It's About Time

And then they were married.

Have you ever wondered why certain things happen when they do? I know I have. People often try to control their lives and future, but despite all the efforts there is still very little we can’t control. We can control our attitudes and behavior, but not the future--that's in God’s hand. The Bible says. “Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the Lord’s purpose that will prevail.” (Psalms 19:21)

In the past few months I have gotten to know Felipe (not Philippi) a little better. He 44 years old and he had a problem in the distant past with drug additions, but now he is free of that. It seems that wherever I go we run into each other, whether its the beach or some place downtown. I began to realize that God must have a reason for this. Although he speaks very little English, we are still able to communicate pretty well, and have become very good friends. I have sown into his life and God has been changing his heart and his family’s, and they were all baptized a couple months ago, at their church. Then about a month ago he invited me to come to his wedding. Felipe and his wife have lived together for many years and have two older daughters with children, plus two younger boys, ages 8 and 12, But now he wanted to make their marriage official.

Felipe had told me they would be married on September 14^th at the city courthouse, and I could meet them first at their house. But then about a week before the wedding, I met him again, while driving through Guaymas, and he told me the date had been changed to the 11^th at 8am. I said, “Eight in the morning,” and he said yes. And I said, Okay? But I did not understand the reason why so early, yet I told him that I would make every effort to be there, God willing. So the night before the wedding, I wanted to get a good night sleep, but it didn’t happen. I woke up at 3am and laid awake for over an hour talking to God and then I woke up at 6am. So I started to get ready and told God again, that I would trust Him with everything that happens, and I receive it as a gift and with thanksgiving. I had only been to Felipe’s house one time and it had been a couple months since then. As a result, I had trouble finding it, so I prayed, and God helped me to find it again. 

When I arrived at his house, I was greeted by his children and grandchild at my van. When I went in the house, I met Felipe (he always gives me a hug) and he thanked me for coming. However, he told me the time had been changed to 12noon. So I got to have a delicious breakfast with them, and then I waited while everyone got ready, including his daughter, Vanessa. She has an adorable little five year old girl. Then her older sister, Lidia came with two of her five children. I told her, she was very blessed. However, not one of them were able to speak English. Yet I could see from the appreciation on their faces that I was welcomed there and to share in this special event. 

Then Felipe told me the time had changed again to 10am, which I was grateful, because it was getting much hotter outside. I was also asked to be an official witness, and asked if I had my ID with me, because they needed four adult witnesses. I had ID, and I agreed to be a witness, believing this was also God’s will. They all made me feel a part of their family and I enjoyed watching them get ready, especially the women doing their hair and putting on eye makeup while holding a large mirror, as I sat nearby. The women all have big beautiful brown eyes and long eyelashes; the kind that other women have to buy. 

Then two more friends came, they were elders from their Mormon church, wearing suits and ties with their name tags on. One of them was 20 years old and his name was Byron Ricardo, he was very friendly and could speak English every well, thank God. We got to know each other better later that day.

Vanessa's cute daughter, Valeria, who really likes me

As we all gathered to leave the house, I prayed a blessing on their marriage, family and friend and to know the Heavenly Father better. Then we all crammed into my van. (Another reason why I thought God might want me there, because they did not have a car.) Felipe and his wife, Angelica sat in the front passenger seat, and her two daughters and the five children, one still in disposable diapers, all sat in back on my bed or on someones lap. The two elders decided to walk the two miles to the courthouse. 

Thank God the building was air conditioned, because we waited for over an hour. But it was still fun watching the children play as we talked and other friends came to visit during this special occasion. A court official took copies of our ID that Vanessa and I had made, and filled out some forms. Then a little later we went into the judge’s room as witnesses with Philippi and his wife.

Felipe and his wife, Angelica, me and Vanessa and Byron are sitting to the right

Felipe and Angelica talked with the judge first, who was dress in a nice gray suit and sat behind a large brown desk, as we all took turns signing five copies of paperwork. (We took picture of this event and also out in the waiting room, plus outside.) Then we all got in the van again and drove to Soriana, a large grocery store. 

All of these people were in my van with me, except the one women in the red and white blouse.

There we spent more time together as we sat and ate a beautiful decorated cake, that was purchased from that store, and drank coke in the deli section where there were tables for all of us to sit. This was such a wonderful time also, as we got to know one another even better. That’s when I got the talk to Bryon for over an hour. In the beginning he helped me communicate some things with Vanessa who came and sat with us for a short time, and I really appreciated her interest. Then I talked more to him about the Kingdom of God and His desires for the Mexican people. I talk about the movie, States of Grace, which was a favorite of his too. Then about religion and I could see he was not offended by the things I shared and he agreed with me. He told me he had a hunger for God, and wanted to know Him better too. I told him this was a Divine appointment, and that he would see God change his life and others.

A beautiful family

Then it came time to go back to Felipe's house, we all got in the van again, plus three elders. I would have loved to have taken a picture of that. But they were cramped and very hot, and I didn’t want them to be uncomfortable any longer than necessary. When we got back to the house, we visited a little more.  Then I felt it was time for me to leave. However, I was asked when I would come back again, so I told them next week, and then I offer to take the elders back to their house so they would not have to walk again. Before we left they wanted to pray. And so we all knelt down in the living room and one of the elders prayed. Wow! Then we said our good byes. After dropping the men off, I heading back to San Carlos wondering what would become of all this. Wow! God is truly full of surprises and His timing and ways are always perfect.

What an awesome day it turned out to be, disputed the time changes. We each demonstrated love and kindness for one another, during a simple wedding. Makes me wonder, why so many people spend so much time and money to do otherwise. When love and God's will is the only thing that really counts. What a privilege and honor it was for me to be a part of this loving family.

* A special thanks to Vanessa for helping me learn more about her family by using my computer and a translator site. I thought I would stop writing in September, but a lot has happened. God is full of surprises and this was one of them. In the process I’m still meeting more and more people and touching lives for the Kingdom of Heaven. I have also been in Mexico one year on October 1st, and it has been awesome experience, but not as I had hoped. However, God says that will change and the promises are being fulfilled. All to the glory of God.

Making Friends With Money

And Jesus said, " I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much^. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own? (Luke 16: 9-12 NIV)

A couple of years ago, Sheldon and I were taking a walk and talking about money, and how to use it to help reach the lost for Christ. Over the years, we have use it to help others in need, sowing into peoples lives and blessing them. All of these ways are expressions of God's love. From this passage of scripture, we see Jesus encouraging us to use our wealth (money and possessions) to make friends. Since I have been in Mexico I have done this much more. Yet the most important thing I desire to see when giving money, is for people to get to know their Savior, Jesus Christ, the Heavenly Father and His awesome love for them. 

As we listen and follow the leading of Holy Spirit, money can be bait on a hook to enticement people to listen and watch you, and eventually get to know you and the Father's heart better. Here are just a few more lives I'm fishing for and reaching with God's love.

Lupita and her husband Geronimo

Lupita and one of her daughters, who has four beautiful children of her own.

    

Lupita and her very close friend, Maria

 Having snacks and dips with Maria's and her two youngest, she has five children

Naveli Gloria is twelve years old and her sister is ten and I am their friend. They made cards for me with a big heart on it and have our names in the middle of it..

 

Patty, Mario and his wife Ana, the two women are sisters

Mario is a very good, kind and generous man and he also speaks English very well. He and his wife owns the Rinos restaurant near my house, and they have four children. One night as I was walking, I went over and see them again. We all sat at a table and I shared with them why I was in Mexico and some of the things God and I had been doing, and our desire for Mexico and it's beautiful people. After we talked for a while, Mario told me that I could eat at his restaurant anytime for free. He also told the others sitting with us, in Spanish of his offer to me, because he was the only one who could speak English. Wow! Their food is very good and delicious. I told Mario that God would bless him and his family, because it was a promise from the Lord. "I will bless those who bless you." He really liked that promise and so do I.

I love sowing into the Kingdom of God, and hopefully I will see many of my friends lives restored and in heaven. God is faithful when we give Him our all, and in due time we will reap a bountiful harvest. 

The Road Less Traveled

There are many roads the will take people just about anywhere they want to go in life; if they have the time, the means and the determination. There are often many sacrifices and pitfalls along the way to achieve the comforts, status and possessions sought by so many. Yet, the journey may not always achieve what they had anticipated or were promised when one first started; life is full of deceptions. Neither will their efforts answer life’s basic questions, nor satisfy the hunger burning in their heart or heal the wounded soul. Many people are still searching, often feeling lost and very alone. Others have just given up looking; accepting to sit it out and receive whatever this chaotic world has to offer them.

These roads have been well traveled by those who have followed the crowds. However, there is still one road that some have traveled. But few have persevered to reach its final destination. It’s not an easy road, nor as fun as some may have thought or were lead to believe. But there is still help along the way for those who believe their very life depends on it.

Jesus said, “I am the Truth, the Life and the Way, no one comes to the Father, but by Me.” Yes, I AM the Door, and the road (the narrow way) less traveled that leads to the Kingdom of God. And this is what I have to offer you and what that road will require or encompass for those who choose to follow Me.

Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27)

·       Jesus said that you will be persecuted, therefore love your enemies, and pray those who insult you and say all kinds of evil against you. (Matthew 5:10-11)

·       Jesus said to forgive others as he has forgiven us.(Matthew 6:12,14)

·       Jesus said, “None of you can be My disciple who does not gives up all his own possessions.” (Luke 14:33)

·       Jesus said to them all, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” (Like 9: 23-24)

·       Jesus said, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

·       Jesus said, “The world will hate you, because of me.” (Matthew 10:22 and John 15:18)

·       Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Act 20: 35)

·       Jesus says, when you have a  luncheon or feast; don’t invite your friends who can repay you, but invite the lost and poor and others who can’t repay. (Luke 14: 12-14)

However, there are many things that Jesus offers for those who chose to take the road less traveled that will help and make it well worth taking. And here are just some of them.

·       Jesus sets us free, heals and restores, plus there are many blessings.

·       Jesus also gives us Eternal Life, and life more abundant.

·       Jesus gives us His Peace and Joy, but not as the world gives.

·       Jesus promises to never leave or forsake us.

·       Jesus gives us His love, power, authority and glory, and so much more.

Jesus said to those who persevere, endure and overcome, "I will grant you to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God...Be faithful until death I will give you the crown of life... you will eat hidden manna... and give you a new name... make you a pillar in the temple of My God... and you will sit down with Me on My thrown." (Rev. 2-3)

Power Outage

Have faith in God…Truly I say to you… believe what you say and not doubt in your heart it will happen. “Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” (Mark 11:22-24) Faith believes all things are possible with God. Faith agrees with God’s faith.

The night after I posted what I thought might be my last blog for the summer there was a strong thunderstorm over San Carlos. So, I wanted to share this experience to encourage you. We have had quit a few thunderstorms lately and they have helped make the vegetation greener everywhere, including a lot of healthy weeds. But they also add to the heat, humidity and sometimes even power outages.

On September 3, at about 8pm there was a loud clap of thunder and then the light flicker off and on a few times in my room. Then it stayed on. However, it was also very quite too quite, not because there wasn’t any more thunder, but because I soon realized the air conditioner was not running in the room even though the overhead light and ceiling fan were still on and working. I checked the others A/C’s throughout the house and they also had no power either. Since I don't use them it gets very hot in the rest of the house. Great, just what I needed, and Jerry the owner of the house was in Arizona. I sent off a quick email to let him know the problem and asked where all the breaker panels were so I could check them out. I had found one panel, but it was OK. Then I lost my Internet connection. OK Lord, it’s just you and me, and I need your help.

I stayed up for a couple more hours. Then decided to try and get some sleep while it was still cool in my room with just the overhead fan running, even though I had lost some cool air going in and out of my room a few times looking and checking on other things. I laughed at the circumstances and reminded myself that God was in control and that He restored my life, my body, my van and now I needed power to the A/C. There wasn’t anything more I could do, but trust Him knowing He would meet my needs again, just as He did by given me this house. I finally fell asleep about 10:30 and then I had a dream about the power outage in the house and the problem with the air conditioners. When the dream was over I woke up. It was just about 11:30pm and the A/C was running again. Wow! I have no explanation other than God did it; I was very grateful, praised Him and went back to sleep. The next time you find yourself lacking power to solve your need; put your faith in God to solve the problem. 

Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Heb.11:6)

“Therefore…lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus and perfecter of faith.” (Heb. 12:1)

Enticements

Late one afternoon as I walked on the beach, after having an interesting experience earlier, the Lord started speaking to me about enticement. The world is full of enticements, especially the business world of advertising. But even others use it to get people and friends to do what they want. The enemy, satan has a hay-day with it. However, God also uses it, but not to take advantage of His children as others often do for selfish reasons or motives. God loves and honors us, desiring to build an intimate relationship with Him, one of love, peace and joy, along with so many other benefits.

Definition: Entice-verb (used with object), en·ticed, en·tic·ing. to lead on by exciting hope or desire; allure; inveigle: They were enticed westward by dreams of gold.

 Throughout history God has entice His children to do what He desired; right form the beginning in the Garden of Eden, but it was enough for Adam or Eve. Then God spoke to Abram, and said, "Leave your relatives and your father's house...and I will make your a great nation and I will bless you..." And then the Children of Israel who were offered a Promise Land; flowing with milk and honey. But again it wasn't enough for even them. Then God finally offer His greatest enticement of all, Jesus Christ.

"For God so loved the whole that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

Then the Father gave the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us, and then the Word of God (the Holy Bible) full of more promises and blessings, including heaven where there is no more sickness, pain, sorrow or death. But it still appear not to be enough for millions of people who still chose to follow their flesh and the lust of the eye; instead of Jesus, the Truth, the Life and the Way. Thus there has been a constant battle over the hearts and minds of man since the beginning of time. 

However, God is still not through. Even though it looks as if we are in a loosing battle. But God is no fool, nor has He at anytime lost control of the situation. He's just given mankind a little more grace and time to realize how foolish they are. Sin has it's own punishment, but God want to demonstrate His awesome love and grace to a world that even questions His very existence.. 

The Lord was telling me that He is getting ready to entice His children one more time, in such a way that they will never forget. This enticement will effect the world, religions, Christianity and especially the Nation of Israel. There will be a spiritual jealousy created that will entice (draw) them to the presence of God in such a way that they will never again forsake Jesus Christ. Their lives will be forever changed as their eyes and ears are opened by the enticing power of Holy Spirit with miracles, signs and wonders that the world has never seen. Plus, the Father's enticing love will also be demonstrated through His sons and daughters that many of His other foolish and rebellious children will finally come home. I can see this happening, and it is glorious. Amen!

The apostle Paul said, "I became all things to all men that I may win some." And Jesus said, "If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."(John 12:32) And whoever believes in Him will have eternal life and life more abundantly. What greater enticement could there be!

(This may be my last full article for the summer, as I get to know my Father better, see you in October. Until then I will post some short articles and some photos friends along with some scriptures verses for you to think about.)