A UNIT OF THE GALA FOUNDATION

Thursday, July 30, 2009

GOD LOVES FAMILIES







INTRODUCTION






1. In another study we noted that God hates divorce (cf. "God Hates Divorce!")... a. For it covers one's garment with violence - Mal 2:16a b. For it treats one's spouse with treachery - Mal 2:16b2. How does God feel about families...? a. Does He love families as strong as He hates divorce? b. What ideal family is one that He loves to see?[We can confidently affirm that God loves families! How do we know this...?]I. HOW WE KNOW GOD LOVES FAMILIES A. GOD CREATED THE PHYSICAL FAMILY... 1. He instituted marriage between man and woman - Mt 19:4-6; Ro 7: 2-3; Mt 19:9 a. Designing it to be for life b. Allowing divorce only for the cause of fornication 2. He thus provided the ideal arrangement for children a. In which they are to be born (from the union of two sexes who have become one) b. In which they are to grow (benefiting from what both sexes have to offer) 3. His love for family extends to when families are broken a. He is a father of the fatherless, a defender of widows - Psa 68:5 b. He relieves the fatherless and widow - Ps 146:9 c. He charges that families provide for their widows - 1Ti 5:4 d. He describes such care as pure and undefiled religion - Ja 1:27 B. GOD CREATED A SPIRITUAL FAMILY... 1. He offers Himself as a loving Father - 1Jn 3:1-2 2. He provides a wonderful Elder Brother for our salvation - He 2: 9-13 3. He sent His Spirit so we could be born into this family - Tit 3: 4-7; Ro 8:15-17 4. He revealed His Word so we can be born again - Jm 1:18; 1Pe 1: 22-25 5. He designed the church to be an extended family with many mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters - Mk 10:29-30; 1Ti 3:15[Indeed, God loves families! The concept of family is important in both the physical and spiritual realm. Focusing our attention on the physical family, let's review...]II. THE IDEAL FAMILY THAT GOD LOVES A. WHERE HUSBANDS TREAT THEIR WIVES... 1. With love and without bitterness, as Christ loved the church - Col 3:19; Ep 5:25-29 2. With understanding, honor, tenderness, and as fellow heirs - 1Pe 3:7 B. WHERE WIVES RESPOND TO THEIR HUSBANDS... 1. With love and obedience - Tit 2:4-5 2. With submission, as the church is to submit to Christ - Col 3: 18; Ep 5:22-24 C. WHERE FATHERS RAISE THEIR CHILDREN... 1. Without provoking them to wrath - Col 3:21; Ep 6:4a 2. In the nurture and admonition of the Lord - Ep 6:4b 3. With proper discipline when needed - Pr 13:24; 19:18; 29:17; He 12:7-10 D. WHERE MOTHERS RAISE THEIR CHILDREN... 1. With love - Tit 2:4 2. As homemakers, managers of the home - Tit 2:4; 1Ti 5:14; cf. Pr 31:10-31 E. WHERE CHILDREN REACT TO THEIR PARENTS... 1. With obedience - Col 3:20; Ep 6:1 2. With honor - Ep 6:2-3; cf. Pr 31:28 F. WHERE ALL ARE DEDICATED TO SERVING HIM... 1. Having a genuine faith from one generation to another - cf. 2Ti 1:5 2. With devotion to the Lord that surpasses even devotion to one another - Mt 10:37CONCLUSION1. No family is perfect, but God's ideal for the physical family is worth striving for... a. It is the best hope for strong marriages, for healthy and happy families, that last a lifetime b. God-ordained marriages, and certainly children, deserve the very best we can give2. If we find ourselves in a family broken beyond repair... a. By death, divorce, or dysfunction beyond our control b. Do not forget that God has a spiritual family designed for eternity The best hope for strong, physical families is for everyone to become a child of God in His spiritual family. Have you become a child of God by being born again of water and the Spirit...? - Jn 3:3-5; Mk 16:16

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

FOUR REASONS WHY GOD FAVORS NO ONE OVER YOU


1. God’s Son shed his last drop of blood for you. God loves you with his whole heart. He loves you with every speck of his enormous love. That means no matter how much he loves others, he couldn’t possibly love anyone else more than he loves you.
A woman wrote about the above paragraph:
I had wanted to say, “God loves me with his whole heart? Come off it! It’s a wonder he loves me at all! Grantley, you exaggerate too much!” But the Lord silenced me with John 17:23:
I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.I can’t get round it; I can’t burrow under it or climb over it. So the only thing I can do is go through it, absorbing it as I go. Christ is in me – and God loves me as much as he loves Christ. And no way can God’s love for Christ be half-hearted. I went to sleep snuggling into that verse last night.
Scripture makes no promise that you will always feel loved, nor that circumstances will always make it obvious that you are loved. God simply promises that you are loved. No suffering or tragedy will ever separate you from God’s love (Romans 8:35-39). A snap-shot in time proves nothing. Only eternity’s movies can adequately portray the infinitude of God’s love for you.
The more you love someone the more important that person is to you. So the fact that God loves you with his whole heart means you are more important to God than you could ever imagine.
2. Before God forgave us we were all spiritually dead. Scripture affirms that every person on this planet was dead in their sin. You can’t get any deader than dead. God couldn’t say, I prefer her because she’s a little less dead than him.
But through Christ we can be forgiven. When God looks at a forgiven person, he can’t find one sin. When you are forgiven, God can’t find a person on the entire planet, more forgiven than you.
So without Christ we were all equally dead in our sin and in Christ we are all equally forgiven.
3. God is all-powerful. That means he doesn’t need some people more than others.
If God could only use young people, or strong people, or rich people, or famous people, or educated people, then God must be so weak that he needs human strength; so poor that he needs us to give him a few dollars; so foolish that he needs human education.
4. The Lord loves using small and seemingly unimportant things. 1 Corinthians 1:26 says, ‘Look at what you were before God called you. Not many of you were wise by human standards. Not many of you had great influence. Not many of you came from important families. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and he chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose what this world thinks is unimportant and what this world looks down on and thinks is nothing in order to bring to nothing what the world thinks is important. God did this,’ the Bible continues, ‘so that no one could boast in his presence.’
In the Bible, the book of Jonah seems small and insignificant. It’s only 2-3 pages long. I often feel like that: small and insignificant. I have often felt so useless that I would have committed suicide if I wasn’t worried about having to face God afterwards. But the Bible would be very much poorer without this tiny book. And the Kingdom of God would be much poorer without you. In this tiny book we see God using a storm, a whale, a heartless, rebellious, moody man, a plant, and a grub. Are you less gifted than a grub? Then God can do mighty things through you. If God could use a storm and a plant and a grub, God is smart enough to use you. God is so powerful he can use anything to do his work.
No Christian is too old, too poor, too uneducated, too stupid, too sick to be gloriously used of God. We can’t explore this in depth here. For just one aspect of this, see Never too old for God.
Do you believe there is nothing God cannot do? Do you believe God could bring a dead person back to life? Do you believe God could bring a dead person back to life through your prayers? Those words ‘through your prayers’ don’t suddenly make God weak. Do you believe God can save thousands of souls? Then you must also believe God can save thousands of souls through you.
Either God can do the impossible through you, or he isn’t God.
Keep telling yourself, ‘There is nothing God cannot do through me.’
Heaven stands on tip toe waiting to see the astounding things you will achieve for the glory of God.
No one is more important to God than you are: Bible proofs
In the book of Galatians 2:6-9, Paul speaks of Peter, James and John. If anyone could claim to be have a special place in God’s heart it was these men. When Jesus walked this planet they seemed his closest friends. Later they were called the pillars of the church. Without pillars the whole building collapses. Yet Paul wrote of these men, ‘whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no one.’ Paul was speaking about Peter, the man honored by millions as the first pope. Even his shadow healed people. Paul was speaking about the leaders of the church, the greatest saints, when divinely inspired to write, ‘whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no one.’ Tell yourself, ‘The Bible says I am as important to God as Peter, James and John.’
One day the disciples told Jesus that his mother wanted to speak with him. Jesus replied, ‘Who is my mother? Anyone who does God’s will is my mother’ (Luke 8:20-21).
So anyone who obeys God has as much right to speak with Jesus, as Mary has. Anyone who does God’s will has the same place in Jesus’ heart as his own mother.
Another time when Jesus was preaching, a woman shouted, ‘Blessed is the woman who gave you birth.’ Yet instead of agreeing with her, Jesus said Blessed rather is the person who obeys God (Luke 11:27-28).
Jesus was born only once. So only one woman could have the privilege of giving birth to the Messiah. That was Mary’s unique blessing. But spiritually, we are all equally blessed. In Ephesians 1:3 the Bible says each of us have been lavished every spiritual blessing. How could it be otherwise? If Christ died (ie gave his all) for sinners, what would he possibly withhold from them now that they are cleansed and made God’s precious children? As Scripture points out, since you are so dear to God that he gave his only Son for you – the most costly gift in the universe – there can be nothing he won’t give you (Romans 8:32, see also 1 Corinthians 3:21-22).
Tell yourself, ‘I am as spiritually blessed as anyone.’
You have a special place in God’s heart
From the age of four, I loved helping my grandpa lay cement paths. Almost anyone could do a better job than a little child, but that was irrelevant. I was irreplaceable. I had a special place in grandpa’s heart.
And you have a special place in God’s heart. To him you are irreplaceable. The Almighty needs the help of no one. Yet the Father’s joy could never be complete without your contribution.
My grandpa wanted me to share in his work. Not because he needed me, but because I was special to him. And God wants you to share in his work. Think about that for a minute – God’s work is the most important work in the universe. God has something of divine importance; something of eternal significance that he wants you to help him with. Wow! You are important!
To God, you are special. I used to think yeah, yeah God loves me, but he loves everyone. To him I’m just one of millions of Christians. God has his favorites and I’m not one of them. I thought I was being humble thinking this way. But what I was really doing was accusing God of imperfect love. In fact, I was calling God a liar. God says he loves you. So to believe that you are unimportant to God is to believe that God is a liar. There is nothing humble about calling the holy Lord a liar! It’s sin.
God is the most important person in the universe. So if you are important to him, you are important! There is nothing humble about telling the all-wise God that he’s wrong. This is serious.
How dare I go up to the glorious Lord who shed his life’s blood for me and tell him, ‘I’m not special to you.’ Dare I go to the cross where I deserved to hang, look into my Savior’s bleeding face, and accuse him of loving others more? He died for me! What more dare I demand he do before I accept the fact that I’m special to him! I need to feel as bad about that sin as if I were guilty of murder.
It’s said that a pirate killed a man. He was so horrified by what he had done that he couldn’t sleep properly for weeks. But he kept killing. He got to the point where he could kill a man, use the corpse as a pillow and sleep soundly all night. We are like that. We have committed the sin of wrong thinking so often that our consciences have become as hard as concrete. For other sins our consciences have might still be soft but to the sin of doubt and small thinking, we are hardened.
Lepers lose fingers, toes, sometimes noses. It was always thought the disease did this. But a brilliant medical missionary began to question this. Dr Paul Brand noticed that lepers would go to bed whole and wake up without a finger. No one could ever find a trace of the missing finger. He eventually discovered that the fingers were being chewed off and carried away by rats! However could this happen? It’s because lepers lose feeling. And that’s our problem. We have lost feeling in part of our conscience. And then the devil – that fat rat – begins to chew us and instead of shooing him away, we don’t even realize what he’s doing. We desperately need God to make our consciences sensitive.
The crunch
We now come to the most crucial part of this message. This message could give you a boost for a few days, then fade and ultimately achieve nothing. Or it could be the turning point in your life, making you the powerful force in the kingdom of God that you were created to be.
It’s frightening to consider how much this world misses out when any Christian thinks he or she is not special to God. There’s no Christian who cannot be used of God to win thousands of souls, should the Lord so chose. There’s no Christian who can’t be used to change the course of human history. But while we hold on to the sin of small thinking, it won’t happen. This is serious – more serious than any of us can imagine. To rid ourselves of this sin will probably cost us enormously, but for us to be freed from sin cost Christ far more.
For us to give up the sin of small thinking is as hard as it is for an alcoholic to permanently give up drink. We need a gigantic miracle in our personal lives. It begins by admitting that we are addicted to the serious sin of not seeing ourselves and our possibilities as God sees them. We must hate this sin. We must admit that we are such a slave to this sin that the only way we can be freed is by a divine miracle.
I suggest the following prayer. Pray any part of it that you feel you can agree with.
Lord in your mercy begin to open my mind and my conscience to the seriousness of my sin. I have sinned in thinking you have favorites. I have sinned by thinking I’m not important to you. I have sinned by thinking you don’t want to use me to do amazing things of eternal significance for your glory. My addiction to small thinking has hurt you and done enormous damage. Through Jesus’ shed blood, I beg your forgiveness. I ask for total deliverance from my addiction.
I now declare that you want to do mighty things through me. I refuse to tolerate any lesser thought. And I look to you for divine strength to forever defeat such sinful thinking. Lord, don’t let me ever again commit this sin without feeling your strong displeasure. No matter what it costs me, be glorified in my life.
Maintaining the victory
For very many years I have been constantly tempted to feel useless. I wrote a book giving all the reasons why every one of us can achieve great things for God and I had to keep reading that book every day, week after week, year after year. Whenever I stopped reading it for a few days I would slip back into depression again.
So I make no apologies for expecting that you will need to hold on to the truths in this message and read it over and over for maximum benefit. They are important truths that the devil tries with all his power to make us forget. We must hold on to them as if our very life depended upon it. In fact, it can be more important than life itself. Other people’s eternal destinies could depend upon whether we grasp these truths and live them. The Lord wants to make you a powerful force in the kingdom of God.
Your need, however, is too chronic for any self-help technique to deliver you from your addiction. You must daily ask the Lord to re-sensitize your conscience. The Lord’s prayer – ‘give us this day our daily bread . . . lead us not into temptation’ - proves our need to daily bring to God our need for divine help in conquering temptation. Without this we will be drawn into a false and dangerous delusion that our dependence upon God is less than absolute. ‘Let anyone who thinks he stands,’ warns Scripture, ‘take heed lest he fall’ (1 Corinthians 10:12). However, your divine Helper, the Holy Spirit, dwells inside you, wherever you go, 24 hours a day. It’s tragically easy to slip back into old habits and hardly notice it. Daily look to him to set off the alarm bells whenever you begin to slip back. You then have divine protection.
Negative thoughts will still come but, once exposed, you can repel them with the same disgust as you would a blood-sucking leech. These filthy invaders from the sewers of hell are not part of you. We can’t think of nothing, nor can we think of two things at once, so the best way to eject wrong thoughts is to seize the opposite thought, ideally, a statement you know to be true because it’s in the Word of God. Cling to it like a non-swimmer holding a life rope in swirling waters. Thrash the devil by using every approach of an invader as a cue to throw a praise party in your mind, exalting in the fact that the truth (reality) is the exact opposite of the lie trying to invade you. This shines a floodlight on low life that can survive only in darkness. Resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7). He’ll try to sneak back later, but as you daily look to the Lord you will live in victory.
Appendix: why the sin of unbelief is so addictive
This section details some of the reasons why I became addicted to wrong thinking. The cause of your own addiction will not necessarily be the same, but it is still helpful to be alerted to the dangers.
I used to sometimes put myself down in the hope that whoever I was speaking to would take pity on me and give me an ego boost. I was oblivious to how pathetic such behavior is until one day I met someone who refused to play my game. Instead of boosting me, all she would do was rebuke me and accuse me of sin for being negative about myself. I was most annoyed until I began to see myself more accurately. By making myself dependent upon ego boosts from other people I had made myself frighteningly vulnerable. I was expecting others to do something that was my responsibility. Moreover, my actions proved that human praise meant more to me than the divine approval I already had. And every time I got the flattery I was seeking, I was being rewarded for my put downs, thus increasing my addiction.
If the success of achieving a goal is sweet, to be significantly more successful than I had dared dream is exceedingly delicious. The simplest way of ensuring a repeat of this highly addictive thrill is to convince myself I will do poorly. The exhilaration I get when I exceed my low expectations is rich reward for having a low view of my God-given potential. I was grieving God, defaming his name and committing the sin of unbelief – deliberately lowering my faith – in the (sometimes unconscious) hope of experiencing a high.
And although I knew faith pleases God, I also knew that taking a faith step is scary. It’s easier to take the lazy, cowardly way out.
Making wise-cracks at my own expense was another trap. Every time someone laughed, I got my reward, but every such wise-crack chiseled negative attitudes a little deeper into my mind. I was baiting my own trap.
Addictions have their momentary pleasures. In the end, however, they are a curse keeping us from the full and exciting and God-glorifying life we were created for. As we daily look to Jesus, however, the curse will be broken.

Monday, July 27, 2009

THE GALA EFFORT IN NIGERIA



IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY COMMUNICATION WITH THE LORD.








By Temitope Shoga











To start with, whenever the word FAMILY is mentioned what comes to mind is a nuclear or extended family. Also when the word COMMUNICATION is mentioned, we’ll think of the process by which two or more persons/device relate one with another with an understanding. As Christians, the most effective and direct communication we can have with our Lord God is PRAYER AND DEVOTION. In a Christian family, following the principle of Matt. 18:19-20 which says “Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my father which is in heaven for where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”. When we come together as a family to commune with God, it makes things of life easier, requests answered speedily and above all it brings down the presence of God into our midst.Psalm 127:1-2 says “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep”. In our world today, we get so busy and either forget to communicate with God individually or together as one, this ought not to be so because communicating with the Lord in agreement brings the family closer and it’s like letting God know he is the overall HEAD of your family. There’s a saying that “A family that prays together stays together”. If we spend time daily or often as a family to commune with God, it creates a platform for sharing personal challenges, know one another’s strengths and weaknesses spiritually and in other ramifications, thereby sharing the word of God together in exhortation and edification to uphold one another. Pro 27:17 says “Iron sharpeneth iron: so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend”.I will like to use this medium and opportunity to encourage we the youths and Christian parents to believe that we can make a difference in ourselves, our families and our generation. We can make a revolution, Daniel, Esther and others did it, we can DO IT!!! Exo 23:25-26 says “And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young; nor be barren, in they land: the number of thy days I will fulfill”. When we collectively work on bringing our family to communicate together with the lord, it will in turn change our neighbourhood positively, our state, our country and the earth at large. No matter the colour of our skin, no matter how big or small we are physically, no matter how financially buoyant we are, Brethren we can make a difference through effective family communication with the lord.God bless you all!!!!SHALOM

Friday, July 24, 2009

MORE THAN CONQUERORS!



Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:35-37
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:"For your sake we face death all day long;we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:35-37
Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? (Even the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:35-37
The Apostle here enumerates certain things which, to the obscure eye of faith, and to the yet obscurer eye of sense, would appear to make against the best interests of the Christian, regarded either as evidences of a waning of Christ's love to him, or as calculated to produce such a result. He proposes an inquiry- the purport of which we reserve for the consideration of the closing chapter of this work- and then proceeds to give the reply. That reply sets the question entirely at rest. He argues that, so far from the things which he enumerates shaking the constancy of Christ's love, periling the safety of the Christian, or shading the luster of his renown, they but developed the Savior's affection to him more strongly, confirmed the fact of his security, and entwined fresh and more verdant laurels around his brow. "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us."
We are first invited to contemplate the Christian in the character of a 'Conqueror.' The battle we have, at some length, already considered. We have seen it to consist of a moral conflict, with inward and outward enemies, all leagued in terrible force against the soul. To this is added- what, indeed, was most peculiar to the early Church- a war of external suffering, in which penury, persecution, and, martyrdom constituted the dark and essential elements. Now it will be instructive to observe in what way Christ provides for the holy warrior's passage through this fiery contest. It will be perceived that it is not by flight, but by battle; not by retreat, but by advance; not by shunning, but by facing the foe. The Captain of their salvation might have withdrawn his people from the field, and conducted them to heaven without the hazard of a conflict. But not so. He will lead them to glory, but it shall be by the path of glory. They shall carve their way to the crown by the achievements of the sword. They shall have privation, and distress, and suffering, of every kind; yet while beneath the pressure, and in the very heat of the battle, victory shall crown their arms, and a glorious triumph shall deepen the splendor of their victory. And what spiritual eye does not clearly see, that in conducting his people across the battle-field, the Lord wins to himself more renown than though he had led them to their eternal rest with entire exemption from conflict and distress? But in what sense are we conquerors? Just in that sense in which the Holy Spirit obtains the victory. It is not the believer himself who conquers; it is the Divine Spirit within the believer. No movement is seen, no tactics are observed, no war-cry is heard, and yet there is passing within the soul a more important battle, and there is secured a more brilliant victory, than ever the pen of the historian recorded. In the first place, there is the conquest of faith. Where do the annals of war present such a succession of victories so brilliant, achieved by a weapon so single and simple, as is recorded in the eleventh chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews? And what was the grace that won those spiritual and glorious victories? It was the grace of faith! "This is the victory that overcomes the world, even your faith." Faith in the truth of God's word- faith in the veracity of God's character- faith in the might, and skill, and wisdom, of our Commander and Leader- faith eyeing the prize, gives the victory to the Christian combatant, and secures the glory to the Captain of his salvation. And then there is the triumph of patience. "That you do not be slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." "And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." Oh, is it no real victory of the Holy Spirit in the believer, when beneath the pressure of great affliction, passing through a discipline the most painful and humiliating, the suffering Christian is enabled to cry, "Though he slay me yet will I trust in him?" "The cup which my Father has given me, shall I not drink it?" "Not my will but yours be done." Suffering child of God, "let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing." And, then, there is the conquest of joy. "And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit." "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations," (or trials). Why is trial an occasion of joy? Because it is the triumph of the Holy Spirit in the soul. And does not Christ say, "You shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy?" And who but Jesus can turn our sorrow into joy? not only assuaging our griefs, alleviating our sufferings, and tempering the furnace-flame, but actually making our deepest, darkest sorrows, the occasion of the deepest gladness, praise, and thanksgiving. "You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!" Oh, yes! it is a glorious victory of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, in the soul, when it can enable the believer to adopt the words of the suffering Apostle, "I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation." Suffering reader! Jesus knows how to turn your sorrow into joy. Confide your grief to him, and he will cause it sweetly to sing.
"More than conquerors." The original word will admit a stronger rendering than our translators have allowed it. The same word is in another place rendered, "a far more and exceeding and eternal weight of glory." So that in the present instance it might be translated, "far more exceeding conquerors." The phrase seems to imply that it is more than a mere victory which the believer gains. A battle may be won at a great loss to the conqueror. A great leader may fall at the head of his troops. The flower of an army may be destroyed, and the best blood of a nation's pride may be shed. But the Christian conquers with no such loss. Nothing whatever essential to his well-being is periled. His armor, riveted upon his soul by the Holy Spirit, he cannot lose. His life, hid with Christ in God, cannot be endangered. His Leader and Commander, once dead, is alive and dies no more. Nothing valuable and precious shall he lose. There is not a grace in his soul but shall come out of the battle with sin, and Satan, and the world, purer and brighter for the conflict. The more thoroughly the Lord brings our graces into exercise, the more fully shall they be developed, and the more mightily shall they be invigorated. Not a grain of grace shall perish in the winnowing, not a particle of faith shall be consumed in the refining. Losing nothing, he gains everything! He returns from the battle laden with the spoils of a glorious victory- "more than a conqueror." All his resources are augmented by the result. His armor is brighter, his sword is keener, his courage is more dauntless, because of the conflict. Every grace of the Spirit is matured. Faith is strengthened- love is expanded- experience is deepened- knowledge is increased. He comes forth from the trial holier and more valorous than when he entered it. His weakness has taught him wherein his strength lies. His necessity has made him better acquainted with Christ's fullness. His peril has shown him who taught his hands to battle and his fingers to fight, and whose shield covered his head in the day of battle. He is "more than conqueror"- he is triumphant!
"Through him that loved us." Here is the great secret of our victory, the source of our triumph. Behold the mystery explained, how a weak, timid believer, often running from his own shadow, is yet "more than a conqueror" over his many and mighty foes. To Christ who loved him, who gave himself for him, who died in his stead, and lives to intercede on his behalf, the glory of the triumph is ascribed. And this is the song he chants, "Thanks be to God which gives us the victory through our Lord Jews Christ." Through the conquest which he himself obtained, through the grace which he imparts, through the strength which he inspires, through the intercession which he presents, in all our "tribulation, and distress, and persecution, and famine, and nakedness, and peril, and sword " we are "more than conquerors." Accounted though we are as "sheep for the slaughter," yet our Great Shepherd, Himself slain for the sheep, guides his flock, and has declared that no one shall pluck them out of his hand. We are more than conquerors through his grace who loved us in the very circumstances that threaten to overwhelm. Fear not, then, the darkest cloud, nor the proudest waves, nor the deepest needs- in these very things you shall, through Christ, prove triumphant. Nor shrink from the battle with the "last enemy." Death received a death-wound when Christ died. You face a conquered foe. He stands at your side a crownless king, and waving a broken scepter. Your death shall be another victory over the believer's last foe. Planting your foot of faith upon his prostrate neck, you shall spring into glory, more than a conqueror, through him that loved you. Thus passing to glory in triumph, you shall go to swell the ranks of the "noble army of martyrs"- those Christian heroes of whom it is recorded, "THEY OVERCAME HIM BY THE BLOOD Of THE LAMB."

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

ANATOMY OF GOD'S BLESSING FOR OUR FAMILY


To those who who seek to be happy, not only here but in the world to come, to all those who know that true happiness is to be found only in God, a divine confirmation comes into their hearts to strengthen them with hope in the Lord who is very eager to bless all those who come to Him. As we seek God's blessing we receive it, and the effect of that in our lives is the joy of knowing that God loves us, so much more than we can imagine. Our Heavenly Father is the source of all blessings, by his divine will we receive the bounty of his goodness, all the temporal and spiritual possessions which are a mere token of our heavenly inheritance.
As we meditate about the blessings of God, we realize how important it is to be always in his presence, to walk with Him, to do his holy will and to desire His blessings.
We are either blessed by God for everlasting joy and glory or we are cursed forever in hell (Matthew 25:41). God the Supreme judge will deem what is just for us at the end of our lives, therefore let us strive to be the blessed of Our Heavenly Father (Matthew 25:34) while we still can.
What is a blessing
Everything that comes from God is a blessing, we are filled with constant graces from God in every thing that happens in our lives because all things are under the watch of the Divine Will. To seek God's blessing is to seek His care for us and that He will preserve us from falling into evil.
When we bless God, we are praising Him, we are hallowing his holy name. We are acknowledging that He is our creator, that He deserves our best. We come in an effort to offer something good to Him, and yet He does not need anything from us, on the contrary we need so much from Him and we obtain it when we glorify Him. The happiness and joy of God is reflected in the happiness and joy of his creation. God created us to be in paradise, to receive all his blessings.
To bless is to desire great happiness, joy, abundance and satisfaction in the name of God. As we praise God we wish the best for Him, we exalt Him and acknowledge His holiness. The result is the reaction of God to our prayers which is manifested in His blessing.
To every action there is always a reaction. If we talk to another human being we will receive a response, therefore when we come before God and empty our souls before him in prayer, we receive his holy response which is always a blessing.
No one comes empty handed from the Presence of God!
But blessings can also flow from ourselves to other people, we can bless ourselves in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, we can bless others in the name of God or we can bless them from the goodness of our hearts wishing the best for them, we can wear blessed objects as a sign of seeking God's blessing and protection. A parent can bless his children with the parental love God has placed in the his or her heart and everybody should bless everybody around them even if they do it secretly in their hearts, since to bless is to call upon the great gift of God on ourselves and others.
Let us bless, in order to to invoke the blessing of God upon those we love. In fact let us even bless our enemies as our Lord recommends in order to be purified by the Love of our Heavenly Father.
The blessing can be a consecrated blessing as when it comes from a priest or it can be an invocation of God's goodness for ourselves, another person or for any situation. Nevertheless, a blessing carries something very special from the heart of God.
It is most important to seek God's blessings daily and to give them to others around us. As we receive all good things in our lives we must bless God for them.
It is a very good custom for parents to bless their children, we must bless all our benefactors and pray for them, we must even bless those who do evil to us so that the Lord will react to our blessing by sending graces to our enemies. We must bless when we wake up, when we have our meals, when we do our work, when we contact the people we love and when we finish our day.
When we bless we are allowing the good fruit stored in our souls to be shared by others. If we curse then we will prove that we have nothing good to give, since the Lord says that the tree is known by its fruit. (Luke 6:43-44 )
We must obtain God's blessings in order to become a fountain of blessings for others. Being children of God, the Lord will bless those that we bless.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM


Years ago a major art gallery sponsored a competition for painters. They were offering prizes for the best painting on the subject of "Peace." As attenders browsed through the entries, most had decided that a one certain painting was almost sure to win. It portrayed this lush green pasture under a vivid blue sky, with the cows grazing lazily and a little boy walking through the grass with his fishing pole over his shoulder. It really made you feel peaceful. But it came in second. The painting that won was a real surprise. The scene was the ocean in a violent storm. The sky was ominous, the lightning was cutting across the sky, and the waves were crashing into the rock walls of the cliffs by the shore. No peace. But you had to look twice to understand what was going on. There, about halfway up the cliff, was a birds' nest, tucked into a tiny hollow in the rock. A mother bird was sitting on that nest - with her little babies, tucked underneath her, sleeping soundly. That was peace!

I want to have A WORD WITH YOU today about "Peace in the Midst of the Storm."

Now that was the title of the prize-winning painting - and rightly so. Because peace is not just the absence of a storm - it is peace in the middle of the storm. The kind of peace many of us could use right now -- the kind of peace that you can have right now. If you're resting where you ought to be.

As our headlines have become dominated with new dangers - as so many hearts have been struggling with new anxieties, new fears - we're ready for the incredible peace offered in Psalm 46 . I call it "Good News for Troubled Times." It's our word for today from the Word of God. Maybe it should be our word for every day right now! "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." So, the more troubled things are, the more present God makes Himself. The psalmist then says, "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Everything's collapsing - things that have always been there for us. But no fear. Why? "God is our refuge and strength."

The psalm continues: "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells." Where does God live today? In those who belong to Him through faith in Jesus. So this is about you. "God is within her, and she will not fall ... Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall ... the Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Then as everything seems to be melting down, God says, "Be still, and know that I am God."

Okay, turn off the news, leave those other voices, and get where you can just be with God. And realize that as long as you're in His hands, there's no such thing as out of control. He is still God and you are still His!

And if you have never given yourself to Jesus, the Man who died for you, there's never been a better time than this. With so much changing, with so much uncertainty, it is so great to know you are safe in a relationship with Him. If you've never begun that relationship, tell Him you want to today.

When you are nesting in the care of the Lord Jesus Christ, you can rest through any storm. You belong to the One who can give you peace in the middle of the storm.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

THE PASSING OF A LEGENDARY JOURNALIST


Walter Cronkite, the CBS newsman so revered by Americans that they considered him the "most trusted man in America," died today. He was 92 and had homes in New York and Martha's Vineyard, Mass.


Walter Cronkite with wife Betsy in 2003. They were married from 1940 until her death in 2005.

Cronkite was the biggest name in television news, the king of the anchormen; in fact, he was the reporter for whom the term "anchorman" was coined. He gave up that role 28 years ago, but never lost the weight and respect it accorded him, living the rest of his life as the industry's distinguished elder statesman.

As anchor and managing editor of the "CBS Evening News" from 1962 to 1981, Cronkite became the symbol of CBS News and the face two generations of Americans associate with some of the biggest stories of the 20th century. Speaking in a calm, authoritative voice with a screen presence that exuded confidence and familiarity, Cronkite formed a bond with Americans by bringing stories such as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, space launches and the Vietnam War into their living rooms.

The bond was so strong that Americans polled in 1973 chose him -- by a 16 percent margin over the nearest competitor -- as the "most trusted" public figure in the country. He still enjoyed that status 22 years later, according to a poll published in TV Guide in 1995, nearly 15 years after relinquishing his anchor chair.

No doubt aware of the power that came with such respect, Cronkite never exploited it. Though it was suggested many times that he run for public office, he knew it would be devastating to journalism if reporters decided to capitalize politically on their popularity.

Cronkite's popularity was growing for 10 years before he took over the 15-minute "CBS Evening News" from longtime anchor Douglas Edwards on April 16, 1962. The next year, on Sept. 2, 1963, Cronkite's news became the first half-hour network weeknight news broadcast. In an effort to punctuate the longer broadcast and personalize it in the process that first night, Cronkite conceived and delivered for the first time his iconic sign-off, "And that's the way it is."

Don't Miss
Walter Cronkite dead at 92
It didn't happen overnight, but the "CBS Evening News With Walter Cronkite" eventually overcame NBC's "Huntley-Brinkley Report" in the ratings and became the television news broadcast of record. Cronkite became one of the first nationally recognized television reporters and the model for the electronic news term "anchorman" when he reported from the 1952 Republican Convention in Chicago.

There, executives decided he would assume the crucial role on the team reporting the event, a role likened to the anchor spot on a track relay team. Cronkite remained the CBS News "anchor" for conventions and elections until 1980.

If the Kennedy assassination was the birth of modern television news, then Cronkite was midwife at an event that drew an entire nation to the still-novel medium. It was Cronkite, removing his glasses to wipe a tear, who first reported the president's death on television and the man the country watched for much of the four commercial-free days that CBS News remained on the air -- coverage some credit with helping to hold together an anxious nation in the midst of the Cold War.

No other network covered the space program as thoroughly as CBS News, and Cronkite, openly enthusiastic over its advances, became inextricably linked to it and is often credited with being the program's biggest booster. "Old Iron Pants," as Cronkite was known for being unflappable on live television, stayed on the air all but three of 27 hours of the Apollo 11 lunar walk coverage. He admitted late in his life that he was so awed when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon that, for once, he was at a loss for words and merely uttered "Whew. Oh boy."

Another story Cronkite seemed to make a personal mark on was Vietnam, also a baptism for television news. Despite the graphic images of death and destruction typical in America's first televised war, he, like most Americans, seemed to support the conflict. After the bloody Tet Offensive of 1968 signaled a longer war, Cronkite decided to see for himself. He returned from Vietnam believing the war to be a quagmire and, in a rare editorial moment during a CBS News Special Report on Tet, told Americans as much. President Lyndon Johnson, watching the broadcast, is said to have told his press secretary that if he had lost Cronkite he had lost the American public. Indeed, public opinion for the war, already shifting, plummeted.

Cronkite's decision to cover the Watergate story also influenced the public and created a problem for a president. Heeding the drumbeat of coverage in the New York Times, Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, Cronkite told the whole story in a two-part investigation on "The CBS Evening News." Cronkite's Emmy-winning report was the first to put all the facts in the story together in one place and elevated the controversy to a new level of awareness, drawing an angry call from the Nixon White House to CBS Chairman William Paley.

Another example of Cronkite's reporting having influence on news events was when he interviewed Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat in 1977 and asked him if he would be willing to visit Israel. The two countries were still technically at war and the interview led to a peace treaty.

Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr. was born in St. Joseph, Mo., on Nov. 4, 1916, to Walter Leland Cronkite, a dentist, and the former Helen Lena Fritsche. He became fascinated with journalism in high school, writing for his high school paper and getting a summer job with the The Houston Post, a paper he wrote for and occasionally delivered, too.

He then attended the University of Texas at Austin for two years while juggling writing jobs for the Houston Press and Scripps-Howard as a state Capitol reporter. He dropped out after two years to pursue his journalism and broadcasting interests that also included working as a sports announcer for a radio station in Oklahoma City before joining the United Press in 1937.

In 1940, he married Mary Elizabeth Maxwell, whom he met at KCMO radio in Kansas City, Mo. He and "Betsy" had three children: Nancy, Kathy and Walter (Chip), who survive him, along with four grandsons. Mrs. Cronkite died in March of 2005.

Cronkite became a war correspondent for United Press when World War II broke out, landing with the invading Allied troops in North Africa, covering the battle of the North Atlantic in 1942 and taking part in the Normandy beachhead assaults. He landed in Holland by glider with the 101st Airborne Division in 1944 and later was with Gen. Patton's Third Army covering the Battle of the Bulge.

He was one of the first newsmen to fly on B?17 raids over Germany launched from England. While in London, he met legendary CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow, who offered him a job as a radio correspondent. Cronkite turned down the opportunity to be one of "Murrow's Boys" when his boss at United Press countered Murrow's offer with a modest raise he felt obliged to take.

He went on to cover the German surrender, the Nuremberg trials and reopen several bureaus in Europe before becoming chief correspondent for United Press in Moscow.

The next time Murrow offered, Cronkite jumped at the chance to cover the Korean War for CBS News and joined its Washington bureau in 1950. He never got to Korea, however, as a temporary role anchoring the news for the CBS local television station, WTOP, showed off talents CBS News brass thought would be better employed as a Washington correspondent. This led to news division head Sig Mickelson picking Cronkite to lead convention and election coverage -- the start of the central role he would play in CBS News for the next 30 years.

In 1954, the up-and-coming Cronkite was asked to move to New York to be host of CBS's "The Morning Show," to answer NBC's "Today Show" success. Some felt he looked awkward in the role and he was soon replaced by Jack Paar. Cronkite then found a more comfortable niche in other programs, serving as narrator and host of such early CBS News staples as "You Are There," "Eyewitness to History" and "The 20th Century." He also anchored and reported for documentaries under the "CBS Reports" banner -- a role he continued throughout his career.

To much fanfare, Cronkite stepped down from his anchor duties on March 6, 1981 to allow Dan Rather to take his place. He became a special correspondent and hosted several acclaimed CBS documentary programs, including the Emmy?Award winning "Children of Apartheid" and the CBS News science magazine series "Walter Cronkite's Universe." He also appeared on PBS, most notably as host of the New Year's Eve Vienna Philharmonic Concert, and was a special correspondent for CNN and NPR.

In 1993 he co?founded The Cronkite Ward Co., which has produced more than 40 award?winning documentary hours for The Discovery Channel, PBS and other networks. In 1985, Cronkite was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. He won four Peabody awards for excellence in broadcasting over his career and won virtually every electronic journalism award in existence during his tenure, including the du Pont Columbia, George Polk and Emmy awards. Cronkite twice won the Radio & Television News Directors' Association's highest honor, the Paul White award, a distinction shared by only one other, the late Dr. Frank Stanton, former CBS president.

In 1981 Walter Cronkite was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the highest honor a U.S. civilian can receive.

Cronkite donated his personal papers to the University of Texas at Austin. He allowed his name to be put on an endowment for Arizona State University's journalism school, now called the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and on the University of Southern California's Annenberg Award for excellence in television political journalism.

Cronkite Ward Co., in collaboration with CBS and The Discovery Channel, produced his video memoirs entitled "Cronkite Remembers." A two?hour special was aired in May 1996, and a longer version, an eight?hour series, appeared on The Discovery Channel. CBS News feted Cronkite in 2000 on his 50th anniversary with the Network. Industry luminaries joined Cronkite at the Freedom Forum in New York to recollect 50 moments from his incredible career, each picked by Cronkite himself.

His distinctive voice could still be heard on television up until his death, introducing "CBS Evening News With Katie Couric" and on AARP's Retirement Living Television.

Cronkite was an adventurer. Before taking up long-distance sailing as he became older, he competed as an amateur racecar driver, racing with the Lotus team at Limerock, Conn., and the Lancia team at Sebring, Fla., in the late 1950s. Later, Cronkite recorded his experiences sailing from the Chesapeake Bay to Key West in his book "South by Southeast" (Oxmoor House, 1983), covered the Northeast coast in "North by Northeast" (Oxmoor House, 1986) and recounted his sailing tour of America's West Coast in "Westwind" (Oxmoor House, 1990).

Cronkite's first book, "Eye on the World" (Cowles, 1971), is an edited compendium of CBS News' reporting on the major trends and stories of 1970, for which he provided analysis and commentary. Another, "A Reporter's Life" (Knopf), was a best-seller in 1996. His last book, "Around America," a reprinting of his three prior sailing adventures on America's coastlines, was published by Norton in 2001.

He was active in several charities, including: Citizens for Global Solutions, Committee to Protect Journalists, Common Cause, Drug Policy Alliance, Interfaith Alliance, Heifer Project, and People for the American Way. Cronkite was named Honorary National Commodore in 1977 by the U.S. Coast Guard

Thursday, July 16, 2009

WHEN YOU NEED AN ANCHOR



Water Effect by Crazyprofile.com


Introduction: Through the ages many-a- ship has weathered storms by anchoring to a solid rock. Many feel like their ship is stranded on stormy seas. The storms of doubt, discouragement, despair, and defeat have battered your ship. The winds of temptation, trials, and tears have ripped your sails. The seas of sin, sorrow, and sickness have left you wounded and discouraged. The barriers of fear, frustration, and failure have robbed you of joy, hope, and peace. You sometimes wonder if you are going to make it. All the "stuff" you have anchored your life to, jobs, success, money, relationships, possessions, position, power, etc. have been but shifting sand, leaving your ship adrift and in danger of sinking.

I've got wonderful news for you. There is a Solid Rock! His name is Jesus! If you will anchor your life to Him he will steady your ship, calm your stormy seas, and see you safely home. The Anchor holds!

In the days of the early church the anchor was a symbol of hope. Over sixty (60) pictures of anchors have been found on the walls of the catacombs of Christians in Rome. The words of our text are intended to be a great encouragement to the saints of God and a great motivator to the lost to place their faith in Jesus Christ. When we throw your anchor of faith into the water of the Word of God, it firmly lodges to the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ, and the anchor holds! The anchor holds because...

I. We Are Anchored To Heaven's Precious Promises, verse 18, "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie..."

The foundation of our hope, our confidence, our peace, and our joy is our confidence in the unfailing promises of God.

SONG: "Standing on the promises of Christ my King..."
We can anchor our lives to the promises of God because...

A. God's Promises Are Clear In His Word, vss. 13-15. God promised that he would be the father of a great nation, i.e., Isaac. Think about God's promises to us.

II Peter 1:2-4 tells us, "whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises." They include the promise of...

1. Pardon, Isaiah 1:8, I John 1:9.
2. Peace, John 14:27.
3. Presence, Hebrews 13:5.
4. Power, Philippians 4:13, I Cor. 10:13.
5. Purpose, Romans 8:28
6. Provision, Philippians 4: 19.
7. Paradise, John 14.

B. God's Promises Are Confirmed By His Nature, verse 18, "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie..." God's promises are unalterable, unchangeable, and unmovable. God's promises were...

1. Confirmed through Abraham's son, Isaac vs. 15.

2. Confirmed through God's Son, Jesus, II Corinthians 1:20, "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him amen, unto the glory of God by us." Jesus Christ is God's guarantee that His promises will be kept.

C. God's Promises Are Certified By His Oath, verse 13, "...because he could swear by no greater, He sware by himself." Why such an oath? Because God wants you to trust Him. The Bible contains the "certified" promises of God! We are anchored to the precious promises of God! The anchor holds because...

III. We Are Anchored To The Heaven's Perfect Provision, verse 18, "...we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us." God's perfect provision for us is three-fold. He has provided us...

A. A Haven, verse 18, "...refuge...," i.e., a shelter from the storm.

"I've anchored my soul in the haven of rest,
I'll sail the wide seas no more.
The tempest may sweep o'er the wild, stormy deep,
In Jesus I'm safe evermore."

ILLUS.: The word "Refuge" is taken from the accounts in Numbers 35:6-32 and Joshua 20:1-9 of the Cities of Refuge.

Jesus is our perfect provision, our City of Refuge! The anchor holds because God has provided...

B. A Hope, verse 19, "Which hope we have as an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast."

"My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand."

The storms may batter you, the winds may blow, the sails may be torn, but THE ANCHOR HOLDS! We have a hope! The anchor holds because we have...

C. A Home, verse 19, "...and which entereth into that within the veil."

Our anchor is secured in Heaven, the Holy of Holies, because that is where Jesus, our Rock of Ages, our High Priest, is! We have not set our anchor in the shifting sands of this world. Our anchors are set above. We are taking in cable every day. Every foot of the journey brings us closer home. Finally, the anchor holds because...

IV. We Are Anchored To Heaven's Peerless Priest, verse 20, "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek."

A. Heavens Peerless Priest Has Preceded Us. He is our "Forerunner", "One sent before to make observations, acting as a scout, or as one sent before that the way might be prepared." "One who comes in advance to a place where the rest will follow."

B. Heaven's Peerless Priest Has Perfected Us, "even Jesus..." Jesus did what no earthly priest could do, he completed redemption's work. "It is finished." Hebrews 10:12-14 tells us that Jesus "sat down on the right hand of God." Note: There were no chairs in the temple or tabernacle. Hebrews 10:14 tells us, "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

C. Heaven's Peerless Priest Is Preparing A Place For Us, verse 20, "...whither..." ("Within the veil" or in Heaven). What is He doing there? Preparing us a home. You see, this priest is also a carpenter! One day the tide will come in and we will go to Glory!

Conclusion: The anchor holds because it is anchored to the Solid Rock, Jesus Christ, an all-sufficient Savior for every life and situation, the one whose name is above all names.

"In times like these you need a savior.
In times like these you need an anchor.
Be very sure, Be very sure, Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.

That Rock is Jesus
Yes, He's the one,
That Rock is Jesus
The only one
Be very sure.
Be very sure,
Your anchor holds
And grips the Solid Rock."

JOAQUIN MALDONADO ON SONGS OF EDV


When we reflect on the choir: "Ecos de Vida", we not only think about the Choir. The history of the Choir is interwoven with the history and the trajectory of the church, "La Sinagoga" The mention of some of the high points of this beloved Choir, brings us to memory, many events of "La Sinagoga" some events make us laugh and rejoice and some make us recall with pity and sadnesss, but the victory of the choir and the church: "La Sinagoga" is not that they were always joyful. The victory is being able to pass through all the times, be they positive or negative, being taken by the hand of the Lord and in the midst of it all, lifting unto the Lord, a New song. This has been the secret of longevity of the Choir; "Ecos de Vida" They will continue victorious, as long as they have this ideal, the directors and the participants of the Choir: "Ecos de Vida" The masterful work of our brother, Noel Serrano, in this occasion, relates with clarity of memory and agility of perception, those moments that many of us have gone through in the triumphant history of "La Sinagoga" and its' outstanding Choir. Thank you, Noel, because you cause us to remember and renew our wishes until Jesus comes again, Amen.


Joaquin Maldonado

Teaneck, New Jersey

A PROLOGUE FROM CARMEN ORTIZ


Music has been defined as an Art of carefully combining sound and Tempo by Duration, Punctuation and Intensity, through music, we can express the most intimate sentiments of the spirit; sadness, Happiness and Victory. As I think about music, I can forge in my mind, a retrospective frame of the years of my youth, when I, with great love, dedication and enthusiasm, would sing in a Choir at the Second Unity Elementary School in St. Just, Puerto Rico.

Afterwards,while I studied in Wadleigh High School in Manhattan, I devoted myself with great fervor and zest to the choral music and also to the study of the clarinet. during this time, I was allowed what has always been a great privilege for me, become a member of the Choir: "Ecos de Vida" of the church, "La Sinagoga" I also played my clarinet in the church band.


during that time, the choir and the band was almost totally comprised of young people that expressed their fidelity and love of God in various forms. They were involved in the Choir or in the band. There is no other experience in the universe that can uplift man's spirit to his Creator such as prayer and sacred music. Both touch the most intimate part of the soul and transports on wings of faith, straight to the presence of God, himself. Thanks to the Lord for the Gift of music. Thanks to the Lord for sacred hymns of yesterday. They have left us with a musical legacy that enriches our praise to the Lord, also for todays' hymnologists that have surrendered to the will of the Holy Spirit and with humility and a sincere desire to exalt the name of the Lord, reveal their heaven sent talents through their musical creations, and what can we say of the music from the Holy scriptures? shall we take for granted, the ministries and the musical experiences of the Old and the New Testaments? Who can help from being emotional when we visualize David with his melodious harp, bringing healing to King Saul's tormented spirit to flee? and who does not feel that their strength is renewed as the wings of Eagles when they live the experiences of Paul and Silas, for they did not lament for their chained hands and feet. They would lift songs of Liberty in their prison during the midnight hour.


In a brief recap, the Bible has many scriptures that teach us how to praise and worship the Lord, by the way of Music.


Psalm 9:1 "Sing unto the Lord a New song"

Psalm 81:1 "Sing with Joy to the Lord"

Psalm 51:14 "Sing, my tongue, your justice"

Psalm 51:14 "Sing the glory of his Name"

Psalm 66:2 "I will sing to the Lord while I live"

1 cor 14:15 "Sing with the spirit, but sing with understanding"


By Carmen Ortiz

Director

Choir: "Ecos de Vida"

New York, New York

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

SONGS OF THE SURROUNDED PT 3.

By Noel Serrano


"THEY WERE SURROUNDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AS THE ECHOES OF LIFE INSPIRED A GENERATION IN SONG!"
In 1975, The Choir: "Ecos De Vida" was scheduled to sing at Randalls Island. There was a "Yiye Avila" Revival and many churches were assembling. There was much anticipation in the choice of the selections for that evening. Two songs were selected for the revival. "Engrandecido Sea Dios" and "Los Cielos Proclaman La Gloria De Dios" The Choir had rehearsed for this event but there were some problems with the second song. The timing and the counterpoints were not coming together in the rehearsals. There were also different soloists for this second time around, never the less, the Choir positioned themselves in the large platform overlooking the crowded stadium at Randall's Island. The Choir was accompanied by the Pastor, Rev. Berrios, who was sitting with the other ministers in a special box in front of the platform. The Ministers were all asking "who is this Choir?" "Whose Choir is this?" The Pastor joyously replied, "It's my Choir, that Choir is mine" He was so proud of his beloved "Coro" and repeated "Ese es mi Coro" The rich blue robes were now shimmering in the windswept evening and the moon was now visibly high above the crowded stadium. The Choir sang "Engrandecido Sea Dios" and it was clear and powerful. This song was an old favorite and it went smooth. The Choir then, began to sing the very difficult classic "Los Cielos Proclaman La Gloria De Dios" There were acoustical problems and this attributed to the breakdown in the sequence of counterpoints and the smooth flow of voices. It is amazing that the sopranos continued the selection and never faltered and that attributed to the fact the the bulk of the Choir was able to regain the harmony throughout the very difficult musical rendition.




The Choir had completed the choral melody and never imagined what laid ahead. The Pastor, realizing that something went wrong, was red-faced in the midst of the Ministers. The following day, the news spread of the Choir's "sour notes" There were reports that the Pastor was a little upset. a few chorale members did not go to the Choir loft for fear that they would be ridiculed. Needless to say, the tired and true faithful group went on to rehearse. A solemn and composed Carmen Ortiz spoke to the Choir and declared: "There are rumors that we failed yesterday, but, my brethren, do not pay any attention, we did our best and we sang for the Lord!" Carmen was uplifting the spirit and the morale of the Choir, as she was accustomed to doing throughout her long and dedicated tenure with her beloved Choir. And so it was that on September 7, 1975, the day after the performance in Randall's Island, the Sunday services had already commenced and the Choir: "Ecos DeVida" slowly marched up to the choral loft of the church.




The Pastor would look up at us from high above the podium and it was very intimidating. He would look at us with a stern look. It seemed as an eternity had passed when the Choir was finally given the opportunity to sing the evening selection. The Choir, humbly stood up and sang right from the Choir loft. The Choir began to sing "He is Real, I Know He is Real! the congregation was in deep communion and there was an unprecedented hush within the the church. Every note and every voice was enhanced with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Choir was now singing with a heart-filled conviction. They had been tested by fire, they had tasted the experience of scorn and ridicule, they had experienced the painful realities of life and now, the echoes of that life were resounding in song. "Pero Es Real, Es Real, Oh, Yo Se Que El Es Real!" declared an invigorated Choir. The Choir seemed as if they were lifted up in a cloud of splendor and the church was now filled with a special blessing and the congregation was now feeling a spark that ignited many to speak in tongues and the Spirit of the Lord was manifested upon the Great Hall. the Choir kept on singing with more power and from the depths of their souls, they poured out a clear and definitive declaration "Mi Cristo Me Ha Salvado Y Mi Salvacion Es Real!!!"




The Pastor's face slowly turned to the Choir. His stern countenance quickly melted away and gave way to his famous smile. Rev. Berrios stood up and motioned the congregation to rise and bask in the Glory of the Lord. Half of the Choir now began to shiver in the spirit and it was evident that the Lord was sending a Choir of Angels to surround and support this beloved Choir that had toiled and labored in worship for so many years. The Choir began to speak in tongues. A tear of joy fell from Carmen's eyes as she turned to face the congregation and echoed the melody that God had used to bless and edify the congregation. "Es Real, Real, Oh ...Yo Se Que El Es Real!!" The Choir continued to sing to the Lord and many felt a warmth that now surrounded their heart, for they were truly worshipping the Lord. The Pastor was now smiling at the Choir and he finally took the microphone. He declared: "The Choir is in their home!" "El Coro esta en su Casa!" God had revealed a great lesson to the Pastor and to the Choir on that blessed evening. This experience was symbolic of the many trials that the choir had gone through. There were times when the many choir members would sing when their hearts were crying due to the many trials of life. There were many who sacrificed to ensure that the Choir would continue. Many devoted lives echoed the sounds of praise and worship that were transformed in memorable song. This was not just a Choir. This was and still is a musical institution with a powerful legacy. may God continue to bless the Choir: "Ecos de Vida" and may God continue to surround them and their enduring songs with His Holy Spirit.

Monday, July 13, 2009

SONGS OF THE SURROUNDED PT 2.

By Noel Serrano


TAKING THE INITIAL STEP




The Choir began to rehearse for their first and only record. The planned selections were "Peace in the Valley", (Paz en el Valle) "The Holy City" (La Ciudad Santa) Raul Gonzalez also planned for a trumpet solo; "His love for me" (Fue su amor por mi ) The small record was an instant favorite and marked a watershed in the life of this beloved Choir. the record reveals the classic sound of the Choir: "Ecos de vida" The range and the dynamic crescendo of voices are still a delight to hear. If one listens very closely, Joaquin's voice is heard and Felicita, Nieves and Carmen can be clearly acknowledged. It was in the mid-sixties when the Choir was to endure a major crisis. Raul Gonzalez had parted from the Lord, the church and the Choir that he never stopped loving. The Choir was now being guided by Raul's sister, Carmen Ortiz. Carmen was officially appointed by Rev. Berrios to direct the church Choir who was known by many in the Choir as "Lala", would be the Director who guided the Choir trough this difficult period.


Carmen was directing a group of ladies from the Choir for many months. Rev. Berrios had told the church that he had been praying for guidance when the Lord had indicated that Carmen Ortiz was to lead the Choir. He gazed at the Choir and gave them full support by replenishing additional Choir robes. The Choir was now resuming in official capacity. The Choir would use these robes on special occasions like Christmas and Easter. Rev. Berrios loved when they wore the robes. He once indicated that the Choir should wear them everytime that they sang. The dark blue robes were enhance with long, golden collars with the embossed initials "Ecos de Vida" It was a majestic visage as the grand choir marched down the aisle to be positioned at the Choir loft on the right-hand side of La Sinagoga. The rehearsals for the Choir resumed on Thursday at 8:00 PM




Carmen Ortiz, a tall, energetic woman hurried to the second floor of the church and headed towards the piano. a small service and prayer would take place befoer each rehearsal. The specific tune was practiced with each group, going to the piano and then rehearsing separately. The groups would join as soon as we all heard the familiar voice callng "Toditos" (ALL) The choir would then come together and the song was born. Great friends were developed. They have existed for many years due to the closeness of this ministry.


Many weeks of rehearsals would be spent on the Easter and Christmas songs. The revered "Canticos Nuevos" and the Hallelujah Chorus were among the favorites of the Choir. There is a haunting song that comes to mind during the 1960s. It is vintage of the times and the very mysterious melody..."Huye Cual Habia Tu Monte" "Oh Alma angustiada de Mal" The gentle staccato and soft cadence entwined with powerful delivery and message inspired all listeners and God blessed the congregation. "Oh Alma Angustiada De Mal" bellowed the Choir as God lifted the chorale to a spiritual mount where the blessngs flowed in profound ways. Carmen Ortiz diligently directed the Choir throughout the period of the sixties. Carmen was still directing the choir through 1995. She directed with the same consistency and devotion that the past Directors had. Carmen increased the list of the selections , with notable musicals such as "Manda Tu Luz", EL Triunfo De La Cruz" and "Los Cielos Proclaman La Gloria De Dios" The Choir rehearsed for many years for the Easter classic, "Los Cielos Proclaman" When the day finally arrived, there was great anticipation and excitement. The choir was in full regalia as they prepared to sing this very difficult, but angelic melody. The song had many counterpoints and the melodic phrases were magnificent. The congregation was very attentive this night.




It was on Easter sunday of 1974 and the Choir began with a thunderous delivery, "Los Cielos Proclaman La Gloria De Dios!" this selection had four soloists. Margie and Blas Ortiz along with Clarita Maldonado and Damaris Rosario. The existing recording is spellbinding for all who have ever heard it. (The vintage recordings are owned by the Gala Foundation) The Choir was a well tuned instrument and all voices were synchronized in true fashion. It was as if angels were surrounding them and aiding in additional voices. The faces of the congregation reflected a deep reverence. Many recalled the powerful song and the way the Spirit of the Lord manifested throughout the sanctuary. (TO BE CONTINUED)

Friday, July 10, 2009

SONGS OF THE SURROUNDED INTRO

A Classic Series first published in 1993

By Noel Serrano















SONGS OF THE SURROUNDED

THEY WERE SURROUNDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AS THE ECHOES OF LIFE INSPIRED A GENERATION IN SONG!

By Noel Serrano




There are groups and quartets. There are trios and also the endless list of grand Primadonnas that grace the halls and sanctuaries with splendid song and melody, but there is a Choir that holds a true sentimental place in the heart of our family. This true sentiment has been strengthened through the years, with the loving echoes of songs and praise and worship to a faithful God.


These were songs that were filled with power and great blessings. They were songs of conviction and devotion. The singers were not just engaging in an empty tune and that is what distinguishes the beloved Choir; "Echos De Vida"! The very name of this Choir serves as a legendary metaphor for what they have become. The Choir that we have chosen to honor in this feature is the official choral body of the beloved "Sinagoga" located in Harlem, New York. This grand Choir was formed in the late 1940s, by a group of devoted people that were filled with the Holy Spirit. During the early 1950s, a tan, majestic woman directed the Choir in its infancy. Her name was Sister Valdez. Sister Valdez and her assistant,by the name of Pio Gautier casually led a group of God-fearing singers and slowly began to form the Choir that would go on to edify the lives of many generations. These early members gathered to rehearse the sermon in song for the Sunday services. The Choir; "Ecos de Vida" was formed in the late 1940s and was first directed by Sister Valdez. The Choir was very close to this short and tanned servant of God.. She was very stern and serene, at the same time. Many described her as the type of person that could get things done with a heavenly ease. Sister Valdez was deeply committed to the choir. There were times when Choir members began to talk and giggle at rehearsals and this Woman of Prayer, lowered her head in solemn meditation. she would not say much, for this action was sufficient for the choir to get at attention and back into business. A tear would come down her cheek if there was any mumbling. The Choir had so much respect for this woman, that they would follow her instructions to the letter. Sister Valdez led the Choir for many wonderful years. She set the stage for the ongoing tradition of the Choir that she loved. the Choir was then, directed for a brief time by sister Gloria Pena. Sister Valdez had completed her long tenure and the Choir recognized her long service and devotion to the musical ministry. Sister Valdez had an Assistant in Brother Pepe Gauthier, who helped her with the Tenors and the Basses.The Choir; "Echoes of Life" of the 1950s sang with deep fervor and reflected their devoted lives in song, for the Choir prepared long and hard in the message and harmony of the musical numbers. The Choir prayed before every song and it became an enduring custom. This procedure led to place the Choir and the congregation in true communion for the delivery and preparation of a blessing. This Noble Choir has shown the consistency, through the long, turbulent years.The early years set the stage for an enduring age of musical triumph. The Holy Spirit surrounded the early singers and the congregation would be swept up in thunderous adoration and praise. The Choir sang just moments before the Sunday sermon and cleared a path between the devotion and the evangelical message of the evening. The choir would come marching down the long corridors, with the ladies wearing their well-pressed black skirts and glossy white blouses.They wore black tie ribbon-laces around their collar. The men wore black suits and ties.The Choir; "Echos of Life" formed a now-familiar circle in front of the original Sinagoga in 109Th in New York. Among the early Choir members of the 1950s were Felicita M. Serrano, Nieves Bosch and a very young Joaquin Maldonado. There was a young man that was preparing himself in the academic and the musical world. He was quickly becoming involved in the church and he was destined to direct the choir. In the early 1960s, Raul Gonzalez led the Choir to new heights and God blessed the musical ministry with a string of triumphant deliveries, for they were surrounded by the spirit of the Lord. The majestic echoes reverberated throughout the large new Temple on 125Th St. each Sunday Evening. The Tall man came up to the piano and directed the Choir to stand. The familiar scene was spectacular and certain children could recall the choir, moving and resembling a long-winding "train" as they positioned to the platform that overlooked the congregation.It was now the early 1960s. The Choir; "Echos of Life" was now singing the introduction to the radio program of the church; "The Pentecostal Hour on WBNX in New York. "Estad por Cristo firme" ("Stand up, stand up, for Jesus") God was truly blessing this Choir and many new selections were being added to their growing repertior. Raul began to coach the voices with weekly intensity. The late Choir member Felicita M. Serrano, lovingly recalled the many times that Raul would exercise their voices with a continuous scale of La-La-La-. this was a repetitious vocal exercise that was designed to strengthen and refine the vocal range and quality. Deep fervent prayer was never compromised. All of the members were God-fearing people that lived the daily life of true devotion. They also had deep respect for their Director. The Choir was now able to sing in other churches. There was an evening where the selected song of the day did not really go according to plan. It was the Latin classic; Propter Magnum Glorium".The Choir had rehearsed this number for many weeks and Raul was certain that they were ready. some Choir members recall that night as the Choir began to sing this selection. They were overlooking a large Hall with overhead balconys that join in both ends of the auditorium. This was the evening that the sopranos went one way and the Tenors went another way. fortunately the congregation did not notice, for it was sung in Latin. Carmen Ortiz, Raul's sister laughed as she recalls the event. everything was going great, but at the last verses, the four singing sections went in different directions. The Tenors were on left field when they should have been in the right. The Choir survived this evening and went on to see many other moments, some great and others that were memorable.The Choir was now singing with a heart-filled conviction. They had been tested by fire. They had tasted the experience of scorn and ridicule, they had experienced the painful realities of life and now the echos of that devoted life were resounding in song,The multitude in the grand sanctuary froze in solemn communion as the great man sitting high at the altar, gazed towards the Choir that was now in the front of the pulpit. The Pastor was pleased with this musical ministry. He was very proud of his Choir. Raul, the tall, dignified Director began to play the Choir introduction for the choral entry The singer's eyes were now on Raul Gonzalez. Raul would direct with his eyes as his fingers were methodically engaged with the powerful piano chords. The sounds of Hallelujah reverberated throughout the great Hall as the Choir echoed their rendition of the beloved classic. Rev Abelardo Berrios was so moved, that on the night that the Choir sang the Hallelujah chorus, He asked the Choir to come back to the platform and sing it one more time. The Choir stood up and sang. They gave an encore, much to the delight of the Pastor and the congregation. The Choir was well-disciplined and versed in their selections, for they toiled for many hours at long and hard rehearsals every Thursday evening on the 2nd floor of the sanctuary. Raul was a very systematic Director. He was very stern and meticulous. He wanted the chords to be as sharp as his trumpet. There were moments of levity and the young ladies would find something to giggle about. Raul would stop the rehearsal and turn to the ladies and with a stern countenance, declared; "You should all be crying!" ("Debieran de estar llorando!") (TO BE CONTINUED) (An ongoing Series)