THE GLORY OF PALM SUNDAY

As we study Luke 19:28-44 we want to ask, "What really happened on that first Palm Sunday?" and then to see the redeeming value these events have in our lives today, regardless of our political, religious, or social backgrounds.
Preparing to present the Prince of Peace
Let's look first at the time of preparation in Luke 19:28-31:
And after He had said these things, He was going on ahead, ascending to Jerusalem.
And it came about that when He approached Bethphage and Bethany, near the mount that is called Olivet, He sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village opposite you, in which as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it, and bring it here. And if anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' thus shall you speak, 'The Lord has need of it.'" And those who were sent went away and found it just as He had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?" And they said, "The Lord has need of it."
Now, Luke presented his book to Theophilus as a series of consecutive events intended to show the exact truth about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The book consists of four sections: (1) Our Lord's preparation for ministry in 3:1-4:13, (2) our Lord's Galilean ministry in 4:14-9:50, (3) our Lord's Judean and Perean ministry in 9:51-19:27, and finally (4) our Lord's passion and triumph in 19:28-24:53, which we are beginning today. The theme of Luke's gospel, which rises to a crescendo in this chapter, is given to us in the words of Jesus to Zaccheus, the repentant tax collector of Jericho, just before Jesus went up to Jerusalem to become the final sacrificial lamb of God who would be slain at Passover to cover the sins of humanity: "Today salvation has come to this house...for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." As a result of that statement, the crowd "...supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately" (Luke 19:9-11). So there was tension in the air--Messiah was coming! The faithful were excited, but the Pharisees were very nervous as they sought a way to arrest him (see John 11:57).
Jesus and his disciples arrived at Bethany, just two miles east of Jerusalem, six days before Passover, which would have been a Sabbath. According to my harmony of the gospels, after sunset he was invited to the home of Simon the leper, where he met with the risen Lazarus and was served a meal by his sisters. After supper Mary anointed his feet with expensive burial oil, although she did not realize all that God would accomplish in the life and death of his Son during his final Passover feast. At the same time many of his disciples from Galilee were arriving in Jerusalem a week early in order to prepare for the Passover feast.
The next day, a Sunday, as our Lord began to walk toward Jerusalem he sent two of his disciples into the next village, where they would find a donkey colt that no one had ever ridden. They were to untie it and bring it to the Lord. If they were questioned, they were to say, "The Lord has need of it; and immediately he will send it back here" (see Mark 11:3). So the owners, who may have been disciples of Jesus, gave them permission to take the colt based on some previous arrangement.
The colt was an important symbol of our Lord's overall plan to officially present himself to the nation not only as the Messiah-King, but also as their prophetically promised Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). He would also fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, as we will see in a moment. But keep in mind that while Jesus was preparing to present himself to the nation as the long-awaited King of Israel and Savior of mankind, the chief priests were preparing to take counsel to seize and kill him (John 12:13).
The Scriptures are full of stories about how God took the time to prepare the hearts of people to hear the truth about himself and his Son. Paul wrote to the Galatians, "But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son..." (Galatians 4:4). Here our God was using the Jewish symbols of a Passover feast, a sacrificial lamb, and an unbroken colt to help them understand that he was presenting his Son to the nation and the world. The spiritual leadership of Israel wouldn't accept him as the King of Israel or the King of kings, but eventually they would accept him as the Passover Lamb.
What really happened on that first Palm Sunday? God's preparation of the hearts of the nation of Israel to receive their Messiah-Redeemer and King, which took place over centuries, culminated on this day.
Many receive Jesus as their King
Next we see the disciples welcome their King in Luke 19:35-38:
And they brought it to Jesus, and they threw their garments on the colt, and put Jesus on it. And as He was going, they were spreading their garments in the road. And as He was now approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, saying,
"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord;
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
Remember the little village of Bethany was just two miles east of Jerusalem, which was filled with disciples who had come early for the Passover feast. Having settled in, they heard that Jesus was staying with Mary, Martha, and the resurrected Lazarus. So many made the short journey up to Bethany. It was this crowd of believers that was available to follow Jesus as he rode on a colt into Jerusalem. Once the colt arrived, the disciples "...threw their garments on the colt, and put Jesus on it." And as our Lord was placed on the colt, the prophecy of Zechariah, written some five hundred years earlier, was about to be fulfilled to the letter when Jesus presented himself to the nation as the Prince of Peace with the offer of spiritual salvation. Zechariah 9:9:
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
Keep in mind that the Jews were continually hoping that Messiah would come to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, but down through the years the focus of that hope moved more and more toward the restoration of Israel and its glory rather than their need of a savior. What the disciples had in mind was that the one who was able to raise Lazarus from the dead could defeat the Romans. Thus as they went through the motions of bowing their knees under the heavy hand of Rome, their hearts were filled with the picture of a warrior king on a great white horse, followed by a large army that would overthrow the hated Roman Empire, in somewhat the same spirit as that of King David some one thousand years earlier when he destroyed the Philistines. They kept watering down what the Messiah would be like. So you can imagine the confusion on the part of some Jews when they saw that their possible Messiah was riding into Jerusalem on a donkey colt. For the Jews understood the symbolic nature of this act. They saw this donkey as a lowly but noble beast, knowing that if a king wanted to approach a city in peace he would ride up to the gates on a young donkey instead of on a war horse. At this time,Jesus Christ was preparing for the first time during his ministry to be declared the King of Israel, the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of David, and he was going to enter Jerusalem, the city of peace, not as a warrior messiah who would physically conquer the Roman army, but as the prophetic Prince of Peace who would seek to conquer the spiritual hearts of the people.
As our Lord began his two-mile journey from Bethany toward Jerusalem, the crowds began to grow. The Jews of Bethany coming down the hill were merging with the Galilean believers who were coming out of Jerusalem to visit Jesus in Bethany and witness the miracle of the resurrected Lazarus (19:37). This latter crowd took the branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, and as they approached the Mount of Olives, which overlooked the "Golden Gate" that opened the way to the steps of the Temple, "the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully," singing a Passover song taken from the messianic Psalm 118:26. They skipped over verses 22-25, in which we find the words:
The stone which the builders rejectedHas become the chief corner stone.This is the LORD's doing,It is marvelous in our eyes.This is the day which the LORD has made;Let us rejoice and be glad in it.O LORD, do save, we beseech Thee....
But they picked out verse 26 as they sang:
Hosanna to the Son of David [see Matthew 21:9];Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord;Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.
Clearly the crowds were proclaiming the hope of the restoration of the kingdom of David at this time, implying deliverance from the yoke of Rome and Israel's re-establishment as a great and independent nation. As the people saw it, God was at peace with the human race, particularly with Israel, and in turn they shouted with joy to God for his grace toward them. Yet during all this religious activity and excitement, they were missing the whole point of our Lord's humble entrance into Jerusalem. He was coming to offer personal salvation, which in turn would indeed have brought blessings to Israel as a nation so that Israel would once again be a light of truth to the other nations of the world. Societies are changed when the hearts of the people are changed and filled with the righteousness of God through his Son Jesus Christ.
Crucified for our sins, buried, and then raised from the dead and declared Lord of lords by our heavenly Father, Jesus is still willing to offer to anyone living under any corrupt political, social, or religious system the gift of salvation whenever they are willing to call out to him in faith.
I
What really happened on that first Palm Sunday? Jesus prepared to enter the city on a lowly but noble donkey as the prophetic Prince of Peace and King-Messiah, and some accepted him as their spiritual King, but now we will see that the Pharisees rejected their King.
Many reject the Prince of Peace and His kingdom
Let's read on in Luke 19:39-40:
And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to Him, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." And He answered and said, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!"
He was saying, "Don't you understand? This is the moment that God my Father has been preparing since the foundation of the world for you to have your Messiah. I am officially here. And if I stop my disciples from singing Psalm 118, then you're going to hear a literal rock concert!"
Many of the Pharisees who were blinded by a religious system that promoted power, fear, jealousy, and greed had been plotting to seize the Lord without arousing the crowds. Some of them watching the parade pass by and hearing the many disciples singing praises to God, cried out to Jesus as he rode by them, "Teacher [not Lord], rebuke your disciples." This was the moment when the leadership rejected Jesus as their Messiah. They were saying, "These people are calling you 'King of Israel' when we all know that there is only one king, and that is Caesar." The corrupt spiritual leaders knew that if Pilate heard about this demonstration, which had all the markings of a political revolt, and everyone believed in Jesus, then the Romans would come and take away both their temple and their nation (John 11:48). But Jesus replied, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!" Jesus approved the people's seeking to proclaim him their Messiah and King, although he knew that most of them wanted him to conquer their enemies and rule their land rather than their hearts.
There is religious ritual and there is spiritual reality, and the two will never mix. To become a follower of mere religious ritual will result in spiritual death. To become a believer in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior will result in spiritual life.
I
What really happened on that first Palm Sunday? Jesus prepared to enter Jerusalem, and the disciples welcomed him as their long-awaited King and Messiah, but the Pharisees were greatly shaken by the political and personal upheaval this demonstration could cause for them. Finally, we see that as the Messiah-King and Prophet looked over the crowds, it caused him to weep over Jerusalem.
The Prince of Peace will pay the ultimate price for peace
Look at Luke 19:41-44:
And when He approached, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days shall come upon you when your enemies will throw up a bank before you, and surround you, and hem you in on every side, and will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation."
As our Lord approached the city gates in the midst of the crowds of singing disciples and onlookers, his heart was broken because he saw the heart of the majority of the people that he came to love, and already they had rejected him and all the blessings he was to bring. So now it was time for judgment. The things that make for peace were hidden from their eyes because of unbelief.
What did Jesus mean by "in this day?" Some five hundred years earlier an angel had appeared to the prophet Daniel and told him of certain dramatic events to be marked off on God's timetable that would affect Israel directly and the surrounding nations indirectly. They would all occur in what is now known as the seventy weeks or four hundred ninety years (seventy "weeks" of years or seventy times seven) (Daniel 9:24-27). The first week would start with the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem under the decree of the Persian King Artaxerxes, which was March 28, 445 B.C. Over the next sixty-nine weeks or four hundred eighty-three years, Jerusalem would be restored and rebuilt until the Messiah the Prince would come but would be cut off. In Daniel's great prophecy of the seventy weeks, God had revealed the specific time in which Messiah would be presented to the nation Israel. Although the nation was unmindful of the divine timetable, Christ was obviously conscious that this day in which he made his entry into Jerusalem was the specific day foretold by Daniel in which he was to present himself to Israel as their Messiah-King, their Prince of Peace. Everything was right on schedule--to the day! (Concerning the exact day of Christ's entrance into the city of Jerusalem, see The Words and Works of Jesus Christ by J. Dwight Pentecost, pages 374-376).
What are the things that make for peace? Here was sitting on this colt the Prince of Peace, and he was offering eternal spiritual peace: reconciliation between God and man (Romans 5) and reconciliation among men.
Jesus foretold the fall of Jerusalem. Because the nation rejected the blessing of God through Christ, they would have to experience the judgment of God. "For the days shall come upon you when your enemies will [1] throw up a bank before you, and [2] surround you, and [3] hem you in on every side, and [4] will level you to the ground and [5] your children within you, and [6] they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation." All this would come true some thirty-seven years later under the Roman General Titus in seventy A.D. And the prophecy has a double fulfillment: It will happen to Jerusalem again during the tribulation under the Antichrist (Matthew 24:16-18; Revelation 12:13-17).
David Gooding, in his commentary According to Luke, wrote:
The Lord's message was not salvation from the Romans but from personal sin, resulting in holiness and spiritual fruitfulness. He was the only one "having salvation." Long experience had shown that the walls of Jerusalem by themselves without the protection of God's presence were insufficient to keep her enemies at bay. If now she rejected her God-sent King and Savior, her walls would become the prison in which her ruthless enemies would confine and then slaughter her and her children.
Jesus was saying that all this was going to happen to them because they did not recognize the time of their visitation. By that he meant the season when God in his grace visited them in his Son. "There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name..." (John 1:9-12).
That is often what happens with us. We do not know the time when God is suddenly in our midst. When he is in our midst he wants to bring blessings to our lives, but our flesh wants to resist him and his offer of salvation, resulting in spiritual death. As we presented the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Ukrainians, some of them did not realize they were receiving a visit from God. They were blinded by the ritual and by all the captivities they had been in. But the Spirit of God can change the heart, and I don't think the story is over yet!
What really happened on that first Palm Sunday? (1) Jesus the incarnate Son of God prepared to offer himself to Israel as their long-awaited Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6; Zechariah 9:9) and their King-Messiah (Psalm 118:26). He came to offer them not only himself but also the gift of salvation, to set up his kingdom of righteousness in their hearts. (2) Many responded to his offer, but (3) most of the nation rejected the Prince of Peace and his invitation of redemption, so (4) he wept over their future physical, emotional, and spiritual destruction. Because of their rejection Jesus had to finish out the week as the final Passover Lamb who willingly died for the sins of the world. But because of his death on the cross, his resurrection, and his Ascension into the presence of his Father where he now reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords, we see the greatest redeeming value of the events of that first Palm Sunday: Regardless of the political, religious, or social circumstances of our lives, the Prince of Peace is still inviting everyone to place their faith in him and be reconciled to God in order to enjoy the full peace of God!

REFLECTIONS OF LA SINAGOGA (Part two)

By Noel Serrano

There is a Powerhouse of light, hope and refuge in the midst of a dark and dreary 125th St in Harlem, New York. It was once a major hub of entertainment, political meetings , crowded drinking pubs and small sandwich restaurants. In 1960 ,a new neighbor towered its presence with a large blue-trimmed cross with neon splendor. the cross glistened high above the newly paved brick surface. The cross read "Iglesia Pentecostal" The church had recently moved from its original location at 109th st. High above this massive sanctuary, there were large stain-glassed windows that depicted the bible and the lamb. There were two large wooden double doors that would lead one into a large lobby. Large Glass doors would balance a second lobby as one entered the beautiful sanctuary that was once called the Majestic Hall, decades before.

At first glance, there is but a few families that slowly enter the church and many kneel to pray on the front altar while the lights are still low. There is a quiet and sublime peace in the auditorium that contrasts with the frenetic pace of outside Harlem. The sirens of police and firetrucks rushing by at the busy 125th St cannot penetrate the quiet meditation and reverent hour of prayer that is underway in that Great house with the lighted cross. Throngs of families now enter the church. the large chandeliers are now lighted to full capacity and the service begins with a passage of scripture, a congregational prayer and a hymn. In those days, the congregation would sit during the singing of these special hymns that would describe the life of a Christian. Memorable songs such as "El vino a mi corazon!" "He came into my heart!" and "No puede el mundo, ser mi hogar!" "The world cannot be my home!" The joyful congregation would rejoice and sing these songs as they sat with their families. There is no doubt that this congregation was characterized by its great love for God and for one another. They were all knitted together as a family. They celebrated with a deep gratitude to their Savior for the salvation and the joy of living a close and joyful life in the Lord. Many of these families had big problems but when they entered the church, they placed it all in God's hands and they rejoiced in their Redeemer. The congregation is now standing and singing one of those fiery songs that was first introduced by Rev. RW Shambauch during one of his early Revivals at La Sinagoga. The song became an anthem for the church in the early 1960s It was called..."Jesus! JE-E-E-SUS!"

JESUS JESUS! Whoa! The ladies would pound their panderettas with massive force and the men would clap their hands as their ties would swivel like flags. Whenever the pastor heard this song, he would stand up from the large thrown and motion the congregation to stand. He would often do this in the spirit, whenever their was a memorable worship. The power of God would then swoop down the large hall and the congregation would be singing and shouting praises to the Lord. The pastor would start jumping and raising his hands with shouts of Hallelujah. He would beam his famous smile and the congregation would rejoice with him. This song became so popular that Rev. Berrios would often request this song. He would look around the congregation and declare: "Let us sing the song, JESUS! Brother Frankie, come and join us and lead us with the song..JESUS! Frankie would come up to the platform and began to lead the great congregation as Organist Jaimie Pagan started the powerful (Now Famous) flourishes that would set the stage for a glorious time of praise and adoration to our Redeemer. the powerful organ chords resounded and reverberated throughout the massive temple as Frankie led the congregation with his powerful baritone voice..JESUS! JESUS! Frankie, would then improvise with HOLY,HOLY,HOLY. The services extended to midnight on many occasions. The power of the Holy Spirit would take over and the congregation would be swept up in joyful submission to the Lord. This church still lights the way for many and it is still a flickering flame in the midst of darkness. They are a light because they love Jesus and they walk with Him , Daily.

(PART TWO OF AN ONGOING SERIES)

REMEMBERING AUNT MINA

Mina Coronado, the younger sister of the late Francisco Serrano , quietly passed away at

3:oo pm today. She had been weak for many months. The families had been praying for her speedy recovery. Mina Coronado lived most of her life in New York with her husband Quique and two daughters, Maria and Carmen. she also had a son named Junior. Mina was very close to her brother Francisco (Panchito) They were always together , growing up in the mountains of Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. Mina was a very devoted wife and mother. She was always generous and kind to all of her extended family. There are so many wonderful memories of this very special Aunt that always reached out to all. Her heart was so full of love and compassion for all. She now has gone to her reward and is resting in the arms of the Lord. She no longer remembers the pain nor the tears. She has fought the good fight and she now rests. We extend our condolences to the Coronado family during these trying times and we pray that God will bring comfort to all the family and friends that now grieve in her passing . Noel Serrano called Mina's daughter Carmen, Aunt Anhelita and wrote to Mina's Son Junior, who resides in the Phillipines to give his condolences. Noel also comunicated with Joaquin Maldonado and other families. Mina has two younger sisters, named, Anhelita and Mirta. they both have been notified. Mina will be buried close to the tomb of her mother in New York City.

REFLECTIONS OF THE OLD "SINAGOGA"

By Noel Serrano

There is a beloved Church that is closest to my heart. It was the church of my childhood and the locale where I first realized and appreciated the awesome love of a powerful God. We all know the story of the beloved "Sinagoga' in 125th St. Its legend has grown with majestic splendor, through the fleeting years. She was (and still remains) a great beacon of hope, love and reverent worship through the turbulent 1960s, by the 1970s, the church was renowned throughout the New York City area as a beloved house of Pentecostal worship. this was no ordinary church. "La Sinagoga" had a powerful Orator and Leader that God used to enlarge the writ of the Spanish church. The late Rev. Abelardo Berrios pulled the church out of the Assemblies of God and formed his own council in the 1950s. the church had its own Bible Institute. The church grew in stature and the rest is history. There are many beloved memories of those grand and glorious Sunday nights when the services were held at 8:00 PM and they lasted till 11:00 PM When the Spirit moved, the services would extend longer. These were different times. The congregation was filled with many large families. Many lived nearby, others lived in the nearby boroughs of Brooklyn and the Bronx. Many renown families joined this congregation and began to sing their classic songs in this church. Notable Evangelical singers such as the Late Deborah Velasquez, Carmen V Sanabria, the Rivera Sisters and many more.

La Sinagoga on 125th St used to be an old theatre from the 1920s. It was meticulously refurbished, refitted and anointed to be a house of God in 1960. The Great chandeliers that now graced and illuminated the sanctuary actually came from the original church at 109th St and it was an actual Jewish Synagogue. I recall the great Man that spoke with a powerful voice that resounded and reverberated throughout the large sanctuary. His fist would pound the massive wooden podium as the congregation would respond with thunderous praise. This was the classic sound that made "La Sinagoga" famous. the instant response of the congregation was powerful and sincere. Let us go back and reflect on the earlier years when this same church once graced the original building. The original "Sinagoga" at 109th St in Manhattan, New York. It was a grand and eloquent Temple that nestled in the heart of Spanish Harlem. Large red brick Housing Projects encircled this Gothic synagogue. The Jewish families had long moved from this neighborhood and many families from Puerto Rico were moving into this area. This church was much smaller but it had great balcony's with sweeping views of the service. The familiar chandeliers glistened high above and served as silent witnesses of the many services that were held in this great hall . The original Sinagoga consisted of the great pioneering families such as the Berrios, the Maldonados, the Serranos, the Boschs ,the Gonzalez, the Burgos, the Santanas and many more. They loved the Lord with deep fervor and stable devotion. The services began with intense prayer. the early attendants would come to the front and kneel on the lower platform. Many would pray in adjoining rooms that nestled between the high altar. There were five large thrones in the high altar. The thrown in the center was visibly larger. a seat was placed behind the throne on the extreme left side. The Pastor would spend hours praying before he would silently emerge and reverently take his familiar place in the left throne. These were the early fifties. The families were close-knit. The men were reserved and strict. The woman would be breast-feeding their babes with draped diapers and it was done in such a reverent and respectful fashion. (my, how times have changed) Entering the hall, there was such a deep spirit of reverence and the Spirit of the Lord was intensely felt. My Late Aunt Nieves once told me that the men would come with their clean pressed white wool suits and groomed coifs and enter the prayer room before the service. She said that they would be moving in the spirit and they would be rolling all over the floor. Their hair would scatter down their face as they basked in the spirit. this was all before service, even began. There was such a manifestation of the Holy Spirit because these families took the time to seek the face of God. They all had the pressures of a daily life in a tough city, but they had faith and trust in the Almighty God. They were blessed with large families and they were able to plant the seeds to their children. the original Sinagoga at 109th St. was originally a Methodist church that wounded up to be a synagogue called Nachlath Svi. Most Harlem Synagogues wounded up to become churches but this church became a Synagogue. the Methodist Episcopal Church of the Saviour was founded in 1870 and worshipped at 65 E. 109th St. from 1881 until 1905. The earliest adumbration of the Jewish center movement date back to the turn of the century and to a group of Harlem synagogues expressedly constituted to serve the needs of American-born Jewish young adults. The first, Beth Ha-Knesset Ha-Gadol, was organized in December 1896 by fifty men, all of whom, according to newspaper reports, were thirty-seven or younger, who had been born in New York City and had recently migrated from the Lower East Side. They held their first meeting at the Harlem Lyceum (107th Street and Third Avenue), soon purchasing a church at the corner of 109th Street and Madison Avenue, which they converted to a synagogue.The congregation Nachlath Zvi was founded in 1909 and the Temple became a Jewish Synagogue. many people assumed that it was always a Synagogue, but City records reveal that it was originally an Episcopal Church. The Jewish congregation worshiped here for several decades. Former church Member,Olga Garcia Mikhail recalls:"My sister told me that the "Children's" section of the church was downstairs." "If you were older, like she was, you were able to attend the church upstairs. The boys and the girls were segregated, but thru hand signals, the boys and girls would meet up during the services. At times there were carnivals held outside the church across the street from the church. (I don't think they were connected to the church)." Olga also states "From my second eldest sister:
She remembers that sometimes when the preachers were preaching in the streets, they would sometimes walk around the neighborhood in the white robes, probably the ones used in the baptisms, with no shoes on, preaching the word of God" "My Mom taught us it was wrong to wear makeup, no pants were allowed, no movies , no dancing, no TV, no whistling among other things. But I must say, my Mom had 4 daughters each about 2 years apart, and we had to get on our knees to pray. The first prayer was Psalms 23. She taught us to fear the Lord and that kept us safe from all the drugs and violence that was all around the city in the 50's & 60's."

PART ONE OF A SERIES- (TO BE CONTINUED)

A SERRANO WEDDING

WHEN A SON GETS MARRIED

By Noel Serrano

There are no words that can best interpret the feelings that a father has when he witnesses the wedding of his only son. A father usually has trouble seeing their son to be all grown and rise to the level of adulthood. We always see them as the little boy that held our hand and looked up at us as if we were the entire world for them. I cannot help but reflect on the growing toddler that went through several stages to become the God-fearing man that he is today. It is amazing to me, how time flies so rapidly. I remember when he was born and the sheer excitement that came over me when I first held him in my arms. He seemed to be peeking at me. I realized that he could not yet see me, but it seemed as if he was shyly glancing at his father for the very first time. I recall the many nights, gazing at him and quietly praying for him as he slept in peaceful bliss in the dark mahogany crib that glistened in the moonlight. As I spent hours, gazing at this beautiful little boy, the awesome responsibility of caring for him and mentoring him, became a major priority for me.

The years went rolling by with increasing velocity. He learned to walk and began to communicate with a very unique linguistic gibberish that quickly became to sound more like regular English. He began to play with toys and demonstrated a systematic approach to his playing routine. He had a habit of placing all his little cars and trucks in one single column. This always brought a smile to me, to witness that my son, even at one year of age, was demonstrating a capacity for orderliness and a love of math. He became so intense, at an early age. He was so hyper in grade school that I had to spend a whole semester, sitting in his first grade class so that he would sit in class and begin to learn the basics. Sometimes this did not work, either. He was described by many to be a bundle of high energy. As the years went by, the boy grew to love sports, much more than I ever did. He would spend most Saturdays watching football, basketball and thoroughly enjoying the games. I took him to many games, I vacationed with him in Puerto Rico and took him to New York and Washington DC.

I raised him , pretty much, as I was raised, to love God, Family and Country. He quickly demonstrated a talent for singing and I formed a Children's Choir and he became the soloist, doing extremely well. He was quickly learning that life was not only, all about secular living. He was learning to have a relationship with God. When my son entered the teen years, he went through some of the classic stages that we all go through in life. The life of my son was full of great change, consistent movement balanced with reverent stability. At an early age, he began to work in a job that was designed for college kids. My son showed the tenacity and courage to work and graduate from College, obtain his first and second car and meet the love of his life in high School. There was something missing in his life. I knew that I could not force him to love the Lord. This was something that needed to come from him. I quietly began to pray for him and this petition. I wanted so much for God to guide his steps and watch over his every plan for his life. As he grew, I noticed that I no longer had the ability to see him as often as I would have wanted to . I would release him to the Lord and I felt at ease in knowing that God would protect him. Several years ago, He called me up, one morning and told me, with great excitement: "Dad, Guess what! I gave my heart to the Lord! I now have a relationship with God! He is in my heart, now!" I cannot adequately describe the awesome feeling that I had and still have to this very day. It was the best answered prayer in my life. I realized that only God could place that priority and that desire in his heart. A year ago, I witnessed his engagement to a beautiful girl that he met in high School. they have been inseparable, ever since. Now I will witness, this Sunday, the wedding of my only son. A son that I am so very proud of. I pray God's Blessings on the new voyage that he and his Bride will now embark in and I pray for smooth sailing. what more can one ask for a beloved son.