God, Come Back!

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Listen, Shepherd, Israel's Shepherd - get all your Joseph sheep together. Throw beams of light from your dazzling throne So Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh can see where they're going. Get out of bed - you've slept long enough! Come on the run before it's too late. God, come back! Smile your blessing smile: That will be our salvation.  God, God of the angel armies, how long will you smolder like a sleeping volcano while your people call for fire and brimstone?  You put us on a diet of tears, bucket after bucket of salty tears to drink. You make us look ridiculous to our friends; our enemies poke fun day after day.  God of the angel armies, come back! Smile your blessing smile: That will be our salvation. (Psalm 80:1-7 The Message)

Have you ever said or done something wrong, and someone walks away?  It's a terrible feeling isn't it?  Yesterday in our Bible study we were studying the life of Paul and we came across the verse, "Don't let the sun go down on your anger," and we talked of how this has saved many a marriage.  My thought is that if one spends one night on the couch in anger, away from one's spouse, a second night becomes easier, and by the third night, other thoughts about moving out or away from the marriage might enter in our heads.  Here, the psalmist is saying that because of Israel's actions, God had walked away from them.  They realize God is their shepherd and as a result of their own actions, the sheep have scattered; only God can bring them back together.  Because God's light is no longer present among them, they're in darkness and need God's light to once again shine in their lives.  The verse says, "God, come back!  Smile your blessing smile:  That will be our salvation."  Our own actions have brought about this diet of tears that we're on; we're at the point of ridicule from all of our enemies, come back!

God did come back.  It was in the form of a baby, born in the prophetic little town of Bethlehem; and from there all prophecies in their scriptures were fulfilled, and we had and have, our Messiah, our Lord and Savior.  Though it may seem at times that God has moved away from God, it's us that have moved.  I have always loved the illustration of the older couple riding in a car when they see an older vehicle with two young people sitting side by side (the two-headed monster as was said of those couples), and the wife says, "Remember when we used to do that?  Why don't we do that any more?"  The husband replies, "It wasn't me that moved away!"  And so it is with us, we are the ones who choose to move away from God; God stays in HIs place and enters in wherever He is invited.

We should invite God to be even closer today than He was yesterday.

PRAYER:  Loving God, help me to stay on the path of righteousness.  Help me to live in ways that bless You and Yours.  I pray that I might stay in the light of Your smile.  In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Let your smile reflect God's smile today in the lives of those around you!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Update:  I spoke with Rev. Scott Bradford yesterday and he was still in some pain.  He will have more mobility today and so please pray that God be with him as he faces a minor procedure to give him mobility; and for complete healing.  Blessings for your prayers!

Grease-Stained Rags & Lava Soap

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Oh, that you would rip open the heavens and descend, make the mountains shudder at your presence -  As when a forest catches fire, as when fire makes a pot to boil -  To shock your enemies into facing you, make the nations shake in their boots! You did terrible things we never expected, descended and made the mountains shudder at your presence. Since before time began no one has ever imagined, No ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you who works for those who wait for him.  You meet those who happily do what is right, who keep a good memory of the way you work. But how angry you've been with us! We've sinned and kept at it so long! Is there any hope for us? Can we be saved?  We're all sin-infected, sin-contaminated. Our best efforts are grease-stained rags. We dry up like autumn leaves - sin-dried, we're blown off by the wind.  No one prays to you or makes the effort to reach out to you Because you've turned away from us, left us to stew in our sins. Still, God, you are our Father. We're the clay and you're our potter: All of us are what you made us. Don't be too angry with us, O God. Don't keep a permanent account of wrongdoing. Keep in mind, please, we are your people - all of us. (Isaiah 64:1-9 The Message)

Growing up poor, one tends to have used cars that need a lot of attention.  My dad was a very handy man when it came to repairing our old cars.  He always seemed to have either an old t-shirt or a red shop rag with which he wiped his hands.  And in our bathroom, he always had a bar of Lava soap with which he washed his hands.  I was reminded of this in the reading of today's passage from the prophet Isaiah.  As he awaited for God to "rip open the heavens and descend" in such a way that "the mountains (would) shudder" at God's presence, he reflected on why the people were in the condition in which they were.  Isaiah knew they had sinned against God and God's silence towards them was deafening; but they needed and wanted God to come down.  I love the line, "Our best efforts are greased-stained rags."  In other words, there's nothing we can do on our own to save ourselves when it comes to our sin.  It takes a great action on God's part to remove our sin.  That's what Advent is all about.  As we await the celebration of God's sending Jesus the first time, and as we reflect on our spiritual lives as we await Christ's return, we need to ask God to remove our sins.  I remember holding the rags my Dad had dirtied as he tried to get the car running again; nothing could ever make that rag new or completely clean again I would think.  We can never say that about our spiritual life; God can make us new and completely clean through what God did in the first visit on the earth of Jesus our Lord.

We begin be confessing our sins, and asking that God make us new and clean.  We ask that God would be at work in us, using us to get the word out about His love and mercy.  We look towards the manger and see the Savior; the one who takes away the sins of the world, and even our sins.

PRAYER:  Loving God, thank You for loving us and for sending Jesus to demonstrate that love towards us.  We pray that we might be made new and clean each day as we confess our sins and turn them over to You.  Help us to live in such a way that we give witness to Your presence and power in our lives.  This we pray in Christ Jesus our Lord's strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Be a handy clean rag that helps others know where to get clean of their sin today!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request:  I ask continued prayers for Rev. Scott Bradford, a dear friend and colleague, senior pastor of First UMC in San Angelo.  He has undergone a second surgery in as many weeks and is in severe pain; we pray for his quick healing and comfort.  Thank you.

Free and Open Access to God!

May all the gifts and benefits that come from God our Father, and the Master, Jesus Christ, be yours. Every time I think of you - and I think of you often! - I thank God for your lives of free and open access to God, given by Jesus. There's no end to what has happened in you - it's beyond speech, beyond knowledge. The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives.  Just think - you don't need a thing, you've got it all! All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that. The Cross: The Irony of God's Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:3-9 The Message Version)

One of many things I missed during the seven years of ministry as a district superintendent was the easy access to an altar.  It was in my fifth year that I made known to one of my pastors, whose husband had just made an incredible baptismal font from an old pew, that I would love to have a prayer kneeler made from an old pew if he had time, and I would pay him for it.  Right before Christmas that year they delivered a beautiful prayer kneeler, and it was a  gift!  So, I had a place set aside for prayer, as I still do, but having keys to the beautiful sanctuary of First United Methodist Church of Gonzales gives me a place where I have, as Paul wrote above, "free and open access to God, given bye Jesus."

In this version of the epistle reading for this coming first Sunday of Advent, Paul calls Jesus' second coming to earth, "the Finale."  And Paul's prayer to the believers in Corinth was one of rich and wonderful blessings as they awaited Christ's return.  "May all the gifts and benefits that come from God our Father, and the Master, Jesus Christ be yours."  Our garage has two huge bags from the Disney store with gifts for four of our five grandchildren; gifts that we hope they will enjoy and be blessed by at Christmas.  But, you and I, already have these "gifts and benefits from God.  We have the gift of prayer, the availability of Bible study, the place to worship God, a fellowship of other believers; but the greatest is the relationship we have with God the Father through Jesus that we call our salvation.  That moment when we asked for our sins to be taken away, and for the place in our heart that so easily gets given to others or things, is now occupied by Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  As we live our our lives, we do so with the hope that we will be ready whenever the Lord returns.  This coming Sunday, most churches will have their worship spaces decorated with those reminders of Christ's first visit, and the hymns and songs will be about Jesus' birth, all part of Advent.  But we know and are reminded that Advent also includes Jesus' return for us someday.  In the meantime, "God Himself is right alongside to keep you (us) steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus."  And then Paul reminds us, "He (God) will never give up on you.  Never forget that."

PRAYER:  Loving God, thank You for this passage and especially for the free and open access we have to You.  Let us not abandon that, for You seek to hear from us and be in conversation with us.  As we pray, let us not only share what's on our hearts, but be open to what is on Your heart; this we pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have and great and blessed day in the Lord!  Remind someone of the free and open access they have to God!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request:  Dear friends, last night Mr. Dwight Brown died in Gonzales Hospital.  He battled long and hard against cancer, but last night he entered into rest from that disease and into the embrace of our Lord.  Please keep his family in your prayers, especially his sons, Dakota and Austin.  

1st Sunday of Advent: Keep Awake!

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‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened,and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven,and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’  (Mark 13:24-37)

This coming Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent.  It is a time of preparation for the celebration of Christ's birth and for Christ's return.  Both are equally important for the Christian believer.  We are thankful that God sent Jesus to the world to do and share all He did, but we should also be thankful that God has not forgotten us and promised to return for us.  This gospel for His return is important for it contains much we should know and much we should share.

We will never know the exact day nor hour of Jesus' return, but we will know that Jesus is near.  Jesus' comments to the disciples always had them wondering and worried about His leaving and His coming back.  He shares signs that they and we might see, and I should point out many of these visible signs have stirred many a generation when they occurred.  Those who saw the darkening of the sun or the showers of falling stars wondered if Jesus was indeed coming then, but they should have rejoiced in knowing that Jesus was near.  The main message we should receive and share come in the last two words of this passage:  Keep awake, which I take to mean, be ready.  In one of the holiday movies we watched during this Thanksgiving, the star of the movie keep her passport in her coat, because she said, "You never know."  

There is much to do, and much to share; Jesus warns for us to stay busy, but ready as well.  This follows the strong message of Christ the King:  Feed the hungry, quench the thirst of the thirsty, visit the sick, clothe the naked, visit the prisoner, and welcome the stranger; all part of what keeps us ready and keeps Christ ever before us and those we seek to help.

PRAYER:  Loving God, we thank You for Your love.  We want to be ready, awake, and still working.  Your Word shares that which we should do, and we seek to do it.  Grant us those opportunities in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Do something to bless someone in Jesus' name today.

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Update:  Thank you so much for your prayers.  I was able to preach at both services and I again ask for your prayers for this coming Sunday when I will preach three services in San Antonio at Windcrest UMC.  I am the coach and mentor of the pastor there and God has been good to us during these months.  Facing a huge debt in apportionments payment, we have reduced the amount from $98,000 to $40,000, and just a little over a month to do it in.  Pray that God's Spirit move among that church on Sunday and that God share with me the words that will inspire, encourage and bring victory to Jesus.  Blessings to you all!  E.V.

Sheep or Goat?

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‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.’ (Matthew 25:31-46)

Do you remember the days when you entered a restaurant and you would be asked, "Smoking or non?"  Airlines for a while asked that as well; and then those days went away.  Imagine being asked, as you entered your church, "Sheep or Goat?"  While it may never happen, Jesus says the day is coming when you will be judged according to whether you were a sheep or a goat in this life.  Sheep to the right; goats on the left.  Sheep into eternal glory, goats into eternal punishment.  Why?

Jesus, as He leaves earth, wants the church to know that their job is far from over.  Once you enter into relationship with Jesus, the work has only started.  You've reached a great place, but it's one of responsibility, not privilege.  The disciples heard this and learned from it, as should we.  How hard is the work?  Well, with Jesus living and guiding our hearts, it's not as hard as it should be.  The question we must be answering now is "Have I done enough for God and God's people?"  Hear what Jesus will say on that day, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing.  I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."  What?  When?  Jesus will respond, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."

Think about that list:  Hunger, Thirst.  Welcome. Clothed. Care. Visited.  Think about hunger in America on this day of plenty for most.  Just this past Sunday, CBS Sunday morning did a report on hunger in our country.  It made me weep.  There are children and adults who do not know where their next meal will come from.  And it has been schools, and some churches, who are trying to bridge the gap between dying of hunger or staying alive.  As a district superintendent one year I stressed a simple ministry that we can do in each of our churches, and that was to give a loaf of bread to the hungry in our neighborhoods.  At meetings where the pastor was leaving and we were to decide on the new pastor I showed up with ten loaves of bread; five whole wheat, five white.  It was a message about our communities.  And I asked the members of that committee to please take a loaf to share with a family that might not have bread.  At one meeting, one woman said, "There is NO hunger in this community!  The government gives food stamps, so no one is hungry!"  She was a bit angry, and the looks she got from the rest of the community said, in a nice way, "Dear one, there is hunger."  One person seated next to her asked if she could take two loaves because she knew of two families that did not have anything to eat.  The rest of the committee took a loaf.  

There is thirst in the world as well.  We take clean drinking water for granted.  Look no further than Flint, Michigan, as one example of a community in our country that does not have safe drinking water.  During the time we lived in Corpus Christi, we have over five alerts to boil our water before we drank it, and a couple of those we were told not to drink the water for boiling it would do nothing to kill the harmful materials in it.

Think of people who visit some churches and never get so much as a hello.  

Can you count the number of times you visited a prison on one hand?

Do you avoid visiting the sick because you might get sick?

Have you shared a coat with the cold, or a dress for a little girl who has none?

Sheep or Goat?  I think we already know.

PRAYER:  Loving Father, forgiveness is in my heart for failing in being faithful as I should.  Grant me new opportunities to fulfill this that Jesus said will determine my seat in eternity.  I want to sit with the sheep, so let me work hard to be a sheep to those in in need.  In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.

Have a great, blessed, and safe Thanksgiving!  May this day bless you and guide you and yours to do more!

Eradio Valverde

Most are Ungrateful; Are You?

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On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, ‘Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’ Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’ (Luke 17:11-19)

Yesterday was a day of great blessing, for it was the day I joined a dedicated group of volunteers as we took Holy Communion to our members who are in nursing homes.  We usually go and round up those who have come as well as invite new people to come to the room with the piano.  Yesterday, as soon as Christina started playing the piano in a wonderful way, some heard the music and made their way to join us.  On the way there, Christina mentioned a lady with a beautiful voice and the hope she would join us, and she did.  The music of the hymns started those who knew the old hymns to singing their praises to God.  We had prayer and then I shared a brief message on this gospel passage on Thanksgiving.  

The ten men, sentenced by their illness to keep their distance from the living, for the most part were counted as dead, for their home was usually in the graveyards.  Yet, these men knew of Jesus and His power, for when they saw Him entering a village, they yelled out to Him, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"  Jesus' response was to tell them to "Go and show yourselves to the priests,"  and as they went they were made clean.  I told the group yesterday it was truly a test of faith, for every step taken in the direction of the priest brought their healing.  Yet, sadly, it was only one, who noticed his healing, who turned back and fell on his face before Jesus to thank Him.  And the passage says, "He was a Samaritan."  Jesus asks the question, "Were not ten made clean?  But the other nine, where are they?  Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"  But to the grateful man He says, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."

We sometimes don't count our blessings.  We sometimes don't give God thanks for what God does all the time for us.  Only 10% were grateful in this passage; the other 90% walked away without giving thanks.  Is not our holiday tomorrow called "Thanksgiving?"  May our hearts join the hearts of others who will give thanks to God for all God has shared with us.  May it be a melodious sound of grateful hearts praising God for all God has given us.

PRAYER:  Lord, grant me a grateful heart.  Fill it with praise for You and all You have done on my behalf.  Thank You for open doors, great fellowship, and awesome food that has blessed my household.  And let me show my gratitude towards You in all that I will do for You; this I pray in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Give someone a blessing by showing your gratitude towards the Lord.

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request:  Yesterday I was also blessed to pray with a man named Buster, who was surrounded by all of his family.  That in itself was a witness to Buster's love for them.  One daughter said in the hallway that her dad was not afraid because he knew where he was going.  His son-in-law said that Buster blessed people by carrying a business card with the word Blessing on it, along with a short message that explained that blessing.  Another daughter believes Buster gave out over 3,000 of those cards just to bless people.  Pray for Buster that God have the last word in his life, for medically his chances were not good.  May God's comfort and strength be with all the family is our prayer.

Thanksgiving: Giving and Receiving with a Thankful Heart

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Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.  As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out.  This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God,  wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.  Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God.  This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone.  Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they'll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough! (2 Corinthians 9:6-15 The Message Bible)

As we sit down this coming week to give thanks, be mindful of all God has shared with us.  If we're honest, it would take a long time to record all things that we have because of God's lovingkindness.  But, we should also know that in giving, we are being blessed. The version of the passage above in more recognizable versions has that phrase we hear often:  "Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."  But, we need to hear what comes after it:  "And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written,‘He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever.’ He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us," and it follows the graphic I shared with you this morning, The Cycle of Grace Giving, which proves what I have said also, "We can never outgive God!"  The more we give, the more it seems we receive, and praise God for that!

That first meal that brought about images of natives and pilgrims sharing together, was precisely of what God shared with each and how each was able to share with one another, and once seated, they were able to return thanks to God; He is the source of all of our blessings.

PRAYER:  Loving God, thank You!  As I prepare and join those preparing meals and times with family and loved ones, let me not forget You are the Source, the provider of all good things, and to You we should return our thanks and praise.  Keep us mindful of those who do not have those with whom they can sup, or not have anything to eat; give us generous and thankful hearts to share with them.  In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Share your attitude of gratitude today!  Use money or food to do it if necessary.

Eradio Valverde 

God Deserves our Thanks!

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For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land where you may eat bread without scarcity, where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you may mine copper. You shall eat your fill and bless the Lord your God for the good land that he has given you. Take care that you do not forget the Lord your God, by failing to keep his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I am commanding you today. When you have eaten your fill and have built fine houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks have multiplied, and your silver and gold is multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied,then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrible wilderness, an arid waste-land with poisonous snakes and scorpions. He made water flow for you from flint rock, and fed you in the wilderness with manna that your ancestors did not know, to humble you and to test you, and in the end to do you good. Do not say to yourself, ‘My power and the might of my own hand have gained me this wealth.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, so that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your ancestors, as he is doing today. (Deuteronomy 8:7-18)

This nation is gearing up to have a big holiday on Thursday.  It is a day to give thanks.  And it is to God to Whom we give those thanks.  It becomes easy to get caught up on the food; some even jokingly call Thursday, "Turkey day," because that is what is on most menus, and I would be the first to confess that if a big dead bird isn't on the platter on our table, I may feel a little cheated.  I've shared how in 1963, the death of President Kennedy triggered, I believe, the death of my great-aunt, Paulina Martinez. She was my grandma sister, but we loved and adored her.  She lived in McAllen, and once a year would make a trip to visit my grandma and us, and we knew her as the Frito lady, who would sit right behind the bus driver and eat a huge bag of Fritos, which she secretly brought for us kids to finish.  She was buried almost immediately in McAllen and by Thanksgiving Day we were back on the road to Kingsville.  At about noon time, we pulled over to the road side park one gets to after the Border Checkpoint and there my mom pulled out a loaf of white bread, bologna, cheese, mayonnaise, chips and soft drinks, and announced that was our Thanksgiving meal.  What?!  I asked, as most ten year olds would, "This can't be our Thanksgiving meal, there's no turkey!"  She laughed and said we would have it the next day, and that calmed me down.  

I had not yet read nor understood the above passage, the recommended Old Testament passage for Thanksgiving Day.  It is a call to remembrance of all the good God has done in our lives and the way we are to be thankful for that.  I love the verse that says, "Take care that you do not forget the Lord your God, by failing to keep His commandments, his ordinances, and His statutes, which I am commanding you today.  When you have eaten your fill (and who among us is not set to do just that in a couple of days?)...then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the Lord your God..." who has provided all that we have.  Our remembrance extends to the days yet to come, for the Lord our God has been, is, and will be, good.

PRAYER:  Loving God, as I meditate on this passage, I am thankful for all You have provided.  Forgive me of those times I have focused more on things than on You.  May we prepare to celebrate our meal with grateful hearts and joyous spirits.  This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Share your attitude of gratitude with others!

Eradio Valverde

From "Once Upon a Time" to "Kingdom Come"

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God, it seems you've been our home forever;  long before the mountains were born, Long before you brought earth itself to birth, from "once upon a time" to "kingdom come" - you are God. So don't return us to mud, saying, "Back to where you came from!"  Patience! You've got all the time in the world - whether a thousand years or a day, it's all the same to you. Are we no more to you than a wispy dream, no more than a blade of grass  That springs up gloriously with the rising sun and is cut down without a second thought? Your anger is far and away too much for us; we're at the end of our rope. You keep track of all our sins; every misdeed since we were children is entered in your books.  All we can remember is that frown on your face. Is that all we're ever going to get?  We live for seventy years or so (with luck we might make it to eighty), And what do we have to show for it? Trouble. Toil and trouble and a marker in the graveyard.  Who can make sense of such rage, such anger against the very ones who fear you? Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well! Come back, God - how long do we have to wait? - and treat your servants with kindness for a change.Surprise us with love at daybreak; then we'll skip and dance all the day long. Make up for the bad times with some good times; we've seen enough evil to last a lifetime. Let your servants see what you're best at - the ways you rule and bless your children. And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us, confirming the work that we do. Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do! (Psalm 90:1-17)

This has been a very special week for me, and for my wife, Nellie.  We have been on a renewal retreat with Rev. & Mrs. Bill (Jody) Henderson on Galveston Island.  Bill invited me to join him on a birding photography shoot.  It was educational, relaxing, and work!  Had someone told the young Eradio back in the days of Kingsville that at my age now I would be shooting birds I might have replied, "What kind of gun will I be using?"  I was a bird shooter one I knew how to use weapons.  My grandfather Carlos taught me how to make my own slingshots, and that was it for many birds.  Then one Christmas, like the boy in Christmas Story, I got my own BB gun, and more birds hit the dust.  Not a very pleasant "once upon a time" part of my life.  I did have that moment when standing on my street, Avenue A in Kingsville, I saw something hopping in the alley and I shot at it.  I saw that I hit it, and I ran over to see what it was that I had killed.  It was a bird.  I threw down my gun and swore that would be the last thing I ever killed.  I was convicted of my actions and I asked for forgiveness.  This week showed me how beautiful God has made so many different birds.  Leaving our hotel at 7 we would drive to spots where people had reported different birds, and we would drive or walk towards those places.  If you are on FaceBook, you may have seen some of the shots I took this week, and if you are not part of my group, Morning Walk, please email me and I will add you to that Facebook group to see some of the pictures I was able to take.  Bill was most patient in lending me a lens and helping me learn settings for taking these pictures.  From lunch time on, we were tourists on this historic and interesting island, and we ate at some of the best places in the state.  (Pray for me as I have a doctor's appointment on Monday and I may have to account for my wellbeing!)

This psalm continues the Lectionary readings for this week, all centered on our giving account to God of how we have lived our lives, what we have done, what we have given back, and how we have shared our faith. The time spent in silence among nature has reinforced my faith that says I  have lived in God as my home.  God's faithfulness has never diminished, and God's mercy is still the same when we ask for forgiveness. God does keep track of our sins, "every misdeed since we were children is entered in Your books," but those can be erased upon request.  We can, and should start and end each day with a clean slate as we begin and end our days in prayer.  God has taught us to live wisely and well and we should invite the Lord to be at our side at all times.  May we always affirm the work God is doing among us, so that God will affirm our work for Him.

PRAYER:  Awesome God, for all You have shared, we are thankful.  Your beauty, Your creation, all that we have seen and appreciated this week has blessed our lives.  We pray for Your continued presence and peace in our lives, so that we may bless others.  This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Show your love for God to somebody today!

Eradio Valverde

PS:  My appreciation to Rev. Bill Henderson for this week.  He has been my partner in Christ for many years starting way back in our early days in ministry.  Bill served on my board of directors when I was a campus ministry and helped open doors for my ministry in Southwest Texas Conference.  Thanks for being patient and funny always.  Thanks to Jody for the time you spent with Nellie this week.  It was a relaxing week for us both, and we are blessed!  Thanks to Pastor Matt Pennington for his gracious spirit in understanding my needs and commitments; I am blessed to work alongside him at this stage of my ministry!  And thank you readers for your faithfulness and understanding.  Being in a hotel with a fickle internet resulted in a partial ConCafe yesterday,  which thankfully I caught and was able to send a complete second edition.  The same thing happened today, but I was aware today that "Oops something went wrong" means to check the internet connection and connect again.  Love to you all!

God's Judgment Day

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Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is at hand;the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, he has consecrated his guests. At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the people who rest complacently on their dregs, those who say in their hearts,‘The Lord will not do good, nor will he do harm.’ Their wealth shall be plundered, and their houses laid waste.Though they build houses,  they shall not inhabit them;though they plant vineyards, they shall not drink wine from them. The great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast;the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter,  the warrior cries aloud there.  That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish,a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom,a day of clouds and thick darkness,  a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements. I will bring such distress upon people that they shall walk like the blind; because they have sinned against the Lord, their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them  on the day of the Lord’s wrath; in the fire of his passion the whole earth shall be consumed; for a full, a terrible end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth. (Zephaniah 1:7 12-18) 

Some parents say and raise their kids to be happy.  My dad said and raised us to be good.  And usually those who say as my Dad, really mean it and expect more from their children.  I am a graduate of Belt High and belt low.  Yes, my Dad spanked us.  His warning on the first day of school echoed what we already knew; "You misbehave in school and get a paddling, you'll get another one when you get home!"  Gulp.  And Dad would not tolerate misbehavior in church either.  It was bad enough we had been drug (my "drug" problem) to church, once there we had to behave.  And, you have to remember, for some kids, that's just impossible.  I had friends.  I liked to laugh.  Put the two together and you're talking about a spanking after church.  Oh, how I would pray!  "Dear Lord, let the blessings of the rest of this worship service to permeate the heart of my father that he will forget that I misbehaved during worship time! Amen."  And, on some very rare occasions, he forgot.

The passage above reminded me of that but makes clear that God is a serious God.  He's a loving God and provides for us, but demands from us that which lifts high His name throughout the earth.  In other words, the day is coming when we will be held accountable for all of our actions, especially those for which we have not asked forgiveness.  For the ancient Jew, this meant utter destruction of all they knew because of how we would be judged.  This image of God taking a lamp to search Jerusalem means we won't be able to hide, not conceal our sins from God.  And God's judgment will take place.  The Good News?  We will escape the judgment through Jesus Christ, Who will be our advocate.  If we have a relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior, it will be Jesus who will speak up on our behalf and declare us innocent.  You think getting a warning from a police officer instead of a ticket feels good?  Imagine hearing Jesus say, (your name) is innocent!"  And so it will be if we have invited Jesus into our lives and hearts and have made Him Lord and Savior of our lives.

What are you waiting for?  

PRAYER:  Loving God, this week has been a time of reminder about being ready, living right and in relationship with You; may it be so.  Come, Lord Jesus, into my heart and be my Lord and Savior.  This I ask in Thy name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Live a life that shows you belong to Jesus!

Eradio Valverde

Jesus is Coming! Be Ready!

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Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, ‘There is peace and security’, then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

Years ago, Nellie was teaching a Sunday school class with small children.  One of the boys in her class excitedly starting yelling,, "Jesus is coming!  Jesus is coming!  Get the classroom clean!"  My wife smiled and wondered what he was looking at, and so she also looked out the second floor window of the classroom and she saw that I was coming towards the building.  She relayed the story to me and we both laughed; one of the few times I have been mistaken for Jesus!  But we had already noted that a lot of the children did refer to me as Jesus since I was the one usually in the robe preaching up front.

The writer of the epistle is also excited about Jesus' return.  He is a firm believer in what we say every time we celebrate Holy Communion.  "Christ is dead.  Christ is risen.  Christ will come again."  And indeed, that is our faith.  The writer's reminder is for us to continue strong and active in our faith.  At no point can we comfortably say, "I"ve done all I can, this is as ready as I'm going to be."  The right statement even on our death bed should be, "Lord, what more can I do?"  The required dress for our work as believers?  He says the assurance of faith as our breastplate, for indeed most of our work is warfare against the devil, and the helmet of salvation.  Paul intended this to mean that our every thought should be protected by the assurance of our salvation before the Lord.  With a helmet of salvation, no evil thought or temptation should enter it.  We should never let our guard down, for our enemy is strong.

Notice how important encouragement is to the believer.  Most think that ministry or good works done for the Lord should go unnoticed or unthanked, but the opposite is true; share a word of thanks or encouragement for those who labor among us.  Have you thanked your Sunday school teacher?  Your choir director?  Organist/pianist?  Your pastor?  Your associate pastor?  Your ushers?  These merit a word of thanks for what they do, so they can continue doing more and doing it with joy.

PRAYER: Loving Father, for those who labor among us, thank You!  May I express my encouragement to them as soon as I can.  May I also be encouraged to stay strong in my battle against evil and temptation.  I want my faith made stronger, and the conviction of my right standing (salvation) with You to be ever in my mind.  This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Say thanks or good job to someone serving the Lord today!

Eradio Valverde

The Parable of the Talents

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 ‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 25:14-30)

The young pastor was asked by a group from the choir to please meet with one particular member because in their opinion, his singing ability was nonexistent.  This troubled the young pastor pastor much, and after much prayer and reflection, took the man to coffee.  "Bill, there's no easy way to say this, but there's a group in the choir that says you can't sing."  The man sipped his coffee and smiled, and then replied, ""Don't worry about it preacher, that's probably the same group that says you can't preach!"

God has given to all of us talents and abilities of many kinds.  The question in God's mind is are you using the talents to grow the kingdom?  The story as told by Jesus, concerns a man, wealthy obviously, who, as he prepares to journey, calls his slaves together and hands to each of them different sums of money (or talents).  To one he gives five talents, to another two, and to the last, one.  Notice that Jesus say these were given based on their ability.  The man goes on his journey, and the servants go and do their thing with what was given to them.  The one with five had the ability to make more and so ends up with five additional talents.  The one with two, made two more.  But the fellow with one goes and digs a hole in the ground and hides his master's money.  After a long while, the master returns and settles accounts with them.  The one with five comes and reports he has doubled his money and now has five talents.  The master is proud and easy, "All done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.  The same is repeated with the second slave, for he has doubled his money and again he hears, "Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.  Then the time comes for the one with one to come forward and says that he has not done a thing to earn more, rather out of fear for the master, hid the money.  He hears these words, "You wicked and lazy slave!  You know, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter?"  The least you could have done was to have invested with bankers and that way I would have what I left with you along with some interest.  So, the master orders, take this talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten talents.  "For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away."  And he orders the slave thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

What Jesus is trying to teach us is that whatever God has given us that we count as an ability should be used to reach others.  It will involve risk and sacrifice, but it will be worth it as we see God's kingdom grow. God has given us all that we need, including the life of His only Son, Jesus, as an investment in our wellbeing both now and in the future; what have we done in return?  At the very least our gratitude towards God should have motivated us to do something for God's kingdom.  And as the saying goes, a talent is a worthless thing if not used.  Whatever God has invested in us should use it to glorify God and to grow the kingdom.  It may be making a joyful noise, or teaching a noisy class of junior high kids; it may be the discovery later in life that God wants you to preach; whatever it is, trust the Lord and hone your talent and help bring people to Jesus.

PRAYER:  Loving God, thank You for the investment You've made in my life.  Help me to discover, develop and deploy my talents to glorify You.  Let me be a blessing to You is my prayer, and I lift it up in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Make a joyful noise!

Eradio Valverde

Do the Little Ones Know About God?

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Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. In the sight of their ancestors he worked marvels in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan. He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap. In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all night long with a fiery light. He split rocks open in the wilderness,and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. He made streams come out of the rock, and caused waters to flow down like rivers. (Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16)

We are, on paper, the most connected generation ever.  With what once was an awesome invention for talking and sharing with others far away, has now made us the most disconnected people ever.  The smart phone has made us dumb; dumb to each other that is.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not throwing away my phone nor should you, but think about what we are missing out on.  I've seen it in restaurants, cafes, even my home, people seated next to each other, not looking at one another, but staring at a tiny screen, some typing on it, some reading from it, some laughing at silly pictures someone has sent them.  There are some living even now that can remember a day without telephones.  For the first six or so years of my life, we had no phone.  My best friend and I could shriek a sound that was as close as we could come at that age to whistling "Come over!"  And when I went over, or he came over, we would talk.  Mostly nonsense, sometimes serious stuff about life, but we were connected in that way.  At supper time, my mother's voice could carry throughout the neighborhood and most knew when it was time for Junior to come and eat.  At meal time we had to share about our day, especially school, who are friends were, what they were like, and we were connected in that way.  We prayed before we ate, not a long theological treatise on thanksgiving, but a prayer of gratitude. And we would go to Sunday school; there was no option.  We learned from our teachers things about God, and later at home if questions about God came up, we could ask our parents.  

The psalmist is saying we need to continue that.  The things of God should never die in our hearts nor lives.  The things God has done for us we should tell our children.  Honest recounts of struggles and conflicts that God helped us through, and how those make up the fabric of who we are, why we are, and Whose we are. It will bless their lives and keep the faith alive.  And to add to the story, as the psalmist did, tell the stories found in the Bible about how God acted on our behalf in the Exodus, the birth of Jesus, His life, death, and resurrection.  And we can still enlist the help of the church through Sunday school, small groups, youth group, Bible studies, etc.  As God gave the Israelites abundant drink, so can God give us and ours, that drink from the deep waters of abundant life.

PRAYER:  Loving God, bless *|FNAME|* with rich blessings today.  May *|FNAME|* and those around know of how much You love us.  This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Tell Someone about God's great love!

Eradio Valverde

As For Me and My House, We Will Serve the Lord!

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Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. And Joshua said to all the people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Long ago your ancestors—Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor—lived beyond the Euphrates and served other gods. Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac; ‘Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.’ Then the people answered, ‘Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods; for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; and the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.’ But Joshua said to the people, ‘You cannot serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you good.’And the people said to Joshua, ‘No, we will serve the Lord!’ Then Joshua said to the people, ‘You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.’ And they said, ‘We are witnesses.’ He said, ‘Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.’ The people said to Joshua, ‘The Lord our God we will serve, and him we will obey.’ So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem. (Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25)

Do you remember 40 years ago, if you're that old?  I do, very clearly, because I was about to marry the love of my life.  What about you?  Has a lot happened since that time?  Of course it has.  Imagine Joshua's words to a group that has been on the march for 40 years in the wilderness, being slowly formed into God's people, led on by the hope and vision of a Promised Land.  They encountered many people who joined them or who mocked and fought them; some even brought along their gods with them and even though the saw the hand and presence of God, believed in their gods.  So, this is a commitment day for God's people.  Joshua, heir to the leadership role of Moses puts it to them straight; We must decide today, who we belong to.  If it's God, then with all our sincerity and faithfulness we must serve Him.  We must also put aside all the trivial things that have tried to take God's place in our hearts and lives.  Put God first!  You're free to choose and you can decide to serve the god with the little g, your family, your passion, your spouse; whatever or whoever that may be, (Hear Joshua's words loud and clear said with full conviction) "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."  Boom.  The folks were stirred up and yelled, "Yes, yes, He is our God."  Then Joshua again says it straight:  "You cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God.  He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sin.  If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good."  This was again, a reminder and call to remember all God had done for them, and to be sure, 100% sure that they wanted to follow and serve God.  The people said they were sure, and Joshua made a covenant with them that very day and set up statutes and ordinances for them at the site where they were, Shechem.

During the last forty years in our lives, much has happened.  Most have been awesome and unexpected, undeserved blessings.  Family members left this world to be with the Lord, and others have come to bless us richly.  In all of these experiences and events, God has been with us, just as God has been with you.  And guess what, it's not too late, if you've not yet said and lived this:  As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.  But mean it and live it.  God has brought you through a lot and there's a lot more to go; and we pray that it's even more awesome than you can even imagine.

PRAYER:  Loving God, thank You for the years we have lived.  For the good and the bad, through it all, you have been with us, loved and blessed us.  Help us to make today a renewed covenant with You that we will serve You in all ways.  It won't be easy, temptations will come to make us try to choose another way or another thing, but with Your help and strength, it will be You that we serve.  This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Resolve to write it on a piece of paper, or the fogged mirror in your bathroom, and especially in your heart:  As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Update:  Thank you dear friends, for your prayers.  In what seems like a year in bed, I have been battling the flu.  Thankfully I saw our doctor early on and got on flu medication and my fever is gone and I'm feeling a lot better.  Still achy and weak, but overall stronger than two days ago.  I thank you for your patience in not getting a ConCafe yesterday, but onward and upward in Christ' name! 

The Dead in Christ Will Rise Again!

Image from youtube.com of a Dallas Holm song, Rise Again.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

The Apostle Paul saw and heard things that he shared throughout his ministry here on the earth.  It was a needed message for many, especially those Christians who had lost loved ones to persecution and execution.  Their question was, "When is Jesus coming back?" Along with, "Why did my loved one have to die in this way?"  Paul shares the above passage so that believers would know in Whom they truly believe; Jesus the Christ, the author and perfecter of life, the giver of life eternal.  Paul knows that when the Lord returns, those who have died in Christ will accompany Him and we will see them, then we will be joined in the clouds with them, "and so we will be with the Lord for ever."  And the passage closes with, "Therefore encourage one another with these word."

With all the deaths we see on TV, or read about in news notices, there has to be an encouraging word.  The word is not easily accepted, especially by those parents who lost little children, or spouses, or parents; but the truth remains; we will see one another again.  Death is not the end.  Death is a part of life, and it is but a door that leads from this life to a better life.  

This past Sunday we remembered those who have died in the past year as part of our All Saints Day worship services; and the message is clear for those who have lost loved ones, the day will come when we will see our loved ones again.  For now, we have a story to share about Jesus, so that they may come to full knowledge of Him and His saving grace.  

PRAYER:  Loving Father, we pray again for those mourning and grieving.  Make clear the message from You that those who have died in You will rise again, and those of us alive in You will never die.  Bless me with encouragement and hope; and let it be something that we share with others.  We pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Encourage one another about the promises of Jesus!

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request:  I pray for yours truly as I'm fighting (again) a cold or allergies.  It's not fun, but your prayers will help.  May the Lord bless and keep you.

The Parable of the Foolish Five; Moral: Be Ready!

Image from agnusday.org

‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.”Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.”But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13)

Jesus will come again.  It's something we read and declare every time we have Holy Communion.  If you were in church yesterday, you said it then.  "Christ will come again."  And so, as Jesus prepared His disciples for life without Him, He spoke about being ready for His second coming.  He used many stories and parables, and this one is in keeping with the Jewish traditions of marriage at that time.  The groom's ploy was to keep the guest and bridal party guessing as to his arrival.  The bridesmaid's job was to welcome him and light his way into the celebration hall.  Jesus' story tells of five of the bridesmaid's in His story as being wise, for they knew to have extra oil just in case the groom decided to delay his arrival.  The other five were so caught up with the excitement of being bridesmaids, they did not bring extra oil, and eventually fell asleep.  It was at midnight that the shout came that the bridegroom was coming and the bridesmaids needed to spring into action in welcoming the groom and lighting his way.  The foolish ones noticed their oil was low and their lamps would not last the night, and so they ran to buy some more.  While they were gone, the groom arrived, he and all enter the banquet room, and the doors to it are locked.  Later, the foolish five come and bang on the door asking to be let in.  The bridegroom replies he does not know them and does not let them in.  Jesus concludes the story with, "Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."

In reading today's Upper Room, the writer shared how as a child, he had a lot of faith then, and as he grew older he sank into depression; but early one Monday morning he remembered a song sung in worship and that brought back memories of other songs and worship experiences that had blessed his life and had sustained him now that he needed faith more.  Jesus' point is not lost on us; we must stay ready and to do that we must stay connected with God.  Every moment spent in devotional reading, scripture reading, prayer, worship, communion, small groups; anything we do for the good of our souls, blesses us and keeps us ready.

Your heart and my heart are hurting from the news heard yesterday about the small church near us; First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas.  At 11:30, a gunman enters and kills 26, and wounds many more.  The thing we are called to do is to pray for those who survived, for those who lost loved ones, and for those working the scene to try to make sense of a senseless act of violence.  No explanation will make this any easier for those whose lives are forever changed.  Our prayers for the pastor and his wife, whom we understand were traveling, and they had left their 14 year old daughter behind, and she was one of the victims killed.  The days ahead will the most difficult in their lives for all concerned; prayer is the best resource we have to ask God's comfort and strength to be with them during these days.  

Live a life that is ready, and one that blesses others to be ready as well.  We trust in the Lord.

PRAYER:  Loving God, we lift our hearts to You.  We ask Your strength and comfort be with those hurting in all places, especially Sutherland Springs.  Guide those who are there helping the hurting, the doctors and surgeons working on the wounded, and especially those who are grieving and mourning, that they might be comforted.  May any distractions that come over debates about this or that, not stop the faithful from doing our job as believers; praying and offering comfort and support as You show us.  Bless our little ones, protect them and others.  We pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Our faith and trust are in the Lord Jesus.

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Update:  The Rev. Michael Dobbs, pastor of FUMC Mathis, underwent surgery to remove his dialysis port, which is a victory!  Please continue to pray for his cancer treatments that he defeat this disease!  We pray again for Mr. Doug Smith and his battle with cancer.  His radiation treatments are coming to an end soon, and we also pray for the victory over cancer.  Thank you for your faithfulness.

Lead a Life Worthy of God

Image from dustoffthebible.com

You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was towards you believers. As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you should lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers. (1 Thessalonians 2:9-13)

Personal Privilege:  The Houston Astros are World Champs.  Have I, and most of you, been waiting a LONG time to say that!

At charge conferences we would read the names of those saints who had died since the last charge conference.  It was a very solemn moment and I would say that I knew of no other denomination that took time during a business session to remember with gratitude those who had died since the last meeting.  Then it occurred to me that I needed to ask the question:  Who is taking their place?  Not in the sense that our dear sisters and brothers could ever be replaced, but in the sense of whatever service they performed for the Lord, whatever task or office they held, were we finding those who could step in and continue the work of the Lord in our churches?  The answer was usually no one or not yet. This coming Sunday in our church we will be remembering the saints who have died the past year, and then later at our charge conference we will again read those names and Pastor Matt, our senior pastor, will say a prayer in remembrance of them.  And the question still stands:  Who will take their place?

A better question, based on today's passage from 1 Thessalonians is, "What am I doing, or what more could I do for the Lord Jesus Christ?"  Paul was a hardworking Christian person.  He says that he and those who accompanied him on his trips to share Jesus, "worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God."  It is known that Paul had acquired a skill at making tents and while in different cities, would work with tentmakers to support his work of sharing Jesus. He says that those who saw him and his companions knew them to be "pure, upright, and blameless" in their conduct towards others.  Paul encouraged them to be the same towards others.  The key verse for me is when Paul says, "You should lead a life worthy of God."  So, two questions for us today:  Are we doing something/enough for God's work; and are we leading a life worthy of God?

As you go about your day today, pause and pray, "Lord, am I doing all that I can for You?  And, have my words and actions today said that which bring You honor?"

PRAYER:  Loving God, we have much to be thankful for.  We again remember those who have died during this past year.  We pray Your continued comfort and peace to the loved ones and families of those who have died.  And, we pray that You would raise us and others we don't even know yet, to walk in the steps of service and support for Your work in Your church.  Make our lives worthy of the calling to be believers; this we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Remember:  Lord, am I doing all that I can for You?  have my words and actions today said that which bring honor to You?

Eradio Valverde

Prayer Request:  Today in Victoria, TX, The Rev. Dr. Ileen Foley, pastor of Fannin UMC of Fannin, TX, undergoes surgery; please keep her and her husband Roy, in your prayers.  You cannot find a more loving and joyous person than Ileen.

Love God. Be Yourself. Be Awesome!

Image from agnusday.org

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:1-12)

This passage is the one recommended for this coming Sunday by the Lectionary.  Jesus takes this opportunity to talk to believers and would-be believers about the religious of His day.  The Scribes and Pharisees had among their number, some who loved their position better than their passion they should have had for God. Jesus did say their authority was based on solid ground, the teachings of Moses, so they should follow them, but not to live their lives as they did, for their abuse of power and privilege blessed no one except themselves.  Those who would follow Jesus should devote their lives to loving and serving God and others, rather than to be worried about themselves.

Jesus is basically saying, It's not about titles, dress, and privilege; it's about love and service.  One of the greatest models of humility and service was the late Mother Theresa of Calcutta.  Her devotion to God and committed service to the sick and dying around the world elevated her recognition and status among many, but when asked about that, she said she was trying to be like the little donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem.  She understood Jesus when He talked about "The greatest among you will be your servant.  All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted."

Saint Josemaria Escriva, who lived in the 1940s wrote in his prayer life:  "Jesus, since I am your donkey, give me the stubbornness and fortitude of a donkey, so that I can fulfill your lovable will."  Now since your prayer life is between you and God, I cannot tell you what you wish, but we can pray and say, "Lord, bless me in ways that I can bless You and bless those whom You send my way."

PRAYER:  Loving God, let me love You in ways that serve and bless You.  I thank You for Jesus and His teaching.  Make me desire ways to better serve You and empower me to be faithful and fruitful.  This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Donkey or Tiger, it's our choice, but choose which serves God best.

Eradio Valverde