OBEY Conference 2013

What a blessing it was to be in San Antonio again for the 12th annual OBEY Conference. My brother in the Lord Josh Tapia began this Youth Conference 12 years ago. I have been able to attend and support the OBEY Conference each of these twelve years. What a blessing it is to see lives touched and changed for the Lord at this conference.

This year there was over 425 youth and adults in attendance to hear Gods Word proclaimed and to lift up Jesus Christ. The young people were challenged to be set apart and to stand out for the cause of Jesus Christ and to go and impact their community with the Good News. Looking forward to OBEY Conference 2014. God bless you Josh and your ministry to the young people.

Celebrating my mom

This weekend will be my moms birthday. We will be going to see her and share in this special day with her.

I would like to take this time to say that I thank God for my mom. She has been a solid foundation for me in my life. From giving me birth in the emegency room when her life was in the balance to caring for me through the different challenges that I have had in my life.

My mom (and dad as well) has been a wonderful blessing to me spiritually. From the time she gave her life to Jesus Christ she has been a true follower of His. She encourages me and prays for me often and is a blessing to my wife and our kids.

Mom just want to say Happy Birthday and that I love you and I am blessed in having you as my mom.

Amazed and Impressed

I was recently invited to watch one of our churches 3rd graders take his test for his next martial arts belt. Jonah had not been in martial arts that long so I didn't know what to expect. He took his test with two other boys who were in his class but who had been in martial arts much longer than Jonah.

For 45 minutes Jonah and his classmates went through their test together. Jonah showed himself to be very impressive as he did his test without flaw. Jonah was able to finish the test and had done so well that his instructor gave him the next belt by passing the belt he was testing for.

Sometimes as Christians we limit ourselves in what we can accomplish because we are young in our faith or are not as well veresed in Biblical matters. But with faith in the Lord and with deligent work we can find ourselves impacting our peoples lives far more than we expect.

Jonah reminded me that hard and consistant work can accomplish much. God will take our abilities and availabilities and will do much with it.

GO M.A.D.

We are starting a new sermon series through the book of Acts starting May 1st. This years theme has been "Making a difference". What we will see in the book of Acts is how the New Testament believers made a spiritual and physical difference in the lives of the people they made contact with.

What we will also take a look at is how we can practically make a difference where we live and around the world. We are here not for ourselves but for the Lord and for those that God wants us to reach.

What an Easter event

What a day we enjoyed at Langford Elementary on Saturday April 23rd for our Community Egg Hunt and Picnic. We saw some 300 plus from our neighborhood enjoy a time of games, food, crafts and of course the Easter story.

The kids loved running around and picking up the 4,000 eggs we layed out for them and our church people enjoyed being with everyone that showed up. God moved in our event and we saw some 13 people give their lives to Christ (PTL).

We are looking forward to next years and looking to see how we can make it better for everyone.

Spring has sprung and so has God's love

What a great start to our spring season. We have seen plenty of rain and nice weather.

It has been wonderful to see new life in our new church this year. God has been moving in the lives of those that we have come in contact with. There has been a new season in our fellowship.

We have been praying for God to move in our hearts and in our lives. The dormant season of winter is behind us with new life before us.

This new life is showing up in peoples lives like never before. I believe it is because we have strived to be faithful to God's command to share the Good News of Jesus Christ all of the time. People have responded and as such lives are being changed and placed into the family of God.

Our lives may not always be what they need to be before God. But Gods love is not based on how we are today but in who He is.

Each Sunday we have seen how Gods love is being felt and experienced in our church. People who were content in being shy with their faith are now opening up and telling others about Jesus. They have recognized how much God loves them and how much He loves those they know.

God's love has moved and touched the lives of the young and old in our church. People are waking up to their need of Jesus Christ in their lives and His love for them is real and awesome.

What I and each member of my church need to remember is who we are in Christ - New Creations and what we are in Christ - His Ambassador. By being faithful to this fact, we will continue to see Gods love move in our lives and in the lives of others.

Made alike but yet so different

This week I have been enjoying a week off. Though it wasn't what I thought I would be doing during some down time it still has been a good week.

In the book of Genesis it tells us how God created all of humanity in His likeness. It says that He made "both male and female." As God's creation we have been so alike in a very special way but we have been made so different in every other way.

This week has been evidence of that difference in a man and a woman.

A week off for any man would be visions of the lake, camping, fishing, or taking a ride in the hill country on your bike. But this week has not been like that for me. I have been remodeling our home working day and night on the porch, painting, staining, dry walling and much more.

I will need another week off just to recover from my vacation time.

I love my wife very much and did agree to do this remodel with her on our home. The difference in us is that she finds this to be fun. Picking paint colors, curtains colors, rearranging the cabinets and so forth. We have gotten a lot accomplished together, things that needed done a long time ago.

But really do we need to do it on my vacation time?

My wife would say "Yes" because that is when we will not have any distractions with work or anything else. Isn't the meaning of vacation: no work? Laying around doing nothing and watching the NCAA Basketball tournament is my style of vacation.

I will say that even though I would have rather done something else I enjoyed my time with my wife and that is what is most important.

Another year of life

Have you ever wondered why people ask you on your birthday if you feel older? The reality is that you are a year older. But how are we suppose to feel on our birthday?

Some people don't put to much celebration into birthdays because it is just another day in your life. Some people don't want to be reminded that they are a year older and some people just don't care.

Are birthdays any different than any other day in our life? I would say yes. A birthday is the day when you were given life. You were given life from God and from your parents. It is a special day that only happens once a year.

But other than it being another day in life how is it suppose to make us feel older? Every morning when you wake up you may say that you don't feel good or that you have more aches and pains but rarely do we say "Today I feel older."

Age is only a number and not your feelings. We shouldn't feel old because we are a year older, we ought to feel wiser. When you use the word "old" you make people believe that their life is coming to an end sooner than later. And though this may be true it doesn't mean you need to give in to this feeling.

Another year of life ought to be seen as a year wiser and blessed. It is true that as we age we are getting older and life does seem to slow down. But every year that we do live gives us so much to be thankful for in the years that are before us. That is because we have so much more knowledge that the next year doesn't have to have the same problems we had the previous year.

Ones birthday should give you reason to celebrate because of what God still has planned for you. Our lives were made to honor God and to know God. Each year that we live is one way God gives us an opportunity to fulfill our purose in life. Instead of ending it short He extens it a bit longer to help us. I know that I may not honor God in everything I do all of the time. But I am thankful that He gives me another year to fulfill my purpose to Him. Thank you Lord!

How to keep Christmas in perspective.

With Christmas now behind us what have we learned this year? First, that this years gifts were a bit thinner than in previous years. Second, that this years gifts were a bit more personal and thirdly, that this years Christmas vacation was not as extravagant as before.

It seems that each year we find oursleves asking the same question "What is the real meaning of Christmas?" Well what we do know is that Christmas is never about us but about Jesus Christ. That Christmas is about sharing the love of Christ with one another. That all the fuss of finding the right gift really isn't as important as being with those you love.

Each year we tell our kids that Christmas is all about God giving each of us a gift and that gift is the forgiveness of our sins and life everlasting with Him through Jesus Christ. When we keep Christmas in its real place then it makes Christmas so much more pleasing and with very little stress.

This year our family kept it simple for reasons we didn't see come our way. But today in church I was reminded that Christmas isn't about what I get from people but more about what I am willing to give to God. First, I need to give Him my life. Second, I need to give Him my living and thirdly, I need to let others know of what God has done for them to make Christmas so special. Its Jesus Christ.

I hope that this years Christmas was all about Jesus for you. Because when it is then life gets put in proper order. Thank you God for thinking of me and may I find myself always thinking of You.

How great it is to have a spirital family.

My wife, daughter and I were able to visit with one of our Life Connection groups from church. We had a great time with them. We first ate some spiritual food from the Bible. We were reminded how special the birth of Jesus Christ was for all of us.

Jesus came not just to be born but to bring us life. Thats because within our own lives we as human beings have found a way to mess things up before God. In the Bible that is called sin. As a result of our sin we have separated ourselves from God to an eternal death.

But because God loved us so much He sent His One and Only Son to be born of a virgin to bring us back to Himself. Though sin made us enemies of God, God saw passed that to help us in our need to be rescued from sin and from its penalty.

The birth of Jesus Christ did that for all of us. It doesn't matter whether we are young or old, married or single, English speaking or not. Jesus came for all of us to be rescued back to God the Father.

Then we ate from some delicious Salvadorian food that filled our stomachs. The food and fellowship with the church family and with those visitors who were with us last night was neat. Sitting around the table talking and sharing with one another made the evening awesome.

The wonderful thing about being a Christian is that there is plenty of joy throughout your life that you can share with everyone, especially your spiritual family. Thank you for the great evening we enjoyed with you.

How wonderful is the Christmas season?

Have you ever thought about the Christmas season as being a wonderful time of the year? I know that many of us do but not for the right reasons. We enjoy Christmas because of the gifts we receive and for the time we take off from work. Yes, I know that many people also take time to see family and friends during the Christmas season.

What makes the Christmas season so wonderful is not what we get from each other but what we have received from God. Your life and my life have been so blessed by God for so long that I believe we have missed out on the wonder of the season.

If we were honest with ourselves we would have to admit that without God in our lives we would be wallering in the sadness of our lives and in the sickness of our sins. But with Jesus Christ being born we have the opportunity to have our lives full of wonder over the pain and punishment of sin.

As the saying goes "Jesus is the reason for the Season". If we would only take a hold of that saying and make it real in our lives then we would have to admit that the Christmas season is wonderful. Not because of what we have done but because of what God has done for us.

I hope that as you go through this Christmas season that you will give God the glory for all that has come into your life and the praise for helping you get through life and all that is involved in it. May you join me in saying to God "Thank you for making my life such a blessing!"

Shock in Ft. Hood

What a terrible thing we heard yesterday as one of our military men shot and killed his fellow soldiers as they prepared to depart to the battle field.

My son asked a simple question of "Why?" Why things like this happened is sometimes difficult to understand or to know. Humanity is so wrapped up in its own little world that they don't see the whole picture.

In a tragedy like this people wonder where was God? God was right there seeing all that was going on. For whatever reason this man took life in his own hands instead of letting it rest in Gods hands.

His worries or troubles about the war where not given to God and he didn't give God the chance to help in this time of need. Unfortunately we don't always understand why things like this happened.

But God does understand why these things happen and He is near to help us during these times. For some they may feel it is to late for God to help. But the reality is that it is never to late to let God intervene in your life.

God is near and wants to help us see our need for Him so that things like this won't happen again. I pray that these family members affected by this senseless act will draw near to God for strength and help.

At our church we are praying for you.

Its amazing how God can use a simple toy to make a child so happy.

This past Saturday we had our church Fall Festival at our new church property. We had a Trunk or Treat event that the kids loved. It wasn't anything extravagant but simple games that brought a smile on the kids faces.

Along with the fun we had food and candy that kept the kids running all night long. It was so good seeing the church members use their creativity in the games they brought which fit in the trunk of their cars.

Simple games made the night full of fun for the kids and their parents. Sometimes churches think they need to go overboard in order to bring people to an event they are hosting. But we fail to realize that God wants us doing something with all we have and he will take care of the rest.

God knows each and everyone of us and knows what puts a smile on our faces. As I saw the kids and parents go from trunk to trunk I saw a lot of people having a lot of fun.

I know that the night wasn't just to have fun but I saw that when we took time to be with people even in a simple game out of our trunks they appreciated it. God wants us involved in peoples lives whether we have sophisticated toys or not.

Thank you to all of the church members that took part in putting together a great first Fall Festival out our new church location.

Depending on God for all of your battles.

In my daily reading today I read from 2 Chronicles 14. In this chapter King Asa of Judah found himself and his nation being at war with another great nation. The other nation had 1 million warriors against his 280,000 fighters.

Seeing that he was out numbered 4 to 1 he cries out to God and makes this declaration "Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude, O Lord You are our God; let no man prevail against us."
2 Chronicles 14:11

This past Sunday night we did exactly this. We went before Christ on behalf of the church members and those Christians who find themselves under attack from Satan. We prayed and asked God to help us in our time of need as we are in a fierce spiritual battle. Satan has lost and is losing more and more people to the Lord and is trying all he can to slow us down and to defeats us.

But we will not faint nor will we lose heart because our God is great and He will defend His children from all adversaries. As we get attacked within our families, churches, at work and with those around us, we will not give in.

Today I pray for you and your family as you live each day resting upon the Lord. Satan is trying to discourage you and afflict you with pain. I call on the Lord to watch, protect, and lead us in the way that He would want us to go.

Dear Lord, I come before you today asking for help for the members of my church, for my family and for those that we know. I pray heavenly Father that we would not be overwhelmed with the army that is against us but that we will be strengthened in Your presences. Wage this battle for us as we depend upon You and thank You for the victory You give us in Jesus Christ. For it is in His name that I pray, amen.

I pray that today you will find rest in the Lord and that you will depend upon Him for all of your life and its endeavors.

How is a Harvest Pumpkin Like a Christian?

I saw this question posted on a lollipop wrapper. The company that makes these is called Scripture Candy. I thought "How is a Harvest Pumpkin like a Christian?"

The wrapper had on it that a Harvest Pupmkin is like a Christian in these ways.

1. It is Chosen
2. It is Cleaned
3. It is Changed
4. It Cast light

It got me to think about one of my favorite verses in the Bible 2 Corinthians 5:17 "If anyone is in Christ they are a new creation, the old has past away and all things become new."

It is neat to know that we are thought of and wanted by God even though we don't always live like He would want us to live. But in eternity past He saw our lives and said "No matter what you are doing I am already picking you to be in My family." Cool! God wants us and is choosing us.

When we surrender our lives to Him, He then takes us as we are and begins the process of making us as we ought to be. There is the immediate cleansing and then there is a daily activity in our lives to help us be all that we need to be. God doesn't look at us and say it is hopeless but that it is possible.

God takes a life without Him that was on the wrong road and makes it new and puts us on the right path of life. He takes a life that was tattered and dark and makes it new and usable for His glory.

So there is truth in that statement on the wrapper. But the change we need is not something we can do on our own. We are in need of Jesus Christ to take the old and make it new. Jesus loves you and has already set His eyes on you. Will you give Him your life?

Sermon Series: How to Restore A Broke Relationship Psalm 51

Message Four: The Confession of True Worship (14-17), Sunday October 11th 2009

A. Be Delivered (14)

B. Boastfully Declare God's Praises (15)

C. Be Dedicated To God (16)

D. Be Broken, God Desires It (17)

Christians and Halloween

Have you ever wondered why Halloween has become such a big business? Why is it that so many people participate in an evening that is dedicated to the dead? Even churches have made the date of October 31st a big day to put on their calendars.

On Sunday October 18th I will try to answer for you from the Bible what response Christians should have towards Halloween. Is Halloween an innocent day of fun and activity that Christians should participate in or is it a day that Christians should impact in a different way?

Sermon Series: How to Restore A Broke Relationship Psalm 51

Message Three: There is the Confession of Staying (10-13), Sunday October 4th 2009

A. Create a Clean Heart (10)

B. Keep Close to God (11)

C. Celebrate Your Salvation (12)

D. Convert Sinners (13)

Sermon Series: How to Restore A Broke Relationship Psalm 51

Message Two: There is the Confession of Change (6-9), Sunday September 27th, 2009

A. Seek to be Honest (6)

B. Seek Sanctification by God (7)

C. Sing Praises to God (8)

D. Shield Your Sins From God (9)

Something new is always fun and exciting

Today I got my new desk top and laptop computers. I called Jorge to see if they were ready with all the program gadgets we ordered for them. He said they are ready and he'll bring them by in the morning.

So I got dressed and was ready for my new computers, what a kid. But if you think about it we all do this when we get something new. We put everything else aside and we spend the whole day playing with whatever new gadget we receive. We show our spouse and kids and even those that we talk with on the phone. Why? Who knows. Maybe because it is new.

Do you remember when you first gave your life to Jesus Christ how exciting and neat it was? We spent the whole day thinking about it, reading our Bible and trying to find out when the next church service will be.

But sometimes we let that excitement wear off and our new toy or our new faith just becomes like anything else, no big deal. In Psalms 51 David writes "Restore the joy of my salvation." What happened that his joy was not there?

Lets be careful about letting the joy of our slavation wear off and just be another thing in our life. Let it be something that we spend the whole day in and tell everyone who comes across our path. Just like we spend time looking at all of the parts of our new gadgets, lets spend time in all of the aspects of our walk of faith in Jesus Christ. Thats how we keep the "joy of our salvation."