so on and so forth. But, the biggest thing I have been forgetting to do is shut up and listen. I ask God for advise and then I hang up the phone. I don't even give Him a chance to answer me. That's insane, like asking your boss for the day off and then walking away, then getting mad when I come into work. Or buying a map and putting it under the seat with out even cracking it open. No wonder your lost.

This is what happens, we give God our requests and ask Him for the answers to our questions, or problems. Then we get off our knees and tackle the issue ourselves. Well I've got bad news, when we do that and try to do these things ourselves we fall short. See , I can't do anything right, not by my self, I need the help from someone. I know I can't do it, but I also know He can. And He can through me, and in Him I will. I know this because if the even the foolishness of got is far greater than the wisest of men,( 1 Corinthians 1:25)then I know that He can make no mistakes. So if He tells me turn left and I don't hear him I'll turn right without a doubt, but if I just shut up and listen I can hear the whispers and turn in the right direction,the God direction.

So If you feel like your prayers aren't being answered or perhaps your not getting the answers for your questions, I suggest you stop and examine your self. Ask yourself , do you submit your request and leave it, or do you shut up and listen? How often do you drive in your car with the windows up and the radio off and give Him an opportunity to talk to you? Do you really know Jesus, is your relationship with Him good enough so that when He talks you will recognize His voice? If not go right now and pick up your phone, or write an e mail ask someone to introduce you to Him. Drop to your knees and humble yourself to know that you are talking to the creator of everything you know and beg Him to help you know Him. Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened unto you. Matthew 7:7
Jesus tells us this is all we have to do so if you haven't asked, seeked, or knocked please do He is waiting to take you into His arms. Oh, and when you pray, just shut up and listen.

REJOICE!

2007-11-02T18:01:00.000-07:00

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord Always; I will say it again: REJOICE!!!

That's right, rejoice in the lord ALWAYS, not some of the time, or when things are going good. Rejoice when things are going not so good, or bad for that matter. How easy is it to be pleased with God when He is giving you everything you ask for? Or when you can pay all your bills, or get a new car. What about when you lose your truck, your job, and your house? Or when your driving down the street? Or when your working that job you can't stand? How easy is it then?

Well, it's not. In fact if it was, what good would that be? It says rejoice Always. During the good and the bad, for richer or for poorer, through sickness and in health, for all of eternity. Unconditional, unending, uncircumstantial, no matter what, screaming, rejoicing from the roof top, Love for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

God shapes us, He has this plan. He gives us the tools, knowledge and ability to use such tools, in order to do a great service for Him. He strengthens us through these trials He lets us go through. He lets us experience different hardships so that we can grow into the person He wants us to be for us to be used in accordance to His purpose. His will, is for His glory, to make Him happy. This isn't my story, or your story, this is His story, and he wants us to have a roll, weather big, or small, we get a part in His great story. (as the pastor from whispering pines cc. says) And that's a great opportunity, so REJOICE, you have a part in the greatest story of all, and when you go through those hard times, REJOICE, because He is letting you grow, and mold to the person He wants you to be, so that He can use you. So stay talking to him always, and listen and learn, for it is He who is the greatest teacher, and He who will show you the way to do His will. REJOICE, because you have been chosen to do His, God's work.
1 Thessalonians 5:15-19 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

With the glory always and forever given to our Lord God, in the name of our savior Christ Jesus, amen

WOW!!!

2007-10-10T17:15:00.000-07:00

This is the only word that can actually explain how I feel, WOW!! For the past, oh I'm not sure three days, though it feels like forever, I've felt pretty down and out. I hit this season in my life that everyone told me would come, but I didn't give it a second thought. I felt like I've plateaued in my walk. Like I was running up the mountain and there was just a flat spot that I reached and I knew it wasn't the top because if I looked up I can see more mountain but in front of me just flat lands. Confused really, but also depressed. Here I am trying to get to the mountain top and I know I'm not there but have run out of places to climb. So what do I do? I just keep walking, hoping that I come to the mountain side and get to start climbing again.

Today, in fact not to long ago I ran smack into the side of the mountain. It's like I was looking down at my feet and not really paying attention then BOOM!! I look up and there it is, my mountain. That's an exiting feeling. I look back and think, that was pretty uncharacteristic of me to keep walking instead of sitting down in the dirt discouraged and lost. I kept walking in hopes I find my mountain side. There it is, I know why. There are more than one reason for that. First, is that I had hope. My hope that was given to me because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. That's right, with Christ there is always hope, because there is absolutely nothing that He can't do and there is absolutely nothing that He won't be able to get you through. He may not pull you out of the fire, but He will make sure wile your in there you won't get burnt. So what did I do? Well at the bottom of the mountain before I started climbing I had a guide. This is the one person I knew that knew the way up better than anyone else. When I figured out and told Him I trust Him and that I believe that He is the only one who can get me to the top I latched my rope to his back and started following Him up the mountain. After a while I got tired and started climbing slower and eventually take a brake, oh but not Him, He doesn't need a brake He's a professional climber the best there is and He just keeps on going, only because He knows my rope is connected to Him, and I keep calling out to make sure He is still there.

Eventually I realized that I couldn't see Him anymore so I started climbing again, and I got stronger and faster until I was looking like a pro climbing so fast. But, I got smart, I started cutting off pieces of the rope as I am catching up so if I fall behind again it won't be so far this time, and as I keep catching up to Him I'll cut off more and more. This way if I ever stop again the slack in the rope will tighten and give me a tug to keep me going.

That's exactly what happened. I thought I was stopping and I was going to fall behind again, but just as I got ready to stop the slack in the rope tightened and kept me walking, gave me that hope to keep going.

Now, I'm going to keep climbing and cutting off those pieces of the rope, I'm sure there will be more flat spots along the way and some pretty slick rocks. But that's OK, because I know that I've got my rope tied to the best climber there is and if I slip He'll be able to pull me past those tough spots and get me back on track. One day when I get to the top of this mountain He will be there and He'll put His arm around me and say" Good Job, son I"m proud of you."

See, Jesus is the way, and the truth, and the life, and the only way to get to the Father(the top of the mountain) is through Him. So lets make sure you take Him as your guide and clip onto His belt, because there is no other way up to the mountaintop.

For God So Loved The World

2007-09-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Last night I read this verse, and this is just awesome. God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us. To die FOR us, so that we don't have to. So Jesus, the Son of God, being in the very nature of God, as it says in Philippians, died for us. Wow! What does that say to you? Lets look at it this way, Jesus not only died for us, but he did so while we were still sinners. Romans 5:6-8 "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." I've heard people talk about how their brother or sister, or mother, or father, etc, did something that made them angry to the point where they hate them, and don't speak to them for years. I have actually heard someone say to be that they hope their sister would die. That's crazy to me, Jesus(God on earth) came to die for us while we were sinners. And it's not like He came down here and some people got a hold of Him and killed Him. He allowed them to kill Him. He is God, death has no authority over Him and He became obedient to death. So, Jesus allowed Himself to die for us, so that we could be saved and have eternal life with Him in the Kingdom of God, and we are sinners. How many people would even take a punch for a guy that they just met. Not many, and this guy hasn't done anything wrong, imagine someone who has just cursed you or cut you off. That's love. in fact the bible tells us in John that there is no greater love than when someone lays his life down for someone else. No greater love, so there is no greater love than that of Christ Jesus because He didn't just lay His life down for you, or me, but for the WORLD. For all of us. So, that ANYONE who believes in Him, ANYONE will have eternal life. It's there, eternal life is right there, for anyone who wants it. All you have to do is believe in Jesus, have faith in God. The gift of salvation is right there in our hands all we have to do is open it.

The cool thing about eternal life, it starts now. Wait, wait, wait, what do you mean? Eternal life, you die you go to Heaven and that's eternal life. If that's what you think your missing the point. "that whoever believes in Him SHALL NOT PARISH, but have ETERNAL LIFE." See what is the result of sin? The answer is death, but that's the good news. Because of Jesus we no longer have to die for our sins, He already did. See the thing is, when I say eternal life begins now, I mean the day you are baptized into Jesus Christ you are put to death with Him, in Him you are dead to sin. Sin has no authority over you. Now, just as you were put to death with Jesus, don't you know that through the grace of God you will be resurrected with Him. Into a new life, no longer lead by sinful nature, but lead by the nature given graciously to us by God, led by the Holy Spirit. A NEW LIFE, an ETERNAL LIFE. If the result of sin is death, and we were put to death with Christ, and buried with Him, and also resurrected with Him, then your debt to sin has been payed and you are free from sin. So through Jesus your debt (death) to sin has been payed and you are no longer a slave to sin, a new debt is owed so give your life to Christ Jesus and be a slave to Him who you owe your life too. Your Eternal Life. Because, God so loved the world... and because of that love that He gave up His only Son, so I can have that gift of eternal life, then I give that eternal life that He gave me and use it to Do His Will.

Faith

2007-09-23T17:20:00.000-07:00

Today at church, Billy (our pastor) called me up in front of the congregation for somewhat of an interview. He wanted to tell the people of Whispering Pines what was going on in my life, and the door that has been opened to me for a chance at some incredible ministry. I will be organizing after school activities, bible study, get togethers for the community, events... Basically getting this multi-housing community together and introduce them to Christ. The overall goal is to eventually plant a church using their clubhouse. Anyway when he gets me up there and is talking to the congregation explaining how this all came about. God speaks to me, and tells me, "I know it's scary, and you have no idea what to expect or do, but hold my hand and we will walk through this door together." Ironically after church, Billy hands me a piece of paper with the study material for our Tuesday night bible study that I co-teach. The topic, Faith.

What is Faith? The bible describes it in Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see." God tells me "Hold my hand and we will go through this door together" "Have Faith in Me" He says, God is telling me don't let the fact that you are scared, the fact that you don't know what to expect stop you from walking through that door. See, I know that just because God has opened that door for me doesn't mean that when I walk through it, it will be all peaches and cream, blue skies and rainbows, a nice little walk in the park. This door God has opened isn't going to lead to some place where all is good in His eyes, He is putting me in a place where he needs work done. In Matthew 9:12 Jesus said " it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." That just tells me that when He sends us to do work He sends us to a place where evil is strong. Not only strong, but ready for battle. God is sending us into a place where evil has found a home, and into that home we go to bring God into it and "flip" it. If you have ever seen that TV program flip that house, where they buy a house renovate it and sell it, then you know what I'm talking about. That's it though, He is going to renovate that apartment complex. The coolest thing is that He plans to use me as the project supervisor.

This whole thing about faith got me thinking about the story of David and Goliath. A young boy, a servant to Saul, and the watcher of his fathers sheep, was sent to the battlegrounds of the Israelites and the Philistines to take some things to his brothers and bring back word of them to his father. When he gets there they are both lining up in the battle formations, so David runs up to the battle lines and talks to his brothers, as he is talking to them this huge giant comes up from behind the enemy lines and lays out this challenge, Israel should send out the one man to fight him and if he should win the Philistines would serve Israel. David hears this and is like, "WHAT?" Did you hear what this guy said?" He sees that no one will stand up to this challenge and all are scared. So he kind of asks around to find out whats in it for the guy who kicks this giants butt? Finally he said "I'll do it." So, Saul hears word that some one is going to do this and calls for him. He gets there and Saul says, "What are you crazy, your a little kid and this guy is a giant who has been fighting basically all his life, he'll wreck you." And this is where I have been coming to with all this, you know what he said to Saul? He said, "Dude, Saul, I've been watching my dad's sheep, and when I'm watching them and a lion comes or a bear, and takes one of those sheep I chase him down and hit him, when he drops the sheep they get away, then when the come after me I grab them by the hair and kill them. This big guy will be as easy as one of them, because he is challenging the army of God, and just like when God keeps me safe from the lion and bear, He is going to do the same here, so no worries I got this."

Now that is faith. This guy David is about to fight is over nine feet tall, and by the way the bible describes him in 1 Samuel he wasn't skinny either. David knew that God will deliver this giant to him, he knew that the only armor and weapon he needs is God.

So when God opens the door for me, I will know that evil will be on the other side, and I will face my giant knowing that in the name of Jesus Christ no one, or nothing will be able to harm me, and I will have faith in the Lord to deliver this evil to me so that I might turn on the light and introduce God to the people. I will go into battle as it says to in Ephesians 6: 13-18 "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." I will be ready, and God will do the work all I have to do is let him take me through the steps.

In the name of Christ Jesus our savior, may the love and peace and strength of the Lamb be with you all.

One Body, Different, Parts

2007-09-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

One of the things that I have noticed around here is that a lot, not all, but a lot of the churches around here don't really do things together. In fact there is quite a bit of maybe not outright and open, but almost a dislike for each other. Bashing each others styles if you will of teaching. This church doesn't like the way the other one does certain things, the members of this church left the other and are bad mouthing it because they didn't like the way the did this. Nonsense like that. I feel like people are not really getting it. I'm not sure that, actually I'm pretty convinced that, that isn't how God wants it to work.

In the last chapter of Matthew, Jesus tells us to take all that He has taught us and go make disciples of the nations. Now, my question is how do we do that if we are putting down the other churches? Especially if they are trying to do the same thing. I would think that it would work better if we would all unite and use our gifts, though different, all given to us by God for that very reason, and work together to do as we were told and make believers out of the nations. I know some would like to believe it, but the army can't win a war by itself, it take all of the armed forces together to do so. One player can't win a basketball game. Wait, I can't use that, Coby Bryant did it. Sorry, a little joke. You get what I'm saying though.

The only way we can actually get the word to the whole world is if we all come together and work as a team, as ONE BODY. We all have our gifts, we were all given them by God to do his work, so we need to accept the gifts of others and use them all together and be more successful. Just because the church down the road does things a little different, doesn't mean they are wrong. After all though they are different gifts they come from the same place, the Spirit of God. And if the Spirit of God is where the gifts come from then how can they be wrong. Lets look at 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines." Now, I'm not only talking about the buildings when I say "church", I mean the people. I don't care whether you meet in a Church building or in a house, we are the church. So when you get together wherever you are instead of gossiping and speaking ill of another believer and their style, or gift, you should be thinking of a way to use the gifts of others and yours together to do what was told to us to do.

All I'm saying is be careful, because if there are people meeting together and giving glory to God. No matter how, if they are giving glory to Him then you haven't the right to judge them, because know that, we can't praise Him, worship Him, or even pray to Him without being led by the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. So remember that the spirit will never do it wrong, and if the other guy is led by the Spirit then you especially as a man has no authority to say otherwise.

Making things right

2007-09-14T19:07:00.000-07:00

Matthew : 23-26 23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

There is this guy at work, who is a real pain in my neck. I mean this guy seems like his goal in life is to fight me, for some reason. The real weird part of it all, is when I started there he kind of took me under his wing and helped me in the areas I had problems with. Not to mention because of him my paper work is perfect for the most part. He is older than I am and more experienced than me, so I listened. Well for that I thank him. After just a couple of weeks working there they hired another new guy. This was great for me, because I'm no longer the new guy,(YES!!!). I hate being the new guy, but anyway that's not the point here. It seemed like he started focusing his attention towards him. That's okay with me, in fact it kind of felt good, you know being released. Now I wasn't being looked over and I started to feel like one of the crew. Well, it seemed like at just about the same time he kind of started in on me. I was like, wait a minute. First this guy comes and really puts a lot of time and effort into me and now he is taking cheap shots.

One of the things God has been doing in my life is working on my temper and willingness to fight, both physically and verbally. I am very good at improvisation of insults, funny I used to think that was a gift, not any more. Now I feel like its a weight on my feet. So, one of the great things about God is that he is stronger than any weight that can try to hold me back. So, instead of trying to walk with these "weights" I'm just going to jump on his back and let him give me a piggy back ride, that way I know He is taking me through every step with no effort at all.

So, anyway as I was saying before I got a little side tracked, sometimes the holy spirit just takes over and goes off on a tangent. It's a lot of fun when that happens. I have been able to deal with this guys ignorance for a long time now, for me anyway. I know that,that was but for the grace God I was able to take it for so long. Then finally the devil started to whisper in my ear and egg me on to use that "gift" to retaliate. Now, before I get too far ahead, this guy has had a pretty rough year. He was arrested, now on probation, lost his house, has to go to anger management classes that he has to pay for. Now, this is the kicker, all of these things are happening to him because of the lies of his ex-wife who left him for another girl. It gets much deeper but I don't know all of it, and if I did I don't think its my place to say. So this guy has a lot on his mind all of the time, and the only way for him to deal with it and not go crazy in his thoughts I guess is to do the things he does to keep him mind off of everything else.

The other day Rebecca(my wife) comes to work to go to lunch with me. He calls me over when she goes into the showroom to wait for me, and he makes some ignorant remark about the size of her breasts. That was it, that was the line that I couldn't deal with. I didn't say anything then, and I walked away. Yesterday was the first day I saw him after his day off. Didn't say anything then either. Today I was still quiet, but that is three days that it has been boiling inside of me. I don't know how, he said something today that made me explode inside, and still I said nothing to him. Later God gave me the power to talk it over with him and explain why I was obviously mad at him. He took it, and apologized to me, and I don't think now we will have any problems like that anymore. See, now he knows my boundaries, and I don't think he really wants to hurt anyone. So, like I said God is stronger than any weight.

The Living Word

2007-09-13T18:18:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

For the word of God is living and active. Wow, the word of God. So that means that the words that God speaks to us, and uses to teach us about him, are living and active? So does that mean that the bible is not just a book, but a living, active, ever going lesson? Well, I believe so. In reading the bible, have you ever noticed that if you go back and study the same thing you have once studied in the past, you get something totally different than what you originally got out of it? I know that for me that is an almost daily occurrence.

In prayer we talk to God. I think that any time we talk to God we are praying, doesn't necessarily mean we are always bowing our heads and on our knees, but talking to him during the day like you would be talking to a friend is also a form of prayer. Now the question is, isn't conversation two ways? So does He talk back? I say yes. In a lot of different ways, God reveals himself in so many different ways, through your thoughts he speaks to you, maybe a dream, or vision. How about actually talking to you perhaps a voice from the heavens. I think that there is one way that he speaks to me the most, and that is through the bible itself.

Gods word is living and active, that means that as your reading the message is ever changing. The actual words don't change in the book itself but the meaning of the words in your heart change pertaining to what your going through at that particular season. See, as long at we are studying, he is teaching, as long as we are looking he is showing, so all we need to do in order to learn what he wants us to know directly from him then all we have to do is let him show us. See God wants us to know him, he wants us to learn from the word he has so graciously given unto us and all you have to do to see this Living and Active word of our heavenly father is: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7

Life

2007-09-13T14:05:00.000-07:00

September 3, 2007 - Monday
Life Current mood: happy Category: Life
You know, I have a lot of different things going on in my life, and I just so happen to know of a few people in my life who are going through some rough times. I guess the reason I'm posting this blog is because God has led me to do so, and whom ever reads this I hope that you get something out of it. About two months ago I lost my job, and didn't work for those two months, I had rent and a lot of bills that I unfairly put in my wife's responsibility knowing that it is mine. That in itself killed me inside, stress was up and moral was down. My wife and I were at each others throat every day, I was stuck home with the kids all day because we could no longer afford child care. So there I was being a complete jerk to my kids, my wife , my friends, and blaming everyone I could, sure I was looking for work, but the question is how hard? Any way here I am in my mom's house with my wife and two girls, living back with mommy. I no longer have my truck that I've pretty much waited all my life to get. The funny thing is stress is down and moral is up. Why? Good question I'll tell you why. Well in those two months the greatest thing that could have happened, did. My relationship with God grew at a rapid pace and am happy to say still is growing. Stress: why is it low? No, not because I'm back at home and bills are low and I have a job now, but because it is written to place my burdens on God because his burden is light and he can take mine for me. Its that easy? All I have to do is trust in God and everything will be ok? Easy, well yes, and no. That's all it takes and its very hard to do, but man is it worth it, No stress, why because God promised me that He will take care of me, and if the one that created all things says He is going to take care of me, well guess what. I believe Him. So lets look back, the house I was living in is gone. Yeah, so, that wasn't mine, God let me take care of it for a while and use it for what He had planned, I took an exchange student in for a month and got to host a weakly bible study for a month, now that's what he wanted me to do, I did it and now He has another plan for me. The truck, it wasn't mine, He just let me take care of it for a while, I helped people move stuff, I helped my brother rip out some trees,(that was fun), I pulled the trailer for the church and now we don't need it anymore and I don't have the truck anymore, go figure. It's all figured out, do I know whats going to happen? No, but He does and I trust Him so I really don't need to worry, because it'll all work out, because I can't do anything right, but he can't do anything wrong an He is in charge not me. So I'll just let him take over and I'll follow his lead, because its all for his glory anyway not mine. It says in the Bible "don't worry about tomorrow because tomorrow has enough problems of its own". So lets not worry about tomorrow, let Him take care of it, because all we will do is screw it all up. The only advice I have for anyone is this, Get in the word, build that relationship with God, and as is says in Philippians 2:5 "your attitude should be like that of Christ Jesus." Love everyone, humble yourself,serve,be connected to God always, and just let the spirit guide you because in the flesh all the decisions we make are self centered and for our glory, and if you are always connected to God then you can always ask him for the right decisions. So, I'll leave you with this, "I am the way and the truth and the light..." Trust in Him and He will take care of all things.
Live, Love , and laugh a whole bunch.
Mauricio

does it really matter

2007-09-13T14:03:00.000-07:00

September 4, 2007 - Tuesday
does it really matter
Today I was thinking about, just some random things. One of the things that crossed my mind was, about three or so years ago I was determined to find something that I could do to make a name for myself. So that when I die my children could be proud and tell there children about me and so on and so forth. I wasn't sure what it would be, but it was going to be something big, whether it be trying to talk about political crap or something that would give me recognition in the media and perhaps make a big deal about it or something like that. I just didn't want to be forgotten.
Now here I am thinking about how I could actually think like that, because the question rises, Does it really matter? Look at the history books and not so much at the people who founded our country and government(though the way things look, did that even matter?) But at some of the meaningless garbage that gets remembered. I have come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter. Because anything that I do isn't going to change the fact that I will eventually be forgotten, but there is something that I will and believe we are all supposed to do, and that is to make a name not for ourselves, but to introduce and let people understand who God is. Because to be completely honest nothing that we say, or do,or get really means much other than the things we do to glorify Him. Bottom line is we are all going to die, but the real question is do we really want to trade eternal life for having things and having a name for ourselves in this world. I don't know about you, but not me.
I've decided that none of those things matter, I can't take my brand new big super cool truck with me when I die, nor can I take a million dollars, so is it worth trading your soul for that stuff. No, if God decides that he wants you to have these things than cool, accept them with open arms, but understand that fact that He gave them to you and He can take them away. So take care of them and use them to serve others and God.
Another thing that I thought about was knowledge and wisdom. What is true knowledge and wisdom? Lets take all these scientists with multiple PHD's in some flung dung. These people are the great minds of our time and spend countless hours studying theories and conducting experiments and finding the "fact". Now lets look at the complete other side of the spectrum. ME!!! I didn't finish high school, if you can't tell yet I really have a hard time spelling, and I'm not really sure how to even conduct an experiment. Between me and them, who has true knowledge and wisdom? Your first answer would probably be them, EHHH, WRONG!!!! It's amazing to me how foolish these people are, how confused they are trying to find the answer to this whole life and existence thing, and little old me knows the answer. It's written in 1 Corinthians, 20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
So the way I see it is that it's hard for the smart people to accept the truth about Christ, because there is no "proof", but I assure you that one day all will know the truth, and on that day, believers, non believers, and all those who believe but refuse Christ will bow down and worship.

THOUGHTS OF THE DAY

2007-09-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

September 6, 2007 - Thursday
Thoughts of the day Current mood: content
Well, yesterday I didn't get a chance to post a blog, so here I am and this might be a long one, I have two days to cover. There are two things that God has shown me in the past two days. One has to do with serving, and the other has to do with the work of Christianity.
Last night when I got home from work I had every intention of going to one of the other ministers of Whispering Pines Community Church's house and walking the neighborhood and handing out fliers for our launch this Sunday. When it was about time for me to go I read an e mail from my pastor to call him when I could. At our picnic there was a lady whom a couple of our ministers met, that called asking for help moving. Billy(our pastor) asked if I would be interested to help. Eager to serve I of course said yes. Well this is where I learned my lesson. To make a long story short the woman who needed the help moving, actually needed a lot more than just help moving. She needed a ride to get the truck and this and that. Not to mention every place we had to go was on the opposite side of town for each other.
When we finally got to start loading up the truck, we realized that this woman didn't own anything light. When I say this, this isn't an exaggeration. NOTHING. We got a little hurt, tired, and frustrated with the lack of organization this situation had. By the time we finished, two trips later, did I mention they were on the opposite sides of town? And it was midnight. Anyway I did some thinking, and Billy, myself, and one of the other ministers(Prabu) did some talking. I realized that we were serving.
Man, that is incredible. My dad said it best when he said, "Sometimes being a Christian is like scrubbing the bathroom floor, no one likes to do it until God tells you to." You know he's right. Your not always going to like what God asks you to do, but as long as your doing it for God your going to love it. See, if your doing something you don't like to do, and are miserable doing it, that is a fleshly emotion, but if your doing it the spirit and serving others in the name of Christ, then your loving every minute of it. You know its not so much about studying, and reading the word, and trying to fit serving into that schedule. It's about serving and fitting studying and reading into your serving schedule.
When it comes down to doing the work of Christ, God will let you know when he wants you to work. Not only that, but he will put you in the exact place he wants you to do it, whether or not you know that's what he is doing.
Today, I was on my way to work when my car broke down. Man was I upset, I was making great time, not in a hurry, even going to be 15 min. early, at least. POW! then the car starts to die. I pulled of the main drag there onto a little side street, and came to a dead stop on the side of the road, no cell phone no lighter for smoke signals, nothing. First thought is that I ran out of gas, because the light had been on since yesterday. So, I asked a near by construction worker to borrow his cell to call for help. My brother brought me some gas and had to get going, he was going to be late for a prior commitment. So, the gas thing, NOPE, not the problem. I tried for so long I ran out the battery.
I said " God, I know you put me here for a reason, so could you let me know why, I'm stressing down here." I start reading my book that I'm reading to keep my mind off of the whole situation. I had noticed earlier a woman putting some mail in her mail box to be sent out. I finally made my way to ask if she had some jumper cables. Her husband did. After about 30 to 45 min. of trying to get the car started, he let me use his phone and help was on the way. As he was walking back to his car God said to me "Mauricio, go talk to him." I tried to fight it, but I have a hard time saying no to my mom much less God. I asked him if he went to church, he said he was a Christian, but kind of did his own thing at home. Well, I gave him a flier and told him about our church, and he was a little exited and interested.
So to sum up what happened there, God put me there for a reason. That reason was to talk to that guy and invite him to church, and who knows, if he or his wife don't have a relationship with God, perhaps I have planted that seed so that God can make it grow. I think the moral of the story is, we are supposed to be Christians all the time, not just on Sundays. What Jesus said to do is to make disciples of the nations. So, we need to stay constantly connected to God, so that we can hear Him when He says " go talk to him." B) I'd rather scrub the bathroom floor than move furniture....
May the peace of our Savior Jesus Christ be with you all,
Mauricio

doing his work cont.

2007-09-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

September 7, 2007 - Friday
doing His work cont.
Here in Port St. Lucie, as a lot of you probably know, there is this guy who stands on the corner of U.S. 1 and Jennings road with a megaphone, a big cross, and a Bible. What he does for about, huh, I don't know a few hours every day is preach to all the stopped traffic at that busy intersection. A lot of people pass by jokingly honking at him, and a lot of people make fun of him behind his back. "Oh, that guy is crazy." "What a weirdo." "What a loser."
Well, that weirdo's name is Smokey, and today I met him. I've seen him out there, wow, for as long as I can remember here in PSL. I've always admired the dedication it takes to do something like that. So today I decided after work I would go over to his corner, and I would give him an invitation to our churches launch service on Sunday. As I drive up to the corner I almost hit him walking across the street to the Deny's right there. So I quickly whip into the parking lot at Deny's and go in. There he is sitting at the bar drinking a cup of coffee. I walked right up to him and shook his hand introducing myself, I said "Can I join you?" "Please do" he replied. So I sat. I said "well, I've seen you there for years and have always wondered, what's your story, if you don't mind me asking.", "It's a long one" he said laughing. I replied " I've Got the time and a cup of coffee, so if you don't mind I'm here to listen.".
As he is sitting there telling his story, I'm sipping my cup of coffee and I can't help but notice his eyes. Looking at his eyes while he talked and drank his coffee, you could see around his weathered face and slightly squinted eyes, he looked like he had been through a lot, but looking through the weathered face surrounding his eyes actually into his eyes, there was great peace. As I sit there just absorbing what he said like a three year old in front of the wiggles on tv, looking at his face and the raspy sound of his voice I felt a great sense of comfort. It felt like I was sitting there having a cup of coffee with one of the apostles. He spoke of Jesus like he was a close personal friend of His.
Then I realized, he is. We all are close personal friends to Jesus. That's what it is all about. Building your relationship with Christ and getting to know him. So that you can be close personal friends with him, and in doing so letting him know you. It is written in Romans chapter 8:16,17; 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
We are co-heirs to God's glory... Wow! We are God's children, and Jesus is the son of God. I get to walk side by side with Christ Jesus, the one who has been given all authority, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. If that's not but for the grace of God then I don't know what is. If that's the case then how can we justify getting angry about the things we don't have, or the things we lose here on earth? Considering we are co-heirs to the glory to God. What we have been given is far greater than anything we could ever imagine wanting or having in this life time. We are co-heirs with Christ Jesus, of the glory of God the Father, creator of all things, All mighty,AWESOME, WONDERFUL,BEAUTIFUL,ALL POWERFUL, in who's likeness we were created. How can anything, any car, any boat, any house.... ANYTHING, be better than that. Man, it can't. So in everything we do may the glory be given to God the Father of all things in the name of the Holy Son Christ Jesus, Amen.
Notice I didn't tell his story. If your interested in hearing it I challenge you to buy him a cup of coffee, and a glass of ice water.
May the peace of Christ Jesus be with you,
Mauricio

His Work

2007-09-13T13:54:00.000-07:00

September 8, 2007 - Saturday
His work
I was just thinking, we all have jobs. I work at Goodyear, my brother Oscar is a manager at Beals, Cisco my little brother teaches drum lines, Mom, she works at Wallmart as a manager. My dad is a preacher, cement truck dispatcher, and a pizza delivery guy. The point is, is that we all work because we need to make money to survive. Bills need to be paid, we gotta eat, cars need to keep running. All these expenses of life.
You know there is other things that we need to also be focusing on, other than just these worldly expenses. Like for instance, the work Jesus told us to do. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." this is found in the last couple of verses in the book of Matthew. Jesus wants us to read the word, build a relationship to make our attitudes like his, learn from Him, and then go out and take all the things He taught us and make more disciples. Of all the nations in fact.
So what is it that we should do, how am I going to go and make disciples of the nations? Well, lets see, how about we start by building relationships with people. What that is going to do is, give us a line of communication with people so that while we are communicating with them and getting to know them, and also letting them know us, we can slowly and carefully plant the seed so God can make it grow. Planting the seed is very important, because even if it doesn't happen over night, or if your not the one to water it, chances are the idea of Christ will be in there head and they will see the things God can get you through. Every one falls on hard time, its just that we have the grace of God the Father to get us through, people will see that and want that or need that. Then they will find someone whether it be you or not , whomever God leads them to, to water that seed you planted so that God can make it grow.
Which brings me to my next point. "In everything set them an example by doing what is good." This is found in the second chapter of Titus verse 7. We are to not only talk, explain, teach by words, but use our example. If you look that is exactly what Jesus did for us. Yes, he taught by words and speaking, but in doing so He was setting an example, intern teaching us not only with His teaching, but by His teaching. " I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:15.
So, I leave you with this thought, get in the word, read the word, live the word, and set the example to others like the Word did for all of us. And remember He is with us always in spirit until that wonderful day when we get to fall at His feet.
May the grace of God the Father in the name of Christ Jesus be with you all, amen.
Mauricio

wow

2007-09-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

September 9, 2007 - Sunday
WOW!!!
Today was our re-launch service at the high school. All I can say is WOW!!!! God was there and there were a lot of new faces and all of the same old faces. The service was great, and Billy preached a great message.
He talked about Job, and how no matter what was happening to him he never cursed God, but instead worshiped. The man lost everything, his livestock, his kids, his health, and still he tore off his robe and fell to his face in worship. Man, to have a faith and love for God so big that no matter what happens, in all things give glory to God, that's what its all about.
Things are going to happen, doors will close, curves will be thrown, and people will try to convince you that God has turned his back on you. The devil himself will sit on your shoulder using your own thoughts and trying to convince you that God has forsaken you.
Well I promise you that He hasn't, all you have to do is believe in him, trust that God will get you through what ever struggle you are going through. God knows what he is doing, I mean, take a look around at how perfect the world around us really is. He made all this, He made you and me, so how can there every be a mistake made on what we are put through. Some times in order to make a wall stronger, you just need to break it down and rebuild it. As for me I say, break me down, because I know that when He rebuilds me I know that I will come out stronger, and eventually He will have strengthened me to the point to where I'm ready to go out and do the work He has planned for me, and I know that the day he calls me to do work for Him, wherever it is , whenever it is I'll be ready, because I know that He is breaking me down to rebuild me and my family for something big in His eyes. And that's all that matters, is what He wants done.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that no matter what you think you are going through, no matter who is telling you that your on your own remember, that in Matthew 28 Jesus tells us, in verse 20 "And surely I am with you always until the very end of the age.". We are not alone, and not only are we not alone as alone as we may feel sometimes, but we are loved and God asked us to cast our worries onto him because his worries are little. So, what do I say, I say God is strong enough to carry the worries of all creation on his shoulders with out breaking a sweat, and I can't carry my own. So I'll give them to Him and let Him do with me as He will. I hope you will to.
May the peace of Christ Jesus be with you,
Mauricio.

scared

2007-09-13T13:49:00.000-07:00

I have always been religious. I was raised in the church, and have always had christian values in my heart. I was baptized at a pretty young, but not unusually young age. I did understand what I was doing, and did accept Jesus as the son of God and Savior. It was very difficult as an adolescent to go to church when my mom didn't take me. It was very easy during the summer to live with my christian values, because my dad took me to church.
So, as I got older, high school age and even a bit beyond, my relationship with God really didn't mature much, because I didn't continue to study, or learn for that matter. So I drifted, I drifted away from those christian values and started to live with my worldly outlook on things. See, I never denied God, and looking back now he was always there talking to me, and convicting me of the wrong I was doing even as I was doing it. That wasn't enough for me, or maybe it was that my relationship with Him wasn't mature enough to recognize it was actually Him that was convicting.
I think the biggest problem was the fact that in high school and middle school it just wasn't cool to be a christian. That's all I cared about was being cool and accepted by my piers. In fact I was making fun of the kids that were, well, christian. I remember doing that and feeling like garbage for doing it, but that didn't matter to me, all that mattered was that my friends thought I was cool. Man, that's just no good you know?
There is good news though, and that good news is that things have changed. I love all my friends, especially the ones who are still around, and do what they can to stay in touch even when they are on the other side of the country, or for that matter the World. One of the biggest problems I have had recently is the idea that those friends wouldn't accept me anymore because of my faith and the lack of faith they have.
Well, here it is. I am still Mauricio, and will always be Mauricio, and I'm not going to go around hitting them over the head with bibles. So don't worry about that. I will however be more than happy to answer the why questions and challenge them to ask. Understand that I have work to do while I'm here, and my work comes from more than just a boss, but that work comes from the Creator of all things. So will I join you at the strip club? No. Will I join you at the bar to shoot pool and drink some beer? Yes, but I probably will be the one driving home, because anymore beer gives me acid reflex, and it is written that I shouldn't be given to drunkenness.
On the other hand, if they choose not to accept me, because of my faith in Jesus and the fact that I refuse to tell God no to the job that he has put in front of me. Then I will also rejoice, because if you are going to torment me and shun me out of your group because of my faith in Jesus, then I will with great joy take that in His name.
I will with great joy and honor take abuse and anything that anyone can throw at me in the name of Jesus Christ, because as he did this for me and died on the cross I will. See please don't think that this is for attention, or for my glory. Please don't think that I come on this thing daily and post blogs so that people would read them and think, "OH, man Mauricio is really religious." Or to show some kind of wisdom, or to get credit from my brothers in Christ. I do this because He told me too. I don't know why, but for someone to get something out of it, and that someone might even be me, who knows. In Philippians 2, it says that your attitude should be like that of Christ Jesus. So, I'm going to build that relationship with Him so that I can know him in order to make my attitude like His. As this passage continues on in Philippians 2:7-11 it explains, "who being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness, and being found in appearance as a man , he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
So though Jesus is in the very nature, God. He didn't think that he could even attempt to be equal with Got because it was unattainable. So, God on earth humbled himself to God the Father. Not only as the Son of God, but as a servant, saying that all these things that I do, I do for the glory of God, not for me. So, with that being said, if Jesus the son of God, humbled himself so much that he accepted, even though death had no authority over him he allowed Himself to be put to death so that we may be saved, and not have to, I can surely, because I owe Him my life, live it for Him. With or without the approval of my friends, and to be completely honest my family.
So that I hope that both parties will accept the fact that I am Christian, and plan to do whatever it is He asks me to do, and know that I am always praying for them. Also I pray that although I will never push, and force my beliefs on any of them I am always willing and wanting to introduce them to Jesus Christ. Wherever He takes me, and wherever I end up, whether it be with, or without money, or the earthly idea of success, as long as I am doing His work and making disciples of the nations, if I'm living in a car or in a mansion I am never a failure. Because all those things don't matter, the only thing that matters is that all the glory be given to God the father for ever and ever, amen.
I love you all and my the peace of Christ Jesus be with you all,
Mauricio

constantly connected

2007-09-12T20:43:00.000-07:00

"Be joyful always; PRAY CONTINUALLY; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16,17,18.
This verse really has taught me a lot in the past week. All of these things really go together, and its so cool how. The cool thing about this verse is, they all come together at the same time if your living in Christ.
"Be joyful always." Lets see, how is it possible to always be joyful? If you think about it, in this world it really isn't. The fact that all of our lives are busy, work, study, traffic. It seems like everyone has an agenda. I have to be here at this time, there at that time, and it always seems like when your in a hurry everyone on the road forgets where the gas peddle is. That can be very upsetting. Now, if your upset at this present situation how are you joyful? Well, your not. So take this situation, where you have to be somewhere and here you are stuck in traffic, and understand that God stuck you there for a reason and you should be happy that He put you there so that you can do something for Him, and if you realize that, then that's where the joy comes from, because you get the opportunity do actually do something for the creator of all things.
Now, how do we know what He is telling us to do at this particular moment? That's easy, pray continuously. If you are always in prayer(ALWAYS) then you are always connected to God. And if you are always connected to God then you always know what He is telling you to do. See, if you always know what he is telling you to do, then you are always joyful, because you are always ready to serve. So being connected to God gives us the opportunity to not have to rely on our flesh to help make any decisions, and we then know that we are always doing the will of God. I don't know about you, but I personally will ALWAYS be full of joy when I am, and know I am doing His will.
So, if I am joyful always, and praying continuously, then there isn't a situation that I will ever find myself in that I won't give thanks to. Because, I know that God has put me in this position for a reason. Again how do I know that? Because I am constantly connected. So, I will give thanks through anything because I know that He is putting me somewhere where I am able to serve Him, and If God chooses me at that point in time to do a "job" for Him so that He may be glorified then I will have no choice to but to thank Him for that honor.
So what do I say? I say "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4. Rejoice for your blessings, and rejoice for your sorrows, and rejoice because God is always working through you, as long as you let Him.
With the love of our savior Christ Jesus, Good night.
Mauricio