May 4, 2010
GOOD MEMORIES by Robert Soto
I Thessalonians 3:6 "But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you."
Memories are a gift from God the Creator. They help us reflect on the things that have happened in times past. Memories teach us a lesson and remind us of how God the Creator has blessed us in spite of all that has happened. Memories are like a written record in our hearts and minds that God the Creator is still alive and working in our lives. Sometimes memories might be sad because they remind us of a time when we hurt; other times they might make us smile because they remind us of happy times. But regardless of the good times and regardless of the bad times, if we stop and reflect carefully on them we will always see God the Creator at work in our lives.
Paul was given some good memories of a people who stayed true to the instructions of God the Creator. He wrote, "...Timothy...has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you." So while Paul could not go to them, his heart brought good memories of times past when he spent some time with them. But in return they received the good memories that were given to them by Paul's life as he affected their lives. Memories, whether good or bad, will always bring the knowledge that God is working in your life and in the lives of others. I think I will stop now and reflect on some good memories. You never know, I might write about them tomorrow.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
HE IS WAITING FOR YOU by Robert Soto
May 3, 2010
HE IS WAITING FOR YOU by Robert Soto
Deuteronomy 3:22 "Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you."
How many times have you felt in your life that God was far away from you; or if He was anywhere close to you, He did not really care or desire to help? I'm sure this has been the feeling of many in this present age that presents the image of a God that is obsolete or uncaring. The funny thing is that this is when we need God the most. This is the time we need to draw near to God and not slide away from Him. These are the times that we should be going before His presence and seeking His guidance. But we allow our humanity to get in the way of our faith. Our humanity demands that we see physical proof of the presence of God. Our faith though, tells us to keep on going and keep on taking that step of faith even though we know not where it will take us.
I remember one day in my life, I had to make a choice. The choice was to trust the promises of man and keep going, or stop and see God work in a way I could not see. I looked at both and I weighed the cost for both but in the end I chose the path of faith, not knowing where the path would take me but knowing who controlled each step of my new journey of life. I was criticized by many for my choice. Many told me I was a fool and was not trusting God for what was best for me. It was a few years later that I discovered the dead-end bridge that lay before the path taken by the one who chose to follow the promises of man rather than God. It is then that faith becomes our path. It is then that our faith comes in to play. We fear not the things we do not see, but we trust in Him who we do not see, God. Moses wrote, "Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you." He is willing and waiting to do it for you if you only will trust Him.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
HE IS WAITING FOR YOU by Robert Soto
Deuteronomy 3:22 "Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you."
How many times have you felt in your life that God was far away from you; or if He was anywhere close to you, He did not really care or desire to help? I'm sure this has been the feeling of many in this present age that presents the image of a God that is obsolete or uncaring. The funny thing is that this is when we need God the most. This is the time we need to draw near to God and not slide away from Him. These are the times that we should be going before His presence and seeking His guidance. But we allow our humanity to get in the way of our faith. Our humanity demands that we see physical proof of the presence of God. Our faith though, tells us to keep on going and keep on taking that step of faith even though we know not where it will take us.
I remember one day in my life, I had to make a choice. The choice was to trust the promises of man and keep going, or stop and see God work in a way I could not see. I looked at both and I weighed the cost for both but in the end I chose the path of faith, not knowing where the path would take me but knowing who controlled each step of my new journey of life. I was criticized by many for my choice. Many told me I was a fool and was not trusting God for what was best for me. It was a few years later that I discovered the dead-end bridge that lay before the path taken by the one who chose to follow the promises of man rather than God. It is then that faith becomes our path. It is then that our faith comes in to play. We fear not the things we do not see, but we trust in Him who we do not see, God. Moses wrote, "Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you." He is willing and waiting to do it for you if you only will trust Him.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
THE PRICE OF RESPECT by Robert Soto
May 2, 2010
THE PRICE OF RESPECT by Robert Soto
Genesis 45:13 "Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly."
Many years ago a warrior was known by his accomplishments. He did not demand respect; he earned the right to be a leader in the community and the tribe. His status as a warrior gave him the right to be who he was and the people recognized who he was as a warrior, who he was as one who had earned the right to be respected. He did not demand respect nor did he ask people to serve him. He understood that his status or rank among the people had come, not by force but by choice. He chose to serve the people. He chose to honor the tribe. He chose to give his life for the rights of all his people; not just for himself or a chosen few. He lived for the people and the people lived for him.
Things have changed today. Today we have people whose desire in life is to demand respect and not wait for it to come through servanthood. They look at our instant world and say, "I want it now." But they fail to realize that leaders are not born overnight. They fail to realize that the warrior status does not come instantly. They fail to realize that respect comes through time and by being a servant to all. Joseph became a mighty warrior among the Egyptians, second in command to Pharaoh. But his warrior spirit did not come by demand; it came by sacrifice and pain. So that at the end of his life he could stand with pride and say, "Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly." He paid the price and he earned the right to be a leader, a warrior among his people. Are you willing to pay the price? Are you willing to be a servant? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to be great among those you live with each day of your life?
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
THE PRICE OF RESPECT by Robert Soto
Genesis 45:13 "Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly."
Many years ago a warrior was known by his accomplishments. He did not demand respect; he earned the right to be a leader in the community and the tribe. His status as a warrior gave him the right to be who he was and the people recognized who he was as a warrior, who he was as one who had earned the right to be respected. He did not demand respect nor did he ask people to serve him. He understood that his status or rank among the people had come, not by force but by choice. He chose to serve the people. He chose to honor the tribe. He chose to give his life for the rights of all his people; not just for himself or a chosen few. He lived for the people and the people lived for him.
Things have changed today. Today we have people whose desire in life is to demand respect and not wait for it to come through servanthood. They look at our instant world and say, "I want it now." But they fail to realize that leaders are not born overnight. They fail to realize that the warrior status does not come instantly. They fail to realize that respect comes through time and by being a servant to all. Joseph became a mighty warrior among the Egyptians, second in command to Pharaoh. But his warrior spirit did not come by demand; it came by sacrifice and pain. So that at the end of his life he could stand with pride and say, "Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly." He paid the price and he earned the right to be a leader, a warrior among his people. Are you willing to pay the price? Are you willing to be a servant? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to be great among those you live with each day of your life?
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
PROVIDER OF THE FEAST by Robert Soto
May 1, 2010
PROVIDER OF THE FEAST by Robert Soto
Deuteronomy 11:14-15 "...then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied."
For most people in the United States, cutting grass at this time of the year is just beginning. But for us from the land of Eternal Summer, we have been cutting the grass all year long. Winter means nothing more than just a little less warmer weather down here. But as I arrived home the other day after being gone for almost two weeks, I noticed that the front yard grass had grown a little taller than I wanted it to. So I went and dug out my lawn mower and started to cut the grass. In some places I had to go over the grass twice to get a clean cut. But as I started to cut the taller grass I noticed bugs like grasshoppers and others jumping in and out of the grass. They kept bouncing from one blade of grass to another. Then before I knew it, birds like the grackles and sparrows started to land in my front yard. They were there to eat the bugs that were jumping around. They seemed to be having a good old feast eating the bugs that were coming in and out.
It was at this time that it hit me. The birds were being supplied with supper. The bugs that I was scaring out of the grass were dinner for the birds that lived around my house. So the more I thought the more I realized that God the Creator is our provider and supplier of every good thing. God the Creator knows our needs and He is always with us and finds ways to take care of us. He looks at the everyday affairs of mankind and makes sure the sustenance we need each day of our lives is taken care of and provided for as we walk day by day. As Moses said, "...then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied." Just as God the Creator is the provider of the feast for the birds of the air, He will take care of you.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
PROVIDER OF THE FEAST by Robert Soto
Deuteronomy 11:14-15 "...then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied."
For most people in the United States, cutting grass at this time of the year is just beginning. But for us from the land of Eternal Summer, we have been cutting the grass all year long. Winter means nothing more than just a little less warmer weather down here. But as I arrived home the other day after being gone for almost two weeks, I noticed that the front yard grass had grown a little taller than I wanted it to. So I went and dug out my lawn mower and started to cut the grass. In some places I had to go over the grass twice to get a clean cut. But as I started to cut the taller grass I noticed bugs like grasshoppers and others jumping in and out of the grass. They kept bouncing from one blade of grass to another. Then before I knew it, birds like the grackles and sparrows started to land in my front yard. They were there to eat the bugs that were jumping around. They seemed to be having a good old feast eating the bugs that were coming in and out.
It was at this time that it hit me. The birds were being supplied with supper. The bugs that I was scaring out of the grass were dinner for the birds that lived around my house. So the more I thought the more I realized that God the Creator is our provider and supplier of every good thing. God the Creator knows our needs and He is always with us and finds ways to take care of us. He looks at the everyday affairs of mankind and makes sure the sustenance we need each day of our lives is taken care of and provided for as we walk day by day. As Moses said, "...then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied." Just as God the Creator is the provider of the feast for the birds of the air, He will take care of you.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Friday, April 30, 2010
GOD WILL NEVER FAIL YOU by Robert Soto
April 30, 2010
GOD WILL NEVER FAIL YOU by Robert Soto
Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
I have had a good day relaxing and enjoying life. Two weeks ago I was on the road where I traveled a little over 1,200 miles in one weekend. Then I came home and rested for one full day before we took off again and started the first mile of what would end up being a 4,067 mile trip. So in thirteen days, I managed to put 5,267 miles on my van. I attended two pow wows, one in north Texas and a second one in central Pennsylvania. They were two pow wows put on by two different organizations with the same goal - to reach our Indian people and bring us together as one people, even though tribally speaking, we were as different as night and day. Yet for one brief moment, we came together and we danced and had a good time.
But as I sit here reflecting on the two events, I find four things that were the same. One, we all danced to some good Indian singing around the drum. The second thing was that we all came together as one people, regardless of tribe. The third thing was that we all came together under one God and Creator. But the fourth thing that I noticed was that in both events, there were hurting people. There were people who had lost loved ones, had gotten an incurable disease; there were people who were plagued with things like alcoholism and drugs, and people who had lost a spouse through divorce and I'm sure the list could go on and on. These were people that one day seemed to have it all together and the next their world as they knew it was falling apart. But in both places there were the same answers to their problems. The only answer for each circumstance is God. They could not turn to anyone else but God. David wrote, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." God will always be with you, through the best times and the worst. Just trust Him and He will see you through.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
GOD WILL NEVER FAIL YOU by Robert Soto
Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
I have had a good day relaxing and enjoying life. Two weeks ago I was on the road where I traveled a little over 1,200 miles in one weekend. Then I came home and rested for one full day before we took off again and started the first mile of what would end up being a 4,067 mile trip. So in thirteen days, I managed to put 5,267 miles on my van. I attended two pow wows, one in north Texas and a second one in central Pennsylvania. They were two pow wows put on by two different organizations with the same goal - to reach our Indian people and bring us together as one people, even though tribally speaking, we were as different as night and day. Yet for one brief moment, we came together and we danced and had a good time.
But as I sit here reflecting on the two events, I find four things that were the same. One, we all danced to some good Indian singing around the drum. The second thing was that we all came together as one people, regardless of tribe. The third thing was that we all came together under one God and Creator. But the fourth thing that I noticed was that in both events, there were hurting people. There were people who had lost loved ones, had gotten an incurable disease; there were people who were plagued with things like alcoholism and drugs, and people who had lost a spouse through divorce and I'm sure the list could go on and on. These were people that one day seemed to have it all together and the next their world as they knew it was falling apart. But in both places there were the same answers to their problems. The only answer for each circumstance is God. They could not turn to anyone else but God. David wrote, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." God will always be with you, through the best times and the worst. Just trust Him and He will see you through.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Real Talk by Adam Edelstein
April 29, 2010
Real Talk by Adam Edelstein
Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good", but that is exactly what we have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We confess that.
We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism;
We have worshiped other gods and called it multiculturalism
We have endorsed perversion and called it alternative lifestyle;
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery;
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare;
We have killed our unborn and called it choice;
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable;
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem;
We have abused power and called it politics;
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition;
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression;
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent: to direct us to the center of Your will and to openly ask these things in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."
Real Talk by Adam Edelstein
Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good", but that is exactly what we have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We confess that.
We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism;
We have worshiped other gods and called it multiculturalism
We have endorsed perversion and called it alternative lifestyle;
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery;
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare;
We have killed our unborn and called it choice;
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable;
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem;
We have abused power and called it politics;
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition;
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression;
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent: to direct us to the center of Your will and to openly ask these things in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."
A PEACE WE HAVE LOST by Robert Soto
April 29, 2010
A PEACE WE HAVE LOST by Robert Soto
Deuteronomy 8:11-14 "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied....then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought...you out of the land of slavery."
A few years ago my sister and her family were transplanted to a rural community in the midwest. She used to write, "I'm an Apache being held captive in the middle of a cornfield." I thought she was joking until I came to visit her one spring day. I stopped for a short visit and discovered she was right. It is a little community in the middle of nowhere country. It was like Mayberry USA. Shops were not always open. Matter of fact, I have been wanting to visit this shop since she moved here. She once told me, "He opens when he feels like it and if he does not feel like it he does not have to open." This morning as my brother-in-law left the house I asked him if he wanted me to lock the doors when we left. He said, "No thanks, we don't have keys for the doors anyway." I think the most excitement that ever happened in this place was my sister moving here.
But as I get ready to drive off back to my hometown, I can't help but think of the peace we have lost - the innocence that we have lost as a people and as a nation. There was a time when we did not have to lock our doors. When we could trust our neighbors. When our children could play outdoors and our neighbors kept their eyes on us to make sure we did not get into trouble. Gone is the innocence of that time. Gone is the trust in our neighborhoods. Gone are the days when we helped each other and looked to each other for support. I guess that is what happens when a nation, a city, a community forgets about God the Creator. We become proud and self-centered. We forget who is the one who controls our lives. Moses said, "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied....then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought...you out of the land of slavery." As I left this peaceful town, I could not help but be envious of their peace that we all long for.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
A PEACE WE HAVE LOST by Robert Soto
Deuteronomy 8:11-14 "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied....then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought...you out of the land of slavery."
A few years ago my sister and her family were transplanted to a rural community in the midwest. She used to write, "I'm an Apache being held captive in the middle of a cornfield." I thought she was joking until I came to visit her one spring day. I stopped for a short visit and discovered she was right. It is a little community in the middle of nowhere country. It was like Mayberry USA. Shops were not always open. Matter of fact, I have been wanting to visit this shop since she moved here. She once told me, "He opens when he feels like it and if he does not feel like it he does not have to open." This morning as my brother-in-law left the house I asked him if he wanted me to lock the doors when we left. He said, "No thanks, we don't have keys for the doors anyway." I think the most excitement that ever happened in this place was my sister moving here.
But as I get ready to drive off back to my hometown, I can't help but think of the peace we have lost - the innocence that we have lost as a people and as a nation. There was a time when we did not have to lock our doors. When we could trust our neighbors. When our children could play outdoors and our neighbors kept their eyes on us to make sure we did not get into trouble. Gone is the innocence of that time. Gone is the trust in our neighborhoods. Gone are the days when we helped each other and looked to each other for support. I guess that is what happens when a nation, a city, a community forgets about God the Creator. We become proud and self-centered. We forget who is the one who controls our lives. Moses said, "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied....then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought...you out of the land of slavery." As I left this peaceful town, I could not help but be envious of their peace that we all long for.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Your Day by Adam Edelstein
April 25, 2010
Your Day by Adam Edelstein
This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will.
I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is important, because I'm exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it.
I want it to be gain, not loss; good, not evil; success, not failure; I shall not regret the price I paid for it.
Your Day by Adam Edelstein
This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will.
I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is important, because I'm exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something that I have traded for it.
I want it to be gain, not loss; good, not evil; success, not failure; I shall not regret the price I paid for it.
Just the FACTS by Adam Edelstein
April 23, 2010
Just the FACTS by Adam Edelstein
Facts...
I have been justified - completely forgiven and made righteous (Rom. 5:1).
I died with Christ and died to the power of sin's rule over my life (Rom. 6:1-6).
I am free forever from condemnation (Rom. 8:1).
I have been placed into Christ by God's doing (1 Cor. 1:30).
I have received the Spirit of God into my life that I might know the things freely given to me by God (1 Cor. 2:12).
I have been given the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).
I have been bought with a price; I am not my own; I belong to God (1 Cor. 6:19,20)
I have been established, anointed and sealed by God in Christ, and I have been given the Holy Spirit as a pledge guaranteeing my inheritance to come (2 Cor. 1:21; Eph. 1:13,14). Since I have died, I no longer live for myself, but for Christ (2 Cor. 5:14,15).
I have been made righteous (2 Cor. 5:21).
I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer
I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I am now living is Christ's life (Gal. 2:20).
I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph.1:3).
I was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and am without blame before Him (Eph. 1:4).
I was predestined - determined by God - to be adopted as God's son (Eph. 1:5).
I have been redeemed and forgiven, and I am a recipient of His lavish grace. I have been made alive together with Christ (Eph 2:5).
I have been raised up and seated with Christ in heaven(Eph. 2:6).
I have direct access to God through the Spirit (Eph.2:18).
I may approach God with boldness, freedom and confidence(Eph. 3:12).
I have been rescued from the domain of satan's rule and transferred to the kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:13).
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. The debt against me has been canceled (Col. 1:14). Christ Himself is in me (Col. 1:27).
I am firmly rooted in Christ and am being built in Him (Col. 2:7).
I have been spiritually circumcised. My old regenerate nature has been removed (Col. 2:11).
I have been made complete in Christ (Col. 2:10).
I have been buried, raised and made alive with Christ (Col. 2:12,13).
I died with Christ and I have been raised up with Christ. My life is now hidden with Christ in God. Christ is now my life (Col.3:1-4).
I have been given a spirit of power, love and self discipline(2 Tim. 1:7).
I have been saved and set apart according to God's doing(2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5) Because I am sanctified and am one with the Sanctifier, He is not ashamed to call me brother (Heb. 2:11).
I have the right to come boldly before the throne of God to find mercy and grace in time of need (Heb. 4:16).
I have been given exceedingly great and precious promises by God by which I am a partaker of God's divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4).
Just the FACTS by Adam Edelstein
Facts...
I have been justified - completely forgiven and made righteous (Rom. 5:1).
I died with Christ and died to the power of sin's rule over my life (Rom. 6:1-6).
I am free forever from condemnation (Rom. 8:1).
I have been placed into Christ by God's doing (1 Cor. 1:30).
I have received the Spirit of God into my life that I might know the things freely given to me by God (1 Cor. 2:12).
I have been given the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).
I have been bought with a price; I am not my own; I belong to God (1 Cor. 6:19,20)
I have been established, anointed and sealed by God in Christ, and I have been given the Holy Spirit as a pledge guaranteeing my inheritance to come (2 Cor. 1:21; Eph. 1:13,14). Since I have died, I no longer live for myself, but for Christ (2 Cor. 5:14,15).
I have been made righteous (2 Cor. 5:21).
I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer
I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I am now living is Christ's life (Gal. 2:20).
I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph.1:3).
I was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and am without blame before Him (Eph. 1:4).
I was predestined - determined by God - to be adopted as God's son (Eph. 1:5).
I have been redeemed and forgiven, and I am a recipient of His lavish grace. I have been made alive together with Christ (Eph 2:5).
I have been raised up and seated with Christ in heaven(Eph. 2:6).
I have direct access to God through the Spirit (Eph.2:18).
I may approach God with boldness, freedom and confidence(Eph. 3:12).
I have been rescued from the domain of satan's rule and transferred to the kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:13).
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. The debt against me has been canceled (Col. 1:14). Christ Himself is in me (Col. 1:27).
I am firmly rooted in Christ and am being built in Him (Col. 2:7).
I have been spiritually circumcised. My old regenerate nature has been removed (Col. 2:11).
I have been made complete in Christ (Col. 2:10).
I have been buried, raised and made alive with Christ (Col. 2:12,13).
I died with Christ and I have been raised up with Christ. My life is now hidden with Christ in God. Christ is now my life (Col.3:1-4).
I have been given a spirit of power, love and self discipline(2 Tim. 1:7).
I have been saved and set apart according to God's doing(2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5) Because I am sanctified and am one with the Sanctifier, He is not ashamed to call me brother (Heb. 2:11).
I have the right to come boldly before the throne of God to find mercy and grace in time of need (Heb. 4:16).
I have been given exceedingly great and precious promises by God by which I am a partaker of God's divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4).
THIS IS THE DAY by Robert Soto
April 28, 2010
THIS IS THE DAY by Robert Soto
Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Today is the most special day in my life. Because if it was not for this date in history, I would not be here writing these thoughts to you. This is not the day I got my life back by some miracle, but this is the day my life started on this earth. This the day my God and Creator chose for me to be born in what used to be a little town in South Texas. This was the day God the Creator chose for me to be born into a family of Apaches. This was the day I took my first breath and started my journey of faith, not knowing what tomorrow would bring, or even who held tomorrow. This was the day I started my journey to seek for God and His will for my life. It was day that the whole path of life and its adventures started for me.
Today is my birthday. Today is the day God the Creator chose for me and to start my relationship with Him. Today was not an accident. Today was not my parents' choice for me. Today was the day that He chose for me to come into this world with all its adventure and troubles. The date was God's choice. My ethnic background was God's choice. The place I was to be born was God's choice. My life started, and His plan took over. The next few years of life I have on this earth were now up to me. What was this Apache boy going to do to affect the lives of others? What was this Apache boy going to do to find the Creator who placed him on this earth? What was this Apache boy going to do to impact not just his own personal life, but also the lives of all he would meet? Today was the day I was fearfully and wonderfully made and He reminds me of that every day. Thanks for the day.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
THIS IS THE DAY by Robert Soto
Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Today is the most special day in my life. Because if it was not for this date in history, I would not be here writing these thoughts to you. This is not the day I got my life back by some miracle, but this is the day my life started on this earth. This the day my God and Creator chose for me to be born in what used to be a little town in South Texas. This was the day God the Creator chose for me to be born into a family of Apaches. This was the day I took my first breath and started my journey of faith, not knowing what tomorrow would bring, or even who held tomorrow. This was the day I started my journey to seek for God and His will for my life. It was day that the whole path of life and its adventures started for me.
Today is my birthday. Today is the day God the Creator chose for me and to start my relationship with Him. Today was not an accident. Today was not my parents' choice for me. Today was the day that He chose for me to come into this world with all its adventure and troubles. The date was God's choice. My ethnic background was God's choice. The place I was to be born was God's choice. My life started, and His plan took over. The next few years of life I have on this earth were now up to me. What was this Apache boy going to do to affect the lives of others? What was this Apache boy going to do to find the Creator who placed him on this earth? What was this Apache boy going to do to impact not just his own personal life, but also the lives of all he would meet? Today was the day I was fearfully and wonderfully made and He reminds me of that every day. Thanks for the day.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
HABITS THAT COST by Robert Soto
April 27, 2010
HABITS THAT COST by Robert Soto
I Corinthians 10:12-13 "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
A long time ago our people had the crazy habit of eating cactus. The Unites States Army would report that our Apache people were starving to death and should soon give up because all they were eating was cactus. Well, today dieticians have discovered that the reason our people were so healthy was the foods they were eating, including the crazy habit of eating cactus. It was a good habit that should not have been broken. Today it seems that we have habits that are taking us away from good health and nutrition that costs more than we can afford. They become habits that can be broken, but we choose to do them anyway. They are choices that are not only killing us but depriving us of financial security. For example, today I found out that a box of cigarettes on an average costs about $5.50 a pack. So if you smoke eight cartons a week, you are spending about $44.00 a week and that is about $2,288 a year. In ten years, you will have spent $22,880. I was also told by a friend who drinks about ten beers a week that it costs him about $2.00 a beer. That means in ten years you have spent $10,400. Maybe you do not drink beer or smoke cigarettes, but how about candy or soft drinks? Today I noticed that a soft drink runs about $1.50 each. Drink two a day and that comes out to $10,950 in ten years. So if you have a beer drinker, a smoker and someone who enjoys a couple of soft drinks a day, in ten years you would have spent $44,230. I will not touch habits like the sacred Starbucks.
So where am I going with this? I actually do not know, but as I drove home from the pow wow in Pennsylvania I had plenty of time to think. We have developed habits that have become addictions and that have taken us off the path that God the Creator placed before us. We have developed habits and addictions that not only take us off the path, but that make us develop unhealthy habits that will eventually bring trouble in our lives, health and families. Addictions that we cannot afford and that eventually destroy body, soul and family. Addictions that bring us into financial ruin because we cannot afford them. The sin is not in the beer or the cigarette or the soft drink, but in the abuse that brings destruction. Our people a long time ago had healthy habits, but today we would rather pay off the money to keep us healthy than to use wise choices. But with the bad choices comes a way to make good choices, for God the Creator will always provide the means to make good choices; it is up to us. Paul wrote, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
HABITS THAT COST by Robert Soto
I Corinthians 10:12-13 "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
A long time ago our people had the crazy habit of eating cactus. The Unites States Army would report that our Apache people were starving to death and should soon give up because all they were eating was cactus. Well, today dieticians have discovered that the reason our people were so healthy was the foods they were eating, including the crazy habit of eating cactus. It was a good habit that should not have been broken. Today it seems that we have habits that are taking us away from good health and nutrition that costs more than we can afford. They become habits that can be broken, but we choose to do them anyway. They are choices that are not only killing us but depriving us of financial security. For example, today I found out that a box of cigarettes on an average costs about $5.50 a pack. So if you smoke eight cartons a week, you are spending about $44.00 a week and that is about $2,288 a year. In ten years, you will have spent $22,880. I was also told by a friend who drinks about ten beers a week that it costs him about $2.00 a beer. That means in ten years you have spent $10,400. Maybe you do not drink beer or smoke cigarettes, but how about candy or soft drinks? Today I noticed that a soft drink runs about $1.50 each. Drink two a day and that comes out to $10,950 in ten years. So if you have a beer drinker, a smoker and someone who enjoys a couple of soft drinks a day, in ten years you would have spent $44,230. I will not touch habits like the sacred Starbucks.
So where am I going with this? I actually do not know, but as I drove home from the pow wow in Pennsylvania I had plenty of time to think. We have developed habits that have become addictions and that have taken us off the path that God the Creator placed before us. We have developed habits and addictions that not only take us off the path, but that make us develop unhealthy habits that will eventually bring trouble in our lives, health and families. Addictions that we cannot afford and that eventually destroy body, soul and family. Addictions that bring us into financial ruin because we cannot afford them. The sin is not in the beer or the cigarette or the soft drink, but in the abuse that brings destruction. Our people a long time ago had healthy habits, but today we would rather pay off the money to keep us healthy than to use wise choices. But with the bad choices comes a way to make good choices, for God the Creator will always provide the means to make good choices; it is up to us. Paul wrote, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Monday, April 26, 2010
THE GIFT OF LAND by Robert Soto
April 26, 2010
THE GIFT OF LAND by Robert Soto
Genesis 1:17 "Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."
Several things came out today that have been on my mind. One of them was the whole issue of reconciliation and forgiveness among Indian people. For some time now, people have accused me of not wanting reconciliation. But I feel to the contrary; I wish there were some way to reconcile our differences and be friends with those who have done nothing but to try to destroy who we are as Indian people. I would love to see recognition among our people and others whose ancestors came to our land and did whatever they wanted to us to get the land they lusted after. What I do not like is the lack of sincerity in the acts of reconciliation. Reconciliation is not a one-time deal as we get together and ask for forgiveness and exchange gifts. It goes beyond one act of kindness where we hug and embrace in the name of peace. I truly feel that reconciliation is a progressive endeavor where one group not only speaks the words that start the process of reconciliation but through the years exhibits the continual desire and ventures out to make things right.
Today I was approached by a young man who feels we have been done wrong. As I heard his words all I could think about was, "How many times have I heard his cry of forgiveness and his desire to make things right?" I guess more times than I can remember. He asked me what I thought was the main obstacle to the whole process of reconciliation. While there are many, I could only speak of one - the land. Our people many years ago felt that no one could own the land. They felt that this land was not given to us to hoard and abuse. We felt that we were given this land as stewards and caretakers so that we could live and survive. The issue of the land would be a good beginning. I know that we would never be able to take back that which was stolen from us, but nevertheless, the land would be a good start. Abraham was given the responsibility to scout out the land. But he saw it as a gift from God the Creator who said, "Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you." When our land was taken, it was not only taken from us, but from God the Creator who was the giver of the gift. It all starts with the land.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
THE GIFT OF LAND by Robert Soto
Genesis 1:17 "Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."
Several things came out today that have been on my mind. One of them was the whole issue of reconciliation and forgiveness among Indian people. For some time now, people have accused me of not wanting reconciliation. But I feel to the contrary; I wish there were some way to reconcile our differences and be friends with those who have done nothing but to try to destroy who we are as Indian people. I would love to see recognition among our people and others whose ancestors came to our land and did whatever they wanted to us to get the land they lusted after. What I do not like is the lack of sincerity in the acts of reconciliation. Reconciliation is not a one-time deal as we get together and ask for forgiveness and exchange gifts. It goes beyond one act of kindness where we hug and embrace in the name of peace. I truly feel that reconciliation is a progressive endeavor where one group not only speaks the words that start the process of reconciliation but through the years exhibits the continual desire and ventures out to make things right.
Today I was approached by a young man who feels we have been done wrong. As I heard his words all I could think about was, "How many times have I heard his cry of forgiveness and his desire to make things right?" I guess more times than I can remember. He asked me what I thought was the main obstacle to the whole process of reconciliation. While there are many, I could only speak of one - the land. Our people many years ago felt that no one could own the land. They felt that this land was not given to us to hoard and abuse. We felt that we were given this land as stewards and caretakers so that we could live and survive. The issue of the land would be a good beginning. I know that we would never be able to take back that which was stolen from us, but nevertheless, the land would be a good start. Abraham was given the responsibility to scout out the land. But he saw it as a gift from God the Creator who said, "Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you." When our land was taken, it was not only taken from us, but from God the Creator who was the giver of the gift. It all starts with the land.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Sunday, April 25, 2010
THE TREES WILL REJOICE by Robert Soto
April 25, 2010
THE TREES WILL REJOICE by Robert Soto
I Chronicles 16:33-34 "Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."
One thing that has impressed us all on our trip to the pow wow in Pennsylvania is the forest that lines up the freeway. They cover the hillsides and seem to hug the freeway as we drive these long and winding roads. I guess its splendor just reminds me what life might have been like before this area was settled and carved out into cities and towns. If it is clustered with trees now, I wonder what it looked like when the ancestors of our brothers and sisters of the north made this their home. Back when there were no freeways and roads. It is hard to imagine or even fathom what life was like back then. I know what it was like in South Texas because the desert has not changed much. It looks just as it did when the first whites came and started to fence their little world or kingdom.
Yet as we drive through the forest that outlines the roads I am reminded of the hundreds if not thousands that were slaughtered to possess the land that now makes this country. The thousands if not millions that died and whose blood now lies in the land these trees now make their rest. But one day the very trees will rejoice for the victory and justice that will come to those, both living and dead, for the innocent blood that was spilled on the ground. As the writer of I Chronicles wrote, "Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
THE TREES WILL REJOICE by Robert Soto
I Chronicles 16:33-34 "Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."
One thing that has impressed us all on our trip to the pow wow in Pennsylvania is the forest that lines up the freeway. They cover the hillsides and seem to hug the freeway as we drive these long and winding roads. I guess its splendor just reminds me what life might have been like before this area was settled and carved out into cities and towns. If it is clustered with trees now, I wonder what it looked like when the ancestors of our brothers and sisters of the north made this their home. Back when there were no freeways and roads. It is hard to imagine or even fathom what life was like back then. I know what it was like in South Texas because the desert has not changed much. It looks just as it did when the first whites came and started to fence their little world or kingdom.
Yet as we drive through the forest that outlines the roads I am reminded of the hundreds if not thousands that were slaughtered to possess the land that now makes this country. The thousands if not millions that died and whose blood now lies in the land these trees now make their rest. But one day the very trees will rejoice for the victory and justice that will come to those, both living and dead, for the innocent blood that was spilled on the ground. As the writer of I Chronicles wrote, "Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
HE KNOWS WHEN IT'S TIME by Robert Soto
April 24, 2010
HE KNOWS WHEN IT'S TIME by Robert Soto
Job 28:23-24 "God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens."
As we continue our journey to the northeast, I am discovering that the creation totally understands its needs to survive and sustain life. It knows when it is time to bloom and when it is time to flourish. It knows the seasons and when the time is right to come out with all its splendor. Of course in the southwest , like our territory, where it rarely gets cold, the leaves woke up a long time ago and the blossoms bloomed a long time ago. But that is the way God the Creator works in the everyday affairs of the creation which He himself created. He knows and understands the seasons and the times that it all comes together.
But that is the kind of God Creator we have learned to love and adore. He keeps an eye on everything He created; He knows our needs and what both we and the creation need. Solomon said, "God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens." He knows what we need to survive and when to bring it along. As Solomon said, "He alone knows where it dwells..." He understands our needs and He knows when we need it. So the creation only reminds us that He is in total control of our world around us. Just as the creation patiently waits to wake up to produce, so we should patiently wait for His care for us.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
HE KNOWS WHEN IT'S TIME by Robert Soto
Job 28:23-24 "God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens."
As we continue our journey to the northeast, I am discovering that the creation totally understands its needs to survive and sustain life. It knows when it is time to bloom and when it is time to flourish. It knows the seasons and when the time is right to come out with all its splendor. Of course in the southwest , like our territory, where it rarely gets cold, the leaves woke up a long time ago and the blossoms bloomed a long time ago. But that is the way God the Creator works in the everyday affairs of the creation which He himself created. He knows and understands the seasons and the times that it all comes together.
But that is the kind of God Creator we have learned to love and adore. He keeps an eye on everything He created; He knows our needs and what both we and the creation need. Solomon said, "God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens." He knows what we need to survive and when to bring it along. As Solomon said, "He alone knows where it dwells..." He understands our needs and He knows when we need it. So the creation only reminds us that He is in total control of our world around us. Just as the creation patiently waits to wake up to produce, so we should patiently wait for His care for us.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Friday, April 23, 2010
THE DESTRUCTION OF A GENERATION by Robert Soto
April 22, 2010
THE DESTRUCTION OF A GENERATION by Robert Soto
I John 2:15-16 "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."
What a waste when a teenager cries and you ask her, "Are you missing your family?" and she answers, "No, I'm missing the clubs I would normally go to tonight." What has our generation of Indians produced when one sees the things that take them away from family, friends and community? A community that is supposed to bring us closer together, yet today there are so many distractions that take us away from the people God has placed us in. What a waste it is when the things around us take us away from the knowledge of God and His power and love. What a waste when all that is pure and honest is destroyed by the things that are placed before us - not for mere entertainment but to take us away from the happiness that God the Creator intended for us and desires us to have.
I'm afraid we are turning out to be a generation of weak and destructive people. Weak because we have allowed the distractions of this work to keep us from enjoying the full and abundant life God the Creator has for us. Destructive because we are allowing things like the world system to destroy a generation of our people who have forgotten what it means to be a family and a tribe. They look at the things that lure us away from the things of God and His desire for us. Whatever happened to family? Whatever happened to friends? Whatever happened to community? Maybe this is why John wrote, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world." It is the world system that destroys - the desire to follow everything that our ancestors despised and tried to destroy. But we have nothing to worry about; for one day the road will run out and what will be left? John said, "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
THE DESTRUCTION OF A GENERATION by Robert Soto
I John 2:15-16 "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."
What a waste when a teenager cries and you ask her, "Are you missing your family?" and she answers, "No, I'm missing the clubs I would normally go to tonight." What has our generation of Indians produced when one sees the things that take them away from family, friends and community? A community that is supposed to bring us closer together, yet today there are so many distractions that take us away from the people God has placed us in. What a waste it is when the things around us take us away from the knowledge of God and His power and love. What a waste when all that is pure and honest is destroyed by the things that are placed before us - not for mere entertainment but to take us away from the happiness that God the Creator intended for us and desires us to have.
I'm afraid we are turning out to be a generation of weak and destructive people. Weak because we have allowed the distractions of this work to keep us from enjoying the full and abundant life God the Creator has for us. Destructive because we are allowing things like the world system to destroy a generation of our people who have forgotten what it means to be a family and a tribe. They look at the things that lure us away from the things of God and His desire for us. Whatever happened to family? Whatever happened to friends? Whatever happened to community? Maybe this is why John wrote, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world." It is the world system that destroys - the desire to follow everything that our ancestors despised and tried to destroy. But we have nothing to worry about; for one day the road will run out and what will be left? John said, "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
IT IS HARD TO FORGET by Robert Soto
April 23, 2010
IT IS HARD TO FORGET by Robert Soto
James 1:23-24 "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."
It seems like everywhere I go there are constant reminders of times past. Ghosts of the past that remind us that this vast parcel of land that is known as the United States of America once was Indian lands. So to remind us of that, they put Indian names on many places. Indian names that reflect the fact that we were once here and are now no more. Names that remind us as Indian people that we were once here and lived in the land. I'm not sure how to impress in your hearts if you are not Indian how it feels. I have tried many times to express in my heart how I would describe this feeling that haunts a lot of our Indian people. But I remember once a friend taking me through a place that they once owned. They had lost their home to the economy. As I walked around the building I could feel a sense of hopelessness and defeat. Each room was filled with memories of their brief time there.
So here we are, two hundred thirty-four years since becoming a nation and we still carry the memories and the whispers of the souls of those who once inhabited the land our feet walk upon. It might not have been our territory, but it is still land that once belonged to a people that maybe were not connected by tribe or language, but by blood. A common blood that made us and makes us who we are, American Indians. So how should we deal with this? Should we just live and forget and pretend that nothing ever happened? Should we say, 'move on with life' or, 'it must have been God's will for if it was not He would have stopped it?' I'm not sure what the answer is, but I do know one thing: America cannot ignore that it happened and that there must be some personal responsibility for what done. I guess ignoring the problem would be like what James said when he wrote, " "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." America cannot continue to walk with a filthy face pretending is clean.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
IT IS HARD TO FORGET by Robert Soto
James 1:23-24 "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."
It seems like everywhere I go there are constant reminders of times past. Ghosts of the past that remind us that this vast parcel of land that is known as the United States of America once was Indian lands. So to remind us of that, they put Indian names on many places. Indian names that reflect the fact that we were once here and are now no more. Names that remind us as Indian people that we were once here and lived in the land. I'm not sure how to impress in your hearts if you are not Indian how it feels. I have tried many times to express in my heart how I would describe this feeling that haunts a lot of our Indian people. But I remember once a friend taking me through a place that they once owned. They had lost their home to the economy. As I walked around the building I could feel a sense of hopelessness and defeat. Each room was filled with memories of their brief time there.
So here we are, two hundred thirty-four years since becoming a nation and we still carry the memories and the whispers of the souls of those who once inhabited the land our feet walk upon. It might not have been our territory, but it is still land that once belonged to a people that maybe were not connected by tribe or language, but by blood. A common blood that made us and makes us who we are, American Indians. So how should we deal with this? Should we just live and forget and pretend that nothing ever happened? Should we say, 'move on with life' or, 'it must have been God's will for if it was not He would have stopped it?' I'm not sure what the answer is, but I do know one thing: America cannot ignore that it happened and that there must be some personal responsibility for what done. I guess ignoring the problem would be like what James said when he wrote, " "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." America cannot continue to walk with a filthy face pretending is clean.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
My friends...Jump in Adam Edelstein
April 21, 2010
My friends...Jump in Adam Edelstein
The truly happy are those who carefully study God’s perfect law that makes people free, and they continue to study it. They do not forget what they heard, but they obey what God’s teaching says. Those who do this will be made happy.
(James 1:25)
What a promise. Happiness comes to those who do what they read! It’s the same with medicine. If you only read the label but ignore the pills, it won’t help. It’s the same with food. If you only read the recipe but never cook, you won’t be fed. And it’s the same with the Bible. If you only read the words but never obey, you’ll never know the joy God has promised.
My friends...Jump in Adam Edelstein
The truly happy are those who carefully study God’s perfect law that makes people free, and they continue to study it. They do not forget what they heard, but they obey what God’s teaching says. Those who do this will be made happy.
(James 1:25)
What a promise. Happiness comes to those who do what they read! It’s the same with medicine. If you only read the label but ignore the pills, it won’t help. It’s the same with food. If you only read the recipe but never cook, you won’t be fed. And it’s the same with the Bible. If you only read the words but never obey, you’ll never know the joy God has promised.
LOOKING DOWN AT US by Robert Soto
April 20, 2010
LOOKING DOWN AT US by Robert Soto
Ecclesiastes 4:1-2 "Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed-- and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors--and they have no comforter. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive."
The other day I sat down and watched the movie "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee." I remember when the book first came out back in the 1970's. I have never been much for pleasure reading but I remember seeing this book at one of the tribal offices of the Seminoles where I spent a lot time. So each time I had to sit and wait, I would read a few pages. It came to the point where sometimes I could not put the book down. Being that I am not much of a reader, I enjoy a good movie that brings to light that which I read. So seeing the movie about Wounded Knee brought to life that which I had read. In the movie they showed Sitting Bull who had voluntarily come to the Rosebud Reservation. But the part of the movie I can't forget is when one of the warriors said, "In this reservation we can hunt our own food." Then he went into a corral with his horse and chased a small calf and shot it. When the calf fell he yelled out his war cries. Then his face turned white with disappointment when he saw the eyes of a very discouraged Sitting Bull.
I'm not sure if this is the way it really happened, but through the night I couldn't help but think of the expression on his face as he remembered what life had been like and what it was today. His disappointment went further than his facial expression; it went down to the heart. Then I started to think of myself as I drove back from the pow wow. I looked at all our Indian people as they yelled the war cries after every song. I heard them complain about the judging and the food that was given. I heard them talk about keeping traditions of the elders and times past. Then it hit me. What would our ancestors of times past think of us today? Would they be proud of our dance, our traditions, our complaints, our gripes, or our lives? Would they be able to sit in the stands and look at us with a happy heart or with tears in their eyes wondering if this is what they died for. Then I thought of the words of Solomon when he was allowed to look at all who had been oppressed. He said, "And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
LOOKING DOWN AT US by Robert Soto
Ecclesiastes 4:1-2 "Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed-- and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors--and they have no comforter. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive."
The other day I sat down and watched the movie "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee." I remember when the book first came out back in the 1970's. I have never been much for pleasure reading but I remember seeing this book at one of the tribal offices of the Seminoles where I spent a lot time. So each time I had to sit and wait, I would read a few pages. It came to the point where sometimes I could not put the book down. Being that I am not much of a reader, I enjoy a good movie that brings to light that which I read. So seeing the movie about Wounded Knee brought to life that which I had read. In the movie they showed Sitting Bull who had voluntarily come to the Rosebud Reservation. But the part of the movie I can't forget is when one of the warriors said, "In this reservation we can hunt our own food." Then he went into a corral with his horse and chased a small calf and shot it. When the calf fell he yelled out his war cries. Then his face turned white with disappointment when he saw the eyes of a very discouraged Sitting Bull.
I'm not sure if this is the way it really happened, but through the night I couldn't help but think of the expression on his face as he remembered what life had been like and what it was today. His disappointment went further than his facial expression; it went down to the heart. Then I started to think of myself as I drove back from the pow wow. I looked at all our Indian people as they yelled the war cries after every song. I heard them complain about the judging and the food that was given. I heard them talk about keeping traditions of the elders and times past. Then it hit me. What would our ancestors of times past think of us today? Would they be proud of our dance, our traditions, our complaints, our gripes, or our lives? Would they be able to sit in the stands and look at us with a happy heart or with tears in their eyes wondering if this is what they died for. Then I thought of the words of Solomon when he was allowed to look at all who had been oppressed. He said, "And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
THE KEEPER OF HIS WORD by Robert Soto
April 21, 2010
THE KEEPER OF HIS WORD by Robert Soto
Titus 1:1-2 "Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness-- a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time..."
Recently there have been some good t-shirts with warnings and messages of things to come. One of those t-shirts says, "Sure, you can trust the government - just ask an Indian." It is a funny saying which has given many a good laugh, until you find yourself fighting the very government that millions have died to keep. But how true is the message? Behind the message is over 517 years of broken treaties. Behind the message is the history of a nation that really did not want what was best for another nation, but was determined to find a way to assimilate us into a culture that was foreign to us. So when it comes to the saying, "Sure, you can trust the government - just ask an Indian", you have a group of people whose history includes over two hundred years of mistrust and lies. So how can a group of people trust a governmental entity when it is a relationship based on lies and deception?
Geronimo, who trusted General Miles, was caught in the dilemma that what was promised to him was nothing but more lies. He wrote: "We had no property, and I looked in vain for General Miles to send me to that land of which he had spoken; I longed in vain for the implements, house, and stock that General Miles had promised me." Everything that was promised by General Miles was soon forgotten after Geronimo surrendered to the United States government. It seemed like they had gotten what they wanted and so keeping what they had promised was no longer important. It was just another relationship built on lies and deception. It is because of those times that we ask ourselves, "Who then can we trust?" There is only one answer to this and that is God the Creator of all men and everything we see and do not see. So whatever God the Creator promised you, He will keep. Paul wrote to Titus and said, "...a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time..." People and governments will always lie and break their promises, but our God and Creator will always keep His word.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
THE KEEPER OF HIS WORD by Robert Soto
Titus 1:1-2 "Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness-- a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time..."
Recently there have been some good t-shirts with warnings and messages of things to come. One of those t-shirts says, "Sure, you can trust the government - just ask an Indian." It is a funny saying which has given many a good laugh, until you find yourself fighting the very government that millions have died to keep. But how true is the message? Behind the message is over 517 years of broken treaties. Behind the message is the history of a nation that really did not want what was best for another nation, but was determined to find a way to assimilate us into a culture that was foreign to us. So when it comes to the saying, "Sure, you can trust the government - just ask an Indian", you have a group of people whose history includes over two hundred years of mistrust and lies. So how can a group of people trust a governmental entity when it is a relationship based on lies and deception?
Geronimo, who trusted General Miles, was caught in the dilemma that what was promised to him was nothing but more lies. He wrote: "We had no property, and I looked in vain for General Miles to send me to that land of which he had spoken; I longed in vain for the implements, house, and stock that General Miles had promised me." Everything that was promised by General Miles was soon forgotten after Geronimo surrendered to the United States government. It seemed like they had gotten what they wanted and so keeping what they had promised was no longer important. It was just another relationship built on lies and deception. It is because of those times that we ask ourselves, "Who then can we trust?" There is only one answer to this and that is God the Creator of all men and everything we see and do not see. So whatever God the Creator promised you, He will keep. Paul wrote to Titus and said, "...a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time..." People and governments will always lie and break their promises, but our God and Creator will always keep His word.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Monday, April 19, 2010
Will you STAND with me??? by Adam Edelstein
April 19, 2010
Will you STAND with me??? by Adam Edelstein
I am a soldier in the Army of My God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, Prayer and the Word are my weapons of Warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire.
I am a volunteer in this Army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this Army at the rapture or die in this Army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, I am faithful, capable, and dependable.
If My God needs me, I am there. If He needs me in Sunday school to teach children, work with the youth, help adults, or just sit and learn. He can use me, because I am there!
I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.
I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.
I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom!
I am a soldier. No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts.
I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to. I am committed!
I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
When Jesus called me into this Army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even.
I will win. My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ.
I am a soldier. Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me, and Hell cannot handle me!
I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to a captain and then bring me back to rule this world with Him.
I am a soldier in the Army, and I'm marching, claiming victory. I will not give up. I will not turn around.
I am a soldier, marching Heaven bound. Here I stand!
Will you stand with me?
Will you STAND with me??? by Adam Edelstein
I am a soldier in the Army of My God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, Prayer and the Word are my weapons of Warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire.
I am a volunteer in this Army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this Army at the rapture or die in this Army; but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, I am faithful, capable, and dependable.
If My God needs me, I am there. If He needs me in Sunday school to teach children, work with the youth, help adults, or just sit and learn. He can use me, because I am there!
I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.
I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.
I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom!
I am a soldier. No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts.
I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to. I am committed!
I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.
When Jesus called me into this Army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even.
I will win. My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ.
I am a soldier. Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me, and Hell cannot handle me!
I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to a captain and then bring me back to rule this world with Him.
I am a soldier in the Army, and I'm marching, claiming victory. I will not give up. I will not turn around.
I am a soldier, marching Heaven bound. Here I stand!
Will you stand with me?
STRENGTH GIVEN TO US by Robert Soto
April 19, 2010
STRENGTH GIVEN TO US by Robert Soto
1 Chronicles 29:12 "Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all."
There is nothing better for an Indian dancer than a good dance to enjoy ourselves and just come to have fun dancing. This weekend has been one of those weekends. This is the first pow wow I've attended since my heart problem about six weeks ago, in which I could have gotten a heart attack or stroke. Since then I have been preparing myself by exercising four times a week in the morning and walking a little over two miles in the afternoon. I was hoping that all the exercising I had been doing would help me endure a little more dancing since my feet and knees have been hurting a little more than normal. Well, this weekend was the 'proof in the pudding' and I discovered that all the work I have been doing to get into better shape has paid off. I had more energy and a little more strength than normal, thus enjoyed the dancing a little better.
So as I sit here reflecting on the day and all that was accomplished, I could not help but think that God the Creator will always help those who desire to better themselves physically and spiritually. That God the Creator will always honor those who honor Him, and give strength to those who seek Him and desire Him. As I danced a good dance today and danced with power and less pain than I have had in a long time, I thought of what was written in 1 Chronicles: "Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all." So whatever power or strength I had today did not come because of me, but because of God the Creator who thought it best that He give me just a little more strength and power to enjoy the dance just a little better this weekend.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
STRENGTH GIVEN TO US by Robert Soto
1 Chronicles 29:12 "Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all."
There is nothing better for an Indian dancer than a good dance to enjoy ourselves and just come to have fun dancing. This weekend has been one of those weekends. This is the first pow wow I've attended since my heart problem about six weeks ago, in which I could have gotten a heart attack or stroke. Since then I have been preparing myself by exercising four times a week in the morning and walking a little over two miles in the afternoon. I was hoping that all the exercising I had been doing would help me endure a little more dancing since my feet and knees have been hurting a little more than normal. Well, this weekend was the 'proof in the pudding' and I discovered that all the work I have been doing to get into better shape has paid off. I had more energy and a little more strength than normal, thus enjoyed the dancing a little better.
So as I sit here reflecting on the day and all that was accomplished, I could not help but think that God the Creator will always help those who desire to better themselves physically and spiritually. That God the Creator will always honor those who honor Him, and give strength to those who seek Him and desire Him. As I danced a good dance today and danced with power and less pain than I have had in a long time, I thought of what was written in 1 Chronicles: "Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all." So whatever power or strength I had today did not come because of me, but because of God the Creator who thought it best that He give me just a little more strength and power to enjoy the dance just a little better this weekend.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Sunday, April 18, 2010
HE IS IN OUR MIDST by Robert Soto
April 18, 2010
HE IS IN OUR MIDST by Robert Soto
Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
We are on the way to a pow wow. It is about eleven hours away, but with every mile that comes along I get more and more excited. There is something about a pow wow that I really enjoy. I will see old friends and make new friends. I will dance to songs that have been around for hundreds of years and I will dance to songs that have been around for only months. But what makes a pow wow so different than other dances and other gatherings? I thought about it the other day and three things came to mind. First of all, there is community in a pow wow. By community I mean that our Indian people, regardless of tribe, come together to enjoy our Indianness. The second thing is culture. The outfits we wear might be colorful in view of our modern times, but they reflect who we are - and who we were. The crafts and the songs and the dances bring us all together as one people. The third thing is what I call Curiosity. People, both Indian and non-Indian who know nothing about pow wows will come with a curious mind. Some will walk away close-minded and others will sit among us and enjoy and see what we see.
But regardless of what they see or do not see; regardless of what we do or do not do, it will not change the truth that we come together as one people and one group. The pow wow brings us together as family. It brings us together as a people. But not just as a people, but as a people which God the Creator created. As a people who see the importance of who we are and how we were created. But the best feeling I get about a pow wow, and is a thought the comes to me from even our non-Indian visitors, is the feeling that God the Creator is in the midst of all that is going on at the pow wow. We feel His presence and those who come in feel the same thing. They feel the spirituality of the people God the Creator created us to be. Jesus said, "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." So in the middle of our all dancing, singing and celebrating, God the Creator is with us and in the midst of us.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
HE IS IN OUR MIDST by Robert Soto
Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
We are on the way to a pow wow. It is about eleven hours away, but with every mile that comes along I get more and more excited. There is something about a pow wow that I really enjoy. I will see old friends and make new friends. I will dance to songs that have been around for hundreds of years and I will dance to songs that have been around for only months. But what makes a pow wow so different than other dances and other gatherings? I thought about it the other day and three things came to mind. First of all, there is community in a pow wow. By community I mean that our Indian people, regardless of tribe, come together to enjoy our Indianness. The second thing is culture. The outfits we wear might be colorful in view of our modern times, but they reflect who we are - and who we were. The crafts and the songs and the dances bring us all together as one people. The third thing is what I call Curiosity. People, both Indian and non-Indian who know nothing about pow wows will come with a curious mind. Some will walk away close-minded and others will sit among us and enjoy and see what we see.
But regardless of what they see or do not see; regardless of what we do or do not do, it will not change the truth that we come together as one people and one group. The pow wow brings us together as family. It brings us together as a people. But not just as a people, but as a people which God the Creator created. As a people who see the importance of who we are and how we were created. But the best feeling I get about a pow wow, and is a thought the comes to me from even our non-Indian visitors, is the feeling that God the Creator is in the midst of all that is going on at the pow wow. We feel His presence and those who come in feel the same thing. They feel the spirituality of the people God the Creator created us to be. Jesus said, "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." So in the middle of our all dancing, singing and celebrating, God the Creator is with us and in the midst of us.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
IT IS A GOOD LAND by Robert Soto
April 17, 2010
IT IS A GOOD LAND by Robert Soto
Psalm 65:9 "You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it."
We are driving through the Texas Hill Country. It has been raining so everything is green and beautiful. The wildflowers are in full bloom and the various arrays of color exemplify the natural beauty that only God the Creator could have imagined. The creation is an amazing thing. Our people saw the creation as a gift from God the Creator for the good of the people. I could write about the creation but in the midst of all this beauty comes the reminder that our people once made their home among these valleys, rivers and creeks. We used to do our hunting and survival among the things God the creator created for us. But when you read the history of the land it seems like people have deliberately forgotten who was here before Columbus first stepped on the Island of San Salvador.
This memory came to mind yesterday as I was invited to share how we used the grant money given to us by the city's Art Council. Before I shared how we used the grant money, I shared a little of our history and how the grant brought everything together in full circle. It was then that I concluded that we are the forgotten people. People that came to our lands and who now make their homes in what used to be our lands have forgotten that we once cared for this land and lived on this land and considered this land sacred and a gift from God the Creator. We took care of the land but at the end we acknowledged that it was not us but God the Creator who worked through us and the gift He gave us. David said, "You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it." It was and continues to be a good land, even though the people who live on it have forgotten.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
IT IS A GOOD LAND by Robert Soto
Psalm 65:9 "You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it."
We are driving through the Texas Hill Country. It has been raining so everything is green and beautiful. The wildflowers are in full bloom and the various arrays of color exemplify the natural beauty that only God the Creator could have imagined. The creation is an amazing thing. Our people saw the creation as a gift from God the Creator for the good of the people. I could write about the creation but in the midst of all this beauty comes the reminder that our people once made their home among these valleys, rivers and creeks. We used to do our hunting and survival among the things God the creator created for us. But when you read the history of the land it seems like people have deliberately forgotten who was here before Columbus first stepped on the Island of San Salvador.
This memory came to mind yesterday as I was invited to share how we used the grant money given to us by the city's Art Council. Before I shared how we used the grant money, I shared a little of our history and how the grant brought everything together in full circle. It was then that I concluded that we are the forgotten people. People that came to our lands and who now make their homes in what used to be our lands have forgotten that we once cared for this land and lived on this land and considered this land sacred and a gift from God the Creator. We took care of the land but at the end we acknowledged that it was not us but God the Creator who worked through us and the gift He gave us. David said, "You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it." It was and continues to be a good land, even though the people who live on it have forgotten.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Friday, April 16, 2010
WORDS THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN by Robert Soto
April 16, 2010
WORDS THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN by Robert Soto
Matthew 5:18 "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."
I sometimes sit at night and feel for our leaders of times past. Their world was quickly disappearing and they had no place to go and no one to turn to. They were wanted in both Mexico and in the United States. American soldiers were violating the law by going into Mexico and attacking Apaches. The question is why would our people give up? Why would they insist on keeping on with their lifestyle and way of life if they knew that it would soon end? One reason was that our Apache people, as with hundreds of other tribes, knew that no matter what they were promised, those making the promises were not planning to keep their word. So how could you trust the words of people who would do whatever it took to take what was not theirs - the land? Geronimo, like the majority of those leaders, suffered with the decisions they made, thinking and hoping they were doing what was best for their people.
So there Geronimo sat in prison, realizing that his biggest nightmare had come true. What they promised they did not do. Geronimo said, "For nearly two years we were kept at hard labor in this place and we did not see our families until May, 1887. This treatment was in direct violation of our treaty made at Skeleton Canyon." Everything they ever promised Geronimo was gone. Every word they had given him was considered a lie. Every treaty, signed was lost and now Geronimo stood in prison thinking of those words and seeing his men and women and children die because of his own words and his mark on a paper with words he prayed would be kept. I'm not sure what to say and what to think, but I can say one thing, I am glad that God's Word is not like the promises given to Geronimo and thousands of our tribal leaders in times past. If God promised He would do it, He will do it. If He promised it would come true, it would come true. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
WORDS THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN by Robert Soto
Matthew 5:18 "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."
I sometimes sit at night and feel for our leaders of times past. Their world was quickly disappearing and they had no place to go and no one to turn to. They were wanted in both Mexico and in the United States. American soldiers were violating the law by going into Mexico and attacking Apaches. The question is why would our people give up? Why would they insist on keeping on with their lifestyle and way of life if they knew that it would soon end? One reason was that our Apache people, as with hundreds of other tribes, knew that no matter what they were promised, those making the promises were not planning to keep their word. So how could you trust the words of people who would do whatever it took to take what was not theirs - the land? Geronimo, like the majority of those leaders, suffered with the decisions they made, thinking and hoping they were doing what was best for their people.
So there Geronimo sat in prison, realizing that his biggest nightmare had come true. What they promised they did not do. Geronimo said, "For nearly two years we were kept at hard labor in this place and we did not see our families until May, 1887. This treatment was in direct violation of our treaty made at Skeleton Canyon." Everything they ever promised Geronimo was gone. Every word they had given him was considered a lie. Every treaty, signed was lost and now Geronimo stood in prison thinking of those words and seeing his men and women and children die because of his own words and his mark on a paper with words he prayed would be kept. I'm not sure what to say and what to think, but I can say one thing, I am glad that God's Word is not like the promises given to Geronimo and thousands of our tribal leaders in times past. If God promised He would do it, He will do it. If He promised it would come true, it would come true. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Thursday, April 15, 2010
My prayer for you today my friends...by Adam Edelstein
April 12, 2010
My prayer for you today my friends...by Adam Edelstein
Beloved try talking things out just sit down with you problems and give them a fair and honest WARNING.
Tell them how BIG you GOD is, and what he does to problems that plague his people, and that HE is only a prayer away.
Advise them that they have to flee, darkness cannot exist when there is light.
Remind them: of the flood, the wedding, the 5000 feast, the blindness cured, the lame that walked, the walls that fell, the people raised, the resurrection.
Remind your problems of what happens when they show up on the doorstep of a child of GOD, a believer of CHRIST, a son or daughter of the KING of Kings.
Remind them and remember yourself that when all seemed lost, when the improbable was all but impossible, that the GOD you serve is STILL in the miracle business, and that BUSINESS IS GOOD!!!
I promise you my friends that if you do this and BELIEVE that GOD has you back, as long as you walk with him your steps will be lighter and there will be a spring in your step, no matter what you face.
Now WALK like you Know.
BE Blessed
My prayer for you today my friends...by Adam Edelstein
Beloved try talking things out just sit down with you problems and give them a fair and honest WARNING.
Tell them how BIG you GOD is, and what he does to problems that plague his people, and that HE is only a prayer away.
Advise them that they have to flee, darkness cannot exist when there is light.
Remind them: of the flood, the wedding, the 5000 feast, the blindness cured, the lame that walked, the walls that fell, the people raised, the resurrection.
Remind your problems of what happens when they show up on the doorstep of a child of GOD, a believer of CHRIST, a son or daughter of the KING of Kings.
Remind them and remember yourself that when all seemed lost, when the improbable was all but impossible, that the GOD you serve is STILL in the miracle business, and that BUSINESS IS GOOD!!!
I promise you my friends that if you do this and BELIEVE that GOD has you back, as long as you walk with him your steps will be lighter and there will be a spring in your step, no matter what you face.
Now WALK like you Know.
BE Blessed
THE BLESSING THAT NEVER STOPS by Robert Soto
April 15, 2010
THE BLESSING THAT NEVER STOPS by Robert Soto
Psalm 103:17-18 "But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children--with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts."
It has been an interesting three and a half years of being a grandfather. I have been able to spend a little more time with my grandson than I did with my children. I was in seminary when my children were little. I was taking seventeen to twenty-one hours a semester and going to school through the summer and winter months. So I was in school year round. Furthermore, to help with the finances, I was putting in thirty-five to forty hours a week of work. But in the midst of a heavy three-year schedule, I still tried to spend some time with my children, just not as much as I am now able to do with my grandson. So in these past three years I have seen him develop in ways I did not see my children develop. I have had the privilege of taking walks with him and from time to time stop for five or ten minutes just to stare at a squirrel or a flock of birds. We have stopped to watch a turtle or two sunbathing, or maybe collecting a few rocks and just throwing them in the air.
I am enjoying my time with my grandson. I want him to learn everything he can of who he is and who God the Creator made him to be. I want him to learn about God and His love for us. I want him to understand God's desire for our lives and to learn to love Him. I want him to learn to respect his elders and respect the creation which God the Creator made to speak of Him. I want my grandson to remember the good things that God the Creator has done on behalf of his people. I want my grandson to be a proud Lipan Apache. There is blessing when we teach them to do what is right. God the Creator remembers the things we do and the things we are to accomplish. God the Creator will not forget a people who love Him and honor Him. David knew this and for this reason he wrote, "But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children--with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts." Live a life that honors God and see His blessing fall not just onto your life, but also on the lives of your children and grandchildren.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
THE BLESSING THAT NEVER STOPS by Robert Soto
Psalm 103:17-18 "But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children--with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts."
It has been an interesting three and a half years of being a grandfather. I have been able to spend a little more time with my grandson than I did with my children. I was in seminary when my children were little. I was taking seventeen to twenty-one hours a semester and going to school through the summer and winter months. So I was in school year round. Furthermore, to help with the finances, I was putting in thirty-five to forty hours a week of work. But in the midst of a heavy three-year schedule, I still tried to spend some time with my children, just not as much as I am now able to do with my grandson. So in these past three years I have seen him develop in ways I did not see my children develop. I have had the privilege of taking walks with him and from time to time stop for five or ten minutes just to stare at a squirrel or a flock of birds. We have stopped to watch a turtle or two sunbathing, or maybe collecting a few rocks and just throwing them in the air.
I am enjoying my time with my grandson. I want him to learn everything he can of who he is and who God the Creator made him to be. I want him to learn about God and His love for us. I want him to understand God's desire for our lives and to learn to love Him. I want him to learn to respect his elders and respect the creation which God the Creator made to speak of Him. I want my grandson to remember the good things that God the Creator has done on behalf of his people. I want my grandson to be a proud Lipan Apache. There is blessing when we teach them to do what is right. God the Creator remembers the things we do and the things we are to accomplish. God the Creator will not forget a people who love Him and honor Him. David knew this and for this reason he wrote, "But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children--with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts." Live a life that honors God and see His blessing fall not just onto your life, but also on the lives of your children and grandchildren.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Have you ever been here...on either side by Adam Edelstein
Have you ever been here...on either side by Adam Edelstein
April 14, 2010
Recently, my wife planned a date night out for the two of us: dinner and then a concert featuring a jazz pianist she particularly enjoys. When the actual night arrived, we made the hour-long drive to the town where the performance was, picked up our tickets at the theater, and then made our way to a restaurant we had noticed as we arrived into town.
Called the Copper Grill, we arrived at the restaurant doors with healthy appetites and even healthier expectations of a wonderful meal together. Waiting for us, just inside the door were two smartly dressed women - one of whom was holding a clipboard. The holder of the clipboard delivered a marvelous greeting to us, which we enthusiastically returned. Things were looking good for a nice meal and excellent service in a friendly restaurant.
Mademoiselle Clipboard then asked us our names. I replied that we did not have reservations. The other lady then looked at her co-worker and said, "This is going to happen a few times tonight." They went on to explain that the restaurant was new and not open that night. I glanced at all the people sitting at tables, enjoying themselves, and eating my food. Our greeters then told us how the night was just a practice for the staff and kitchen crew before opening for real. Only people who were friends of employees, and on their list, were being served and eating that night. I told the ladies that I didn't mind eating at the restaurant while they practiced - even if they happened to be rude to me. But no, we weren't in the in crowd and that meant no food for us. Before we left they invited us to come back next week.
As I look back on my initial feelings at being turned away from that restaurant, I can't help but think that they were similar to the feelings that many newcomers have when visiting some churches. For the most part, newcomers to churches are hungry and looking for something in their life and most of the churches they visit have people who are very good at saying, "Hello!" and greeting them.
Sadly, however, in many churches the welcome and the welcoming stop there. New people quickly find out that even though there is lots happening and being offered in the church, it is happening for, and being offered to, only those who have an inside connection to people who are already in the church. Hungry visitors to such cold and unfriendly church fortresses soon learn, with sad disappointment, that like the people in the Copper Grill the night I was there, the church they have gone to is only playing restaurant and has no intention to feed them.
Those who turn the hungry away from their churches in such a way often don't realize they are doing it. Instead they usually just huddle together and wonder aloud, "Why isn't our church growing?" Sadly none of them can see that when new people visit them they greet them by saying, "Welcome! Go away."
April 14, 2010
Recently, my wife planned a date night out for the two of us: dinner and then a concert featuring a jazz pianist she particularly enjoys. When the actual night arrived, we made the hour-long drive to the town where the performance was, picked up our tickets at the theater, and then made our way to a restaurant we had noticed as we arrived into town.
Called the Copper Grill, we arrived at the restaurant doors with healthy appetites and even healthier expectations of a wonderful meal together. Waiting for us, just inside the door were two smartly dressed women - one of whom was holding a clipboard. The holder of the clipboard delivered a marvelous greeting to us, which we enthusiastically returned. Things were looking good for a nice meal and excellent service in a friendly restaurant.
Mademoiselle Clipboard then asked us our names. I replied that we did not have reservations. The other lady then looked at her co-worker and said, "This is going to happen a few times tonight." They went on to explain that the restaurant was new and not open that night. I glanced at all the people sitting at tables, enjoying themselves, and eating my food. Our greeters then told us how the night was just a practice for the staff and kitchen crew before opening for real. Only people who were friends of employees, and on their list, were being served and eating that night. I told the ladies that I didn't mind eating at the restaurant while they practiced - even if they happened to be rude to me. But no, we weren't in the in crowd and that meant no food for us. Before we left they invited us to come back next week.
As I look back on my initial feelings at being turned away from that restaurant, I can't help but think that they were similar to the feelings that many newcomers have when visiting some churches. For the most part, newcomers to churches are hungry and looking for something in their life and most of the churches they visit have people who are very good at saying, "Hello!" and greeting them.
Sadly, however, in many churches the welcome and the welcoming stop there. New people quickly find out that even though there is lots happening and being offered in the church, it is happening for, and being offered to, only those who have an inside connection to people who are already in the church. Hungry visitors to such cold and unfriendly church fortresses soon learn, with sad disappointment, that like the people in the Copper Grill the night I was there, the church they have gone to is only playing restaurant and has no intention to feed them.
Those who turn the hungry away from their churches in such a way often don't realize they are doing it. Instead they usually just huddle together and wonder aloud, "Why isn't our church growing?" Sadly none of them can see that when new people visit them they greet them by saying, "Welcome! Go away."
THE POWER OF YOUR FEET by Robert Soto
April 14, 2010
THE POWER OF YOUR FEET by Robert Soto
2 Samuel 22:33-34 "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights."
Every two years or so a sacred ritual happens. It used to be almost every year but later I discovered how to skip a year and go every two years. Well, this time I just managed to keep them for five and a half years. What am I talking about you may ask? I'm talking about the soles of my moccasins. I used to change them every year but now I double the soles and it takes me about two or two and a half years to wear right through them. This time I got kind of lazy though. Not just because I was lazy, but because I did not have the time to sit down and re-sew the new soles on them. It takes four to five days to repair them. So as I took the old soles off, I noticed that the old soles had taken the shape of my feet. I could see where each toe went in. They were a perfect match to each foot.
But in the last four and a half years, these soles have danced in Australia, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany, France and Canada. That is not counting about twenty or twenty-five states where I danced at pow wows, church services, schools and other events. As I changed the first soles, I could not help but wonder what would happen if they could talk. What would they say about the thousands of lives that heard how God the Creator changed our lives and how their lives could also be changed if they put their trust and faith in God the Creator's hands. What would they say about all the lives that were changed and who are now walking in the path that God the Creator set before them? I am losing some old friends who have served me well. But now I am putting on new ones and with each stitch I wonder what adventures God the Creator has for us. Then I thought about how many times I did not feel like dancing. My feet were hurting too much, my back felt horrible and my knees were telling me to sit down and relax. Then it hit me that whatever new adventures I and the new soles on my moccasins would have together, they will be done through the power of God the Creator. Samuel said, "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
THE POWER OF YOUR FEET by Robert Soto
2 Samuel 22:33-34 "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights."
Every two years or so a sacred ritual happens. It used to be almost every year but later I discovered how to skip a year and go every two years. Well, this time I just managed to keep them for five and a half years. What am I talking about you may ask? I'm talking about the soles of my moccasins. I used to change them every year but now I double the soles and it takes me about two or two and a half years to wear right through them. This time I got kind of lazy though. Not just because I was lazy, but because I did not have the time to sit down and re-sew the new soles on them. It takes four to five days to repair them. So as I took the old soles off, I noticed that the old soles had taken the shape of my feet. I could see where each toe went in. They were a perfect match to each foot.
But in the last four and a half years, these soles have danced in Australia, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany, France and Canada. That is not counting about twenty or twenty-five states where I danced at pow wows, church services, schools and other events. As I changed the first soles, I could not help but wonder what would happen if they could talk. What would they say about the thousands of lives that heard how God the Creator changed our lives and how their lives could also be changed if they put their trust and faith in God the Creator's hands. What would they say about all the lives that were changed and who are now walking in the path that God the Creator set before them? I am losing some old friends who have served me well. But now I am putting on new ones and with each stitch I wonder what adventures God the Creator has for us. Then I thought about how many times I did not feel like dancing. My feet were hurting too much, my back felt horrible and my knees were telling me to sit down and relax. Then it hit me that whatever new adventures I and the new soles on my moccasins would have together, they will be done through the power of God the Creator. Samuel said, "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Promise Yourself by Adam Edelstein
April 13, 2010
Promise Yourself by Adam Edelstein
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to everyone you meet.
To make all your friends feel there is something special in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry,
Too noble for anger,
Too strong for fear,
And too happy to permit the presence of trouble
Promise Yourself by Adam Edelstein
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to everyone you meet.
To make all your friends feel there is something special in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry,
Too noble for anger,
Too strong for fear,
And too happy to permit the presence of trouble
HE IS THE ONE WHO MAKES IT RAIN by Robert Soto
April 13, 2010
HE IS THE ONE WHO MAKES IT RAIN by Robert Soto
Zechariah 10:1 "Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone."
I woke up yesterday ready to hit the working trail. I was going to work on the corral for about four hours and then come home and trim one of two trees. I got up with enough time to exercise and get things ready for the day's work. But as I started to open my eyes, I heard something that sounded like rain. I looked out the window and there it was - a rainstorm. It was raining all around. It was not a heavy rain, but enough rain to keep me indoors and prevent me from doing the work I had set out to do when I woke up. I decided I'd wait an hour before changing my plans, but after an hour it was obvious that it was not going to stop but just keep raining throughout the day.
Sometimes life is that way. We plan and pray and prepare and then something like rain keeps us from accomplishing what we feel we need to do. Zechariah said, "Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone." He starts off with "Ask the Lord for rain..." The problem was that I did not ask the Lord for rain. I asked Him for a good sunny day. Rain was the last thing on my mind and in my plans for the day. But the second part of the verse says, "...it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone." What does that mean to us? Well, I might not have prayed for rain or have even prayed that there would be no rain; yet in the end it still rained. It rained because God the Creator felt we needed the rain. After all, we cannot do anything to make it rain but pray. I did not pray for rain. So why did it rain? Because in spite of my selfish desires to do what I wanted to do, God the Creator felt we needed the rain more than I needed to work on the buffalo corral or on trimming the tree. So in the end, it is God the Creator who knows what is best for us and what is not. So we pray and plan and prepare, but ultimately, it is God not us who decides.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
HE IS THE ONE WHO MAKES IT RAIN by Robert Soto
Zechariah 10:1 "Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone."
I woke up yesterday ready to hit the working trail. I was going to work on the corral for about four hours and then come home and trim one of two trees. I got up with enough time to exercise and get things ready for the day's work. But as I started to open my eyes, I heard something that sounded like rain. I looked out the window and there it was - a rainstorm. It was raining all around. It was not a heavy rain, but enough rain to keep me indoors and prevent me from doing the work I had set out to do when I woke up. I decided I'd wait an hour before changing my plans, but after an hour it was obvious that it was not going to stop but just keep raining throughout the day.
Sometimes life is that way. We plan and pray and prepare and then something like rain keeps us from accomplishing what we feel we need to do. Zechariah said, "Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone." He starts off with "Ask the Lord for rain..." The problem was that I did not ask the Lord for rain. I asked Him for a good sunny day. Rain was the last thing on my mind and in my plans for the day. But the second part of the verse says, "...it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone." What does that mean to us? Well, I might not have prayed for rain or have even prayed that there would be no rain; yet in the end it still rained. It rained because God the Creator felt we needed the rain. After all, we cannot do anything to make it rain but pray. I did not pray for rain. So why did it rain? Because in spite of my selfish desires to do what I wanted to do, God the Creator felt we needed the rain more than I needed to work on the buffalo corral or on trimming the tree. So in the end, it is God the Creator who knows what is best for us and what is not. So we pray and plan and prepare, but ultimately, it is God not us who decides.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Monday, April 12, 2010
THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE by Adam Edelstein
April 11, 2010
THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE by Adam Edelstein
The promise: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
The context of the promise. Jesus had been speaking with Nicodemus, a leading Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin. Nicodemus had admitted that he and his associates knew that Jesus was “a teacher come from God” (John 3:2). But they remained confused.
Jesus told Nicodemus that He had come from heaven to become the focus of Israel’s faith.
Understanding the promise. John 3:16 has been called “the gospel in a nutshell.” It establishes God’s motive in sending His Son: love. It establishes the identity of Jesus: God’s Son. It establishes God’s goal in sending Jesus: to provide everlasting life to a perishing humankind. And it defines the promise implicit in Jesus’ coming: whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
Claiming the promise. The word believe can be confusing. We believe that Augustus Caesar was the Roman emperor when Jesus was born. But there is a vast difference between this kind of belief and believing in the Jesus who lived in Augustus’s time.
The difference is expressed in two prepositions. We believe what history tells us about Augustus. We agree that certain things in the historical record are probably accurate and true. But we believe in Jesus Christ. While we agree that certain things history tells us about Jesus are accurate and true, we go beyond this kind of belief. What believing in means is that we trust ourselves to the Jesus of history. We rely completely on Him and His sacrifice on Calvary. In doing so, we accept the gift of eternal life which He offers.
There’s another difference too. Our beliefs about Augustus Caesar make no real difference in our lives. But our belief in Jesus Christ will make a profound difference. When we trust ourselves to Jesus, God enters our hearts and begins to work a wonderful transformation. Our motives and desires change, and with them our behavior changes also. Belief in Jesus initiates an inner transformation which gradually reshapes believers toward Jesus’ likeness.
Responding to the promise. Too many people don’t know the difference between belief about the facts of Jesus’ life and death and belief in Jesus. To claim God’s promise of everlasting life, we are to come to a conscious decision to rely on Jesus for forgiveness of our sins and so accept God’s wonderful gift of eternal life.
Be Encouraged
THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE by Adam Edelstein
The promise: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
The context of the promise. Jesus had been speaking with Nicodemus, a leading Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin. Nicodemus had admitted that he and his associates knew that Jesus was “a teacher come from God” (John 3:2). But they remained confused.
Jesus told Nicodemus that He had come from heaven to become the focus of Israel’s faith.
Understanding the promise. John 3:16 has been called “the gospel in a nutshell.” It establishes God’s motive in sending His Son: love. It establishes the identity of Jesus: God’s Son. It establishes God’s goal in sending Jesus: to provide everlasting life to a perishing humankind. And it defines the promise implicit in Jesus’ coming: whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
Claiming the promise. The word believe can be confusing. We believe that Augustus Caesar was the Roman emperor when Jesus was born. But there is a vast difference between this kind of belief and believing in the Jesus who lived in Augustus’s time.
The difference is expressed in two prepositions. We believe what history tells us about Augustus. We agree that certain things in the historical record are probably accurate and true. But we believe in Jesus Christ. While we agree that certain things history tells us about Jesus are accurate and true, we go beyond this kind of belief. What believing in means is that we trust ourselves to the Jesus of history. We rely completely on Him and His sacrifice on Calvary. In doing so, we accept the gift of eternal life which He offers.
There’s another difference too. Our beliefs about Augustus Caesar make no real difference in our lives. But our belief in Jesus Christ will make a profound difference. When we trust ourselves to Jesus, God enters our hearts and begins to work a wonderful transformation. Our motives and desires change, and with them our behavior changes also. Belief in Jesus initiates an inner transformation which gradually reshapes believers toward Jesus’ likeness.
Responding to the promise. Too many people don’t know the difference between belief about the facts of Jesus’ life and death and belief in Jesus. To claim God’s promise of everlasting life, we are to come to a conscious decision to rely on Jesus for forgiveness of our sins and so accept God’s wonderful gift of eternal life.
Be Encouraged
PRIDE THAT BRINGS A FALL by Robert Soto
April 12, 2010
PRIDE THAT BRINGS A FALL by Robert Soto
Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
One of my favorite jobs I have ever had was working with animals at the Seminole Indian Reservation. I had the opportunity to handle mountain lions, bobcats and rattlesnakes, along with various other poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, bears, alligator snapper turtles and my all-time favorite, alligators. I'm not sure why, but I loved handling alligators. I guess that is why I became a professional alligator wrestler for about three years. Even though I was paid good for the times, I did not do it for the money but for the thrill. It seemed like when I jumped into a pit full of alligators (usually about ten to fifteen) I felt like superman. I felt like I was in control. I felt like I could conquer the world.
But I remember when I lost for the first time. There were no referees, so how would one determine whether one won or lost the match? For us as alligator wrestlers, we won when we came out of the pit unharmed and we lost when we came out hurt. I remember the first time I lost. I had the alligator by the mouth with both hands as I sat on his back holding his neck back. It was at that time the I let my confidence get the best of me and I relaxed just a little, just as the alligator decided to open his month and both of my thumbs slipped into his mouth. Before I could take them out, his quick reacting mouth snapped and caught my right thumb. I managed to yanked it out of his mouth but he left my right thumb with four large puncture wombs. I share this story with you because it reminds me that sometimes we allow our confidence to get the best of us and as the old saying goes, pride goes before the fall. I will never forget the words that Solomon wrote: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." For one brief moment, I forgot that I was not in control and God had to remind me that I was not in control.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
PRIDE THAT BRINGS A FALL by Robert Soto
Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
One of my favorite jobs I have ever had was working with animals at the Seminole Indian Reservation. I had the opportunity to handle mountain lions, bobcats and rattlesnakes, along with various other poisonous and non-poisonous snakes, bears, alligator snapper turtles and my all-time favorite, alligators. I'm not sure why, but I loved handling alligators. I guess that is why I became a professional alligator wrestler for about three years. Even though I was paid good for the times, I did not do it for the money but for the thrill. It seemed like when I jumped into a pit full of alligators (usually about ten to fifteen) I felt like superman. I felt like I was in control. I felt like I could conquer the world.
But I remember when I lost for the first time. There were no referees, so how would one determine whether one won or lost the match? For us as alligator wrestlers, we won when we came out of the pit unharmed and we lost when we came out hurt. I remember the first time I lost. I had the alligator by the mouth with both hands as I sat on his back holding his neck back. It was at that time the I let my confidence get the best of me and I relaxed just a little, just as the alligator decided to open his month and both of my thumbs slipped into his mouth. Before I could take them out, his quick reacting mouth snapped and caught my right thumb. I managed to yanked it out of his mouth but he left my right thumb with four large puncture wombs. I share this story with you because it reminds me that sometimes we allow our confidence to get the best of us and as the old saying goes, pride goes before the fall. I will never forget the words that Solomon wrote: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." For one brief moment, I forgot that I was not in control and God had to remind me that I was not in control.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
BEAUTY THAT REFLECTS HISTORY by Robert Soto
April 11, 2010
BEAUTY THAT REFLECTS HISTORY by Robert Soto
Song of Solomon 2:11-12 "See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come,the cooing of doves is heard in our land."
Springtime is a beautiful time in the Texas brushland. The wildflowers are in full bloom. Some will die but then other kinds of wildflowers will take their place. As one drives along the freeway that now cuts through the Texas brushland you cannot help but be in awe over the natural beauty. You see the bright reds and whites clustered with pink and yellow and blue and purple and bright orange flowers covering the landscape by the billions of flowers. It was about the time that we went past a place called Lipan Hill, which was there thousands of years before the first white man came and made their dwelling in our lands. The hill was covered with the bright green new leaves of the trees like the mesquite or huisache or Texas sagebrush. But there no flowers were found on the hillside. Then we went past the hill and into the small valley by the creek called Lipan Creek. It was then that I noticed the valley full of what looked like millions of white flowers. There were so many that it actually looked like the valley was full of snow.
As I stared at the field full of flowers I couldn't help but imagine what it might have been like as hundreds of our people made this valley a place of safety and a place of peace. I imagined the children of our people playing by the creek and their mothers sitting nearby preparing the next meal. It was a time of spring and it was a time of celebration. The winter was gone and the new had come which was symbolized by the flowers growing in the fields and meadows. I could imagine the men singing and drumming and getting ready for the big hunt and maybe planning their next raid. Spring was a symbol of life and a new beginning. Solomon wrote, "See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come,the cooing of doves is heard in our land." Spring flowers provide more than just beauty; they are a reminder of what life was once like.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
BEAUTY THAT REFLECTS HISTORY by Robert Soto
Song of Solomon 2:11-12 "See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come,the cooing of doves is heard in our land."
Springtime is a beautiful time in the Texas brushland. The wildflowers are in full bloom. Some will die but then other kinds of wildflowers will take their place. As one drives along the freeway that now cuts through the Texas brushland you cannot help but be in awe over the natural beauty. You see the bright reds and whites clustered with pink and yellow and blue and purple and bright orange flowers covering the landscape by the billions of flowers. It was about the time that we went past a place called Lipan Hill, which was there thousands of years before the first white man came and made their dwelling in our lands. The hill was covered with the bright green new leaves of the trees like the mesquite or huisache or Texas sagebrush. But there no flowers were found on the hillside. Then we went past the hill and into the small valley by the creek called Lipan Creek. It was then that I noticed the valley full of what looked like millions of white flowers. There were so many that it actually looked like the valley was full of snow.
As I stared at the field full of flowers I couldn't help but imagine what it might have been like as hundreds of our people made this valley a place of safety and a place of peace. I imagined the children of our people playing by the creek and their mothers sitting nearby preparing the next meal. It was a time of spring and it was a time of celebration. The winter was gone and the new had come which was symbolized by the flowers growing in the fields and meadows. I could imagine the men singing and drumming and getting ready for the big hunt and maybe planning their next raid. Spring was a symbol of life and a new beginning. Solomon wrote, "See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come,the cooing of doves is heard in our land." Spring flowers provide more than just beauty; they are a reminder of what life was once like.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
God's 26 Guards (Posted by Marietjie Roux in a Facebook Note)
God's 26 Guards
Here's a message that will bring you chills.
Have you ever felt the urge to pray for someone and then just put it on a list and said, 'I'll pray for them later'?
Or has anyone ever called you and said,'I need you to pray for me, I have this need?'
Read the following story that was sent to me and may it change the way that you may think about prayer and also the way you pray. You will be blessed by this.
A missionary on furlough told this true story while visiting his home church in Michigan.
'While serving at a small field hospital in Africa, every two weeks I traveled by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies. This was a journey of two days and required camping overnight at the halfway point.
On one of these journeys, I arrived in the city where I planned to collect money from a bank, purchase medicine, and supplies, and then begin my two-day journey back to the field hospital.
Upon arrival in the city, I observed two men fighting, one of whom had been seriously injured. I treated him for his injuries and at the same time talked to him about the Lord.
I then traveled two days, camping overnight, and arrived home without incident.
Two weeks later I repeated my journey upon arriving in the city, I was approached by the young man I had treated. He told me that he had known I carried money and medicines. He said, 'Some friends and I followed you in to the jungle, knowing you would camp overnight. We planned to kill you and take your money and drugs, but just as we were about to move into your camp, we saw that you were surrounded by 26 armed guards.
At this, I laughed and said that I was certainly all alone in that jungle campsite. The young man pressed the point, however, and said,'No, sir, I was not the only person to see the guards. My friends also saw them, and we all counted them. It was because of those guards that we were afraid and left you alone.'
At this point in the sermon, one of the men in the congregation jumped to his feet and
interrupted the missionary and asked if he could tell him the exact day this happened. The missionary told the congregation the date, and the man who interrupted told him this story:
'On the night of your incident in Africa, it was morning here and I was preparing to go play golf. I was about to putt when I felt the urge to pray for you. In fact, the urging of the Lord was so strong, I called men in this church to meet with me here in the sanctuary to pray for you.
Would all of those men who met with me on that day stand up?' The men who had met together to pray that day stood up. The missionary wasn't concerned with whom they were, he was too busy counting how many men he saw.
There were 26.
This story is an incredible example of how the Spirit of the Lord moves in behalf of those who love Him. If you ever feel such prodding to pray, go along with it,
you don't know what it can mean to that person.
Nothing is ever hurt by prayer except the gates of hell. I encourage you to forward this to as many people as you know. If we all take it to heart, we can turn this world toward God once again. As the above true story clearly illustrates, 'With God all things are possible'.
More importantly, how God hears and answers the prayers of the faithful.
After you read this, please pass it on and give God thanks for the beautiful gift of your faith, for the powerful gift of prayer, and for the many miracles He works in your own daily life. And then pass it on. Who says God does not move on the earth today?
I ask the Lord to bless you as I prayed for you today. To guide you and protect you as you go along your way. His love is always with you, His promises are true, and when we give Him our cares you know He will see us through. So when the road you're traveling on seems difficult at best, just remember I'm here praying, and God will do the rest.
Pass this on to those whom you want God to bless.
I Can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Here's a message that will bring you chills.
Have you ever felt the urge to pray for someone and then just put it on a list and said, 'I'll pray for them later'?
Or has anyone ever called you and said,'I need you to pray for me, I have this need?'
Read the following story that was sent to me and may it change the way that you may think about prayer and also the way you pray. You will be blessed by this.
A missionary on furlough told this true story while visiting his home church in Michigan.
'While serving at a small field hospital in Africa, every two weeks I traveled by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies. This was a journey of two days and required camping overnight at the halfway point.
On one of these journeys, I arrived in the city where I planned to collect money from a bank, purchase medicine, and supplies, and then begin my two-day journey back to the field hospital.
Upon arrival in the city, I observed two men fighting, one of whom had been seriously injured. I treated him for his injuries and at the same time talked to him about the Lord.
I then traveled two days, camping overnight, and arrived home without incident.
Two weeks later I repeated my journey upon arriving in the city, I was approached by the young man I had treated. He told me that he had known I carried money and medicines. He said, 'Some friends and I followed you in to the jungle, knowing you would camp overnight. We planned to kill you and take your money and drugs, but just as we were about to move into your camp, we saw that you were surrounded by 26 armed guards.
At this, I laughed and said that I was certainly all alone in that jungle campsite. The young man pressed the point, however, and said,'No, sir, I was not the only person to see the guards. My friends also saw them, and we all counted them. It was because of those guards that we were afraid and left you alone.'
At this point in the sermon, one of the men in the congregation jumped to his feet and
interrupted the missionary and asked if he could tell him the exact day this happened. The missionary told the congregation the date, and the man who interrupted told him this story:
'On the night of your incident in Africa, it was morning here and I was preparing to go play golf. I was about to putt when I felt the urge to pray for you. In fact, the urging of the Lord was so strong, I called men in this church to meet with me here in the sanctuary to pray for you.
Would all of those men who met with me on that day stand up?' The men who had met together to pray that day stood up. The missionary wasn't concerned with whom they were, he was too busy counting how many men he saw.
There were 26.
This story is an incredible example of how the Spirit of the Lord moves in behalf of those who love Him. If you ever feel such prodding to pray, go along with it,
you don't know what it can mean to that person.
Nothing is ever hurt by prayer except the gates of hell. I encourage you to forward this to as many people as you know. If we all take it to heart, we can turn this world toward God once again. As the above true story clearly illustrates, 'With God all things are possible'.
More importantly, how God hears and answers the prayers of the faithful.
After you read this, please pass it on and give God thanks for the beautiful gift of your faith, for the powerful gift of prayer, and for the many miracles He works in your own daily life. And then pass it on. Who says God does not move on the earth today?
I ask the Lord to bless you as I prayed for you today. To guide you and protect you as you go along your way. His love is always with you, His promises are true, and when we give Him our cares you know He will see us through. So when the road you're traveling on seems difficult at best, just remember I'm here praying, and God will do the rest.
Pass this on to those whom you want God to bless.
I Can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Saturday, April 10, 2010
KNOWING TO BE A GIVER by Robert Soto
April 10, 2010
KNOWING TO BE A GIVER by Robert Soto
John 6:26 "Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill."
The other day I was listening to the words of one of our tribal elders. He looked at me and said, "I am here to serve the tribe. I want to help the tribe in any way I can." He said this as he was helping dig a trench to lay down 63 bags of cement. What he does not know is how much of a blessing he has been in my life. He took several heavy iron pipes and made one of the strongest gates for the buffalo corral to make sure that they stay in their corral. I then told him that there are two kinds of people: those who are takers and those who are givers. The takers are in our tribe to see what they can get out of us and all we do. They never lift a hand to help but stand in the background and criticize all we do. Then he said, "Why can't people be givers?" They need to have the saying, "I'm not here for what the tribe can do for me but what I can do for the tribe."
My friend is a giver. He gave his time by helping me dig a twenty-eight foot trench. He gave of his talents as he welded six pieces of pipe to make the neatest and strongest gate I have ever seen. He gave of his money. My friend is a giver and he wants our tribe to succeed. He is not here to suck the life out of an organization but to see what he can do to make us succeed. He told me he was here for the tribe and if he could do anything for me or for the tribe, to please tell him. Jesus once looked at His following and said, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill." As long as they had food to eat, they followed our Lord. They were takers. As long as they had food to eat and something to drink, they were happy. Be a giver and not a taker.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
KNOWING TO BE A GIVER by Robert Soto
John 6:26 "Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill."
The other day I was listening to the words of one of our tribal elders. He looked at me and said, "I am here to serve the tribe. I want to help the tribe in any way I can." He said this as he was helping dig a trench to lay down 63 bags of cement. What he does not know is how much of a blessing he has been in my life. He took several heavy iron pipes and made one of the strongest gates for the buffalo corral to make sure that they stay in their corral. I then told him that there are two kinds of people: those who are takers and those who are givers. The takers are in our tribe to see what they can get out of us and all we do. They never lift a hand to help but stand in the background and criticize all we do. Then he said, "Why can't people be givers?" They need to have the saying, "I'm not here for what the tribe can do for me but what I can do for the tribe."
My friend is a giver. He gave his time by helping me dig a twenty-eight foot trench. He gave of his talents as he welded six pieces of pipe to make the neatest and strongest gate I have ever seen. He gave of his money. My friend is a giver and he wants our tribe to succeed. He is not here to suck the life out of an organization but to see what he can do to make us succeed. He told me he was here for the tribe and if he could do anything for me or for the tribe, to please tell him. Jesus once looked at His following and said, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill." As long as they had food to eat, they followed our Lord. They were takers. As long as they had food to eat and something to drink, they were happy. Be a giver and not a taker.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Friday, April 9, 2010
THE PROVIDER OF OUR NEEDS by Robert Soto
April 9, 2010
THE PROVIDER OF OUR NEEDS by Robert Soto
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
I enjoy seeing the many interesting - and sometimes downright funny - ways that God the Creator takes care of our needs. Our people would take things they found in the desert and come up with productive uses for them. Apaches liked metal arrows or spear heads that they got from old scrap iron that was left by the Texans and Mexicans. Sometimes they would find abandoned suitcases or boxes of clothes and they would utilize their newfound treasures by integrating them into their daily clothes which today we call our Indian outfits. You can say that we were scavengers. In many ways, we felt that was one way God the Creator provided for us.
I have been working on our buffalo corral for almost ten months. So it has been an interesting project. I call it my faith project because I kind of wait for God the Creator to provide the means to build the corral that eventually will become their home. I hope that will be some time in May. But I feel it is interesting that I always have something to do when I think I'm going to have some time to work on the project. It seems like when I need the material or the professional hands to do what needs to be done, God provides them. Today God the Creator provided the siding and the wood needed to finish the shelter, storage shed and the place where I will store their food and hay. I was invited to a construction sight where scrap wood was all over the place. I was like a little boy in a candy shop, looking around and not knowing what to get or not get. But at the end, it was God who provided the materials I needed today. For one man's scrap is another man's treasure. It is like Paul said, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
THE PROVIDER OF OUR NEEDS by Robert Soto
Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
I enjoy seeing the many interesting - and sometimes downright funny - ways that God the Creator takes care of our needs. Our people would take things they found in the desert and come up with productive uses for them. Apaches liked metal arrows or spear heads that they got from old scrap iron that was left by the Texans and Mexicans. Sometimes they would find abandoned suitcases or boxes of clothes and they would utilize their newfound treasures by integrating them into their daily clothes which today we call our Indian outfits. You can say that we were scavengers. In many ways, we felt that was one way God the Creator provided for us.
I have been working on our buffalo corral for almost ten months. So it has been an interesting project. I call it my faith project because I kind of wait for God the Creator to provide the means to build the corral that eventually will become their home. I hope that will be some time in May. But I feel it is interesting that I always have something to do when I think I'm going to have some time to work on the project. It seems like when I need the material or the professional hands to do what needs to be done, God provides them. Today God the Creator provided the siding and the wood needed to finish the shelter, storage shed and the place where I will store their food and hay. I was invited to a construction sight where scrap wood was all over the place. I was like a little boy in a candy shop, looking around and not knowing what to get or not get. But at the end, it was God who provided the materials I needed today. For one man's scrap is another man's treasure. It is like Paul said, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Put up or shut up Adam Edelstein (Christ in Tech)
Put up or shut up Adam Edelstein
Christ in Tech
April 9, 2010
"If you love me keep my commandments." Jesus (John 14:15)
"A ruthless businessman once said to author Mark Twain, "Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I will climb Mount Sinai and read the Ten Commandments aloud from the top."
"I have a better idea," Twain remarked, "You could stay home here and keep them."
Talk is cheap. It's what we do that counts not what we say and when our words don't match our actions, we are, as the Apostle Paul put it, as empty vessels and clanging symbols.
One of the best lessons I learned from one of my many teachers was the written comment he seemed to relish writing in bold red letters in the column of several of my written assignments. It read, "Show me. Don't tell me!"
I've never forgotten that lesson. It really applies to all of life's lessons we want to impart to others especially to our children! Whatever we want to teach others we need to model ourselves before we can make any lasting impact on anybody else, otherwise what we say is unbelievable and the only person we deceive in the long run will be ourselves.
As a general rule, we teach best that which we ourselves most need to learn. And the place to begin modeling what we want to teach? At home!
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to model the kind of person you want me to be. . .a better father/mother/child . . .friend. . . partner. . .business person. . .Christian so people seeing what you have done in my life will want the same for themselves. Gratefully in Jesus' name."
Go forth and be Bold in JESUS name
Christ in Tech
April 9, 2010
"If you love me keep my commandments." Jesus (John 14:15)
"A ruthless businessman once said to author Mark Twain, "Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I will climb Mount Sinai and read the Ten Commandments aloud from the top."
"I have a better idea," Twain remarked, "You could stay home here and keep them."
Talk is cheap. It's what we do that counts not what we say and when our words don't match our actions, we are, as the Apostle Paul put it, as empty vessels and clanging symbols.
One of the best lessons I learned from one of my many teachers was the written comment he seemed to relish writing in bold red letters in the column of several of my written assignments. It read, "Show me. Don't tell me!"
I've never forgotten that lesson. It really applies to all of life's lessons we want to impart to others especially to our children! Whatever we want to teach others we need to model ourselves before we can make any lasting impact on anybody else, otherwise what we say is unbelievable and the only person we deceive in the long run will be ourselves.
As a general rule, we teach best that which we ourselves most need to learn. And the place to begin modeling what we want to teach? At home!
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to model the kind of person you want me to be. . .a better father/mother/child . . .friend. . . partner. . .business person. . .Christian so people seeing what you have done in my life will want the same for themselves. Gratefully in Jesus' name."
Go forth and be Bold in JESUS name
Thursday, April 8, 2010
KEEP ON LIVING FOR HIM by Robert Soto
April 8, 2010
KEEP ON LIVING FOR HIM by Robert Soto
Joshua 13:1 "When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the LORD said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over. "
What a day. I worked all day long on the buffalo corral that has taken me longer to complete than I had wanted. Mostly since it is a faith thing and I am trusting God to take care of every penny and piece to put it together. It is slowly becoming a reality and before you know it, our buffalo will have a new home. Today was extra hard because we had to work with cement. By the end of the day I had lifted and carried about 60 bags of cement weighing about eighty pounds each. It was a painful process having to carry each bag about twenty feet and lifting them from a trailer which had a three foot side, which meant I had to reach over the rails and carefully remove each eighty-pound bag. There were two older men from our tribe helping today. That is why I chose to lift each bag because they were struggling carrying the bags themselves.
As I worked and talked to these two older men, I could not help but think of their lives. They have had it so rough. They still have to work because they will never have enough money in their retirement funds. I heard about their lives when they were younger. I heard about the good times and the bad times. I heard of friends and family who are no longer with them. They talked about their dreams and hopes for the future which will probably never come true. It just made me want to listen more and pray for them that God the Creator would give them the strength at their age to keep on living and working. Yet I had to conclude that as long as you have strength to use, use it and trust God to keep you going. God the creator told Joshua, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over." Even though Joshua was old, his life was not over and God the Creator still had a plan for him. As I heard my elders talk today, they were an inspiration to me and a comfort as sometime soon, I will be in their shoes.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
KEEP ON LIVING FOR HIM by Robert Soto
Joshua 13:1 "When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the LORD said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over. "
What a day. I worked all day long on the buffalo corral that has taken me longer to complete than I had wanted. Mostly since it is a faith thing and I am trusting God to take care of every penny and piece to put it together. It is slowly becoming a reality and before you know it, our buffalo will have a new home. Today was extra hard because we had to work with cement. By the end of the day I had lifted and carried about 60 bags of cement weighing about eighty pounds each. It was a painful process having to carry each bag about twenty feet and lifting them from a trailer which had a three foot side, which meant I had to reach over the rails and carefully remove each eighty-pound bag. There were two older men from our tribe helping today. That is why I chose to lift each bag because they were struggling carrying the bags themselves.
As I worked and talked to these two older men, I could not help but think of their lives. They have had it so rough. They still have to work because they will never have enough money in their retirement funds. I heard about their lives when they were younger. I heard about the good times and the bad times. I heard of friends and family who are no longer with them. They talked about their dreams and hopes for the future which will probably never come true. It just made me want to listen more and pray for them that God the Creator would give them the strength at their age to keep on living and working. Yet I had to conclude that as long as you have strength to use, use it and trust God to keep you going. God the creator told Joshua, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over." Even though Joshua was old, his life was not over and God the Creator still had a plan for him. As I heard my elders talk today, they were an inspiration to me and a comfort as sometime soon, I will be in their shoes.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
LIVING FOR THE RIGHT REASON by Robert Soto
April 7, 2010
LIVING FOR THE RIGHT REASON by Robert Soto
Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
The tribe lost another elder today. I had only met her briefly but the short time I had with her showed me two things: how much she love her God and Creator, and how proud she was of being Lipan Apache. I could have listened to her for hours. She had a lot to say of how it was when she was a little girl and the things she had to go through as Indian. At the end she asked me if she could take a picture with me and I agreed. Today I learned that she had made copies of this photo and sent it off to some of her family members. Her elderly brother wanted to know where we were when we took the picture and how she bragged that she had taken a picture with the Vice Chairman of the tribe. She was a member of our tribe and somehow related to one of my cousins. About three months ago, she had lost her son's mother-in-law and I had been invited to sing some ceremonial songs and do a traditional blessing and prayer at that funeral. When she saw this she told her daughter, "When I die, I want him to do the same for me." Well, today her wish came true and I sang and prayed for her at her graveside.
A lot went through my mind today as I sang and prayed. A lot went through my mind today as I did a traditional blessing. A lot went through my mind today as I saw a short slide presentation of this woman's life. In just three minutes' worth of pictures I saw her born and I saw her die. As I was singing this song I wondered and thought to myself, "Life is so short. It seems like one minute I am born, another I live and the next I am dead." Then it hit me and I said to myself, "In thirty years, if you get to live that long, you will be her age." Then it really hit me of how short our lives really are. That before I know it, I will be taking my last breath. That before I know it, I will be in a slide presentation. Before I know it, I will be having someone singing the same prayer songs I sang today, the same blessing I shared today and will be sharing the things I accomplished in this short time we call life. Then I remembered the words of Paul as he said, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." So as I sang, I decided that in whatever life I have left, I need to make sure it is invested not for the here and now, but for eternity to serve my God and Creator in all I do.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
LIVING FOR THE RIGHT REASON by Robert Soto
Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
The tribe lost another elder today. I had only met her briefly but the short time I had with her showed me two things: how much she love her God and Creator, and how proud she was of being Lipan Apache. I could have listened to her for hours. She had a lot to say of how it was when she was a little girl and the things she had to go through as Indian. At the end she asked me if she could take a picture with me and I agreed. Today I learned that she had made copies of this photo and sent it off to some of her family members. Her elderly brother wanted to know where we were when we took the picture and how she bragged that she had taken a picture with the Vice Chairman of the tribe. She was a member of our tribe and somehow related to one of my cousins. About three months ago, she had lost her son's mother-in-law and I had been invited to sing some ceremonial songs and do a traditional blessing and prayer at that funeral. When she saw this she told her daughter, "When I die, I want him to do the same for me." Well, today her wish came true and I sang and prayed for her at her graveside.
A lot went through my mind today as I sang and prayed. A lot went through my mind today as I did a traditional blessing. A lot went through my mind today as I saw a short slide presentation of this woman's life. In just three minutes' worth of pictures I saw her born and I saw her die. As I was singing this song I wondered and thought to myself, "Life is so short. It seems like one minute I am born, another I live and the next I am dead." Then it hit me and I said to myself, "In thirty years, if you get to live that long, you will be her age." Then it really hit me of how short our lives really are. That before I know it, I will be taking my last breath. That before I know it, I will be in a slide presentation. Before I know it, I will be having someone singing the same prayer songs I sang today, the same blessing I shared today and will be sharing the things I accomplished in this short time we call life. Then I remembered the words of Paul as he said, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." So as I sang, I decided that in whatever life I have left, I need to make sure it is invested not for the here and now, but for eternity to serve my God and Creator in all I do.
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Charles Stanley's In Touch Ministries' Daily Devotional
If you wish to read Charles Stanley's In Touch Ministries' daily devotional, please cut and paste the following web address:
http://www.intouch.org/site/c.cnKBIPNuEoG/b.4943547/k.66B8/Early_Light_Devotional/apps/nl/newsletter.asp
http://www.intouch.org/site/c.cnKBIPNuEoG/b.4943547/k.66B8/Early_Light_Devotional/apps/nl/newsletter.asp
Rick Warrens Daily Devotional Link
If you wish to read Rick Warren's Daily Devotional, please copy and paste this link into your browser:
http://profile.purposedriven.com/dailyhope/
http://profile.purposedriven.com/dailyhope/
LEARNING TO TRUST by Robert Soto
April 6, 2010
LEARNING TO TRUST by Robert Soto
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Two weeks ago I decided to start walking a mile and a half to two miles daily. I'm not sure why I decided to do this but maybe because of my recent heart problem which had nothing to do with my health or maybe because our people a long time ago were runners and walkers. I hear they could run and walk for two days straight without stopping to sleep or to eat and sometimes without water. Nevertheless, I decided to start walking so each day, five days a week, I hit the streets and walk. But today, as I walked via a sidewalk which gives me the right of way, I almost got hit by a car driven by a lady. She saw me crossing the entrance to the parking lot but I guess she decided to prove a point: she had the car and she had the power. I remember when I was a little boy hearing my father say, "Give a woman a car and she becomes a dangerous creature." I'm not sure how true that statement is but if this lady today was the only driver I had to compare with that statement, I would say my father was right.
As I saw her eyes of determination, I decided to slow down and let her go through. But it reminded me of another lady who once decided that a STOP sign did not mean stop. If ever I was at my healthiest, it was that morning. That morning I had managed to bench three hundred and fifty pounds, 49 times. I had also managed to dead lift six hundred pounds with an average of five hundred pound squats. The night before I had sprinted my two miles which averaged six minutes and forty five seconds a mile or thirteen minutes and thirty seconds for both miles. I won't tell how much I curled. But that morning a lady decided to run through a stop sign while I decided to make a complete stop and I discovered what should be a scientific principle that says, "A man on a motorcycle cannot compete with a 1980 Lincoln Continental." She was late for church so she gave me her license number and insurance company phone number and took off. It took ten months of physical therapy to recover from an accident that almost left me a quadriplegic because of one small broken bone in my neck called the C1 or Atlas. I must confess, the next ten months were not the favorite months in my life. I discovered that PT actually means Pain and Torture. But I write about this time of my life because no matter how many times I heard, "You could have become a quadriplegic," it also reminded me that it was not meant to be because it was not God the Creator's plan for my life. In the midst of pain, Proverbs 3:5-6 was still in the Bible and all I could do was hang onto the promise that said, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
LEARNING TO TRUST by Robert Soto
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Two weeks ago I decided to start walking a mile and a half to two miles daily. I'm not sure why I decided to do this but maybe because of my recent heart problem which had nothing to do with my health or maybe because our people a long time ago were runners and walkers. I hear they could run and walk for two days straight without stopping to sleep or to eat and sometimes without water. Nevertheless, I decided to start walking so each day, five days a week, I hit the streets and walk. But today, as I walked via a sidewalk which gives me the right of way, I almost got hit by a car driven by a lady. She saw me crossing the entrance to the parking lot but I guess she decided to prove a point: she had the car and she had the power. I remember when I was a little boy hearing my father say, "Give a woman a car and she becomes a dangerous creature." I'm not sure how true that statement is but if this lady today was the only driver I had to compare with that statement, I would say my father was right.
As I saw her eyes of determination, I decided to slow down and let her go through. But it reminded me of another lady who once decided that a STOP sign did not mean stop. If ever I was at my healthiest, it was that morning. That morning I had managed to bench three hundred and fifty pounds, 49 times. I had also managed to dead lift six hundred pounds with an average of five hundred pound squats. The night before I had sprinted my two miles which averaged six minutes and forty five seconds a mile or thirteen minutes and thirty seconds for both miles. I won't tell how much I curled. But that morning a lady decided to run through a stop sign while I decided to make a complete stop and I discovered what should be a scientific principle that says, "A man on a motorcycle cannot compete with a 1980 Lincoln Continental." She was late for church so she gave me her license number and insurance company phone number and took off. It took ten months of physical therapy to recover from an accident that almost left me a quadriplegic because of one small broken bone in my neck called the C1 or Atlas. I must confess, the next ten months were not the favorite months in my life. I discovered that PT actually means Pain and Torture. But I write about this time of my life because no matter how many times I heard, "You could have become a quadriplegic," it also reminded me that it was not meant to be because it was not God the Creator's plan for my life. In the midst of pain, Proverbs 3:5-6 was still in the Bible and all I could do was hang onto the promise that said, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:
McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church
It is NOT enough to believe in GOD...YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE GOD.. by Adam Edelstein
It is NOT enough to believe in GOD...YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE GOD.. by Adam Edelstein
April 6, 2010
Simply walk in faith with the promises of GOD…Take possession of your blessing. He has never and will never lie to you.
BELIEF
” I have come into the world as light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 12:46
” Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
CHARITY
” Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” Luke 6:38
” A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9
COMFORT
” God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
” I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart ! I have overcome the world ! ” John 16:33
” Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28
COURAGE
” He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak ” Isaiah 40:29
” Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” Isaiah 43:1
ETERNAL LIFE
” I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.” John 6:47
” And this is what he promises us–even eternal life .” 1 John 2:25
” Jesus said: ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies’…..” John 11:25
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27.28
FAITH
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” Heb.11:1
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” Gal. 3:26
“We live by faith, not by sight” 2 Cor. 5:7
FAITHFULNESS
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” Deut.7:9
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be moved, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed.” Isaiah 54:10
GUIDANCE
” I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8
” I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them, I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16
JOY
” I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy maybe complete” John 15:11
“…but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” John 16:22
LONG LIFE
” Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. ” Isaiah 46:4
” For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.” Proverbs 9:11
LOVE
” I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3
” I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” Proverbs 8:17
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9
MERCY
“…the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! ” Isaiah 30:18
” As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13
PEACE
” Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
” And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7
PRAYER
” Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:12
“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24
” This is the assurance we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14
PROTECTION
“The Lord will keep you from all harm–he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:7, 8
” When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames willnot set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:1,2
“But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm” Proverbs 1:33
SALVATION
” But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour. ” Titus 3:4-6
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Cor 5:17
SUCCESS
” That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil–this is the gift of God.” Ecc 3:13
“Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy with his work—this is a gift of God.” Ecc 5:19
” With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.” Proverbs 8: 18,19
TRUST
” Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5,6
“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust….” Psalm 40:4
WISDOM
“For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:5
“…..He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths….” Isaiah 2:3
WORD OF GOD
” Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” Deut. 11:18
” All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training and righteousness. ” 2 Tim.3:15.16
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105
” The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
” Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ” Acts 20:32
April 6, 2010
Simply walk in faith with the promises of GOD…Take possession of your blessing. He has never and will never lie to you.
BELIEF
” I have come into the world as light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 12:46
” Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
CHARITY
” Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” Luke 6:38
” A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” Proverbs 22:9
COMFORT
” God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
” I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart ! I have overcome the world ! ” John 16:33
” Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28
COURAGE
” He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak ” Isaiah 40:29
” Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” Isaiah 43:1
ETERNAL LIFE
” I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.” John 6:47
” And this is what he promises us–even eternal life .” 1 John 2:25
” Jesus said: ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies’…..” John 11:25
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27.28
FAITH
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” Heb.11:1
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” Gal. 3:26
“We live by faith, not by sight” 2 Cor. 5:7
FAITHFULNESS
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” Deut.7:9
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be moved, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed.” Isaiah 54:10
GUIDANCE
” I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8
” I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them, I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16
JOY
” I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy maybe complete” John 15:11
“…but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” John 16:22
LONG LIFE
” Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. ” Isaiah 46:4
” For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.” Proverbs 9:11
LOVE
” I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3
” I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” Proverbs 8:17
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9
MERCY
“…the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! ” Isaiah 30:18
” As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13
PEACE
” Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
” And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7
PRAYER
” Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:12
“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24
” This is the assurance we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14
PROTECTION
“The Lord will keep you from all harm–he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:7, 8
” When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames willnot set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:1,2
“But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm” Proverbs 1:33
SALVATION
” But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour. ” Titus 3:4-6
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Cor 5:17
SUCCESS
” That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil–this is the gift of God.” Ecc 3:13
“Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy with his work—this is a gift of God.” Ecc 5:19
” With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.” Proverbs 8: 18,19
TRUST
” Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5,6
“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust….” Psalm 40:4
WISDOM
“For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:5
“…..He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths….” Isaiah 2:3
WORD OF GOD
” Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” Deut. 11:18
” All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training and righteousness. ” 2 Tim.3:15.16
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105
” The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
” Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ” Acts 20:32
Monday, April 5, 2010
When I Say..."I am a Christian" by Adam Edelstein
When I Say..."I am a Christian" by Adam Edelstein
April 5, 2010
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I get lost!"
"That is why I chose this way."
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and pray for strength to carry on.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are too visible
but God believes I'm worth it.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His name.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I'm loved.
April 5, 2010
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I get lost!"
"That is why I chose this way."
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and pray for strength to carry on.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are too visible
but God believes I'm worth it.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His name.
When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I'm loved.
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