4000 emails...seriously?

I subscribe to a lot of different blogs, websites, and of course Facebook.  Therefore, I accumulate alot of emails which consists of special offers or general announcements.  But there are alot of people that I go back and forth on my email account.  Needless to say, I have accumulated over 4000 emails.  That is too many for the average person to have.  Do I really need emails from 2 years ago?What I realized today, is that I have alot of junk in my email.  Unnecessary emails that I have held on to without removing them and therefore keeping a cluttered email box.

Isn't that how life is?  We keep our hurts, pains, disappointment inside of us.  We hold on to hate, unforgiveness, and worries?  We keep them bottled up inside of us.  There is no legitimate reason to do so!   What good is it for you to be angry at someone from your high school days?  What good is it to not love a person you know you should love?  All these can be summed up in one word...SELFISH!

So today, begin with a new attitude.  Get rid of the selfish part and get going with Jesus.  Let go of those things that have bogged you down for weeks, months or maybe even years.  Let go of guilt, anger, and disappointment today.   Let go of those things that are keeping you away from a relationship with Jesus. I like the way The Message speaks about Matthew 11:28:

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life.

 We are told to come to Jesus.  Give him your emails in your life and he will give you a recovered life!

Until next time!

Pastor Waldo

One of the best Mother's Day Messages...

This video definitely should hit your heart on what we are supposed to do. It is worth watching.

One in 1.7 million

If you were one of the many people who preordered or stood in long lines at the Apple store to purchase the Iphone 4, you were one in 1.7 million.  You were unique and had the latest gizmo since slice bread.  Okay, maybe not slice bread, but you were in a unique group.  You were the envy of Iphone 3 users, you were the envy of those of us with Blackberry phones.  People would be asking you a lot of question about the phone.  How much it cost?  Is it really that much better and faster?  How much memory does it have?  You would have the one thing that many of us desire.

But think about this.  There are over 6.8 billion people on planet Earth.  That makes you and I, one in 6.8 billion.  That is in smaller comparison the Iphone 4!  But it also you makes you unique.  It also makes you valuable in the eyes of God.  You see, Jesus told a story about some sheep.  He had 100 of them and he could account for 99 of them.  What about the other one.  Wouldn't you give up?  Who cares?  You have 99 other ones, no need to look for the one that is lost.  But that is exactly what God does, he searches for the one who is lost.
 
 ^4-7"Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.  Luke 15:4-7 (The Message)

When God finds you and rescues you, He, the angels, and all of us on this Earth are going to celebrate.  God is looking for you and when He rescues you, you will never be the same.

Sunday afterthoughts 03.21.10

I enjoyed the Sunday morning worship. Our young people were the highlight of the service. With that, here are my Sunday afterthoughts:

• I will be taking (okay I have been taking) a break from my blog posting of the book of Acts. We are going to Kentucky this week to see my son graduate from his job training. He is a US Marine. We are proud of him.
• When packing, we bring only the necessities. When we pack to live for Jesus, we need the necessities. All else is extra or is unnecessary.
• Jesus was a master storyteller and he gave us the responsibility of knowing and understanding the stories (aka parables).
• When we worship, are we worshipping to be seen or to connect to God? Check out Psalm 25:12.
• Too all my friends on Twivotion, I really love what you do! You help me worship with others Monday through Friday.
• My wife and church secretary (aka my daughter) made 30 sandwiches while my son-in-law and I got out the chips and water to fundraise for a church computer. $5 for a lunch raised us about $125! Beat that Subway. :-)
• Looking forward to my trip to Kentucky. We will see our son soon. Semper Fidelis!

Sunday afterthoughts 03.14.10

Here are my Sunday afterthoughts:

• It is great to have visitors, especially when they feel loved.
• One of my deacons was back and was serving like no other. I praise God for him!
• My message doesn't impact people, God's message does!
• We had people who came forward to be prayed for and prayed up!
• Jesus was a transformer of lives and if we don't let him transform us, then we are pew warmers.
• I learned that I am a "leper" and have been one of the nine instead of the one who thanked God. Luke 17:11-17
• An unhappy Christian is an oxymoron. Psalm 68:3
• I don't have religion, I have a relationship with Jesus Christ and you can too!

Acts 4 - Get Out Of Jail Free

As a kid, I remember playing monopoly with my uncle. We didn't really understand all the rules of the game, but there is one thing we did understand. We understood the value of the "Get Out Of Jail Free" card. It would mean that we would no longer would be trapped in jail, having to roll the perfect die number, or pay a subastantial fine to be released. Sometimes it seems as though we did not belong there in the first place because we did nothing wrong.

Peter and John had performed a great miracle in the healing of the crippled beggar and they were announcing to the world about Jesus and the resurrection. So many people were interested in what they had to say. They were receiving alot of attention and it was noticeable among the religious leaders who would have them arrested and put in jail. While in jail they were questioned about "what power or what name did you do this [miracle]?" Who gave you the authority?

Peter got right to the point and no longer feared them. He declared that the way to heaven is through Jesus (Acts 4:12)only. Which to the religious leaders meant that there was nothing they could do in their conduct, religious obedience, or other way to arrive in heaven. The only way was to have Jesus, their Get Out of Jail Free card!

Have you heard about God? Jesus? Did you realize that He has a plan and purpose for your life? Have you been trying to do everything on your own: be a good person, help others, obey the laws? It is time to be free of the things, attitudes and actions that have separate you from God. Will you accept God's Get Out Of Jail free card? Take Jesus in your life right now and experience God's love for you!

Sunday afterthoughts. 02.14.10

Inspired by Perry Noble, I am posting my Sunday after thoughts:

• People need to be real 24/7 and we must live for Christ 24/7.
• I love my Boomers class, they teach me alot about myself and the world around me.
• Guest speakerers are not only a good break for pastors, but also a good lesson for pastors.
• It is hard to love when you face trials and the unexpected happens, but we must continue to love.
• Shopping teaches you alot about the community around you. Who they are and what they need?
• When we can live like Jesus, then we are perfect....until then I will continue to strive to be like Him.
• My heart breaks when I see so many people lost, and so little people showing people how they can be found.
• We all make mistakes and we need to learn, live, and be accountable for them.
• Love will conquer all things....Yes....I need to learn to love like Jesus did.
• John 3:16 says how much God loves us, how much do we love God?

In His Love,

Pastor Waldo

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.

A bundle of joy!

This year, I have many friends who have or are expecting their first or second child. When they talk about this it seems to bring great joy to the conversation. Their eyes have a glow, their lips have the biggest smile and there is an anticipation of looking forward to a new life.

Over 2,000 years ago, God miraculously brought His Son into the world. Jesus didn't just appear, he came in human flesh. He was born in less than ideal circumstances, yet He is the greatest joy we ever had! During Chirstmas time, we sing "Joy to the world!" But in our hearts are we truly singing with the joy that Jesus brought. The joys of forgiveness, love, pain, hurts, and relationships that He came for. It is not too early to celebrate the joy of Jesus. For the retail stores, Christmas does not come early enough. Why wait for Christmas to be joyful? Enjoy your bundle of joy!

Who turned on the blow dryer?

Yesterday morning (5 a.m. to be exact), it was warm but comfortable (about 76 degrees). I took the train into work to Orange County which is about 35 miles inland and it was in the 60s! A few hours later, around 10 a.m., it was windy and HOT! Who turned on the blow dryer?

It reminded me, that we need to adapt to change. We need to be ready for any kind of weather change that will come our way.

When Jesus had been crucified on the cross, the disciples scattered. They were nowhere to be found. In fact, they were frightened because change had entered their life. They hadn't expected His death and it seemed that all hope was lost. They were on the mountain top with Jesus, but were now in the valley of fear. The heat was on. Yet Jesus came to calm their fears and their doubt. They were not prepared for this change.

38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet." Luke 24:38-40 (NLT)

Are your prepared for change? Are you fearful and doubtful that change will work? Do what Jesus said, Look at Him!