Friday, December 31, 2010

2011 New Year's Resolutions




As a pastor, I do get asked a lot of questions; some are very private and way too personal to answer here in this public forum. But, this one about New Year’s Resolutions is one that I am sure more than just a few would like to know about. No, this is not an in-depth study on the subject but surely, as I see it, it’s a good answer and hopefully one that will help you to find your own answer in what I’ve written here. God Bless You as you read on…2 Timothy 2:15.

The observance of making New Year’s Resolutions is nothing new, as I read I’ve found out that the exercise started a long time ago, probably in Ancient Babylon, between 3,000 and 4,000 years ago. In early writings it seems that there were people, even way back then, that were interested in making brand new starts, looking for unspoiled beginnings and seeking modification for their lives. I guess that today we are very similar to the primitive Babylonians, generally we are not very happy with our lives and we come to January 1, looking for something better for ourselves.

As I see it, there is nothing fairylike, numinous or eerie about the time between December 31 and January 1. But, it seems that many, many people feel that there is. First off, everyone should know that the Word of God does not condemn making New Year’s Resolutions. In fact, it’s probably just fine for us to do that. But, why wait until January 1 to break old and bad habits and start new and better ones? You can do that any day of the year; after all, they are all the same, Romans 14:5. You could pick an anniversary, a birthday, a different holiday or any other day of the week to start changes in your life. The power to change comes from God and not from a date on the calendar. Setting goals for ourselves and the seeking and keeping them is good any day of the year.

The majority of our New Year’s Resolutions are often involved with physical things, like getting skinny, trying to stop drinking alcohol or to quit smoking cigars, cigarettes and/or marijuana, etc. Very few of our resolutions involve getting closer to God, studying His Word daily or going to church more often: Almost never. We must remember that even though physical things are important they are not all important, 1 Timothy 4:8. God places much more importance on spiritual things than we do, sad but true. Most of us seem to have self-improvement goals not related to godly things.

However, there are some believers that do ask God for a desire to read more, study more and to attend church more often, but that is odd and infrequent. Yet, I must tell you that almost all New Year’s Resolutions do fail, sooner than later, you know why? Even though we might have fantastic goals, there is no magic that happens between the end of December and the beginning of January, there just isn’t.

Start doing what you need to do today, don’t wait and don’t be late, get to it, right now. Philippians 4:13, does tell us that we can do all things through Jesus, He gives us the strength. If you make Jesus the center of your New Year’s Resolutions, your chance of keeping a resolution is very good. But don’t forget, if you’ve included God in your plans, He plans to be there to help you be successful.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

A Very Inspiring Woman


Juana, who is nearly 70 years old, and has never been to school. Yet, just in the past four years she has learned to both read and write as she has studied the Bible in the classes I teach in Ensenada. She is a very special person and hers is a very exceptional occurrence, but she’s not totally unique because other women, who didn’t read and write or barely did, also learned to enhance their skills during these study sessions. Juana couldn’t do more than put her ‘x’ on important papers and her husband had to sign her name for her when a real signature was needed. She lived in embarrassment and shame due to her lack of education. Juana is from a group of what is often called, ‘mountain people.’ Women there don’t need to know things like reading and writing, because there isn’t any reason for them to know such things.

I have seen this idea in other Mexican subcultures; in fact, some men from these types of villages don’t believe that women should ever read the Bible and that they can’t even be baptized. Of course, they can read the Bible and they can be baptized, the Bible mentions women being baptized and even states that men and women were baptized, Acts 8:12.

Juana was denied a basic education, simply because she was a woman from a village community in the south of Mexico and grew up during a time, when women were not educated, nor encouraged to learn on their own. How sad. But, God had other plans for Juana.

About six years ago, on an evangelistic and church planting trip to Taxco, Iguala and Paintla, I met this interesting mountain family. Their pastor died the day I got there so the family and the tiny church were looking for guidance, help and comfort. After spending two weeks with these people and listening to them and praying to the Lord, I decided to bring them up to Ensenada so that they could join the Bible school and learn more about God, study the Bible at the school and then come back and pastor the burgeoning church.

Let me tell you, that Juana is an exemplary student. Her desire to learn and know the Bible is amazing. Remember, she didn’t know how to read and write, which at first required a lot of extra work to help her gain knowledge from her Bible. But, little by little, slowly reading page by page and forming letter by misshapen letter, she struggled ever onward. With Bible pages flying, scribbling out marks and squiggles on wide ruled school paper, she always got all her in-class and homework done. Her husband helped her a lot in the beginning. He could write and lent a hand with spelling and was patient with her.

Week by week, month by month then year by year, time passed and her ability got much better. All along I could see something exciting happening within her heart and mind, of course, only God could see what was stirring in her spirit and soul. But it was obvious she was growing by leaps and bounds, Philippians 1:6.

Now, let me tell you some thing, no one is like Juana, she loves the book of John and is always asking me for extra studies on the book. She, who once didn’t know how to read and write, now seeks to memorize scripture, study the deeper things of God’s Word and she loves to share her personal experiences with others at the school and in other churches. She loves to go to women’s retreats to tell her testimony and let others know that hope is a real thing and that God answers prayers. She had always wanted to read and write, and she had always wanted to know what the Bible says for herself and now, she does, 2 Timothy 2:15.

In this photo, Juana, due to her adept ability to memorize Bible verses was presented with her very own Rainbow Study Bible in Spanish, which is a vital tool for her future spiritual growth and education. When I go to pick her up for school I often find her sitting outside, after working hard all day long washing clothes by hand, washing dishes in a tub and scrubbing floors on her polio-bent knees, reading her Bible with pencil and paper, marking down things that she wants to memorize.

Juana is not unique, but she is an inspiration to me and hopefully to you, too. Couldn’t we all do more to know learn about our Lord and Savior? I can tell that she’s motivated and inspired, and that, I hope, will be encouraging and contagious. Amen.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Getting & Giving Gifts


The Best Christmas Present Ever Given
2 Corinthians 9:15, Thanks be to God for His indescribable "Gift!"


The Nativity of the Christ Child or the Nativity of Jesus, or simply The Nativity, concerns the telling of the story about the birth of Jesus, or even simply relating to the details about the birth of Jesus. The beloved and well-known story we remember appears in the Canonical Gospels of Matthew & Luke. However, other texts also mention it, like Isaiah 7:14. Therefore, the celebration of Christmas is based upon the immaculate conception of Jesus, the virgin birth of the same and the Holy Word of God coming to earth as a human baby, John 1:14. Christmas, which is an important High Holy Day is generally observed and celebrated by Christians and non-Christians world wide.

Christians spirituality regard the Nativity of Jesus as an event of Divinely cosmic significance in which God, in Christ, was incarnated as a simple human being, Colossians 2:9. Therewith becoming a, "new man," that could all-powerfully undo the spiritual degradation and mankind's spiritual separation from God caused by the disobedience and fall of the first man, Adam. In this principle, in contrast to Adam, Jesus was an obedient Son, fulfilling the Divine will of God, His Father. Therefore, as He lived obedient to the Word of God, Jesus was totally free from sin and was therefore the righteousness of God the Father and being such a Son, brought about salvation, through faith as a love gift from God, 1 Corinthians 15:22 & 45, Romans 5:18.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever would believe in Him would have everlasting life,” John 3:16.

Here’s a question I’d like to ask you, did you ever just get the snazziest gift? You know, one that made your head spin when you opened it. It was something that you had been wishing, hoping and even praying for all year long. And then, there you were, it’s Christmas Day and you've removed the wrapping paper and boom, there it was, all yours! That’s cool, I hope that you have done that and even on more than one occasion, too.

Here’s another question for you, what’s the best present you’ve ever given to someone else? Did you put a lot of thought, effort and prayer into it? Did you make it yourself? Did you put a lot of your heart into that gift to make it really special?

If we really understand the gift from God that Jesus is to our lives and future eternal life, then we’d probably end up saying, rightly too, that the best gift we’ve ever been given is, in fact, the life of Jesus on the cross of Calvary, some two thousand years ago. God could have given you the silvery moon, or perhaps a brilliant star or even a swell chunk of gold or big blue diamond, but in the end, these would have been just cheap trinkets along side the shed blood of Jesus that buys you entrance in God’s Heaven, Ephesians 2:13&14. Nothing can compare with that, nothing at all, 1 John1:7.

You see, God loves you, and that's, just as you are, and He loves you more than you could ever possibly imagine, Romans 8:38&39. He is more than generous, better than super extravagant and is a completely redeeming God, which would spare no cost to save your lost soul, Romans 8:32. He has endured unimaginable pain on all physical and spiritual levels to allow you open and easy access to His free gift of eternal life in His Son, Jesus, the Christ or our Messiah, Acts 4:12.

The best gift you could ever give to Him, is simply yourself: Heart & soul, body, mind & spirit, everything. That would make you the best gift you’d ever really given to Someone else, Luke 10:27.

Ask yourself, does Jesus truly live in my heart? Am I serious about giving my life to Jesus? What will I do without Jesus when I face my last day on earth and fill my lungs with air one last time just before I exhale my one last lonely breath and die, Hebrews 9:27?

God’s Christmas Gift to you is Jesus, His only begotten Son, accept Him now, live forever. Take a second or two, clear your mind and think on Jesus and simply ask Him to come in to your life, to change you, clean you and make you His. Ask Him to forgive your sins and to wash away your sins and to prepare you to be ready to go to Heaven whenever the time comes. His Holy Spirit will do a wonderful and marvelous work of salvation in your soul. You will get the best Christmas Gift you’ve ever gotten. This, I promise you. John 6:37, Romans 10:13, Hebrews 13:5&6.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

A Merry Christmas To All?






The Christmas Carol says, "Joy to the world," yet most of the poor children of the rest world, as in Mexico, will not be very joyful this Christmas. There are just so many families in my area that are just too desperately poor and constantly struggling to make ends meet. So much so, that they could never dream of buying presents for their children at Christmas Time. What with this looking like another very cold winter, warmer clothing, shoes and blankets along with other bills add up to make holiday spending a huge extravagance for disadvantaged families.
While I cannot solve all the problems these poor families face, together, we can help make the season more meaningful and more of a celebration for many needy boys and girls.
Rancho Santa Fe Mexico Mission is hoping that this season’s visiting groups will bring Christmas cheer to the children in need. You do not have to donate a new toy, just make sure the plaything is in good condition. Your gifts will be freely given to deserving youngsters who might otherwise not receive a single gift this Christmas.

Thank You and God Bless You as you consider the poor.

“Blessed is he who considers the poor,” Psalm 41:1.

God Is Always Right


United For All Eternity

They were born united and they lived united for nine years. They were Siamese twins, united at the stomach. Each had their own internal organs, except for the sad fact that they shared a single heart. When they were born, the doctors predicted, "They will have at most one week of life." But miraculously they lived for nine years.

These special little girls were Ruthie and Veronica Collins, of Johannesburg, South Africa, who always knew for sure that they were going to die. Although their parents never talked about death with them, the girls spontaneously said, "We will die soon, but we know that we will go to be with the Lord." Indeed, they died at nine years of age with a difference of about a half hour. Their deaths were peaceful, and their calm acceptance brought calm to all those that surrounded them.

They were born united, they lived united, and united they passed on to eternity. How were they able to have the knowledge that they would soon be going to be with the Lord? From where does such an immoveable faith come from? How could they have such an intense security?

Their parents, Peter and Marlene Collins, had an intimate relationship with Christ. They had peacefully accepted the abnormal birth of the girls. They never rebelled against God. On the contrary, they taught their daughters the Word of God and they talked about Jesus with them ever since they had the capacity to understand.

Hebrews 11:1…”Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Romans 2:11… “For there is no respect of persons with God.”

Ruthie and Veronica never manifested pain or shame for being Siamese twins. "God permitted it," they said, "and He knows what is best." Their parents never spoke to their daughters about death, or misfortune or fatality; neither had they introduced them to a single drop of bitterness. The truth is that both parents remained surprised when Ruthie and Veronica said, almost in unison, "Soon we are going to die and we going to go with Jesus."

For-the-which, they constantly cultivated a living faith in Jesus Christ, the pains and trials of life were always played down. Everybody suffers in this life, but the over-comers know that Jesus Christ is with them. The struggles of this life hit everyone, the good and the bad, but those that have their faith in Christ always triumph over all of them.

Job 13:15…”Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”

It's not that one or another is the favorite of God or is more privileged than another, but the genuine Christian knows how to develop a living faith, a solid character, and an unshakable and unyielding hope in Christ. Any human being can have this same calm amid life's pains when Christ is their Master and Lord.

Romans 2:11… “For there is no respect of persons with God.”

Open you heart and your mind to God. Give your will over to Him. Yield your whole life to Him, and you’ll begin to experience and to live this living faith that conquers the world and the pains and problems it brings. Christ wants to be our Savior, today and forever.

Romans 8:24…”For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?”

2 Corinthinas 4:18…”So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Cornthinans 5:7…”We live by faith, not by sight.”

Do we really live our faith?

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Winter Storms Wash Out Bridge


In January 2010, wild winds, extremely heavy rains, raging waters and poor construction teamed up together tearing away a segment of the bridge we must cross to enter or leave San Vicente. We were cut off from all travel for a good while until the rains subsided and the waters calmed enough allowing for some precarious crossings over the usually dry riverbed.

I thank God that only one section came crashing down, it could have been so much worse. The same thing happened in Vicente Querrero, an hour or so down from us, leaving them stranded as well. We became an island as no one could come to or go from San Vicente as there were no roads in or out that were passable.

Daily the crowds would gather waiting for help to come, which it finally did. It took many long days for the workers to fill in the gap left by the collapse. But, in the meantime as the water became less violent and dropped a bit more, people found other ways to get over the river.

As the days passed by and the town ran out of supplies, the people came up with a very good idea. Tractors would sell rides to those wishing to leave. The prices varied, the first time I crossed riding on a tractor it was thirty dollars both ways.

As the water fell even more and became less dangerous tractors began pulling vehicles and people over the riverbed. Of course, this offered more hope and freedom but also charges for those that needed to get to the other side.

Once you crossed, were unchained and could start your engine, you were free.

Eventually the water became so low that tractors were not needed, cars could make their own way across and then in a few more days the breech had been filled in and stabilized. So much so that even semis and trailers were driving over it.

Now, it looks like state officials are actually going to repair the bridge this time. When this happened about 30 years ago, they only left their provinvial fix in place. But these rains finally did that job in. It lasted a good while, but now it's time for a real repair job to take place.

(Click on the pictures to make them bigger)

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Carnival Ministry May 2010

Team: Casa De Dios, is a very faithful and consistent ministry group that comes, shares and works hard while they are here and they always leave the face of Jesus in the hearts of those they see while they are in Mexico. Lord knows the personal sacrifices they make to keep this long-term ministry active. May God bless them as much as they blessed the children (and adults) of Iglesia Familiar Nueva Jerusalen (New Jerusalem Family Church).


Face Painting Station At The Ready

Waiting Patiently to Jump

The Children Listen To God's Word In Spanish

A Bible Message Was Given Before The Play Began

A Little Winner

Roulette Wheel & Prizes

A Castle-Shaped Jumper Provided A Lot Of Fun

Hot Popcorn My Favorite Food

Bags Of Prizes

About 200 Children Came To Play

Lined Up To Play

Dangerous Entrance/Exit To Carnival

Friday, April 30, 2010

Used Cel-phones For The Needy



For almost as long as I have been in Mexico, the daily wage has remained about US$5.00 per day, not per hour, rather, per day. You can't do much with that amount of money, not even in Mexico. It's very hard for an elderly person, a struggling student or a single mom to find enough extra money to purchase a cel-phone.




With the donation of your used cel-phone, they can now have access to authorities, family and friends and doctors and hospitals. This is a great step forward for these poor people. Your gift would mean a lot to them.




Your phone doesn't have to be new or super fancy, but it must be in working order. You do not need to donate your chip as it will not work in Mexico. The phone requires a different chip and that will have to be purchased and programmed in Mexico. So your donation is safe and secure.

Please, E-Mail me at...ranchosantafemax@aol.com and I can send you the mailing address for your phones.


Thank you and God bless you. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Worry Produces Forgetfulness


Worry Produces Forgetfulness

Worry makes it so that one forgets Who is the One that is actually in control of every thing in the Universe. And, when you focus on only you, you worry all-the-more. Then, you become even more anxious for many things, and eventually even the smallest of things can look big when your are worried about so much. You worry because your companions at work don't appreciate you and that your boss makes you work in excess, and that your superintendent doesn't understand you, or that your congregation doesn't help you when you are down and out. With the passing of the time, your agenda becomes even more important than that of God's time schedule. You become more concerned with yourself and your life and goals, than you do in being pleasing to Him.

Take a moment, if you are able, where you might come to see that you are doubting the discernment of God. God has blessed you with talent. And, He has done the same with your neighbor. If you worry about the talents and life of your neighbor, you will neglect your own life. But if you don't worry and take life as it comes, trusting in God and in His abilities and His care for you, you will be an inspiration to yourself and your neighbor.

Worrying means you want to be in charge of things before it's time for you to take over. The best that you can do today is to rest in the Hands of Him that has control of everything in your life. Make sure that He is really in control of everything. Then there will be no reason, and no place for worry in your heart, mind, body or soul.

Choose to live in peace
.

1 Peter 5:7
Tossing all your anxiety, worry and cares on Him, because He is careful of you.

John 14:1
Don't let your heart be upset; you believe in God, believe also in Jesus. After all, He is the Author and Finisher of your faith.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Check Out The Website

Hey Friends, Don't forget the website, if you get the chance you may visit me there. Plus, there are more photos and a regular Bible study is also posted at the site. You can always leave me a message, too. Blessings and Joy for all of you.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Following Jesus' Words


Read Mark 6:30-44

Answering, Jesus said, 'Give them something to eat.'

Mark 6:37 (RVR)

Have you at some time been truly hungry? Maybe you didn't eat breakfast or lunch, so that later on you felt very much hunger, and were even trembling. Now imagine one could not alleviate that hunger.

We consider it a fact that God is going to give us 'Our daily bread' that we requested in the Our Father prayer. We often think like the disciples of Jesus in the above passage that those who are hungry could simply go out and buy something in order to eat, if they wanted to. However the daily news tells us that this type of hunger is very real in our times, just as it was in the times of Jesus. In our neighborhoods, in my small town, in the small and big cities, every where, there are many people that need food.

I am sad that in my town there is no warehouse of free foods. In this interdenominational ministry, I work hard to feed my neighbors. I try to do what Jesus said to the disciples, 'You give them something to eat.' But it’s hard, I need help. Right now there are more people than normal in need of their daily bread. I try to feed them all, but must dedicate myself to first helping women with small children.

I also try to pay the electric bills for these same families, if needed. Since most are poor we are talking about twenty to forty dollars a month. Being that they don’t have big screen TVs, or video games and lots of electronic equipment, these charges cost less than the food they need.

Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:40, 'Truly I tell you that whatsoever you do to one of these little ones, you do it to me.' My heart’s desire is not to let Jesus go hungry or to leave Him in the darkness.

Your prayers, donations of food and financial gifts are greatly appreciated and truly needed. God bless you for considering the poor. I know that this pleases the Lord. Thank You.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Another New Chruch



Here are some photos from a new church that is being built near the U.S./Mexican border in Tecate, BCN, Mexico. I can't even tell you what the name of the neighborhood is, or what the name of the church will be once the building is ready. As this is a very new work. Things like that will come later. Currently, we are helping to supply the workers with food, water and solar electric panels, deep-cycle batteries, housing and gasoline, among other things.


Only the Lord knows how long this construction project will take to finish. My prayer is that in less than six months the whole building process will be finished. Church services are currently taking place in a small nearby shack. It's not very convienient but for the moment, it's all they have. I turst that the Lord will continue to meet the needs that everybody working here has. It takes a lot of everything to open up a work like this. These workers need our prayers, physical help and financial aid.


Please, join me in prayer for those that are here. The circumstances are not very enjoyable but everyone has a sincere faith and can see what the Lord can do in this area, given the chance. Of course, we are going to need to do a lot of evangelism and a bunch of Bibles and Christian tracts to pass out.

May God Bless this work and all of you who lift this work of His up in prayer and provide for the needs of the builders, the pastor and his family.

Update On Earthquake News

The church survived the Easter earthquake in Mexicali, all except for one wall, it didn't fall down but it did crack from top to bottom. The team working on-site bounced up and down with the sand, dirt and gravel, which made for a lot of thick dust. But, this was the only damage to the new building. It has since been repaired and the first-stage work on the church including the septic tank has been accomplished.

Praise God for His supply, your prayers and financial support. More work remains to be undertaken but we can proceed at a more regular rate having come this far since January.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Eating Better



This is a low-carb, easy, quick and delicious anytime food that is especially great for BBQ dinners. This fare provides you with a good amount of fiber, several vitamins and energy. It’s cheap and leaves little mess behind and doesn’t require any cooking at all. So, it’s also energy efficient and 'green,' or purple, if you’d like. Give it a try and enjoy the benefits of my version of the everyday standard called coleslaw…’cool salad’ in Dutch.

Thinly slice a medium head of green or purple cabbage, or mix the two colors, when sliced you'll want about four cups of cabbage.

Shred 1 carrot.
Use 1 tablespoon of dried onion or finely chop some green onions.
Use about 1 1/3 cups of mayonnaise; it can be diet, which is better for you.
Use one tablespoon of sugar.
Use ¼ cup of vinegar, white, brown or rice will do.
You’ll need some celery, ¼ cup chopped or about 1 teaspoon of dried seed.
Salt and pepper to taste, but be careful, this can over-power the other flavors so go easy on both.

You’ll want to refrigerate this dish about an hour before digging in. This plate can serve about 8 grown-ups or about 12 children. It will keep for about a day for leftovers but it must be covered and returned to the refrigerator within an hour of the end of your meal.

Blessings and Joy.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Presumptuous, Willful, Deliberate Sin


"The greatest of these is love,' 1 Corinthians 13:13. Well, that's true, but where is love, when you really need it? I am so often amazed at the lack of love found in the church of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There always seems to be more than enough of criticism, judgement, lies and rumors in the church. Over the years, I have had to deal with a lot of that myself. Your worst enemies, often times, seem to be your brothers and sisters who proclaim to be followers of God.

Presumptuous, Willful, Deliberate Sin, should not be part of our Christian character. In fact, they are traits found in satan's personality. he is the father of lies, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not," John 8:44-45.

satan may use the truth, but only to eventually propagate a lie. It is always a subterfuge for promoting his deceptions.

Let's look at Presumptuous, Willful, and Deliberate Sin:

Psalm 19:13 (KJV) David wrote these words, and they should be part of our prayer vocabulary, every day, "Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Psalm 19:13 (NIV) "Keep your servant also from willful sins; may
they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great
transgression."

Psalm 19:13 (NAB) "But from willful sins keep your servant; let
them never control me. Then shall I be blameless, innocent of grave
sin."

Psalm 19:13 (NJB) "And from pride preserve your servant, never let
it be my master. So shall I be above reproach, free from grave
sin."

Psalm 19:13 (NLT) "Keep me from deliberate sins! Don't let them
control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin."

Psa 19:13 (CWR) "Keep me from being stubborn and from willfully
sinning against You. Only You can free me from the controlling power of sin and help me live an innocent life."

These are the sins committed when we know that what we are doing
is wrong. "Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law," Romans 13:10.

Matthew 7:12 "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew 22:39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
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John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
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Romans 13:8 "Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
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Galatians 5:14 "For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
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James 2:8 "If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well."

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another," John 13:35.

I think that all-too-often, the world gets confused by the church and the lack of love found amongst those that call themselves follows of God's Word. We teach that we must believe the words spoken by God, shared by Jesus and written down in the Bible, and then we don't: BIG TIME!

Love is the answer. We must love God and love others as we love ourselves. So, let's get out there and do it. Let's do it for Him and for our own testimony. We must be true to His Spirit. We must proclaim through our words and actions that love is the standard that sets us apart from the world of fake, false and failing religious people. Without love, we are nothing...1 Corinthians 13:1-3.

By-the-way: The group shown in the above photo, Team: Casa De Dios, is a loving, caring and extremely Christian group. Therefore, they are an example of Christian Love, not deliberate sin, rumors or liars. They are great people!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Wuzzby's Day Of Salvation









A sad truth is that there is, without a doubt, any number of abused and neglected animals in the world. Every country on earth has people, that for one reason or another, mistreat their pets, abandoning them to the elements, leaving them helplessly to fend for themselves. Domestic animals are not able to do that very well. Nearly always, these living beings die horrible, painful and lonely deaths. Since Rancho Santa Fe began in the late 1980s, I have been concerned for these family-dependent creatures. Having vaccinated, medicated, cured and sterilized many cats and dogs in San Vicente, today it's rare to see a sickly, mangy or contagious animal on the streets. I thank God for each of these little furry angels that we've been able to save and for His help, and yours, in allowing me to teach others about caring for their mascots. Animals are not more important than humans, but they are still an important part of God's creation. And, way back in Genesis, the Lord asked us to care for them and the planet that we all share, Genesis 2:15. The oldest profession on earth is that of gardener along with that of being an animal care worker.



Saturday, February 13, 2010

A Few Words About Rancho Santa Fe Mexico Mission


This ministry began more than twenty years ago and was born from much soul-searching, prayer and personal sacrifice. I remember that at the start, I would work two weekends a month in Mexico and then come back to the United States and I found myself telling God that I only wanted to go to Mexico on this bi-weekly basis. That lasted for about six months. I felt good about being a weekend missionary. There is really nothing wrong with that, the mission field needs all types of missionaries. But, as the Lord began to work on my heart, molding me to want to do more of His will than mine, then I began to sense a call, a leading and to know that He was aksing more of me that I thought He ever would. Eventually, I was asking God, 'when can I start living in Mexico?'

I knew it would be hard giving up my family and friends, and my pre-Mexican life in the north, but to be right with God, I had to allow Him to make this change happen. And, He did, I changed, grew and then I was able to see my future contained more than just my thoughts and ideas. Also, I could see that, even though I was not a great man, nor did I have any real extreme talents and even though I didn't even speak Spanish, true faith has a way of allowing us to clearly see things way before they happen. I knew that if God had called me, then, He also equipped me to be in Mexico and that everything would work out together for good. Over the years, it has.

The work here in Mexico, belongs to God and a lot of very good men and women, churches, and individuals. Rancho Santa Fe Mexico Mission, is so not just the work of one man. It's been team work since the very beginning. And, I deeply extend my most sincere thanks to all that have participated in the growth and establishing of this ministry. Without God bringing all of you along to help, nothing that has been done, would have ever been accomplished.

Thousands of souls have been saved, multi-thousands of Bibles have been given out, as well and thousands and thousands of Christian tracts, without mentioning the many other things that make up the outreaches of Rancho Santa Fe Mexico Mission. It's a great joy to be here and to continue this work of God's in San Vicente and surrounding pueblos and cities.

May God continue to use us as we go forward together to make this ministry even more effective that it ever has been.

God Bless You All.