tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90679297768681034312023-11-15T10:59:33.796-05:00Real Talk From A PK (Pastor's Kid)Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-25638576190202231022013-10-27T18:37:00.001-04:002016-10-19T19:20:35.409-04:00The Hokey Pokey Effect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At one time in our lives we've all danced it. If you haven't... WHAT'S
WRONG WITH YOU???<br />
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"You put your right foot in,<br />
You put your right foot out,<br />
You put your right foot in,<br />
And you shake it all about.<br />
You do the Hokey Pokey,<br />
And you turn it all around,<br />
That's what it's all about..."<br />
<br />
Yes. We know the words. Such a simple song. But did you know that there
is much confusion as to who wrote the song? As a matter of fact, this
simple song was involved in a lawsuit! Ironic that a song that speaks of
simply having fun and dancing made easy would end up in a complex tug
of war! Apparently, "that's what it's all about" is not that simple
after all!<br />
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What does the Hokey Pokey have to do with a PK's life? So glad you
asked! God has a funny way of speaking to me. As a PK or someone how has
been attending church for a while, we have to find a way to stay
connected (serving) in church. I mean we know it's a vital part of being
a Christian - if it weren't so important, Jesus wouldn't have washed
those crusty feet of His disciples. Besides Jesus' example, serving
others has an unexplainable effect in our hearts. It's like a spiritual
warm and fuzzy feeling. But even with that, we find it difficult to
serve in the Body of Christ a.k.a. The church.<br />
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Since I can remember, I've been taught that serving is not an option. Be
like Nike and just do it. I guess it comes with the PK territory.
Easier said then done, though. Sometimes I don't feel like serving -
don't give me that look... I know I'm not alone! After a long week of
work, family and life it's not that easy to serve at church. Would you
agree? We may even have a day or two where those projects (if you don't
know what that mean read my previous blog I Am A Project) we are serving
alongside are not so easy to get alone with as you would like ten to
be. Maybe you were frustrated with a negative serving experience and
want to throw in the towel.<br />
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Whenever I want to throw in the towel on serving God reminds me about
why we serve. I can vividly remember times where God would allow me to
see a friend or family member who would have never step in a church and
was miraculously saved by that ministry and now raising their hands in
worship. Or when the pastor makes a calling and people raise their hands
to accept Jesus as their Savior. Or when we have water baptisms and
people make that next step in their journey.<br />
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Then Jesus said to them, “Go everywhere in the world, and tell everyone
the Good News. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but
whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15, 16 GWT)<br />
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We serve because it's our mission! We serve because those that are not
saved depend on us. We serve because our pastors and leaders can't do it
all themselves. We serve to see the lost get found by a God that loves
them more than we can imagine. We serve for them! It's about lives
being changed. It's about soul forever transformed by God. That, my
friend, that's what it's all about!! *CLAP-CLAP* The Hokey Pokey effect.Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-33746621278355053422013-09-07T22:35:00.000-04:002013-09-07T22:37:53.225-04:00I'm A Project<div>
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As a PK, I've been to many
different kinds of churches. One thing they ALL have in common is that
they require people to run them. We have the worship team, ushers,
Sunday school teachers, parking team, the greeter, the creepy guy that
sits in the back, and even the pastor - all people! The bigger the
church, the more people in it! Some are really great people... some are not so good... <b>But ALL imperfect people!!</b> </div>
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Unfortunately,
that is the greatest problem we have in the Church Body today - we have
to deal with people. I believe most people would rather deal with
adjusting to a theology and/or rules than being hurt by a person. That
can be devastating! As a matter of fact, I'd be willing to bet that the
#1 reason people leave church is due to an interaction with a who??
DING!! DING!!DING!!! You guessed it! A person. </div>
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It
reminds me of that Dr. Pepper commercial from back in the days... "I'm a
pepper, he's a pepper, she's a pepper, we're a pepper wouldn't you
like to be a pepper too?" Check it out! </div>
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So
what do we do? We can't have our churches run by robots. Here are 3
things I try keep in mind to help me deal with people in church or
life in general:</div>
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1. <b>Nobody is perfect</b> - my
father is a closest demonstration of God's perfect love toward people
that I have ever witnessed. Not only as a pastor but also and, more
importantly, as a father & husband. I know because I got to see the
"behind the scenes". No matter what the circumstances in life would
bring him, he would always react in love and taught us to do the same.
But even he is not perfect. Nor am I. Nor are you. Remembering that
nobody is perfect helps me. Try it! </div>
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<i>Because all people have sinned, they have fallen short of God’s glory. (Romans 3:23 GWT)</i></div>
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2.
<b>The Struggle</b> - There is this constant fight between our spirit man and
our flesh that I like to call The Struggle. Our personalities,
characteristics, upbringings, past experiences and other things fuel our
flesh to war against our spirit man. We read the bible and pray to God
but there is force that wants to do the opposite based on a personality
trait or past experiences. Everyone has that one area in their life they
struggle with the most. There's a struggle in all of us. Unfortunately,
the evidence of the struggle will occasionally be released during our
interactions with one another. </div>
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<i>For the flesh desires what is
contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.
They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever
you want. (Galatians 5:17 NIV)</i></div>
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3. <b>Dealing with
UCP's</b> - just because we are saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy
Ghost doesn't mean we are a completed project. We are what I like to
call UCP's or Under Construction Projects. Being saved is the beginning
of the project God performs in us and one day we will be a finished
project - can I get an amen?!! The problem is that there is work to be
done here on earth for God's kingdom. We have to use the talents and
gifts that God has given us to do that work WHILE we are still UCP's!!
So keep in mind that those UCP's you run into in church are using their
God-given gifts and talents to work in God's kingdom and serve The
Lord. </div>
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<i>I’m convinced that God, who began this good work in
you, will carry it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 1:6 GWT)</i></div>
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Now, there are 2 sides to the coin: </div>
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1.
You may be the person coming into church and interacting with the
people who are serving in church who and doing their best to not mess
up. But sometimes they do. </div>
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2. You may be the person serving
in church trying your best to get it right and have interactions with
those people attending church. Either way, keep these things in mind
during these interactions. </div>
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Here's a thought...
the next time you come across an unpleasant interaction in church or
life in general just begin to sing that Dr. Pepper song but with a
remix... <b>"I'm a project, he's a project, she's a project, we're a
project, wouldn't you like to be a project too?"</b></div>
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<i><b>Now
you [collectively] are Christ's body and [individually] you are members
of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and
function]. (1 Corinthians 12:27 AMP)</b></i></div>
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</span>Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-70292235583481586132013-01-17T10:16:00.000-05:002013-01-17T10:16:45.368-05:00Hugging THE TREE<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N8eguOmqLpE/UPd1DKLS_6I/AAAAAAAAATs/jp6HXI-5YWU/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N8eguOmqLpE/UPd1DKLS_6I/AAAAAAAAATs/jp6HXI-5YWU/s320/tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There are few things I remember from my childhood in the Dominican Republic as I arrive to the USA when I was 7 years old. Some memories stand out very clear, though. Like the time I busted my neighbor and closest friend’s chin open. Let me explain. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the DR, we didn’t have PS1, PS2, Nintendo or none of that stuff. We had to make up games to keep ourselves occupied. One of the games we played was sliding in the cement floor of our porches when it rained. This was every Dominican kid’s rainy day playtime activity. We would take a running-start then slide on our backside or chest on the slippery cement floor. Who needs PS3 when you have that?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">One rainy day as I was playing with my neighbor, I decided to give him a little push so that he could slide faster. Apparently, I didn’t know my own strength. As my neighbor went face-first to slide on his chest, his chin hit the cement floor and was cut open. My laugh quickly turned into a frown as I saw the blood pour down his hand that he was holding over his chin and unto his chest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I ran through the hallway to the back of the house and climbed up the big tree we had in the backyard. Holding for dear life, I hugged the tree as if would defend me from the discipline that was sure to come – my dad’s size 34 leather belt! It was as if hugging the tree would actually save me. So I hugged the tree tighter and tighter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Recently, during my morning prayer and devotional time, I came across the parable of the True Vine in John 15 where Jesus compares the relationship of the vine and branches with our relationship with Him – He is the True Vine and we are the branches. It goes on to say that we should remain connected to the Vine so that we can bear fruit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">After reading this passage, I was immediately reminded of myself on the tree and how “safe” I thought I would be if I remained hugging the tree. God wanted to let me know that the only way we could be safe from all of life’s worries and struggles is if we are hugging THE TREE known as Jesus! THE TREE is not only a safe haven but it is our complete life source – without THE TREE we can do nothing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Since this experience, I have been hugging THE TREE by reading the Word and spending time in prayer every day. For me it is the source that keeps me going each day…the breath of life my spirit yearns for…the beat my heart needs to stay alive. Hugging THE TREE helps me understand that without Jesus my life is nothing!!</span></div>
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<span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(John 15:5 AMP)</span></i></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></i></b></div>
Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-7846926463076695172013-01-05T23:22:00.000-05:002013-01-05T23:22:47.447-05:00My New Year's Rez = Fake It Till I Make It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R990r5Vpyqc/UOjwiN3R1JI/AAAAAAAAAS4/JO-CeFFquj0/s1600/new+year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R990r5Vpyqc/UOjwiN3R1JI/AAAAAAAAAS4/JO-CeFFquj0/s1600/new+year.jpg" /></a></div>
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Every year many people make New Year's resolutions right around
this time of the year. Some decide to diet, others have career-related
goals and others have spiritual resolutions. Statistics say only 12% of
those who have resolutions actually stick to them - don't be
discourage... You and I are part of that 12%. </div>
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So here I am... Throwing it out there... My new year's resolution
is (drumroll please)... FAKE IT TILL I MAKE IT!! According to Wiki, this
phrase is used to "imitate confidence so that as the confidence
produces success, it will generate real confidence." </div>
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Now I know what you are thinking, <b>"that's a weak resolution"</b>. And
you may be right but let me explain. 1 Corinthians 11:1 says that as
Christians we should imitate Christ in all we do and I try my best to do
that. However, we have an enemy whose nickname is The Accuser and he
goes around....well accusing people every time they do something wrong.
So rather than falling under his schemes, I will take on a <b>FAKE IT TILL I
MAKE IT attitude in 2013</b>. This way when he accuses me I will imitate
confidence IN CHRIST so that as the confidence IN CHRIST produces
success, it will generate real confidence IN CHRIST. </div>
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Now we also know that Philippians 1:6 says that God
began a good work in us and will complete it by the time Jesus comes
back (paraphrased) but the problem is that we are on earth while He is
completing this work. So in the meantime, we should work at being
Christ-like without feeling like we will never get there - like the Accuser
always tells us. That's why I am taking on this resolution! <b>It's a
Win-Win situation!</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">I'm going to FAKE IT TILL I MAKE IT in every area of my life:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li>If someone at work upsets me, I'm gonna <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">FAKE IT TILL I MAKE IT</span></li>
<li>If things don't go the way I want a home, I'm gonna <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">FAKE IT TILL I MAKE IT</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">If my prayers aren't answered immediately, I'm gonna </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">FAKE IT TILL I MAKE IT</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">If things in life don't go as planned, I'm gonna </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">FAKE IT TILL I MAKE IT</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">Who's with me? <b>I'd love to hear what your New Year's resolution is!</b> We can encourage each other throughout the year!</span></div>
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<strong><em><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.008);">And
I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good
work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the
time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and
bringing it to full completion in you. (Philippians 1:6 AMP)</span></em></strong></div>
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Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-70983691898645075132012-11-15T23:43:00.000-05:002012-11-15T23:43:23.913-05:00It's All About A Relationship<div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gtS0LfC7wvg/UKXByEEoMYI/AAAAAAAAASg/VRgmBkhVelg/s1600/relationship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gtS0LfC7wvg/UKXByEEoMYI/AAAAAAAAASg/VRgmBkhVelg/s1600/relationship.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">They say that kids tend to be rowdy in Jr. High
School and based on my personal experience, I would agree! Not that I was bad
because I’ve always been such a good kid (insert heavenly music here). But I did
hang out with some “friends” who acted up in class just so that I could be part
of the “cool kids”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now the things we did in Jr. High compared to the
things kids in Jr. High do nowadays is completely different. We would do what
eventually was known as “payasearías” (clowning around – doesn’t have the same
affect in English) titled by one of our teachers. The idea was to make fun of
the teacher using mumbled words and repeating what he/she was saying while their
backs were turned to the class. This would cause an outburst of laughter and the
teacher would stay wondering what happened. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Funny until you get caught.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One day while one of the
guys was doing this “payasearías”, the teacher turned around and caught him doing this. Now he was in trouble frequently and I was kinda the
teacher’s favorite due to my A average and how well I behaved in class. <b>So I took one for the team.</b> I told the
teacher I was the one doing the “payasearías” and my friend was simply laughing
at my jokes. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">I took his
place for his actions trying to establish a relationship with
him</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This story reminds me of someone who did the same
thing for YOU and ME to restore a relationship. I'm not talking about simply taking our punishment for
making fun of a teacher but actually taking our punishment for our sins - DEATH (Romans 6:23)!! <b>Yes Jesus Christ did just that for us!</b>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Let me explain:</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">God’s
intension in making us humans was always to have relationship </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">with a creation that would have their own free will and decide on their own to worship God! It was nice for about
2 chapters in the bible before man messed that relationship up. You know the
story – Adam, Eve, the Snake and the apple…. <b>In entered the sinful man (that’s all of
us)</b>. But don't hate on Adam and Eve because Romans 3:23 says we all sin and fall short.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Long story short…God is a Holy God and cannot be
around sin but He <b>loved and cared about having relationship with </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>His creation (that's you and me) </b></span></b>so much that
He gave up His very best for us – <b>In
entered Jesus Christ the sinless sacrifice.</b> Jesus died to do away with
all of our sins and restore this relationship between our Heavenly Father and
His creation - us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Getting back to my story… for this first-time
offense, I barely got in trouble. My teacher gave me the old <i>“I’m very disappointed in you”</i> speech
and did not discipline me at all. When I saw my friend after class, I was sure
we would be “best friend” after what I did for him. Unfortunately, this was not
the case. (insert sad face here… AWWWWW)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">That hurt! To think that I took his punishment and he
didn’t even care. As a matter of fact, he may be reading this blog and not even
know it’s about him. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hmmmm.....Sometimes
I wonder how Jesus must feel when we ignore his sacrifice and don’t acknowledge
His offer to have relationship with us. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I think sometimes we focus so much on religion and church that we miss what it's all about! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>IT'S ALL ABOUT A RELATIONSHIP! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Will you react to His relationship offer today?
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Will you allow Him to restore the relationship with
our Heavenly Father and you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Have you spent time today strengthening that
relationship by talking with our Heavenly Father?</span></div>
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<span><sup><span style="font-family: Arial;"> “</span></sup></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">For our
sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and
through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of]
the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in
right relationship with Him, by His goodness].” 2 Corinthians
5:21</span></i></b></div>
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Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-25768072610918293482012-11-09T10:17:00.000-05:002012-11-09T10:17:01.558-05:00We'll Wait Again!<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
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<br />I graduated from Edison Tech High School (S/O to all the Edisonians reading this blog!!) and as part of the Vocational Training Program, we had to explore the different departments available before we decided our "career path" or shop class (as most of us called it). The scope of program went from cosmetology to auto mechanics and everything in-between. <br /><br />I will never forget one shop teacher (except for his name) who seemed to have the calmest character ever. Whenever the class would get rowdy and loud (which was quite frequent for high school freshmen), he would speak the following words calmly and softly, "we'll wait again..." <strong>ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!??</strong> Class is out of control and he is almost whispering??? I would have kicked everyone out of the class until only the good kids were left! And who is the "we" <span style="font-size: small;">he</span> is talking about??? This became a joke for us freshmen and we would laugh and get louder. His response, <strong>"we'll wait again..." </strong></div>
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<br />Eventually, the class did quiet down and he proceeded with his lesson. Was he on to something? Did he discover a new way to quiet freshmen students? Was he really that cool, calm and collect?? <br /><br />Thinking back about this shop teacher reminds me how <em><strong>God waits for us.</strong></em> He is ever so patient as He waits for us to do what He has asked us to do. For some<span style="font-size: small;"> of you</span> reading this blog, it may be just surrendering to God and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Some may be in the middle of some trouble and He waits for you to turn to Him for help instead of trying to do it on your own. Others may be wrestling a calling God has placed in your heart and He waits for you to trust Him completely. <strong>Whatever the situation may be, God always seems to be waiting for us. <br /><br />Why does He wait?</strong> He loves us that much! So much so that He gave His son, Jesus, to die for us and now waits for us to respond (John 3:16). Talk about being patient!! He gave up His very best for us and waits. <strong>It's all about a relationship</strong> (we'll talk about that in next week's blog). <br /><br />Revelation 3:20 says He knocks on our doors (hearts) and waits for us to open the door... then He enters in. <strong>God is a gentleman and a well-mannered God</strong>. He won't barge in even though He can! As a matter of fact,<strong> He is the reason we are breathing today! </strong>He has the power to speak the world into existence and created mankind, yet He waits for us to respond to His knock. <br /><br /><em>Will you respond today?<br />Will you answer the door?<br />How long will you ignore that knock on your heart?<br /><br /><b>Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. (Revelation 3:20 AMP)</b></em><br /><br /><i><strong>God is saying to us today, "We'll wait again..."</strong></i></div>
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Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-14367804919817919082012-10-31T13:40:00.001-04:002012-10-31T13:40:51.803-04:00Sister Pat's Woodshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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During my Jr. High years I worked at Sister Pat's Woodshop with a few of the other guys from our church. This was an after-school program that this particular Catholic Church had for Jr. High-schoolers to keep them out of trouble. In the woodshop, we would make wooden objects that would eventually be sold - the proceeds going to the church. Our salary was based on our performance or should I say Sister Pat's evaluation of our performance.<br />
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<b>Sister Pat</b> = a no-nonsense, in-your-face, take no crap from nobody, serious, all business, fire you on the spot, rehire you on the same spot, tough as nails nun. This little nun was no joke! Truth is she had to be that way to deal with these inner city kids she was responsible for. In retrospect, she had a great heart - and I'm sure still does.<br />
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We had a great time there! Lots of laughing, joking and learning went on in that woodshop. There were many great memories and some not so great. But this one particular day taught me a great lesson:<br />
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As usual, we were joking around and laughing. This time it was "make fun of Sister Pat day". We made fun of everything we could think of - maybe too much! She gave us several warnings to lower our voices and control our laughter but we would continue. For a moment, she briefly walked out of the room and came back in only to catch us making fun if her. I was sure we would all hear, "Izzy, Franky, Billy, Sammy (names were changed to protect the innocent) <b>YOU'RE FIRED!"</b> as we had heard many times before. Instead she put her head down, walked toward her desk and between her weeping barely got the following words out: <b>"and you're supposed to be Christians".</b><br />
<span class="text Col-1-27" id="en-GNT-32517"><br /></span>OUCH! It was as if someone took a samurai sword and shoved it through my heart in a lower-case T motion! I would rather be fired than hear that! <strong><em>We made Sister Pat cry</em></strong>!<br />
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Since I was the PK and the oldest of our group, I eventually gathered enough courage to approach her and apologized. Things seemed to be back to normal but I learned a hard lesson that day - <b>we represent Christ wherever we go</b>! <br />
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I've heard this phrase thrown around a lot, <i><b>"you may be the only Jesus someone sees"</b></i>. When you really think about it, that's a pretty tough responsibility! There are so many people all around us depending on us: at work, school, neighborhood, grocery store and even our family gatherings. <strong><em>We MUST represent Jesus well if we are to reach those around us.</em></strong><br />
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Now some might take this to the extreme and try to shove Jesus down people's throats but I would argue that it is the little things that we do on a daily basis that will demonstrate Jesus (or the lack of Him) in us to others. Here are just 5 little things we can do:<br />
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<li><strong><em>Treat your coworkers with love even though they may not deserve it.</em></strong></li>
<li><strong><em>Work as if God was your Boss.</em></strong></li>
<li><strong><em>Say hello to your neighbors every time you see them.</em></strong></li>
<li><strong><em>Choose your words wisely around your family.</em></strong></li>
<li><strong><em>Show God's joy in you by smiling! </em></strong></li>
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These little things will open up God moments for conversations that will introduce Jesus to those around us.<br />
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As I'm reminded of this "Sister Pat" experience, I am committed to represent Him well one day at a time by asking the Holy Spirit to help me as I <a href="http://realtalkfromapk.blogspot.com/2012/10/gearing-up-for-war.html" target="_blank">"gear-up"</a> daily! <strong>I challenge you to do the same.</strong><br />
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<i><b><span class="text Col-1-27" id="en-GNT-32517">God's plan is to make known his secret to his people, this rich and glorious secret which he has for all peoples. And the secret is that Christ is in you, which means that you will share in the glory of God. </span></b></i><b><span class="text Col-1-27" id="en-GNT-32517"></span></b><span class="text Col-1-27" id="en-GNT-32517">(Colossians 1:27</span><span class="text Col-1-27" id="en-GNT-32517"> GNT)</span><i><b><span class="text Col-1-27" id="en-GNT-32517"><br /></span></b></i>Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-1612547482749311782012-10-25T01:54:00.000-04:002012-10-25T07:51:23.415-04:00Gearing Up For War<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I</span> feel like I left you hanging last week with the war thing (read <a href="http://realtalkfromapk.blogspot.com/2012/10/we-are-in-war-whether-you-like-it-or-not.html" target="_blank">We Are At War Whether You Like it or Not</a> blog). It's almost like I told you "we are in big trouble" and left you with no solution. Well the rest of Ephesians 6 explains how we should gear up for this war. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of course I am going to put a twist in it so that we can have a little fun and learn something at the same time. Now this book of Ephesians was written back in the day so they used visuals that were common then - war gear. I'm going to try to bring it to something more up-to-date and since it's football season, I will use that.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I also believe that these different war gear suggested by Paul is talking about different characteristics of the Word of God (don't try to sue me....it's my opinion & my blog). Hopefully by the end of this blog you will understand where I'm coming from.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14)</span></span></b><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2d-RKCD72Qk/UIjN3ofBFlI/AAAAAAAAARI/dM3M5MDHkHI/s1600/belt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The last thing you want to happen in a war is have your pants fall down! Talk about AWKWARD!! The Bible is also considered the Truth. We should use the Bible as a comparison tool in life - "what does the Bible say about that?" </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Breastplate or shoulder pads of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One way to kill someone in a war is to stab them in the heart. This breastplate protected that. In football, the shoulder pads protect the heart and give you confidence. The only way to be righteous before a Holy God is by His son, Jesus, who died for us for that same reason, among other things. The Bible is a love story about just that. John 1 explains more. </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shoes or cleats of the Good News (Ephesians 6:15)</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The right shoes are important for anything you do. War and football is not different. So we are to share the Good News a.k.a Jesus' sacrifice for us with everyone we can. It's what Jesus left for us to do. </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shield or stiff-arm of faith (Ephesians 6:16)</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In football there is no "shield" but you can stiff-arm a defender if they try to tackle you! Faith helps you protect yourself when your opponent tries to come against you. Faith come by hearing and hearing the, you guessed it, Word of God. </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17)</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Obviously protecting your head is important at war or in a football game -but this also includes your mind. We are continuously thinking (well some of us) and this is the perfect place to begin the attack for our opponent. This is why we should protect our minds daily! Salvation is part of that love story the Bible keeps referring to time and time again. </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sword or <span style="font-size: small;">F</span>ootball of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17)</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The sword is how we attach the <span style="font-size: small;">enemy and in football you can't score without the ball! </span>Most of us would agree that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. My thought is that Paul was doing one of his run-on sentences and when it says ", which is the Word of God" he was referring to all of the previous gear he mentioned. Once again, this is just my opinion. This is no theological conclusion (that I'm aware of). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In a nutshell, prepare for this war daily guarding your mind & heart by reading the Word of God <span style="font-size: small;">then</span> share the Good News to others. Memorize some verses so you can defend yourself against your opponent and ATTACK him with the Word of God!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>LET'S GO!! </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>GEAR UP!! </b></span></span></div>
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Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-10895469105249251052012-10-17T17:27:00.002-04:002012-10-18T06:53:45.294-04:00We Are In A War Whether You Like It Or Not<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I was in a men’s prayer one night and I felt the urge to pray for one of the men there. This man had a son in the war in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country> and it was a difficult time for him and his family. Now I’m not one to go around doing these kinds of things but this night I felt a strong conviction to do so. My plans were to go over to him, lay my right hand on his shoulder, kneel next to him and pray this powerful, spiritually-scripted prayer that would encourage even the dead – or so I thought. I gathered enough courage to go over there and pray with him but I did not anticipate what happened next. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As soon as my hand touched his shoulder, I felt this overwhelming compassion for this man and began weeping uncontrollably! It was as if his pain was transferred to me and I was able to relate for a moment with his situation. I eventually let out a brief prayer of encouragement (nothing like what I had planned) and sat back down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This experience taught me several things and I was amazed at how God works. Here I was thinking I was merely going to encourage this man who was going through a tough time in his life but God wanted to teach me something, too! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>We Are In A War Whether You Like It Or Not!<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">You see every week the church prayed for this man’s son and all the other families who had loved ones in the war in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country>. Most of us prayed but not with the same urgency as those people whose family members were over there! Although we knew there was a war going on, we were disconnected from the war since it was not as personal as those whose loved ones were actually fighting this war. When it’s personal there is a different level of prayer that is exercised… that fervent, up-against-the-wall, all-or-nothing, totally-dependent-on-God kinda prayer! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The Bible talks about a war that we are constantly fighting – a <strong>SPIRITUAL</strong> war. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">“<strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” </i>Ephesians 6:12<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Are you ready for this war? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Do you prepare yourself daily for the attacks that are inevitably coming? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">How fervent is your prayer for this war? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>I challenge you to make an effort every day to prepare for this war. Read Ephesians 6 so that you can be ready! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Whether you like it or not, <strong>WE ARE AT WAR!</strong> </span></div>
</span>Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-70980747854614581022012-10-11T08:58:00.001-04:002012-10-11T09:20:10.489-04:00Coming To America<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GCuGgXqyxgs/UHZRMpidgMI/AAAAAAAAAOE/3rkdNsjlPwU/s1600/airplane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GCuGgXqyxgs/UHZRMpidgMI/AAAAAAAAAOE/3rkdNsjlPwU/s400/airplane.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9067929776868103431">January 6</a>, 1979 was a day I will never forget. It marks a new beginning for the Cabreras - coming to America. For those that don't know, we were born in the Dominican Republic and my father wanted to bring us to America for better opportunities. When we arrived I was only 7 years old but I have vivid memories of the journey.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">I remember:</span></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Crying when I found out Magina was not coming with us. She is our "adopted" sister who helped my parents bring us up and since I was the youngest, I spent a lot of time with her.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Lidia's wooden platform-styled sandals coming off her feet and falling all the way down the stairs as we are climbing into the airplane and Isaias had to go fetch them - the joys of being the oldest! Sometimes I can close my eyes and hear the clinging sound of those things! </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Dinner on the plane (that's back when they served real dinners on planes), the choices: Chicken or Fish and how confusing this was to us. Isaias finally figured it out and explained it to us. The strong accents we had (some of us still have) still rings in my head.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">New York welcoming us with a snow storm! Our first sight of snow and yes I did attempt to eat some.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">The drive from NYC to Rochester took forever with all the snow. If that's not enough, the van we were driving lost its heat and it was cold.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">We stopped at a Burger King to eat. I can still smell the fries - well the old fries they had are better than the new ones. I took another taste of the snow there too!</span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Do you want to know what was my most vivid memory? It was us sitting in the waiting area in the Dominican Republic waiting for the people that have the authority to give us permanent residence to make their decision. You see we were all nervous about it since we were requesting 7 permanent residencies at the same time. My dad came to America before us and made the request to bring his family over - <b>ALL 7 OF THEM!</b> Not the best strategy to have since most people made request for 1 or 2 at a time. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">I remember the couple that entered before us being denied and they were only 2!! The lady was in tears!! Then it was our turn. Before I tell you what happened (which may be obvious but just humor me for a moment), I did a little research on some immigration politics that were going on behind the scenes without us even realizing this. Check this out: </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span data-mce-style="line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">(From Wiki) The </span><b data-mce-style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Federation for American Immigration Reform</b><span data-mce-style="line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"> (FAIR) is a non-profit </span>tax exempt<span data-mce-style="line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"> organization in the </span>United States<span data-mce-style="line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"> that advocates changes in U.S. immigration policy that would result in significant </span>reductions in immigration<span data-mce-style="line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">, both legal and illegal. <i><b>It was founded on January 2, 1979</b></i>. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span data-mce-style="line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Their mission:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span data-mce-style="line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">FAIR advocates "7 Principles of True Comprehensive Immigration Reform":</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span data-mce-style="line-height: 19px; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<dl><dd><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Reduce the flow of immigrants</span></span></dd><dd><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. No legalization</span></span></dd><dd><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. No Guest-Worker Program</span></span></dd><dd><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Protect Wages and Standards of Living</span></span></dd><dd><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. More Enforcement</span></span></dd><dd><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">6. No Asylum</span></span></dd><dd><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">7. Immigration Time Out (Very strict immigration only for "a narrowly focused refugee resettlement program" and limit family reunification each year)</span></span></dd></dl>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span data-mce-style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">(Back to me) During the late 1970's there were a lot of immigrants coming to America and the US was not making it easy for anyone to come in. This organization was established specifically for this. <b>BUT GOD HAD OTHER PLANS FOR OUR FAMILY!</b> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span data-mce-style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span data-mce-style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">So there we were waiting for the verdict... they allowed ALL of us to come to America with no problems at all!! WooHoo!! Did we slip through the cracks?? Was it a coincidence?? I don't think so. You may be thinking that it is not a big deal. <i><b>But I know it was a miracle!</b></i> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span data-mce-style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span data-mce-style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">I asked my mom recently to relive the experience with me and she told me that the night before our appointment with the decision makers, we had our devotional time (check out the Legacy blogs so you can fully understand the "devotional time"). Loida was asked to pray for our meeting and she felt from God that we were going to be able to come to America. She was right! God is faithful!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">If you are going to be confronting someone of "importance" to speak on your own behalf whether it is for a job interview, a teacher/professor, a judge, or what ever it may be. Remember that God is with you and will help you get through this situation if you allow Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span data-mce-style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span data-mce-style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"><span class="text Luke-12-11-Luke-12-12" id="en-MSG-10907"><i><b>"When they drag you into their meeting places, or into police courts and before judges, don’t worry about defending yourselves—what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes." </b></i>Luke 12:11-12 (MSG)</span></span></span></span>Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-71946286974659267082012-10-03T19:30:00.000-04:002012-10-03T19:30:48.492-04:00Living The Dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DdnvWZzRsuM/UGzJt6kt5nI/AAAAAAAAAN0/JM0odeHc52k/s1600/living.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DdnvWZzRsuM/UGzJt6kt5nI/AAAAAAAAAN0/JM0odeHc52k/s320/living.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm sitting in the dealership thinking to myself, "why didn't I have a better answer for him? My life is better than that..." You see my ex-coworker came up to me with his little arrogant smile and asked, "how's it going, Ish?" I replied, "good". To which he replied "that's it?" and I had nothing! Did he catch me off guard? Was I not in the mood for conversations? I don't know what happened but the words escaped me.
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Of course his reply is always an arrogant, "GREAT! I'm living the dream!!!!!" (dude if you happen to be reading this I won't tell who you are if you won't - keep reading though!)
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What does that even mean? Who's "dream" are we living? Is it the infamous "American Dream" with the wife, 2.5 kids, a dog, a cat, 2 cars, a white picket fenced house, the pursuit of happiness and success/status? Or is it bigger than that? </div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">There is this perception of living the "world's" dream - usually involves possessions, success, money, power or influence, and "happiness". All of these things are great to have - wouldn't you agree? </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But that can't be all there is to life. How do I know?? I'm glad you asked! Well there are many people that have these things and yet they are not happy - some even commit suicide!! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">Besides, there is an after life that does not include any of that stuff - heaven or hell. So living this dream would be living limited to this world. I believe God has bigger dreams than this. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's my take on this dream thing:</span></div>
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<li><u><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">Hope</b></u> - God is our hope. This is the foundation of His Dream for us. There is a "space" in all of us that can only be fulfilled with God. He made us this way...PURPOSELY! But we try to fill it with other things such as: work, love of money, drugs, alcohol, sexual sin, etc.
<br />We need to stay connected to this Hope to keep His dream alive in us. <i><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">"I depend on God alone; I put my hope in him." (Psalm 62:5 GNT)</b></i></li>
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<li><b><u style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">Family</u></b> - united in: spirit, love, peace, joy, supporting each other, serving each other and God. This includes extended family, also. If the family is healthy, the church is healthy, the community is healthy and the world is healthy. <i><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">"but as for me and my house, we will serve The Lord" (Joshua 24:15 AMP)</b></i></li>
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<li><u><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">Community</b></u> - this part includes the church. We are made to belong to a body. This is where we find additional support and we use our God-given gifts to serve others. "<i><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." (Ephesians <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9067929776868103431"></a><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">4:16</a> NLT)</b></i></li>
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<li><b><u style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">Joy</u></b> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- there is a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness = a state of being happy or contentment. Joy = a metaphoric oasis of peace and love (as defined in wiki). The <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bible repeatedly talks about the joy of The Lord. W</span>hen you have this joy you don't wait for the circumstances around you to be positive but inspite of the circumstances you have joy. "</span><b><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">You love him, although you have not seen him, and you believe in him, although you do not now see him. So you rejoice with a great and glorious joy which words cannot express," (1 Peter 1:8 GNT) </i></b></li>
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Interestingly enough, I watched this documentary yesterday that my sister-in-law suggested (thanks Kim) and it spoke about similar concepts. The documentary was about a bunch of doctors studying happiness and they found that people are happier when they believe in something and have strong family and community activities. I wrote this blog before I saw this documentary. Things that make you go hmmm! </div>
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So getting back to my ex-coworker with his "living the dream" phrase... If I have the opportunity to redeem myself, I would say, "I have hope...THE HOPE ... Jesus my Savior! He has given me His unexplainable JOY. I have a beautiful, loving, united FAMILY that loves God and people. We BELONG to an awesome church COMMUNITY and are CONNECTED as we SERVE unto The Lord! </div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">I'M LIVING THE DREAM! </span><br />
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<i><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.0078125);">The
thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in
order that you might have life—life in all its fullness. (John <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9067929776868103431" id="" target="_blank">10:10</a> GNT)</b></i></div>
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Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-91561341769873042582012-09-26T21:35:00.000-04:002012-09-26T21:35:45.673-04:00OBEDIENCE > sacrifice!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>“</b><i><b>What is more pleasing to the </b></i></span></span><i><b><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">:</span></span> <span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">your
burnt offerings and sacrifices </span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">or
your obedience to his voice? </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Listen!
<span style="color: red;">Obedience</span> is better than <span style="color: red;">sacrifice</span>,</span></span> <span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span></b></i><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><b>and
submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22</b></i></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For the last few months this verse (well part
of this verse) has been ringing in my head: “<span style="color: red;">OBEDIENCE </span>is better than sacrifice”.
It sounds so pretty and righteous to say….but what exactly does it mean? That,
my friend, is the million dollar question! You see this same phrase can mean different
things to different people – God loves to do that! He can use the same message to
speak to people in different ways.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For some:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">OBEDIENCE </span>= attending church for the first
time & having a relationship with God</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sacrifice = thinking that being a good person
is enough to please “God”</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Others:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">OBEDIENCE </span>= getting involved in your church;
use your gifts to serve in the house</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sacrifice = attending church is enough</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yet others:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">OBEDIENCE </span>= giving your tithes regularly to God
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sacrifice = giving to the people that ring
the bell during Christmas is enough</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I'm not sure what <span style="color: red;">OBEDIENCE </span>vs sacrifice looks like for you. You will have to figure that out on your own. I can tell you that God is always looking to stretch our FAITH in one way or another.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For me it’s simple, yet difficult all in one….
this “blog” thing is very easy for me to do. I can sit here and write stories
till my fingers turn blue…stories and writing (well not including grammar)
come effortlessly to me. The difficult part is sending out the Twitter and Facebook reminders to my friends. You see it is out of character for me to ask
people for things. It’s something my parents taught me when I was young and it
has been instilled in my heart – perhaps to the extreme - or maybe this is
just how God wired me. So when I felt from God to write these blogs, I was excited. When
I felt from God to send it out several times a day – not so much! </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HgTCf-6pOfM/UGOcjJHRhDI/AAAAAAAAALM/-PxSl21y3vc/s1600/angel-devil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HgTCf-6pOfM/UGOcjJHRhDI/AAAAAAAAALM/-PxSl21y3vc/s1600/angel-devil.jpg" /></a><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Every week when I am about to send the
blog out, I get this devil / angel fight on either shoulder. The conversation
goes a little like this:</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Devil: <i>“who do you think you are to send out these
blogs? You are not important!”</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Angel: <i>“you are a son of the Most High, coheir with Christ!”</i> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Devil: <i>“people are gonna laugh at you…hahaha!”</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Angel: <i>“God is smiling down on you when you
send it”</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Devil:<i> “this is dumb…a waste of time! You already
do enough for God! Relax!”</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Angel: <i>“<span style="color: red;">OBEDIENCE </span>is better than sacrifice”</i></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><b><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So when you see my Twitter / FB reminders,
remember this:</span></span></b></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">OBEDIENCE ></span></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">sacrifice!</span></span></span></b></span></div>
Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-69146956058063820692012-09-19T18:15:00.001-04:002012-09-20T23:20:15.488-04:00Cabrera Legacy Part III: The Family That Prays Together<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Now… where did I leave off? Oh yea… that awesome song! After singing this awesome song (you’re gonna need to read Cabrera Legacy <a href="http://realtalkfromapk.blogspot.com/2012/09/cabrera-legacy-part-i-bible-verse.html" target="_blank">Part I</a> and <a href="http://realtalkfromapk.blogspot.com/2012/09/cabrera-legacy-part-ii-annoying-song.html" target="_blank">Part II</a> to follow), we hold hands and my dad asks if anyone has any special prayer requests. We would pray for everybody and their momma – people from church, family, neighbors, you name it… we prayed for them. I remembered how we would always pray for the family members that were not in the house that night… even the ones who had gotten married and moved out! Prayer has always been the foundation of our family’s DNA (we’ll talk about that in another blog). Then last, but not least, the good ol’ Cabrera hug. Now there are all kinds of hugs: bro hugs, BFF hugs, friendly hugs, there are even some that should be illegal! But this one is the icing on the cake of this devotional time. We hug and then give each other 2 simultaneous taps on the upper back followed immediately by 2 simultaneous taps...um... well on the butt. Now that’s showin’ sum luv! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So, why all this talk about a family devotional time? I strongly believe that while we were in those devotional times laughing, goofing around, learning about the bible, and praying for each other, God was implementing a Legacy that would live in our hearts for years to come! Out of this one family devotional came 5 family devotionals with their own twists from my brothers and sisters and their families. Our prayer is that our kids will also have their own family devotional memories with their own twists – and so on and so on! I have even heard people from church that happened to be at my parent’s house around the 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM time and were “persuaded” to stay for the devotional time who now have their own family devotional time. <b><i>My parents with their sweet, loving, generous and humble hearts began a Legacy that will live on for years to come! </i></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BTnJqmHvPWc/UFkgXUXfHpI/AAAAAAAAAK8/PdYLCsOdKxE/s1600/family2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BTnJqmHvPWc/UFkgXUXfHpI/AAAAAAAAAK8/PdYLCsOdKxE/s320/family2.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As I was thinking about these family devotional times we had with our parents I was challenged to have intentional family devotional times where my wife and kids can have fun, laugh, learn about God’s Word and have memories that will inspire our children to do the same with their families. There’s this saying, <i><b>“the family that prays together, stays together”</b></i> and I believe it….. not because it sounds pretty…. but because I lived it! My wife and I decided to put up a reminder in our room not too long ago to help us stay focused on this. I would’ve tattooed it on my arm but I don’t like needles. Besides, the words would probably not make sense when I got older and wrinkled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So I challenge you today…<i><b>what Legacy are you leaving behind for your children?</b></i> It’s never too late to start.</span></div>
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<b><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Acts 4:32-33</span></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">"The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn’t even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That’s mine; you can’t have it.” They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them."</span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></div>
Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-80751496745561992242012-09-12T00:30:00.000-04:002012-09-12T06:14:39.048-04:00Cabrera Legacy Part II: The Annoying SongSo there we were....same circle, same night, same family devotional (read <a href="http://realtalkfromapk.blogspot.com/2012/09/cabrera-legacy-part-i-bible-verse.html" target="_blank">previous blog</a> to catch-up)....my dad had just finished reciting his memory verse when, out of the blue, my mom busts out with her favorite song of all time (at least that's what it seemed like). She LOVED singing this song during our devotional time! It never got old for her. She would close her eyes and begin leading this song before anyone could choose another song. As soon as she began singing, I thought to myself, <b>"not that annoying song again!"</b> (Just being REAL). Eventually, we all began singing along - as if we had a choice. Before you knew it, we were all having a grand ol' time! Laughing, singing and trying to see how many different harmonies we could make out of that circus-like music song. And just when you thought it was over, she would begin again from the top. If any of you have ever been over the Cabrera's house during our devotional time, you know what song I'm talking about! Ready to sing along? Here we go:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VXtFaFDGfOw/UE644yxl9pI/AAAAAAAAAKs/LXjNUgBva5k/s1600/singing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VXtFaFDGfOw/UE644yxl9pI/AAAAAAAAAKs/LXjNUgBva5k/s1600/singing.jpg" /></a><br />
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Ok for those that don't understand <span lang="ES-DO" style="mso-ansi-language: ES-DO;">Español</span>, use Google Translate! Ha! JK! Here is the translation:<br />
<br />
In the home, in the home, you need Jesus.<br />
You will see how happy you will live with Jesus in the home. <br />
<br />
<br />
I must say it sounds much better in Spanish - some songs were just not made to be translated. Any ways, until about 2 weeks ago, this was just an "annoying" song to me. Then it hit me one night while I was preparing for this blog!! I understood why my mom was so happy singing this song - and to be REAL with you, I felt convicted while tears ran down my face as I reminisced this moment. You see she understood that these weren't just words of a song that we were singing....she was declaring these words over our lives without us even realizing it! Eyes closed...clapping to the circus-like beat...singing loud and proud...with a smile on her face...her family around her in a circle singing alone - what more could a mother ask for? It was as if she was in another world with her God as she sang her favorite song. <b>Yet deep in her heart, I'm convinced, she knew that this song would ring in our hearts for a very long time!</b> She was right! <br />
<br />
I called my mom this week to ask about this "annoying" song. This is how it went down:<br />
<br />
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<b>Me:</b> Mami, do you remember that song that you would always sing during our devotional time?<br />
<b>Mom:</b> En el hogar! (all excited without letting me finish the sentence)<br />
<b>Me:</b> Yep. That's the one! Why do you like that song so much?<br />
<b>Mom: </b>Oh my son (poetically) because it's important to have Jesus as the center of our home! Without Jesus, we are nothing....our home is nothing! (then she began to sing the last part of the song)<br />
<br />
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<b><i><span lang="ES-DO" style="mso-ansi-language: ES-DO;">También nosotros por
la fe, nos acercamos Cristo a ti. Aunque tu rostro no se ve, sabemos que
tu estas aquí.</span></i></b><br />
<i></i><br />
Translation:<br />
By faith, we also draw closer to you, Christ. And although we can't see your face, we know that you are here.<br />
<br />
BTW: This song is not so "annoying" to me anymore! :) <br />
<br />
<b><i>Psalm 126:2</i></b><br />
<b><i>Our mouths were filled with laughter,</i></b><br />
<b><i>our tongues were will with songs of joy.</i></b><br />
<b><i>Then it was said among the nations,</i></b><br />
<b><i>"The Lord has done great things for them." </i></b><br />
<br />
SHE GOT IT!!Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-11231405386993323842012-09-05T00:13:00.000-04:002012-09-05T00:13:33.805-04:00Cabrera Legacy Part I: The Bible Verse<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
Let me set the scene:<br />
<br />
My mom, dad, brothers and sisters are all sitting in a circle in our living room. We just finished reading Romans 8 and now it's time to recite our Bible verse. My oldest brother has just finished saying his 10-sentence memory verse from one of Paul's letters (SHOW-OFF) and now all eyes are on me! My hands are sweaty, heart beating a million miles-per-second and my face is red. With a big gulp and thinking "here goes nothing", I let it out:<br />
<br />
(En Español of course) "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! Proverbs 6:6" Before I could even finish, everyone questioned in unison, "AGAIN?!?!" I responded with "that's all I got" and we all begin to laugh. You see this was my favorite Bible verse when I was a kid mainly because during our family devotional time, we had to recite a Bible verse and John 3:16 was not an option. So I went to the book of Proverbs (not for wisdom but for easy verses). I found this "ant" verse... read it... memorized and made it my own!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M71MXCTOJeM/UEaJBQv0XjI/AAAAAAAAAKU/9WgMYaAVb0k/s1600/ant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M71MXCTOJeM/UEaJBQv0XjI/AAAAAAAAAKU/9WgMYaAVb0k/s1600/ant.jpg" /></a>Now we all know that nothing just happens by coincidence, right? So what was God trying to tell me about an "ant" that was so important? After all, to me ants were merely victims of The Giant Man (me) who loved to squish little villagers (them) - or an occasional science experiment that involved a magnifying glass and the sun. Well this little ant is worth taking a look at (according to this Proverb). They are admired for their hard work-ethics and wise planning. Could it be that God was trying to prepare my work-ethics for what would become a difficult road ahead for me? You see every job I have ever had I have had to work hard to be successful - I didn't get anything handed down to me based on "who I know". I believe this verse was rooted in my heart and would rise-up during these difficult times in different jobs that I had. Coincident? I think NOT!<br />
<br />
<i><b>"So faith come by hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ". Romans 10:17 (NLT)</b></i><br />
<br />
I had a chance to interview my daughter and asked her what her favorite Bible verse was since she memorized a bunch of them. Here answer - Deuteronomy 31:6 "So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (SHOW-OFF)!<br />
<br />
<b>What was your favorite Bible verse growing up?</b><br />
<br />
I'd love to hear from you! Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-72548650438793060912012-08-29T00:06:00.000-04:002012-09-13T22:41:37.764-04:00The Fatboy In Dodgeball Theory<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0h83pVe9hHk/UD1BhQzjBOI/AAAAAAAAAJc/TOzkiR72j9M/s1600/pickingteams-1024x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0h83pVe9hHk/UD1BhQzjBOI/AAAAAAAAAJc/TOzkiR72j9M/s400/pickingteams-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Who can ever forget gym class in
high school when everyone would line up against the wall and await the dreaded
team selection? No one wanted to be that person picked last because of their
lack of skill and/or appearance - or as I like to call it "the fatboy in
dodgeball theory". Now this theory is not about being overweight but about
being disqualified by others based on your outer appearance or because you are not part of the popularity
circle. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was blessed with some fair
athletic abilities and had plenty of friends in gym class so this wasn't an
issue for me. However, as an adult, I was invited to play basketball
with a group of people who did not know me. During the warm-up/shoot around, I
noticed I was one of the better players on the gym - not tooting my own horn
but TOOT! TOOT! :) Any ways.... As team selection began, I was sure to be
first, second or third choice worst case scenario but NOOOOOOO! Dead last! I
mean SERIOUSLY?! One guy shot the ball as if he wasn't sure if he was right or
left handed! Side note..... I am kinda competitive. So I played as hard, fast
and best as I knew how! By the end of the game I had 11 out of the 15 points, 4
steals, 8 rebounds (mostly off my own misses) and 5 dunks!!! Ok maybe not the
dunks but the rest were true. Ha! I showed them, huh? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I would soon find out that this
"fatboy in dodgeball theory" is common practice in the workplace
where I was passed up for several positions based on popularity or the lack
there of. Then time and time again throughout life even in the - brace yourself
- CHURCH! Yes! This PK was the victim of the "fatboy in dodgeball
theory" in church! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do you know who else was a victim of
the "fatboy in dodgeball theory" in the bible? One of my
favorites… David (1 Samuel 16). Long story short... God tells Samuel that the
next king would come out of the household of Jesse, David's father. So Jesse rounds-up
all his sons except David because he didn't think he was good enough – “he’s
just shepherd boy”. Wow! That is just SO wrong in SO many levels!! Disqualified
by his father, of all people! Eventually, Samuel asked Jesse to bring David and
anointed him. Even after being anointed, David went back to taking care of
the sheep. That little shepherd boy would become one of the
greatest kings Israel ever had! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You know what sticks out to me from
that story? David's humility... He could have had a conceited heart toward his
father and brothers at that moment - "Ha! I showed them"!
But instead he went back to taking care of the sheep for about 13 years after
he was anointed until he eventually became king. But during those 13 years God
was with David. He played the harp with such anointing that evil spirits would
flee… defeated a giant with a slingshot… defeated a lion with his bare hands…
just to name a few things. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Like King David, we have a choice to
make when we fall victim to the "fatboy in dodgeball theory". We can complain
and give up or we can work harder and keep living life to the fullest. Continue
to use your God-given gifts His perfect timing comes for your life. Go take
care of those sheep like King David did. Only you know what that may look like –
for me it’s writing these blogs. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But the Lord said to Samuel,
"Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.
The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward
appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV)</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-72079293375093999352012-08-22T20:24:00.000-04:002012-09-13T22:41:14.276-04:00Checkmate!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIKN8b-DI7U/UDV3uhHARYI/AAAAAAAAAI8/C3t7HTM8BsQ/s1600/chessboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIKN8b-DI7U/UDV3uhHARYI/AAAAAAAAAI8/C3t7HTM8BsQ/s400/chessboard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
According to Wikipedia, "Chess is a game played by two people on a
chessboard, with sixteen pieces (of six different types) for each
player. Each type of piece moves in a distinct way. The goal of the game
is to checkmate, i.e. to threaten the opponent's king with inevitable
capture. Games do not necessarily end with checkmate – players often
resign if they believe they will lose." Chess is a game that involves a
lot of thinking, strategy and skill. There are people who are really
good at it and are considered experts. Still others are considered chess
masters due to their skill level being above the experts.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br clear="none" /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
According to me, when God was giving out the "chess skills" He
skipped right over me! I remember my cousin who happens to be pretty
good at chess was attempting to teach me his skills. After a while of
humiliating wrong moves, I finally gave up and gave my cousin the chair.
Somehow, he came back and won that miserable game! The only thing I
could think at that moment was "how does he do that"? Clearly he is a
much better chess player than me - I will run circles around him in some
basketball though :)</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br clear="none" /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
So many times in my life God has shown me how He is the Chess
Master of my life. Just like those who play chess strategically move
those pieces around the chessboard in an attempt to "checkmate" their
opponent (don't even know if I use the term right), God strategically
orchestrates our lives to help us win against our opponent! Even when we
mess up like I did my game, God steps in (kinda like my cousin only a
million times better) and makes an unexpected move in our lives that
leave us wondering "how does He do that"!</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br clear="none" /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Maybe you are going through a season in your life where you don't
know what next move to make or perhaps you have messed up in life and
feel like there is no way out. Let the Chess Master take your seat at
the chessboard for a while and watch how He changes your game around!</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br clear="none" /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b><i>"Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting,
God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how
or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us,
making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us
far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and
keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every
detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good."
Romans 8:26-28 (MSG)</i></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b><i><br clear="none" /></i></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b><i>Checkmate!</i></b></div>
Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-12492299752513126022012-08-16T20:36:00.001-04:002012-09-13T22:40:50.056-04:00I Am A PK...<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BzPhQ26odf0/UC2KKLMod0I/AAAAAAAAAIs/oKsYz8xK_88/s1600/family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BzPhQ26odf0/UC2KKLMod0I/AAAAAAAAAIs/oKsYz8xK_88/s400/family.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
My parents were born in the Dominican Republic
and were believers from a young age. They studied in the Assemblies Of God bible institute and
became pastors – pay attention, this is foreshadowing!! They
were married in their 20’s and decided to have a family right away – plus they didn’t have Facebook back then. Unfortunately, they were not able to have kids but they never gave up hope and continuously prayed to God
for a miracle.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
After being married for about 10 years, a friend of the family
prayed over them and declared that God would give them children. Not too long
after that my parents had their first son, Jose – followed by Lidia, Josue,
Loida, Benjamin and Ismael. Just in case you are struggling with the math, that makes 6 kids - all healthy and serving
God. I am the youngest of these 6 kids… I am a PK (Pastor’s Kid). </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Sometimes I wonder what life would have been like if the
Cabrera kids would have been born 10 years earlier. Would we all still be
serving God? Would we all be alive? How much did those 10 years of prayer
affect my parent’s faith journey? These are all great questions that I am sure
God will have great answers to when I get to heaven. All I know is that God has
a purpose for everything He does – that’s a whole other blog for another day!!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
This is just one of many miracles that my family and I
have experienced. I don’t want to hog all those great miracles and not share
them with my friends and family! I am going to tell the world (or at least
those who read my blogs) about what He has done in my life! My desire is that
somehow as I share these miracle stories with you, it will encourage you to
trust in a God that is not only able to do miracles for my life but for your
life, too!</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“So each generation should set its hope anew
on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles</i></b></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></b></span><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and
obeying his commands.” Psalm 78:7</i></b></span></div>
Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9067929776868103431.post-81537502765037769842012-08-09T20:29:00.000-04:002013-03-11T07:16:56.890-04:00Don't Believe The Hype!<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Till this day, I love hearing
my mom tell this story: </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
(En <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">español </span>of course) Once upon a time there was this little boy who
was born with a heart murmur and spent a week in an incubator due to a
respiratory illness during birth. When he was six months old, this little
boy was sick with a throat ache/infection. His mom gave him penicillin to cure
the throat ache/infection not knowing the little boy was allergic to this drug.
The little boy stopped breathing, eyes turned in his eyelids and his skin
turned blue – not a good thing. In a panic, the little boy’s mom grab the boy
and called (more like screamed) at her husband who was in the shower. With a
towel around his waist, the husband comes out of the shower, snatches the boy from
his wife’s hands and orders her and the rest of the kids to begin to pray. He carried
his baby boy into his room and kneels down at his bedside praying to God to
revive his little boy. With the mom and the rest of the kids crying and praying in
the background, he prayed for what seemed to be an eternity. Eventually, this
man of faith brings out his handsome baby boy back to the rest of the family.
His color was back to normal and he was healthier than before this incident.</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
That little boy was me. And
while this story should serve as an encouragement to me, for a long time I
struggled with lies of the enemy insisting that I should have remain dead. Every failure,
every time I felt weak, and every opportunity he could use, I would
hear “you shouldn’t be alive right now” “God wanted you dead” “What was your
dad thinking praying for you?” “That’s why you are going through so much stuff”.
I even heard a few “you should end it now” thoughts! </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
One night while I was
struggling with these lies, I got down on my knees and prayed to God. He gave
me a “glimpse” of my father kneeling down on his bed praying for me. Then God
reminded me:</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah
29:11</i></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
You see I had heard that
verse before but that night it made complete sense! I hope it does for you,
too!</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
What lies is the enemy
telling you? “You don’t fit in” “you don’t belong” “you should end your life”?
Whatever it is…Don’t believe the hype! God has “greater” plans for you!</div>
</div>
Ismaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15170396520393247052noreply@blogger.com3