Tears of Paulino

As we all circled this weeping man. A man who for 20 years has scarified his time, money, and power. He stood their weeping he yelled out "I'm tired, I can't go on will someone ever come?" Paulino is a man who is truly humble. Who has dedicated his time to those in dire need. He has an orphanage that tends to kids who have been abandon. However the kids are special needs kids. He has 22 only 4 of them can talk. 18 don't have families who visit them and 8 can't walk. Paulino's family and a hand full of workers tend to these children of God.

Has he cried we huddled around this man of God. We sang How Great Is Our God as we sang. Paulino started to wipe the tears away. Paulino goes 24/7 he never stops. Monday - Saturday he's at the orphanage. Sunday he preaches 3 different services. Then the cycle starts all over. As I was humbled by this man's honest and obedient example. I started to feel the impact. Of what a man can do when he is so focused on God and God alone. Paulino has been for 20 years. Sure he gets frustrated and mad. He showed it to us. But has we got done singing. He started to smile and simply said " This is what God wants me to do"

"I Have No Home But Faith"

If you get to look at the pictures of hurricane Ike online. The aftermath is pretty brutal and sad. Keep out brothers and sisters effected by the storm in your prayers.

Fast forward a week later. I get a call from our missions pastor. Asking if I could assemble a team to go to Beaumont, Texas to aid a pastor there for a weekend. I called the pastor in Beaumont, we chatted a little. He then said I need some prayer. The pastor's house had been completely destroyed. He chuckled a little and said I have no home but faith. He finished with God will provide. As this pastor goes back home to no physical home. He will be comforted by his faith in God. Not seeing anything but, letting God deal with it. What a powerful testament of his faith. Not only that but, the power of faith.

It's funny how(especially me at times) our faith crumbles in matter of seconds. When everything is going south, and you can't see any light in the dark. We start running and not turning to the true source. The source with all the answers.

I finished my conversation with the pastor. I sat there and started to smile. I may have a physical home and luxuries of a home. But the only real and true home I have is my faith in God. It's my refugee, for without it I would be homeless. God is the source nothing else. I pray we all are bold to go deep in our faith with God. No matter the situation, or position we are in. GOD NEVER FAILS!

By the way we leave October 17-19

Luke 16:19-31 Poem

A couple of months ago in my college group (the tribe). We were asked to make a poem of any kind. The poem was suppose to be about the scripture we were given. Our group got Luke 16:19-31. So we tried to write it in a artistic way, but write clear so people could understand the message. We got into groups and started to brainstorm some words and lines. Overall I think we did a pretty good job. Here's the actually scripture read it then read our poem about it. The poem is written in the view of the rich man. Enjoy!

Luke 16:19-31
The Rich Man and Lazarus 19"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In hell,[a] where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
25"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'
27"He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, 28for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'
29"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'
30" 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'
31"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.

Luke 16:19-31

Dressed in Purple I was
While Lazarus bleeds he has all he needs
We were both put to the rest
Thinking we had passed the test
Was not enough, boy was it tuff
To see what could have been
While Lazarus sat in peace
All I wanted was some relief
I can't put together my beliefs
In anguish I cried and fell
On my knees all over again
Realizing Lazarus demise
did not dictate his prize

Parking Lot Attention

Monday - Friday I get the rarity of having no trouble. Finding a parking spot at UTSA. I have class at 8 so I get there around 7:20-7:30. But pass 8 o'clock forget it's almost impossible to find a spot. It's like me trying to box out Shaq, almost impossible! I get out of class by 12:50 so I walk to the lovely parking out. I get hunted down by a vechile , they follow me, or roll their windows, and ask if I want a ride to my car. It's like this everyday, you become the focus of that person for a few minutes.

So it got me thinking .I was amazed by what people will do for a parking spot. You become if you will, that individual focus, center of the world at that moment. So I thought why are we not like that for people in true need? Like starving kids in Africa, or the guy who sits by himself at school, church, lunch, where ever. Or even a family member, or person struggling in your class or at work.

Why don't we have the yearning at times to "walk across the room?" Why don't we take the initiative to say hi, extend a helping hand? To have the same audacity as the individuals seeking the parking spot. It seems there's no limit to what they, won't do for a spot. Why can't we have that for God's children who are hurting, seeking, or lost(which encompass all of us). As I parked my car this morning in the UTSA parking lot.

God really convicted me of this. So I sat there, teared a little and realized. I was once that hurt, lonely soul.

I pray that we can emulate the same tenacity as the parking lot seekers and (10 times that).
God loves all.

So let's rev those engines!!!!

We Are Loved

We gather in the masses, so different, yet so alike.

Different stories, different dreams,

Same world, same father

We go along our way

Getting ready for the next day

The sun rises the sun sets

Regardless of how the 24 went

We are still loved

Far more than we know

We are loved......

Amplify

Amplify-

1. To make larger or more powerful; increase.

So I pray that we .............

Amplify every aspect of our life

in a way that would glorify our

Father in heaven. So that others

would see the greatness of our Lord.

So my brother and sisters

let's get amped to amplify

the word, power, and love

of God!

13 Reason To Watch The NFL This Year

NFL season started on Thursday. With the Giants defeating the Redskins 16-7. The NFL is full of interesting stories, from Favre's so called retirement, to what tricks the Patriot's have up their sleeves. So I will try to shed some light on this 08-09 season.

• 1.Can the Giants repeat?- Eli looks good so does the O-line, burress is a stud. The D needs a little work. They have a shot,realistically they will have a nice playoff run. But no Super Bowl trip.
• 2.Brett Favre- I'm so tired of hearing about the former packer. Favre will wish he never came back. Expect Favre to have a tuff season with the NY Jets.
• 3.Patriots- One win from being "perfect", the patriots will be favorites to go back. It should be interesting to watch Tom, Randy, and liar Bill Belichick.
• 4. NFC East- It's stacked top to bottom(Cowboys,Giants,Redskins,Eagles) every divisional game will be pivotal, which usually makes for good football.
• 5. Adrian Peterson- Expect the Vikings to run him like crazy, that can be a good or bad thing. Time will tell.
• 6. Aaron Rodgers- QB after Favre who would of thought. Rodgers has potential, the question is how much?
• 7.Adam "Pacman" Jones- Mr Jones will behave, and Dallas will reap the benefits of taking the chance on him.
• 8. Ocho- Cinco- Will Chad have better numbers? By the way its Ochenta y Cinco.
• 9. Carolina Panthers- No injuries, should make noise in weak division.
• 10 San Diego Chargers- No Super Bowl, no progress make or break season. Merriman is in the same situation.
• 11.Donovan McNabb- Is very motivated, hopefully he doesn't get another injury. If so it's bye bye Philly.
• 12.Fantasy Football- Enough said.
• 13.Jaws Love is play by play analysis. Plus it's Monday night.

Enjoy the season!

Classical Music

As I was working on my math homework. On the computer(times have changed) it was almost 3 in the morning. I was getting tired and on the brink of a math overload. As this dilemma pop up. I started to realize I needed music to keep me up. But not just any kind of music. I can never study with music with words. I start to sing instead of studying.

When I was in middle school I went to a special lab for math. My teacher use to tell me that classical music helps when you are studying(especially math). So I gave this piece of past advice a try. Typed in classical music on youtube , and I clicked on ode to joy. A great classic I must say.

As I was getting immersed in this old old school music. I realized it was helping, it was soothing, my ears felt, awesome! There's something tranquil about classical music. I can't put my finger on it, but it helped me. So now in the next couple days I will be downloading some classical music.

Next time you get tired of music with words. Try some classical music. It may not help you pass your math class. But it most definitely clear your mind.