Another article published in My Place Magazine (http://www.myplacemagazine.net/)
JUMP FIRST, FEAR LATER
So it was summer 1998, I was probably 14 years old, crazy, full of energy and on my way to one of the best water park in the nation. When we got there I notice the "big dive", a 20 feet high jump into the 20 feet deep pool. No one in my family wanted to try it, but me. You see, since I was small I wanted to try crazy things, I was 14 years old and full of live, that's what we teenagers do, right? So, I went for it. I went up the stairs, but when I got up everything looked different. I was scared to jump. Many others next to me where jumping; including this Russian tourist which to my understanding he must have been part of the Russian diving team. They all went in front of me and jumped. My family down on the ground was cheering for me "come on jump, just jump". After three unsuccessful attempts, I did it. I jumped. On my way down my whole life started to pass by in front of my tightly closed eyes. Don’t ask me why, but I decided to flip. I wanted to make things more exciting, but I just didn’t know how to dive. I jumped, but I didn’t really think about how the landing was going to work. So of course I landed in a "abortion position". Bang. I hit myself as a splashed into the pool. The first words I heard was from a stranger yelling to the Life Guard "Oye loco tirale el salvavida que ese tipo se dio duro". Sure he was right, I got hit pretty hard. The aftermath: I never jumped again. I became frustrated, and too afraid to jump again.
You see this leads me to think about a man that's been influential in my life, Mike Yacconeli, he said in a motivational video for youth workers: Just Jump First and Fear later. And this have been in my mind since then. Jump First, Fear later. Pretty different of the way we think. We want to have everything figure out before we get ourselves into anything. At least it was not the way Peter thought before he walked on water. He just jumped out of the boat, and went for it. He became the only man ever recorded to walk on water (besides Jesus of course).You see my question for you is: How long has it been since you decided to do something mega-awesomely-big for God? Think about the last time you took the chance of dreaming in GOD, and waiting on God to help you make those crazy dreams come true.
Trust me sometimes we need to just JUMP! Jump First and fear later. Let your stubbornness and “child-like” faith in Jesus made you let go of the past, the voices in our head, and Jump into God's arms in order to JUMP into all the great things He has for you. Remember to just iJump First and Fear Later. Right now I am jumping into many things that are big projects and only with God's help I could guarantee success. My motivation for you is to Jump, Jump into something crazy for God, he will take care of the rest. Just Jump First, Fear Later.
If you would like to read some of Mike Yacconelli’s articles go to www.youthspecialties.com or if you have any comments or concerns write to me at pastorlipe@yahoo.com
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
HIJO DEL PASTOR/ HELP I'M a PK
This article was published in My Place Magazine (www.myplacemagazine.net, L.A. based Christian magazines for latinos in the USA)
I am different, not because I wanted to, but because they made me. I thought I was suppose to be that way, then I realized. I had to be different than my friends from school and my friends from church. I more than just a kid that grew up in church, Wanna know who I am? I am a Pastor’s Son, Soy hijo de Pastor.
¿Sabes? Probably you are a Pastor’s Son/ Daughter, or your family serves in the church, or you’ve probably been raised in the church. Let me talk to you. Listen carefully, don’t put this magazine down, do not flip the page. Listen. Let’s talk. My name is Luis. I am a Pastor Son and I don’t regret it. My father has been a pastor and missionary way before I was born. By the time I was born my father, my mother, my brother, and my sister were already pastors in a small rural part of the Dominican Republic. Growing up as a PK is not easy. The long hours in the church, the pressure from your parents and leaders, being in church 7 days a week, not being able to play till late because “ Mi hijo, tienes que ir a la iglesia“. Every night that’s all you knew. Go to church, again, and again and again. Your prayer life and your knowledge of the Bible needed to be at its fullest, and you were barely 8 years old. You had to be part of the choir, Sunday school teacher, learn how to play an instrument, and ride the church van after every “hermanito” was dropped off. You did not wear the latest outfits, you did not have the latest gadgets. Remember you are a PK, everything you had it was “ Por la misericordia de Dios”. Every time there was service, you already knew what was going to happen. ( let’s see how fast you could read this following sentence) First, you would seat in your pew for an hour before all the “hermanos” come, then “el hermano” Juan would start praying for 30 minutes, then “la hermana Juana” would try to sing a song when you knew she couldn’t sing but she sang it anyways, then “Hermano Vito” would “recoger la ofrenda” and before he prayed he would preach for about 13 mins and 32 seconds, after that you would say hi to all the brothers in the church and get ready for the message that lasted an hour and you were the only kid that had to stay to hear the message, after that your Father (the pastor) would make a calling and 4 people would answer it, Sister Juana (she always goes to the front every week), and a couple of visitors (if there was any). And that way you, and I grew up. Knowing that church was all figured out for us, growing with the pressure of trying to be better than every body, because “tu eres el hijo del Pastor”. And church became a routine, God became a routine. Go to church seat, clap, sing, seat, listen, clap, two Allelujahs, and I’m out. You grew up like that, and in the process of growing up you got hurt. You started wondering why all your friends had left church, why the music you like “es del Diablo”, why your friends from school go to parties but you can’t, why everyone is going out with people but you are the dummy waiting for the right person. And soon you find yourself questioning Church, Why service has to be so long? Why some people fall when they are prayed for? Why the “Hermanita Juana”sings the same songs every week? Why? Why? Why? And you start questioning God, and his existence and his sovereignty. Now the weird kid considered a “Church Boy”, forgot about church or lost the taste for it. The one that was suppose to be an example is now “sentado en un banco”. Let me tell you something, If you are still reading is because God is speaking to you. You probably wonder why you, why you father, but I want to remind you about this “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV) God really had a purpose with you and with me. He loved us so much that he wanted to prepare you for a life long service to him, he couldn’t afford to lose you, therefore, he blessed you with a family of priests. You are part of a chosen family. Did you know who is the person that will continue the work that your parents started? Your answer is in a mirror near you. Yeah, it’s you. You see it took me a while to get it. But I got it. This is true not because Church or ministry is something that is inherited, but it is a blessing that God lays upon families. I mean think about it, don’t you think that by now you are a better preacher than all of those evangelist that used to go to your church, just figure if you are now at least 18 years old you have heard a minimum of 936 sermons, 4, 680 songs, and have heard the word “Allelujah” about 23, 000 times. (email me I let you know how I got the figures) You will be a better servant of God than your folks because if you really believe it God will use you. He has a bigger blessing for you, and trust me the Lord needs laborers for this time and this hour. I think he is calling you.
At the present time I am still in college pursuing my Bachelors Degree in Management, and now I am a Pastor in my church, and part time staff. I took the challenge and stepped to it, today me and my father share the load of the ministry. I learn from him, and he learns from me. We make a great team. You should team up with your parents, you’ll make a stronger team. Today is a great honor for me to say, I am a PK.
Questions and comments please email PastorLipe@yahoo.com, or check www.fuentedesalvacion.com,
I am different, not because I wanted to, but because they made me. I thought I was suppose to be that way, then I realized. I had to be different than my friends from school and my friends from church. I more than just a kid that grew up in church, Wanna know who I am? I am a Pastor’s Son, Soy hijo de Pastor.
¿Sabes? Probably you are a Pastor’s Son/ Daughter, or your family serves in the church, or you’ve probably been raised in the church. Let me talk to you. Listen carefully, don’t put this magazine down, do not flip the page. Listen. Let’s talk. My name is Luis. I am a Pastor Son and I don’t regret it. My father has been a pastor and missionary way before I was born. By the time I was born my father, my mother, my brother, and my sister were already pastors in a small rural part of the Dominican Republic. Growing up as a PK is not easy. The long hours in the church, the pressure from your parents and leaders, being in church 7 days a week, not being able to play till late because “ Mi hijo, tienes que ir a la iglesia“. Every night that’s all you knew. Go to church, again, and again and again. Your prayer life and your knowledge of the Bible needed to be at its fullest, and you were barely 8 years old. You had to be part of the choir, Sunday school teacher, learn how to play an instrument, and ride the church van after every “hermanito” was dropped off. You did not wear the latest outfits, you did not have the latest gadgets. Remember you are a PK, everything you had it was “ Por la misericordia de Dios”. Every time there was service, you already knew what was going to happen. ( let’s see how fast you could read this following sentence) First, you would seat in your pew for an hour before all the “hermanos” come, then “el hermano” Juan would start praying for 30 minutes, then “la hermana Juana” would try to sing a song when you knew she couldn’t sing but she sang it anyways, then “Hermano Vito” would “recoger la ofrenda” and before he prayed he would preach for about 13 mins and 32 seconds, after that you would say hi to all the brothers in the church and get ready for the message that lasted an hour and you were the only kid that had to stay to hear the message, after that your Father (the pastor) would make a calling and 4 people would answer it, Sister Juana (she always goes to the front every week), and a couple of visitors (if there was any). And that way you, and I grew up. Knowing that church was all figured out for us, growing with the pressure of trying to be better than every body, because “tu eres el hijo del Pastor”. And church became a routine, God became a routine. Go to church seat, clap, sing, seat, listen, clap, two Allelujahs, and I’m out. You grew up like that, and in the process of growing up you got hurt. You started wondering why all your friends had left church, why the music you like “es del Diablo”, why your friends from school go to parties but you can’t, why everyone is going out with people but you are the dummy waiting for the right person. And soon you find yourself questioning Church, Why service has to be so long? Why some people fall when they are prayed for? Why the “Hermanita Juana”sings the same songs every week? Why? Why? Why? And you start questioning God, and his existence and his sovereignty. Now the weird kid considered a “Church Boy”, forgot about church or lost the taste for it. The one that was suppose to be an example is now “sentado en un banco”. Let me tell you something, If you are still reading is because God is speaking to you. You probably wonder why you, why you father, but I want to remind you about this “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV) God really had a purpose with you and with me. He loved us so much that he wanted to prepare you for a life long service to him, he couldn’t afford to lose you, therefore, he blessed you with a family of priests. You are part of a chosen family. Did you know who is the person that will continue the work that your parents started? Your answer is in a mirror near you. Yeah, it’s you. You see it took me a while to get it. But I got it. This is true not because Church or ministry is something that is inherited, but it is a blessing that God lays upon families. I mean think about it, don’t you think that by now you are a better preacher than all of those evangelist that used to go to your church, just figure if you are now at least 18 years old you have heard a minimum of 936 sermons, 4, 680 songs, and have heard the word “Allelujah” about 23, 000 times. (email me I let you know how I got the figures) You will be a better servant of God than your folks because if you really believe it God will use you. He has a bigger blessing for you, and trust me the Lord needs laborers for this time and this hour. I think he is calling you.
At the present time I am still in college pursuing my Bachelors Degree in Management, and now I am a Pastor in my church, and part time staff. I took the challenge and stepped to it, today me and my father share the load of the ministry. I learn from him, and he learns from me. We make a great team. You should team up with your parents, you’ll make a stronger team. Today is a great honor for me to say, I am a PK.
Questions and comments please email PastorLipe@yahoo.com, or check www.fuentedesalvacion.com,
REVOLUCION
Este articulo lo puedes leer en www.especialidadesjuveniles.com (el portal para lideres de la nueva generacion)
¿Qué es Revolución? Por Luis Fernandez Jr.
Por lo tanto, hermanos, tomando en cuenta la misericordia de Dios, les ruego que cada uno de ustedes, en adoración espiritual ofrezca su cuerpo como sacrificio vivo, *santo y agradable a Dios.2 No se amolden al mundo actual, sino sean transformados mediante la renovación de su mente. Así podrán comprobar cuál es la voluntad de Dios, buena, agradable y perfecta. Romanos 12:1-2Una Revolución es vista para muchos como una palabra que denota guerra, lucha con armas y un grupo inmenso de personas atacando la gobernación de algún país determinado. Aunque una revolución puede ser todo esto, pero a mi apreciación veo una complejidad en la palabra Revolución y es mas como una Re-Evolución. A la verdad no me siento muy cómodo con la palabra Evolución, ya que entiendo que Dios es el creador de todo, pero entiendo que el proceso de Evolución va unido al proceso de Metamorfosis que si se encuentra en la palabra de Dios en Romanos 12:1-2. Es que evolución es “el proceso continuo de transformación de las especies a través de cambios producidos en sucesivas generaciones” (wikipedia.com), y La metamorfosis — del griego μετα- (meta), que indica alteración, y &muron;ρφη (morphè), forma — es un proceso por el cual un objeto o entidad cambia de forma. En Romanos 12:1-2 encontramos la misma palabra metamorphoo met-am-or-fo´-o. Y esto para mi es una Re-evolución algo que empieza de adentro muy similar como la larva que se convierte en mariposa; antes siendo un pequeñito gusanito arrastrándose por toda la tierra y ahora siendo una hermosa mariposa que vuela alto por encima de lo que se le presente.Es por eso que revolución para mi es mas que gritos, puños al aire, y guerra. Se define mejor como una metamorfosis interna que aunque toma tiempo pero que seguro va a una transformación que moviliza a toda una generación a la acción. Revolución es un cambio de paradigma, una transformación de mente, un remover el tope que limita a toda una generación de lograr lo que Dios ya le ha llamado a hacer. Para mi revolución es una muchacha que entiende que Dios le ha llamado a ser una princesa y se valora al grado tal de no darle su virginidad a cualquier muchacho. Una revolución es el joven que mantiene su mente limpia no dejando pornografía que entre en el disco duro de su mente. Una revolución son jóvenes que hablan de Jesús con sus vidas a sus amigos que aun no conocen de Dios. Una revolución son jóvenes motivados a la unida, el amor y el perdón en las familias. Una revolución son jóvenes que honran a sus padres y procurar ser el agente de cambio en sus familias. Una revolución son un grupo de jóvenes que no tienen temor de levantar en nombre de Jesús en alto ante las multitudes y en la intimidad de su habitación, carro o casa. Una revolución es la Re-evolución de una mente, de un corazón y de una acción. Revolución es uno, revolución son muchos. Revolución es una cruz, y un joven que se humilla ante ella sabiendo que en sus fuerzas no puede hacer nada pero con Dios lo puede todo. Lancémonos a la Re-evolución la transformación esta en la espera.
¿Qué es Revolución? Por Luis Fernandez Jr.
Por lo tanto, hermanos, tomando en cuenta la misericordia de Dios, les ruego que cada uno de ustedes, en adoración espiritual ofrezca su cuerpo como sacrificio vivo, *santo y agradable a Dios.2 No se amolden al mundo actual, sino sean transformados mediante la renovación de su mente. Así podrán comprobar cuál es la voluntad de Dios, buena, agradable y perfecta. Romanos 12:1-2Una Revolución es vista para muchos como una palabra que denota guerra, lucha con armas y un grupo inmenso de personas atacando la gobernación de algún país determinado. Aunque una revolución puede ser todo esto, pero a mi apreciación veo una complejidad en la palabra Revolución y es mas como una Re-Evolución. A la verdad no me siento muy cómodo con la palabra Evolución, ya que entiendo que Dios es el creador de todo, pero entiendo que el proceso de Evolución va unido al proceso de Metamorfosis que si se encuentra en la palabra de Dios en Romanos 12:1-2. Es que evolución es “el proceso continuo de transformación de las especies a través de cambios producidos en sucesivas generaciones” (wikipedia.com), y La metamorfosis — del griego μετα- (meta), que indica alteración, y &muron;ρφη (morphè), forma — es un proceso por el cual un objeto o entidad cambia de forma. En Romanos 12:1-2 encontramos la misma palabra metamorphoo met-am-or-fo´-o. Y esto para mi es una Re-evolución algo que empieza de adentro muy similar como la larva que se convierte en mariposa; antes siendo un pequeñito gusanito arrastrándose por toda la tierra y ahora siendo una hermosa mariposa que vuela alto por encima de lo que se le presente.Es por eso que revolución para mi es mas que gritos, puños al aire, y guerra. Se define mejor como una metamorfosis interna que aunque toma tiempo pero que seguro va a una transformación que moviliza a toda una generación a la acción. Revolución es un cambio de paradigma, una transformación de mente, un remover el tope que limita a toda una generación de lograr lo que Dios ya le ha llamado a hacer. Para mi revolución es una muchacha que entiende que Dios le ha llamado a ser una princesa y se valora al grado tal de no darle su virginidad a cualquier muchacho. Una revolución es el joven que mantiene su mente limpia no dejando pornografía que entre en el disco duro de su mente. Una revolución son jóvenes que hablan de Jesús con sus vidas a sus amigos que aun no conocen de Dios. Una revolución son jóvenes motivados a la unida, el amor y el perdón en las familias. Una revolución son jóvenes que honran a sus padres y procurar ser el agente de cambio en sus familias. Una revolución son un grupo de jóvenes que no tienen temor de levantar en nombre de Jesús en alto ante las multitudes y en la intimidad de su habitación, carro o casa. Una revolución es la Re-evolución de una mente, de un corazón y de una acción. Revolución es uno, revolución son muchos. Revolución es una cruz, y un joven que se humilla ante ella sabiendo que en sus fuerzas no puede hacer nada pero con Dios lo puede todo. Lancémonos a la Re-evolución la transformación esta en la espera.
Stop Pretending
A Summary on Sunday's preachingStop PretendingWhen we were little kids we loved pretending. We pretended to be Superman, Spider Man or any other superhero. We live our lives pretending to be someone else and that was entertaining. People that celebrate Halloween love it because for that day they are able to “pretend” to be someone they are not. But sometimes we continue living our lives pretending.; specifically with our struggle towards sin. We hope people don’t notice and we try to continue in a game of “pretending”. We feel uncomfortable is anyone asks us of how we are doing spiritually, because we rather stay “pretending” and live our lives with a “little” sin. I mean come on, no one is perfect! But you know what? God doesn’t want us to continue living that way. I always wondered if there would be a time when I could say “Wow Lord, I DON’T struggle with sin anymore”, and when I asked my pastor about that, then I realized that there isn’t. Our struggle with sin will be on going until the day we die. Paul in 2 Corinthians 12 speaks about a “thorn” which he asked God to take away but God didn’t. Jesus responded "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." It is in our weakness that God takes over and He pulls us through. And we are able to overcome relying on him.This week the Lord ministered to me with the song from Casting Crowns called “Slow Fade.” (the video is available in youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-8SYA6rfbs)
The song says, “It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away, It’s a slow fade when black and white and turned to gray, People never crumble in a day.”
The lead singer Mark Hall in another video (also available in youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9JgrJjyNzg) explains the song and gives a new meaning to a biblical passage I was very familiar with, Psalms 1: 1Psalms 1:11 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.In this passage he makes the point of a progression when it comes to sinning. First, walking in the counsel, then standing in the way and then sitting in the seat. A sin is never committed right a way. A husband never means to cheat on their wives, a young Christian couples never plans to engage in sexual relations before marriage. The thought (or counsel) always comes to us. An image, a word, an invitation always comes first. Probably something that looks so “harmless” that we allow it in our minds and into our home. It is that harmless thing that we then allow to stay with us until we finally just sit in the seat of the sin, and we act upon it. And it is as at that very moment that you wonder how you got there. At that moment you wonder, how could you possibly done something like that. Probably the same question King David had when he had committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). You know, it is up to us to revert the process. We must get up from the chair, then walk away from the sin and stop walking in the counsel of sinners. If you could identify when the cycle starts your end might be really different. Galatians 6: 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” The Lord is righteous and just to forgive you if you repent. But don’t forget is a slow fade, people never crumble in one day. You don’t have to be a slave to sin anymore; but come in humbleness and the Lord will do. He will never reject a humble heart (Psalms 51: 17). But remember giving yourself away to a harmless thing today could make you pay a high price tomorrow.
The song says, “It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away, It’s a slow fade when black and white and turned to gray, People never crumble in a day.”
The lead singer Mark Hall in another video (also available in youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9JgrJjyNzg) explains the song and gives a new meaning to a biblical passage I was very familiar with, Psalms 1: 1Psalms 1:11 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.In this passage he makes the point of a progression when it comes to sinning. First, walking in the counsel, then standing in the way and then sitting in the seat. A sin is never committed right a way. A husband never means to cheat on their wives, a young Christian couples never plans to engage in sexual relations before marriage. The thought (or counsel) always comes to us. An image, a word, an invitation always comes first. Probably something that looks so “harmless” that we allow it in our minds and into our home. It is that harmless thing that we then allow to stay with us until we finally just sit in the seat of the sin, and we act upon it. And it is as at that very moment that you wonder how you got there. At that moment you wonder, how could you possibly done something like that. Probably the same question King David had when he had committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). You know, it is up to us to revert the process. We must get up from the chair, then walk away from the sin and stop walking in the counsel of sinners. If you could identify when the cycle starts your end might be really different. Galatians 6: 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” The Lord is righteous and just to forgive you if you repent. But don’t forget is a slow fade, people never crumble in one day. You don’t have to be a slave to sin anymore; but come in humbleness and the Lord will do. He will never reject a humble heart (Psalms 51: 17). But remember giving yourself away to a harmless thing today could make you pay a high price tomorrow.
My blog first entry
Many people have been telling me to start blogging. Why should I blog? I always asked myself. Because everyone is doing it, because everyone has one, because it is cool, because i have nothing better to do. Who knows? But hey if people got freedom of speech and we use it. Well I will start my blog even if only I read it. Hehe. Well I will force my wife to read it to.
Muchas personas me decian que debia empesar un blog. Me preguntaba el porque del "blogeo", si lo hacia por que otros lo hacen, por que hasta el gato tiene un blog, o por que quero ser cool, pues no se. Pero si esta el recurso por que no. Asi que voi a 'blogear' aunque sea el unico que lea mis propios blogs. jeje. tratare de que mi esposa los lea tambien.
Muchas personas me decian que debia empesar un blog. Me preguntaba el porque del "blogeo", si lo hacia por que otros lo hacen, por que hasta el gato tiene un blog, o por que quero ser cool, pues no se. Pero si esta el recurso por que no. Asi que voi a 'blogear' aunque sea el unico que lea mis propios blogs. jeje. tratare de que mi esposa los lea tambien.
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