God is enough

Hello brethren.

I'm glad of greeting you all again, I feel that writing this monthly letter helps me to share the burden of the ministry with others. It has been lately a challenge to find joy, people are not coming and they don't get serious about God and I'm like hey can't you see it. This is really clear, you need Christ and you think you are doing a favor to Him by accepting me? (I had this conversation with them in my mind, so this actually didn't happened, so don't get afraid). The thing is that y efforts are there but people don't respond, they actually believe they deserve the goodness of God, they don't know the concept of Grace because they don't understand sin at all. And it frustrates me but, at the end I think, wasn't I like that with God? So why I complain instead of trust the God who was patient with me. It doesn't matter how much I do try, God at the end have the last word, and if I'm not rejoicing in Him and find Him sufficient for my beginning and the end of my day, I will probably keep trying harder for self. 

Has there been more struggles coming to my life lately, but I can tell that the misery or burdens of this life are to point us to something higher than them and ourselves. Now not everything is frustration and fighting, God has been answering prayers. The couple that lives next door to the church are getting involved more actively, even if there is not many people in church and sometimes is just them, they can sing and listen carefully to the word. They don't know but their willingness to enjoy that make me feel ashamed for my personal complaints about not having people. Their names are Gerardo and Erica, also there is a lady named Erica who is starting to come more often with her kids. Most people around told me that the other pastor had the same struggle around these dates to get people, because since is vacations for the kids, some people take the time to travel or get out of the city for a while. 

These 3 people have been really encouraging in their concern to invite more people to church, they say sometimes people comes for interest when the Americans come. And they kind of were bitter about it, and at some point I a little bit, but then I don't know but I told them, that even if they come with the wrong intentions, we should always encourage them to come all the time of the year. Whether they come only when we have visits, let's make that time even more meaningful. Also I'm trying to do fun things to engage and connect with the community, we have movies night on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, on evenings. I've tried to get the men on soccer, but they haven't come at all, so I may try something different. I'm trying that to get to know them, and share the Gospel also, if they don't come to church, I need to create interaction that helps me to connect with them. I just need to be careful I don't want also to make the church a six flags over Jesus by doing that.

People are asking for the kids ministry a lot, but since I'm alone there I can't do too much about it, but I  call try to figure out something, because it seems big for them. We are on elections and I will have to go to Lima soon, like in April. Pray for our country, it's a mess, probably yours too so we all feel the pain. I'm also going to the gym 3 times per week, playing soccer with other missionaries, doing weekly sporadic visitations to people, evangelism, cleaning the church, study for my sermon, I normally takes Tuesdays as day off to rest read and My personal study. Services are Wednesday 6pm, Sunday 10am, 5pm. It's sounds a lot but it's not really.

Pray Requests:

1. Character: I tend to think a lot how things affect me, well I need to look up more than down here, I need to learn that not always will find encouragment from people, they may not even have time for that. So I need to rely in the Lord's sufficiency through prayer. Pray that I be faithful in my personal obedience and the my ministry, that even if I have a lot or a few people, I can be humble and loving. 

2. Church: there is some awakening in 3 people but guys is 3 people and those people are dear to God even if they aren't dozens and hundreds. So pray that they can still encouraged, and encourage others to come to Christ. Pray that we can grow as a church but that we learn to rejoice in our lack of multitude so when we grow we don't become prideful. 

3. May team: there is a team coming from Tennessee, so yay, so pray for their coming and as well for their preparation while they are in the states. The leaders are Scott White and Jill Denney, pray for them as the heads of the teams.

4. Find an appartment: so things where I am at are okay but the person who runs the place is not being that pleasant so I need to find an appartment soon, by March 3rd I must know where I am gonna move so pray for it. So people can see the privilege of having me with them ;D...........Just Kidding. If you know me you will get it.

5.Help.....!!!!! : okay I'm being dramatic, not in that way, but I actually need help if I want to work with the ladies and the kids, I can't do it by myself so pray for helpers to come, whether from Lima, USA or anywhere in the world. Doesn't matter their denomination as long they bring me Reeses ;D, or their last name be MacArthur, Washer, Calvin, Luther. Yes you supposed to be laughing, you are welcome, now read next.

6. USA Visa: I'm starting my process to get a tourist visa, since I'm not coming back to school this year. I plan to be from 20 or 40 days in the states. I'm going to be in 2 weddings during that time, 2 of my bests friends are getting married, and apparently I'm invited lol. But the other purpose to travel to the state is that I'm looking to connect my ministry with church in the states that want to do trips oversees, long or short doesn't matter. Or Volunteers that want to come for a certain amount of time, and also do fundraising for 2 projects. I'm gonna have this all written in a more detailed format soon, so if you think you or your church may be interested, send me a feed back so I can send you the letter I'm preparing. But pray that I get the visa first, and the Uncle Sam land admit cinnamon cute Peruvians back the country, you are welcome.

7. Puerto Maldonado: pray for the Missionaries nationals and internationals: Scott and Tracy Blackburn (Canada), Buddy and Loren Firtzgerald (Greenville, South Carolina), Dan and Ruthie Nagao (Texas), Bud and Laura Lenz (Texas), Daniel and Becky Nuñez (Lima and USA).

8. Support: pray that I can be a good steward of what I have and wise with it. People once on a while ask me how they can support me: well you can do it through my TD bank account or the great Comission for tax deductible (ask for more info). Or also you can send electronic gifts cards from Amazon or ITunes so I can get Ebooks. 

Please also tell me how I can pray for you, and if you have any other question, concerning anything in this letter please feel free to ask.

Thanks so much for praying for me, I need it as much I need to breath. I really thank you guys.

 Love you all.

Enjoying Christian Diversity

Hi brethren

I am reading a book named Strange Fire by John MacArthur (aka Juanito Macar or Johnny Mac), the book goes directly to address the issue of the false fire that are created by charismatics and Pentecostals churches. Now, one thing that i found kind of not good/nice is to put all Pentecostals and charismatics in the same bag. Why? may you ask yourself, well because i know Pentecostals and charismatics who also feel ashamed and indignation of the teachings of so called professing Christians under the same denomination.

I'm not a charismatic or a Pentecostal first at all, but i think what MacArthur has done in his book is the evidence of a particular and common trend we have. This is that we don't know how to enjoy our brothers and sister in Christ by who they are. I think that through church history denominations has helped in some sense to characterize a system of beliefs, which i think is healthy at some extent. the problem is the exclusivity we are taking out of this mindset to receive and kick off people by belonging to a certain class of denomination. Don't take me wrong, you and I may share the same disagreements we have with Pentecostals, Charismatics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists and Anglicans. But that doesn't give me a right to give a final judgment of how genuine may be the work of regeneration in the life of this Person.

Let me say that i also feel indignation before false doctrine, mostly at this present age where everybody wants to be heard but not many people wants to be understood. Many will try their best to write quotable phrases that may tickle the ear of many, but only few will take the time to define what they mean. So, i feel your pain Bruh or Sis. 

Now, what do you mean with enjoying Christian Diversity? well i mean this, not everyone have to agree with you. Of course i'm not compromising the essentials of the christian life such like the Depravity of man, Salvation by faith alone, the nature of Christ and the attributes of God. They are non negotiable doctrines doesn't matter what is your denomination (including baptists and Presbyterians). Now you may ask yourself, what makes the difference in someone under a certain denomination (specifically Pentecostals and charismatics, lets be honest we are harsh on them and sometimes we wrongly like it)?

Well the difference is made by what the bible says about true believers, so before you run to give a final judgment on people who's denomination seems to be sketchy, ask yourself this questions:

1. Has the Heart of the person be changed? The scripture says that everyone who is in Christ is a new creature, and a new creature doesn't just supresses immorality but loves, desires and want God. So if a person shows a desire for God, not just to keep the morals right but a desire to know Christ in an intimate way, then my friend you have a believer. And you will see of course a behavior that matches this desire, but they will do it because of their delight to obey God, not because they just want to stay out of church trouble. 

2. Diligent study of the scriptures: a desire for God will lead us to know who God is, what He has done and how we should act before Him and all this is revealed in the scriptures. So if you see a person going to the scriptures diligently to know more about God so he or she can enjoy Him, you should encourage the pursuit of this knowledge. Remember Jesus said: This is eternal life, that they know you, probably at this moment you may not agree with them but take the time to let them share with you. I know you are right an he is wrong and he should listen you because you are so sound in your doctrine but if you who claim to be right, don't dig into the theological worldview of the person you hardly will be able to contextualize what you want to say. And to be honest, listen to people with different views challenges my views and sometimes it makes me think more than speak. But I know you still won't change after reading this so imma pray for you.

3. prayer: now any pagan or so called pseudo Christian can pray, what I mean is that this person goes to prayer regularly and enjoys God and being with Him. Is not a just imma pray for you, but he prays because he needs of God. Let's be careful to not discourage prayer, and I know in this one I will be honest charismatics are more intentional about it than any other denomination. Yes, sometimes there is more things to learn than to condemn in people who we judge regularly.

4. Enjoys fellowship: maybe you disagree with them but you can see the joy of the Lord in them, and even if you drive them nuts, they enjoy to hang around with the brethren. Christ is the link for those whom Him has redeemed, even if you disagree with a brother, spend time with them. Because if you think he is weird, he thinks the same about you but you need to realize that both of you have been bought with a price. 

5. A desire for evangelism: the reality of eternity will be evident in this person, looking up more than down here. A desire to see souls saved and coming to Christ, ministering won't be just a part time job but a style of life. This person will share your zeal for evangelism and see people confessing Christ. 

So there is only a few of steps that you may want to consider, I bet you can recognize a heretic and someone who disagrees with you in minor points. Before I finish I want to also talk about a subject which doesn't matter your denomination, I think will be helpful.

Don't judge people by your personal preference: I know that there is things that personally people considers sin which are not necessary sin. As example: drink a cup of alcohol or listen music with drums. Guys, really? Don't use your personal preferences as an standard of godliness, and don't use please the excuse of the weak brother if you are not, or unless a weak brother have witnessed the imprudence. Let me encourage you to examine your motivation to judge someone who doesn't fill our personal expectancies or standards. You know how to recognize sin from personal standards and if you don't, use the bible, it helps.

I hope this blog nurtures your desire to engage into fellowship with people from different denominations in a very discerning and thoughtful way. 

Let the bond of Christ salvation be stronger than your denomination.

I'm too legalistic

It is the moment when you set on a throne of self

When your greatest damnation are going appear before you

Perhaps the loftiness of my person have defiled by the lies told 

Who can trust anyone if everybody has something to say

I wish they would say to my face but they can't, they are cowards

They also said that they were my friends and siblings in Christ

But don't feel sorry because you and me are of the same kind.

Perhaps pursue holiness can be of great advantage for the age to come

But is not of great use if you want to have peeps around you always

They will tight with you and show they real face to someone else

Because your standards are too high to stand them

If you knew that in my mind I constantly battle with self

I don't show it up a lot because I want to encourage you with How great is He

I could make an idol of self-abesement and make you call me humble 

But that would a wicked way for me to call your attention to myself.

It is time for everybody to know how legalistic I am

Yes, I think I'm better than you and that I obey better than you

Sometimes in the day my satisfaction is in people and not in Christ

Probably I know too much bible and read too many books

And they are of the right ones don't misunderstand me

I think that people owe me attention, yes I am admirable 

I'm great and high, can't you see? Can't you see?

Oh is for that reason you are laughing? I've been told that.

I thought you could dream and aim high 

But proportionally unbalanced, one more than the other

The standard doesn't fit, the levels aren't the same 

Meanwhile you can keep laughing at me because you are in the high

Does it feels that is time to post something theological

That the masses will like, perhaps will say of me that I am wise

Neither of that, how do i dare to steal the glory that belongs to God?

As if I could ? Fool of me, perhaps I will find grace and start again.

It's sad to come to be able to talk and pray with a lot of people and trust none 

Because you feel everybody is laughing at you in the back

I wish I just could know the truth and leave you all alone 

But you like the game of giving false hopes to a short servant

I just care too much of that which I don't want to care.

Perhaps I keep insisting in a person which I want to forget

Could my soul any longer stop beating me in its way to please me?

I really hope you stare at the pic with the same eyes I do.

I'm not perfect and I'm not ashamed to say it, I may be worse than you

If I ever talked bad about someone I'm worse than them 

Because I can't always find my sufficiency in the Lord

I fight for it everyday and the wounds are burning 

I guess I was fighting with the sword of my arguments and not His word

I guess I had the helmet of my evasiveness and not His spirit

Could my eyes please stop looking at self and look at Him?

Can my soul sing like the old hymn "It is well", because is satisfied in Him? 

I wish I could say to my friends I'm sorry because I expect too much from you

I should expect more of God and be satisfied with Him, is hard and that is my desire

There is an inexplicable joy when I walk in His sufficiency

All I can do in Him who makes me strong becomes all because He is God

I ask myself: how can I sometimes undermine the love of a great God?

Oh Lord show me your sufficiency and your greatness beyond the theological concepts

That it may be a reality in my life as it is in the life of many.

I will worship you God because you  precious in my sight  and I want you.

Lord, let this legalistic young man come before you so you may help Him

May you deliver me from my hope in people and I see your greatness

May I be content that you are the only one who I can talk to in the whole day.

Can my lips sing psalms while you lead my feet to righteousness

Help me to avoid slander bullets with listening to the remembrance of your promises

Walk in wisdom, find sufficiency in you and wait for that which is to come in Your Will

Help me to be anxious for nothing but in prayer in supplication wait for what is mine

As I decrease of myself I will find your greatness.