PleaseBeStillMoments

Aspects of His Story—For His People |Christian Basics Series

People have asked me what the most important thing about Christianity and its influence on the world are. Some of these I have written about before. Now, I am tasked to give my opinion on five historical events that have influenced the church today. I stand with the following but could also give many different answers for the last one.

A bit lengthy but these aspects are too important to shortchange

Jesus’ Death on the cross.

His life and influence have been felt all over the world throughout history (His Story). We have the Four Gospel Writers giving us the horrific events that took place before and during Jesus’ hanging on the cross.

A copy of the second Medicean manuscript of *Annals*, Book 15, chapter 44,

Non-Christian historians who wrote about the historical figure of Jesus. One was a Jewish historian named Flavius Josephus and the other was a Roman historian named Tacitus (Copy of Letter above). Both wrote about Jesus and the repercussions of His actions, along with his disciples.

Pliny the Younger was the governor of Bithynia et Pontus around 11 A.D. He wrote about Christians following a Jewish Teacher named Jesus whom they called a God. Moreover, Pliny was fearful that this faith would spread like it already was throughout the Roman Empire. Although he did not personally write about Jesus, he did write about the influence of a person named Jesus over His disciples and was not happy with the way Christians were worshipping and taking people’s faith away from the gods of Rome.

All accounts both in the Gospels and by outside non-Christian writers validate that Jesus was a person who came to influence the Judean nation, the Roman Empire, and later, the whole known world.

Without Jesus’ death, there would not be a story of Redemption. The Redemption of grace and mercy given to humanity, to be able to reconcile ourselves back to complete communion with God. Jesus became the Last Sacrificial Lamb to take away the sins of the world. With His death, the final sacrifice on the Temple Mount laid a foundation for all who would come asking for God’s forgiveness.

The Resurrection:

While Jesus’ incredible work of the cross is without compare, the Resurrection of Jesus is as important as His Sacrifice on the cross. Without Jesus resurrecting as He and the prophetic scriptures said would happen, Christians would not be here, able to say that we through Jesus have conquered Death’s sting.

If the cross brought a sweet-smelling aroma to God’s Throne room, the resurrection sealed or stamped the Sacrificial Lamb with the Heavenly Stamp of approval. You see, Jesus had to conquer Death, yet the His disciples, the hordes of hell and his earthly enemies did not understand that.

His disciples were dejected and felt rejected. They had seen The Messiah of Israel do astonishing miracles. Yet, their Rabbi and future’s Hope had dashed and crashed away with Jesus’ Death on the cross. These men, laid hidden, fearful of the Jewish authorities. Not able to understand why their beloved Teacher was now dead.

Most of the Sanhedrin, who opposed this simple, poor, interloper called Yeshua, thought they had gotten rid of this nuisance who called Himself the resurrection and the Life., The Way, Truth and Life, The Good Shepherd, The Bread of Life, etc.. These devout legalistic men who wanted power thought they had stayed in power.

Satan and his hordes who saw Jesus born and made every effort to get rid of this baby God as soon as possible. These evil forces which influenced the soldiers of Herod’s Guard to kill the innocents in Bethlehem and its surroundings. The same evil horde with their leader taunting Jesus as he was being beaten and whipped. What must have gone through satan’s mind seeing Jesus tortured, hanging on the cross, dying a gruesome death, His body buried in a cave? This evil demonic swarm must have celebrated seeing the shocking event of God dying by the hand of His most precious creation. Satan had won, or so he thought.

“How I wish I would have been there,” is every Christian’s thought. The event of the resurrection changed life itself. We are now the heirs of this resurrection and the hope it gives us. The hope of one day resurrecting into eternity, and finally becoming whole once again. This event is the blessed hope Paul speaks of in Titus. The hope of everlasting union with our LORD and Savior Jesus, when He comes for us.

Fire flame on black background. blaze fire flame textured background. Premium Photo — Corutesy of Freepik

Pentecost:

Fifty days after Jesus became our First Fruit of Resurrection, the third most important event happened to the Church of Christ. Without it, the church would have died a wimpy and minute death. You see, what the Death and resurrection were for us, the filling of the Holy Spirit was just as important. This filling is where we as Christians get our power, not through anything we do, but through the Power of God’s Spirit.

Jesus needed to go through this sacrificial Death and why we as Christians celebrate it today as the most important of events in world history. The eye witness accounts of his Death and burial cannot be rebutted by any critic because there were too many witnesses to Christ’s ministry, crucifixion, Death, and resurrection.

We also have the enemies of Jesus who by their silence after the miraculous events, did not deny a resurrection or that Jesus performed great miracles. They tried to bribe Jesus away and force His disciples to not preach in His name.

1517 Basel printing of the Nitey-Five *Theses*

The Reformation

With a widespread movement, there tends to be a downhill period of moral decline and corruption. This corruption happened to the Christian church when it became universal, and its leadership became too powerful.

With absolute power, comes absolute corruption. No checks and balances for its leaders.

There were too many followers and too few who could read the Word of God. Illiteracy was the vehicle for leadership to take grasp for power. God led Luther to pen Ninety-five Theses where Protestants, later on, would protest with The Five Solae or Alone’s or Only’s.

The Reformation revolutionized faith in Christ alone and not the church, the word alone and not with traditions of men, faith, and grace alone without bribing your way to heaven, and God alone instead of a man absolving your sins away.

The Internet

I remember seeing a chart that looked like a hockey stick. It was a timeline showing the technological progress of humankind. We see the agricultural age for most of human history and then the great boom of the industrial age. We then accelerate the knowledge pace when we hit the digital age, and double the knowledge with the information age! The internet can be used for evil, but I am an optimist. The Gospel has been preached throughout the world.

Just this blog alone has made it to 87 countries and counting. From Brazil to China and in every continent except Antartica. Imagine Paul having the internet? What would Christianity look like if he had his hands on such an incredible piece of technology?
This is the Golden Age for sharing the Gospel. This is our time to impact history. We have learned from Scripture and those that have come before us.
Let us make the world know who Christ is and what He has done for them! Go and make disciples of all nations…

If you want to know who Jesus is and what He did for you:

August 16, 2019August 16, 2019

Know God

References:

Flavius Josephus

Full Transcripts of Tacitus letter about Christ

4 Gospels:

August 12, 2019August 12, 2019

3 Cords Are Better Than Discord |Marriage Series

There are aspects of a healthy Christian marriage that stand the test of time. First off, I don’t pretend to know everything about a successful and healthy marriage. My wife and I have gone through our ups and downs like everyone else, but here is what has worked for us:

The most essential aspect of our lasting marriage is that we both committed our lives to Christ. Without this, I am not sure where we would be.
We know most Christian marriages start with a three stranded, Christ centered strong, tight rope.

However, little by little, each spouse allows the cares of this world to seep in and loosen the strong commitment both made to God originally.

Usually, when I have witnessed discord in marriages, it’s because one of the spouses has walked away from Christ, and if they don’t renew their commitment to God and their spouse, it becomes detrimental to the marriage and family structure.
When I find myself starting to get distracted with life’s juggling, I quickly check my commitment to the LORD, so I don’t see myself drifting away…

If commitment to God is the most important of all aspects of a healthy marriage, prayer comes in second. There is no way for a healthy marriage to thrive without prayer. I have seen couples take nutrition classes, go to the gym, and keep up with all the great books out there.

Couples will prioritize taking care of their bodies, but lack commitment to healthy prayer life. How can God speak to either one, when they have not found time to pray together.
I am not speaking about just going through the motions of prayer where couples go through the mechanics of prayer and yet miss the mark on sitting still long enough to hear from the LORD. I have done this from time to time with my wife, and we both have missed the great blessing of answered prayer. Imagine going through the petitions where you know the Spirit has moved both of you to seek God humbly.

You have done the easy part, the hard part for us all, is to sit still, and then shut up long enough to hear God’s still small voice. Where His guidance would have been gladly taken, we miss the blessing because we were too tired or bored to wait for an answer.

How many marriages would still be together had both spouses sought time long enough to hear from God, who was gladly willing to speak to both of them, only to be cut off by the lack of time that both spouses should have made for Him…

The third aspect of a healthy marriage is knowing that being together is for a lifetime. There is no turning back to mommy and daddy because life gets tough or you found someone else whom you think listens better than your spouse!

What we tell couples who are struggling in their marriage and when they ask us how we do it is this—
Divorce is not an option. God doesn’t make mistakes.

The mistakes are made by two imperfect people coming into a relationship, thinking that marriage will solve all of life’s problems once they marry.
We explain that marriage is a commitment and a marriage contract between them and God.

When God brings two people together, it is because these two people have been mature enough to:
A. Seek Guidance from God before making any decisions for succesful courting. Yes, I said courting not dating. Dating is a fantasy made up by Hollywood.
B. Both people have fasted away from each other long enough to know that what they both feel was real, and not lustful. How do we know which is which Oscar? Um, go to step A.
C. Both people have received an answer from God saying that they are to be together.

If there are any doubts, ask people in your lives whom you trust to pray and fast with you and start the process over.
Is it this easy? Of course not. Is it worth it? Yes, it is.
I encourage you to try these and notice the blessings in waiting on the LORD for an answer….

Humbling ourselves is the fourth aspect of a healthy marriage. You see, without someone humbling themselves when times get tough, the marriage will be in constant friction. Many a time my wife has been the better person in a little spat that we may be having, yet, she backs off and allows for me to think that I have the right-away. Minutes or sometimes hours may pass before I realize how idiotic it was to have my way. In the rare moments where my wife is adamant about something, I allow her that right-away. It works both ways.

How has this giving the right-away been for us?
Since we both are prayed up and read up, it makes reconciling easy.

Being Read up means that we are always seeking instruction from the Bible. This is the fourth aspect but not the least in order. Opening up our Bible is like food to the stomach. The more we read, the better our marriage.

There is one caveat to this. It would be best if you practiced what you read.

It isn’t in the reading that we get the morsels of Heavenly food. It is in the seeking, finding, and refining our lives that the blessings come in. The more we open our Bibles to seek, we discover and then refine our lives.

You just can’t seek and find and then close up the Bible and stop there. You have to put your money where your mouth is so to speak. Practice what you preach or in most cases—Practice what you read from the Bible.

All these aspects are indispensable, but I can’t think of any other that can be done without this last one—Love. Without love, we can’t be called disciples of Jesus the Savior. Without love, we are but just loud noises which are speaking about the love of God and not having it. Love conquers all aspects of a healthy marriage. Love is a healthy marriage.

You can’t say that you love God and detest your spouse; it can’t be done. I have seen too many people say they have fallen out of love with their spouse, usually it’s the men.

When I hear a man say this, I smile as they are telling me. The more they speak about the new person whom they met, who loves them more and listens to them more, the more I smile. I know, it’s rude but I can’t stand a guy who is disrespectful to his wife by making her the villain.

When a man does this, I lose total respect for him. I would rather have him say. “I love being an adulterer more than I love my wife.” But of course they will not say this.

So instead of getting angry or upset, I just smile. Once, the guy in front of me got so nervous that he resold himself on loving his wife and not pursuing an extramarital relationship he was thinking about, without me saying a word. I just smiled and he knew what that meant…

Now getting back to love…it covers and conquers all. When you have doubts about your spouse, commit yourself to God, pray for them, make a long term choice to be with them, humble yourself to not always be right and be read up so that you can have the Love of Christ in your heart for them eternally.

Go and love one another!

Hospitality Anyone? |Christian Basics Series

The secret to the early church was something to behold. The original twelve disciples and their families learned from our Lord Himself. They in turn passed it on to the seventy which in turn continued to pass on once the original twelve disciples were gone. But what made this incredible early church successful. One of the things was being hospitable to all who came to hear the Good News of Christ.

First off, the love of Jesus. Without this Agape love, they would not have had the success they did. When our Lord laid down His life for His disciples, there would be no way for the original twelve to go back to the way things were. Jesus had become our living sacrifice, wholly acceptable to the Father. He humbly and obediently went to the cross and exalted Himself above all names and therefore opened the way for the rest of humanity to follow. This kind of love is not natural, and Has disciples would follow Him obediently to their deaths. Because Jesus made an example of Himself as the Good Shepherd laying down His life for His sheep.

Secondly, the disciples had the very first powerful and incredible filling of the Holy Spirit, without this, the early church would not have had the success it did. Remember the original twelve cowering in the upper room while Jesus was being sacrificed on the cross for our sins? What was the turning point for these men and the rest of the disciples? It was the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit , says the LORD.“

It is during the Pentecost after the crucifixion and ascension of our Lord, that the disciples became who they should have always been. The gospel sharing and hospitable men and women of God that would by the love, Spirit and hospitality, change the known world at the time. Without the Spirit, they would have no supernatural love. Without the love, they could not be hospitable.

Thirdly, they then had unity of spirit that would transcend anything the Romans and Jews had. They formed communities from the start which helped the early church withstand the persecution which came later.

Fourthly, they were led to pick men who would lead the next generations of Christians into eternity. They had sense enough to know to pick elders and deacons who showed the original love and the core values which Christ taught. Part of that love was to open up ypur home to share the gospel and pray.

Fifthly, without the power of the Spirit to be hospitable, Christians can do nothing on their own. The only way to get this fine tuning is through prayer. The only way to show true Christian hospitality is to have time with God. It is not something that you can do on your own. Specially when you are exhausted or going through some personal trials. This is when you need to be prayed up in order to be filled up!

Prayer that seems to be lacking nowadays in churches because modern services have placed an emphasis on worship, sermon and small prayer. Instead of Big prayer time, Worship and small sermons. So goes our prayer time, so goes our hospitality time. There is no way that we can be humble and sincere hosts, without being prayed up and filled by God’s Spirit.

So be prayed up, filled up, in order to love all those who come into your homes. Humbly host people, be in one accord in unity of the Holy Spirit. Also be loving enough for people to want to follow Christ . Make disciples of all who come to your homes by showing them the Christ-like hospitality, having people leave your home glorifying God for you…

_____________________________________________

If you want this pwerful kind of love and hospitality, get know God. He will do the rest:

Know God

August 10, 2019

I am Willing…Be Free! |Attributes of God Series

He has set the captives free… He sets people chained up free!

Today is a solemn day for me. On this day back in 1996, my brother Eddie went home to be with the LORD. He was 33 years of age. He was not, by any means, a saintly person. He had fought with the wickedness of alcohol and lost the battle.

He had gotten a managerial job in a plush hotel in Mexico City, where he would entertain guests coming in from all over the world, and this was his downfall.
Yet, I know one day I will see him again. You see, we had been going back and forth on my faith. He would call from the hotel he worked at and would quickly say hello and ask about my faith. I was always telling him that we were praying for him. He would just laugh and say goodbye.

I thought he was not interested, but it turns out that he was listening to everything I was saying and by what I was doing as a husband and father to my babies.

He called me and his voice was different, he was not tipsy, and he sounded serious.
“Oscar, I have committed my life to Christ,” he said joyfully.
At first, I was skeptical. But the more my brother spoke to me over the phone, the more I realized he had committed himself to a faith in Christ.
I wish I could say that my brother was able to change his lifestyle. But the job he had was too tempting for him. The tourists my brother would take on a tour of the city would become like friends. These tourists who did not know the LORD allowed the alcohol and partying to start drawing my brother into their circles.

I don’t blame the job he had; I blame him. No one put a gun to his head and made him drink. He knew he was wasting away his life physically. And he understood that he was on his way to losing himself spiritually.
I would hear my brothers voice on the phone, most of the time, he had been drinking.

Now I know that when he would call, it was as if he needed to hear a familiar voice telling him to stop doing what he was doing before it was too late. My brother knew I didn’t drink, and he was proud of me for not touching the stuff.

So when the call came, and my brother told me the great news of his commitment, I prayed harder for him because I knew that the hardest test for him was beginning. The enemy and alcohol would not let a slave go free that easy.

Six months after my brother had committed himself to Christ, his battle with alcohol was over. He had lost the battle, but he had won the war. His body had taken too much of a beating with the abuse. Yet Eddie is now home with the LORD. He had asked for help at the last hour of his life. Did he know he was going to die? I don’t think so. He had plans. He wanted to quit his job and come back State side. He never made it back home…scratch that…my brother Eddie finally made it to his true home…

I write this extremely personal story so that those reading this who are chained up to this horrible sin of alcohol abuse or drugs or whatever else that is holding you captive, by encouraging you. I want to give you hope.

The hope of Jesus the Savior of this world. The same Jesus who set the captives free from sickness, from death and from Hell.

If you are reading this and are struggling with anything, ask God to help you break the chains. If you have seen your father and grandfather, your mother or grandmother in some kind of addictive bondage, it’s time for you to break the cycle!

You can’t do it. I know, because the power to be set free comes from God. Allow Him to break the chains and vicious cycle which has enslaved you and your loved ones.
Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. Ask Him to help you break the chains that are keeping you enslaved and not moving forward. Ask him to break the cycle so that your kids and grandchildren will not go through the same hopelessness.

It’s time to set yourself free with the help of the One that came to set the captives free from Hell and the pre-cursers of Hell. Be free!

How to ask God to help you:

August 5, 2019August 5, 2019

Know God

A Sticky Note Reminder |Attributes of God Series

Never ever forget that God loves His children. If you have committed yourself to Jesus, He promises us this eternal promise:

There are a few people that needed to read this. I want to encourage you to look to God in all situations. He is there for you. He will never leave us; He has promised this to us. Jesus loves you and wants to lead you through whatever tough situation(s) you are going through.

Keep your faith. Don’t quit. God will see you through this! That’s a promise from Him. He doesn’t promise us smooth sailing. He promises to be there and carry the heavy load Himself.

Let God carry your heavy burden today!

If you have never asked God to help you, and want to get to know Him, click on the links below. I promise you that you won’t regret it.

Know God

August 1, 2019August 1, 2019

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ccap/2012/02/16/the-male-female-ratio-in-college/#17cc5914fa52

Don’t Judge, Smudge or Begrudge! |Move Forward Monday

There was a time when people pointed their fingers at specific ethnic groups in this country. I am not just talking about African-Americans. I am talking about the Native Americans.
Native Americans contributed so many things to the Old World, like corn, avocado, cacao, the number 0, and astronomy, precise astronomy, which led to seasonal planting of crops at the right times.

In another period, people in Germany pointed their fingers at Jewish folks. The Jewish people were nearly brought to extinction. Their incredible contribution to many cultures is invaluable. I am talking about the spiritual and mental contributions. They brought us three of the most prominent religions in modern times. From one Book, the world has seen the moral foundations of their society passed on to the world.

The world would not be the same if it weren’t for the contributions of each ethnic group above. The world owes them so much and I, for one, am grateful for them; since I have native blood running through my veins.

Another ethnic group that I am grateful for is the African- American contributions. From the old Negro Spirituals or hymns to the incredible and fascinating Jazz movement which took over the world in the first quarter of the 20th Century. Some of my favorite artists have brought me great life memories and moments. I also listen to gospel singers from here and in Africa. The incredible a capella mesmerizing and rhythmic vocals. With their deep smooth baritone sounds, make me just close my eyes and lift my hands to thank God for such talents.

The African-American community has brought so many great athletes. Athletes that have changed the course of history by breaking the racial divide one person at a time.

Western Europeans have also contributed to the world. The first thing they triumphed in was to come to a full knowledge of Jesus the Savior of the world. It is when Western society embraced the teaching and emulated Jesus, that the world exploded in thought and the sciences.

Each country from Italy to Britain contributed a part in making the world and this country what it is. The great minds of people descended from Britain and Europe brought not only Christianity but the stem or extension of what free people could become. Commerce and faith brought the most extensive freedom of living that the world has ever seen.

Three documents, The Mayflower Compact, The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, have impacted the world. From the building of free trade in the original 13 Colonies to world trade as we know it. To the rebuilding of Europe and Asia after WWII and the middle east after the despots were taken out in recent times.

All these ethnic peoples, working together and in different periods of time to make the world a better place. All these people prominently living in America. Making this great nation what it has been and will be.

But I am incredibly disappointed with the way we as are treating each other. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine. We live in a remarkable place, where even with so much division, immigrants are dying and crying to get here.

Even with the news telling us how hateful this country has become, minorities are thriving in medicine, sports, and commerce. More women are graduating from college than men (more links below).

We need to stop blaming someone else for our personal actions and conduct. We need to get back to why this country became so great.

Yes, America is exceptional. You can disagree, and yet, the immigrants keep coming to our shores, crossing our border illegally.

This is still the greatest country on earth. No one is trying to get their visas to go into China and get an opportunity to become rich or at least live quietly and comfortably.
You may disagree with me on this, but no one is secretly crossing the border into Venezuela…

References:

https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/11/gender-education-gap/546677/

https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2017/08/why-men-are-the-new-college-minority/536103/

July 30, 2019July 29, 2019

http://www.fox5ny.com/news/videos-nypd-cops-doused-with-water#/

I hate That Foul Mouthed @#$@# Jerk! |Character & Integrity Series

The above quote was from someone I heard while waiting in line at a restaurant. This person actually cussed while complaining about our President.

—I also just watched a video of a couple of NYPD cops get doused with water and disrespected in front of everyone while the crowd went crazy.

—Additionally, I’ve seen what politicians are doing with their mouths lately, from both sides of the aisle. Especially the Democrats.

—We have a President who is a businessman and not a Statesman. He has done what he has promised, for that, I am grateful. Yet, I hear or read some of the things he says and cringe. Even then, I respect his office. We have to respect the title, not the man. But as Christians, we cannot excuse the most powerful human on earth to get away with this way of communication.

I’m not asking for a saint, but I am asking for him to set the example. To go above the sewage being thrown around in DC and show everyone that we can be civil to one another.

——I have watched the new Democratic rookies coming in, using language that they are criticizing POTUS for using. They criticize POTUS because of his tweets and his sharp tongue during press conferences. Yet they themselves, along with most of the Hollywood crowd, use offensive words to debase those whom they disagree with politically.

—Is it any wonder why the NYPD officers were treated in the most disrespectful of ways? Why our country is going through the Antifascists fascist groups phase?

—Christians, we have to beware of becoming like the world. We must be lights to this world. We must point people to Christ so that the change is from the inside of a person.

— The country needs to come back to God. The country has to restore itself spiritually. The only way this will be done is if we have another unfortunate tragedy like 9/11, or a great revival like the one which started in Azusa Street.

—But the time to act is now. We can’t be the-laid-back-Kumbaya-singing-peace-loving Christians who turn the other cheek and allow people to step on us. Yes, there is a time for love. There is also a time for work and war. And believe me, this is a period of some of the toughest spiritual and physical conflict the world has seen.

“Oh come on Oscar! You are exaggerating this to oblivion! The world isn’t that bad!”

Ahhh… yeah, it is. The blatant disrespect for authority is staggering. I have not ever seen this in my lifetime. Frankly, I don’t think there’s ever been a time where so many people hate what this government stands for. The way of life for all of us in the West is in danger of breaking apart.

—At its foundation is the lack of character and integrity. No one cares to respect people anymore. We all want our way. Just look at the freeways or streets as people drive. Everyone wants to out-do the other person in front of or next to them. The lack of courtesy is appalling. Kids flipping people off just because they feel like the other has cut them off or somehow offended them.

—Which brings me to the reason I want you joining me in prayer for this country, its leadership, all authority figures. Pray that we begin to respect all first responders like we used to. Pray for our President, so that he shows integrity in all he does, not just bringing the country economically back.

—Pray for our Congress. They are in desperate shape. They need extra anointing by God. The division and discord caused by Party lines need to stop. Congress has to act as one. Not as a fragmented House and Senate ready to duke it out with their enemies across the aisle.

—Pray for our Schools; this is where the second most important place for our children is.

—Pray for our homes, where men and women will show what character and integrity are to their children so that the next generation will carry the torch of true freedom. Only with integrity and character will freedom flourish.

—And pray for Spiritual awakening in our homes, places of work, government institutions and in the highest leadership. Pray that The Capitol be united. That all members come to know the True Policy Maker, our LORD, and Savior Jesus. Then and only then, will the bad-mouthing off and disrespect that is rampant, will give way to courtesy, respect, and integrity of character.

Is it just a dream? Then if it is, I have a dream…

____________________________________________________________________

Tweets by NYCPBA

https://nypost.com/2018/08/27/another-video-of-nypd-cops-being-harassed-surfaces-online/

July 25, 2019July 25, 2019

Don’t Let the Mouse Inside Your House! |Christian Walk Series

WARNING: If you love the theme park in Anaheim and think what Hollywood produces is good & moral, I would ask you to read this through. If you have kids, you must ask yourself if Hollywood and the Mouse with the Big Anaheim House are really who you want teaching your kids about life…

Psalm 4:2—”ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.” KJV

Leasing- lie, Literally—untruth, Figuratively— an idol.

In reality, we have bought into a lie.
The cars we lease are not ours. And when we have coveted what they are selling us on TV, we are leasing those things or as the Strong’s puts it— we are buying into a literal lie for an idol we have coveted that will still not be ours at the end of the payment history.

So this hits home pretty hard. Modern-day society is instituted on renting, leasing and 0% until such a time.

This world is full of things that are calling out to us. But, if they are only drawing you to the 5 senses, and are pointing away from the spiritual, buyer beware. God has intended for us to know the truth. The truth sets people free because people crave to worship God.

Unfortunately, most people have to worship something or someone other than their Maker because the world has been continually dripping lies from the minute we are born.

“This is where we Christians come in. Don’t settle for the lies of moral standards of this day and age. We know who is running Hollywood and all of its fantasy-based theme parks.“

All of those things are leasing our hearts and minds to the point of making us think that the world has Tinseltown morals.
If you are reading this and you have tried what all the TV shows and the Mouse in the Big House in Anaheim have told you that you should be, remember that everything they are showing you is fake. The characters are fake, the lives of the characters are fake. Their marriages are fake. Their whole way of life is not real!

—You don’t need to keep up with the Kardashians. You don’t need a whole new world to start fresh. You don’t need a confused teenager teaching your kids about life and their moral view of it.

— You don’t need that beautiful car or the beautiful house that is leased; because when you look beyond the material worship of idols, you come to realize what truly matters is not what’s on the outside.

—You will finally realize that you have come back full circle to a place where you can commune with your Creator. The God who has been waiting for you to see what He sees, and feel what He feels. Total freedom, peace, and grace, bringing us true love. Not the fake love we have been inundated with on TV and the internet. But the love of God that sets us free from all the leasings in life. That love sets a person free where it matters. Because 100 years from now, the fancy stuff, the theme park with the fake mouse, the Kardashians and all the rest, will be just bones, and a bunch of plastic and silicone stuff.

— But if you decide to choose an authentic life, you will be in the most real presence you will ever witness — the state of love and grace with Jesus your Savior. And your experience will not be leased….because Jesus paid for you in full. God will have redeemed you.
No leasing…no renting…but bought by Jesus’ blood on the cross….take that step into reality. Leave Hollywood and Silicon Valley behind. Choose life not fake leasing of your soul.

Get to know God, I promise you He will not take you on a magic ride; but will bring you into His presence. Where you will not need to stimulate your mind with fantasy. Because the reality will be far better than a theme park experience or movie marathon…

Here’s more information should you choose a real and lasting relationship with God:

July 22, 2019July 22, 2019

Know God

July 18, 2019July 18, 2019

Work Hard, Live Quietly, Enjoy Blessings, Give Justly |Christian Giving

Someone asked me a few months ago why I was so against socialism or any of its deranged brethren. I know it’s the talk of this generation but let me tell you why Socialism, Communism and all the like are so wrong for humanity…

When I was a kid, I started working early. I had a paper route and mowed lawns for neighbors. I went to work with my dad.
When I was in middle school, my dad took me to work with him painting. I loved it. I love learning at every opportunity and still do.
One day during the summer of my senior year, my dad asked me to go work with him. I told him I was too tired and that I would find something else to do. I was lying. I loved painting, but my parents made me dislike even the smell of fresh paint; which took over twenty-five years to get rid off.
You see, I made excellent money painting. I was great at it. As an apprentice, I was finishing the final product that would be sent out to casinos. They were beautiful counter wood finishing pieces, and I enjoyed looking at them and saying that I had a small part in the way they turned out.
I would sign the check to my mom and then drive her to the bank to deposit my hard-earned money. As I would drive my mom back home, she would open her purse and count out all the cash she had, then would proceed to give me twenty-five bucks for my hard-earned work. Work that would take eight-plus hours, sometimes extra overtime. This was about ten percent of what I made!

This story is true. I know that my parents were going through hard times. I paid for a lot of my schooling. I paid for a lot of other things. I am grateful to my parents for teaching me to let go of money.
But I am more grateful to them for teaching me about what Socialism and Communism are. These are systems which leech off of its citizens. Systems that don’t care about your emotions and hard working ethics. They bleed people to death. Sometimes literally, like the case we see in Venezuela, what we have witnessed in the Soviet Union debacle, and other overreaching leeching central governments.

—“Christians, be careful not to idolize the early church in Jerusalem; The church was so loving, they gave up everything for the LORD. Yet there were those that took advantage of the loving generosity”—

Then we hear a few years later, how broke the Church was in Jerusalem. I will not argue the details over why this happened to the first church, that’s for another post. What I do know, is that sharing with people is great, if everyone pulls their weight around. It is also very good to give to the widow and orphan. Or whatever God leads you to; but this must be Spirit led.

—“But I am not talking about this type of charity. “

—I am talking about a healthy, well fed person who should be working but is not, because they just don’t feel like it.

—Now if you are going to school full time or training for a job, this is different. But I find that in most cases, those who are always asking for money, seem to be regulars at asking for money.

—Don’t shortchange yourself or your circumstances. Go and do what God has told you to do, take dominion of this world, work hard with your own hands, and the blessings will come.
— Then if you genuinely think that people should give from their money to others, be my guest and go fund someone else…

Scripture References:

2 Thessalonians 3:10-15

1 Thessalonians 4:11

Proverbs 21:25

Proverbs 12:24,27

But I Am Only One LORD! |Discipleship Series

I complained that I touched so few people for his Kingdom.
As I prayed, I asked, “Lord, why do so many people hear the call but do not listen to be Your disciples?”

God said— One disciple at a time is sufficient for you, my son.

As I sat and pondered, I heard His still small peaceful voice say, “I had called many, but only one person at a critical moment in time has listened.
I called many to come to Me, Noah was the only one who accepted my invitation.
Then I spoke to many more, but only Abraham listened. So I sent him to a land flowing with milk and honey. Where one day, his descendants would multiply and be the envy of the world.
Then there were many sons of Abraham, but only Joseph listened to Me.
I had to wait hundreds of years for one to listen to Me again. His name was Moses; he heard my invitation and saved My people.

I have called people far and wide, but it’s only one person at a time that the few are called and heed the invitation.

Elijah, Daniel & Jeremiah. Hosea, Isaiah, and the rest of my prophets.
My One and Only Son obediently went to the Cross. He only had twelve disciples. Out of those, four were a little ahead of the rest.
Paul, I personally called, and he humbled himself in the desert. He came to me at the Mount. Paul was one, and he changed the world.
So don’t despair when only one becomes My disciple.
Remember that My Son called thousands, and only a few remained after the Cross.
Elijah was alone, and I showed him my seven thousand faithful ones to encourage him
Don’t be discouraged— so many of my chosen few have seemed to think they are but one until I showed them My army!”

Get to know God, you may be the one He chooses to change the world!

Know God

July 12, 2019July 12, 2019

To Perceive, Receive, Hear & Fear… |Christian Short Drills & Basics

Proverbs 1:2--King James Version
"To know wisdom and instruction: to perceive the words of understanding."

“I love Proverbs. It is one of thee books to read. So much insight. So much of God’s wisdom.“

Someone asked me recently why they needed to read the Book of Proverbs. I asked this person if they ever got trained at work or did their company just throw them into an office and hoped for the best. I smiled because I knew the answer. I asked this person if they had ever practiced any sports. I knew the answer to this also. I asked them if they were ever able to play in games without ever going to practice with the team. Of course they smiled because they knew that playing sports, or playing music or getting better at something requires education and commitment to always get better at whatever it is that people want to do.

Then I looked right at them and asked,” When God tells us to be approved workers in His kingdom(2 Timothy 2:15), did He want us to be good at being Christians? Of course I got some chuckles from the person, but it made me think.

“Most of us don’t know where to start. There are 66 books to read. Some are longer than others. Some are incredibly spell binding to read; while others it takes some doing to read such and such person begat this person etc..“

I have a rule of thumb—When someone asks where to start reading the Bible, I suggest the start with 2 books in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and 2 books in the Greek Scriptures (New testament).

These are the books I suggest:

In these books, a person just starting on their journey will get the most out of their faith. Yes, I know that there are so many other books like Genesis, Luke, Corinthian Letters, Revelation etc., but these are the ones that will cement someone’s faith.

Books of Psalms and Proverbs. The Gospel of John and Paul’s letter to the Romans.

The second thing I suggest is to pray for guidance and also for explanation to what is being read.

An example of this would be—Proverbs chapter 1, Going through this, these words are what grabbed a hold of my mind this time around:

Proverbs 1:2 KJV
"To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding."

Vv 2–Perceive— to discern understand or consider what we are reading. I like this definition— to observe mark or give heed to. In other words one must pay full attention to and be completely intentional of what one is reading. Then I tell them to read every chapter in one sitting, if possible.

“Because when you read something all at once you see things that you may have missed by reading just a few verses. Then go back and pick important words that stick out as you have read.“

Vv3—Receive—to get, lay hold of, get, marry, take a wife.
We are to receive this wonderful gift of God’s wisdom and grab on to it as if life depended on it, because it does. We are to hold on to this precious gift like a husband does to a wife. This is how much God’s love is, He wants His people to fully grasp the meaning of each word and chew on it or grab on to it so as not to lose it.

Proverbs 1:5 KJV
"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning: and a man of undersatnding shall attain unto wise counsels."

Vv5–Hear— Here’s the cool part. To hear is the same word used in the Shema in Deuteronomy 6, where God’s people are to recite the great verse, “Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, The LORD is One!” (Deuteronomy 6:4)

So this hearing is not just listening intently but shouting it to the ends of the world. To let your whole body, soul and spirit merge into one being and say, “LORD, I know You’re are here. I know you are God, the Creator of all things and everything that is in this universe! I hear You and I Obey!
Because that word also has the meaning to obey.

Proverbs 1:7-KJV
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Vv7—Fear— when we realize who is giving us these words. Words that are not of men but from the source of all understanding and knowledge. This is when our eyes are opened spiritually. This moment of knowing your Maker, is an awesome, fear inspiring and honorable thing.

Because we realized then and only then, how awesome Our God is; and how incredibly loving He is to us, who are sons of rebellion. God is willing to see us through this spirit awakening or arising to the point of unfathomable patience and long suffering on His part. How does He do this?

He takes us from what Galatians 5 describes our inner being:

“19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20 idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.“

And slowly God gives us some of His character in 2 Corinthians 13:–

“…3 If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. 6 Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.8a Love never fails…”

And in Galatians 5 he continues to get rid of the selfishness we have:

“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.“

All this change takes place when you put your trust in Christ and humble yourself by asking Jesus to forgive you of all the things you’ve ever done wrong. The very moment you ask Jesus to forgive you, to guide you into your future, and start communicating with Him by praying and reading His Word, you start seeing a transformation that may or may not be immediate. But stick with communicating with God, and people will notice the changes in you.

Here’s how to know Him personally:

July 10, 2019July 10, 2019

Know God

No Weapon Will Stand! |God’s Protection

The LORD was showing the prophet Isaiah what was to come in the future when God’s people would be reconciled with their LORD. You see, God’s people had been spiritually sliding backward, towards the way of their neighbors around them. The Canaanites were sacrificing their children to their gods. The Amalekites were also doing the same thing. All the cultures around them were very sensuous in their worship and their made up gods reflected their sinful hearts. God was not having any of that kind of sin for His chosen ones.

His people had to be holy as He was Holy (1 Peter 1:15); and they had to separate themselves from the primary culture of the day. Most of Israel did not or were not able to do this. The culture at the time was just too tempting for them. They wanted the sensualness of the Canaanite and Phoenicians. I will not get into what this means, just imagine the major cities of the U.S., add the Hollywood effect to uncensored lifestyle of the so called movers and shakers in the industry; and you can imagine what went on.

Hollywood is hell-bent on changing our children and grandchildren’s minds on what we are teaching them morally at home.
Parents, I highly suggest you pray hard and ask God to show you; do your own research on what is being transmitted and passed as viewable for all ages.

I ask you to have a notepad or your phone ready to count the number of times you see something inappropriate on programs your kids are watching.

When I say inappropriate, I mean things that the Bible would say are not suitable to see, learn, or be instilled into, and not by what parents think is deemed safe to watch. There is a big difference because all of us have been bombarded by watching TV ourselves. So what we think is okay to show kids, may not be okay or approved by the LORD.

Your kids are going to do what you do, and see what you see. Don’t allow the weapons of sensuality, violence, and warped morals to slowly creep into the little minds of our kids, by allowing them to watch unfiltered TV programs and movies.

This is Hollywood’s big gamble, the producers and writers know that most parents give their kids ample time in front of the screens, whether TV, Computers or Cell phones.

Hollywood’s agenda is to change people’s ways in which they see life. They want a Hollywood version of what morality is, because they hate what the original version of morality portrays them to be.

Please don’t allow the ideas of a few to dictate what your kids will end up thinking and living.
And screen their time on watching things via TV, the Internet, and texts from friends.

Will this guarantee safe passage throughout your kids’ life? No, but remember that when you are diligent in teaching them God’s ways, nothing the enemy will do, will hurt them. And if by chance a fiery arrow does hit one of them, remind them that all of the enemy’s weapons are useless long-term and eternally. Tell them to keep running that race and to trust that God will be their shield, even when they fall…

If you need God’s guidance to help you through the tough times with your family, get to know Him better:

Know God

July 8, 2019July 8, 2019

Celebrate! It’s The 4th! |Independence Day 2019

HAPPY & BLESSED

4TH OF JULY

MAY THE LORD CONTINUE TO BLESS THIS COUNTRY TO BE A BEACON OF HOPE TO THE WORLD!

Pictures from: Freepik.com

July 4, 2019

Supernatural Kinda’ Love |Christian Walk Series

I have changed the names of my neighbors out of respect for them and their privacy. This happened on 7-1-2019:

We were woken up by a loud thunderous noise around 5:40ish in the morning. My wife and I knew what that dreadful sound was. Car alarms went off, and I thought it was my daughter’s car parked in front of our house.
I got up, my wife got on her phone right away and called 911. The impact of the collision that happened was pretty damaging.
After hurrying outside, I saw our neighbors across the street, walking out.
“Are you okay?” Dan asked the gentleman who had hit his son Nathan’s car and totaled it.
I saw the man sitting in his car, a little bit of blood running down his nose and knew he was in good hands with our neighbor. My neighbor’s wife Sheryl was in her element, she went back and forth with the man in the car, and then to her son, and to the police officers who had arrived pretty quickly; she remaining calm, cool and collected during these stressful moments.
Sheryl went back into her house to get her cell and started taking pictures of the scene once she was back outside.

“Their poor son was stunned. The nice looking car of his, had been struck hard; the impact opened up the passenger doors and the gas tank opening, which was on the opposite side of the collision. The car is not drivable.“

The man who collided into my neighbor’s car was driving to his new place going West up our street and had fallen asleep from all the busyness of moving. It was his last load, and he must have been exhausted.

“What should have been a left turn at the stop sign for him, turned into one of those surreal tragic moments in one’s life where you wish you could have done a thousand things differently.“

Once I knew the man was physically okay, I asked if he wanted some coffee, and Dan jumped on it, telling the guy that he already had a pot ready. My neighbor dashed into his house to get the coffee for the poor man who was still a little dazed and confused, inside his crashed vehicle.

“The man who crashed had called his wife who came to help him out. She had a baby in her car, and Sheryl dropped everything she was doing, including being by her son’s side to minister to the wife of the man and her baby.“

Sheryl stood next to the window where the baby was and let the man’s wife go and help her husband, or at least, go to make sure that he was all right.

When the incident was all done, and I knew everyone was okay, I went up to reflect on what I had joyously seen.
Yes, I did say joyously.
You see, I know my neighbors. They are Christians. Even in the disheartening event of losing one car and also needing work on their truck, they could have gone into DEFCON 5, but they didn’t.
Instead, both of them ministered to the couple and their baby.

I got to talking to the officer who was at the scene first and left last, said he had never seen such goodness from any scene he’d been in. He thanked all of us for rushing in, and helping the guy and his family out.
Honestly, I didn’t do anything but just reassure the young couple and tried to be there for my neighbors. I encouraged them to take this in stride and that they had been blessed not to have anyone physically hurt.
Dan and Sheryl, also told the young couple the same thing.

“All this to say is, that God’s love and sweet smelling aroma permeated the scene in our street.“

The young guy and his wife went home, thanking God it wasn’t worse.
Our neighbors showed the world what Christian love is.
I got to witness the surprise reaction and ministering to the man and his wife. Also got to talk to the officer and encourage his “cynical”(his words) mentality from years and years of seeing the darkness of this world firsthand.
He said he wanted to move to our block because what he saw was abnormal. He usually has to calm the people at the scene down and take control. He didn’t have to do that this morning, and for that, I am blessed to be part of.

My neighbors, my wife and I know where this superantural kind of love comes from. It is the connection we have to Jesus, the King of this universe. He gives us this kind of love for our neighbors. It doesn’t come from us, becasue if it did, the reaction from Dan, Sheryl and Nathan and the rest of us, would have been different. Had it been different, then there would be no sweet smelling aroma to give but just another pile of rubbish to be added to this hurting world.

The Lord was manifested in the kind of calming peace that my neighbors showed…

Enough to leave a sweet smelling fragrance to the people that had damaged their property…

If you don’t have this kind of calming peace or supernatural kinda’ love, you can have it. Just get to know God personally:

Know God

July 2, 2019July 2, 2019

June 28, 2019June 28, 2019

This Agenda, that Agenda! I Worry Not!

Our country is in an identity crisis. We have lost our way. There are too many voices in our country’s head fighting to get their selfish means.
Some of these voices are from a small minority who have planted an agenda that is going to take our country into chaos.

Additional ideologies are creeping into the psyche of our country. Mindsets that 40 years ago would be laughed out of existence have taken root in society.

I am not here to debate hate or division. I am here to try and bring some sanity back. I will use only one ideology whose agenda has gone overboard…

One ideology wants the whole world to know their sexual orientation 24/7/365 day a year. As if sexual orientation is the only thing that people identify themselves as a whole. This agenda has permeated every aspect of our culture to the point that it has lost its meaning, and rightly so.
You see, when I wake up, I don’t get ready to do battle against everyone else who may not be a Hispanic heterosexual Christian male. I don’t walk out and great my neighbors by saying,” Hey neighbor; you know that I am a Hispanic Hetero Christian male! I just want to make sure you know this!”
Alternatively, if I am at a gathering, I don’t wear a Tshirt stating Straight Hispanic Christian Male in the House! Wouldn’t that be absurd?
So why are we being inundated with an agenda that is sweeping the nation and taking over TV programs, News, Shopping centers, and Public Schools? Me being Hispanic does not make me want to tell everyone that I am Hispanic. I think they’ll be able to tell. Me being a straight male will also not make me want to tell everyone I am. This too, will be evident.

This is the most essential point:
Me being a Christian is also one of those things that people should see. If I have to tell that I am a Christian, then I have failed to show them Christ’s love.
We are in a spiritual-mental battle for the next couple of generations. We cannot be divisive, nor can we just stand there not doing anything about it.
We don’t have to scream They vs. us.

What we must do is:
Pray for guidance from the One who created all of us.
Follow what Our Lord and Savior told us:

 "By this, people will know you are my disciples. What is the THIS Jesus was talking to His disciples about?

It was the selfless and unchanging Love of Christ. A kind of love that moves mountains, and tears spiritual strongholds apart. The type of love that destroys division in families. Love that unites instead of tearing apart. Love that serves others instead of taking advantage of them.

Once we have this kind of love, we can then do the third part without having to tell others what we are doing. We need to go into the world and notify them of Christ’s love for them. The undying-selfless-sacrificial love that has withstood invading armies, Coliseum lions, Roman masters, and Ceasers, beheadings, floggings, crucifixions, burning at stakes and power hungry spiritual shepherds who should have known better.

This is what Christ wants form us. He doesn’t want us to go toe to toe with all these agendas. Because here’s the secret:

Agendas come and go. Ideologies come and go. Political pressure comes and goes. Politicians come and go. Tech company fascists come and go; but God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His will is going to be done. No person, country, political power, or satanic hordes will ever get in His way. They have tried, and they have failed. These agendas will look influential, but they are already defeated by the Most Holy One of the universe.

We must not waiver; we must stand firm in Him. Not by power or might but by the Spirit of The Living God will He conquer hearts and minds…

I Got You My Child! |Letters to my Kids Series

Dear Grandson,
I was walking with you recently, and as you ran in the grass as fast as you were able to get to the next set of trees, I thought of this:

These trees have huge roots coming out of the ground. These are pretty perilous if you don’t see them. I should know, about a decade ago on a Sunday, I was walking our dogs at four in the morning before going to church to serve. The dogs were puppies and very clumsy, specially the boy. He bumped into me regularly and that morning, he was already at eighty pounds. As he walked in front of me, the sidewalk’s hump which was made by the same trees you so joyfully and gingerly were walking on top of, made me stumble and fall.
The tree roots unearthing the sidewalk, the awkwardness of the puppies still learning to walk in unison with me, and my balancing muscles not fully awake yet at four in the morning, caused the perfect storm for the fall. I broke my pinky finger that morning.

Now I was watching you running and stopping between trees right before getting to the same big and visible roots where a decade ago I stumbled and broke a finger. You were waiting for me to grab your hand. That is one of the rules I have for you, and one that you learned early on when you started walking with me. You are always to wait for me to walk on anything that looks bumpy or when crossing streets, this rule included these big ol’ roots.

As I saw you going at full speed, I was joyful to see you run and laugh and then wait for me so I would take your hand. You still listen to us and it is a wonderful thing to see you joyful.

As you grabbed my hand you would say, “You got me Poppa?”
I would just smile and say, “I got you dude!”
And you would grab my hand harder while happily walking like a tight rope artist through the root gauntlet.

It makes me think of how God is delighted with His kids in the same way. He wants us to listen to Him so that we will be like you running through the gauntlet of uprooted sidewalks and unearthed roots. I want you to always grab a hold of God no matter where you are in life.

God has set rules and boundaries in our lives so that we don’t hurt ourselves while we are here on our life journey. You see my grandson, by constantly listening to God and hearing His guidance, we too could grab hold of God’s hand as we are tightroping through the treacherous paths that we come across on our journey.

God will always say,”I got you My child! Continue holding on to Me and I will guide you through the tough parts of life. Sometimes you will fall, but I will always be there stretching My Hand out to help you back up and protect you.”

Isn’t it time to listen and be guided by the Creator of this universe? The God who knows this earth’s dangers inside and out?

Why don’t you grab a hold of God and allow Him to have your back on the journey you are going through? I promise that you will be better off with Him by your side.
He will always say,” I got you my child!”…

How to Personally Know God:

Know God

June 25, 2019June 30, 2019

Be Still & Heal |God’s Attributes for Calamities

Be still and know that I am God. We hear or read this over and over in the Bible. It is not until we are going through an excruciating ordeal that we seek answers; this is human nature. As humans, we tend to seek a higher power to guide us through hard periods in life.
However, most people will wait to speak to God only after the painful and mental ordeal of trying to cope with things on our own.
Do you notice I include myself in this too? That’s because I have learned to seek God consistently and be still enough to hear Him reply. No, I am not crazy, nor do I see dead people….

The voice of God is not audible, although, in recent times, people in the remotest parts of the world have seen and heard Jesus speak to them; this is for another blog post.
What I’m saying is this, God still speaks to His people. He is still The LORD, who is outside of time and space. He is everlasting. No beginning and no end. He is whom all of us have a direct line to, and it’s better than a Bat signal or 911 call when it comes to mental and spiritual health.

You see, my God is a Healer. The best Healer you can have. He is called YHWH-Rapha or the LORD Healer or The LORD who heals. Yet, here’s the most incredible thing I find, the same word for being still and to heal, have the same root word—rapha.
One is Rapha—to heal.
The other is Raphah— to be still.
Both are signs of God’s omnipresence, which means that God is here, there and everywhere, all at once.

All this to say:
Whatever awful or despicable things you are going through, God is there for you.
Be still, speak to Him. How? Just start chatting as if you are talking to a loved one. If you are past the talking stage, cry out to Him. He is here for you. The only requisite is to be still. This means that you have to drown out all the noise around you— TV, Internet, Cell phone, friends, etc..

Find a quiet place; this could be your bedroom, closet, bathroom, or a public area where you go to think as long as nothing is disturbing you from being still enough to hear God’s still small voice.
Make talking with God a priority. Tell Him everything that is on your mind. All the bad, all the good, all your dreams and goals. Ask Jesus to forgive you on anything that is keeping you from Him. Any wrongs you have committed, any hangups you have, any fears or insecurities. He is there to listen to you; but here’s the most critical part— He is there to speak and guide you through it all. You just need to be still and know He is there.
When you sit still, two things are happening:

The first thing is that you are connecting to the most powerful Being in this universe. The one who created and maintains all of the universe. Every single atom of life is in His hands. Being still heals you.
Secondly, as you speak and listen to God, He becomes the Healer. Jesus came to heal people from all kinds of problems.
Let Jesus into your life. He is the Way, The Truth and The Life. He is also the only one that can raise you from the dust, dirt, and ashes because He is the Resurrection and the Life.

If you don’t know how to talk to God, or you don’t know God, I invite you to get to personally know Him:

Know God

June 25, 2019June 25, 2019

June 20, 2019June 20, 2019

The Increasing Spell Of Technology On Humanity

Everywhere I go, I see the same thing. Technology is a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, it makes our life more comfortable. Everything from voice commands to GPS help getting us to our destinations.

On the other hand, we must get a handle on technology’s grasp on our lives. For humanity is falling under technology’s spell. It doesn’t take an Orson Wells to figure out the root problem.

I’ve never seen many families so connected to the tech on their phones, that they have almost entirely disconnected from living in the moment. This is the shameful side of technological progress.

As human beings we must not chip away at our humanity. For this is the one special thing we have above all other creatures. This connection is not only in the natural world but in the spiritual world too.

Some of you may be saying that all creatures in this world are connected spiritually too. That humans aren’t the only ones to have this spiritual connection. It may come as a surprise to you, I believe that animals also have a spiritual connection. This connection is between Creator and His creatures. But this is for another post.

Back to the spiritual connection.If I may be so bold as to say that the way one handles his people connections here on earth, is the way that same person handles his or her connection to God.

I know that there may be some people squirming in their seats right about now. But think this through and give it a chance to resonate with your please. I know I had to evaluate where I wanted technology’s impact in my life, without becoming a slave to it.

I don’t know who is selling the above, but I loved the genius way they are making money and helping families reconnect without technology!

We have to ask ourselves:
What exactly do I have this device for & can I get rid of it?
Will it get to the point that I am craving using this device more than I want to?
Does this device help or hinder my relationships when I am having family or friends time?
Does this device need to be with me all the time?
Or can I leave this device at home or in a designated spot while I reconnect with the most important people in my life?

If you have answered the above questions and you are not sure if you can get rid of your devices, maybe it’s time that you fast away from them and just enjoy every minute of life moments. I know I have, and it’s made me a better husband, dad, poppa and friend to those I interact with in person.

I ask that you give this fasting from your device a chance. It will be hard but I promise it will be well worth it…

A Father’s Day Letter To My Kids |Letters To My Kids Series

Letters to my Kids Series
A Father’s Day Follow Up

Deuteronomy 6:1-8

Kids,
Yesterday was a pretty memorable day for me. To be more precise, each day is extremely special to me. I had cancer a few years back. The things that I took for granted are the things I cherish now. My wife and kids, and now their kids. The relationships in my life and those unique family and friends moments that can never be relived.
These are the things which drive me every day to reinvent myself for His kingdom. It took a severe sickness for me to realize the preciousness of it all.

Kids if you are reading this today, do not take life for granted.
We are born with a certain amount of days and then hopefully, I know you know God as I do; so when your days are done here in this life, you can step into eternity knowing that your Redeemer lives. The Redeemer of your life. The decision that all of you made to Christ is what I am most proud of, and this is the greatest gift a father can ever get from his kids.
I know that my Redeemer lives. Jesus gave me additional time to get to know my grandkids. I ask Him to provide me with even more time so that I may continue teaching you and the grandchildren. That’s what I am supposed to do above all else. Point all of you to the Redeemer of Life. To the One in whom I put my unwavering trust.

You see, without Jesus, there is no life past this existence. Not an experience that you want to go through on your own. Jesus came to Redeem and pay for all my failures.

Without Christ, I would not be able to face my eternal entrance the way I will be. Without God’s grace and mercy, I would be condemned to a perpetual payment so horrific, that I would cry out for mercy day and night forever, with no ability to pay personally for the sins I committed in this life.
Kids, when my days draw to an end here on earth, I want you to continue teaching my grandchildren about our personal faith in Jesus, our Savior.
Let them know what Christ did for them. It’s not popular today to talk about personal sins or a place called hell. Even my autocorrect did not want me to spell hell.
However, just because society doesn’t want to acknowledge that word, hell is genuine. Just like heaven is a powerfully real place.
What I experienced yesterday on Father’s Day as a family, was incredible.

Yet, the most rewarding experience for me will be seeing all of you and welcoming you into God’s kingdom, the second time. Since you accepted and committed yourselves to God here on earth, the second welcoming will be even more incredible.

I ask that if anything should happen before all my grandkids have the understanding of making a personal commitment to God, that all of you continue to point them to the Lord.
My Father’s Day was incredibly special because I thought of my dad here on earth and my Heavenly Dad, who is preparing a place for all of us. I know that should God bring me home, all of you will be fine. I want this for my grandkids too…

GET TO KNOW GOD LIKE I DO:

June 18, 2019June 17, 2019

Know God

June 16, 2019June 14, 2019

The Keepers of the Mysteries

I love writing these types of posts!

It exemplifies a Christian’s walk.

I love hearing from families who appreciate what their loved ones are doing for them!

Any man can be a father, but only the special ones are Dads!

—To all men who are responsible for taking care of homes

—With wives who call them husbands

—Where children & grandchildren are living and calling them Dad

—Those men who are taking care of children who may not be their DNA & yet have stepped up to make their place a Home for them!

We dedicate this Post to you. Those who are the Keepers of the Mysteries of God. Those men who devote the time teaching their families the power of the Gospel of Christ.

Those men who have gone from being just fathers, to Legendary Dads in their homes!

June 14, 2019June 14, 2019

FAITH —HOPE —LOVE |Christian Basics

Faith—There is always a danger of getting complacent in our faith. Where people around you don’t know the incredible love of Christ and His atoning (sin cleansing) sacrifice on the cross, we will talk to them about sports, politics, events happening in the community and family, yet not let them know why we are so blessed in knowing Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior.

Hope— other people are needing the hope we have in our future. Not the kind of hope for monetary wealth or health and well being. The kind that says, “I am only passing through this beautiful life, but my hope lies in an even better place at the end of my journey — a place flowing with the real meaning of life. You see, the secret we have here is fantastic. Even with some of the bad stuff which comes our way. Even with immoral people who take advantage of what this world gives. These evil people take and take but don’t give back to the goodness of this life.
Other people, journey through this life and give away more than they get—the incredible hope that I have, the promise of one day entering into a permanent and enriching experience which I get freely.
Nor have I had to earn anything to get to this incredible place. All I have had to do is put my trust in Jesus the Christ (The Messiah or Savior of this world). I did not have to go door to door explaining anything or ride my bike to some foreign land to tell people about the Gospel. Even though sharing the Gospel is the right thing to do, we don’t have to go a thousand miles to share it.

Love— It’s been said that love conquers all. I am here to tell you that love does conquer all. Just look at the Roman Empire. The empire was never conquered by hoarders of marauders warring against it from the fringes of the empire. No, what conquered the Roman empire was love that spread within its walls. Christians were slaughtered and denied access to food and water. They were expelled from selling their things at the local market places.
As long as they rejected the local and Roman deities, Christians were bullied and tortured. Yet, these same Christians would give whatever they had to others. They would pick up infants whose lives have had been found lying in the streets because their families did not want them. Christians would live lives that emanated the love of Christ.
Look at the Vikings. They killed and plundered. They went into all of Northern Europe and took what they wanted; gold, silver, women and anything valuable. When they settled into the lands, they had conquered, something happened. These ferocious invaders started seeing what Christian love for their neighbor, churches, and their community was.
This love wasn’t perfect, but it was far better than the way of the Viking way of life. Decades later, the conquerors were conquered by this love of Christ.

Today, we are seeing all the wrong things that are happening in this world. Terrorists killing Christians with the sword, making it a point for others to fear them and letting the world know that all countries will need to ‘convert’ to their religion.
Political agendas demeaning Christian life and going against their livelihood with frivolous lawsuits and in other countries, not having Christians be able to buy food, water and the necessities of everyday life.
Just like the Roman Empire, the world is also hating Christians for standing up for babies. Christians will continue to do the things we do because Jesus told us that people would know we were his disciples by our love. It is not a fake love. Nor is it a bought love. It is a God Spirit kind of love. Only by knowing Christ can you have this supernatural love,

We Start Off Where We Left Off |Friendships

I remember sitting with the neighborhood young men who would come to our house for bible study and hang out during the week to play video games. My wife and I would host them after work so that they would have a place where they could be safe and untempted from this world’s vices.

It was a usual day; the guys were loud and obnoxious as usual. They were having fun beating up the old guy (in my 30s at that time). I received a call from my younger brother’s wife. He had passed away. The young men knew my joyful face, but they also understood my look of concern. They automatically quieted down. No one had to tell them that I was experiencing a tragic moment. They turned off the TV and video game while gathering around me. I told them what had happened, and they all shed tears with me.

As I look back, the incident is still vivid in my mind. Because these young kids were all in their teens. We had gone through some thick and thin times with most of them. Divorced parents, drugs in the family, and so on.

Some of these young men and women were living with their grandparents because the dads were not around, and the moms were not able to handle their teen male rambunctiousness.

Yet, these young men taught me the meaning of true loyalty. They hung out and protected each other. They protected my daughters whenever I asked them to keep an eye on them. These young men were joyful with my family and me.

The ministry my family had, was not a ministry but a joyful fellowship
Where we taught these young men and women what family should be
How to always lean on God, and to continue on in life, no matter the circumstances
Most of those young men have moved on.
Some have kids now, with their own joys, problems, and experiences.

Then there was the men and women, our friends and brethren in Christ. They, too, have been a big part of our joys and sorrows. We have all been there for each other. Some, we see often, others, not so often. However, here is the incredible part, whenever we get together with these old friends, it’s like we had seen each other yesterday. We start where we left off, no matter the time passed.

Here is the secret to the joyful gatherings even in times of trials. We all have one thing in common. We all have committed our lives to Christ. You see, it is only in faith through our Lord and Savior Jesus the Savior, that we have the strength to be joyfully happy in the good times, and also shed tears with our loved ones and friends during life’s tragic times.

As we get older, there’s a reason why we hurt emotionally but are joyful when one of our friends passes into the next journey. We know that losing a brother or sister in Christ is only a temporary thing. We shall see them again because they have only gone ahead of us. They have finished the race and have completed their journey, reaching their destination. We rejoice in this but feel sorrow for not having them around.

One day we will rejoice and kick back with all of the people that have come through our home, our lives, and once again, we will start where we left off here on earth…

I would invite you to have this joyful assurance of knowing what your next life journey will take you. I invite you and ask that you invite your loved ones and friends on this jpurney too!

Get to know God like I do:

June 11, 2019June 8, 2019

Know God

Omaha-Utah-Sword-Gold… |D-Day June 6, 1944

May we never forget what this generation did to save humanity from the brink of disaster

We would be speaking German or Japanese today had it not been for the Greatest Generation.

Some were as young as 18 others had wives and kids. Most gave without being asked. They did what had to be done for the sake of this Union.
Those that could not go, cried; some committed suicide because of the shame of not fighting.

Others took the news horrible but went on to help the war effort here at home for the sake of this Union.

Our generation(s) May not be in a world war, but we are definitely in a war. A war that has to be won for the sake of this Union.

May we learn all the good things from this generation, and honor them by coming together in unity for the sake of the Union.

May we come together and not be asked but volunteer to bring back our nation from the brink of division which will lead to ruin.

Here’s to the men and women who answered the call against Fascism for the sake of this Union.

Now I ask you to join me and unite in prayer, supplication, support and salvation for this wonderful country full of freedom fighters for the sake of our much beloved Union….

June 6, 2019June 6, 2019

Congrats Grads! |Graduations 2019

As another school year fastly approaches its zenith, I want to take the time to give all graduates just a small piece of advice…

As every single academic year passes by, and I see grads joyfully making their way out of the middle, senior and college institutions, I smile and cheer them on.

To those kids in middle school going into high school:

Don’t waste your precious high school years stressing over the little things in life. The boy or girl whom you want to date, or the other students in your future school who might pick on you, or the group of kids you’ll hang out with during this time. Trust me when I say this, everything you think is super important, is not. Start off taking a deep breath and then enjoy every minute of your high school experience. Go to the football games, hang out with your friends, study hard and start setting goals on what you may want to be when you get out of school. Don’t worry about the rest of the stuff, because 10 years from the day you graduate from high school, they will not matter. All you will remember is the fun times you had… enjoy the journey into high school…

To you high schoolers, same advise, but I will add this:

You are no longer kids. Most of you will be 18 years old or older. Don’t waste your time doing the frat or sorority thing. I know for some of you, this is the main reason you want to be in college. Know this; it may be fun to do the frat house experience, but 10 years from the day you graduate, those parties and fun times will not matter. What will matter is that you went in with a set of goals of what you wanted to accomplish, and you graduated doing your best to reach them. What will matter is that you made life long friends who want the best for you and vice-versa. Take the time when you are stressing, do what I always told my daughters (and wife, and myself), stop everything you are doing, look around wherever it may be, close your eyes and take a mental picture of all that you saw. Remember every detail of that picture, and count your blessings. Because even those stressful periods will teach you something for the future. Embrace every situation like it’s your last and enjoy the journey into semi-independence…

For you College grads:

Whether you will continue to post-graduate work or get right into the workforce, I ask that as you are walking down the aisle and waiting to be called out for your diploma, reminisce and be thankful to whomever, it was that pushed you along the way to get to this point in your life. Whether your parents, grandparents, teachers, mentors, or all of the above. Be thankful for those who invested time in you and your well-being — those who encouraged you along the way because you did not make it this far without help. Enjoy your journey into a full-fledged membership to adulthood

Lastly, for all of you:

Don’t forget the most crucial part of your graduations. Whether you believe or not, whether you have faith or not. Whether you see Him or not. As you are all done with your graduation festivities and parties, thank God for getting you this far. He gave you life for a reason. That reason is to glorify Him in such a way that your life will mean something. That something is getting to know God personally and committing your life to do something good for Him. Not to earn your ticket to heaven but to fulfill what God wants for your life. If you don’t know God on a personal level, I urge you to get to know Him. If you already have a relationship with Him, I implore you to stop, look around, close your eyes and ask—Lord, may I take a mental picture of this moment so that I may listen to what awesome things you have in store for me next!…. Enjoy your journey.

Get to know God

Know God

June 3, 2019

With A Heavy Heart, I write This |Abortion

ATTENTION: SOME OF THIS MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18

BUT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED.

Imagine you are next to your mom & dad. You are all hugging one another tightly. All of you see an intruder coming your way with a machete. He rushes towards all of you & starts swinging away at you.

Your mom & dad are desperately trying to defend you. The intruder ends up taking your life & is found guilty of murdering you.

How would you feel as the intruder is cutting away at every part of your body?
How would your parents feel?
If after dying, you were able to communicate with your parents, what would you say?
What if you were able to come back from the dead & talk to the deranged killer, what would you tell him or her?…

Now take that same scenario, you are clutching your mom & dad’s bodies as the intruder is coming your way with the machete. As he or she gets closer, your clutching gets tighter, except, this time, your parents are not holding on to you or defending you.

In fact, your parents start running away from you. The intruder continues to inflict the horrendous damage to your body as you are gasping & screaming for your parents to come to your rescue. You feel all alone, defenseless as your last breaths of life are departing from your body.

In your last moments, you have a thousand thoughts going through your mind. You blink & scream as the deranged person continues this heinous attack on you. You blink one last time & then darkness. Your life is no more…

Now I ask you the same questions.
How would you feel as the intruder is cutting away at every part of your body?
How would you feel about your parents not holding on to you for dear life & running away from you as the attack on your body & soul was at its worst?
If after dying, you were able to communicate with your parents, what would you say to them?
What if you were able to come back from the dead & talk to the deranged killer?
What would you tell him or her?…

Now I ask you this:
A baby has the same body as you, with the same skin, muscles, brain, pain tolerance & life as you & I.
I understand that you & the guy that you are with or were with during the conception of this innocent life, have the right to privacy. I am not disputing this. My question is this, doesn’t the baby who can feel every slash & tear of his or her little body have the same rights as you & the person who got you pregnant?

To all men and women,
Before you abort the precious baby, I pray for you to realize the actions you take before a baby’s conception are the consequences of your actions & not the innocent life that comes as a reaction.
The baby is a consequence to your actions & is innocent of any sentencing charged against him or her.
So please, don’t kill an innocent life because of your mistakes.

How to personally know God:

If you have made a decision to terminate a baby in the past, I am here to tell you that God will forgive you. If you so choose to ask His forgiveness.

I am not here to pass judgement on anyone. I am here to bring you hope and peace.

I am here to let you know that you don’t have to have that awful weight continue to keep you down.

Ask God to help & forgive you. I promise that He will & you will finally feel peace. Peace that Only He can give you.

Know God

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019

To All The Families of Fallen Warriors |Memorial Day 2019

To all the families of fallen warriors,

The fathers, mothers, wives, & children of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for us.
We will never forget what you have sacrificed, for the good of the Union & for the gain of the world.
Some may spit, yell, and scream at your sons or husbands or brothers.
Some may say that their deaths were wasted lives.

This man and his family say this:
No one shows greater love than when one gives their life for their family, friends, and many others who do not know of their sacrifice.
We thank you & this grateful nation thanks you.
We will never forget giving you our thank you & our gratitude.

May 24, 2019May 24, 2019

Press On & Don’t Look Back! |Christian Walk

So this morning, I am up extra early.
Do my personal devo.
I get ready for a big test early.
Ace the test.
Take a shower.
Feeling like a million bucks.
Step out the door ready to take in the world (As in absorb all of the Lord’s goodness in this world)!
Start my car.
I see our recycling truck coming.
It’s the last can. I’ve put the trash bins in already.
I open my truck door, spring in my steps.
Go & grab the bin like it’s my last mission in life.
I am passing by my truck, which has been warming up.
Ready to go take on my goals for today…
Carefully place my trash bin where it belongs…
Trash bins put back…check …
Turn towards my car, open the door….open the door…open the door…uncheck!
It happens to be locked!
A thousand things about myself go through my mind…call my wife to get second alarm… she rushes to my rescue.
Just a small hindrance, I think to myself.
Click on the unlock button in second alarm key…dead battery on second new alarm key.
Call AAA, they come & open the door… now I’m ready for a nap. Go back defeated with a pillow over my head & a million negative things on my mind.

No, I didn’t do that, I seized the moment & am writing this to tell everyone, don’t give up, don’t give in, setbacks will come, & setbacks will go.
It’s what you make things out to be in life. God has your back so go & make bad situations regret they ever came your way!

May 23, 2019May 23, 2019

The Journey With Jesus Is Worth It! |Christian Walk

For those struggling with anything. Addiction, depression, fear, or stress.

The only way we do this, give Jesus our sins, convictions, altercations, doubts, and worries.
Let Jesus take them all so that your burdens become light and the things dragging you through this life become like silk threads flowing in the wind as you joyfully hike from your Death Valley, into the top of the mountain.

You will also find yourself on your journey, knowing that the end, will just be your beginning. That the race you finish will lead to a graceful peace and joy, you could never imagine. The connection you and I have with God will be more in-depth,clearer, enormously intensified by His love that some will think overwhelming. But as you get your head and mind wrapped around this incredible peaceful love, you will realize that on your journey getting here, Jesus was doing all the work.
The work of cleansing and purifying us through this journey was Christ’s to do. The more we journeyed with God, the less impure we became. Not by our own strength or power, but by His Spirit sho sustained us.

By His death on the cross, our wretchedness was hung there. Our impurities, imperfections, worries, etc.,
were unloaded, and we were set free to run, to fly into His final destination.
The destination of being with God once for all.

The only way we do this, give Jesus our sins, convictions, altercations, doubts, and worries. Let Jesus take them all so that your burdens become light and the things dragging you through this life become like silk threads flowing in the wind as you joyfully hike from your Death Valley, into the top of the mountain.
You will find that as you continue to walk on your Journey with Christ, your thoughts become more precise and laser-like. This wisdom comes only from knowing and communicating with God. Things that had you dumbfounded or stressed become solvable.

The work of cleansing and purifying us through this journey was Christ’s to do. The more we journeyed with God, the less impure we became. Not by our own strength or power, but by His Spirit sho sustained us.

In the end, we were bought by Jesus. We were taken from the clutches of Death Valley’s darkness and misery. We were bought by Christ Himself. The God-Creator of this universe

By His death on the cross, our wretchedness was hung there. Our impurities, imperfections, worries, etc., were unloaded, and we were set free to run, to fly into His final destination.

How to start your journey of walking with God:

Know God

May 21, 2019May 21, 2019

Before Trying to Teach Our Kids This…|California Educational Agenda

This is Part 2 of the CEA Series. I highly suggest you read The Man On The Rooftop first before reading this post…

All things are possible. have faith.png

1. Today, I want to ask those who are villianizing parents who are completely against the educational system’s indoctrination of our children, to really think the following points thoroughly.

We need to prioritize the system better than what we are doing for our California Public & Private school children.

2. I am one of those parents who is ccompletely & categorically in favor of the idea of educators refraining from teaching sex education to our children, no matter the age.

This is the job of parents.
And if parents are not too thrilled about sharing the ‘birds & the bees‘ with their children, maybe this is when the educational system should jump in and help those parents.
Specifically, in teaching classes for parents on how to explain sexual matters to their kids.
Not a teacher teaching students the ‘do’s & don’t’s’ of sexual education.
I am completely & categorically in favor of California The Board of Education teaching our children Reading, Writing & Arithmetic.

Also teaching Real Life Budgeting, Real Life Finances, Real Life Public Speaking.

Training our public school children in Conflict Communication, in a well thought out manner; teaching our children that they can come to an agreement without using:

—Fists

—Legs

—Teeth

—Foul mouths

—Firearms

—& Friends

— to do their dirty work.

Set Goals Achieve Succeed Repeat.png

3. I am also completely & categorically in favor of Educators teaching our public school children to use:

Technology
Training in Sports
Real Life Goal Setting where students of all ages learn what it is to win in the little battles of life by achieving success.
Giving awards for achievements Goal Setting with real life awards like gift cards in which the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, Godparents etc., will be happy to furnish.
For those that can’t afford this, I mean those parents in absolute dire need of help,
not the ones who don’t want to work; the community can step in and help with those parents or grandparents to get their award cards.

It’s time to make our children a priority.

Instead of trying to shove the adulterated curriculum to our children, why doesn’t the California Dept. of Education stop this “Health Education Curriculum”

And instead, concentrate on bringing California’s educational grades up from ninth to last place in the Union.

Yes, I’ll say this again, Stop teaching things that children should not be learning & start really focusing on making the California Education system the best in the Union

& why not the world?

I will be posting the depressing low marks of California schools next post…

May 17, 2019May 17, 2019

Mother’s Day 2019 |Messages of Love Series

Themes from:

FreePik.com

Keynote

May 12, 2019May 12, 2019

Pray For Someone Who Needs It Today |Powerful Prayer Series

“Spiritual work is taxing work, and men are loath to do it. Praying, true praying, costs an outlay of serious attention and of time, which flesh and blood do not relish.” ― E.M. Bounds, Power Through Prayer

“18 Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, divine utterance may be given me, so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,… “

Paul to the Church in Ephesus Chapter 6 Berean Study Bible

If you truly love people, pray for them. It is far better for the person being lifted up than anything else here on earth. When you pray for someone else:
You pass your own needs and put them on someone else.
You start seeing what God really wants in your life.
You become a servant for all who need it.
This is a ministry that transcends Borders, strongholds and the time-space barriers.
This is where we all need to be.

Pray powerfully and powerfully pray for someone.

Not through your own power but through the Spirit of the LORD. This is where the True Power comes from.

Today if you need any prayer, know that someone has interceded for you. The Holy Spirit. Ask God to help you.

Pray hard, Praise hard, Worship hard, Listen Intently.

Know God

May 7, 2019

‘Til Wedding Day Do Us Part! |Marriage Series

Eph 4_1-6.png

Isncript.com

—Imagine being so enthralled in the action that you forget the commitment?

—We have many young people committing to a marriage & not ready for it.

I remember when I was younger, a few of my friends were getting married. Their future wives were so hypnotized by the whole ‘getting married process’.

—Now before I go on, I want to make sure that I don’t come across as anti-ceremony; this is by far the opposite of what I am.

—Marriage is to be celebrated. It is to be shared and witnessed by friends and family and made a priority before the LORD.

Ceremony idol.png

BUT.…yes there is a ‘but’…

—But, what I have noticed even in some young Christian couples, I will say this again, some have turned the thrill of the action of getting married, to the all-encompassing reason why they are getting married. They have subconsciously turn their Wedding Day into an idol.

When young engaged couples have asked, I tell young couples getting married this:

Please be careful not to get caught up making the Wedding Day planning the main thing and forget about the life-long commitment of marriage.
Many churches have great marriage classes and counseling but it is not enough.
Brides plan their wedding day in more detail than finding out about how the other person is doing spiritually, mentally and financially.
Again, the latter should not play a huge part in committing to the marriage but it should be looked over from both sides.

—Parents, please do not forget this most important part:

You have done a great job praying, studying for your kids’ school and Devotion time.
You have taken them to soccer or baseball or swimming through their time with you.
You then hear that your son or daughter is engaged, and you’re happy for them.
But this is just the beginning.
As parents, you are responsible, not the church, for the spiritual well-being of your kid.
Now also, your future son or daughter-in-law.
This is where you jump in and make sure both of them have a firm foothold on The Rock. Because the foundation in faith is the most important part of starting a life together.

—It is not how much money the wedding is going to cost or how many family and friends you’re going to be able to invite.

—The real thing everyone in the family needs to be thinking of is:

— Have we done enough to have these two engaged people stand firmly in their faith so they do not get divorced in the future?

—Dads and moms, you are the most important person in the wedding. So goes your leadership in this, so goes the rest of the wedding.

—Your son or daughter will be enamored with the process and date of ceremony that you’ll need to be their compass.

—You’ll need to bring them back to reality. Specially if it’s a daughter. Trust me, I know!

—This pre-wedding day process is for you to remind them of all the things you have taught them about God and about marriage.

—Let them know that the Ceremony Day is just that, a day in their lives that some will remember vividly, but a flash in time for most invited guests.

AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL:

—Let them know that they need to go and speak to as many people whom they admire, from your Christian circles. Those who:

Have been married for a short time.
Those who have been married for a long time.
Those who are divorced.
Those who are in ministry.
Specifically those who are pastors.
Ask them this:

a. How is your marriage doing?

b. What would you do differently for your marriage and the wedding day?

c. Any advice for us?

—If they are willing to answer all the questions, keep them as mentors. Most of them will automatically tell your kids how a strong faith in God & constant prayers helped them through the many obstacles of marriage and family…

More on this on next post….

May 2, 2019May 2, 2019

April 29, 2019April 29, 2019

Blessed are the broken — They will be Transformed & Renewed! |Blessed Are The…. Series

PSALM 61.png

There are storms in life that grind us down to the point of wearing us down to find dust and floating away with the hurricane’s forces.

Sometimes as Christians, some of us are ready to throw in the towel. You’ve heard it said, “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be broken…” I love this saying . It is an excellent saying. But it’s not entirely accurate; God wants the broken vessels. God wants broken people.

How do I know? Because He had to break me for me to submit to His will fully. Don’t get me wrong; I have never doubted that God exists. Faith is not only knowing who God is and trusting Jesus on a personal and intimate level but also listening to Him and having Him rule your life.

It is in the act of submission, not like other faiths, but in the complete submission that brings a renewed faith, spirit and change in your life which transcend all your human understanding. One that lifts, penetrates and oozes out of your every being.

Faith that doesn’t fear what men will do to you. A faith which emboldens encourages and enthralls your whole spirit, mind, and body.

This kind of faith is what God wants from us. This kind of faith moves mountains, breaks empires, restores marriages, gives life to others, sees good in the storms of life, and when you break in its power, brings you closer to the Creator of the universe.

IMG_3756Offended Society.jpg — ***By Oscar Roca***

You see, when you think that you can’t handle life’s storms, when you feel you have been broken to the point of being powder starting to float into the atmospheric heavens, God snatches you and makes you whole again. It is the action of calling out to Him with all your spiritual might that He then can perform miracles for His glory. The state of being in His clutches. Not those of a tyrannical God whose claws are piercing through your body like a predator trying to keep its prey from escaping; but as a mother’s touch to her babies, making sure that she is covering them with her body and wings, to keep the storm from hurting them.

Right now, one of my daughters has felt this storm come like the apocalypse. I will not give details, but I know that she is now looking up to God and asking Him to see her through this of many challenges in her young life.

If you are going through something that has steamrolled you and you are not able to get up, call on The One who can lift you up and miraculously bring you into His strong tower. Whatever you are going through, know that people have gone through something similar, and they are battling a storm too. Some people try to survive on their own. Others call out to the One that can calm the storm and bring you peace through it. Sometimes, if not all, God will not take the storm away, but like Jesus’ disciples when they cried out to Him found out, God is always there for you.

Even if you think He’s sleeping while you’re drowning, He is there, and He is aware. Jesus will calm the storm and see you through it if you let Him…

April 26, 2019April 26, 2019

The Offended Society |The Offended Generation Series

Offended Society SeriesOffended Society.jpg

The offended Society

We need to get back to praying for our schools, our colleges, our government representatives, our families and this country.
Too many are blaming Christians for everything that is wrong with society. Yet the less people personally know God, the more chaos there is.
To the point where they will try to shut up those who will think differently than the whole mass of people.
Now more than ever, we need independent people who will speak truths.
Not whispering sweet nothings to appease society.
Prophets are needed again LORD!
This is what I pray…

I walked outside and thanked God aloud

“Lord thank you for the beautiful day you’ve given me. The sun is out the sky is blue, and the birds are singing.”

A passerby who walked on by stopped and said, ” Sir I’m offended. Offended by your prayer. Please keep that to yourself!”

As I drove off, I pondered,

“How peculiar is the state of our society…”

It was Sunday when I went to worship. I was early and sat in prayer. “Lord may those that don’t know you come to find your saving grace,” I said.

My eyes were closed when I heard:

“Sir, I’m offended. Offended by your prayer. Please keep that to yourself! We need to be inclusive to all, even if they don’t believe.”

Service was done I said my goodbyes, but as I drove off I pondered,

“How peculiar is the state of our society…”

I went to eat, my family all merry. We sat, and we talked about God and country. About boys being boys and girls being girls.

“Excuse me!” someone said,” How dare you put your children in a box! How dare you and your wife make them feel as if they have no say!” Stop telling your kids who they are to be when they play! Let them choose to identify themselves it’s their say! Why don’t you keep your antiquated thoughts to yourselves!”

As I sat with my family, I finally yelled out, “Whatever I think, whatever I choose, whatever I make, whatever I lose. Whatever is best for my family and me, it is up to me and the will of the Good Lord because I am free! Free to choose and free to praise, free to say and free to pray! All on my own. I don’t need a fascist society to be so offended at whatever’s intended! Free to be me, it’s my God-given right. No one can take, that would be a huge mistake! I don’t answer to you or society! I answer to God for the sake of my country.”

The hush in the restaurant was deafening! All eyes on me were reddening. I had passed the offensive marker no one dared dream of. How dare I say such nonsense! How dare I speak out. Didn’t I know that I should think like the whole?

Couldn’t I see, that the words I had spoken pierced and offended their ears?

“Arrest him, arrest him! Call the police! How dare he speak to us all, the way he just did! We won’t tolerate that He won’t get away free! We’ll shut him up, just wait and see!”

I kept talking, they started screaming. Like demons possessed. Their faces contorted, their screams in excess!

“If you don’t agree sir, we’ll stop you like this! So get off our safe spaces!” With offended screams, for this is what the collective deems, “No one dare change, no one dare go out on a limb!”

“Father forgive them, they know not what they do.”

“Arrest him, arrest him or his offense is due! No one speak to us like he did! Arrest him or he’ll be beat!

“Father forgive them, they know not what they say!” I cry out, “ I have every right against tyranny to fight!”

“Arrest this fascist! Arrest him right now! Or we will deal with his kind, that we surely vow!””

We left in haste, their screams left a bad taste.

When I got home, I sat there and pondered.

“Have we come to this Lord? Have we come to this? I’ve heard this before, in the book 1984.

Jesus & Jerusalem |Passion Week Wednesday

A2A9551F-5761-4996-99E8-C8FAB3D618E4 2.png

Lament over Jerusalem
36 Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation. 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together,as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate.…Jesus in Matthew 23

Jesus Lamented over Jerusalem because of the coming devastation the Romans would inflict on His city
Some of the ruling Council members of the Sanhedrin were at war with Him
He knew most of the High Council had at this point rejected His authority
The principal members would soon vote to put Jesus to death
Without proper representation
Without the proper witnesses against Him
Yet, Jesus laments to the point of sadness over His city. The City of Peace or Peaceful CIty
Jesus was, even until His death, loving His ungrateful children.
Thursday would be a turn of events that Jesus would begin His Via Dolorosa of pain…
If you are still fighting Jesus in your life, don’t be like those in the High Council, don’t reject Jesus
Call on Him & ask Him to forgive you about everything you have done that is contrary to His commands, love, and peace
Get to know Jesus and have Him save you from your own destruction…

April 17, 2019April 17, 2019

Know God

The Passionate Jesus —Get to Know Him Personally This Passionate Week |Passion Week Series

The Roman Road leads to the edge of the cliff and into the bottomless pit unless you confess Jesus as your personal LORD & Savior
That cliff will always keep you separated eternally from God until you choose His Son, who has paid the death contract for you.
We all carry the death contract from the day we are born and it gets heavier the older we get.

—This Sunday will start the beginning of a great and awesome week. Where God did a wondrous work of sacrifice though His Son Jesus the Savior for those who out their trust in Him.

—Passion Week starts with Palm Sunday( Matthew 21) and ends on Resurrection Sunday. But it doesn’t end there. You see, the story starts with Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity. Who is the Creator of this universe. He spoke and the Big cosmological Bang happened.

—From the beginning of time, Jesus knew what was going to happen when He breathed life into humans.

—Yet, with all His omnipotent knowledge, He still obediently humiliated Himself by leaving His throne and coming down to earth as a human baby. That is unimaginable to me.

—That God would become flesh & bones(John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14 ). With the same carnal needs. With all of the weakness of a human body (Hebrews 2:17) which starts decaying the minute we are born.

—He was 100% human—100% God. I won’t try to explain this in 1-3 sentences because theologians have tried answering this wonderful and mysterious truth in volumes of books.

Just know that the chances of 1 person fulfilling a few prophecies or predictions are astronomical. Jesus has fulfilled over 350. Yes, 350. If I was a Vegas man, I would place my bets on Jesus. I would take what He said and the predictions or prophecies He fulfilled as facts.
Now comes the most extraordinary 3 facts to take away from this:

— Jesus was tortured & died on the cross (Matthew 27)

— Jesus was buried (Matthew 27:56-66)

— Jesus resurrected from death 3 days later (Matthew 28:1-15)

If this was not true, the greatest Empire and military in history, would have:

—Made a ridicule out of Jesus by displaying His body
— And/or killing off Jesus’ disciples for lying.
—Solving the mystery of where the body was hidden.

But neither of those things happened, why?

— There were too many witnesses who saw Jesus after His death. (Acts 5:32)

—The story was never fully disputed & the disciples continued preaching in the same city Jesus was buried. The Sanhedrin could not shut them up! ( Acts 5:32; Acts 23:24)

—The rest of what happened to His followers as they multiplied has been chronicled in the Bible and in other historical chronicles. (1 Corinthians 15:2-4)

Jesus disciples were:

—Beaten to stop having them share the Gospel of Jesus.

—Tortured to deny Jesus as the Messiah—Savior of Israel and the world.

—Killed for not recanting. It was the other way around, people like Paul of Tarsus chained up to his jailers converted many of them until he was put to death for His Lord and Savior, Jesus.

Yet, His disciple remained faithful to the story of:

— Jesus,

—His teachings,

—His miracles,

—His crucifixion,

—His death

—His resurrection.

All this along with changing the mightiest empire that ever was through:

—Person to person sharing of the Gospel of Jesus.

— One on one disciplining on how to be followers of Christ.(2 Thessalonians 2:15)

—Continued fellowship of the church of Jesus who were called people of the Way.(Acts 2:46)

Yet still there are:

—Doubters to Jesus being who He said He was.

—Almost two thousand years later, Jesus is still controversial.

—People are still coming to know Him personally.

—Others are still scoffing at the stories they hear.

No other person in history has been:

— Loved & hated.

—Admired & Despised

—Worshipped & ridiculed….

Jesus remains a central figure in modern history.

—Countries have come and gone.

—Scoffers have said that Christianity is dead countless times.

—They have vowed to make Christians disappear.

—Yet, Jesus’ followers remain strong as always.

— The Bible remains the most read book in History because it’s His Story!

All this, due to a humble Carpenter who:

—Was born in Bethlehem

—Raised in Nazareth

—Taught scriptures to the masses by His Authority

—Said that He was God

—Fulfilled over 250 prophecies written centuries before His birth

—Healed the sick and lame

—Raised people from the grave

—Walked on water

—Gave sight to the blind

—Gave grace, mercy & peace to this sinner!

May you get to know Jesus the Messiah—Savior of this world during this most Holy of Weeks.

Get to know Him, here is how:

April 12, 2019April 12, 2019

Know God

oscarlikes2write1 Comment

Run the Race to Win |Friendships

Atacam Valley

1 Cor 9_24.png

HER STORY:

“In the last few weeks events in my life have opened my eyes to see life and so many things through a different set of lenses. It’s allowed me to see what really matters, who truly cares for me and who really doesn’t. They say difficult times reveal true friends and in what I’ve been through I’ve found that to be absolutely true. People whom I didn’t think cared much for me have shown me that they do and have demonstrated so much kindness and vice versa. There are friends who I thought cared but who really don’t,…it’s totally ok because I believe God allows us to go through things to reveal things to us, to speak to us, to open our eyes and to recognize certain things. …. As much as I don’t like the life-changing event I’ve been through I’ll admit I’m thankful that through all this God has brought the right people in my life, some…I had just met weeks before this happened and for that, I’m very blessed and thankful. God is so good in that he knows just who and what we need in every season of our lives…I don’t say, “why me? Rather…” why not me?”
You can’t expect a flower to grow without pruning …pruning is painful, it’s all for good for growth. …I’m okay with it (the pruning) …(I know it’s) is for a season and I do believe I’ll bloom again and grow through (this).”

This Facebook post is from a sister in Christ. I rarely quote anyone, but I must tell you, what she went through was pretty rough. She had been training to run a marathon & the day was fast approaching but personal tragedy struck.

She, like most runners, set a goal to run a the 26.22 miles. So you can be clear on what this feat is, try running roughly 110,637 to 110,859 steps. That’s how long a marathon is.
Now what this young lady never says in her post, is how disappointed she was in not making the marathon. I believe she has to be disappointed in not running that race. But, you did not hear this in her post, and I believe that her blessing will be even more significant because of her attitude towards her personal challenge.

—YOUR PERSONAL STORY:

As Christians, we don’t ask God, “why me?” We ask God, “why not me!?”
Because our faith doesn’t come with a “get out of jail card.”
It comes with only one promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.“

This young lady has it right. We all are running the race in life, and our journey doesn’t end here. It ends in our true home. One where we reach because of the race that we have run on earth.

Just like this sister in Christ, it is through adversity that we show our true selves and our true faith. Some leave the faith when they don’t get their way with God. Some quit because they think it’s too hard being a Christian.
Some, like her, stay and ask God, what do you have for me, LORD?

2 Timothy 4_7.png

—MY PERSONAL STORY:

When I God closed doors in places and relationships my wife and I were content in, He closed them so hard, that we knew it was time to move on. Some we left and cherished, some places we dusted our feet and moved on. In all circumstances, after incredible prayer and introspect, I would smile and say, “Okay LORD, what ‘s next for us now!?”

—THE ULTIMATE GOAL FOR ALL OF US

For this sister in Christ, I would tell her and her husband to ask the LORD and see if there is anything super new and awesome that He wants from both of them. Because God does not give great challenges unless He is guiding His people to extraordinary blessings…
Run your race not only to finish, but to win it! Like this sister in Christ said, go and ask God–Why not me LORD!? But, I warn you, be ready to have Him use you mightily so one day you also can say that you have fought the good fight & have finished the race. May you find friends that will come to your aid when a life challenge comes your way… and may be the type of friends who will carry you if need be…

—IF YOU DON”T KNOW GOD PERSONALLY:

Your goal is to be on this journey is to run this race with God on your side. If you don;t know God and would like to, here are links to some of the questions you may have:

Know God

April 9, 2019April 9, 2019

Photo Credit: Smcmurtrey

Verses from :

1 Corinthians 9:24

2 Timothy 4:7

April 4, 2019April 4, 2019

New Birthday Tradition |Friendships

If you are taking the time to read this, I want to thank you for it, even if I don’t know you. I hope that you find this helpful in your lives. This is something I will start this year. It was an idea that flashed through my mind a day before my birthday last week.

Pro 17_17.png

— I’m beginning a new tradition. Every year on my birthday I will be sending a thank you message to all those that have affected my life. I always make sure that I remember those that helped me in my life in one way or another.

I wish I could tell the people who were there for me in whom I have lost touch with, what I feel about having encountered them the life stages where they came into the scene.
Every person I have ever met has taught me a lesson in life. Some, have given me priceless and precious moments. A few, have taught me that not all people we come across are looking out for you, even at churches.

— I have and do know people who are not Christians that hold to a more reputable friendship than a few who profess to be Christ followers.

I have learned to learn from and move on from toxic people; it is quite rare that I have done this, but one must choose life and those who encourage it.
While getting rid of those relationships which will ultimately chip away the pavement on the road you’re traveling on your journey.
These types of relationships, you must learn from even more but keep as far away as possible.

— The Bible speaks of friendships that sharpen you spiritually and mentally.

Pro 27_17.png

— In Proverbs chapter 27 verse 17, it explains those friends who encourage and keep their friends accountable and close. This is what I look a for when speaking to people. Some shy away from this responsibility, and some thrive on helping and being there for you — both sets of friends needed in your life.

The shy ones, will when given a chance, surprise the daylights out of you!
The straightforward friends are the ones that you need even closer. They are the ones who will keep you in check sometimes, with tough love.
These two types of friends are hard to come by. Just like looking for a valuable treasure at the beach, it takes hours and hours of investment, but when you find these true friends, you give glory to God for their relationship.

—Some friends we may not see in a long while, yet when you sit with them, it’s like you never lost contact. Those are also the friendships I don’t take for granted. I enjoy catching up with them and knowing about their lives.

— All this to say, I am truly blessed to know and have shared time with everyone I have come across. I have learned, cherished and kept all of what people have taught me through knowing them for a short, or long time.

So from now on, every birthday the Lord gives me will be a thank you to them. It’s a better present to give to others than for others to give to me…

April Fools —Fools For Christ |April Fools

“10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.” — Paul in 1 Corinthian 4:10

When Paul was writing this, the Church in Corinth was going through some extremely critical growing pains. There was division among the members of the church in Corinth. There was also division in the ranks morally.

—Some were allowing the culture to influence their thinking.

—Some were allowing sin amongst the believing ranks to get to the point of being rebuked by Paul.

1 Cor 9-11 .png

—Some did not care what Paul was trying to teach them.

—Others thought that Paul was foolish, hence, his rebuke of telling some of the leadership that they considered themselves wise, strong and honored.

—On this April Fools Day, may we remember that Christ reigns in our hearts and minds. That whatever the world has to offer, it’s all a great big April Fools joke. Because the world’s promises all lead to death. The world is perverted; it calls out to people to stay away from real wisdom.

—The true wisdom which tells us that Jesus is LORD and Savior of all those who call upon His name.

—The world thinks this is foolish. If you don’t believe me, look at our universities. They are filled with people who love hearing themselves speak and teach their personal philosophical worldly wisdom.

—They make fun of those that are Christ followers. Again, if you don’t believe me, do your own research. If you are still in College, stand up and tell your professor that you are a Christian and believe in the Christian principles, see what happens.

—Even throughout all this, Jesus and His followers have remained strong and faithful. The Bible is the most read book in history. Not Shakespeare or Socrates or Homer. Not the great classical works of World Literature.

—You have to ask yourself:

—Why is the Bible, the most read book of all time and also the most hated book of all time?

—Why does the Bible offend so many, yet, make so many people free of this world’s bondage?

—That is because what the world thinks wise, Jesus came to make it foolish. People’s desire for wealth and power are only passing fancies when we speak eternally.

One hundred years from now, you will not care and remember the people you thought were powerful.

Five hundred years from now, you will not care who was the richest man in the world.

Eight hundred years from now, you won’t care who the smartest person ever to live was.

One thousand years from now, the only thing you’ll be thinking is where you are in eternity.

From the very moment you take your last breath and close your eyes for the last time, only two things will matter:

2 quwtions.png

—These two questions can be answered today.

John 14_6.png

—On this April Fools Day, fool the world.

For those that are believers, stay humble, keep being fools for Christ.
For those that have questions whether God exists or not—Get to know God through His Son Jesus.
Here’s how:

Want to know God?

April 1, 2019April 1, 2019

March 28, 2019March 28, 2019

The Sound of Silence |Persecuted Christians Series-Nigeria

The Sound of Silence

His people are completely silent

While brethren are slaughtered

In dark mass graves

The world seems so cold

No one cares or dares

To tell the chilling truth

The sound of silence

In distant far away lands

Demons show their heavy hands

The Faithful die by thousands

While the world turns its head

Thousands slaughtered and abused

Thousands laying side by side

The sound of silence

Screams heard around Nigeria

People filled with hate running

Screaming loud, stabbing all infidels

Mothers, babies screaming’n crying

Terrorists caring less for their pleading

Jesus help us not to deny our faith!

The sound of silence

I call all Christians to arms and armor

Not the kind used by these lunatics

The only kind that will defeat the darkness

Salvation’s Helmet, Righteous Chest Cover

Belt of truth to show the world

The Sword of His Spirit to pierce all hearts

Silence no more dear Christians!

Silence no more!

Where’s the outcry from the media?

Do they hate Christians this much?

One mosque & there’s hysteria

While thousands of innocents die

Thousands upon thousands

in Nigeria!

Mums the word thru the news

No posts from the social media!

The Sound of Silence in Nigeria…

Oscar Roca

Non-Viable, Impossible & Miracle! |Nothing is Impossible With God!

“”27Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”“

Mark 10:27.png

Mary and I just met an exceedingly joyful family. I’ve changed their names to be respectful of their personal information.

We came to eat breakfast and sat next to a couple who had a two-year-old boy. He was playing in the kids’ corner of the place, and Helen was with her son inside the kids’ playroom. Her husband, Ted, was sitting trying to enjoy his breakfast. I said hello, and he answered back with a genuine smile.

Within a few minutes of talking to him, we found out the wonderfully active and handsome toddler’s name was Eggy, who was born 23 years after his sister.

—Now here’s where the story gets incredibly inspiring and amazing.

Ted nearly died of a brain aneurysm about five to six years ago. His family almost pulled the plug because he was not expected to survive. I am thankful to say, they did not, and his wife is the main reason why he is still here, enjoying all of Eggy’s antics.

—Now back to this incredible and real-life story…

Watching this family made Mary, and I smile.

—It is a story of God-given miracles in each of their lives.

Helen came out of the playing area, and it was dad’s turn for him to get back in the cage with his son!

I imagine Ted looking at everybody and saying, “I’m going in! Dial 911 if you don’t hear from me in a few minutes!”

Little Eggy had this great big smile when daddy came in. I thought I saw a slight, here comes the next victim smile, but maybe it was my subjective mind imagining this from the stories Ted had been telling us.

Mom sat down, and there wasn’t a look of dread or fear or relief. It was a genuine and satisfied look of a job being well done.

We spoke with her for a bit, and this is when we found out about her life journey.

She and Ted have been together for about 24 years. She can write a book called— Non-Viable, Impossible & Miracle

You see, her oldest daughter who is in Graduate school should not be here.
The doctors told Hellen that she would be Non-Viable and that they couldn’t guarantee a productive and viable life for their daughter.
Yet, 23 years later, the young lady is thriving, dreaming and achieving what God has called her to be.

—Here comes the Impossible part:

The gap as of 23 years for their second child, was an impossibility due to all of the previous problems with their daughter.
I imagine that eventual morning where Helen had to tell Ted that she was Pregnant:
Ted (with a deer in headlights look):
Are you sure?
How did this happen?
Why did this happen?!
Helen: Yes.
You know how!
I don’t know; it should be impossible!
Then they both go through the five stages of grief in five minutes as they sit in bed contemplating that their empty nest lives is coming to an abrupt end.

—God had a different thing for them. A wonderful, satisfying, run the race kind of thing.

You see, from what I gather, and where the Miracle Stage of their lives comes in:

—Ted as I said earlier, almost died. His journey would have ended without knowing little Eggy. Helen would not have had her husband or son.

—Had Ted passed on, they would most likely not be sitting here, and we would not be smiling at this fantastic bundle of joy and epic energy.

—Thye may or may not know this, but God has His hand in all of the extraordinary people in this family. I just hope that God will reveal His plans to all of them so that this wonderful story of impossibilities can continue…

Got God?

March 25, 2019March 25, 2019

NEED PRAYER? |Prayer Helps

IF YOU NEED PRAYER, LEAVE A COMMENT PLEASE

Screen Shot 2019-03-22 at 3.10.30 PM.png

If you are struggling on your own and have been looking for something better in life.
If you are tired of doing everything on your own and need help from a power outside of yourself.
Look to God. Get to know God on a profoundly personal level.

Get to know God:

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019

References:

Canva.com

Scripture

March 19, 2019March 19, 2019

Marriage—Kids—Divorce—Marriage—Kids—Left Behind |Mariage & Divorce Series

Deuteronomy 21-15.png

Deuteronomy 21:15 KJV

I recently had a conversation with a couple who are older and their kids have not visited them for a while.

At first, I was disappointed in their kids because no one should go through life lonely & not visited.

I did not say anything to this couple, and they kept telling me how the kids were ingrates and unloving towards this person and the spouse.
Then as they kept talking, I picked up that both of these people were married a few times each.
This is where my mouth didn’t let my Christian sense catch up.
I went into my subconscious sales mode of probing for more information that had been dormant a few years since leaving all sales jobs behind.
The more questions I asked, the more they explained their true ordeal.
Both had left their kids behind from their previous marriages each time they had met the “one” they would live happily ever after. The combined total of kids was five kids left behind.
Then I asked (what most people who leave a trail of mental and spiritual blood and pain behind) the question that very few kids from such marriages ask their parents, or should I say the parent that leaves —
“Did you see your kids when they were young?
“Did you go and see them regularly?”
“Or talk to them during the week by phone or in person regularly?”
“Did you make it a point to communicate with them always no matter what?”
Their response— “No, blah, blah, blah, poor excuses, woes me, nobody cares about me!”….was the usual answer to me.

The way we communicate.png

Now, here comes the shocking part, both professed to have a relationship with Christ as their Personal Lord and Savior. They both are physical and verbal decision to follow Jesus and ask Him to forgive them of all the things they had ever done.
I then asked them, yes I know, my mouth was faster than my Christian sense again, “How’s your walk with Christ?”
Now for those that don’t know what this walking with Christ is, it means that you communicate with God in a way that you would with your spouse, kids, grandkids, good friends, but with an incredibly more profound fashion.
Walking with God takes your whole being! You just don’t sit and pray and say, ”Thank you, how do You do and goodbye.”
This walk with Christ is a thing that happens with constant and consistent communication and obedience to what God has in your life.
It is where you sit long enough not to literally throw up all your spiritual and physical needs. It is not a one-way conversation.
Believe me, I have had many of these types of conversations with God. But the ones that give me a more genuine sense of grace, mercy, peace, and joy no matter the situations, are the ones when I just sit, being tired of the way things have been going when I don’t listen to God’s guiding Spirit.
I explained this to the couple, and both were highly surprised at all my questions. They closed up and said that no one could judge them but God. I told them they were 100% correct. But I did not stop there…I know…I know…but again, the words were screaming to come out of my mouth, “You are 100% correct. God is the only One that will judge all of us. I see that you love each other and that love needs to be taken to your kids that were least behind.
Some people take a few decades to get things right with their kids after such a terrible ordeal of breaking up as a family. I understand that.
But what God says in his word is that for me as a man, Deuteronomy 21:15 tells me to love my kids and also my first wife.
Had I been remarried, I would make sure that my unloved or as the King James puts it: “The beloved, and another hated, and they(wives) have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated, then it shall be…that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn(second, third, fourth marriages) before the son of the hated(first marriage), which is indeed the same of the firstborn….giving him(first marriage) double portions.”— Deuteronomy 21:15 KJV
I explained what that meant. That all kids in their order were to have their parents’ full attention, money and time. I thought they were going to explode, but the husband looked at me, tears welling up. Realizing that he had not invested time into his kids or even thought of giving alimony cheerfully.

Kids that make no effort to see.png

The wife had a hardened heart. She looked at me and said, “See what you did! You are judging us!”
I ignored her… looked at him and said, there’s still time left to mend your kids. —””They need an apology. They need their dad to say, “I’m sorry for everything I caused you. It wasn’t your fault what happened between mom and I. Please forgive me for not being there and for leaving you. I want to be in your life and want to make so much better effort to hear you out on everything.””
The wife started leaving, walking to her car. He stayed, and I heard the best thing he could have said…”Will you pray with me to give me the strength to face my kids?”
And there it was! It was his shame that had kept him away from his kids. Guilt and fear are horrible burdens to carry around for so long.
I smiled and told him that the Lord had heard his tears and petitions already and started praying with him, in public, not caring who saw us.
That day, this man’s walk became real. He had listened to what God had been nudging him to do.

Nvere too late.png

I saw him a few months later, he was alone.
The wife was not able to handle sharing him with others. Specifically, his own children, who are adults now and with their own kids.
She never apologized to her kids nor did she ever ask God for forgiveness. How do I know? The man told me he pleaded with her to no avail.
All this to say, may your walk be filed with the grace, mercy, and peace that Christ can give you daily, hourly, and by the minute. May you be humble to ask Him to help you by cleansing your wrongs and guiding your rights. May He fill you with the strength to withstand a little humble pie (humiliation) when asking for forgiveness from all those you have left behind who call you dad, mom, uncle, aunt, poppa, nana…
Go and make things right for those firstborn, second born, third born kids and the unloved spouses left behind.

Go & Sin No More! |Jesus the Redeemer

…15 So He (Jesus) touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve them. 16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Jesus, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took on our infirmities, and carried our diseases.”…

— Matthew 8:16

Jesus is above all powers.png

“…20 which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. 22 And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,..”…—Ephesians 1:21 Berean Study Bible

Let Jesus Set You Free:

Need God?

January 16, 2019

The Name That Shall not Be Named |JESUS IS LORD!

“saying, “By a charge we commanded you not to teach in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring upon us the blood of this man.”But Peter and the apostles answering said, “It is necessary to obey God rather than men.” — Peter in Acts chapter 5:28-29

Obey God Not Men.png

I was talking to One of the guys in our family who is in full-time ministry along with his wife. He was telling me that the city Council of that city that the church is in, sent a letter telling all Christian churches that they were not to use the name of Jesus anymore in city council prayer meetings..

That they would have to generalize the name of God in their prayer. So he said that the senior pastor decided not to go.
I disagree 100% with that. As Christians we do not cower because we have the power. As Christians we do not run from fire we run into the fire because like the three young men and the story of Daniel Jesus will hold us and keep us and protect us. We won’t do as the world says — for all to bow down to satanic images and culture; we do not, we cannot.
We stand with the name the name that is no longer popular. The name that People want to get rid of. The name that infuriates those that don’t know him personally.
What I would’ve done as I would’ve gone in there and said in the name of the Lord of lords, king of kings, the name above all names. In the name that I cannot mention.
And his mighty name that I cannot say but one day all will bow down to that Name and that is why I pray in His name.

Screen Shot 2019-01-14 at 4.44.23 PM.png

—It would behoof all of you not to try to hide His Name that is systematically being deleted. It will be in vain! The Roman Empire tried, they failed. All kingdoms have tried but failed. Don’t make the same mistake as they did. Instead embrace and welcome His name into your lives and into society. Jesus has changed societies for the better.

I for one will never stop exclaiming Jesus Name. I don’t care what authorities do or say. They are but a small vapor in existence. Jesus is the Creator of this universe and exists outside of time and space. He is forever.
Who do you think I will listen to?!

Need God?

January 14, 2019January 14, 2019

Unto Us A Child Is Born — Unto Us His Son Is Given |Christmas Series 2018 Part VII

Isa 2.png

It is fitting that tonight would be part seven of this series. For to us God’s Son was given. Unto Humanity He would serve. Unto Humanity He would humble Himself. It is no coincidence that Jesus was born in a manger where the main staple of meat for the Jews at that time was lamb.
You see, most people read about a child being born in a manger and he was wrapped in “swaddling cloths“, but no one has ever explained what this means.

An explanation could be:

The foreshadowing of Jesus’ birth and also death.
The foreshadowing of Jesus being the Lamb of God who would one day be the Passover Lamb on the cross.

Shepherds who were used by the Temple leadership to tend to the sacrificial lambs would have to pick out the best ones being born to pass inspection. They would check everything in the body so they would not have any blemishes or deformities. Then the shepherds would wrap them up in swaddling cloths to keep them warm.

Isa 3.png

Here is where I think it gets interesting.

Why did the Temple shepherds use swaddling cloths?
Was it one of the 613 mini-commands that had sprung up from the 10 Commandments over time?
Or were they inspired supernaturally so as to foreshadow the specific Silent and Holy Night about two thousand years ago?
When the future Lamb of God would be laying in a manger made for sheep to be raised for the slaughter or for the Temple sacrifice.

ISA 4.png

You see, the Lamb of God who took my, and your sins away was born in a little town of Bethlehem, and yes even back then it was a small town. This incredible miracle of God coming down to become one of us is still mind-shattering for me to get my mind around.

Yet, Jesus came and fulfilled hundreds of prophecies written , some, thousands of years before His birth. The astounding amount of probability to have One Person be able to plan it to perfection is impossible to do. And yet, Jesus did!

This Christmas, whatever you are doing, I pray that you are filled with God’s joy and peace. If you don’t know who Jesus truly is, I invite you to get to know this Child, humbly born in a manger made mostly for sheep that would one day be sacrificed for their owners’ physical consumption…some would be sacrificed for the owners’ spiritual purification… Jesus took care of this for us, once and for all.

Take advantage of this special gift, on this special giving season. Jesus is the reason for this special Season…

Isa 1.png

Get to know this Special Christmas Child:

Scripture from:

Biblehub.com

December 24, 2018

December 6, 2018December 6, 2018

Christ is Christmas Part II |Christmas 2018 Series

Christ is Christmas.png
In part one of this series, I wrote about the origins of Christmas and how Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah or Savior which Hebrew prophecies spoke about. I wrote this in order to ensure all those that question their faith to see that our God is a God of order. With this Godly order comes perfect control of mankind’s history. No other faith can be assured of a divine plan for all, through God’s Son Jesus the Prince of Peace.

— In this part, we will see how Jesus is the only One that could fulfill the predictions of being the long-awaited Messiah (Savior of the world).

Prophetic writings scrolled down, some close to a millennia, some hundreds of years before Jesus’ arrival, were signs of a supernatural event which would change the course of history.

His Story has changed millions upon millions of people throughout mankind’s narrative.
In order for Jesus to:

Be born of two parents with Messianic lineage (Matthew chapter 1, Luke 1)
Be born in Bethlehem move to Egypt (Micah 5:2-4, Hosea 11:1)
Come back and live in Nazareth (Isaiah 11:1)
Have Magi(Wise men) come from hundreds of miles away to find Him(Matthew 2:1)
And then for Jesus to grow up in Nazareth to fulfill yet another prophecy (Isaiah 53:3)
Start His ministry and reach thousands of followers in only 3 years or so (Isaiah 9:1)
Have Him ultimately be crucified which was predicted a thousand years before (Isaiah 53)
Just those predictions above would be astounding odds for one man to fulfill or make them come true.

Odds fulfilled.png — Evidence that Demands a Verdict

I‘m not a betting man, but if we were to place bets in Vegas with just one person fulfilling only 8 of the over 300 prophecies, the odds would be so incredible, that it would be easier to fill the whole state of Texas knee-deep with silver dollar coins and blindfold someone, tell the person to go and find the one coin painted in red.
That person would have the freedom to walk as far and wide as he or she wanted without looking and pick that painted coin up!*

— Some critics point to mistakes done by these authors. Let’s say the critics are correct in some of their assertions regarding errors made. For the sake of not arguing with the critics, take those predictions away, and you are still left with an immense amount of prophetic events happening in Jesus’ life.

— These prophecies were not fulfilled by Buddha, nor Mohammed, Krishna or anyone else in history. Only Jesus fulfills these predictions which some were written 1,000 years before.

I ask you not to take my word for these predictions. Do your own homework, and if you are good at math, figure it out yourself. Read them yourself in the Bible.

— The mathematical odds that One person could fulfill just 8 of these is so far-fetched, yet Jesus fulfilled over 300 of these predictions in Hebrew Prophetic writings.

— Jesus has some predictions yet to realize, but this is for another time. Next Christmas post, how hard would it be to take Jesus to Bethlehem?

REFERENCES:

Scientific Proof of the Accuracy of Prophecy and the Bible
By PETER W. STONER, M.S.
and ROBERT C. NEWMAN, S.T.M., Ph.D.
Moody Press Chicago

V. Summary of Old Testament Predictions Literally Fulfilled in Christ- McDowell, Josh. Evidence That Demands a Verdict (p. 229). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.