This was the study of Friday for D-Groups:
Matthew 19:16-
Does it sound familiar? The rich young man represents us, we might not be physically rich, but we are spiritually; but do we even have an idea of how much? Do we even care about things we can’t see? Is going to church for us like going to mass? We feel safe in our zone of comfort, but once God shakes you from your nest and you fall, into the unknown, into new things, into a cruel and cold world that will not hesitate in striking you down, how do we react? Do we blame the Lord for not letting us keep being lazy people? This rich young man said that he had kept all the commandments regarding his neighbor since he was young, now, there is reason to believe he did, because then the Lord would have known if otherwise, but then the Lord pierced deeper into the heart of this young man and found where his heart truly lay: his riches, his zone of comfort.
What is your zone of comfort? Kicking it, listening to music, watching movies, going to church because your parents take you or because you want to hang out with your friends…is this a way of living? Do we so undermine God’s salvation as to pretend we can just say: “alright God, I know I’m a sinner, come into my life, amen,” and then go back to the old ways, the ways of death? Isn’t it contradictory? We grow sad when we get out of our protecting bubble on our own, alone, exposed to the unknown. I was shaken from my nest, big time. A year and a half ago I came from my country, from my land, from my family, from my friends, from my house, from everything I hold dear and true and love…to come to another culture, another land, another family…I had everything I needed in my country, why leave? Because the Lord wanted to. He knew we’d grown cold, so he shook us from our cloud so that we might know who is really in charge. We make plans, we dream, we hope, we seek…but all is what we want, the Lord’s become nothing more than a name, a concept, some guy who died two thousand years ago for the world…more and more it sounds like a fairy tale doesn’t it? If you claim to have Christ in your heart…why aren’t you living so? Why aren’t you trying to discover what comes with the entire package?
Salvation
"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Phillipians 2:12).
Why would we care about God’s salvation? Why should we work to become more Christ-like? What motivates our lives? What do you think?
The word "work out" in the original Greek was used to express the hard work involved in digging out the hidden silver in silver mines, how constantly a miner had to dig and dig until the hidden treasure was found.
I like to find out the original words in Greek to know what the writers really wanted to say, the absolute power with which they charged their letters or books. In this case what Paul really said to those in the church of Philippi with this verse was how to discover what comes with salvation, not how to win it.. This verse is one of the most misinterpreted verses this days. Many take this verse to say that the Bible itself says we can lose our salvation and that with constant fear we must work with our own strength to keep it...
A gift is a gift. The person who gives you a gift never asks for it back. God gave us salvation when we decided to accept it. Paul told them to DEVELOP their salvation...because it is an entire package.
Salvation is not something to be kept there at home until the Lord comes back and then show it to Him and say: see, I am saved, I can enter. It is way more than that...but we cannot see that because we haven't even opened our gift.
We don't have the slightest idea of the position we have, the rank bestowed on us. Being a christian doesn't end with accepting Christ...just how we work in keeping our bodies fit and in shape, so we must shape our salvation, put it into work. Can you see now how this verse has nothing to do with either gaining or losing the salvation?
Salvation is not something static. It has to be in movement.
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2). That's what renovation is for, that we might not be still, that we might be changed and dedicated to work in our salvation, not for it. That's why we work daily for a different life, one more attached to Him. Through renewal we grow more constantly and we start to see the things with the eyes of Christ, for we have his mind...or ought to reach it. The fear and trembling that it mentions is not one of fearing God will strike us with a thunder, but that respect, that honor due to Him we must give.
Have we found any silver yet? Have we even started digging? Do you have any idea of what God has stored for you both here and in heaven? and of what He expects from you? let us not waste more time and start digging now.
It sounds all pretty for me to put it this way, you know. Some of you might get all excited and say: “from now on, I’ll be a guy of prayer, I’ll do stuff, I’ll get right.” It’s nothing more than emotions. That’s why I don’t really like it when, with no offense, pastors ask people with Christ already in their hearts to raise their hands if they want to reconcile with Him again and “ask” the Holy Spirit again. There’s no such thing as “asking to come again,” no such thing as a lukewarm heart. Either you are hot or cold, but if you’re neither, beware. You’ve lost sensibility towards God’s salvation.
Lukewarm
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."" (Revelation 3:14-22).What does it awake in you when you read this passage? Do you reflect about your relationship with Christ? Are you cold? Or are you battling day by day to reach the stature of the perfect Man? Many times we are quick to judge other brothers in Christ in their relationships with Him. We do a perfect job in tearing them apart in our minds and expose them to shame or their “nakedness.”"So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12). How firm do we believe we are walking? How apt do we think we are to judge others before ourselves? Let us measure our temperature before and fear Him who will judge the living and the dead.Ask yourself this: am I looking for the Lord’s face? Am I walking in his commandments? Am I cold? Am I hot? Am I lukewarm? Whatever it is, be afraid when you are either cold or lukewarm, come before the Lord, repent (which means to stop doing what you use to do, never do it again or come back to it) and seek for the Right way and for the holiness for which the Lord called you in the first place.
So it all comes down to one thing: whom do you worship? Where does your allegiance really lie? You cannot know who you are if you don’t know your past, your roots, where you were given true life, if you don’t know who you are, then you don’t know where you’re heading. Even as Christians, examine yourselves right now. I know that many of you feel completely hollow, even being Christians, you know that even though your flesh is satisfied with the materialism of this country, there is something inside that you can’t fill with anything.
Roots
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God" (Colosssians 3:1-3).
In a country such as this (United States) it is very easy to become cold in your communion with the Lord Jesus Christ because there is no persecution or imminent trial. Temptations surround you in all forms and sizes. Materialism is gigantic and colonizes the lives of many people...myself included.
This summer I took a class titled: "History of the United States 11." The system and format of this class is completely different to all the history classes I have ever received. The pure truth about history. Real docummented evidence of all the crimes and atrocities commited against my ancestors (the incas, mayans, aztecs, etc.) and yours as well. The colonization and destruccion of the culture and society of the mayans, aztecs, incas, etc. All that it's not taught in "normal" history classes I have seen at full tilt in this class.Being exposed to all this material (which is something very shocking and it also rips your heart) took me to a dangerous road: doubt. I started to question and ask the Lord why he kept silent? why did he allow innocence to be destroyed and massacred in such a way? Of course, it was man's sin who did that, not God. But why let the evildoers to continue living? why let them continue assassinating and massacrating? why does He expect so much from human beings? I confess, it took me to the point in which I told Him: "you only lived thirty three years in this Earth...while manking has endured and suffered throughout all its existence the different variations of crimes and evilness. I know you will judge evil and that it will not be left unpunished...but what do you expect from something so fragil as a human being?"
You'll wonder: what do the verses have to do with roots? Well, all this period of doubt in my life has made my think of my ethnic roots. What did my forefathers suffer? who really am I? I certainly have no Spanish heritage, I am mayan, etc, etc. but a while ago I realized that I've been putting my eyes in the things that are visible and material, but not in the things from above, where the Just Judge sits and will not let anything escape His Judgment.
What are our roots? If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, He is your root, what keeps you alive, what gave you life in the first place...because before Christ we all were dead. That time of doubt in my life took me to a conclusion: I was beginning to trust in human knowledge, I was letting perpetual arguments to fill my mind. God will deal with all the crimes of mankind. But besides your ethnic roots, do you even know if you have a reference point? can you identify a point in which you actually started living? the point in which you started using your eyes for the first time to see the reality? what gives you life? what spurs you onwards?
Are we putting our eyes above? Are we seeking the perfect wisdom that only comes from the Lord? or are we putting our eyes in human wisdom, in that ridiculous struggle man intends to maintain between God and man to "prove" that God does not exist, that we are our own gods? that God is unjust?...whatever you want to tell me...what really matters ? what is it that at the end will define YOUR DESTINY? do you even know where you're heading? where you will end up in once you exhale your last breath?
That rain of storms I cannot answer for you. Each one of us must examine ourselves and return to our first love...again I ask you: what is your point of reference? what are your roots?
So, going back to the miners thing (which is actually where I decided to name this little study “Lagging Miners”) we are all miners in this world, some are working very hard with a hope and a goal in mind, that’s what fuels them forward, though they go through difficulties, they are still there. This kind of people remind me of the people of our countries. Something you must know: you will never be an American (referring to the United States), you will always be latino. But what does that have to do with all this? If you’ve ever been to your parent’s country of origin you will see the simplicity of the people, their humble personalities, their disposition to help others. I remember going to churches in humble towns in El Salvador, and their faith and determination to live each day for the Lord were so strong that I was completely marveled and shocked at how us, who really have everything, trample on their past efforts to have us here, not go through the violence of gangs and the economic downfall. We are really just spitting on their toil and all they did to have us here by not living the way they did, their complete submission to the Lord. We are safe in our amusement parks, countless concerts, new clothes, videogames, movies, parties, etc., but we neglect our own roots by not living like they live, for the Lord. Maybe you’ve been to missionary trips, so you have seen the need (partly) of the people, but at the same time their simplicity, their utter trust in the Lord. Why can’t we? Why can’t we renounce ridiculous monotonous lives?
And just as we pretend to be from this culture and reject our ancestor’s struggle, the same way we are kicking God out of our lives today. We received the gift of salvation, but that’s it, we went and hid it under our beds, or under the Earth or wherever you want, and never opened it, never dug deep and deep and found all that the Lord has for us. Why don’t we wake up? Yes, you might have troubles in your house with your parents, your family, friends, etc. But how can you compare those with what the apostles went through? The church (meaning those of us who have accepted Christ), as we speak, is dead. We fight each other, we seek to achieve the “American Dream” and not God’s dream for us. When will you wake up? When will you start using the tools given you and start discovering the Lord’s plan for your life. How will He find you when He comes?
Parable of talents
Matthew 25:14-30 (read all) (parable of talents. Are we putting what the Lord has given us (gifts, etc) into work? Or do we simply don’t care and just pretend to hide it until He comes?)
(ASK IF SOMEONE WANTS TO RECEIVE CHRIST
If you are here today, and you have no idea who Jesus Christ is what is all this we’re talking about, let me put it simply to you: Jesus is the Son of God, he came to die here for you many but many years ago. Well, what did I do you will say. Sin, that is what separates us from God. We mess up all the time, if there would be no sacrifice then there would be no hope for us. You don’t need to tell me, but I know that you have a big void in you, and you don’t know how to fill it. It makes you desperate sometimes, it makes you anxious on another. You try to easy that longing by accepting all that this world offers you, hey, maybe that’ll work. But once it’s over every day, you know your void just got bigger, you can’t fill it up, so you just try to become numb to it. So you don’t feel the pain, you know. But it never works. Why would you want to accept Christ and how do you do that? He came to give us hope of an eternity at His side, to fill that void in you until it overflows. If you die today, do you know where you’re going? Do you even know if you’re going somewhere? The Bible says that all those who invoke Him will be saved…from hell. Maybe you’ve heard about hell before, maybe it’s just something the Greeks made up and stuff. Well, it’s not. It’s more real than you think, both God and Satan are more real than yourself. For God doesn’t want any to perish, but that all come to repentance and salvation. (Ask if anyone wants to accept Him) If you want to be free, if you want to fill that void, all you have to do is say this: “Jesus, I may not really know you but…I just want to fill this void and know what true contentment is. Come into my life today, and give me this hope they’re talking about, let me be able to dig and find all the great stuff you have for me. Thank you, Amen.” If you did this prayer, welcome to the family! You might be like what? Was that it? Yes, it is simple now, but it was paid with the highest price. Now all you have to do is congregate in a church where the sound doctrine is taught and keep growing in His love, keep digging and digging. (See before if they have Bibles to give).)
Read verses
Luk 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, (discern clearly) and beware, (be on guard, prevent, avoid) of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
“Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked” (Psalm 37:16).
“Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil” (Proverbs 15:16).
“I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner” (Ecclesiastes 5:13).
“Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand” (Ecclesiastes 5:15).
There is not a more absurd and vain life than that which is lived to accumulate wealth on this Earth. All we possess is borrowed; our life, our time, our resources, the life of the children for those who are parents. And what is really worth in life is what we do with those things for eternity, and that is what our first principle is about.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
Where are your eyes set?
Genesis 47:15 (money is temporary, we come to acknowledge our need).
When the money of the people of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all Egypt came to Joseph and said, "Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? Our money is used up."
Genesis 47:16 (God provides, His love doesn’t expect anything in return, but since He has saved us we should bring him our lives…completely).
"Then bring your livestock," said Joseph. "I will sell you food in exchange for your livestock, since your money is gone."
Genesis 47:18 (complete surrender, humility).
When that year was over, they came to him the following year and said, "We cannot hide from our lord the fact that since our money is gone and our livestock belongs to you, there is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land.
Proverbs 17:16
Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom?
Ecclesiastes 5:10
Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 7:12
Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.
Isaiah 55:2 (New International Version) (vain) (what really matters)
Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Matthew 6:24
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Matthew 21:12 (how we have defiled the Lord’s temple (us) by filling it with sin and the world’s riches, process of cleansing, harsh but healing).
Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.
Matthew 25:13
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Mark 12:41 (humility)
The Widow's Offering
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.
Acts 3:2-8 (God’s wisdom and power are greater than money).
Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.
Acts 4:32-37 (summarize)
The Believers Share Their Possessions
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
Annanias and Sapphira
What part of our lives (if not all of it) do we keep to ourselves and pretend we can fool God?
Acts 8:18-25 (can’t buy or earn God’s Holy Spirit).
1 Timothy 6:3-20
Love of Money
If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Paul's Charge to Timothy
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,
2 Timothy 3:1-9
Godlessness in the Last Days
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
We are in the last days.
Hebrews 13: 5
Concluding Exhortations
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
James 4:13-17
Boasting About Tomorrow
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
We make plans but we don’t put them in the Lord’s hands.
1 Peter 5:2-8
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
sábado, 30 de agosto de 2008
domingo, 24 de agosto de 2008
Warfare of the Saints preview
Chapter 1
Abel lay in the soft white carpet, his arms and legs spread all over. Edward enjoyed seeing his son sleeping: peace and innocence emanating from his mind now drifting into unbreakable sleep. He picked his son carefully from the floor and climbed the stairs slowly, being careful not to let any movement stir Abel out of his dream world. Not even the slightest sound seemed to do so. He entered Abel’s room and laid him softly in his bed, tucking him in. Abel stirred a little and uttered: “Daddy, I love you.” A smile broadened in Edward’s face as he himself wanted Abel’s rest and relief. But it seemed to him that would be stealing. There was no way he was going to mend his errors from the past, nor return to childhood. “Make the best out of these years my son, may God show you the way.”
Edward entered his room and beheld his wife already in bed, deep in reading one of her favorite books. He entered the bathroom and turned on the shaver machine as he asked his wife about her day. “Quiet, the everyday routine. Robert told me the seminar is next week, so I must prepare the material I will give.”
“Does Robert know that the CEO of the company will attend as well?” inquired Edward.
“What!? How come you knew about this and I did not? It is essential that I…”
Edward paused his shaving, peeked out of the bathroom and tried to normalize his now raging wife: “Honey, it’ll be alright, trust in God, pray, seek Him, don’t do this by yourself.” Edward resumed his shaving with a big deception when he saw his wife clearly not paying him any attention, but to the now flying papers she would need for the seminar.
After several hours of conjugal battling, Edward and his wife went to bed. None able to sleep.
Edward’s mind drifted to an unpleasant doze. He found himself surrounded by soldiers clad with ancient armors and sheathed swords. Some were asleep, some were vigilant and refused to sleep. Perhaps they were waiting for their enemy to come. They had been informed of a certain Vincent Adramelech coming to Balcchaist, but there was no knowing how he might look like.
The ever ominous moon grew red as the city of Balcchaist was covered by the darkness of the night, as if covered by a great dark cloak. There was a tense environment and soldiers readied themselves for war. Edward wondered why they would set themselves into their battle positions if there was no enemy at sight. No soul was to be seen all around the Northern perimeter of the city.
Steps.
Strange enough. Rain poured down hard. Wolves filled the eerie background with their infernal voices in unison inviting the weak of heart and spirit.
“Beware of the nights in Balcchaist my dear boy,” advised an old man to Edward “Storms are bad omens…do not let them tuck you in.”
Steps growing ever stronger.
Boy? Why would he call me a boy? thought Edward as he turned with a start when he heard a noise. The noise faded and he turned again to find that the old man was gone and with him a fading sarcastic laughter.
A watchman caught a glimpse of a figure approaching the main gate. It seemed that the path he had trailed was a long straight line of dark fire.
Steps cease.
“In the name of King Emmanuel, I bid you give your name and mission here.”
The stranger clad in a long black robe covering his entire face and body slowly looked up. A dim hint of his face was seen. It was not enough however, for the distant guard to perceive and judge.
As the stranger opened his mouth to utter words, it seemed to the guard that a heat was growing ever stronger in his face.
“I am Vincent.”
“What is thy mission in this place?”
“I am here to see your king.”
“What business might you have with him at this hour of the night?”
“Mind your tongue young watchman! Have you any idea who am I!?”
“That will be enough soldier,” said Belial, who seemed to Edward as some kind of a superior officer.
Belial stepped forward and leaned in the broad stone wall and peered at Vincent with a strange grin. Then he returned to his chamber as he waved dismissingly as to convey the message that there was no need to worry about Vincent, that it was alright for him to enter the city.
As a soldier was about to order for the doors to be opened, the doors opened by themselves slowly and creaking greatly. The soldiers were astounded but knew better than to act against Belial’s word. But how could the one and only King of the world, the Almighty Emmanuel, allow such mystery to transpire in His saints’ forth on Earth?
Edward had forgotten that he was in another world, he was dreaming, or so he thought.
“Ready men!”
Why would they set themselves into position again? There was no enemy army nearby or far. And who was this Vincent coming into the city? What city was this? Who was Belial? What in the world was going on!? But there was one question that intrigued him further: King Emmanuel. Who was He? Whenever he heard His name a sudden terror came to him but at the same time an impulse to glorify someone he had never seen. Was God showing him something through this “dream”?
Edward sneaked out from the ranks and into the inner quarters. His armor served him as a disguise.
“Welcome to Balcchaist, my dear Vincent.”
“I am at thy service, my lord.”
Edward watched as Vincent bowed to Belial and Belial’s eyes turned from blue to red as he discovered Edward sneaking in.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was sent by the general, sir. They need you at the main palace.”
This is it. At least I will die in a dream, not in reality.
True enough, there was a commotion at the main gate and Edward heard several soldiers saying that Belial had been summoned at the presence of King Emmanuel.
“Show him to his quarters…he shall not be disturbed at any time by anyone, understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you…you will not speak of what you have seen here today, or I shall have your corpse fed to the crows, understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
Edward saw Belial leave his chamber and took Vincent to his room. For him it was as if he was escorting the devil himself. Ghastly thoughts ran through his mind as he walked Vincent to his room and breathing was a hard task. His eyes burned and sweat ran through his face as he dripped.
“Remember…I shall not be disturbed…or I shall have not your corpse, but your soul fed to the crows.”
With that, Vincent slammed the door on Edward’s face without ever touching it with his hand.
Edward fled from the inner quarters. He cared not what was transpiring in the inner palace. He wanted out of this dream. How could this be a dream? It was too long, too real, too frightening. He felt everything: heat, cold, anxiety, fear, etc. How could one feel these things in a dream?
As Edward made his way out of the inner quarters, he heard a great commotion outside. A great war was being waged. Before he took any action or had even time to unsheathe his sword he turned to see a sword about to pierce him and awoke with a start.
Anxiety. Fear. All emotions mingled into one. As he awoke he felt as if he was plunged into a dark eternal abyss.
Edward got up from bed, full of adrenaline created by his own mind. He made his way down the stairs and into his living room. He knelt and prayed: “what are you trying to show me Lord? Is this from you?”
Chapter 2
Paul closed his eyes and as he opened them again he found himself standing in a great battlefield where a great war was being waged. He was alone, but at the same time not alone. He found himself completely equipped with a great armor, a helmet, a big shield, swift boots and a gigantic double-edged sword.
An ugly looking creature clad in a black armor came charging against Paul. He unsheathed his great double-edged sword and pierced the monster, emitting a bright white light from the place of the wound. What in the world?
More monsters came charging against Paul. He looked around quickly and saw many others like him prevailing and falling.
Paul suddenly cried out with a great voice: “lay still!”
The horde of monsters stood their ground, seemingly frozen.
Paul raised his sword as the dark skies opened up just enough to lit him with light and bestow his sword with a powerful charge from a lightning. He did not seem to be stricken dead. In fact, he seemed taller and more majestic, but at the same time more determined to put an end to this threat.
“Who dares stand against the sword of the Lord?”
As Paul said this, the monsters seemed to come out of what froze them in their place and resumed their charge against Paul, now radiating with a light emanating from his sword.
The monsters neared Paul, and he readied himself for battle, breathing deeply.
The banging in Paul’s door awoke him with a start. He answered the door and a letter was given to him:
My dear father,
I have great news for you; it seems that I will be able to accompany you after all in your journey. Right now I am writing to you hastily, but I shall regale you with all that has happened. Forgive my briefness but time allows me to stay not. Wait for me in four days approximately.
With the deepest love of God,
Your son,
Timothy
Chapter 3
The next day, after telling his wife about the dream, Edward called his friend Paul. To his amazement, Paul had had a similar dream, although he was battling outside of the city of Balcchaist in the worst of the battle.
“Did you go inside the inner palace?”
“No, Paul, I was scared, it was a dream…or I think it was a dream. I was scared to death and I ran for my life…ironic isn’t it? It was a dream and I feared for my life.”
“Well so did I.”
“Yes but you summoned a lightning Paul! Come on!”
“We were both in the middle of a battle…Edward, I do not think this was a coincidence, I believe this was something beyond a dream…and yesterday was not it, or so I think.”
“What do you mean?”
“If God is trying to show us something through this, it will happen again until it leads us somewhere.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Edward.”
“Yeah, Paul.”
“Do not run next time, wage the battle…I have a possible answer to this, but I believe it is better for each one of us to find it out. You know we battle every day not against flesh and bone, but against the forces of the devil. Draw your own conclusions about what I just told you and I’ll see you later.”
“All right pal, take care, and God bless you.”
“Thanks, you too, bye.”
--
Tom prepared his schedule for the day:
3:30pm-4:30pm Church
5:00-Until I can take it! – Party!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Tom! So good to see you here.”
“Uh-huh, me too.”
“Everything alright pal?”
“Yeah, sure.”
Edward saw Tom take a seat in church with his friends, pull out his cell phone and start pressing buttons as fast as he had ever seen anyone do it. He noticed he had not brought a Bible with him.
“I guess technology is not my thing, but…”
Edward’s thoughts were interrupted by a big hairy hand in his shoulder.
“Edward! So good to see you here,” said Paul with utmost honesty and love.
“Likewise old friend.”
Paul left and sat while worship started. Once it ended, Paul stepped up and began: “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” (Ephesians 1: 2-6).
The service had not even started when Tom started nodding and finally fell asleep during service. Time slowed down as his cell phone fell from his hands and into the ground. Many of Tom’s friends-if not all-were also plunging into the lullaby of boredom.
The strong hiss of an arrow piercing his robe awoke Tom with a start, but where was he? Where was everyone? This wasn’t church, where was this? He looked around and saw his friends, startled by a great commotion outside of the cave they were sleeping in.
One of Tom’s friends went outside to see what was going on. Everyone saw him flying from the entrance of the cave to the wall, a large, thick, and black arrow piercing his chest. Harry started trying to pull the arrow out of his chest, but he had no strength to do so. It was as if now the arrow was part of him. A tall, strong and loathsome dark warrior came inside the tent, blood dripping from his jaw. He opened his mouth as maggots and blood spilled out of it and he hollered a cry of war, as if enjoying his prey.
Harry’s friend’s were motionless. Even Tom was frozen in place.
“Where are your swords you filthy unworthy Holliards? Where are your armors? Your shields, your helmets, your boots?” suddenly inquired the monster.
“You claim to have the light in you, yet you are not prepared to face the ruler of your world! Belial the great, he is our master and will be yours soon!”
As the monster lifted his large black sword to behead Harry, something stopped him; he could not move his arm.
“Dare thee touch my chosen ones, my sons!?”
Behind the monster, a mighty white rider approached the tent, no one’s eyes could remain fully opened at the incredible brightness of this newcomer.
“It is their fault, oh Almighty Emmanuel, they are not prepared, and they do not even have their armors, nor their shields or swords.”
“It has been given to you to make war with the saints, and take the life of some, but knowledge and utterance has been given to thee to discern who you have been given to overpower and who not to. For they have been sealed by my Spirit, and thy shall not lift a hand to kill them! For you shall certainly fail to!”
As everyone heard these words, the monster grimaced, the white rider motioned with his hand and the monster flew out of the cave many feet away, pierced by a spear and died.
The white rider disappeared.
As they came out of their trance, Harry’s friends mustered courage to help him out of the arrow, but still they could not do anything.
Another being came into the cave, but this time Tom recognized him. It was his father, who was also missing his entire armor. Tom smiled and cried but jerked back as he saw the head of an arrow clearly visible in his father’s chest.
The congregation looked back with great surprise and concern at the source of the sudden screams. The entire church’s eyes were riveted upon a small group of teenagers who in the middle of the service had cried out: “No!!!!!!!!”
The group of teenagers fled from the main temple to the outside, and breathed fresh air as they were back to reality.
“What the heck was all that!?”
Harry did not even look at his friends, but at his chest, where in his dream he had been pierced by an arrow. There was no sign of it now, not even a hint. The teenagers were sweating in great amounts and they gasped for air.
“I don’t know! Oh my God! That was so embarrassing!”
“Dude that was so sick! That was down!”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” said Tom in a very thoughtful way.
“Dude are you alright? It was just a dream I mean…”
“No it wasn’t just a dream, first of all we were at church sleeping, secondly we screamed during service, thirdly we ran out while everyone was looking at us…”
“I know foo, that was…my dad is gonna kill me.”
“Or something else will…”
Come back to me…
Abel lay in the soft white carpet, his arms and legs spread all over. Edward enjoyed seeing his son sleeping: peace and innocence emanating from his mind now drifting into unbreakable sleep. He picked his son carefully from the floor and climbed the stairs slowly, being careful not to let any movement stir Abel out of his dream world. Not even the slightest sound seemed to do so. He entered Abel’s room and laid him softly in his bed, tucking him in. Abel stirred a little and uttered: “Daddy, I love you.” A smile broadened in Edward’s face as he himself wanted Abel’s rest and relief. But it seemed to him that would be stealing. There was no way he was going to mend his errors from the past, nor return to childhood. “Make the best out of these years my son, may God show you the way.”
Edward entered his room and beheld his wife already in bed, deep in reading one of her favorite books. He entered the bathroom and turned on the shaver machine as he asked his wife about her day. “Quiet, the everyday routine. Robert told me the seminar is next week, so I must prepare the material I will give.”
“Does Robert know that the CEO of the company will attend as well?” inquired Edward.
“What!? How come you knew about this and I did not? It is essential that I…”
Edward paused his shaving, peeked out of the bathroom and tried to normalize his now raging wife: “Honey, it’ll be alright, trust in God, pray, seek Him, don’t do this by yourself.” Edward resumed his shaving with a big deception when he saw his wife clearly not paying him any attention, but to the now flying papers she would need for the seminar.
After several hours of conjugal battling, Edward and his wife went to bed. None able to sleep.
Edward’s mind drifted to an unpleasant doze. He found himself surrounded by soldiers clad with ancient armors and sheathed swords. Some were asleep, some were vigilant and refused to sleep. Perhaps they were waiting for their enemy to come. They had been informed of a certain Vincent Adramelech coming to Balcchaist, but there was no knowing how he might look like.
The ever ominous moon grew red as the city of Balcchaist was covered by the darkness of the night, as if covered by a great dark cloak. There was a tense environment and soldiers readied themselves for war. Edward wondered why they would set themselves into their battle positions if there was no enemy at sight. No soul was to be seen all around the Northern perimeter of the city.
Steps.
Strange enough. Rain poured down hard. Wolves filled the eerie background with their infernal voices in unison inviting the weak of heart and spirit.
“Beware of the nights in Balcchaist my dear boy,” advised an old man to Edward “Storms are bad omens…do not let them tuck you in.”
Steps growing ever stronger.
Boy? Why would he call me a boy? thought Edward as he turned with a start when he heard a noise. The noise faded and he turned again to find that the old man was gone and with him a fading sarcastic laughter.
A watchman caught a glimpse of a figure approaching the main gate. It seemed that the path he had trailed was a long straight line of dark fire.
Steps cease.
“In the name of King Emmanuel, I bid you give your name and mission here.”
The stranger clad in a long black robe covering his entire face and body slowly looked up. A dim hint of his face was seen. It was not enough however, for the distant guard to perceive and judge.
As the stranger opened his mouth to utter words, it seemed to the guard that a heat was growing ever stronger in his face.
“I am Vincent.”
“What is thy mission in this place?”
“I am here to see your king.”
“What business might you have with him at this hour of the night?”
“Mind your tongue young watchman! Have you any idea who am I!?”
“That will be enough soldier,” said Belial, who seemed to Edward as some kind of a superior officer.
Belial stepped forward and leaned in the broad stone wall and peered at Vincent with a strange grin. Then he returned to his chamber as he waved dismissingly as to convey the message that there was no need to worry about Vincent, that it was alright for him to enter the city.
As a soldier was about to order for the doors to be opened, the doors opened by themselves slowly and creaking greatly. The soldiers were astounded but knew better than to act against Belial’s word. But how could the one and only King of the world, the Almighty Emmanuel, allow such mystery to transpire in His saints’ forth on Earth?
Edward had forgotten that he was in another world, he was dreaming, or so he thought.
“Ready men!”
Why would they set themselves into position again? There was no enemy army nearby or far. And who was this Vincent coming into the city? What city was this? Who was Belial? What in the world was going on!? But there was one question that intrigued him further: King Emmanuel. Who was He? Whenever he heard His name a sudden terror came to him but at the same time an impulse to glorify someone he had never seen. Was God showing him something through this “dream”?
Edward sneaked out from the ranks and into the inner quarters. His armor served him as a disguise.
“Welcome to Balcchaist, my dear Vincent.”
“I am at thy service, my lord.”
Edward watched as Vincent bowed to Belial and Belial’s eyes turned from blue to red as he discovered Edward sneaking in.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was sent by the general, sir. They need you at the main palace.”
This is it. At least I will die in a dream, not in reality.
True enough, there was a commotion at the main gate and Edward heard several soldiers saying that Belial had been summoned at the presence of King Emmanuel.
“Show him to his quarters…he shall not be disturbed at any time by anyone, understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you…you will not speak of what you have seen here today, or I shall have your corpse fed to the crows, understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
Edward saw Belial leave his chamber and took Vincent to his room. For him it was as if he was escorting the devil himself. Ghastly thoughts ran through his mind as he walked Vincent to his room and breathing was a hard task. His eyes burned and sweat ran through his face as he dripped.
“Remember…I shall not be disturbed…or I shall have not your corpse, but your soul fed to the crows.”
With that, Vincent slammed the door on Edward’s face without ever touching it with his hand.
Edward fled from the inner quarters. He cared not what was transpiring in the inner palace. He wanted out of this dream. How could this be a dream? It was too long, too real, too frightening. He felt everything: heat, cold, anxiety, fear, etc. How could one feel these things in a dream?
As Edward made his way out of the inner quarters, he heard a great commotion outside. A great war was being waged. Before he took any action or had even time to unsheathe his sword he turned to see a sword about to pierce him and awoke with a start.
Anxiety. Fear. All emotions mingled into one. As he awoke he felt as if he was plunged into a dark eternal abyss.
Edward got up from bed, full of adrenaline created by his own mind. He made his way down the stairs and into his living room. He knelt and prayed: “what are you trying to show me Lord? Is this from you?”
Chapter 2
Paul closed his eyes and as he opened them again he found himself standing in a great battlefield where a great war was being waged. He was alone, but at the same time not alone. He found himself completely equipped with a great armor, a helmet, a big shield, swift boots and a gigantic double-edged sword.
An ugly looking creature clad in a black armor came charging against Paul. He unsheathed his great double-edged sword and pierced the monster, emitting a bright white light from the place of the wound. What in the world?
More monsters came charging against Paul. He looked around quickly and saw many others like him prevailing and falling.
Paul suddenly cried out with a great voice: “lay still!”
The horde of monsters stood their ground, seemingly frozen.
Paul raised his sword as the dark skies opened up just enough to lit him with light and bestow his sword with a powerful charge from a lightning. He did not seem to be stricken dead. In fact, he seemed taller and more majestic, but at the same time more determined to put an end to this threat.
“Who dares stand against the sword of the Lord?”
As Paul said this, the monsters seemed to come out of what froze them in their place and resumed their charge against Paul, now radiating with a light emanating from his sword.
The monsters neared Paul, and he readied himself for battle, breathing deeply.
The banging in Paul’s door awoke him with a start. He answered the door and a letter was given to him:
My dear father,
I have great news for you; it seems that I will be able to accompany you after all in your journey. Right now I am writing to you hastily, but I shall regale you with all that has happened. Forgive my briefness but time allows me to stay not. Wait for me in four days approximately.
With the deepest love of God,
Your son,
Timothy
Chapter 3
The next day, after telling his wife about the dream, Edward called his friend Paul. To his amazement, Paul had had a similar dream, although he was battling outside of the city of Balcchaist in the worst of the battle.
“Did you go inside the inner palace?”
“No, Paul, I was scared, it was a dream…or I think it was a dream. I was scared to death and I ran for my life…ironic isn’t it? It was a dream and I feared for my life.”
“Well so did I.”
“Yes but you summoned a lightning Paul! Come on!”
“We were both in the middle of a battle…Edward, I do not think this was a coincidence, I believe this was something beyond a dream…and yesterday was not it, or so I think.”
“What do you mean?”
“If God is trying to show us something through this, it will happen again until it leads us somewhere.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“Edward.”
“Yeah, Paul.”
“Do not run next time, wage the battle…I have a possible answer to this, but I believe it is better for each one of us to find it out. You know we battle every day not against flesh and bone, but against the forces of the devil. Draw your own conclusions about what I just told you and I’ll see you later.”
“All right pal, take care, and God bless you.”
“Thanks, you too, bye.”
--
Tom prepared his schedule for the day:
3:30pm-4:30pm Church
5:00-Until I can take it! – Party!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Tom! So good to see you here.”
“Uh-huh, me too.”
“Everything alright pal?”
“Yeah, sure.”
Edward saw Tom take a seat in church with his friends, pull out his cell phone and start pressing buttons as fast as he had ever seen anyone do it. He noticed he had not brought a Bible with him.
“I guess technology is not my thing, but…”
Edward’s thoughts were interrupted by a big hairy hand in his shoulder.
“Edward! So good to see you here,” said Paul with utmost honesty and love.
“Likewise old friend.”
Paul left and sat while worship started. Once it ended, Paul stepped up and began: “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” (Ephesians 1: 2-6).
The service had not even started when Tom started nodding and finally fell asleep during service. Time slowed down as his cell phone fell from his hands and into the ground. Many of Tom’s friends-if not all-were also plunging into the lullaby of boredom.
The strong hiss of an arrow piercing his robe awoke Tom with a start, but where was he? Where was everyone? This wasn’t church, where was this? He looked around and saw his friends, startled by a great commotion outside of the cave they were sleeping in.
One of Tom’s friends went outside to see what was going on. Everyone saw him flying from the entrance of the cave to the wall, a large, thick, and black arrow piercing his chest. Harry started trying to pull the arrow out of his chest, but he had no strength to do so. It was as if now the arrow was part of him. A tall, strong and loathsome dark warrior came inside the tent, blood dripping from his jaw. He opened his mouth as maggots and blood spilled out of it and he hollered a cry of war, as if enjoying his prey.
Harry’s friend’s were motionless. Even Tom was frozen in place.
“Where are your swords you filthy unworthy Holliards? Where are your armors? Your shields, your helmets, your boots?” suddenly inquired the monster.
“You claim to have the light in you, yet you are not prepared to face the ruler of your world! Belial the great, he is our master and will be yours soon!”
As the monster lifted his large black sword to behead Harry, something stopped him; he could not move his arm.
“Dare thee touch my chosen ones, my sons!?”
Behind the monster, a mighty white rider approached the tent, no one’s eyes could remain fully opened at the incredible brightness of this newcomer.
“It is their fault, oh Almighty Emmanuel, they are not prepared, and they do not even have their armors, nor their shields or swords.”
“It has been given to you to make war with the saints, and take the life of some, but knowledge and utterance has been given to thee to discern who you have been given to overpower and who not to. For they have been sealed by my Spirit, and thy shall not lift a hand to kill them! For you shall certainly fail to!”
As everyone heard these words, the monster grimaced, the white rider motioned with his hand and the monster flew out of the cave many feet away, pierced by a spear and died.
The white rider disappeared.
As they came out of their trance, Harry’s friends mustered courage to help him out of the arrow, but still they could not do anything.
Another being came into the cave, but this time Tom recognized him. It was his father, who was also missing his entire armor. Tom smiled and cried but jerked back as he saw the head of an arrow clearly visible in his father’s chest.
The congregation looked back with great surprise and concern at the source of the sudden screams. The entire church’s eyes were riveted upon a small group of teenagers who in the middle of the service had cried out: “No!!!!!!!!”
The group of teenagers fled from the main temple to the outside, and breathed fresh air as they were back to reality.
“What the heck was all that!?”
Harry did not even look at his friends, but at his chest, where in his dream he had been pierced by an arrow. There was no sign of it now, not even a hint. The teenagers were sweating in great amounts and they gasped for air.
“I don’t know! Oh my God! That was so embarrassing!”
“Dude that was so sick! That was down!”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” said Tom in a very thoughtful way.
“Dude are you alright? It was just a dream I mean…”
“No it wasn’t just a dream, first of all we were at church sleeping, secondly we screamed during service, thirdly we ran out while everyone was looking at us…”
“I know foo, that was…my dad is gonna kill me.”
“Or something else will…”
Come back to me…
sábado, 16 de agosto de 2008
The Price of Obedience (part 3)
And there is still a lot but a lot to tell but...I don't want to make these entries any longer than I already have so...to the the point of this entry:
It doesn't matter if you have a relative or a friend that has gone through something similar or exactly the same...you will NEVER know exactly what it is to go through that experience. And even if you have never experienced it...you must learn to value what you have, because nothing is stable, you never know when it will be taken from you...and generally WITHOUT warning.
"You never know what you have until you lose it." That's something I've learned and I know it's true. But when you're under the grace of Jesus when you accept Him as your Savior and Lord, the fact of losing something is to win something much greater and better than anything you can ever imagine...that is now my hope. If it seemed to you somewhat strong when I referred to the airplane as the "cursed son that would take me to the abyss itself," you must know those were my feelings at the moment.
My eyes have been opened. As christians we are supposed to now see, but many of us don't want to see, we want to remain in this world and do everything just as the world does it...but...we are not of this world! My eyes have been opened. I no longer see buildings or anything I know as the "civilized world." Now I see in my hand a double-edged sword, an armor, and a shield...all to fight, not against flesh and blood, but against rulers and the hosts of evil in the heavens. I now see a perpetually clouded world. I see those without Christ and I literally see hunches in their backs representing their burdens and their sins...they are dead, but walk without any knowledge and serve the prince of this world...some without knowing it, others with no knowledge of it. At the same time I see thousands of aberrations with weapons and armors just as us...but at the service of Satan.
My experience in this country is to teach me obedience, total dependence of Jesus. Have I learned it? no, I am still too stubborn and I still haven't given myself completely to Him...but until I do so I will be able to really rest in his peace.
We are at war. Can you see it? If you're christian, are you alert to sudden duels between you and the hosts of Satan? are you conscious of the seriousness of this war? or are you imitating this world? are you playing "safe" in that salvation is the end of all...look at my life! I thought the same...the price of obedience...the Lord Jesus brought us here for a purpose, but until we learn to obey and wait in Him can we rest and fight with all of the Lord's strength...because you cannot fight with your own strength, NEVER...
We are at war...are you fighting? or you prefer to hide under the wolf's claws? That is kind of contradictory isn't it? Take a decision already...and don't act on feelings, but on actions.
As christians, we don't do works to GAIN salvation...but once we are saved we MUST produce fruit. Once we have decided to accept Christ in our heart WE MUST PRODUCE FRUIT! Areyou worried about the latest upcoming album of a "christian" band? with the latest fashion looks? with the "coolest" music? Are you worried about your hairstyle, your clothes, your car, how people look at you? Are you looking to do the things the world does? so much that you want to be like the world and also as if you want to "win" people for Christ trying to imitate the world?Don't confuse the example of Christ and Paul's in that sense.
Christ got together with sinners, but He didn't participate in what they did. Christ shared with them and didn't put them aside, but he didn't participate in what they did. In the same way Paul. To say that you want a tattoo to gain other for Christ because "that is their culture" is simply an excuse to imitate the world...because YOUR body is the propriety of Christ..."I beg you brothers, in view of God's mercy that you present your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and pleasant to God, which is your racional cult."
Not only your soul, but your body becomes propriety of Christ also when you accept Him as Savior. Don't tell me that your body is a "temporal tent," give yourself completely to Christ if you're going to accept Him!
The price of obedience includes more than a compromise after listening to a pretty song. It is a painful process. But the seed must die before it can carry its fruit. The same applies to us.
At the end I know I will see the result of all this process. On September 3rd I start my last year of high school, and to tell you the truth, I am in panic...it is a world without fear of Jesus, but Jesus has me there to be a light to others...and you?
Are you willing to take a chance? to face the price of obedience?
The Price of Obedience (part 2)
I saw the room in which my friends would share one more year...without me. An entire year of experiences not lived, not shared...an entire year in which I would lose contact with them. The year in which they would graduate...and that I wouldn't even get to see them graduate...the moment I had waited for so long and for which I had worked so much for: graduate with them or see them graduate at least...a moment destroyed. You have lived with your friends, you graduated with them, you saw them leave your life, the faithful stayed, others didn't...it's an inevitable moment, but...you lived it, you experienced it, it was recorded in your mind and heart for ever...at least you are able to say: I graduated with them or I saw them graduate. That is something I cannot say.
"Hey everyone. As some of you already know I'm leaving to the States tomorrow." I didn't see any reaction. "I just wanted to thank you for all that we've gone through, all that you allowed me to experience with you, the love you've given me and that I gave you. Thank you, thank you so much for those six years you gave me...six years is really a long time and..." my heart couldn't bear it any longer...I broke down right in that moment...I couldn't keep talking...to say that a knot formed in my throat is very little...my sight was distorted, my eyes, full of tears, forced my head to incline down. There was silence. Rebeca got up, moved to where I was and told me: "please don't cry" and she hugged me. Never did I wanted to hold her so much as that day. I didn't want to separate myself from her. I knew I wouldn't see here for a long time...but even with all that had happened, the reality still hadn't hit me its hardest...until I was before the airplane.
I still held her in my arms...my friend, my loving sister who gave me her unconditional friendship...this would be the last time I would see her and hug her. Little by little all the rest of my schoolmates got up to hugh me and take pictures.
We took a lot of pictures and...after being with them for a moment...I knew I didn't have more time...I had to go. But I didn't want to! How are you supposed to just say goodbye from the people you shared so much time with? In what sane mind does it fit that you will let them go? However...I knew I had to...and I said goodbye...when I closed that door I closed my life. Outside were two more classmates that maybe had gone to the restroom or something but that were not there when I talked to the rest. I said goodbye to them too. My last heartbeat.Walking through that school in my way to the parking lot was even more painful than all I had experienced until that moment. When I saw the cafeteria I suddenly saw that it was filled with many little boys and girls running to buy something to eat as they talked. There was a boy with glasses that looked a lot like me. I realized that it was me...I was a little reserved, I was sorry for that now. But I saw that my friends were with me...a little hope...that I couldn't see in that moment. Every little piece of that school that I saw as I went out had a memory, something I experienced. My life, my being was left behind. It would be the last time I would see the place where the Lord gave me so many precious stones.
I am really sorry that another friend of mine, Raquel, couldn't make it. I shared so much time and so much with her, I got to know her so much that she is a very precious stone to me. But it wasn't her fault or anyone else's, even though I know that I will see her again and everyone else...but not even that brought me comfort in that moment.
My brother and best friend, Eduardo Garcia. More faithful friend I will never find. He told me once something I'll never forget: "God takes us to places where one doesn't want to go, but for a purpose. Wherever you go, I pray that you may be a light to other, for that is why He is taking you there."I was walking to the parking lot where my uncle Alejandro was waiting for me. I turned around once more: "Bautista Miramonte Church." Goodbye, goodbye...I will return to reclaim my life."
Little by little I was dying. A huge part of me had just died: my friends. But the worse was yet to come...
What would you have felt or thought in a situation like that?
We continued doing transactions and other things...afternoon came...the day went by so fast...my family arrived to give us a farewell party and help us pack. My aunt Tita stayed to sleep with her family (she didn't sleep) to help us pack. I didn't have time to do something I liked to do a lot: look through my window to the skies and see the stars and hear the silent (by nights) city of Santa Tecla. But no, I was busy at the moment taking everything out from what once was my room. All my personal items, all my toys, my drums, everything that for four years (the time I spent in that house because we had moved) and for the previous years of my life in another house. I had no idea that every little thing in that room now in the United States would serve as a link to a little part of my life...MY LIFE!
That night we went to our great friend Fanny's house to say goodbye. She already knew the news of course. It was something very but very painful that even as I write it I am living it again.
I really didn't know her much yet, but we had already gone out, she, my brother and I to Multi Plaza (a mall in El Salvador) to have a good time and to other places too. We shared beautiful moments. Even though I didn't know her much...I had grown fond of her. We took pictures with her. First my brother talked to her and she gave him a necklace that had belonged to her dad and they said goodbye. Seeing them say goodbye was too much for me and I also started crying. My turn arrived and I said goodbye of her. To step out of that house was another severe blow to my heart. Never did I imagine the friendship I would get to have with her...never did I think I would have a sister in her. But I do, and it's one of the things that gives me the strength to move on.I had four years of not seeing my room with nothing in it. The sun had already risen. But how!? How did it came to sunrise so fast? I got ready, the same as my brother and my mom. I saw my room for the last time and I slowly closed the door: another part of me died...I went down the stairs and took pictures with my family. It was already time to go to the airport. I had 48 hours without sleeping in a row. My dogs: Doguie, Gordo (Fat) and Pigui...my mom had already gone out of the house, she couldn't bear saying goodbye to the dogs. I said goodbye, I caressed them as I had never done it before...they didn't have the least idea of that was going on. Doguie always calm, Gordo always playing, Pigui always angry. I closed the door while at the same time I heard a scream within me...another part died. My heart was barely beating...I was agonizing as was y family.
I walked to the truck but turned around to see my house for the last time. How couldn't I value all this?
Inside the truck, if someone didn't speak to me I could fall asleep right in the moment. I had 48 hours in a row without sleeping, so I didn't have the opportunity to appreciate every little thing outside the truck's window.
We arrived at the airport and took pictures. We went in to register the luggage and make all the processes. Two of my brother's friends were waiting for him upstairs. Surprise! they traveled all the way to the airport to say goodbye to him. It was very nice of them.
We spent some time with my family taking pictures. My aunt Claudia embraced us and wept as she held us in her arms...she was there since before we were born and held us when we were born, she shared time with us.Our flight was called. Finally I felt the real entire blow of reality. Finally this would be the last time we would be in our country. We all embraced, said last words...and my brother and my mom and I started walking toward the gate, (what I will tell you is what I felt in that moment) that cursed dark gate that would take me to the abyss itself.
Desperate, helpless, defenseless, I turned around to see my family...I don't blame my brother and my mom for not doing it because it was simply too much...they made signs of "courage" and "strength." The wall started covering one by one each member of my family. I turned around to see that I had to take my shoe
s and any metalic object off to put them in a tray and go through a detector machine. No one said anything. There was much to tell and at the same time nothing to say. Agony is hardly a right word to define what the three of us were experiencing in that moment. We got on the plane (an experience I had never had before but which I wasn't exactly enjoying in that moment) and we waited, we waited chained to that dog from the abyss that would take us to another destiny while we had our own land within our reach...crazy ideas went through my mind: how about I get out of here, I can throw myself out of the window or something...it doesn't matter...nothing mattered for me then...Time seemed endless. The plane never took off! If I was to be tortured so then it better end quick! you can't imagine what a torture it was to be sitting there waiting in the plane while you looked outside the window your country, helpless, without being able to do a thing...
Finally the engines went on...the plane started taking off...the airplane rose while my "Pulgarcito de America" (Little Thumb of America, that's the way the country is called) became smaller and smaller every time...ants outside the window.
What would you have felt when you saw your country reduced to a crumb? To know you were heading to something new and different BUT outside of your country?
The Price of Obedience (part 1)
Today I would like to share with you something very but very personal: the true story before coming to the United States and since then until today. Please excuse the length of this entry...not even a huge entry can hold all that really took place. So please, set aside a little of your time to read all three parts of this entry, then you will see the reason of its title. move to another state...most of you who read this entry right now have never had to move from your country, the place you were raised and grew up in, where your culture was formed and instituted, where you grew up with unbreakable and perpetual friendships, where you formed your life.
The wound in my entire being still cries out to the top of its voice...it is a pain that I had never experienced before, that I never thought I would face although I knew it was coming my way.
From years ago we had planned to come to Los Angeles because God put it in my dad's heart that we would do it. Years passed and the veil still remained on my eyes. So much time shared with my family and friends and I never apreciated and cherished them for what they really are. What I desire the most now was before something I didn't worry to lose because there was nothing imminent in my way that would snatch it...which is not the case now...
Mid November 2006 - The night was strange, my family arrived to have a farewell party for my dad who was coming to LA next day. It was bittersweet, but I was really in my comfort zone, my home, my roots. Of course it pained me that my dad was leaving and that we would be separated...but not for a long time because the plan was to leave soon after my dad had found a place for us to live in in order to move. There was no danger yet...even before all of that we already knew my dad would be leaving first and my last days in my last year of school with my friends with whom I shared six years of my life were equally bitter...it would be the last times I would live with all of my brothers in Christ...my friends...my faithful friends...the last independence day celebration in september...the last homework, on last glimpse of the place that took me under its wing for so many years.
School ended. We went with my friends to celebrate...and give me a farewell party. Still we didn't know the date we would be leaving. We went to the gym with my brother, all cool, nothing to worry about more than the pain of knowing I would never again see all of my friends together.
December 24 2007, midnight - The fireworks disabled our sight and hearing (too much smoke and the entire country blowing up fireworks) completely...it was a moment that transported me and made me feel the best...but at the same time the sword started piercing my heart: it would be my last christmas, no more fireworks in Salvadorian style, no more living with the same people, MY PEOPLE!
We shared that christmas with my little sister Fanny, I didn't know her at all really by then, but in that christmas time (and New Year's Eve as well) we share unforgettable times and all my family and her spent an excelent christmas...but still with all the presents and all the fireworks and the moment, they couldn't take from my mind the reality: I will not see nothing of these nor this people again for a long time. I cannot really express you the pain I feel each time I remember all this...it's something that accompanies me everywhere.
New Year's Eve - Part of this year I would live it in El Salvador...most of that year I would live it in the United States and much more than that. My spirit cried in unexpressable pain...but my external appearance was trying to enjoy this last event that was so but so special which marked the end of a year and the beginning of another...really for me it had a completely different meaning: death of my life and the beginning of a life in death.
I still went to church...apparently I had forgotten everything for some time and I was living my normal life. I went to church and played the drums, I spent some time with my family and other with my friends...although not enough...
One night my aunt Imelda gave me an advice that for then I had head many times, but that I now treasure and value...for it is the only thing that takes me near hear and my family and closer to God's will: "You are going to a very obscure environment, where people have no fear of God...you are going there to make a difference, to be a light to all those people that need Jesus so much. That is your purpose."
Monday February 5th 2008 - It was night, my brother and I were playing in the computer. Everything was normal...the sudden scream from my mother took us back from our world...we never expected the horror of the news we received...nor the intense and unexpressable anguish that news caused us when it stabbed us right in the heart piercing it to the very bottom.
My mom, with tears in her face, lifted her distracted face and answered what our anxious faces awaited: "It was your dad...he says...he says that we're leaving on Wednesday." For a moment it seemed to me very funny...but very cruel from my mom to do such a cruel joke to us...the pain in her face assured us that it was no joke...
Thus it was, with no previous warning or time to digest it that we were torn from our roots. My mind started rewinding my life in my country. All the momens I shared with my friends, my family, my home, my dogs, my drums...all that I was was murdered in that moment in cold blood. I wonder how I didn't faint in that moment. The only way in which my wound bled was through tears, unstopping tears that still run today. If I could only express you the magnitude of all that went through my mind in that moment...if I could just do it...you would understand better what I went through then and still go through today.
When I get sad I get mad at the same time. I ran to my room and shut the door....I wept as I had never wept. I put my pillow over my head to muffle my weeping, but no matter how much I tried it could be heard as much as if I had never put the pillow on. I don't know how much time I spent my time weeping in bed, I had cried nights before seeing a photo album my great friend Rebeca made for me with all her love as a farewell gift, but this time...it was something that tore me apart, it mutilated me.
After I stopped crying a little I called y friends. I couldn't reach many of them. I called Rebeca: "Bk (that's how I call her) I'm leaving on Wednesday!" not even I could believe what I was saying. "What!?" "I'm leaving on Wednesday to the United States..." I don't remember the rest of the conversation...my mind was overloaded...I was able to reach other friends to tell them the same.
We went out with my brother to take some fresh air. It was night. Never, I tell you, never had I seen my country in such a beautiful way...how could I be so blind!? how could I not appropriate my country? how couldn't I make it so beautiful for my life as to take advantage of every second in it? how could I be so selfish with my family an my friends!? HOW COULD IT BE POSSIBLE!?
I don't need to tell you I couldn't sleep that night. The next day the same ground I stepped on was as unstable as my sanity. Every dust particle was now a pearl to me. But now there was no time to appreciate all that...we had to start preparing all the things and processes that had to be done to be able to leave...
We started going to many places...after begging we were able to go to my school where...for the last time...I would see my war compatriots, my brothers, my friends. The place where for six years I had experienced so much was one of many that were now fading away. I would not see them as much as I would not ever see all my friends together. I shared the news to them and we shared our last moments together. The bell rang. In that moment I took a lot of pictures with them but I still went to their class and ask the teacher to give me a little of her time to say goodbye to them. She granted me that time.
martes, 12 de agosto de 2008
Silver Mines
"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Phillipians 2:12).
The word "work out" in the original greek was used to express the hard work involved in digging out the hidden silver in silver mines, how constantly a miner had to dig and dig until the hidden treasure was found.
Yesterday in the Bible study that we had I liked it when we saw what Paul really said to those in the church of Phillipi with this verse. This verse is one of the most misinterpreted verses this days. Many take this verse to say that the Bible itself says we can lose our salvation and that with constant fear we must work with our own strength to keep it...
A gift is a gift. The person who gives you a gift never asks for it back. God gave us salvation when when we decided to accept it. Paul told them to DEVELOP their salvation...because it is an entire package.
Salvation is not something to be kept there at home until the Lord comes back and then show it to Him and say: see, I am saved, I can enter. It is way more than that...but we cannot see that because we haven't even opened our gift.
We don't have the slightest idea of the position we have, the rank bestowed on us. Being a christian doesn't end with accepting Christ...just how we work in keeping our bodies fit and in shape, so we must shape our salvation, put it into work. Can you see now how this verse has nothing to do with either gaining or losing the salvation?
Salvation is not something static. It has to be in movement.
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2). That's what renoation is for, that we might not be still, that we might be changed and dedicated to work in our salvation, not for it. That's why we work daily for a different life, one more attached to Him. Through renewal we grow more constantly and we start to see the things with the eyes of Christ, for we have his mind...or ought to reach it.
Have we found any silver yet? Have we even started digging? Do you have any idea of what God has stored for you both here and in heaven? and of what He expects from you? let us not waste more time and start digging now.
Roots
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God" (Colosssians 3:1-3).
I have a long time without writing. I really must confess I have separated myself lately from what my real roots are. I have lived a routine...and an empty life.
In a country such as this (United States) it is very easy to become cold in your communion with the Lord Jesus Christ because there is no persecution or imminent trial. Temptations surround you in all forms and sizes. Materialism is gigantic and colonizes the lives of many people...myself included.
This summer I am taking a class titled: "History of the United States." But the system and format of this class is completely different to all the history classes I have ever received. The pure truth about history. Real docummented evidence of all the crimes and atrocities commited against my ancestors (the incas, mayans, aztecs, etc.) and yours as well. The colonization and destruccion of the culture and society of the mayans, aztecs, incas, etc. All that it's not taught in "normal" history classes I have seen at full tilt in this class.
Being exposed to all this material (which is something very shocking and it also rips your heart) took me to a dangerous road: doubt. I started to question and ask the Lord why he kept silent? why did he allow innocence to be destroyed and massacred in such a way? Of course, it was man's sin who did that, not God. But why let the evildoers to continue living? why let them continue assassinating and massacrating? why does He expect so much from human beings? I confess, it took me to the point in which I told Him: "you only lived thirty three years in this Earth...while manking has endured and suffered throughout all its existence the different variations of crimes and evilness. I know you will judge evil and that it will not be left unpunished...but what do you expect from something so fragil as a human being?"
You'll wonder: what do the verses have to do with roots? Well, all this period of doubt in my life has made my think of my ethnic roots. What did my forefathers suffer? who really am I? I certainly have no Spanish heritage, I am mayan, etc, etc. but a while ago I realized that I've been putting my eyes in the things that are visible and material, but not in the things from above, where the Just Judge sits and will not let anything escape His Judgment.
What are our roots? If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, He is your root, what keeps you alive, what gave you life in the first place...because before Christ we all were dead. That time of doubt in my life took me to a conclusion: I was beginning to trust in human knowledge, I was letting perpetual arguments to fill my mind. God will deal with all the crimes of mankind. But besides your ethnic roots, do you even know if you have a reference point? can you identify a point in which you actually started living? the point in which you started using your eyes for the first time to see the reality? what gives you life? what spurs you onwards?
Are we putting our eyes above? Are we seeking the perfect wisdom that only comes from the Lord? or are we putting our eyes in human wisdom, in that ridiculous struggle man intends to maintain between God and man to "prove" that God does not exist, that we are our own gods? that God is unjust?...whatever you want to tell me...what really matters ? what is it that at the end will define YOUR DESTINY? do you even know where you're heading? where you will end up in once you exhale your last breath?
That rain of storms I cannot answer for you. Each one of us must examine ourselves and return to our first love...again I ask you: what is your point of reference? what are your roots?
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