My Commitments for 2010

Good morning, afternoon or evening!

I have realized this year, more than ever, that I serve a God who can handle all my needs. A God that I should turn to and have neglected at times. It has hurt both me physically, spiritually, and emotionally the amount of stress I have had to undertake. Some by choice and some by not.

It has caused me to reflect on what I want, need and am guided to do as Leader in my home, work, and ministry. Therefore, I am publicly making my commitment in hopes of encouraging people in leadership roles to improve their lifestyle and have healthy relationships. Here they are, in no particular order.

1. Manage my marriage by having a monthly date night

For many of you in ministry, you may struggle with this. You want to serve others in the church so bad because you have a passion for God that it neglects this area. I have a wonderful relationship with my wife. She is loving, supporting and puts up with me. She deserves alot of applause for being married to me...you can only imagine some of the things she has to put with. But I must admit, that I need to pay more attention to her...by this I mean to love her more than when I met her. Sometimes....no most times....ministry hinders this area. I can't be a good leader if I don't lead in my marriage. So I am making marriage a priority and making sure I spend quality time with her which means...no text, Facebook, or email message during that time.

2. Stop procrastinating at work, home, school, church...and any other areas.

You can ask any of my children...I confess I am a procrastinator. Being a procrastinator is good in some respects. It puts you under stress and allows you to perform better because time is not on your side. However, it also allows me to push things aside that need my attention and this can be both dangerous and disastrous. I am ready to move forward in this area and also learn when I need to put my foot down or just need to make a decision to get me where I need to go. I am sure those of you in leadership have problems with this area. Please tell me I am not the only one?

3. Connect with my children regularly through cards letters and phones calls

When a man neglects his family, how can he manage God's church. My family has expanded over the years. I have two daughters and one son. One daughter moved to Texas with my two grandchildren and son-in-law. My son is in the military and has been away more from me this year than in his entire life. My other daughter, son-in-law, and grandson live nearby. But no matter where they are...far or near...I still need to communicate with them. I need to call, email, text, write a letter or spend time with them. I need to maintain my relationship with them and remind them that I continually love them even when it hurts. Children are a precious gift from God (grandchildren are too....you can always send them back to mom and dad) and I need to make sure that I connect regularly with them.

4. Develop my leadership team by challenging them even when it hurts.

Our church leadership struggled this year. We went through some serious spiritual battles. In some cases, this really hurt all of us. We struggled to work together on getting what was an important action to do. I am going to challenge them. I am going to follow up with them. I am going to ask them to make some changes. I am going to ask them to reevaluate themselves and then their ministry. A "gut check" is in order. I think evaluation is often neglected when it comes to ministry. I like to think that I regularly evaluate myself. I have to listen and learn from others and I expect my leaders to do the same and to be honest with themselves on what they did well and what can they improve in 2010. A good part of that means, I need to lead them. I need to take them to the place God wants them to be. They will be stretched this year...by that I don't meaning doing more with less...but I mean to stretch them where God wants to put them. Things that they thought were impossible, become possible. Maybe it is creativity, fundraising, partnering with others but they have to make changes. Don't worry guys...I will ask my leaders to read this. I love you Leadership Team!

5. Pray...pray...pray by praying every morning even when I don't feel like it.

My Senior Pastor told me that I need to be a man of prayer. It is where we go to God and communicate with Him and Him with us. It is an area that I struggle regularly to do. Doing it on a regular basis will challenge me to be more disciplined and focused. I pray randomly. I don't have a specific time. There is nothing wrong with this, but I think that this year I am going to get out of my box and step into an area that will make me feel uncomfortable. So God...ready or not...here I come!

6. Improve my health by eating right and exercising regularly.

I have had alot of unusual health problem in 2009. Hurt my back. Discovered I have acid reflux. Cholesterol and blood sugar is not where it should be. I am also overweight. I have less energy and do not have a desire to exercise. That has got to change. If I am to be fully functional and to be used by God, I need to be eating right and exercising more. This is something totally out of my element. I am an "office guy", I sit down all day on the computer. No exercise there. That is changing.

What commitments will you make this year? I hope mine are helpful and challenging to you!

Unexpected

Unexpected
The Christmas Story-Part 1
December 6, 2009
CornerStone Baptist Church
Pastor Waldo Barela

The Christmas Story is familiar to everyone. We can remember the final scene at the manger. But before we get to the final scene, we must remember the other events that took place. This wasn’t an ordinary child, this was God’s Child. He would enter the world God’s way.

For me, sometime life is routine. I get up, shower, get dressed, maybe eat breakfast and then head off to the train station. I wait for my train which is usually on time, sit in the same spot, reading the same book and then take a nap before I go to work.

But on this one particular occasion, I headed outside of my house to get into my car. As I began to leave, I noticed some yellow circles about 3 inches round. It looked a little splatter on our van. Then I notice another and then another. I noticed more on the second story window of my house and some of the yellow splatter marks on the garage door. We had been paint balled. My routine was over, because the unexpected happen.

When the unexpected happens, we get angry, hurt, and disappointed. We get into this rut of unbelief and a period of anger. Has something unexpected happen to your life? Perhaps the unexpected happen to you, when you lost a job or the house you lived in. Perhaps the unexpected happen to you, when you saw your child’s report card and saw the 4th and 6th letters of the alphabet on there. Perhaps the unexpected happen to you, when someone was struck with a severe illness or health problems. Perhaps the unexpected happens to you, as you find yourself struggling to meet your finances. Perhaps the unexpected has happened to you when you got up to go to work and you have a flat tire. We are not immune from unexpected events in our lives. They happen and we can all relate to some of the things I said. How are you going to respond to these events? Joy! Hurt! Disappointment! Struggle with your faith.

One of the Christmas Stories tells us of a man who would get the shock of his life. The woman he loved and was married to would give him news he didn’t expect. What news was it? How did he deal with the unexpected? Let’s find out in Matthew 1:18-24 and read a scene from the Christmas Story.

18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, Let’s stop there. Joseph has an agreement a contract to get married to Mary. A young woman, possibly 14 or 15 years of age. It is Joseph who has fallen madly in love with this woman. He plans on spending every moment of his life with her. Joseph and Mary together forever. Indeed, Joseph was a proud husband to be with a skilled job as a carpenter. Perhaps Joseph imagined the many children they would have together and raise together. Oh….what a joyous marriage this would be. Let’s read on.

but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
In modern terms, we say OMG. Oh My Gosh! How could this be? My woman is having a baby. It is not mine. How can this be? Doesn’t she love me? Doesn’t she know what this will do to her? I never expected for this happen! It is not my fault. I am a righteous man, how can this happen. What am I going to do? Wait a minute, I have an idea. I can ask for a divorce. That’s it! I can get out of this agreement. But I want to do the right thing. I don’t want Mary and her family to be shamed. So here is what I will do.

19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

Joseph was going to get out of this agreement somehow. He was going to do it in a way that would allow his reputation to continue and for Mary and him to separate quietly out of the public’s eye. He was working through the unexpected the way we handle these problems. We take the easy way out. We solve it the way any reasonable human being would solve it. It would be quick. I am going to divorce myself from the unexpected. I am not going to deal with it and watch it go away. The problem will take care of itself. I am going to remove this person out of my life even thought we have been friends from 15 years. I am just going to continue live my life in the same old way. I don’t’ need to make any changes. The wisdom that Joseph used was his way. But look at what happens next.

20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

Joseph…here is the deal. This woman Mary who you are scheduled to be married with well you are going to marry her. Take her home to be your wife. Here is the reason Joseph, the Holy Spirit (God) has given Mary a son. Not only that his name is to be Jesus. God has sent Him to save His people from their sins.

22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."

God intended for His son to have a mother and father. To have that motherly influence, but also the fatherly influence. Joseph has an important role in the Christmas Story. He had faced a surprise that he would not expect. But God showed him what he was to do. Look at how Joseph responds.

24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. Matthew 1:18-24 (NIV)

The story of Joseph teaches us to Listen, Love and Learn when the unexpected happens. Joseph looked for the easy way out (divorce). We look for the easy way out as well. But Joseph listened to God’s messenger, the angel. He took in what he said. And he loved Mary and married her. He married the woman he loved. But he also learned something. He learned how important it was to follow the steps that God wanted in his life. He followed the path that was put in front of him. He never forgot that experience. Someone listened to Joseph tell his side of The Christmas Story. How can you listen, love and learn today?

What if as parents, we paid closer attention to the needs of our children. What could we listen, love and learn about them? What if as students, we began to listen, love and learn from our teachers. How much more can we become educated in class and in life? What if we as a church begin to listen, love and learn from our community? How much better can we serve them?

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Ballons and decorations for bday

Broken Down

My first car was a small Toyota pick up. It was brand new and it lasted me for a very long time. But when I began to have a family, I discoverd that I needed something that would transportate us around easily.

My dad traded with me for a used car. It was big big car. It was as solid as a tank and got the same gas mileage as a tank. It had power windows and red red interior on the inside. The roof lining was falling down, touching my head and blocking the rearview mirror. It was old, it was broken down. At one point, the gas pedal was stuck on the freeway and I had to shift gears while it was idling to get us home.

When I was young things were working well. I was healthy, I made good money and I did it well for a very long time. But as life continued on, I became more and more like a used car. I had some dents, some of my body parts seemed to be falling apart, and the engine seemed to be idling high, but in reality it was not working. I was broken down.

When your car or life breaks down, it is our nature to fix it. We start fixing it from the inside, so that our outside can be improved. Recently, I have come to some break downs. Some disappoint in myself, others, and the tasks that we have failed. I am broken down, because I have caused myself to be apart from Chirst.

I need to start over, I need to have a NEW LIFE. I need to challenge myself, others, my church, my community and all those that I have an impact on. I need to live, digest, and tell the message no matter what my circumstances are the Message needs to get out so we can conquer being broken down.

And don't forget to pray for me. Pray that I'll know what to say and have
the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all,
the
Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting
out. Ephesians 6:19-20 (The Message)

Do you want to broken down or do you want to know how to be new?

13

We are in October and the time where haunted houses, ghosts, witches and superstitions are predominate in our community. People invest a lot in the "mystery" of some things they do not understand. The most common fear is of the number "13"called Triskaidekaphobia.

But for me and my wife, that number is a blessing. You see, it had been 13 weeks since we last saw our son on July 12, 2009. He went to join the United States Marine Corps. While we could not speak to him (except for 30 seconds in the very beginning) during boot camp, we constantly wrote letters. We could not wait to hear from him. The stories on how he was doing, how he was adjusting to military life, the making of new friends, was warmly welcomed as we checked the mailbox daily.

Finally, the day arrived. The 13 weeks was over on October 8th and 9th. We got to see our son. It was something I had been secretly longing for. To see my son...my one and only son. On October 9, he was able to come home and share the stories. Share his experiences and finally not be told what to do.

When you wait to see someone you love, the number 13 is insignificant. it is just another number. It hold no superstition, it holds no bad luck. Because when you love someone you will wait and anticipate their return.

Jesus said, You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
One day, Jesus is coming back. I wait for him. I love Him now. If he comes back in 13 hours, days, or centuries those who follow, believe and love Him need to not worry about the world's superstition. We have no superstition in Christ, because we know He will come back...just like my son did.

AJ pics

pic

Instructions from DI

done with breakfast

time for some grub

Video of AJ's Platoon

Can you find my son, AJ, here?

The Countdown Begins

Some people look cool in shades

Wife preps tomorrow's illustration

Basic Human Need

Do you struggle with relationships? Forming relationships? Suriving relationships? There is a basic human need "to be loved". I learned that this week in our study on The Five Love Languages. We have desire for attention...yes...but what we really have is a desire to be loved. To love some one is intentional. You can't fake it. If you do, it is not a real relationship. It is built up on fantasy.

If I want to improve my relationship with my wife, daughters, son, friends, coworkers, I must learn to love them. It is the basic human need.

Who do you need to love?

Exercise

Today I got on the treadmill. It was my first step in exercising daily. My doctor has told me to exercise for at least 30 minutes. He told me I need to lose weight and that my sugar is too high. If I don't exercises my health will detoriate.

If I am to have a healthy spirtual life, I too must exercise my faith (Bible study, prayer, actions, attitudes). I need to build up my strength so I can last longer in my journey with Jesus.

A commentary on Hebrews 10:36 says, "Spiritual strength doesn"t come without exercise. There is a price to pay for having an intimate walk with God." I have to go now and begin my exercise with God.

"You need endurance, so that after you have done God's will, you may receive what was promised."~Hebrews 10:36

My Dad's Business

My Dad has a very successful business. Despite these down times in America, his housing business is still on the increase! He tried to get me to join, but I refused his offers. I neglected the opportunity.

Despite my rejections, he always seemed to have others invest in his home building business. He made outrageous promises to homeowners such as the building would never fall so long as people remembered who built it.

He started off with building over 11 homes at one point, but now he has grown to millions of homes worldwide. He started his business in a desert town. No it wasn't Las Vegas, but it did have some people whose values were against His. It wasn't the ideal town in those days.

He also said that his building were built on the BEST foundation. He spoke many times to me about how His foundations withstood the test of time. Yet I would still resist. I couldn't believe his business was booming. I thought, "There must be some trick to this! How could my dad profit in bad times." He told me, "Son, my home building business is good. But I want you to join my company. You will be my employer and I will be the boss of everything you do." Huh? Dad wants to boss me around? He wants to tell me what to do?

Again, I went years on other jobs. I worked selling tools using my carefully crafted words to make a sale. From there, I moved on into the furniture business. I visited homes that were built by the best. But as I looked at those homes filled with artwork, decorations, and furniture galore, they were nothing compared to Dad's homes. In fact my Dad's house had many rooms. He was constantly adding rooms as our family grew and grew and grew. It was an ongoing building project.

As I got older, I better understood this business. I joined my Dad's business. I was happy to call him boss. I learned and listened from everything he taught me. It seems that every day, he always had something new for me. In fact, he left me a Book for me to read. A book about building my life. A book about how I can tell others of the many rooms he had built.

My Dad always said that if I came to him, listened to him and followed him that, "It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the flood waters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built."

Thank you Dad for teaching how to live and how to invest in the eternal home business.

Love always,

Your son

Afraid of church?

Are you afraid of church? Perhaps you are not familiar with church culture, traditions or just have a bunch of questions about God and Jesus. North Point Community Church is launching an online church.

I would invite and encourage you to get connected. Just watch this video for the launch date and please let me know if you connected with them. ~Pastor Waldo

North Point Online - Promo 1 from North Point Media on Vimeo.

The Church that hurts

It is amazing when churches lose perspective. When I say "church", I really mean the people. After all, church would not exist without people. It has been said that, "Church would be perfect if it did not have people in it."

God has created a community of believers to exist in a local setting to carryout his mission, purpose and plan. But one of the first things we need to be reminded of is "love". Not just any kind of love, but the love that comes from someone who is far greater than anyone on this earth. A love that extends beyond human reasoning, beyond any love we can see today demonstrated. Even when people don't deserve it, God's love extends to them as the sun's rays extend to our faces.

The church that hurts is the one that has lost it's love. John talks about the church of Ephesus. In it he writes (from the words of Jesus) from Rev. 2:3-4:

and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.

This sounds like a great church. A church that has undergone great trials and works so hard in the name of Christ. It is not tired, but strong. It sounds like a church you and I should be a part of. It sounds like a church that would welcome visitors, people who do not know Christ, but are searching for him. But watch this next verse. Verse 4.

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Vers 5 tells us what we (the church aka people) should do:

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.

This morning, I repent. I have lost my first love. I have lost HIS LOVE. I must labor now, I must lead now, I must go now. Church...will you join me?

waiting for my son to graduate

hearing the word of God

shirtd

free concert...join us!

gym

i wish our church could look like this sometimes.

Granddaughter with grandpa

my grandsons showing love to grandpa

The boys

Health, School, Church and Graduation

It has been awhile since I have updated my blog. I apologize to the vast number of followers. Here is what has been on my mind lately, so please bear with me.

HEALTH
Since the beginning of the year, I am getting close to having used my sick time for a total of three weeks. I am glad I was healthy when I was younger and so I have accumulated alot of sick time. But that is not the point! I have had acid reflux, sinus/congestion and most recently back problems. I left work early yesterday, because my stomach was not functioning well (you know what I mean) and I felt sort of anxious. The doctor's office said to stop taking the Motrin. I know have to do something. I am not the healthiest person. I am going in for regular blood work today, hopefully there will not be any further health issues. (UPDATE: I couldn't find my insurance card, so now I can't get my lab work done! UGH!)

SCHOOL
I am almost done with second semester Greek. It has been fun and interesting learning new words and help me better appreciate the writers of the New Testament. I have my take home final due on Monday and my project due by next Monday. I am taking this Monday off to complete my final. I have really appreciated eveyone who is in the class. Each one brings a great talent to the class. If I don't see any of them anymore, I know I will see them in heaven.

CHURCH
This is the heart and soul of what I want to do. We have started off a new series called Marriage 101. I would like to invite all of you to attend (www.csbcfamily.net). We have had our ups and downs this year. I am preparing to compile a purpose statement after we have had a series of meetings. I am going to work, pray and ask God to help me to present it. Our leadership team has to be on board with this. The church has to get pumped. We have struggled with our finances and are going to have to address this area soon.


GRADUATION My son is graduating soon and then heading off to boot camp a month later. He is anxious, worried and a bit stressed and so are we.

Somehow, God is in the midst of all this. Sometimes I can't see him, fell him, or hear him. But that is not His fault, it is mine.

So how is your day?

3 happy ladies

Learning abour being fishers of men...

A Moment In Time

Growing up as a kid, I was always told this story about a man who would go to homes and drop off gifts to children. He would fill stockings with little gifts. He would know if you were bad or good. He would be able to come into your home even if you didn’t have a chimney. I would see him regularly at the malls taking photos in the months of November and December. This guy was quick to get around the world within a short amount of time and he had a sled and some flying reindeer. His name was Santa Claus.
While I was told this story over and over again. I had never seen him at our homes and as I grew older I could no longer believe that this story was true. Until one day, we were told to gather in the den. The blinds were slowly opened and behind the sliding glass door stood Santa Claus. There he was! Finally, I could see him. I knew I could believe in Santa, because he was there at my grandparent’s house. The funny thing is, he looked a little like my grandma.
We have this image that we believe in only the things we see. You have heard this saying before: “Seeing is believing.” It is hard for us to believe in things that are not visible. But when we have the moment in time where we actually see things, it changes our perspective. It becomes believable. Perhaps you are like me when my company I work for says that my paycheck will be in the bank, I wait until I actually see that the deposit is being made. When you bought a home and the loan officer tells you that you are approved. Did you believe it? Or did you believe it when you actually saw the paperwork and the numerous documents you needed to sign. Perhaps when you are in school and the teachers says you passed, but for some reason that is not good enough. You need to see the actual grade you received. We live our lives based on what we see, because seeing is believing.
The Bible tells us this story of a group of guys called the disciples. They too were seeing is believing people. They believed in a man named Jesus. Why? Because they walked with him, talked with him, listened to him tell stories, ate with him and actually saw him. To them, he was a real person as long as they could see. But when Jesus’ time had come. Where he was put on trial and then put to death on the cross, a lot of the believers had abandoned Him. They could no longer see Him, they could no longer believe that God was still with them. But after he died on the cross, He was nowhere to be seen. He was in a tomb. But then something miraculous happened. He was no longer in the tomb. He arose from the grave.
Then came a moment in time for Jesus to make a visit to the disciples. It was unexpected to them, no matter how much Jesus told them He had to die and rise again on the third day. They saw Him, but did not believe it was Him. How could He be alive? Seeing was not believing for the disciples. But let’s see how Jesus again become real to them in Luke 24:36-48.
36While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." Jesus comes in there and greets them with a simple greeting. He did not knock on the door, He just came in. So look at their reaction.
37They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." When you don’t believe something is true or real, you begin to reason with your mind that it can not be possible. You draw a conclusion that it is not true. Jesus knew their fears and thoughts and so he says. Look at my hands and feet. It is me. He said, “Touch me and see”. Look at the evidence. See me. And so He presents the evidence to them.
40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate it in their presence. He showed them the evidence and then he says, “I am hungry.” They did not hesitate in providing him food. But the evidence was becoming clearer to them. Now Jesus is going to provide them with a history lesson. Some solid facts that the disciples would know.
44He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Look. Remember I told you I had to do this. Then Jesus makes this moment in time memorable to them. He says, all this was already written. Jesus points them back to a moment in time in history about everything that was written about Him. Then he begins to explain to them and he summarizes this particular moment in time. What we call today as Easter (Resurrection) Sunday.
45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things.
I think a lot of us are just like those disciples. We have heard the stories and perhaps we have seen the evidence of Jesus being real in a person’s life. We know there is a God out there and we know that there is a Jesus, yet we struggle to believe that it is true. No matter how many churches or Easter services you attend, you still doubt that this story is true. Yet here we sit, over 2,000 years later and we still talk about that moment in time when God gave His Son to die on the cross to be raised from the dead, so that we can have eternal life. What if you began to open your mind to what God has to say to you? What if you began to open your mind to what the Bible has to say? What if you began to attend church? Your mind becomes to better understand what God wants from you. The better you understand God, the more believable and true he becomes in your life. When you get to that point. That moment of time, where you say, “God is real. God is what I need. Jesus come into my life. I want to experience the reality of having a personal relationship with you. I want to have that eternal life.” Our church is made of witness where we can testify that God is here today. I can see God in the people here today. When you examine the evidence, read the fact, then you have to make a choice today. A moment in time with God is forever.
What if we begin today by understanding that Jesus came so that we can have eternal life? Imagine if we begin to become a church that understands the hurts of the community? What if we became a church that is open to understanding the words of God and puts them into practice? What if the church became a change agent of this community? We would be witnesses of these things.

I shall not judge...

This reminded me how much beauty people have inside of them.

Susan Boyle Sings on Britain's Got Talent 2009 Episode 1 @ Yahoo! Video

The Day Before Easter

Today is the day before Easter. Churches are preparing to open up the doors to everyone and have special songs, plays or egg hunts. While we are preparing for these things, we need to also prepare for our hearts and minds to be open to loving people.

Jesus came for people like me and people like you. He came to seek and save that which was lost. The day before Easter the disciples were lost. There leader was dead. The moment had stopped. Christianity had ceased for a moment. Three days later he returned as he said would. He completed His Father's will. A bridge was built between man and God. We can now spend eternity with Him.

This Easter, consider that God came for you. The message of the Bible is simple. God loves you and wants you to love Him. You can begin to have a relationship with Him today. Simply say this prayer:

God, I know that I am sinner. I thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for me. I believe in what He did and now I ask Him to come into my life. I make him the ruler in all areas of my life. I now change the way I was before to now being a follower of you all the days of my life. In Jesus name. Amen.

If you said that prayer, welcome to the family of God. Find a local church by clicking here.

Tell someone of the decision you made! I will see you in heaven.

Pastor Waldo

fresh and easy grand opening

Dog tired

Spanish ministry Concert

more pics from concert

PACKED CONCERT

It is dark...

I wake up early in the morning and 99.9% of the time it is dark. No sun, but just street lights, shinning of the moon, and maybe a few stars. It is hard to see in. I have to turn on the lights in my home, so I can see my clothes. I have to turn on the lights in the kitchen, so I can prepare the food for me to eat. Without light, it would be impossible (if not very difficult) to function at 4:30 am.

In our minds and hearts, we sometimes are dark. We are blinded, because we do not see the light. We are blinded to our own wisdom, our own expertise, our own desires. Why? Because we don't want to be exposed. We don't want to listen to the wisdom of others, we don't want to appreciate the talents that others can give, and we rather be served in stead of serving. We live in spiritual darkness. You can not see God until His light has come into your heart. We can't use God as a dimmer switch. He must be the bright shinning light! I am going to leave now, but I will turn on the lights so I can see. What about you?

Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people—
God's grace and mercy and justice! Psalm 112:4 (The Message)

Not only can she count...

...but she can dance! I am going to enter her in America's Best Dance Crew.

LIL MOMMAS DANCIING

My granddaughter is talented....

Watch this.

SISSY COUNTING

Passionate Preparation

I am doing a series based on John (the Baptist). I thought this message would be helpful to some of you. Please excuse any typos or misspellings. Feedback is recommended. Enjoy!
When we look at John’s words, it appears that he too was upset, angry and emotional. He has been given a charge by God to prepare the way. He is out for justice amongst three different groups of people. But John’s words were not a cry for justice to be done, but they were a cry on the human heart to make a change. So let’s take a look at what John has to say in Luke 3, beginning with verse 7.
7 He then said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Those are some pretty harsh words! It is almost as if he said, “You scum buckets!” He was name calling. We can look at Matthew 3:7 and find out who this crowd is. Virtually, every time you see the Pharisees and the Sadducees, mention in the NT you know there is going to be trouble or a lesson to be learned. John called the “spade a spade.” He said who told you to flee from what is coming.
He continues on by telling that what they need to do. Verse 8 says, 8 Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don't start saying to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones! Look, your works have to come from changing. Don’t rely on your genealogy. Don’t pull that we are children of Abraham thing. And by the way, something is getting ready to happen. He uses an analogy here to make a strong point. 9 Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees! Therefore every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." Look, something so sharp is ready now to cut the tree that doesn’t produce good fruit (actions). Not only that it is coming down to be being burned. To being consumed with self. The text here, really seems as though John is laying down hard on them and he is. It is also possible, that there is some conviction. After all, John’s message had spread from the wilderness to the nearby cities. It caused people to come and see what was going on. So people in the crowd said, 10 "What then should we do?" the crowds were asking him. John begins by teaching them what they need to do.
11 He replied to them, "The one who has two shirts must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same." What you need to do is to begin to share. Share what you have to one who doesn’t. He introduced a new action that the Pharisees and Sadducees need to take. Now the second group comes. Let’s read verse 12.
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” John had heard this question before, but he gave them a different answer. He knew that they were greedy with their money. They would include a little more percentage or themselves. So he gives them a new concept. Read verse 13.
13 He told them, “Don’t collect any more than what you have been authorized.” He didn’t tell them to stop collecting. He is telling them to be honest. Collect what you are supposed to collect. Nothing more. He introduces a course of action they needed to take. But look at this next group. Let’s read verse 13.
14 Some soldiers also questioned him: "What should we do?" Do you sense a pattern here? First, it was the teachers and lawyers, tax collectors, and now the people who have power. But John does not back down. Look at what he says here. He said to them, "Don't take money from anyone by force or false accusation; be satisfied with your wages." Luke 3:7-14 (HCSB) Be happy with what you have! Don’t abuse your authority. Don’t use your power for gain. We have three separate groups and each is given a particular course of action to do. What about you?
What action in your life do you need to change? Change is the first step in having a right relationship with Christ. He is right there! John was preaching repentance. He was teaching a change of the mind. He had something specific for them and now he has something specific to you!
What if we change where we sit, so that someone else can take our place? What if we change the way we speak to our children, how much more can we better communicate with them? What if we change our habits that are keeping us apart from God, so that we can experience the fullness of Him? What if we change from being selfish, to being selfless? If we do those things, we become the greatest change agent this community will ever see. Test God in this. Watch. Listen. Apply. Grow.

8 seconds short...

I am a part of a Toastmasters group at my work. We meet every Wednesday during lunch time and have a great time of practicing our speaking and leadership skills. Today, I just finished my 10th speech as part of a program to get my Competent Communicator award. It was during a speech contest which we could speak about anything. However, a strange thing happened. There was a minimum and maximum time limit (5-7 minutes). I thought that the timer may have just flashed the green card which lets me know I met the 5 minute mark and I may not have seen it. So I began to wrap up my speech. I was curious because I thought I may have been short on time. At the end of the meeting, I found out I was 8 seconds short. I didn't meet the minimum. You can see the speech below.

But isn't it great that God has no minimum time to accept his gift. He does it right on the spot. All you have to do is ask Him to forgive you, to come into your heart and make Him the owner of your life. Do it now!

For God says,
“At just the right time, I heard
you. On the day of salvation, I helped
you.”
Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of
salvation.~2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT)

shot in the eyes

My grandson has pretty good aim with the nerf gun. Not really, but it made for a good picture.

Mentor

I am honored that I get the opportunity to mentor people. I mentor my children, my church, but also my Toastmaster's group. It is great joy to see that the people I have mentored have the courage to deliver their first speech. Congratulations Silvia!

Excitement...

Yesterday, my wife was so excited. It was a Sunday, the first day in February and she was...well....crazy!!!!. Her emotions were up and down. She was yelling when she was mad and she was yelling when she was happy. Her emotions were more than our family could handle. In the end, she was excited because her team became the champions of Super Bowl 43.

But earlier that day at church, there was nothing to be excited about. Attendance was down, no visitors...but somehow it was great! Somehow, God worked in our church to bring people to Him. In the end (of the service), God's team has won. The remarkable thing is that God's team always wins no matter who the opponent is. We need to be excited, joyful, worshipful, and thankful that God's team is victorious. If you are on God's team, aren't you excited on Sundays? Aren't you excited, that it is by faith that you are saved? Aren't you excited that "God is great!"

Be excited today! Rejoice in the Lord! He will make you a champion of the faith...just like what he did for me!

If the Government of Condemnation was impressive, how about this Government
of Affirmation? Bright as that old government was, it would look downright dull
alongside this new one. If that makeshift arrangement impressed us, how much
more this brightly shining government installed for eternity?

With that kind of hope to excite us, nothing holds us back. 2
Corinthians 3:9-12 (NLT)

Welcome!

Welcome Gabby Jr....8 lbs 14 oz. and 19 inches long!

Helping out....

Help is sometimes a word we use only in dire emergencies. It is a word that requires another person to respond. But sometimes we need to work together. We need to help out in all things. Paul said in Philippians 2:2 "Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, love one another, and working together with one mind and purpose." HELP someone this week...it may be as simple as hanging up a cork board.

E-mail to a staff member...

This is an e-mail I sent this morning to our Fellowship Director. I hope this reminds you about how much we need to appreciate staff.

I want to thank you. This weekend has meant alot to me. On Friday was our first Fusion fellowship meeting and we had a great time and dinner with Melanie. On Saturday, we had our first Fusion fellowship meeting with the Jordan family. On Sunday evening, we had a game night with the church family. While it was a busy weekend, including not getting my message done until Sunday at 3 a.m., it reminded me of how much I missed the fellowship with other believers. As a Pastor, I sometimes feel alone and isolated. My busy schedule gets in the way of time with His people. So thank you for the reminder, the planning, and the inspiriation that as Christians we just need to hang out!Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)

children

Jesus loves the little children...even this one.

I wonder...

Sometimes I wonder if I will I ever make it. Can I truly be successful in being a person used for God? Can I be a better Pastor? Can I still motivate staff? Can I inspire people? I can not do these things. I can not be successful, I can not be a better Pastor, I cannot motivate staff, I cannot inspire people!

WHY?

"Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am." ~Philippians 4:13 (The Message)

The One is the person who can make the difference in my life and in the ministry he has given to me. It is not me, it is the One! I will no longer wonder, but will know Him and love Him and watch Him work in me.

What difference does He make in yours? Do you often wonder?

A verse to start off the day

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.~Proverbs 16:3

May you have a blessed day!
~Pastor Waldo.

Bags

A lady recently boarded the train and began to look for a seat. It was a little difficult for her, because she had three big bags. She put one on an empty seat, another underneath her seat and the other on her lap. The bags seemed to dictate where she was going to sit and how she would care for them.

We have our own bags, don't we? Bags of hurts, bad habits, unresolved issues, unforgiveness. They hold us down, they run our lives, and they do more harm then good. Today let go of your hurts, forgive someone, and speak to God and be prepared to listen! He might just lighten your load.

LOST

I woke up after boarding the station where I live. I was headed for my destination. I didn't sleep well last night. I probably should have gone to bed early instead of watching the Lakers game. I woke up....and found out that I was LOST! I missed my destination spot and woke up at the next stop. I was dazed and confused. What should I do? I have never missed my destination in 10 years! I gathered my thoughts...I still can make it to the other side, but how could i get to the other side where the next train would arrive. I was lost. I saw the next train approaching...I missed it! I couldn't find the steps to get me to the other side. Finally, I saw the steps. I can make it back to where I need to go. I will be late, but my work will be there...I will no longer be lost, but found! How about you?