Never Stop Singing!

Photograph of Liam Carlos Vasquez and his class during their spring program at Vinson Morris School of First UMC-Corpus Christi.

Praise in Your Heart Sounds Better on Your Lips

From the Psalms comes this word: But let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy. Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds — his name is the Lord— be exultant before him. (Psalm 68: 3-4)

The commencement speaker for the University of Texas this year shared some truths he learned as a Navy Seal. While all of his speech made sense and had a positive impact on me as I read it, I'm sharing the one all believers should know: Start singing when you're up to your neck in mud.

Admiral William McRaven shared from his days of training as a Navy Seal. One of the most difficult things of that most difficult of processes was the night they took them to mud pits between Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego. They were made to get into freezing cold mud while taunts and insults were thrown at them by their trainers, urging them to give up and resign. Gone would be the 4 a.m. wake up times, marching and running in the rain, swimming in the frigid waters of the Pacific, the insults, the running of the obstacle course; yet they had come this far and the end of this torture was in sight. For hours on end, they endured the cold until someone started singing. Another joined him, and yet another; before too long the entire group was singing. At this point the group was down to the last five men, and they were yelled at and told to stop singing, but on they sang; sang long enough to endure the 15 hours required in this cold mud. The Admirals shares, "And somehow -- the mud seemed a little warmer, the wind a little tamer and the dawn not so far away." Singing shares a hope found deep down even in the most challenging of circumstances, and it's contagious. Singing of a hope found in the living God is a hope that cannot be destroyed.

The believer has a library of the most powerful songs and hymns ever written; all based on hope, truth, love, and power. To sing is to be or pray to be joyful. To sing is to heap praises on the living God. To sing is to rise above the challenges of life to the presence of God. And God is then glorified.

I know singing at times is so hard and difficult, for sometimes life gives us terrible notes, but it is precisely why the psalmist said, "Make a joyful noise!" Not even the saddest bullfrog stops singing because his family tells him he sounds terrible. Even nature sings. So should we. Be lifted up away from the challenges right into the choirs of confidence and praise.

PRAYER: Loving God, let my life sing! Lift me up when I'm feeling so down. Let me sing now in anticipation of the joy and victory that will be Yours and mine in all things. In Jesus' name I pray and sing, Amen!

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Be a Witness

Image from Agnusday.org

Share with Others What God Has Shared with You!

From Acts 1: 6-14: So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

The black and white images of that man wearing that thing that lifted him up and over things has forever stayed in my mind. It had to have been the early 60s when I saw that first flight of a jet pack and wondered when I could get one of my own. I love the cartoon for today for it has my sentiments in it. But did you know that jet pack, and the ones after it, can only fly for about 90 seconds? That makes me think of the average time most Christians spend in prayer or in doing good for others; and I might be stretching that a bit.

This passage reinforces the reality of where the disciples were when the risen Christ came to them. Their question was about restoration of the political kingdom to Israel, when Jesus' whole ministry and even His days in Jerusalem leading to His death had been about the spiritual kingdom. Jesus was about sharing with people the love of God; and in this passage He says they would receive power to be witnesses of His work from their place to the whole world. And after He said this, He was lifted up and taken into the clouds out of their sight. They were then asked by two angels what they were doing just staring into the sky. They returned back to the city and hid again in the Upper Room.

You and I have to share what God has shared with us, with others. We are the witnesses to the power that God has to change lives, to make new, to bring about peace and justice in this world. And, as we know the "rest of the story," that power came in the appearance of the Holy Spirit to be with us and lead us to faithfulness and fruitfulness. So what are we doing about it? There is no better evidence shared than that seen and experienced by an eye witness. We are those eyewitnesses!

PRAYER: So many people have yet to hear or receive what God has done and shared with us. We have a story, a credible story, Loving God, that we need to share on Your behalf. Remind us and equip us to be your witnesses. This we pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Worthy of the Lord

Photograph by Nellie Valverde

Instructions to Avoid Destruction

From Peter in 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 come these words: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

Nothing in life should catch us off guard but it sometimes does. We make discoveries along the way and we find out things that we believe we should not know as believers or things happening or being said among believers; and sometimes we find things directed at us that are not based on truth or come directly out of hate towards us. Peter knew all those things based on a decision he made in his life to follow Christ. He found out that being a believer does not wipe away your enemies, in fact, it might just make new ones among you; even the kind that will stop at nothing until they have destroyed you, your reputation or your career. Yet, he writes, our attitude should be one of rejoicing, and not only rejoicing, but for us to be ready to "be glad and shout for joy when His glory is revealed." In all things, the believer faces all things with the Holy Spirit resting on him/her.

In 2005, Nellie, Carli, Caty, and I, had the chance to visit Wesley's Chapel in London, England. We worshipped on a Sunday morning with brothers and sisters from around the world, and we then asked for a tour of Wesley's home which we took with a guide who took us into Wesley's bedroom and towards a door where he asked if we wanted to see the "Power plant of Methodism"? He opened the door to reveal Wesley's prayer closet. "The man did not start his day, write or preach a sermon, take a trip, without first taking it to God in prayer right here on this kneeler." He then asked if we wanted to pray on that same kneeler as Wesley. It was an easy question with an easy answer.

Peter says that our lives should be lived in the same way; begin, live, and end each day, humbled before the Lord, knowing God has a mighty hand to guide and protect us. God will help us endure what we have to suffer and then, in due time, God will exalt us. Whatever worries, cares and anxieties we carry we should turn over to God, knowing that God cares for us. We should live a disciplined life, praying and covering ourselves with scripture and the blessings of worship knowing these things keep us alert and prepared against our adversary; Peter compares the enemy to a roaring lion, "looking for someone to devour." Our job is to resist for as long as it takes, knowing we are not alone; brothers and sisters around the world are enduring what we endure, and in God's time, we will no longer suffer and we will rejoice and shout for the deliverance that God will provide. Ours will be restoration, support, strength, and an establishment that will bring glory to God.

PRAYER: Loving God, to you be the power and the glory now and forever, for all that You provide to us. Bless and strengthen those who are enduring great suffering. Heal and make whole those among us who need a blessing of health. Walk with us, remind us of our shared journey with other believers here and everywhere who have put their trust in You. This we pray in the Name of He who suffered, died, and rose again for us, Jesus our Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

What Jesus Prayed for You!

Image from http://www.laywhispers.com

Personal and Powerful are Prayers from Jesus

From John's Gospel, John 17:1-11: After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. "I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.

"I'm praying for you!" or "I'll keep you in my thoughts!" These and other expressions of concern have been shared with you and me. And, we have also shared those with others. But we've been in settings where we have heard people stop and pray for us in ways that have moved us to tears. I have shared how when an intern, afraid of nursing homes, I would enter and be blessed and prayed for by righteous people. When having a fear of not knowing what to say, God provided those who loved Him enough to say it for us. Imagine a prayer from Jesus for you, which is exactly what this passage is all about.

If we look at the prayer it is not like the one we call the Lord's Prayer, but it is powerful and personal. He begins by asking for Himself that which He knows He needs for the facing of the hour that was coming before him. Jesus knew His very being and power came from above, so He looks to heaven and prays to His Father. The hour had come and now Jesus needs God more than ever. When you and I need God we should know to look to heaven. Jesus asks that glory might come to this hour so that in all that was to happen, God would receive the glory. Jesus also knew that within His power He had authority through which He could share eternal life with those who believed in Him and Jesus even defines it in a beautiful way; relationship with God. It all comes down to that; not religion or being religious; not having a superior attitude about being holier than someone else; how well do you know, love, and trust God?

It is in knowing and loving God that comes the fullness of life as promised earlier in John 10:10. From knowing and trusting God comes the protection we need in all things and at all times. Do you have a relationship with God? If not, what's holding you back? Surely you can come up with a thousand and one excuses or prerequisites that you think exist before something like this is possible, but it's not true. Just asking and praying will bless you with a relationship with the Living God. And with that and through that, will come all that we need to live a life that blessed and pleases God.

PRAYER: Loving God, at times we think we don't measure up or that we couldn't possibly have time to have a relationship with You, but this prayer shows the concern and love that You have for us. To You we turn over all that is troubling us and in You we find our hope and peace. Bless this dear reader in all that s/he is facing. Help them to know how special they are in Your eyes and how they are never now or ever, alone. We pray in the Name of He who prays for us, Jesus our Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Give God a Thunderous Applause!

Photo of my wife in silent reflection, taken by me

Recount and Re-live all that God has done for you!

From The Message version, Psalm 66:8-20: Bless our God, O peoples! Give him a thunderous welcome! Didn't he set us on the road to life? Didn't he keep us out of the ditch? 10 He trained us first, passed us like silver through refining fires, Brought us into hardscrabble country, pushed us to our very limit, Road-tested us inside and out, took us to hell and back; Finally he brought us to this well-watered place. I'm bringing my prizes and presents to your house. I'm doing what I said I'd do, What I solemnly swore I'd do that day when I was in so much trouble: The choicest cuts of meat for the sacrificial meal; Even the fragrance of roasted lamb is like a meal! Or make it an ox garnished with goat meat! All believers, come here and listen, let me tell you what God did for me. I called out to him with my mouth, my tongue shaped the sounds of music. If I had been cozy with evil, the Lord would never have listened. But he most surely did listen, he came on the double when he heard my prayer. Blessed be God: he didn't turn a deaf ear, he stayed with me, loyal in his love.

There have been two occasions where I have witnessed loud, thunderous applause which memories have stayed with me as a blessing. The first was when I was questioned before the entire assembly of the Río Grande Conference, June 11, 1976, and a vote was taken of the entire conference on my becoming a probationary member in full connection, and my first ordination as deacon (still then on track for elder's orders). The applause was not just for me but for those who also received the great honor and privilege to become members of the conference and to enter this sacred calling as pastors and ministers. The second was to worship in chapel on the Wilmore, KY, campus of Asbury Theological Seminary where every time they are gathered they recognize visiting students who are considering admission into that school. They are asked to stand as their names are read and once all the names are read, the entire student body (and it seems no one misses chapel there!) stands and gives them a good five-minute standing ovation. It is thunderous.

How do you worship God? And there is no right nor wrong way really, but I know there are times our worship should be private and personal, but there are others as the psalmist says when we should bless God with a thunderous welcome, with an exclamation point. Think about what he is sharing; God "set us on the road to life," and not just life, but life in abundance! Those times that life has thrown us into "the ditch" has it not been God who has pulled us out? Has not God been a part of our receiving direction from Him? Have we not learned even from those experiences that have tested us and our limits for life? Paths we have traveled and challenges we have endured, even "to hell and back," God has traveled with us and brought us safely out. This, dear friends, merits our worship and praise in a very public way!

The psalmist says he will hold nothing back in this worship of God, not even his money and possessions. God hears us when we need Him and we need Him to hear us as we thank Him! God's love never ends. Stick with God!

PRAYER: Let me hold nothing back, loving God, especially my thankfulness for all You have shared. Let my life be constant worship to You. And may it be a witness to others of what is and can be theirs as well. This I pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

In Him We Live, and Move and Have Our Being

Image from http://jim-brewer.blogspot.com

The "Unknown God" is Our God

From Acts 17: 22-31: Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, "Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, "To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him—though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For "In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, "For we too are his offspring.' Since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."

What a discovery for the Athenians and for those like them, to find there is one God, the living God, Who made all things and of which Paul shares, "In him we live and move and have our being." The people of Athenians covered all their bases by having shrines and altars for all gods and even "an unknown god," just to be safe. Paul, in this address at a place where this type of debate and sharing was allowed, said, "The God who made the world and everything in it, He who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself give to all mortals life and breath and all things." God is the author of life; from one ancestor God has made us all; and God knows our dates and times and all events, where we live, and even knows who don't yet know Him. God is not far from anyone. Then, quoting one of their own poets shares, "For we too are His offspring." Paul then argues that if we are related to the living God, we should not look to manmade images as our gods. We cannot limit God to human renderings; God is beyond that. Paul says we have reached the day when we should put aside all of those things, repent of our sins, and look to Him who was raised from the dead as the source of our righteousness.

God is the source of life, direction, and purpose; in God we find true meaning for our lives and from there we seek to share that truth with others. Whatever cares, worries, or anxieties you carry, in God we have answers and comfort. Whatever decisions we have to make, in God we have direction. Whatever self doubts and personal challenges you may have, in God we find meaning and purpose. Surrender them all to God and God will show you and me the way we should go.

PRAYER: Loving and amazing God, we surrender all to You and we await You to fill us with that which You know we need. Help us then become a blessing to others as we pray in Christ Jesus, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Live Without Fear, Share the Hope Found Within You!

Image from http://godwardthoughts.blogspot.com

Everyone Needs Courage and Hope

We find in 1 Peter 3:13-22 these words: Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

We're so good at finding, and making, excuses for not doing what God has asked of us. The eagerness found in some is to avoid God. This passage says something completely different; no harm comes to those who do what God asks. Yet, even if we do suffer harm or ridicule for doing what God asks, we're still blessed! The Christian cannot live a life in fear, and certainly not the fear found in nonChristians. Our life is one called to boldness and not intimidation; to live a life that blesses and makes holy the Lord in our hearts. And we should always be ready to share the hope found within us; and that we should do with gentleness and awe. I remember my year of running and hiding from God. I was hiding in the belly of a very large fish in Houston, Texas. Among 40,000 employees of this corporation I thought I could hide safely from God and what God was asking of my life. Yet, I could not escape the hope that God had placed in my heart since I invited Jesus into it as my Lord and Savior. And that hope was what made several ask during my short career there, "What is it about you that makes you different? You have something in you that makes you different!" Remember I was still hiding and running so I don't remember what I shared; but it wasn't what God wanted. As a result, my conscience was muddied and God was not glorified in me. Everything Christ had done for me I kept carefully hidden, knowing that one day He would finally call me out of this fish and perhaps even hoping that He wouldn't. Had the Flood come again as in the days of Noah I would not be on the ark; I would be among those drowned, and rightly so.

The day came when God spoke to me twice. And this, thanks to the U.S. Mail. The first letter I received was from the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. I was a Crusade Scholar, meaning the scholarship offering taken up in all UM churches once a year had found its way to my needs as a seminary student, and though I had dropped out and ran, God found me and the letter simply said that I was still a Crusade Scholar and if I wanted to return to seminary I could, still with this financial assistance. The very next day I received a second letter, this one from a seminary out of state that said they understood I was a Crusade Scholar and if I wanted to return to seminary I did not have to apply, I simply had to call this number and I would be in. The light broke the darkness, and even with the money I was making I found the peace that I needed for my soul.

God is looking for you too, you who hide. God is around the next bend for you who are running away from God; better yet, look as you run to see who is running with you! We cannot hide from God, nor can we run from Him. We cannot escape the hope that is lovingly placed in us to bless us and others. May we find in all of this the eagerness we need to be a blessing for God and God's people.

PRAYER: Loving God, as You spoke to Peter to share these words, speak to us and help us be a blessing to those around us. Whatever we may be suffering or facing, remind us of the hope that is in us that cannot be removed. If we run or hide, run and hide with us; but deliver us from fear and into courage and boldness. This we pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

PRAYER UPDATES: Rev. Pat Gideon came out of surgery well; today doctors expect she will be up and walking. This is our prayer.

Rev. Beth Tatum underwent a spinal tap and a brain MRI and today she hears the results of these exams. They do confirm she does have MS, but with medical advances and God's healing touch we pray that Pastor Beth's ministry continue strong, faithful, and fruitful. Pray as she shares this with her church.

Pastor Betty, even though she underwent surgery here in Corpus Christi, still drove to her church in Beeville and was in our district pre-conference Sunday afternoon. Pray that she continue to heal.

Thank you for your prayers.

Abide in the Lord

Image from agnusday.org

No Better Place to Be or Live!

From John 15:1-8: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

Beyond being connected to Christ Jesus, you and I have to live in Him, and let Him live in us. Using this wonderful example of a vineyard, Jesus makes clear this living that produces fruit. First, we should know, trust, and let God be the vinegrower; for God knows and loves us and tenderly cares for us as one who knows how to produce a great crop of grapes. God at work in us will prune away that which is not good for His work, and staying and living in Christ will produce that which is needed for God's glory. The Word as shared with us by Christ has and does serve a purpose of keeping us clean and connected. Jesus is our vine and we are His branches. Those who strive daily to live and be Christ produce a big harvest of those who see in us that which they need and will accept it for themselves as well.

In talking with a friend whom I have not seen in years but share phone conversations from time to time, we talked about connecting with God. I shared how John Wesley believed that 5 a.m. was the hour in which he connected with God and gave as his final orders that he be buried at that hour. My friend, who has gone from being Roman Catholic, active in our campus ministry in the 1980's, to Greek Orthodox, shared how some mystics believe 3:30 a.m. is the hour to connect with God. The hour does not matter, the intention and purpose should be to connect and live. In the quiet of the morning hours I am alone with God, praying, thinking, reflecting on the Word of God, listening to what God may share. I seek to pray without ceasing; thought prayers after some time on my knees or prostrate before God. I read the Scriptures to help my listening and my thinking, and then leave to try to live a life that best reflects that I have been in the presence of Christ. I wish I could say I am successful every day, but I am a driver of a vehicle in a world in a hurry. I am a human being with feelings in a society that sometimes does not care about me or my feelings. But still I hang on and strive to move forward and upward in this journey of trying to be like Jesus. The Methodist in me says this is the journey of sanctification, one that does not always go as straight or as upward as I would like, but with Christ's help it is a journey that does move. Lord, forgive my stagnation at times.

The sheep in Agnus Day always say something that is worth my including them as the graphic in this devotional. The one with the dark snout says, "It's critical to stay connected to Jesus to find your life in Him; His life empowers your fruitfulness!" This counters that first lamb's concern about the verse that says some branches are thrown in the fire. If we stay in and live in Christ, we can ask for whatever we wish, and know that it will be done. Our job is to glorify God as we together with Him "bear much fruit" and become His disciples. May it be so.

PRAYER: Loving God, let me abide in You and You in me. You know my weaknesses and I pray you change it to making them my strength. Help us all journey with You each day in a way that does bring glory to Your name. This we pray in Christ Jesus, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

PRAYER REQUESTS: Dear friends, Please keep these dear sisters in your prayers and thoughts; Rev. Pat Gideon is having surgery today at 1 p.m. in San Antonio Spine Hospital for a serious operation on her spine. Rev. Beth Tatum has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and is having initial tests done to determine the extent of this illness. Rev. Betty Whitesides who is recovering from emergency surgery on Thursday evening. May the Lord bless and keep these sisters in the Lord and you for sharing your prayers with each other.

Shelter in the Lord!

Photograph by Eradio Valverde, a church near Weimar, Tx

Boyhood Experiences Set the Tone for David

From Psalm 31: 1-5; 19-24: In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide me, take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you, and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone! In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues. Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege. I had said in my alarm, "I am driven far from your sight." But you heard my supplications when I cried out to you for help. Love the Lord, all you his saints. The Lord preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.

Did you have a place to hide as a child? I suspect David had plenty of them, including those during his shepherd boy years where he could hide from the elements and from any natural enemies of his flock. I did not have caves nor mountains in which to hide, but my hiding places were a comfort to me and also to my friends who sometimes hid with me. We were not hiding from anyone or anything in particular, just a place where we knew we were safe.

The arms of God are now my hiding place as they were for David. In God we will never be put to shame and in God we have a ready and caring ear through which we can share our woes and cares. A dear friend, The Rev. Francisco Gaytan last evening as we talked said, "My ears are not old, they're well used!" So are the ears of God, but God hears us loudly and clearly. In God we can ask and know that God will lead us and guide us even away from those things formed against us and that which can make us stumble and fall away. We may think we have wandered too far away from God never to return, but that is not true. God hears us, protects and preserves us. In that we can find and take courage.

PRAYER: Awesome God, let me hide myself in Thee. Bring to me new direction and sense of wellbeing especially during those times when I feel afraid, lost, and seemingly too far from You. Let me bring blessing to Your name and in turn to Your people. This I pray in faith, in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

The Faith of Stephen

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Saw Heaven here on earth and died for it From Acts 7:55-60: But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died.

Stephen was one of seven men chosen by the disciples to serve in humble aspects of church work, a position he embraced with joy and served with power and authority because of the indwelling Holy Spirit in his life. Chosen to serve tables and to be fair in serving all with equality, he did more than that. The scriptures say that "Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people." But he also like to share his faith with those who did not believe in Jesus as the Messiah. As happened with Jesus, it happened with Stephen; accused for blasphemy against Moses and God. The truth was exactly the opposite of that of which he was accused. Stephen loved God and loved God's people, and even when brought to trial he radiated the love of one who loved God, as an angel. This passage shows that Stephen was found guilty and sentenced to death by stoning, and even with this knowledge, "he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." He even said it aloud, "I see the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" As they lead him to his death, these men entrusted their coats with a young man named Saul. Even at death's painful door, Stephen prayed a prayer of faith asking that Jesus receive his spirit, and a prayer asking for the forgiveness of those men who were killing him.

The priesthood of all believers comes with a price. We all enter in with faith, but our faith may require us to walk those paths no one wants to walk and endure those blows that harm, maim, and kill. And sometimes real instruments are used, such as stones to harm, maim, and kill us. But we keep this in our hearts and minds, that we never walk alone; every step of this kingdom journey is a step taken with Jesus, our Lord, Savior and Protector. Greater is He than anything that can be formed against us to harm, hurt, or kill us. Even in death, the glory of God will be revealed fully to us, and no one can say or do anything against that. So, what are you facing? What has you down? Turn it over to Jesus. The stone in the picture above is covered, in my view, with tears, but an olive branch has been placed on it. The weapon of death has become the weapon of peace, a peace like the world cannot offer, the peace of Jesus.

PRAYER: Loving God of peace, bless my heart, soul, and mind with Your joy. Let me know that every step I take I take in You. And whatever may be formed against me, transform it for Your good. This I pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

A Royal Priesthood Indeed!

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All Believers Are Included in This Work

From 1 Peter 2:2-10: Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: "See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner," and "A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

There is or should be, a process of growth for all believers. The interesting thing is that there is no end point for believers here on the earth. But, like infants, we start with pure, spiritual milk, and grow in our walk with the Lord. Yes, we should have tasted that the Lord is good and as we walked with Him we discover that He is a living stone that has become for God the cornerstone, precious and chosen by God and those who believe in Him are not disappointed. Part of this journey has been to mold us and make us into being witnesses of all we have shared as part of this "priesthood of believers" in which we find ourselves. We become models of holiness and purity as shared by God with all of us. We become a light to the nations, examples of all God can do with those who surrender to Him with their needs and problems. We have seen and felt all that God has done and we cannot keep quiet about that; we are witnesses. We have been pulled out of darkness into God's marvelous light.

A dear pastor friend shared how this Mother's Day, while working on a Kairos Weekend, a man came to faith. And it was not an easy, raising of the hand and walking to the altar; it was going to cost him dearly, for he was in a prison gang and he would be beat out of the gang because of his faith. No one walks away from a gang. The man was raised by Godly parents and his sins made him believe he was not worthy of being in that family any longer. His shame was so great that he had not talked to anyone in his family for almost ten years. The Holy Spirit touched his life and he prayed for forgiveness and God filled his heart with love. His question to the Christian counselor was, "What do I do now?" The counselor replied he should tell his mother for the counselor knew that she would want to hear of this change that came to his life. As they returned back to the main hall where everyone was singing quite loudly, a chaplain's assistant came and told him he had a visitor. It was his mother. The counselor wished that he had had a camera to take a picture of his face. Even though the prison was in lock down and no visitors allowed, this mother was allowed in at the right time.

You and I have received God's mercy and it is mercy that we should talk about to others. After all, we're priests, bridges between God and humanity.

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for the mercy You have shown to me when I needed it most. For taking my regrets and making them reasons for rejoicing because of Your love. Speak to my heart and make me brave so that I can truly bear witness to others about Your love. Make me the bridge between You and others as I share freely and lovingly what You continue to do for me. I pray in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

The Way, The Truth, And The Life

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Jesus Speaks About Heaven, and Earth

We find these words of Jesus in John 14: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, "Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it."

No one wants to hear a loved one or dear friend say, "I am dying." We have all been there when news from a doctor has moved our loved one to say those words, and the immediate grief that follows tends to cloud whatever else that loved one has to say. Such was the case with the twelve. They had not too long ago witnessed the awesome power of Jesus bring Lazarus back to life (John 11), and now Jesus has shared with them the reality of the coming events that would lead to His death. Peter's reaction was mine, and it may have been yours when he declared, "Never! I won't let this happen to you!" Jesus with love and understanding, shared what he and we need to hear; "Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also." Someone heard and it may not have been Peter. Someone remembered these words when this gospel was being written, an imprint of truth and a glimpse into eternity, a reunion place with Jesus for all time. Thomas may have been one who did hear this but still questioned Jesus as to where He was going. Thomas even asked how he and the others would know the way. Jesus responded with those wonderful words, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Thomas asked, Jesus answered. In Jesus we find what we need; the way to life in abundance both here and there; the truth about life and death, more importantly, God's love in all of this, and the life that never ends for the believer. All three are the same, just like Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. All three of these words of Jesus are grounded in our belief; we must believe in Jesus and in so doing we've come to faith in God, and the journey from that starting point of faith is made easier by belief and surrender to God's Holy Spirit to make our way clearer and easier.

We must have faith to believe enough to ask for things along this journey. Many will come alongside us and they will need blessings and we must pray for them, and Jesus said we will do things that will confirm to these along our way as to the One who sent us and Who goes with us. Our prayers will not be limited to our limited faith; they will be placed in the hands of He who answers all prayers and works things for God's glory. What a promise Jesus left with us; "If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it."

The road seems long and difficult, but it starts with the first step. Take that first step with faith, knowing you won't fall if you ask God to hold you and you'll have strength to go the full distance with God's Holy Spirit showing the way and blessing you.

PRAYER: Speak to my heart and mind, Loving God, as I make this journey. Bless me into being a blessing for others; strengthen my faith and let me do that which blesses and glorifies You and Yours. This is my prayer of faith in Christ Jesus, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

The Early Church's Formula for Growth

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Hmm, a Checklist for Growth?

From Acts 2:42-47: They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

How awesome would it be for your church to have people added to your number "those who were being saved." Here's what I think was the formula:

1) Start with an outpouring of God's Holy Spirit. See the first part of chapter two. 2) May the messages of those who preach and teach, speak the truth about God's love through Jesus Christ. 3) Devote yourself to whatever is being taught. 4) Enjoy the fellowship with each other. That commandment about loving one another helps. 5) Approach church life with awe. You'd be surprised what seeing things with awe will reveal! 6) Believe. 7) Hold things in common, even the hymnal you use. Thanks, sheep, for your comic! 8) Don't let your possessions possess you; share! Give things away! 9) Take care of each other's needs. 10) Spend time in worship and prayer. Hint: Go to church! 11) Break bread together in your homes and at church. 12) Eat your food with "glad and generous hearts." 13) Praise God. Hint: Worship again! 14) Be nice to others; don't be known as the __________* church (*Usually not a nice thing).

Review the list above and see which one is missing from your life and the life of your church. If you find something that has been challenging, prayerfully correct it. The key to all of the above is the powerful presence of God through His Holy Spirit. A second key is the presence of love. Love for God, love for self, love for others as yourself.

And above all, be known as a person who smiles because you're in on the greatest gift of all time, Christ Jesus' love!

PRAYER: Loving God who brings smiles to those who love You, bring one to this dear reader. Yes, the challenges and obstacles that life sometimes brings has made it hard for some to smile at all times, but with the knowledge and power of Your presence and love, we can indeed smile. May that smile lead us to prayer and to service. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Come Home to the Shepherd

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Why Wander Lost and Alone? God Cares for You!

From 1 Peter 2:19-25: For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

How were you disciplined as a child? Time out? Spankings? Kneeling? Standing in the corner? I was spanked and I probably deserved most of them. There were one or two times I was disciplined for doing nothing wrong. How have you suffered as a Christian? Has it been for just reasons or was it because someone else did not believe as you or did not like Christians? Our suffering in this area is nothing compared to the people reading Peter's letter. A worldwide persecution against Christians sent many a person to their death and some to horrible whippings and scourges. Those, write Peter, have received God's approval. Whatever sufferings we have endured for the sake of Christ, Christ suffered first and more. How He received them is an example to us; He did not retaliate, Jesus did not threaten. Jesus surrendered His body and life to the care of God who judges all justly. Jesus gave His life to bear our sins to give us freedom to live for righteousness. And don't you love the verse that follows? "By His wounds you (we) have been healed." Christ's suffering and bleeding have given us spiritual and in some cases, physical healing. I sometimes say in the break of the bread during Communion, "By Christ's brokenness, we have been made whole." Peter concludes this passage by saying that we all sometimes wander off like stray sheep, but through all we have endured we have come home "to the Shepherd and Guardian of (our) souls."

"There's no place like home," was a great statement in a classic movie of 1939, and it's the great theme of the Bible; apart from God we tend to wander into places we regret and the grief and pain of separation is more than any human should endure; but in the arms of God we find the goodness and fullness of life as only Christ can provide. Home is where the heart of God can be found to comfort and love us like no place else; and what more can we expect from the One called by Peter, "The Shepherd and Guardian of our souls?" God guides and provides; God guards and protects like no one or nothing else.

PRAYER: Loving God, bless us while wandering with the sense and guidance of Your love to come to the place where we turn our hearts home. Once we're home in Your heart, bless and protect us. Grant to us the fullness and abundance of life that we can share with others. This we pray and claim in Christ Jesus our Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Life in Abundance, Only in Jesus!

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Jesus' Claims for our Lives

From the Gospel of John 10:1-10: "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

This passage could be called "The Summary of Life" and it would include "Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep. He gave His all for us. Know your enemy, for he is a thief whose main purpose in your life is 'to steal, and kill and destroy.' I, on the other hand, Jesus says, "Came that you might have light and that in abundance." Any more questions?

Jesus knew the spiritual needs of the people of His time. They were like lost sheep. Those entrusted to be their shepherd instead became only gate-keepers trying to keep people out. They missed the point about God's love and God's constant care and concern for us. Meanwhile, Jesus knew that many of His flock were being stolen away by the thief, who ensnares his prey with promises, temptations, and easy answers for an easy life. Jesus warns this thief's only motive is to destroy the work of God and ultimately try to destroy God. Jesus shares what has to be my favorite verse in the Bible, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." This promise has more meaning during this season of Easter. Jesus' death and resurrection was all about us and how we should live life. He came in a mighty way to give us victory over sin and death; but while we're alive His promise is that our life would move beyond mere existence to fullness of life. Notice nowhere does Jesus say it would be easy, but it would a life lived in and with Him.

If you were plotting your life on a course, where would you be? That course should include when you met Jesus and when you started walking with Him. The ups and downs, highs and lows should all reflect on that course, the presence and love of Jesus. Yes, illnesses come. Yes, the death of loved ones come. Yes, financial worries and troubles. But through it all, the presence and love of Jesus, comforting us and giving us hope and motivation to keep walking forward and moving upward. Our faithfulness to this walk will result in fruitfulness in the lives around us, for they will see and know the power of He Who lives within us, Jesus the Christ.

As the cartoon above shows, we are sheep. Sometimes we tend to motivate to being goats, but remember the separation that will come when Jesus comes to judge the nations. Goats over here (not a good place) and sheep over here (where you and I want to be!). So, get over your goat-ness and be the sheep that loves the Shepherd!

PRAYER: Loving God, no better promises for today than those found in this Gospel lesson. I repent for those times I thought I was goat-y enough to follow my own path, and confess that I need to be a good sheep for the Good Shepherd. Bless those around me and in my life who are struggling with all kinds of worries and challenges and bring healing and peace to their lives. This I pray in faith in the Name of He who provides all things, Jesus my Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

We Have Received, Let Us Also Give

Image: Photo by Jana Long from http://diggingawell.blogspot.com

The Stewardship of Easter

We find in Psalm 116:1-2; 12-19: I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the child of your serving girl. You have loosed my bonds. I will offer to you a thanksgiving sacrifice and call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!

A short, but beautiful hymn appears in the United Methodist Hymnal called "Freely, Freely." (UMH 389). Its message is based on Matthew 10:8 & 28:18-20. The Refrain says it all, "He said, 'Freely, freely, you have received, freely, freely give. Go in my name, and because you believe, others will know that I live.'" I first learned it on a Walk to Emmaus weekend, and it was immediately one of my favorites. The psalmist may have inspired the Lord to quote His says in the gospel, but both came from the heart. Our love for the Lord should inspire us to return His love in different ways. The psalmist for the knowledge that God answers all prayers. His attitude? Because God hears and answers my prayers I'll continue to call on him, but I also know that I should do something in return. And so, praise and worship is a starting point, but so is paying to God that which we promised. Most churches have in their membership vows something about stewardship, because financial stewardship is a spiritual matter; but how faithfully do we keep that vow? We sing in unison after the offering is collected our praises to God including one we used to sing in Spanish, "Todo es de Tí, y de lo Tuyo the damos hoy. Amen." Translated, "All things come of Thee, O Lord, and of Thine Own, Have we given thee. Amen." (UMH 588).

The psalmist also reminds us we are God's servants, so much so it is repeated twice in this psalm; servants whose bonds, indicating slave status, have been loosed by God. No longer slaves to sin, we are free to do and give as God intended. Our lives in every aspect and area should be an arena for giving thanks and giving back.

Praise the Lord!

PRAYER: Loving God, for all You have given, we are blessed and thankful. Make my life a life of praise and thanksgiving that puts into action that which we need to do and give. In the Name of He who first gave us, Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde