Thank you friends!

It has been a great day!
I may be one of the only ones that has not told myself that familiar prase, so here goes, "Happy Birthdhay to me!" Haha!

The only sign of me getting older and wiser (?) is me losing some hair... gotta talk to my dad about that (I think it's in the genes, know what I mean?)

Having a birthday on a Tuesday is not THAT bad..
I had to work today and I am at school, about to hit my Gospels class thats starts at 7 PM and goes all the way to 10 PM. I thought about skipping it, but egggh, you know... Ill party this weekend. Hmmm.
Let's celebrate!

I would like to thank all my friends, family and acquaintances that have wished me a happy birthday today..

I was tempted to respond to every comment (I'll probably do it later) that you guys left me on Facebook, but then I thought I would just write a blog... Easier :)

It is a great feeling to know that people wish good things for you, I tell you.
I am grateful to have you guys in a facet of my life.... somehow.

The Apostle John in his second letter said, "I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father."

The greatest, bestest (just made up that word) gift that I would be able to receive is to have friends that walk in truth.
That makes me happy and I rejoice in that.

Well guys, pick up your glass and let's do a toast. A toast that... OK, never mind.

Stay strong, friends.
Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
Remember to pray for me when you think about me, and that may not be often.. :)

Thanks once again for your birthday wishes.
Luke 9-16 is calling me to class.
Adios!!

Matt Chandler - The Enduring Gospel.

I had a great time at the Acts29 church planters boot camp here in Houston, TX. One thing that I love about this network (even though I'm not in the network as a church planter), is that in every session, the speaker pointed out your sin and then pointed you to Jesus.
That is amazing to me.

Without the help of an instrument or of the speaker's attempts to cry in his conclusion of the message to draw you to repent, there were men in there that were convicted by the Holy Spirit to change their ways and Endure for the long haul in ministry.. I sure felt it.

Starting with Matt Chandler - "The Enduring Gospel"
He walked us from Genesis 1, through Joshua 4, through 1 Kings 8, through Psalms 8, Isaiah, Acts 15, where the whole idea that God has was to reconcile all things to Himself.
God tells Abraham in Genesis that all the nations were going to be blessed.
In Psalms, he says, "Let the nations be glad."
In Isaiah, he says, "Turn to me and be saved... all the ends of the earth."
In Matthew 28, Jesus tells us, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..."

Matt Chandler told us to be careful of elevating ourselves.
"The Kingdom does not need you."
"You are not the answer to America's Christianity problem."
"You are just a blip on the radar."
This speaks to to church planters big time...
Even if you want to appear humble and meek, please, man.

Church planters have egos... Lets face it. I have faced it and will always face it.
At times, you can ask some people close to me, I have said, "I can do it better than that pastor."
I'm being honest.
And at those times that I've said that, I've been sinful.

I want to be surrounded with men that, with christian love, can hold my heart in check and help me.
Matt Chandler closed it with this.
Hebrew 12:1-2, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus..."

Read it closely.
I am not the next big anything.
I am not the next Mark Driscoll or the next Steven Furtick .
God has set MY race for ME.
I cannot race somebody else's race.
I gotta run my own race.

I will make it.
I will finish my race.... when I look to Jesus. (Hebrew2 12:2)

I was called out to repentance and thanks be to Jesus that when he laid down his life, I was forgiven.

I love Jesus, man.

College of Biblical Studies and Church planting Boot Camp.

It has been a while that I don't post on my blog... I need to start being more consistent with this (not that many people read this anyway).

I have started my classes at the College of Biblical Studies again. It is frustrating to think that if I would have continued, I should have been done with my Baccalaureate degree. I came to CBS in 2005 for 1 year, accumulated some credits and quit. Not a wise thing to do.

But I'm back.. I actually started last week with my classes. I'm loving it, man. Here is my schedule:
-Monday night: English 1
-Tuesday night: The Gospels
-5 Saturdays of this semester: Theological Foundations of Biblical Counseling.
and 1 class of Christian Ministry.

I have been doing a lot of required reading and I am enjoying it. I don't want to get behind, so I have already figured out when can I read and do "homework".
I'm a student again.

In other news:

Last year in November, I went over to Dallas, TX and attended a Church planting Conference at The Village Church. The Acts29 network puts out several of these a year across the nation and also overseas.

This week will be an exciting week for me.
I am taking off Tuesday and Wednesday from work to go to this conference.
It will be held in Houston, TX and I will be there!
Here is some info.
This conference will mark history in my life and I am anticipating it.
Not only do I want to start a church, but I also want to endure in ministry.
What does it matter if you don't endure... if you don't persevere?

I will be posting articles, recapping the conference here on my blog.

There is a dream inside of my heart that I know will be coming to reality in the coming months and years...
I will be psting more of that as the days go by.

I hope that you pray for me.

Stay tuned.

Wise words...

I would like to share some of the stuff that I read online...
These are guys that have had an impact in my life...

Here they are:

Jonathan Herron on Prodigal Thoughts.

Perry Noble on Increase my Faith.

Steven Furtick on The Vision Veil.

John Piper on Why There Are No Perfect Pastors.

The Resurgence website on Hometown Church Planter by Jeremy Carr.

Enjoy some good reading..

My future father-in-law and me.

It's Monday...
What do you expect?
Not one of my favorite days at this time of my life.. Maybe later, because I'll probably have it off.. (that's the pastor in me talking).

One of those Mondays where you really don't know how you got to work because you were asleep in traffic on the Beltway 8. Ugh.

I had a productive work day today and my boss really likes that.
You see, my boss is my future father-in-law.

Some friends of mine have joked with me that I am like Jacob in the bible working 7 years for his future father-in-law, Laban, to be able to marry Rachel.
Funny. Very funny, but not so.

I met up with my boss, my girl's dad after work because I wanted to talk to him about something important.
I went over to his house and told him that I loved Ruthie and it had been 5 years this month that I had asked him permission to date his daughter.

I remember him telling me that night that I better respect his daughter or he would bring out his gun... then he laughed. He was joking.
It was not funny to me.

You see, I've been dating the same girl non-stop for 5 years...
That is an accomplishment in this society, but I won't stop there.
We are nearing the time where I make the decision along with her to spend the rest of our lives together... and it gives me great joy.

Although, there has been pressure from everywhere to tie the knot, I know its one of the biggest decisions of my life and cannot take it lightly.
This marriage thing is for life, homie.

I asked for advice and he gladly gave it to me..

We talked about marriage... about money in marriage, about life in marriage, about owning a home and about other things.
It was a great afternoon for me, really.
I feel like there will sped up progress from now on. Hint hint.

I recommend you to check out this book by Voddie Baucham Jr. Its a really great resource for those that want to please their future in-laws... Since, it a good thing to do.
What He Must Be: ...If He Wants to Marry My Daughter.
Here is a summary of the book:

"All parents want their daughters to marry godly young men.
But which qualities, specifically, should they be looking for?
What will you say when that certain young man sits down in your
living room, sweaty-palmed and tongue-tied, and asks your permission
to marry your daughter? What criteria should he meet before the two
of them join together for life?
What He Must Be . . . If He Wants to Marry My Daughter outlines
ten qualities parents should look for in a son-in-law, including
trustworthiness, a willingness to lead his family, an understanding
of his wife's role, and various spiritual leadership qualities."

I am excited of reading through this book so I can learn a thing or two... or three..

I am finding myself not stuttering when I talk to my future father-in-law about me wanting to steal his daughter from him and keeping her for myself (in other words, marrying his daughter).
That's some progress. Hehe.

The smoking Apostle, Charles.

OK, check this out! I got a story for ya... I was at Starbucks on Saturday.. The one that never closes by the Galleria (if you are from Houston, you'll know which one I'm talking about) I was re-reading my highlighted notes on "Comeback Churches: How 300 churches turned around and yours can, too," surfing online (where else?) and writing a blog post entitled, "Where am I at in life."

Umm, not at the same time, but at different... You get me.

Anyway, in the middle of my spontaneity of my last post, I saw this old guy approach my table. He wanted to sit in the table next to me.. So, I did not look up and continued to write (type). He came forward and just stood there. After about 10 seconds, I slowly looked up and he was looking at the book that I was just reading moments before.

In that book, Ed Stetzer has some great insight on how to revitalize a declining or dead church. Dead? Yes, dead. He researches hundreds of churches and comes up with factors that have helped plateaued churches. Ill give you a short list of chapter titles in his book... not all of them... Get the book.
Chapter 2: Rising with Leadership.
Chapter 4: Worship and Preaching Matters.
Chapter 7: Motivating and Mobilizing People out of the Pews.
Some really good stuff from Ed. I really like his research. He's good.

Anyway, so I look up at this stranger.
Never seen him. Never met him.
He's a tall white guy, has not shaved in a while (which is cool by the way), and is wearing a white t-shirt and jeans.
OK... cool.

Without a formal greeting and before I say, "Hello."
He points at the book and says, "Why don't they (dead, declining churches) just put their face on the floor and pray?"
Long pause and I actually smiled... smiled big.
I was laughing so hard inside.
That was hilarious!
He was right... but come on... know what I mean? Hehe.
He smiled with me and proceeded to sit down next to me..

"Great, now I have an old man sitting next to me at Starbucks," said my inner, worldly, selfish, sinning self.
I really wanted to finish my "interesting" blog post.
But I rebuked (um, scolded) myself and decided to engage him in some conversation.
Note: How many times do we have an opportunity to talk to someone and end up talking about Jesus. It seems that our conversations throughout the day are only limited (other than talking to friends) to order fries at Burger King or to tell the guy behind the counter at the gas station, "10 on number 4, please"? Huh, huh?

So, lets recap our conversation.
Me: Hello.
Him (getting serious): My name is Charles. I'm an apostle and I'm on a mission.

Me (smiling bigger): Cool, I'm Tony. What mission are you on?
Apostle Charles (thinks for a bit, narrows his eyes): I have been called to start a church.

Me: (have not wiped that smile off my face): Awesome. Where at?
Apostle Charles: All over.

OK, by this time, I just stare blankly and don't ask anything so my new friend, the apostle, can talk.
He says, "God called me over 30 years ago to start a church and I'm 50 now and 7 years ago (when he was 43) I decided to go ahead and obey the Lord."

I don't get all feely-feely and start jumping up and down, get down on my knees, kiss his hand and say, "This must be God! He is telling me something!"
But I nod and don't disregard this a simple meeting.

I don't tell him that he was speaking to a future church planter.
I don't tell him that I constantly am dreaming of a group of people taking the Gospel and living it out, showing God's love to a community full of need.
I don't tell him that I was writing a blog post on that certain topic of church planting.... before I was rudely interrupted. Hehe.

I just listen.
He tells me that he is homeless and that God always ends up providing for him.
He does not ask me for money.
He tells me that one day, "he will pastor a church of thousands,"
Great.

We end our conversation and he goes outside of Starbucks.
I finish my blog post and its time to go home for me.
I walk outside and find my new friend, Charles the apostle, chilling on a chair, smoking a cigarette.
So, apparently, my apostle friend Charles is a smoker.
How cool.
He is kind of shocked and tries to play it off...
I smile, (mainly at the thought of what would a religious person in this situation?)
They would probably lay hands on him and pray that demon out. Then, getting in their car with the "Honk, if you love Jesus" bumper sticker, mutter how unbelievable people can be.
Because we know that good Christians do not smoke right? Hehe.

I tell him, "Ill be watching out for you and your church. Have a goodnight, Charles."
"Ill be watching out for you too," he tells me.

Getting on the 610 loop (freeway) on my way towards Hwy. 290, I think of the grievance that I would have in my heart if I would reach 50 years of age and look back 27 years to a vibrant, young, inspired kid that wanted to be part of the plan that God had in transforming a community, with believers alongside him.

I don't know if my new friend was "called" to start a church 30 years ago.
I don't know if he was an apostle. Well, actually...
I don't even know if his name really was Charles.

But this I know, that at the end of my days in this earth, I want to say, "I glorified God in my youth. I followed His promptings." and like Paul said in 2 Timothy 4, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Say a prayer for me tonight, will ya?

Where am I at in life?

I just hung up with a friend of mine that his words gave me goosebumps (or was it the cold a/c at Starbucks?)
He told me, "You need to stop talking about it and start doing it."

We started talking about Church Planting (one of my favorite topics).
He questioned me in a friendly way where was I at regarding the vision that I had..

I told him that I needed to get going with this work of planting a church..
He proceeded to tell me things that I had wondered aloud and was actually comforted by having someone else say them back to me.

He asked about what kind of church would it be..
He asked about where I would plant this church..
He asked me if it would be an English or Spanish congregation..
He talked about me getting "under a covering". In other words, selecting a pastor that I would be accountable to.

I shared all these things with him and my heart skipped a beat.. I tell you, it's certainly the best topic for me.
I read church planters blogs almost daily when I come home from work.
Sometimes on my way home, I stop at Barnes and Noble or Starbucks (to avoid traffic) and read books ranging in topics like church growth, church government, theology, how to launch a church..
I podcast guys "talks" at church planting conferences..
My life revolves around listening on how to take the gospel into the community.
And I still don't know how to do it. Hehe.. Ironic, I know.

Until it begins to make sense... I don't need to know how.
We have examples in the Bible of guys that did not know how to do what God had called them to do.
They did not have a clue.. At least I have books, blogs and conferences.
The only thing that they had was that powerful phrase, "The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" When they said that, everyone knew what was up.

Consider Exodus 3 when God shows up to this educated guy that grew up as a prince in the land of Egypt. He told him, "Say this to the people of Israel, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.'"
Moses felt unqualified at the start of his mission.
In verse 11, Moses expressed his doubts on this mission that God was sending him to do. He told God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

I've come to realize that I don't need to be perfect.
It's not about me.
It's not about having a large church.

Although some people tell me to get married, have a few kids, own a home, have 2 or 3 "good" cars, enjoy life a bit before I commit to starting a church, I am starting to despise that attitude.
I don't want to waste my life.

Yes, the character of the planter must be in check.
Yes, things need to be in order.
But, let's never take that position as an excuse to not do what God has called you to do.

I'll tell you what's in my heart.
Yes, I'll share it with the whole World wide Web.
I have wanted a little more money in my pocket.
I have wanted a little more stability in my life.
I have wanted a better car before I start a church..

As I read what I just wrote... it's laughable now.
I wonder if John the Baptist had a newer horse chariot when he ministered.
I wonder if Jesus was rich when he started his ministry.
Does having more material things equal to the loud voice of Jesus saying, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me?"

Don't take it too the other extreme... just think about it.

Murder by Family...

I've been going To Barnes And Noble lately on my commute to my house from work.. Houston traffic gets crazy, so I decide to relax and read a magazine or read one of my books..

Today though, I picked out a book from the shelf entitled, "Murder by Family: The Incredible True Story of a Son's Treachery and a Father's Forgiveness" Sometime later I was flippinmg through the last page of the book.. It was late. Hehe. Here is the description from Amazon.com

"One evening, the Whitaker family returned home after dinner, celebrating a son's impending graduation from college. On opening the front door, they faced a gunman lying in wait. The gunman opened fire, instantly killing the younger son and Kent's wife, leaving Kent and his older son lying wounded until police and ambulances arrived. While recovering in the hospital, Kent (the father) resolved in his heart to forgive whoever was responsible for the deaths of his wife and son.Over the next few weeks, it was discovered that the whole murder plot had been orchestrated by the surviving son -- whom Kent had unknowingly forgiven. After a trial that resulted in a death sentence for his son, Kent emerged from this harrowing ordeal to share their astonishing journey toward forgiveness and redemption."

I came home and looked it up on youtube and apparently ABC did a news story on it and featured it on 20/20..

One of the interesting things to me, other than the father forgiving his son for killing his wife and youngest son, is that this all happened in Houston, Tx (actually Sugarland).

I've visited the church that this guy (the dad) goes to (without even knowing).

Anyway, if you want to read the book, go ahead.. It is anawesome story..

I leave you with these links..
A vid of Bart Whitaker on the stand in Court..
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3385436n

Here is the link for youtube..
The news story on 20/20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuJYnAPo26A

Well, well, well, my friends..For the next 10 days I will be unplugging from some technology... No phone calls, no internet, no houston traffic, no ipod.. (wait, the ipod, I need.. gotta get my daily dose of sermons by john piper, matt chandler and Mark Driscoll. Hehe).

After weighing our bags and stripping for security, they made us walk to the gate (got my morning exercise). I am currently siiting in the airport with my little sister, Tey, writing my last blog for a while..

I am going to El Salvador!Both my parents are from there and this will be my first time to visit the smallest country in Central America.

I will miss my lovely girlfriend.. (love you babe)I'll bring you a bright, colorful salvadorean purse that says "El Salvador" in the front.You'll love it. Hehe.
Ill also miss my moms, my bro Aber and my other sis Beca..

I am excited, first of all, to see my fatther.. Not being able to see him for 2 years, I am happy to be able to give him a good son-ly hug and spend some time with him.
I also am anxious to get rest (can you be anxious to get rest?), regain some strength and refocus my vision.

I plan on seeing some new sights, volcanoes, mountains, waterfalls, the pacific ocean and some good looking beaches..I plan on sleeping in a hammock for 9 nights..I plan on spending some time in solitude in a canoe on some lake..I am pumped!

So, please keep me in your prayers that God would keep us from la Mara Salvatrucha... aka MS13 (a terrible, famous gang). Hehe.

So long.. until next next Monday..
Ill take some pictures and come back with stories.

Make an attempt...

That was weird.. a cool weird.

Anyway, let me tell you what hapenned about 3 days ago..
I went to Barnes and Noble with my youngest sibling, Ester..
She wanted to use my laptop and I wanted to read some books... so off we went.
She could not find an outlet to plug the laptop for the computer until she found one. I dont know why they dont have more outlets.. geez, making people look crazy trying to find one.

Well, I left her and went on my way to get a couple of books that I wanted to read from.
-I got a book on Personal Finances "Youre broke because you want to."
-Another one on Picking Stocks by Jim Cramer "Mad Money"
-Another one on marriage, "His needs, her needs." (Excellent book by the way)
-And the last one was "Vintage Church" by Mark Driscoll.
(Man, I give you my whole life on this blog)

I skimmed through a couple of chapters of each book.
-Loved the finances one...
-stocks are interesting in this downturn market..
-Reread favorite parts of His needs, her needs...
-and dug deep into Vintage Church.

Anyway, this took about 3 hours and close to closing time I decide to look for my sister.
Come to find out, the only plug that was availble in the whole bookstore was in the Sex and Relationships department..

I hear a guy's voice.
Apparently there is a man talking to my sister about the bible.. of all places...
This guy looked decent and was conversating with Tey about God.
At this point, my sis was done with the laptop and doing her devotional with her bible..
I looked at her and turned to the Kama Sutra books on the shelves.. That was weird.

I turned to the man and introduce myself..
He said his name was Robert. Robert was (or is) in his mid 50s and had a church background in The Church of Christ.. He was baptized as a kid but does not attend church. He told me that he wanted to go back to his roots and get back to church..

For about 30 minutes, I heard him ask things like,
"When you say you are saved, what are you saved from?"
"How can a person that says he is Christian still sin?"
"Does baptism save you?"
"Tongues? Huh?"

I was astounded as I shared the gospel, man.
That is a feeling that you live for.
I did not have to get on a pulpit.. wasnt even wearing a white shirt and tie.

I went through the process of santification.. We will never be perfect until we see him just as He is.
I told him that we were saved from Hell.. Do you like that answer?
Well, we are also saved from our own selves. From our sin of pride, of hipocrisy, of self righteousness.

At times, I would see his eyes squint while we talked and then I would see his eyes get big, as he nodded, as if to say, "I understand."
He was a huge man.. almost topping 6 and a half feet.
A lady stopped by and told us that she had overheard our conversation and liked that every answer was backed by a text of scripture..

We said goodbye, exchanged emails and told him one last time that I hoped he would encounter the cross of Jesus and repented of his sin.

I am glad.
It is a joy that the personal finance book, the stocks book, the marriage book cannot bring. Not even a book about Church can bring that hapinness.

Pray for me and rejoice wiith me, my friends..
I leave you with this quote from Charles Spurgeon:

"Even if the souls we seek should all persist in unbelief, if they all despise and reject and ridicule us, yet still it will be a divine work to have at least made the attempt"
Wow..
Make an attempt.

The Treadmill y yo (and me)

So... I have been hittin' the gym lately (well, for the past 3 days).
Hey, that's an accomplishment for me!

I've been getting my groove back, you know what I mean?
I like running a lot...
My bro Aber is trying to get me to lift weights but I don't dig that, man.
I just love to run!

I used to run track in Middle School and loved running the 1 mile run.
Ahh, I get flashbacks... 3rd place in the district.. Yea, baby..

I also used to run a lot when I used to play basketball in 7th grade.
We went to the district championship game. We lost.
But we went!

So, now that you know that I like to run.
Guess what my favorite piece of equipment is at the gym?
You guessed it.
The Treadmill.
You are so smart.

So, I get on and start to run... I start thinking about my glory days in track. Hehe.

For the last 3 days I have done 5 miles and burned more than 700 calories.
That's what the machine said.
You see, I want to lose some of this weight.
I'm still young and want to look "good" for my girl... so this is for you baby.

Here are a couple of things that I have learned at the gym lately:

• I need to stop looking at the TV (Rockets vs. Lakers) or today (A&M vs. Baylor) watching basketball games, and running.
• Why?
• Because I get distracted and start fallin off the treadmill.
• It happened twice and the gym was full... People turned around and just stared at me. It was embarrassing.
• At least I did not fall off and bust my head. Freakin track belt on the treadmill never stops.
• I need to stop paying attention to how many miles, how many calories, how many minutes I have been running. I get tired faster.
• It sucks when you got an athletic guy on the treadmill right next to you and he never stops running, but you gotta stop like 5 times in 20 minutes because you are out of breath!
• I wonder what that guy is thinking?

So, that's my journey on my physical side.

On the other hand, I miss my girl (who is in Huntsville for college SHSU!) I cant wait to see her tomorrow and the rest of the weekend.

I'm thinking of going out to Chillis and getting me some Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers.
Have not had them in a while.

Extra ranch, please.
Thank you.

Bible-in-1-year plan..

I gotta tell you... I'm enjoying reading my Bible.

I have always thought about reading the WHOLE Bible.. All of it. Every word of it.
And I will start in Genesis 1, go through the Creation Story, The flood, Abraham's life, Isaac marrying Rebekah, Jacob puling that sneaky stunt on his brother Esau, and Joseph's life amazed me.
I mean, these stories were the stories that were told to me when I was in Sunday School so it was easier for me to read the book of Genesis.
So, I went to Exodus, it was good too. Moses and his adventures with the Pharaoh. I mean, come on... so "Prince Of Egypt", you know.

But whenever I got to the book of Numbers, I lost it. The first few chapters were good, but when it started talking about "Laws of this" and "Laws of that" OK man.... I put my bible down and pick up a book on practical ministry instead.

I know, I know... I am very bad and evil for doing that.. Hehe.
Then I would start to read the Gospels in the New Testament, some of Paul's letters, but never got around to reading books like Jeremiah, Isaiah and the "little" prophets, the one that no one talks about like Nahum, Hosea, Habakkuk (Huh?). Yeeeaaaa.

But see, I love God's word, man.
It convicts me when I'm in sin.
It lifts me up when I don't have any strength.
It humbles me when I get cocky.
It points me to the cross all the time.
It shows me His redemptive ways all over the Bible.
I love it!

So, for one of my New Years Resolution, I once again decided to read the whole Bible.
Will you keep me accountable?

I went to John Piper's website and downloaded the Bible Reading Plan that they use at their church.
And this time, I am certain that I will make it!
Why?

Well, let me tell you why.
There are a couple of reasons why I see that this plan will work.
Here they are, adapted form John Piper's website:

-You get to read short passages every day.
-You get to read from 4 separate places in the Bible every day. Meaning that, you wont be stuck on the boring Laws in Leviticus (sorry God, I know there is a purpose for them being there), but you will be reading a portion from the Gospels, a portion from Leviticus and a portion of Psalms and a portion of Paul's letters in one day.
-It seems like a lot, but it would only take you around 30 minutes a day.

-"To prevent the frustration of falling behind, which most of us tend to do when following a Bible reading plan, each month of this plan gives you only 25 readings.
Since you'll have several "free days" each month, you could set aside Sunday to either not read at all or to catch up on any readings you may have missed in the past week."

-If you finish the month's readings by the 25th, you could use the final days of the month to study passages that challenged or intrigued you.

Join me in this journey.
Read the Bible with me...
I heard its good for the soul. Hehe.

Starbucks, sickness, the museum...all in a Saturday!

I am having an awesome Saturday…
Sitting here at Starbucks, I ran into a guy that I had not seen in a long time. I met him and one of his buddies a while back at the Starbucks that I'm at right now. I spent some time at a small group with them. Those guys are in love with Jesus and it was an amazing time that I had getting to know them a little a couple of months ago.

I'm at Starbucks because Ruthie is at the Toyota Center for “The Radio City Music Spectacular” with her mother. I never come to this Starbucks but decided to stay here to meet her mom so she could go with her to the show.
Guess who I saw at the Starbucks when I walked in? Hehe..
The same friend that I had met a couple of months ago! Pretty cool! Hehe.
We talked for a bit and then I stayed for a while to read and get online.

Well, let me tell you about my Saturday.
I started out my day sitting outside of a Starbucks, another one (Its been a Starbucks day) with Joe, a friend of mine. We took in the beautiful morning and caught up since we had not seen each other since last year. Hehe (corny, so what?).
We talked about life, church planting, new year resolutions and other things.

Then I met up with my sick girlfriend…
When I say sick, I mean physically.
Not sick as in “Cool” or sick as in “Gross” but sick as in mucus, sneezing, in need for her boyfriend to cook her some sopita (soup).
So that was my job. I can now cook. Ha!
I can say that because my love got "healed" after eatin' my cookin'!

We then went over to an exhibition at the Houston Museum of Natural Science to go see “The Birth of Christianity” They have been advertising this thing on the radio and all over the city billboards.
They were going to have original parts of the book of Isaiah, authentic parts of the Gospel of Luke… I was excited!!!


Have you ever been in a hurry and gone inside a gas station and picked out a Pepsi soda can, paid for it, ran out to your car, drove off, opened the soda, took a huge chug from it… and it happens to be a DIET PEPSI!!!??
Have you ever been in a hurry in the morning and got dressed so quickly that when you re at your job, you happen to look at your socks and one is black and the other blue?!!
AGGGHHHHHHH!

After going over to the museum and forking over something like $50, we go into this tiny room where they had clay pots, a painting that hung on a wall, jewelry, a bath tub from King Herod’s palace (although that was pretty cool), I was screaming at myself, inside my mind, almost saying words that Jesus would not have liked.
Is this it?!
I came here for this?!

I mean, its cool and all but dang show me the scrolls where Paul writes to the Ephesians!!!
Well, after 20 minutes of bumping into people in that tiny room, we went into another room and to my relief, I saw fragments of the authentic pieces of “paper” that Isaiah had written on.

But the damage was done.. I was hating it.
It was probably my mistake to think it would be more exciting.

To their credit, I totally loved the exhibits where I saw fragments of the original pieces of the Book of Hebrews.
I saw the fragments of the original pieces from Epehesians and Galatians..

My best one?
I saw the original passage of Scripture where John writes those awesome words that get me thinking all the time when I read them..
"The next day he (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” -John 1:29

If I could take one good thing from this exhibit… that would be that I saw with mine own eyes these fragments of words that are inspired by God!
Amazing that I could experience that!
I love God’s word…. With all my heart… and I want to strive so hard to follow Jesus’ teachings.

So that was my Saturday.
Pretty neat huh?
Well, maybe not for you, but for me… it was great.

Until next time, peace.
Chunk the deuce!!

From distress to a living hope!

2008 has been a good year... and here comes 2009.
With only one day left, I reflect on the things that happened this year... and I also look to Jesus for guidance in this next year.
To tell you the truth, I am kind of confused.

My plans are not His plans. Hmmm.
I can strategize and plan, but at the end not be at peace with what is about to be done.
I'm in turmoil right now.. Its turbulent and I look to Jesus to calm the storm.

I repent.
Seriously, man, He feels so far away, but still feels so close that I can smile and be reassured that everything will be OK... one day.

My life as it is, is fine... its good.
I mean, I can have more, but I have everything I need.
I am learning that Jesus is all I need.

I can conform to this world and say:
-If I only had a little bit more money.
-If I only had a better car.
-If I only had a better house.
-If I only had more name brand clothes.
-If I only had more... more... more...

God, I repent for my foolishness and immaturity when I start to desire things that don't bring glory to you and only bring glory to me.

I hear the apostle Paul muttering these words while in a prison, writing to the Philippians, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

How can a man having had everything and now had nothing wrote to the church like if he had everything?
He says in Philippians 4:11-13 "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

How can someone say all that while being beaten and put in jail?
Ahh, the glorious Jesus.
I tell you, when you recognize the beauty of Christ, you can say the same thing.

In my weakest moments, I turn to Christ on the cross and like that thief, I say, "Jesus, remember me... remember me."

Some may see this post somewhat depressing in such joyous times as the new year begins, but others may see that in this post, there is an abundance of humanity, sin and weakness in my part.

And also a hint of living hope... the hope that Peter wrote about in his first letter.
"According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" I Peter 1:3b

I have that living hope...

Why do people go to church on Sundays?

I know I'm getting myself into a hole here... some will take this the wrong way, and that's okay. I don't mind.


2 Sundays ago I missed church... on purpose.

I have been visiting churches these past Sundays. Ive been to Fellowship of the Woodlands, Kaleo Church with Bill Streger, The Promise Church that my friend Daniel Espinoza pastors, Community Of Faith Church, River Pointe Church... and other churches.


A couple of weeks ago, I told my pastor that I would be looking for the next step in my ministry life and, although that was the hardest thing to do, since Pastor Rios has been my pastor forever, it had to be done.

It has been a good experience to go to these churches and see the way they do church. Some worship differently than others. Some teach different than others. Some pick up offering different than others. It has and still is an awesome learning experience.

2 Sundays ago I decided to stay home and not visit or go to a church.
Dude, when I woke up, I realized that I had slept in and I felt good!
I slowly got ready, put some relaxing clothes on and ran an errand that I had not done that Saturday. After taking my time, I went over to one of my favorite places, Starbucks, and sat outside enjoying the breeze and reading a book and my bible. It was great, man.

I started thinking, "Why do people go to church on Sundays?"
Tell me guys, why do you go to church?

Do you go because you have always been to church every Sunday of your life?
Do you go because your youth buddies will pass notes during service making fun of the lady that has big hair and gets a "breakthrough" every 5 minutes during service?
Do you go because "if Jesus hung on that cross for 6 hours, you should at least sacrifice 3 hours on a Sunday and go to church, brother."

Why do you go?
More importantly, why would any unsaved person go to your church?
Think differently. Think about your lost friends.
Why would they go to your church?

Is there a strategy that's in place for every lost person that sets foot in your church?
Is there a process?
Is there biblical teaching in your church... or does the pastor talk about tithes and picks up an offering whenever you bring a friend to church?

Why would anyone after working hard the whole week, plus Saturday, maybe worked overtime and has Sunday as the only day off....
Why would that person wake his family early and dress them up to go to a service that will not benefit his spiritual life and will cause him to dislike church? How do you think his kids will view church when they grow up?

Ah, I just wonder.
NOTE: I went to church yesterday and will "not neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:25)

Hey yall!

Well, well, well...

I have not blogged since forever.
My laptop has been acting up and have been getting on from random computers every once in a while to check my email..
Boy, I'm addicted to the computer.

We got so much to catch up on... so much to catch upon.
I have been having this overwhelming feeling that I have for the year 2009.
Some dramatic changes will be coming to my life and I'm ready to go to another exciting phase in my life. I'm excited.. I can actually jump for joy! Hehe. God has been good.

2009 is MINE baby!
OK, forget that I said that. Cheesy...

Lets do this.
This is what you, my friends, have missed on.
Its not that important, but lets go for it:

• I went to a holiday party with my girl 2 Fridays ago... Pretty good, pretty good. My girl was looking fine, I tell you. She always is tho.
• It snowed about a week ago (?) in Houston, TX. Yes it did! (Go global warming! Hehe)
• I did not go to church last Sunday... on purpose. More on that later.
• Ive been hittin the Panera and Starbucks every evening after work to read and to study.
• I recently caught up with a friend that has some talent when it comes to computers. George, it was good to get some Denny's at 10 pm with you... and thanks for fixing my laptop. You re the man.
• My girl is excited that she is going to be moving to Huntsville (1 hour away from home) to go to school (Sam Houston State University). Friends are asking us how we are going to make it.. Hehe. Its funny, we crack up. We've have been going at this relationship for yeeeaars! Haha. No really, it seems that nothing will change since I just see her, maybe once during the week and shell be home for the weekends. Lighten up guys.
• I went to Community of Faith this Sunday and took a friend. Really good message by Mark Shook. Ive been there twice and both times they have shown the different things that they are doing for the community where their church is located... and they're awesome!!
• It was cold today
• Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow, again!
• Did some Christmas shopping for the family.
• Reading The Big Idea by Dave Ferguson. Really good book.
• I saw "The Tales of Despereaux" today with Ruthie, my girlfriend. It was a hilarious movie! A kids movie, but hilarious.
• I love my girl. She is perfect for me.
• 3 more days for Christmas.

Peace and joy to all.
Hit me up.

Consumerism.

Consumerism.
Yep thats the word...
I looked it up on Wikipedia (hehe) and the definition summed it up for me.

CONSUMERISM: The equation of personal happiness with consumption and the purchase of material possessions.

I was thinking about the whole "financial crisis" that Americans are going through... it seems like everyone is being bailed out... Where is the application? I gotta sign up and stand in line.
I'm thinking of gifts for Christmas. What to give people...
But here is a question: What do you give to someonethat already has everything?
Huh...

Really, it seems tha everyone has everything they need.
More than 10 Billion dollars were spent on Black Friday, the day after thanksgiving, at malls and stores.
Did you get that?
More than 10 BILLION!

Here is another question:
Where are the days when a kid could ask for a toy truck or a doll? Where are those days?

I remember as a kid, opening up my presents on Christmas Eve... not Christmas morning. We were too anxious, so that became our tradition.

I remember unwrapping the gift wrap... opening the box and finding out that there was a TOY FIRETRUCK inside... Yea, man, Those were the... Im telling you, man. I vroom-vroomed it all day every day in the hardwood kitchen floor.
I also remember opening up another gift and was so happy to find out that I had a new TOY JUMBO JET!
Oh, I loved that one.
The funny thing is that my brother Abraham had gotten the same identical one. Haha!
But they were fun.

I was not asking for an Ipod Touch.
I was not demanding an Iphone.
I did not desire a laptop computer.

I swear... (forgive me) the next kid that I see at Wal-Mart throwing a tantrum, screaming, demanding that he NEEDS that Wii... Im gonna punch... er, pray for his parents.
Boy, if I ever did that as a kid, my father would have taken off his belt in the store and I would not have felt the seat of my pants for days, man!
I just dont get it.
The world has dratically changed in the last 15 years.

Personally, in my family... It will probably be the Gift Card Christmas this year.
No expensive gadgets, no expensive clothes... just simple, inexpensive gift cards.

Listen, where is Jesus in all your hustle and bustle?
Whereis Jesus when you are standing in line for 30 minutes paying for a gift that maybe the recipient wont even like?

Remember the real reason for Christmas.
These 2-3 weeks of the year, remember the gospel.
Rememner that if Jesus had not been born in a manger your sins and mine would not have been taken away.
Remember that if Jesus had not been born, you and I would not have the hope we have today.

I pray that in my shopping for my gift cards, I can ultimately remember that I am blessed to live this life and that I need more of Him.

He became a curse for us.

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by

becoming a curse for us—for it is written,

"Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree."

Galatians 3:13

Wow, what a scripture... I was talking to my youngest sis, Tey! Hehe. We were talking about things and touched on the subject of God's unconditional love for us.

Is it not amazing that Christ died for us?

Ok, you knew that...

But think about it.

God is a just God.

So, if you are a rapist... a murderer... a thief... a liar, God has to be just!

He cannot just say, "Ahh, thats ok... youre alright. Ill let you pass."

He cannot sweep your sin under the rug.

Where is the Justice?

If God would do that, He would not be a just God.

But He is just.

What does God do?

God becomes a curse for us.

God becomes human and bears what we are...

A rapist, a murderer, a thief, a liar... whatever you are!

Jesus becomes our substitute.

Jesus says, "Listen, Tony, I know you are a sinner, but I love you so much that I will bear your sin and... instead of you dying, I will die."

He says, "I will become what you are in order to save you."

God is angry at your sin. He is mad.

But when Jesus steps in and dies for us, he becomes our substitute... and God's wrath and anger is absorbed in Jesus (through the sacrifice of the cross).

And God's anger is satisfied, being able to forgive our sin.

Jesus takes in the anger of God on the cross.

When we sin, we look towards the cross and repent saying, "God is mad, but his anger was spent in Jesus and now I can accept his forgiveness."

What love!

What grace we have found in God, guys!

As I told this to my youngest sister last night, I could not help but think about what God had done for me. We also shared this verse in 1 John 4:10 and I literally received strenght as God's child when I read it.

"In this is love, not that we have loved God

but that he loved us and sent his Son

to be the propitiation (the wrath-absorbing) for our sins."

Think abou that verse.

Recognize his sacrifice.

See his love.

Repent because Jesus paid it all.

Thanksgiving.

Does it feel like Thanksgiving to you?
I don't know you'll, but it does not feel like it.
Maybe its just me, you know? Maybe.

I personally have not heard about turkey much... and the weather in Houston was so warm.
For thanksgiving, I'm used to it getting cold.
What do you think?

Anyway, it does not matter if its cold or hot...
It does not matter if your family is cooking or not...
It does not matter if your cousins are coming over to your house or not to eat on thanksgiving day...
Let me take you to a scripture in the Bible, where we can focus on this last part of the week.

Although we can look at the context of the scripture and come out with some good things.

But concentrate on this verse and look at it closely.

Ephesians 5:20

"giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,"

Remember:
IN everything that happens in your life... give thanks to Jesus.
FOR everything that happens in your life... give thanks to Jesus.

I thank God for the life that He has given me because of His sacrifice on the cross.
I thank God for my loved ones that surround me in my everyday life.
I thank God for the calling that He has place in my life.
Thank you, Jesus!

People are in need of Jesus.

People are in need of Jesus.
Really. we are so used to "just" saying that and we don't really know how much they are in need of Him... or know of any friend that needs God.
I was that type of person.
I used to say to all my friends, "People need Jesus."
Of course, all my friends were Christians... and we HAD Jesus, you know? We had Him!
Now that I look back on it, we were thought we acted like Jesus, but were so far from it. We were full of arrogance.

I cant tell you about it enough without bringing up that one time where Jesus was hanging out with sinners.

Matthew 9:10 says,

"While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples."

He ate with them at their house. Imagine that!

I bet he heard a couple of words that were inappropriate.
I bet he heard some nasty jokes from these men.
So, when you meet someone that does not go to your church... does not go to your youth group... does not believe the way you believe... then and only then, (hehe) you can ask that one question, WWJD?

Really, what would Jesus do?
He would sit and talk to them.

I was waiting for my friend Joe at Starbucks and was killing time. I opened my calendar and was thinking about Thanksgiving, Christmas, my girl, the upcoming weekend (already!)... you know, just killing time.
On my right side of me there was this young guy that was reading his bible.
I was intrigued.
I started to make conversation with him.
We eventually got the point where I asked him ,"What church do you go to?"
He responded, "I don't go."
He then told me that he had moved here from another state, so I thought, well, he has not found a church.
He then told me, "No, I just don't approve of churches."
Oh God, this is about to get interesting, I said to myself.

If I was still hanging around my "Christian pals", I would have said, "Sinner!"
I would have said, "He is not part of us."
I would have said, "He doesn't get our vision, lets move on. Forget him."
I would have judged him wrongly.

But, I asked myself, WWJD? (Yeah right! Hehe)
For the next 30 minutes (Joe was taking too long to meet me), my new friend took me through 1 chapter of Acts and 1 chapter of Galatians.
We talked about God's righteousness, the law, believing in Jesus through faith...
He obviously knew his stuff.

People are in need of Jesus.
I have come to realize firsthand that they do.

I came out of that conversation kind of shocked at the views that many people have about the church.
Its one thing to hang around with your church camp friends... its another to make friendships with people that need Jesus.

People are so full of bitterness towards the church, but yet they still realize that they need Jesus.
We all need Jesus.
Go out there and make a friend this week.
Talk to them about Jesus... because deep down... deep, deep down, they know they need Him so much.

"I pray for my friend. I pray that God reveals to him that Jesus said that the church was His... That He was going to build it. I also pray that the church starts acting like the church. Jesus, help me act and be your church."