In the last two years, two of my ministry heroes have finished their race here on the earth. As I sit here reflecting on them, I started thinking about what is next for the rest of us. I made a video for my Spanish YouTube channel and decided to put some English subtitles on it to share with everyone. Be sure the CC button is checked so you can read them.
Last Sunday I had the privilege of preaching at Horizon Baptist Church in week three of their Mission Month.
It was a great time seeing old friends and making new ones. We are thankful for their partnership in the ministry.
The topic of my sermon was, “Paul’s Prayer Letters.”
You can listen to the sermon by clicking here or by clicking the the player below.
Have you ever felt like giving up? It’s pretty easy to do when life becomes difficult or when things just don’t seem to go our way. Often, God uses someone around us to speak His Word to us and remind us to keep going.
Every once in a while, I get an incredible comment that I’d like to share with you.
Recently, on my YouTube channel where I post videos encouraging and equipping Spanish speaking youth workers, I received the following comment. I hope it encourages you to speak a word of encouragement to someone today.
(more…)
I’ve read two articles lately on the topic of teenagers and the Bible. Both articles focus on research done by the Barna Group1 and the American Bible Society2.
The 2016 Teen State of the Bible report found:
However, 14% say that their Bible reading has declined in the last year. The number one reason they have not read the Bible as much this year as last year—they are too busy for life’s responsibilities (41%).
(more…)
When we first moved back to the USA from Mexico City, we spent about 6 months near the East Coast of Florida, and we took advantage of that time to take the kids to the beach every once in a while. If you’ve ever been to the Atlantic Ocean, you know that the waves and undercurrent are very strong, especially for little kids (and dads that have little kids draped on their arms).
I would take each of the kids by the hand—usually one at a time—to brave the waves and walk in the water against the waves. Every time the wave would hit us so hard that it would knock them over and I would hold on to them for dear life while trying to stand my ground. It was terrifyingly fun—for a while. We did learn one truth during our time in the waves, though. They are impossible to stop.
After a few minutes walking out in the waves, I taught Nathan how to simply go with the waves and stop trying to resist them. Once we were out in the water, we could jump when the biggest of waves came and just enjoy them. We could swim with them and ride them into shore, and it was a lot more fun than trying to stop those strong waves or resist them.
This morning I was reading Acts 9, and I came across something I’ve read many times, but something new caught my attention (isn’t that the way it is with the Bible?).
Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”
Ananias had no idea what the Lord was going to ask him to do in verse 10, but he was simply obedient. There are many other stories of people responding to God with a willing spirit before knowing the task ahead (Abraham, Samuel, Isaiah, etc). Ananias is one of these who simply let his willingness lead him on a daily basis.
(more…)
