Salvation is here. Salvation is now.

I know it's been quite some time since I've posted, but there's so much to update on. God has truly blessed me in so many ways. I'm really not sure where to start.

Since my last post, I have moved into my own place, a small camper that a beautiful family has allowed me to rent out in however way I can afford. There's no pressure, and no obligation. Just maintain the camper. I've even added a new member to a family, a ten week old pitbull names Millow (pronounced Mee-low). She's still in those baby days, so its been a challenge so far.

School didn't work out this semester. I lost my pell grant from last semester, which wasn't a pleasant thing. I really tried hard to get the best grades. My focus hasn't necessarily been in the right place, though. I was educationally driven, just not focus-driven.

In December, I was blessed with the opportunity to go to Los Angeles for a week on a mission trip. There, we worked alongside the Los Angeles Dream Center, and served almost 2,000 people. We visited Skid Row, and saw some things that have been engraved in my heart and mind. I don't think I'll ever forget them. The sadness of Skid Row scarred me, but not in a negative way to never want to go there again. It scarred me in a way to encourage me, and solidify what God's calling for my life is. We also got to go to Hollywood, Venice Beach, and Long Beach (where I met, in person, a lady whom I have only had contact with via Skype/Stickam). It's easy to see the beauty of California, but if you're willing, God can call you into the inner cities where poverty is mainstream, and drugs on the street are no surprise. Drug use is done right in front of you, and no one cares who sees you.

In September, I plan to move to Los Angeles in order to participate in an internship. Through that internship, I will have hands-on experience through ministry and missions. The Los Angeles Dream Center is also a church, and through that church (Angeles Temple) I will serve the city of Los Angeles. I'm excited to say the least, because if you realize that a lot of people who come through Temple on a weekly basis are the ones hurting, it sets something inside of you to want to serve their socks off. I know it stirred something inside of me.

So, by now, you're probably wondering what does the title have to do with this blog. It lead to this. A lot of times, I hear about people coming to know The Lord. Being in ministry, it's a common occurrence. And, many times I never meet these people face-to-face. Until recently. I had the honor of leading someone to know The Lord through the repentance prayer. It's the greatest joy to know that you took part in someone's salvation. Since then, I've been able to see the changes and struggles this guy has faced. It's challenging. But, being able to see this has brought a renewed faith inside of myself. His prayers have been of pure innocence. His fights have been fought properly. His love for The Lord grows daily. I'm amazed to see this, and I'm blessed that it has not only secured his place in Heaven, but has renewed my faith as well. Keep believing God for the salvation of your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc. in God's beautiful timing, He'll provide a way, and you'll reap many blessings.

God bless you all!

Reflection Time

     It's been one week since I've been home from Los Angeles, CA. I've had a lot going through my head as I think back at what I saw and heard. I shook the hands that were digging in garbage dumpsters a few hour prior, or maybe the hand of someone who just injected drugs into their veins. I hugged the cold neck of a woman who is so far away from home, and the cruel life of homelessness has left her with little to no hope of ever finding her way back to El Salvador. With nothing left to do, I broke down. All I could do is pull my glasses over my eyes, and let the tears roll. It was a long, quiet ride back to the Dream Center that day. The same day we handed out food on Skid Row, and then blankets in a small little park.
     Rosita. The name is still clear in my mind. She's beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. The hard life of homelessness has left her with little faith. She sits in the sun, hoping it will warm her of what very little heat it gave off in the bitter, cold winds of the California winter. When I shook her hand the first time I met her, her hands were so cold. I took her a second plate of food, looked her in the eye, and told her clearly, "This is not the end. God has a beautiful plan for you." A few days later, I handed her a blanket, and she looked me in the eyes, and it broke my heart. It was as if she knew what I had said, yet did not believe it. Homelessness isn't something people are suffering from due to irresponsibility. It's become a mindset and a lifestyle.
     I can't help but to think about how fortunate I am - to have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food in my mouth. I thought I've had it hard my whole life. Seeing the streets of Los Angeles placed a new perspective in my heart. I'm thankful. I've taken what little I've been blessed with for granted. I still have a loving mom and dad, I have my car, an education, and so much more. How dare I be so ungrateful?
     I pray that someone reads this, and realized how blessed they are. Never take for granted something that GOD Himself blessed you with. In no time, it could be taken away. Hug your mom and dad everyday. Tell them you love them. Bless that person in need. Find a need, and fill it; find a hurt, and heal it.

My thoughts on today...

     Why does evil exist in the world? What could cause so much cruelty in one person's life to end the life of 20 children and six adults? In times like this, we look to God and ask, "God, how could you let this happen?" We're quick to blame Him for this cruelty. I want to remind every one that there are two forces in this world; good and evil.
     Tonight, there are parents without children, children without parents, brothers without sisters, and so much more. Let this be a moment for us to re-think our perspective of life. Life is merely a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow.This is how I see it: It may had not been in God's will for those precious children and adults to die the way they did - that may had not been how God planned their life. However, what if it was in our will for this to happen in order for us to see something broader than what we initially see? Perhaps God is trying to show us something.
     The Bible is clear about this. The heart of men have grown cold. Violence has replaced unity. We're not fighting a war against flesh and blood, but against the forces of this world. Let this be an encouragement to hug your children, tell your mom and dad that you love them. Spend that extra time to make sure that you never leave anyone behind. Love God. Love people. God heals the broken hearted, He's close to them. Tonight, children and adults are dancing with Jesus on roads of gold, no more pain or suffering. There will be a day when we see them again, but until then, let's be the voice for those no longer with us.

"If it's easy to do, it's not a sacrifice..."

     I'm completely speechless right now. As I was reading a blog on purity, I came across this quote: "...if it’s easy to do, it’s not a sacrifice." This came from the blogger talking about what worship truly is. A lot of times, when I've talked to guys about purity issues, the main thing I always told them that when temptations strike, instantly get into worship. Turn on some music, get out your Bible and start reading, do something. I never thought to think that "worship" is derived from Genesis 22, when Abraham was called to sacrifice his son, Isaac. In Genesis 22:5, Abraham tells his servants to stay with the animals while he and Isaac went to "worship," even though Abraham knew he was about to sacrifice his son.
     If you know the story about Abraham, you know that he and his wife tried for so long to have a child. It was when Abraham was an old man that God finally blessed him with Isaac. You can almost understand the idolatry that may have fallen into Abraham's life. Although he praised God for the gift, you can almost feel this sense of not liking the idea of having to sacrifice is one and only son. Doesn't that sound familiar? That's what worship is. Worship is sending praises to something that we believe has a significant impact in our life.
     Perhaps you worship your girlfriend/boyfriend, because she/he is always around when it's convenient, and when it's not. Maybe you worship your job where you spend countless hours making so much money that you don't even know what to do with it. Or, maybe it's spending hours on the internet looking at things you know wouldn't be approved by God. Yes, that, too, is worship. Worship is replacing God on His throne with something that removes God from His throne, and earthly things take that seat.
     I'm rambling, but something has stirred inside of me. "If it's easy to do, it's not a sacrifice." It's easy to push in a worship CD, and grab your Bible. Anybody with physical capabilities can do that! What's not easy is realizing that when you're worshiping, you're sacrificing yourself for something greater than yourself. It's not about you anymore, but all about the King. Dethrone your idols, and put God back where He belongs. It may take sacrifice, but in the end, the ram is provided!

For My Guys!

     It seems these days that men are facing their biggest battle yet. You see it everyday. Media tells guys they're to be one way. Culture says it's another way. What ever happened to being the man that GOD has called you to be? A man of honor? Of strength? Of wisdom? 

     Recently, I found myself reading the book of Micah, and came across a piece of Scripture that blew me away. It said something like this:

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God " Micah 6:8

     That pretty much sums it up. When I read that verse, I thought about my struggle as a man. I follow Christ to the best of my ability. I seek His face day after day. I may seem like I have it all going on, but I don't. The challenges of a day consist of not looking at a woman with lust, not striving to envy wealth, and to honor and respect those in authority over me. 

     I recently found myself among a group of godly men that have kept me accountable in my life. This group of guys has become a group that I confide in, and know that they'll encourage me, and will pray for me. Accountability is key! In Ecclesiastes, it says that when we're together in this battle, we can conquer all. It is crucial to have men (or women) in your life that will hold you accountable, whether it be with purity, finances, or other areas of struggles in your life.

      I'll leave you guys with this. 

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor..." Romans 10:12

God bless you guys!

Physical Faith!

     Want to know about faith? Faith is something you can't see. You don't feel it, either, nor do you taster. Faith is the belief of something that has no evidence of existence, at least from a physical standpoint. But, what if I told you that you can see faith... physically. You can see it in nature, and more than anything, in people. Here's my story:
      This past Sunday marked a HUGE moment in my life, although it may seem small for others. As I'm asleep in my bed, with my alarm set for church, my dad comes into my brother and I's room, and asked me a question I never thought he'd ask. "What time does your church service start?" I almost fell out of my bed. Was I dreaming? Pinch me. No, this is real life. My pops has always claimed to be a Christian, but had never been the one to initiate an invitation to church. After asking me the question that left me dumb-founded, he turned to my brother and told him to get up and get ready for church. "We're going to church." Seriously? IS. THIS. REAL. LIFE?? 
     Although my pops didn't go to my church that morning, he did go to his wife's church, where his father-in-law is the pastor. That's a start! 
     This leads me to my point of physical faith. From the moment my dad woke me up to the time I walked out of the door to go to my church, I SAW my dad enthusiastic, energetic, and almost like a giddy kid in a candy store. He looked... happy. His face lit up. His attitude was on top of the world. He was the definition of JOY! And, even afterwards, he told me he truly enjoyed the service (yet trying to get used to all the welcoming handshakes and hugs). 
     Physical faith is evidence that someone's life is truly changing. You see it. Others see it. It's contagious! I see my dad changing, and I see the vision I've had come one step closer to completion! Before I die, I WILL see my family serve TOGETHER in the house of the LORD!

Let God be God...

     Ever since I joined the ministry back in 2007, I've come to realize just how passionate I am about people. I find myself constantly "carrying the burden of others" as the Scripture tells us to do in which we fulfill the law. Throughout the process of trying to fulfill the law, I begin to allow certain situations, or people, to become an addiction. Many times, we can become SO involved into someone's life that we get in the way of what God wants to do in their life. We stand in His way. 
     The mom from "Diary of a Mad, Black Woman" once said "God has the power to show you who God is." Whenever I heard those words, I was left speechless. We deprive Him of that power when we try to take that position in someone's life. I'm having to learn the hard way, since I'm hard-headed, that I cannot be there for everything. I'm slowly learning that just because I'm not constantly around the people I want to help doesn't mean I can't live life to the fullest. 
     If you ever want to lead a successful life as a leader to many, you have to learn how to rest. "Rest? What's that?" I know, I ask the same question everyday. But, if you're constantly going and going, and never take time for yourself, you'll find yourself in a place of constant exhaustion, and you'll never effectively lead anyone. I hope this encourages others like it does me!