Give Thanks to the Lord, for God is good!

All the Time!

From John 6:25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?26 Jesus replied, "I assure you that you are looking for me not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate all the food you wanted. 27 Don't work for the food that doesn't last but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Human One will give you. God the Father has confirmed him as his agent to give life." 28 They asked, "What must we do in order to accomplish what God requires?" 29 Jesus replied, "This is what God requires, that you believe in him whom God sent."30 They asked, "What miraculous sign will you do, that we can see and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, just as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat." 32 Jesus told them, "I assure you, it wasn't Moses who gave the bread from heaven to you, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 The bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 They said, "Sir, give us this bread all the time!" 35 Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

YouTube has become a source of entertainment, education, entertainment, music videos, entertainment, and entertainment. In the name of entertainment several mean pranks have been played on people. And in the name of entertainment, some have been arrested and now have criminal records. One of these pranksters as a result of being arrested now videotapes his doing good for people. One involved him calling his friend and giving him a lame excuse for having to be in his pizza shop, "really quick, just in and out and we'll be gone!" Taking two friends with him, including one who knew how to make pizzas, the three made thirty pepperoni pizzas. They left a pile of money to cover the use of the shop, the ingredients, and off they went with a truck loaded with 30 pizzas. They drove straight to a homeless shelter and started to hand out pizzas. Taking the majority of them inside, they also went around the neighborhoods and gave enter pizza pies to individuals sleeping on the street. Hugging them and giving them $5 to "buy something to drink," they handed to them a pizza. The results were incredible. Giving away things is a way of giving thanks.

Tomorrow marks our national holiday in which we give thanks to God for all that God has done for us. We know it should actually be an everyday thing to give thanks, and for many of us it is; but as a nation we set aside a day in the tradition of the first arrivals to this country with the Native Americans for having survived a harsh winter and first year here in the New World. It is a day of feasting and being with special people in our lives. The gospel text recommended for this year is this passage from John where Jesus speaks of the bread of life. The crowds had heard about Jesus feeding the multitudes and wanted more. Jesus stresses they should work and seek "the food that endures for eternal life, which the Human One (Son of Man in other translations) will give you." All that is required is belief. Jesus reminds them of their ancestors and the bread from heaven they received, not from Moses but from God. And then He says, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

One of the things we should be thankful for is the gift of this bread of life, which is Christ Jesus given for us. The life we enjoy, and that fullness of life comes from Him.

Remember God's love and gift to us while we enjoy that which will be served to us today and tomorrow. May it also be so every day.

PRAYER: Thank You, Loving God, for the precious gift of Jesus, of loved ones, of meals. Help us share all things with all people; this we pray in Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

What Time Is It?

Lord, help us to measure our days...

From Romans 13: 11 Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; 12 the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires

How many songs do you know with "Time" in the title? How many hymns do you know with the word "time" in the title? The first as I read the passage was an old song by Chicago, "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It is?" The group Chicago also had a song called "25 or 6 to 4" with the title coming from someone in the group sleepily asking what time it was, and the one closest to the clock replied, "25 or 6 to 4." I guess with the group's name originally being The Chicago Transit Authority they should be concerned about time. There was a song during our daughters' high school years, "What Time Is It?" by The Spin Doctors. Earlier than that, the Rolling Stones had one called "Time is On My Side." The hymn list is a bit harder, but "Take Time to Be Holy" is one, "Time By Moments, Slips Away," and "'Tis Almost Time for the Lord to Come."

How many watches do you own? I love watches. Mainly to admire in store windows. I do have more than one watch and they were gifts or purchases based on their face. I have two Mickey Mouse watches that came as a discounted bonus for purchases made, and my favorite is one with a beige face with a brown global map, that I bought at the Bargain Bazaar on 23rd Street in McAllen. My most favorite watch is my grandfather's watch that he received from working with Missouri Pacific Railroad, a very nice, but very delicate pocket watch. He gave it to my Dad with orders that it be mine, which I now have and plan to pass on as time goes on. But Paul makes an Advent statement, "You know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand." Paul was always an urgent man with much to do and much to say. His encounter with Jesus made him all that more intense about life and about life after this one. He felt an excitement to tell as many people as he could about God and how God had sent Jesus and how we must accept Jesus as the Messiah and as Lord and Savior. He also wanted those who said Yes to Jesus to feel the same urgency. His opinion was that through Christ we had left behind a theological time of darkness and entered into a time of "day" with our being the bearers of that "light" as we "put on the armor of light." For Paul for one to live in darkness was not acceptable; we must work to pull people out of that darkness by our lives of light and bring them with us into the light. Thanks to recent downpours, this was illustrated by those waiting after church near the doors for it to subside and for those of us with umbrellas to offer to walk people to their cars. Most said I'll wait it out. Sadly, some people in darkness feel the same. No thanks, I'm fine.

Paul urges us to conduct ourselves as people who live in the bright light of the day. Soon the little ones around you will die at the slowness of Christmas Eve to become day so that presents can be either opened or enjoyed. We're not there yet, we're preparing for that day and that special birth of Jesus. Paul says for us to model a life that shows a better way to live, "not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy." A joyous but sober life, enjoying the preciousness of life and what it offers without arguing and fighting with others about this or that.

Paul says we are to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ," as a covering or clothing that says who we are and Whose we are. He knew the importance of behavior reflecting our attire, and if we are dressed as wearing Jesus, we should be as our name says, "Little Jesusses" striving for the spiritual and not the physical. That is part of our preparation for the coming celebration of the first birth and for Jesus' return one day.

We have much to do and many yet to tell!

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for Jesus and His first coming. Help me to live my life in the ways that my life was changed as a result of that coming; help me to be faithful and fruitful in sharing and inviting and doing as was taught me. This I pray in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

The King Who Saves

image from http://readingacts.wordpress.com

A Word of Preparation for The Way

From Luke 1: 68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear,75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. 78 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

This week will mark the 50th Anniversary of a tragedy that tore the heart of our country, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. It was he who said at his inauguration, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." In this passage from we hear what God has done for us; in fact in pretty much all of the Bible we have an account of God's love and mercy towards us. It should prompt the second part of the president's question, what can we do for God?

God has blessed us, we should bless God. God has looked favorably upon us and redeemed us, we should look favorably upon God. God has raised up a mighty savior for us and saved us, we should be thankful and grateful. God has rescued us from our enemies, sin and death; we should live abundant lives as a testimony of what God can do. God has delivered us from fear, we should live fearless lives. And in the passages where Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist whose birth prompted this passage, he outlines what John will do to prepare the way for the Lord as well as what God would continue to do through the Messiah. God will "give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." We should accept the light of Christ and get up from our darkness and continue the journey of faith and service.

PRAYER: Loving God, You have shown us a better way to live. Let us accept it and praise You. This we pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

From Pasture to Palace, Shepherd to Savior

Image from saltandlighttv.org/blog

A King in Every Setting

From Jeremiah 23: 1 Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. 2Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. 3 Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord. 5 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The Lord is our righteousness."

From the ancient pages of prophecy, come these words we read above from the prophet Jeremiah. Known for his emotional nature and deep care for God and God's people we see the reasons for that nature behind what he shares on behalf of God. God's desire is for a united, protected flock meaning that God desired the best for His people; but we know the story and false shepherds (kings) who came and scattered the flock. God's response is harsh, "I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord." But God's response and care for the scattered sheep has God saying, "I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply." God promised to provide shepherds to watch these sheep who would provide protection that would drive out fear and no longer would they be separated from the flock. Further, God says the day is coming when out of David will come a righteous Branch, who will be the true king who will rule with wisdom, justice and righteousness throughout the land. Through this king will the people of God find salvation and a life lived with God's full protection. And this king's name is "The Lord is our righteousness."

We are those sheep and ours are those promises if we so choose to receive them and live by them. We serve a loving God, Who sent His only Son, as that "Lord (of) our righteousness," who is Jesus, Whom we declare as Christ the King. This coming Sunday is that Sunday set apart to worship Him as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. The melody that should be in our hearts is the refrain from that majestic and always moving Hallelujah Chorus who proclaims those very words, whose words prompted the king for which this piece was written to stand as the words lifted high the name of Jesus; "And He shall reign forever and ever; King of Kings, Forever and ever, Hallelujah, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace..." Wonderful, powerful words of the wonderful and powerful King Jesus. To Him be all honor and praise!

PRAYER: Come, King Jesus, into my heart and reign. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

PS Please remember in your prayers, Melba Lewis of Portland, undergoing a delicate surgery in Houston this morning. Melba is the mother of David E. Lewis, our chair of the District Board of Church Building & Location. Pray for all the family with her today.

Falling Apart? Jesus Keeps All Things Together!

The One Who Came Before All Things, Holds All Things Together!

From Colossians 1: 11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

So you had a bad day? Or are you feeling weaker than ever before? Are you facing something you never thought you'd face? To all these things, the writer of this letter says, Get stronger with the strength that comes from God's glorious power which prepares us for whatever may come our way; may He give us patience and joy, so that we can be thankful in the face of that which we don't think deserve but thankful nonetheless. Then he reminds us of what God has shared with us; an inheritance with the saints in the light, a rescue from the powers of darkness into the kingdom of God's beloved Son, redemption and forgiveness of sins. Then a list of who Jesus is and what Jesus has and is doing; He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, the source of creation of all things in heaven and on earth, both invisible and visible. Jesus came before all things and in Jesus, all things hold together. Jesus is the head of the church, the beginning and firstborn from the dead, and should hold first place in everything, especially our lives. God's fullness lives in Jesus and if we live in Jesus we have that fullness and abundance of which Jesus spoke in John 10:10, and we are reconciled with God through Him, thanks to the blood shed on our behalf.

If our source of life is this source of strength, our whining, our crying, our despair should change to joy and praise. We should be people of joy and patience that face all things with a different attitude than those of the world. Our sins are forgiven, and forgotten; we should live as those who know love and know how to love. That is truly a life lived in abundance.

PRAYER: Loving God and source of life and love, fill us with Your strength, peace, patience, and joy. Help those of us facing depressing days to realize that we have in you the promise of joy that lifts us higher than anything on earth can. Thank You for forgiving my sins and let me live that life to the fullest, a life lived in Your abundance. This I pray in Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Lord of Lords and King of Kings!

Glory, Alleluia!

From Luke 23:33 When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right and the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing." They drew lots as a way of dividing up his clothing. 35 The people were standing around watching, but the leaders sneered at him, saying, "He saved others. Let him save himself if he really is the Christ sent from God, the chosen one." 36 The soldiers also mocked him. They came up to him, offering him sour wine 37 and saying, "If you really are the king of the Jews, save yourself." 38 Above his head was a notice of the formal charge against him. It read "This is the king of the Jews." 39 One of the criminals hanging next to Jesus insulted him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 40 Responding, the other criminal spoke harshly to him, "Don't you fear God, seeing that you've also been sentenced to die? 41 We are rightly condemned, for we are receiving the appropriate sentence for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 Jesus replied, "I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise."

I hate to do this to you, but I have three (3) songs in my head and I wanted you to bear the burden with me. The first was Steve Taylor's "Whatever Happened to Sin?" It's from the early days of Christian rock music, catchy tune, but asks the honest question of sin. The second is the title of todays' devotional, a song the youth sang and sang and sang and sang, each time getting faster and louder! Great memories of that song. And the last is a more peaceful one that we sing, usually during Easter, "Jesus, Remember Me." Today's text is a powerful one and a sad one. In the midst of Christmas decorations being up way too early and many turkeys still alive, comes this reminder of what it took for Jesus to become King of Kings. Bam!

You know the story all too well. The other evening Nellie asked if I knew "Sacred Head, Now Wounded." I found it on YouTube with one of our favorite hymn singers, Fernando Ortega. The hymn is beautiful, but the photos that accompany that video I could have done without. I believe he took still photographs of "The Passion," one of the most bloodiest movies ever about Jesus' death and resurrection. This passage reminds us of what Jesus suffered for you and me. At a place called The Skull, others believe to be the trash heap outside of Jerusalem, Jesus was nailed to a cross between two men more commonly called "Thieves." The first pronouncement over those crucifying Him and over these thieves is Jesus' plea to God to forgive them. "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing." Only a king can pardon, and here the King of Kings pardons everyone present, especially "the bad guys." The ones doing it made a mockery of it, by having a gambling contest to see who would get what of what Jesus was wearing. The crowd only added to the mockery by clamoring, "He saved others. Let Him save Himself if He really is the Christ sent from God, the chosen one." Roman soldiers got in on the act as well mocking Jesus with sour wine instead of water, but they taunt, "If you really are the king of the Jews, save yourself." They then added a written mockery, "This is the king of the Jews." Notice the challenge. Which of the Jewish kings had supernatural power, and why would the Roman soldiers make such a challenge? I believe it was because of Jesus' reputation of having powers to heal, make whole, and even raise the dead. They knew what was said about Jesus, they may have wanted to see it for themselves.

It is the criminals who speak next, the first "insulted him: Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" (v. 39b). The other speaks harshly to the first, "Don't you fear God, seeing that you've also been sentenced to die? We are rightly condemned, for we are receiving the appropriate sentence for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then turning to Jesus says, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." The promise from Jesus, "I assure you that today you will be with me in paradise."

The coronation of this king went against all common logic. The crown was not made of gold like other kings. This was one was made of thorns and it made Jesus' head bleed. The royal robes were His everyday clothing, stripped and divided by chance among those killing Him. His throne was a wooden one, where He was not seated but nailed. Yet, His kingdom and His power is unmatched by any king before or since Jesus. Those kingdoms have a shelf life; Jesus does not. No king has nor will die for me, Jesus did. No king has sought to do for others to the point of death, but Jesus has. Jesus is my king, and He should be yours, too.

PRAYER: Jesus, I remember all You did for my sake and the sake of the world. Remember me today as I seek to share You with others. You have many subjects who have yet to come to kneel before You; I need to reach them. It is in Your name that I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Sing a New Song for Christ Shall Return

Image from wallpaper4God.com

The Lord is Good

From Psalm 98: 1 O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory. 2 The Lord has made known his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations. 3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. 4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. 5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord. 7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. 8 Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy 9 at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

The other night, towards the end of a charge conference, the recording secretary, who is also the choir/music director of this small church, gave a report about the choir and music in the church. She spoke of what a great blessing a "new" hymnal had been in the life of this church and while she was speaking about it I returned mentally to the introduction of this same song resource some years ago in a church that I served. It was not pretty. The hymnal in question is called "The Faith That We Sing." It has new hymns in it. And for many, the worst thing you can do is to stray away from "How Great Thou Art," "Amazing Grace," "In the Garden." I almost received a visitor that stopped first at my Children's Coordinator's Office, and I could hear his loud rantings and ravings about that "demonic little book!" And some other things I will not share in print. My staff member is a very kind, patient, loving woman and listened lovingly and kindly. His anger was soothed by the time she passed him over to me. I listened to a calmer version of his anger and tried to explain that the Bible is filled with references to new hymns, including a passage in Revelation that a new song is being written for up there, that no one will know until we get there. I also told him that there was a site that he could visit on his computer and hear the old hymns throughout the day if he so wished. (These were pre-Pandora radio days).

The psalmist is led to proclaim we should sing to the Lord a new song, one that continues our praises to God for the marvelous things God has done since the old hymns were written. It might just be that, like David, we should write our own hymns about what God has done in our lives. David sees hymns for what they truly are, connecting points to the living God, relating our singing to the prayers we should be lifting up to God along with our songs. In our lives God has brought to us many a victory, over illness, sadness, distress, challenges, enemies, you name it! God has revealed to many the victories we have faced and that will continue for us, and all who call upon the Lord. Our song should reflect God's steadfast love and faithfulness to God's people. Everyone will know of God's victory, so, we should join in with a "joyful noise," and "joyous song and sing praises." We should use all the instruments we can. And someone please find in the Bible or the Book of Discipline where it says only pianos and organs are the instruments of choice of the Lord. Stringed instruments and trumpets, and any kind of horn can be used in the making of the joyful noises that God deserves. Listen to the ocean and all that fills it; listen to the sound of the earth and those who live in it. Even floodwaters and hills, in their own way, "clap their hands" and "sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth."

The theme I stress again, is the coming of the Lord and all that will occur on that day. Even judgment, our judgment, will be something to praise for God will judge us with righteousness and equity.

I shared with another charge conference that unlike a credit report, thank God there is no sin report. I questioned whether there was enough paper on the earth to list all our sins, but corrected myself because God forgives and forgets all our sins. God has gone green because of the red spilled by His Son on our behalf. Judgment will be better if we ask forgiveness of our sins on a daily basis.

PRAYER: Loving God, forgive me of my sins. I confess that I have not lived nor done as You have shown me, but I ask for a new opportunity to be faithful and fruitful; and this I ask in Christ jesus' name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

God of New Creation and Life

Image from godsdirectcontact.org.tw

The Coming Kingdom of Peace

From Isaiah 65: 17 For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. 20No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed. 21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord— and their descendants as well. 24 Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent—its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord.

There's a popular family theme park that draws people from all over the world whose motto is that they will always be creating something new. This is a clever business ploy in that if you visit this park and see new construction, along the fences you will see drawings of what the new attraction will be. And one in your party will say, "We've got to come back to see that!" And once you have saved another fortune, you are able to return to experience that which was being built only to find that something new is being built and again one will say, "We've got to come back to see that!" The park prides itself on its cleanliness and its order of things; there is only so many days that the paint stays without its being repainted. Every night that the park is closed, there are people working to clean and make fresh the appearance of the park. The mess left by people is cleaned up.

Since the days of the Fall, humans have made a mess of things. We have chosen wrong and we have lived wrong, and the consequences of our actions have haunted us since the day of Adam and Eve. The Bible says that things got so bad during the day of Noah that He started over; a new creation of humans and the re-population of the earth with those animals saved from the Flood. And yet again, here we are, living with the choices that we've made or that our ancestors have made for us. Yet, we serve a God of new chances and opportunities. This passage from Isaiah 65 says that God is not finished with us and our dwelling place, the promise is for a creation of a new heaven and a new earth with the promise that the old things will not be remembered or "come to mind." Ours is a call to gladness and rejoicing in what the Lord is creating. The symbol of faith, Jerusalem, will be made into a symbol of joy and the people in it as a delight. The promise is the removal of mourning and sadness, no more cries for help. Infant and child deaths will be done away with, and those who don't live a hundred years will be suspect as to how they're truly living. Those that do live a hundred years will be considered youth. There will be new homes and the chance to live in them. The planting of vineyards will mean new yields of fruit and the enjoyment of same. Whatever you build, you will enjoy; you will plant and you will be able to enjoy your fruits and vegetables. Your days on the earth shall be like those of a tree. All of our labors and efforts, all of the children produced will be blessed and considered blessed children of the Lord. Even before we ask, the response will be on the way. And the beauty of this passage, "The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox." The only one still not enjoying a good reputation or station in life will be the snake. Their days of harm and destruction are over, so says God.

God is better than the Walt Disney Company at cleaning and making all things new. Jesus spoke of going and building a place and that place is under construction even now, but more importantly, right now in our lives and needs, God will create in us new hearts and right spirits. God will walk with us and help us in fulfilling the task of reaching new people and transforming the world.

All we have to do is ask.

PRAYER: Loving God, make me new. Create in me a new heart and a right spirit for the life and life's work to which I have been called. Let me shine as a light of example to those who have not yet heard nor believed what You have made for us. Let me live not like before, but help me to live among those who seek peace. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Spiritual Disciplines

Image is from http://trivialdevotion.blogspot.com

Imitating Those Who Work Faithfully & Fruitfully

From 2 Thessalonians 3: 6 Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, 8and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. 9 This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. 11 For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. 13 Brothers and sisters,do not be weary in doing what is right.

Like in all settings, the Church has doers and watchers. The estimated percentage of recent studies: 80% of the work gets done by 20% of the people. Does that sound right for you? I'm asking in the sense of is that what you perceive, but also, which percentage side are you on? The Church provides many different settings and opportunities in which we can offer our services, and there should be an overage of volunteers and helpers present when the church offers something. Last night in talking with a fellow DS, it was shared that a pastor complained that he was overworked because of the response he was getting to new programs and ministries in the church. The DS said he needed to raise up and train volunteers to run these programs. The mindset in that church is a common one; "Let the preacher/pastor do it, that's what he/she's paid for!" Wrong.

Paul set the example and pace for Christian workers in his day. Paul is what we could call a Type A person. Go, go, go, and work, work, work. This passage shares with the believers that reality that in all things he received, he paid for with his sweat and toil. And that hard work, Paul said, was "in order to give you an example to imitate." Some have called harsh the verse that follows, verse 10, where Paul says, "For even when were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat." And then explains why he believes that way; so many "living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work." But he encourages those to become workers and to do their work quietly. Then a closing encouragement to all, "do not be weary in doing what is right."

The theme along the Lectionary line for this week, is that work that we have to do before the Lord's coming. Yesterday's Gospel lesson encouraged us to endurance in our faith, today's is endurance in our labor for the good of the faith. We can encourage one another, we can pick up a phone and call those whom we know should be helping but aren't, to come and work alongside us. Make it a fun experience and one with huge unseen rewards now.

PRAYER: Loving God, we have much to do, but with Your help and blessing we can move forward to accomplishing much. Encourage us to be encouragers of all. Move us to faithfulness and fruitfulness. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

PS I just received word that The Rev. Dr. Homer A. Bain, longtime worker at the Ecumenical Institute in San Antonio passed away this past Saturday. I also learned that his wife, Rev. Irma Bain, a former staff member of mine, has severe dementia. Please pray for the Bain family. They have one son, Andy who is making arrangements. Thank you.

And Still They Said Yes

This graphic from www.agnusday.com

Temple Destroyers May Never Destroy You

From Luke 21: 5 Some people were talking about the temple, how it was decorated with beautiful stones and ornaments dedicated to God. Jesus said, 6 "As for the things you are admiring, the time is coming when not even one stone will be left upon another. All will be demolished." 7 They asked him, "Teacher, when will these things happen? What sign will show that these things are about to happen?" 8 Jesus said, "Watch out that you aren't deceived. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I'm the one!' and ‘It's time!' Don't follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and rebellions, don't be alarmed. These things must happen first, but the end won't happen immediately." 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Nations and kingdoms will fight against each other. 11 There will be great earthquakes and wide-scale food shortages and epidemics. There will also be terrifying sights and great signs in the sky. 12 But before all this occurs, they will take you into custody and harass you because of your faith. They will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will provide you with an opportunity to testify. 14 Make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance. 15 I'll give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to counter or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed by your parents, brothers and sisters, relatives, and friends. They will execute some of you. 17Everyone will hate you because of my name. 18 Still, not a hair on your heads will be lost. 19 By holding fast, you will gain your lives.

Our daughter had to work yesterday, so Nellie and I took Liam to "his church." As we're walking into church a light rain started and Nellie and Liam shared the one umbrella in our car, and she's asking if he wanted to go to the nursery. He said no. He knew what to do. He picked up the big plastic bag filled with child goodies and joined us at our seat. I was very impressed with how well he behaved and listened to the sermon. There were several parts with which he connected; one was the pastor admitting that he went to church with his mom and always enjoyed the coloring and may have ruined more than his share of offering envelopes during this coloring days. What really hit home was that the pastor said that many a Sunday, if he behaved, his mom would treat him to a Happy Meal and an ice cold Coca Cola, "the nectar of the gods." He had Liam with "Happy Meal." Liam got up and hugged his grandma as if to say, "I think I'm behaving..."

Jesus stood with His disciples in a place like the church we were in yesterday. It's a beautiful, modern structure, and offers the latest in high tech equipment for presenting the Gospel in a relevant way; screens, projectors, speakers, computers, praise band with great music. And the plea was made to consecrate the pledge for continuing the work of Jesus Christ in this beautiful place. The invitation was made for every household to come up in whatever configuration may have been present. We knew Caitlin had sent in her pledge but being at work that day, she and Liam could not go up there. I felt what Nellie felt and I said, "I'm taking Liam up there to represent his household; I don't want them to miss out on the blessing the pastors are offering." I asked Liam to come with me, and he made his second trip to the front. He had gone by himself to children's sermon time, and now as we walked he knew something was being offered that was good. We knelt and I whispered to him how his mommy had offered to share with Jesus money to help the church. The pastor came and I explained we were there as Liam and Caty's household, and he prayed a blessing over us.

Great things like that happened in the Temple. The disciples wondered how Jesus could say what He said about one day "not even one stone will be left upon another. All will be demolished." When and How were all they could think to ask. Add to that the How can we be ready question thrown in. Jesus explained that there would be many signs, among them wars and rebellions, nations fighting nations, earthquakes, famines, epidemics, and great and terrifying things in the skies. And, Jesus continued, before all this happens, you will be arrested and harassed because of your faith. You will suffer much but do not be afraid nor plan what you are to say because He himself will give us the words such as cannot be contradicted nor countered. You may even suffer the betrayal from those you least expect, like parents, siblings, other relatives and friends, and some of you may even be put to death, but not a hair on your heads will be lost. If you hang on, you will gain all, especially your life.

The cartoon above from agnusday.com shows how some have treated this passage, as a money-making opportunity and you may have even seen a tv preacher or two talk about end times and how to be ready in the sense of knowing the right signs. Some have even taken strong political stances towards this country or against that one in the name of Christianity, but the truth is that no one know the day nor the hour; the main matter is not to waver in your faith in Jesus for any reason at all. To be ready is to be ready right now, and if it comes tomorrow or a thousand years after our death, we will still be ready. As the apostles said Yes, may we too say Yes in spite of what may come.

PRAYER: Loving God, help me to be a living sacrifice to You. May my life reflect my readiness to endure all things for You in a way that invites others to come to faith. This I pray in Christ Jesus my Lord, amen.

I Know My Redeemer Lives!

And He and All Believers Will Stand Upon the Earth

From Job 19:23 "O that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book! 24 O that with an iron pen and with lead they were engraved on a rock forever! 25 For I know that my Redeemerlives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; 26 and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.

From Job's mouth these brief words of faith in the midst of his torment. His declaration of faith, he believes, is worthy of being written down and recorded for all history. His faith as written on a rock should last forever as a testament of faith to future generations about his faith in the living God. Given all he had to suffer and endure in this cosmic battle between God and Satan, Job at this point offers a statement of faith: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth," and further he adds, even though my body has been destroyed, "in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another." The theme continues in the scriptures for this week, at that the end, Christ will prevail. The God of the living will bring life to those who have died in the faith, and as early as this prophetic declaration by Job, the message has remained the same, "the resurrection of the body" as we declare in the Apostles Creed, and the promises of Jesus Christ to those in the faith of victory over sin and over death.

Where have you written your faith? Is it written in your heart in such a way that your mouth can share it? Is it written in your soul in such a way that you life can live it? Is it written in your mind where your whole being can declare it? It's a message worth sharing, especially with those who have not yet heard nor cared to hear.

PRAYER: Let my life proclaim in such a way that it gets written in the minds of those who see me, that I know that my Redeemer lives and that one day, even after this body has wasted away, I will see in my flesh, God, whom I shall see on my side. This is my prayer, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

What Are Your Thoughts About The Coming of the Lord?

Stand firm in what you have been taught to believe

From 2 Thessalonians 2: 1 As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one destined for destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, declaring himself to be God.5 Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you? 13 But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, 17 comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

"I'm not afraid of death; I just don't want to be there when it happens!" So said comedian Woody Allen. It may reflect what a lot of people believe about death and last days. Yesterday's passage dealt with the Sadducees, who were openly negative toward resurrection and said flatly, "We don't believe in resurrection." When you die, you die. I've had people tell me that and they firmly believe it. They also believe there's no afterlife, nothing. You just cease to exist. Today's passage Paul is trying to address the fears of those who were now asking, where is this Jesus you said would come to take us soon? The arrival of Jesus was not as soon as some had hoped, and even Paul himself may have been surprised that the Lord had not come sooner. With this anxiousness started the rumors; this is going to happen, and that will happen later, and no one knew for sure. If you've ever worked for a company that was bought out by another one, you know the first thing to arrive before the new owner are the rumors about what's going to happen next and who's going to be fired. The same was happening with Jesus' return. Paul says simply, don't fall for anything; there's still a lot that has to happen before Jesus arrives. Paul mentions a rebellions and "the lawless one" who was yet to be revealed and then destroyed. Meanwhile, Paul says, I thank God for you and your faith. You were called by God to believe so don't abandon your belief for any reason. If anything, ask God to strengthen your hearts with the comfort that comes in knowing and trusting God.

Whatever uncertainty you may be having in your life today, be certain of one thing; God is still in control, and God will have the last word on all things. Don't fall for the worrisome nature of some who start sharing what they think is going to happen. Those are rumors and not to be trusted. The only thing to be trusted is the certainty of God's word shared with you and your faith. Stand firm on that.

PRAYER: Loving God, we sometimes do fall for rumors and other things when change occurs in our life. Help us during those unsettled hours to remain calm and trusting in You. You have shared Your word with us for a purpose and may it serve us in comforting and strengthening our hearts. This we pray in Christ Jesus Our Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

There Are No Wedding Planners in Heaven

Image from textweek.com

There is Resurrection and Life After Life, though

From Luke 20: 27 Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him 28 and asked him a question, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; 30 then the second 31 and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. 32 Finally the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her." 34 Jesus said to them, "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; 35 but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. 37 And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive."

"That's why they're always sad, you see!" The things you learn as a child you sometimes don't easily forget. I heard that phrase either in a song or just as a way to remember that the Sadducees were a sad bunch. They had determined in their studies, that there was no life after death. There is no resurrection. There are still plenty of people who believe that. You live, you die, that's it. That is a sad way to live. In fact, as a trap for Jesus, they devised this scenario of a family of seven brothers, one woman, and no children. Given the law of Moses that said that a man should leave behind children, they decide to ask Jesus who would be this woman's husband in heaven, if she had married all seven brothers and not one of them had left behind any children? Jesus answers it this way; "Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage." Jesus knew there is another age of which the Sadducees knew nothing about. His answer about that age, "Those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage." What's more, Jesus adds, "Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection."

Jesus believed in the resurrection. And Jesus knew that from the story of the burning bush where Moses heard from the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, that God is God of the living, not of the dead; for Moses having heard this heard that all of these were still alive. So, the question we should ask if who is worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection? The answer, those who believe and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. Those who commit all aspect of their lives to Him receive eternal life. Jesus desires from us a relationship that will never die. A human relationship, as you know from all the relationships you have or have had, have their up moments and their down moments. There are times when relationships end. But a relationship with Jesus is eternal. "Él es tu amigo mas fiel" came to mind, from the Spanish translation of "Tell It to Jesus" which includes these words, "He is a Friend that's well known. You've no other such a friend or brother."

Seek to be in such a relationship with the God who loves you and to Whom you matter much. Seek the love that never ends or fades that comes from the Author of Love, which is God.

PRAYER: God of love, while in this age, bless and protect my relationships with those who are near and dear to me. I seek to be a blessing to all who depend and count on me. Yet let the love You have to me be the source of the love I can share with others, and may my love for You never die. This I pray in Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

If The Verse Fits

Liam Carlos Vasquez enjoying a huge Jack-O-Lantern

The Greatness of God Fits My Smallness

From Psalm 119: 137 You are righteous, O Lord, and your judgments are right. 138 You have appointed your decrees in righteousness and in all faithfulness. 139 My zeal consumes me because my foes forget your words. 140 Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. 141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. 142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is the truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, but your commandments are my delight. 144 Your decrees are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.

The awesomeness of the Lectionary is the way that sometimes verses fit all together. They're meant to all the time, I won't argue that, but sometimes you have to maneuver this way and that to cover all the bases intended by the Lex. Today's passage fits in well with the story from the Gospel. God's greatness overcame the small stature of Zacchaeus and "delight" came to Zach's life. Zacchaeus with his meeting of Jesus Christ came to the fullness of life that Jesus promised in John 10:10. And the same is still available today. When we recognize the greatness of God and the awesomeness of the way God's Word speaks to us in our present condition, we can choose to surrender to God and let God mend our ways or we can continue the same path without a clue. In spite of the life Zach tried to live with people hating him, he still knew the greatness of God; and when he met God's Son, he surrendered completely to Him.

Our troubles won't mysteriously disappear with our surrendering to God, but our attitude and gratitude will be different. Look at verse 143: "Trouble and anguish have come upon me, but your commandments are my delight." Can you say that right now about what has kept you up at night? If you say, "God, I don't know what to do, I surrender it all to You," you might sleep comfortably tonight knowing that something good will come of what you think is completely bad right now. The desire of God is that we might live, made more so by the promise of His Son when He said, "I have come that they may have life and that to the fullest."

It's your choice. Why not choose to live?

PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for loving me right now, right here. You know what I need and so I surrender myself, my worries and cares into Your loving hands. Break the chains of whatever has kept me from loving You as I should and bring to me the fullness of life. This I pray through Him who made that promise to me, Jesus, my Lord and Savior, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

Eradio Valverde