My Last Profound Thoughts Of The Year

As I started to write this blog. I wanted to leave my readers with something profound. Something they could chew on as they watch the fireworks. Something that would challenge them to be better. As I thought about how I was going to do just that. I thought just write, whats on the heart. So....... here goes nothing.

This year has had its up and downs like every year. The difference with this year is I've been willing to learn. Those who know me, know I 'm very hard headed. I can be jerk at times and I can blurt out, stupid hurtful things. During this year I've started to realize the growth that was taking place. I allowed God to come in on so many things. Sure I still have strongholds I need to demolish still. But I have grown in my walk. I think before I say, I've become a better listener. My patience has come along way. I'm not has stubborn has I was in the past.

My growth in some areas has been very evident. In the other areas theirs some chiseling to do and molding. Which brings me, to my revelation of the year. It may not, be to others. I've been aware of it, I'm just finally putting it into action.

Allowing God to chisel us, to allow the reins down on everything. For example building faith, in knowing God will provide the necessary funds and support for my trip to Japan. Allowing God 's watch to be the watch I follow for everything, relationships, school, and my future. To set side my own interest, for the interest of others. The chiseling has begun, so as you watch the fireworks with your friends and family.

Don't make a promise that you can't keep. Sit down be still and ask God where do I start? Maybe, you know where you need to start. Then take time to see how you can execute that plan to the fullest. Sure, it may mean a lot of sacrifices, losing friends, and getting out of your comfort zone. But the end result is, well worth it.

Journey once sang " Don't Stop Believing" so, when you go into your reflection mode today. Realize the potential and hope that lies in front of you.

"Don't Stop Believing"

I digress, hope it was profound.

Happy New Years To All!

Don't think to hard=)

Being Positive

Its so easy, to think negative. Especially if things aren't going your way, or if you want attention and sympathy from someone. When I'm down I 'm pretty darn good at being negative. Being negative can change your attitude even your actions. No one is fun to be around when their negative. So I ran around into this chart for every negative self- talk it had a positive spin for it.

• "I've never done it before." "It's an opportunity to learn something new."
• "It's too complicated." "I'll tackle it from a different angle."
• "I don't have the resources." "Necessity is the mother of invention."
• "There's not enough time." "Let's re-evaluate some priorities."
• "There's no way it will work." "I can try to make it work."
• "Its too radical a change." "Let's take a chance."
• "No one bothers to communicate with me." "I'll see if I can open the channels of communication
• "I'm not going to get any better at this." "I'll give it another try."

Most of the time its not hard to be negative. To denigrate, yourself, or others. Being positive really helps you, or that person have a different outlook on life. Every time I go on a mission trip. I meet people without homes, people that don't have money to provide food for their children, and to top it off they don't know what the next day will bring. But the individuals I've met are some of the most positive people I've encountered. Being positive is worth the work, you never know who could be watching. So as always, I found the chart and I've started to use it. Those are few examples of thousands of scenarios that could happen. But I guess what I saying is be positive even when life throws something at you. Just smile and say it will be alright. Then again, you know God's got your back.

Keeping It Simple

Christmas is less than 24 hours away! This year I got my shopping done early. I had my annual week of aiding my mom in on the Christmas decorations (not my favorite thing to do). Took pictures for Christmas cards and turned out bad as usual (I'm not photogenic at all). So far December has been good.

Over the past couple of years, as I get older. Christmas has become not so much about the presents, and traditions. It has become about the people who I love and care about. The spotlight has shifted from me to we, to him. Sure its cliche to say its all about Jesus, and quite frankly it is. Presents: traditions, family, friends, and significant others make Christmas truly special.

Christmas brings the best out of everyone (even the Scrooges). So as another Christmas passes, I will enjoy it, in a simple way. Not to fill my mind, with all the chores of Christmas, not to worry about what I got. What I should have done. I'm keeping it simple.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is I will enjoy Christmas. But the focus will be different. For the first time I will sit and be still. To thank my Father for what he has done and yet to do.

Keeping it simple. That's my approach for this Christmas
What's yours?

Merry Christmas to all!

Everything Is A Process

Everything is a process, everything is a process, everything is a process! On Monday night or Tuesday morning, whatever way you want to look at it. I stayed up till 6:30 writing a paper. A paper that at first I was very interested in. Then over time its appeal started to disappear. I don't usually wait til the last minute.

Staring at the computer I realized how tedious this paper was. I wasn't frustrated I was just thinking. A couple of months back I was stopped by a girl at school. She asked me to write something all this huge wall. Something I wanted everyone to see. So my first reaction was a bible verse, but as I thought more about it. I wrote down EVERYTHING IS A PROCESS (all in caps).

To me that little quote, is so true on every level of everyone's life. I'm not the most patient person in the world. I've come to realize that going through a process is healthly for every indivdual. No matter how much it sucks, hurts, sets us back. I've had my share of setbacks, tears of pain, tears of being frustrated.

The last three months I've been learning to be patient and be obedient during the seasons. No matter how long it takes. God will bring good out of it. I get myself in trouble when I jump the gun in the process. When I get got up in the status quo. When I compare myself to others and what they have accomplished.

Yesterday, my dad looked at my paper for kicks. He smiled and said hijo (with an accent) writing is a process, not a over night thing. I laughed and said I found that out last night. Better late than never.

As for the process that I will be going through in the future. I will complain, get mad, but I will learn, and come out a better person, or a paper that receives A+. Either way both will take time.

The Ultimate Concert

Last night courtesy of a good friend of mine. I got to help out at the Shane & Shane concert. At first, I was going to be security and intimidate people as best I could. But within 10 minutes I got moved over to the world vision table. As I started to walk around the stage area getting people to sign up for a prize. I got engaged in so many conversations. I ran into 10 different people that I hadn't seen in months, years. It was a great feeling, its been a while since I've been to a christian concert. The fellowship was awesome so was the music everyone there was happy to be there.

Sure almost all those people go to church on Sunday and perhaps outside of Sunday as well. But when you get into a room full of people who love God and you don't know them. It turns out to be a very cool experience. Not to discount the great people you surround yourself with at church. But its always good to meet other people from different churches and hear their stories. Sure we may not know each other, but our love for God is what we have in common.

So it got me think when I saw all the fellowship and praising going on. I thought won't we be doing this in heaven? Think about it, praising God for what he has done. To praise him 24/7 and fellowship with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I can see everyone singing and praising the Lord. Everyone smiling for the same reason and standing in awe of our Father. Its like the ultimate concert praising God with all who love him deeply and passionately.

No one knows how heaven will be completely. But I do know it will be awesome, and awesome isn't even the right world to describe it. As close to 1,000 people gathered for the concert I started to think of Matthew 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Just imagine how will it will be in heaven. Imagine how many people it will be. Everyone bowing down to the One who gave it all.

I can't wait!
The ultimate concert awaits us!

Them

We all have people who have or had a huge impact in our lives. We all have family members or friends who we deeply admire. We all have been inspired in some way.

We admire someone who's close or someone we may never meet (MLK,Gandhi, for example). What about those random strangers who have instilled the certain emotion or message you were looking for. I refer to them as "them" because I believe there is so many of them. This is true in my life people who we've met that gave us that unexpected boost. They still showed us something worth noting, something constructive.

For example I met a guy my freshman year in college. He was 25, he had a learning disability like me, but he had a severe case. He was 25 and a freshman I had more hours then him. But he was so thankful for where he was he had no car, no girlfriend. He said God would provide all that in his time. He was a history major If he wasn't reading something on history it was the Bible. He humbled me, in so many ways. He was so simple, he had a lot to complain about but never would. He would always say the Lord is enough.

One more example, I met a guy who was getting his life back on track. I use to work at Goodwill this guy less than a year ago was in jail. I met him he was on fire for Jesus. He yearned to follow the Lord everyday. He was always positive, and never thought of himself. He too was in a hard situation 35 and living with the folks. Living paycheck to paycheck, but he rejoiced in the Lord always. Now he is engaged to a godly woman he met at church and just received a promotion. I can see him laughing and yelling out God is good! Everyday I get a text message from him. He texts a verse everyday at the same time 6:30 am what a great alarm clock!

I could go on about all the people who have impacted me in a short amount of time. The people who you wouldn't invite to your birthday party. The people who wouldn't make your fab five sort of speak and that's fine. You may never see them again, or talk to them.

But I ask, to take the time for those random strangers and pray for them. To keep it up,because they have help us in a mighty way. Pray that they can keep it up for others. Pray blessings in their life. Its OK if you don't remember the name, or what they look like. You remember the most important thing what they brought to you. Their effect has lingered on, let it be inspiration to do the same.

Sin In The Present Tense

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 is a very powerful verse the message is clear as day.

I would venture to say that we have used the expression "walk by faith." Easier said then done! Peter Marshall (late Chaplin of the U.S. Senate) says it best.

"Sin in the Present Tense"

Forgive us, O God, for the doubting suspicion with which we regard the heart of God.

We have faith in checks and banks, in trains and airplanes, in cooks, and in strangers who drive us in cabs. Forgive us for our stupidity, that we have faith in people whom we do not know and are so reluctant to have faith in Thee who knowest us altogether.

We are always striving to find a complicated way through life when Thou hast a plan, and we refuse to walk in it. So many of our troubles we bring on ourselves. How silly we are.

Wilt Thou give to us that faith that we can deposit in the bank of Thy love, so that we may receive the dividends and interest that Thou art so willing to give us. We ask it all in the lovely name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

The Journey

As 17 individuals sat in a room with a board full of promise. The night was no longer young our minds were wandering in different directions. We shared out hurts, doubts, and hopes. For the ministry that for the longest time was well to be honest was non- descriptive. Not to completely down play the positives that transpired from this ministry.

The game plan was laid out ownership, commitment were a must. For this new plan to succeed. Even the small feats that our ministry has accomplished. The feats have had huge and positive results. But as I sat there seeing all the tears, fears, and excitement.

I realize this was going to be a new journey. One that was going to test us and one that would produce fruit throughout the ministry. Maintaining a ministry is a tricky thing to do. Its hard, at times the burnout takes place, and satan attacks at full force.

But at the end of the day. Its not for the numbers or how many cool gadgets we have to show people. Its about the people the community that will be built.

But most importantly its about glorify and furthering Our Father's Kingdom

I pray that we never forget that.

Remembering The Name

In the dark corner of a auditorium. I sat there watching everyone conversing with each other. Our pastor had just challenged us to go talk to someone. That we have been meaning to talk to. To befriend a someone, to pray and just simply talk.

Suddenly my youth pastor came towards me. She yelled Jose you want something to eat? I sat in shock that she knew my name. Perhaps I was being naive, giving the fact my name was on the roll every Sunday. But anyways she came sat down and just struck up a conversation. We talked till service ended she invited me to her bible study at her house.

Why am I telling you this? Well remembering people's names can and is a very powerful thing. At the time when my youth pastor approach me. She not only knew my name she took interest in me. That interest has carried on even to this day. I was so lost, confused, and scared at that time. I just turned 13 I was a mess. She came and reflected the love of God on me.

It's not always about the name just taking time to listen, talk to people. Its huge I'm proof of that, it shows that the person cares. That your not just another face. So when I get the chance to call, text, email, or get coffee and talk to someone I pounce on it. You may just text them a little encouragement, see how they did on a test, a current trial. Whatever it may be it will speak volumes. You might not see the end result or receive accolades of your kindness. But that's not what its about.

Taking the time to just to love and share compassion.
I will never forget that Sunday. It changed my life forever.

So I pray that you take the time to talk to someone who is
yearning to be listen to, or someone who needs to vent,
someone who needs a pick me up.
We all need that sometimes.