MARIA PADILLA JOINS GALA STAFF

Tampa-Flash-The Gala Foundation announced today, the appointment of Maria Padilla to join the Gala Staff as Senior Writer to the Gala Web-Sites. Maria Padilla, a Woman of God, recently confirmed with Gala Director,Noel Serrano that she is willing to work with both languages in the twin sites and is very eager to join in the Gala effort. Ms Padilla will also contribute articles and features that will also compliment the Gala Publication, The Family Times International. Noel has been praying intensely that God will bring faithful people that are willing to assist this beloved cause. The Gala Foundation welcomes this extraordinary Servant of the Lord.

THE FATHERS OF OUR TIMES

Father is considered a title of HONOR given to all men who establish anything important in human life, to better mankind. A man who occupies an unusual place in history is sometimes also called a Father. The title has no official standing. It is given only by tradition. However, I believe all men have to work at the title "father" for their children!Love Our Fathers!Father of America – Samuel Adams, one of the most active patriots in the cause of American Independence.Father of Angling – Izaak Walton, who wrote about the delights of fishing in “The Compleat Angler” (1653).Father of Comedy – Aristophanes, who was the greatest of the Greek writers of comedy.Father of English History – The Venerable Bede, who wrote an Ecclesiastical History of English People.Father of New France – considered to be Samuel de Champlain.Father of His Country – was George Washington, because he is the Father of His Country to the people of the United States. This title has been given to many men throughout history; however, this was for the United States. But for others it was the Romans called Cicero the Father of His Country because he saved the state from the plots of Catiline. Julius Caesar and the Emperor Augustus also received the title.Father of Medicine – Hippocrates, who was a Greek physician and the most famous one of ancient times. He changed our world as we know it.Father of the Constitution – no doubt, James MadisonFather of History – Herodotus, who wrote the first great history of Greece and other ancient countries.Father of the Faithful – Abraham, who was the ancestor of the Hebrew race.Father is sometimes applied to anything of major or chief like importance. For example, the Mississippi is often called the “Father of Waters” because of the it’s many branches.Father is also given to priests of the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches.The most important “Father” to us all is our own father. This word “Father” represents the greatest, important humans that have touched and affected our lives in a very positive way. They have given us life, hope, and belief to be the best we can be. That is what a “Father” is, a great man of many teachings. There are many fathers not mentioned in this article because they may have touched one person versus many people at one time as these father’s have above. However, Father’s are the foundation of our homes, families and lives regardless if they affect one person or many!Father’s Day is a day on which many people of the United States and Canada express gratitude and appreciation by giving their fathers presents and greeting cards. Father’s Day comes on the third Sunday in June. Mrs. John Bruce Dodd of Spokane, Washington, started Father’s Day in 1910. Later, the custom spread throughout the United States. In 1936, a national Father’s Day Committee was formed with the headquarters in New York City.This brief history lesson gives us a glimpse of the great Father’s of our times, how they have shaped our countries and our people. Let’s not forget the day to day fathers out there because we are blessed to have this day to celebrate with them or for them. Father’s are a gift nd we need to be thankful for all that they have done for us in the past, in the present and in the future. In our Mother’s Day blog, we noted our research finding that people listed their mothers as heroes more often than any other person. Fathers were a close second. Why are parents viewed as so heroic? Developmental psychologists tell us that the relationship we have with our parents is the first significant relationship of our lives. It is a relationship that indelibly shapes our values, our aspirations, and our future behavior. Thus when we experience successes in our careers and in our personal lives, it is not surprising that we attribute those triumphs, at least in part, to our parents.The origin of Father’s Day is not entirely clear, but there are several fascinating possibilities. Babylonian scholars have discovered a message carved in clay by a young man named Elmesu roughly 4,000 years ago. In the message, Elmesu wishes his father good health and a long life. Some believe this ancient message represents evidence of an established tradition of honoring fathers, but there is little evidence to support a specially designated Father’s Day until modern times.There is some debate about the origin of the Father’s Day that we celebrate today. Some claim that a West Virginian named Grace Golden Clayton deserves the credit. In 1907, Clayton was grieving the loss of her own father when a tragic mine explosion in Monongah killed 361 men, 250 of whom were fathers. Clayton requested that her church establish a day to honor these lost fathers and to help the children of the affected families heal emotionally. The date she suggested was July 8th, the anniversary of her own father’s death.Still others believe that the first Father’s Day was held on June 19, 1910 through the efforts of Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. Inspired by the newly recognized Mother’s Day, Dodd felt strongly that fatherhood needed recognition as well. Her own father, William Smart, was a Civil War veteran who was left to raise his family alone when his wife died giving birth to their sixth child. Dodd was the only daughter, and she helped her father raise her younger brothers, including her new infant brother Marshall.Whereas Mother’s Day was met with instant enthusiasm, Father’s Day was initially met with scorn and derision. Few people believed that fathers wanted, or needed, any acknowledgement. It wasn’t until 1972 that President Richard Nixon made Father’s Day an official holiday. Today the holiday is widely celebrated in the month of June by more than 52 countries.Why are fathers heroes? The respondents in our survey listed two main reasons. First, fathers are given credit for being great teachers and mentors. They teach us how to fix a flat tire, shoot a basketball, and write a resume. Fathers are less emotional than mothers, but they lead by example and devote time demonstrating life skills to us. Former governor of New York, Mario Cuomo, once said, “I talk and talk and talk, and I haven’t taught people in 50 years what my father taught by example in one week.”Second, fathers are great providers and protectors. Our respondents told us that their fathers were heroes in their commitment to provide for their families, often at great sacrifice. Many fathers work at two or more jobs outside the home to ensure that their families have adequate food and shelter. Fathers also provide us with a sense of safety and protection. Sigmund Freud once wrote, “I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.”On this Father’s Day, we wish all fathers, and all men who serve as father figures, all the kudos they so richly deserve. Happy Father’s Day!

DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST

In II Timothy 4:5 Paul admonishes his young protégé, Timothy, to "be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."
We can see in the context of this verse several reasons why we need faithful men, young and old, to be willing to take on the privilege and responsibility of doing 'the work of an evangelist':
There is the solemn charge in II Timothy 4:1 that all men with ability and opportunity should feel the weight of.
The charge backs up the definite command in II Timothy 4:2 to 'preach the Word.'
The attitudes that many will manifest — II Timothy 4:1,4 — make it imperative that someone live up to the charge of faithfully preaching the gospel.
Then, in II Timothy 4:6-8, we see a final reason: Older preachers are passing from the scene of earthly affairs; new blood must be trained, willing and able, to take their place.
But the main point we wish to discuss is: Just what is 'the work of an evangelist'? What was Paul telling Timothy to do when he told him to 'do the work of an evangelist'? Brothers and sisters today expect many things of the man who preaches with either the stated or implied idea; "Why, that's the preacher's job!". Well, is it? Let's find out just what God expects this mysterious creature called 'the preacher' to be doing.
The Work of an Evangelist Is Threefold
Ezra 7:10, while not directly describing a preacher of the gospel today, does give an excellent summary of his work: "For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach His statues and ordinances in Israel." Thus we can itemize the three general duties of an evangelist as follows:
He is to 'study' the Law of the Lord.' This (harmonizes with Paul's instructions to Timothy: "Give attendance to reading" (I Timothy 4:13 KJV); "Diligently study to show yourself ap­proved to God as a workman that does not need to be ashamed; handling accurately the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:15, combining the NASV and KJV renderings).
Then he is to practice the Law of the Lord; applying its truths to himself and striving to live by them. This was Ezra's second determination, and again we find Paul telling Timothy to show himself 'an example of those who believe.' (I Timothy 4:12).
Only after fulfilling the above duties, Is the evangelist properly fit for his third duty: "to teach His statues and ordinances” to the spiritual house of Israel today. Once more, we are faced with Paul's simple command: "Preach the Word" (II Timothy 4:2).
This gives us a general idea of the evangelist's duties. To clarify a bit, let's get a good idea of what his work is not. As with the other aspects of preaching and preachers; 'the preacher's job' has been clouded over with human traditions and ideas. Such needs to be removed from our minds so that we can clearly focus on the God-given duties of the evangelist.
Doing The Work of an Evangelist Does Not Involve Being:
A church ‘go fer’
I'm sure we're all familiar with the idea of a 'go fer.' He is the general flunky on the job who is always being told to 'go fer' this and 'go fer' that. Sadly, this is the role many see the preacher as filling: Someone to handle all the miscellaneous details involved in 'running a church.'
Sometimes a preacher is expected to: handle all church correspondence (setting up meetings, replying to requests for support, etc.), handle all phases of bulletin production from writing and printing it to keeping up the mailing list; take care of the church property; and assorted other chores. In addition he is expected to fulfill his 'pastoral duty' by: visiting all the sick (no matter how trifling the ill) of the church or vaguely related thereto ("Oh, preacher! sister Lou's third cousin by marriage is so sick with a headache...!"); rounding up all the stray sheep of the congregation (no matter how long they've been straying, the new man is supposed to be able to wave a magic wand and 'bring them in'); and settle every personal dispute among brethren. After all that, I don't see how a man has time to breathe; much less study and preach!
We need to realize that much of the above are specific duties; not of the preacher, but of elders and deacons. When there are no elders and deacons, the preacher bears an equal responsibility with other members to see that such work is done, but not a greater one. (To the anguished cry of some: "Well, what's he getting paid for?" I reply, “Nothing!” The preacher is not being 'paid for' doing anything. He is having his livelihood provided so that he might preach the gospel (I Corinthians 9:14).
Too many churches and preachers have forgotten that it is not desirable 'to neglect the Word of God in order to serve tables' (Acts 6:2). Since the preacher is so busy tending to 'go fering' work that he has little time to truly study God's Word; the people get only a constant diet of warmed-over, rehashed first principle sermons. While some of such is profitable, a continuous diet of such never gives God's people a firm grasp of divine truth; the meat they need to 'go on to perfection.' We need men who will disregard this traditional 'preacher role' and 'devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word' (Acts 6:4); lest God's people again be destroyed 'for a lack of knowledge' (Hosea 4:6).
A church clothes horse.
Now some folks want 'their' preacher to be a real 'dressed up dude.' His tie and socks must match (and I guess his shoes and shirt as well!); he must never be so undignified as to appear in a sports coat and slacks instead of a two or three piece suit; and perish the thought of him appearing in public without his suit-coat (then he doesn't 'look like a preacher'!). And if he should dare take his tie off—that's unforgivable—that man has got to go!
Now, perhaps I'm exaggerating a trifle; but I've had experience with the undue emphasis some put on appearance. Also, I realize that a preacher should seek to be neat and respectable in appearance when he is in public. So don't take this as condoning sloppiness in clothing or 'blue-jean' casualness for all occasions. (For some events blue-jeans are fitting; I don't think anyone would recommend a suit and tie to play softball in! And if you say it isn't proper for preachers to do something so undignified as playing softball, you're hopeless anyway!) Such is another extreme to avoid. But I do not believe one has to wear a suit and tie to be respectable in appearance. In fact anyone who sets store by 'looking like a preacher' might ought to read Matthew 23:5 real carefully.
A Church Ambassador
All Christians are expected to be sociable. Paul stated in I Corinthians 5:10 that if one were to seek to avoid contact with the immoral of the world; one would have to leave the world. Such is not presented as a desirable alter­native. Rather, Christians are to be as their Lord — John 2:1,1; Matthew 9:10ff— and associate with the world.
But some expect more of a preacher than simple sociability's and friendliness. He is to be 'well-known' in the community; one who is on speaking terms with 'everybody who is somebody'. This way they feel the church can be well-known and attract the 'right' people. In addition they are ex­pected to have a regular schedule of social visits to all the members (whether they care to invite him or not!).
Now, I know of few preachers who are not friendly individuals; I know of fewer still who would not make immediate arrangements to visit a home on spiritual business: a Bible study; help with a spiritual problem, etc. But to expect a preacher to serve as a sort of walking 'good-will ambassador' for the church is to expect more of him than the Lord does. Much-needed study time can easily be frittered away with endless social visits that serve no worthwhile purpose.
A church doctor
Some may be ready to revoke my 'preaching license' for this; but I don't believe it is the preacher's job to visit and pray for the sick! But hear me, out; I'm not saying that the Christian who is a preacher has no obligations to the sick and infirm; I am saying that such is not 'the work of an evangelist.'
All Christians are charged to visit and care for those that are sick or otherwise in need (Galatians 6:20; James 1:27). If any group of Christians has a special obligation to the sick It would be the elders — James 5:14 – “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders...” — not the preacher. I count it a privilege to visit the sick as time allows but not as part of my 'pastoral duties' or whatever. I am more than happy to pray on their behalf while I'm visiting if asked to do so; but I hope to make it clear that a preacher's visits and prayers offer no more benefit than any other faithful Christian's. Preachers have no 'hot­line to Heaven’; no more 'pull' with the Father; than any righteous man does (James 5:16).
A church coach
Oh how the pendulum swings! From one extreme we quickly jump to another. First the churches totally ignore the young people (Well, you're really too young to do anything — wait a few years!); then, when such neglect bears its natural evil fruit, they feel they must make a special case of 'our young people.' So now it's a special 'young people's program' and the preacher is expected to function as 'church coach'— to 'work well with the teenagers.'
Why not let the preacher do what he is charged of God to do: Preach the gospel without partiality to anyone? (I Timothy 5:21). Then let the young people do their part in the church's work as individual members should (Ephesians 4:16). All the church is supposed to offer the young is what she has to offer the old— the gospel and a place in 'the work of service' (Romans 1:16; 4:12). Anything beyond this is not the responsibility of either the church or the preacher; but of the parents (Ephesians 6:4). And I've found that such a program works well with a certain type of young people and older ones as well — the type that are spiritually minded!
A church boss
Many times, in relatively new congregations (and some older ones, as well) an older preacher's advice may carry much weight because of the acquired wisdom of experience and years. Even a younger preacher may find himself placed in somewhat of a leadership role because his message carries the authority of heaven with it (Titus 2:15). Such things are 'judgment calls' where it is most difficult to tell right from wrong until definite abuses take place.
But when preachers start to 'take charge'; whether they be older or younger, and distort this leadership quality so that they can 'run things the way they should be run'; they are definitely out of line. And if members allow such to happen or actively seek to place the role of 'church boss' on the preacher's shoulders; then there certainly is a violation of God's will involved. All should be reminded that the oversight of the church was given to elders not preachers; and, by implication, in the absence of elders all the men should decide the course of action to be taken by the church in fulfilling her God-given role.
The evangelist's duty in church matters is to tell the Lord's people what the Lord wants His church to do. He has the divine obligation to make this as emphatic as possible when it is a matter of a "Thus saith the Lord" (Titus 2:15) and as uncontentious as possible when it is a matter of expediency or per­sonal opinion (Titus 3:10,11). But he has no right to seek to enforce the Lord's will for Him; nor to force his way in judgment matters (however 'wise' he may judge it to be!) (cf. III John 9,10).
Send mail to minister@