|
| Absolutely Sure (I Think) |
| 29.4.05 |
Pois eu sei que o meu Redentor vive, e que por fim se levantará sobre a terra. (Jó 19:25 AA) For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth. (Job 19.25 NKJV) During the busy-ness of the past week, I have found myself needing to seek after God for so much more than usual. We have had some wonderful experiences with what He has put in our path, but there have been some difficulties also.
I believe in absolutes. I believe in heaven for those chosen in Christ and hell for those who reject Him. However, sometimes figuring out what the right thing to do is not as easy as I would like. I believe there is a right and wrong answer. But my mind only sees shades of gray. Some of the issues I have resolved through searching the Word of God prayerfully. Other issues are still gray to me.
I am not saying they lie in the gray areas of life. I am saying that I have not come to see what the cut and dry answers are. I may see this as "shades of gray," but it is only the weakness of my limited perspective.
Which brings me to the above Scripture. I know that God, my Redeemer, is in control and will work out the victory as He has promised. The things I struggle with are temporary and in many cases, mundane. He will never fail me, and He never has. Jesus is faithful. Jesus é fiel. This I know and this is what my faith rests upon.
God is good! |
posted by pregador27 @ 19:28   |
|
|
|
| By Request: How I met My Wife |
| 21.4.05 |
I actually wrote this in response to my good friend via email and weblogs, Shah-yee. I have been asked to post it again.
A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. (Proverbs 16.9 NKJV) Well, around February 1995 I was in a Bible study on a Sunday night. They were talking about missions, and I was irritated because of some things I was going through at college. It had to do with multiculturalism and such things taken too far in my opinion.
When they asked my opinion about missions, I said, "Missions?! I don't care about missions! If you want me to talk to those foreigners, bring them here, I'll tell them about Jesus, and them send them back!"
Well, less than a month later my pastor asked me if I would be willing to go to Brasil on a trip with the group for that summer. I was told there was someone who wanted to sponsor me on that trip. I was humbled. I had to examine my own heart- would I be wasting someone's money? Did I really care about the people I would go to serve?
After the time of evaluating my heart, I accepted having been humbled by the Lord for my boorish attitude.
In June 1995, I accompanied the team to Manaus, Brasil. I joked before I left that I would come back with a wife. We spent the first day flying from Miami to Manaus. We were tired when we arrived at the hotel. We had dinner at a restaurant in Manaus and rested. The next three days were spent working in the searing heat and scorching sun. Some of the highlights were when I heard the children sing "Alleluia, Gloria Alleluia" and giving candy to the children. There was a little girl of about 8 years old that I fell in love with as a father would, and wanted to adopt. I called her my daughter- though she didn't understand me or my feelings at all. We finally put the roof on and were finished with the project.
The next day I went on a tour of the Amazon River and into the jungle on a boat. During the trip I became very thirsty and went below for a drink. I found some free coffee with little cups. It was very thick, sweet and strong. The cups held about 4 ounces. I drank about 20. Needless to say, I had a great trip. It was a blast. It was a highlight of my "great Adventure." (I only figured out in 2002- that caffeine made a definite impact that day).
The next day we had the dedication service. It was hot and dusty, but it was the building we built. Afterward, this Brazilian girl came up to me and her friend Frank introduced us. In broken English he said, "This is Miss Loiana." I said hi, and they barely understood me. She asked me a question and I had no idea what she was saying. So I called over Richard, my friend and our interpreter. He translated for Loiana. "When will you be back to Brasil?" My intellectual answer was a barely intelligible "idunno." (But the amazing thing is that her simple question opened my heart and mind at that instant to help me realize that God could bring me back, or send me to Poland, Siberia or anywhere else. It was about Him, not me. I am a tool in His hand.) She smiled, I asked them to be in a picture with me and we were off. We shared our chartered bus for the ride home. I was shy, and tried to act cool since Loiana, Frank and another friend of hers (a female), were about three seats back on the other side of a almost empty bus. I asked them to autograph my shirt. They did. When they got off, I managed to smile and say "good-bye."
That evening, I was in my hotel room thinking about Loiana and the encounter with the Lord that she led me to. I wanted to tell her, so I spoke to my friend Obadias (pronounced Oba-GEE-as)- he only spoke Portuguese, and I only spoke English, so I used what little Spanish I remembered, gestures and a Portuguese-English dictionary to help him understand. It only took 20 minutes. I remember he began to say, "Pete, loves Loiana! Pete, loves Loiana!" And I said, "Não, não..." ("No, no.") Eventually he understood.
I gave Obadias a note to give to Loiana telling her about what God did through her simple question. I put my address in the note and asked her to write me if she wanted to. I hoped she would. She intrigued me. I think I had a bit of infatuation with her at that point as well.
Maybe a month after returning, I received a letter in Portuguese from Loiana. I was so excited! I couldn't read it, so I tried to find someone to translate for me. It was difficult to find someone. My former roommate was a linguist for the Army and translated some of it for me, but he didn't have much time. Finally, I had it translated by him. I wrote back in English.
The next letter was also in Portuguese, but there was a professor from Florida Southern College in our church and he translated it for me. I believe he translated two for me before Loiana began to write in English with the help of others. I continued to write in English.
Over the period of five years we wrote. I lived in Lakeland to begin with, moved to Brandon, then to Riverview, then to Spring Hill, then to New Port Richey and finally back to Spring Hill (two places). I went from having some faith that we could meet again to thinking it was impossible to being utterly confused. I called her my best friend, my sister and also gave hints that I had deeper feelings for her. I invited her to visit. She accepted. I tried to pull back from the offer (I was scared and didn't know if I was able to bring her here). She wrote me a letter telling me to make up my mind- that I didn't know what I wanted. She said she would not wait too long for me. I didn't write back. She wrote again a bit less irritated. I wrote back telling her that I was confused.
Finally, in December of 1999 I invited Loiana to come and visit (again). I prayed that if God wanted us together that he would let me hear from her again before 2000. My letter was sent around December 20, 1999- not enough time for it to get there and for me to receive a reply.
December 30, 1999 I remember going to Busch Gardens with a friend and waiting for my friend to return from the restroom. I was just drawing on a piece of paper and somehow came up with a drawing of North and South America and two stick figures in overlapping hearts (I am not an artist). Under it I wrote: "Pete and Loiana- someday and forever." I did not realize what I was writing. I also saw a show at Busch Gardens that night. It included a part about Brasil. That was too cool. I thought, "It would be great to be here with Loiana and share this with her."
December 31, 1999 I went to the mailbox and found a letter from Loiana. It had a phone number and an email address for me to write her at. I was afraid, but I called her a few days later. It was a difficult conversation, but it was wonderful. I also emailed her. Soon we set up the things we needed for her to come up to visit. She would be the missionary at a church in our association, and would stay with a host family. I bought the ticket and sent it to her. She was to arrive August 18, 2000.
My friend Chris and I went to Miami to pick her up. I spent the whole night tossing and turning and in prayer. I got up several times to pray for her and the trip. I was not at peace.
I woke early to go to the airport with Chris. We waited for her flight to arrive. I was so excited because the plane finally landed. But there was a problem. We waited and waited- nothing. I prayed and asked the Lord if she was going to be there. I felt a peace (briefly) that she would be. She didn't show up with the other passengers. I asked the airline representative and they wouldn't tell me anything. I tried to explain the situation and they refused to help. I tried paging Loiana with no result. I went back to the airline representative and asked if everyone was off the flight yet. He said they should all be off and through customs by now. No more baggage came from the flight. I was getting very pessimistic. I had bought a stuffed dog as a gift for her. I asked Chris to watch for Loiana while I returned to the Blazer I rented for the trip. I prayed, with disappointment, and said to the Lord- "I thought you showed me that Loiana would be here. I trusted You." I threw the dog into the car and walked back into the airport dejected.
When I arrived in the airport, Chris ran up to me and said, "I think I found her! She looks like the girl in the picture!" I rushed over to see and he asked if it was her. I couldn't be sure because she was facing the other way. I waited for her to turn around, but she didn't. I went to the page phone and tried to have her paged again. When I arrived back where she was waiting to exit the baggage area, we saw each other. She smiled and I crossed the do not cross line and hugged her tight. God turned my mourning into joy!
The trip back to my house and then the host's home was fun. Loiana didn't understand much and we used a dictionary to communicate. I felt so good. We arrived at my house and told her it would be "our house." I then took her to the hosts' house. They welcomed her as a daughter. Two days later (August 20, 2000) we were in front of their house and I got down on a knee and asked her to marry me. She said, "I'm sorry, repeat please." (I think she was toying with me). So I did and she said yes.
We went and met my dad. I had reservations. I didn't know if he would accept her. She wasn't white or even a citizen of the USA. And my grandparents. They were old and I hoped they would not reject her. I decided that I would not sway. If she was rejected, I was rejected. When they met her they all loved her. No problems.
My dad actually hit the lottery for about $7,000 and paid for most of our wedding. We were married on October 7, 2000. The flowers were donated by a Brazilian florist who was honored to be invited to the wedding- they remain our friends to this day. We went to St. Pete Beach for our honeymoon. We found out she was pregnant on Loiana's birthday (November 15, 2000). We had Virgínia on July 22, 2001- the day after my 33rd birthday.
It was a really different road to our wonderful married life. All in the hands of God.Labels: Special Post |
| posted by pregador27 @ 22:31 |
|
|
|
| Evil Days For Children |
| 18.4.05 |
But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19.14 NKJV)
These are indeed evil days. I am sickened to see that another sexual criminal has murdered another little girl. Something has to be done. These are people that should be dealt with by the courts, but they are not.
The guilty predatory perverts are free to stalk their prey, while the innocent children are left to be victimized and, as we are seeing lately, tortured and killed.
I am sickened and wanting to do something about it. I have two little girls and want them to be safe. I have friends with little children that I want to be kept safe. The first step is to make this post and offer the link for the sexual predator list from Florida. I remember seeing one with other states, but this is all I have at this time.
Florida Sex Offender/Predator Database
I will be printing the ones out from my zip code and post them around the neighborhood. |
| posted by pregador27 @ 08:51 |
|
|
|
| An Encouraged son |
| 16.4.05 |
One of my favorite verses in the Bible also gives me an amount of security when times get rough, it is John 1.12-13:But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (KJV)
As I received Him (after I was drawn by the Father: " No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.- John 6.44 NKJV"), I became part of His family. Jesus is related to me by His own blood. The Father accepts me because of His work. I am unable to make myself acceptable, I am unable to keep myself acceptable. Jesus keeps me acceptable:
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.(Jude 1.24-25 KJV)
I am so encouraged every time I realize I am related to Christ through His blood. Thank you Jesus! |
| posted by pregador27 @ 18:57 |
|
|
|
| "Lord, I Believe!" |
| 12.4.05 |
I was reading the Gospel of John again and I came upon the instance where Jesus healed the man born blind (John 9). The man, after being grilled by the Pharisees, asked them if they were asking the questions because they wanted to be Jesus' disciples also. After they kicked the man out, Jesus sought him out and the Bible records the following:Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, so he found the man and said to him, Do you believe in the Son of Man? The man replied, And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him? Jesus told him, You have seen him; he is the one speaking with you. He said, Lord, I believe, and he worshiped him. (John 9.35-38 NETB)
After reading this, I felt so drawn to the Lord and prayed, thanking Him for His Word and His forgiveness.
Jesus accepted me the same way. I was born blind (spiritually) and He made me to see. Sometimes I struggle, but He is always there for me. He said, "I will never leave you and I will never abandon you. (Hebrews 13.5 NETB)
I cherish this promise, because I need Him every hour. |
| posted by pregador27 @ 14:41 |
|
|
|
| The Struggle To Focus |
| 6.4.05 |
With all that is going on in this world, and all the access I have to information about so many things, I find it difficult to focus on what it most important. God made it clear in His Word:
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man's all.
For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12.13-14 NKJV)
Jesus said to him, ""You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22.37-40 NKJV)
But I struggle with wanting to be a Conservative first, and then a Christian, or an American (USA) first and then a Christian. The truth is I am all three and more. The other part of the truth is that it is tough to keep things in proper perspective.
I feel like rebelling against the system and it's abuses. When judges order a woman starved to death, or the courts of "law" declare terrorists have equal rights under the Constitution to me, or gay marriage is passed into law, or whatever- I may feel like fighting, but I need to keep Christ first in my life. I need to seek out His direction. I need to remember Proverbs 3.5,6: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (KJV)
When I feel like "going overboard," I need to look to Jesus. I need to "survey the wondrous cross." If I am bought with the price of Christ's blood- "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (I Corinthians 6.20 KJV)- I need to be dedicated to serving Him with all that I am. My hope and prayer is that I grow to focus on Him more and the world less. May the world fade away from my sight and Jesus become all I see. |
| posted by pregador27 @ 12:12 |
|
|
|
| The Voice of Truth and Our Future... |
| 2.4.05 |
I am considering the words of "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns as we consider our plans for the future. We are praying about selling our house, paying off a large portion of bills and renting for about two or three years while we pay off the rest of our bills. At that time we can make our missionary move to Brasil. Please read the lyrics and I will explain further afterward.Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand...
But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"
Chorus:
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them lookin' down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
© 2003 Club Zoo Music / SWEC Music (Admin. by Club Zoo Music) / BMI / Sparrow Song / Peach Hill Songs (admin by EMI Christian Music Publishing) / BMI.
As we consider this move, I become concerned with making the "right decision." I hear voices (friends mostly) telling me what they think from their best wisdom (akin to Job's friends). But I want to hear the Voice of Truth. I want to live for Jesus.
I realized yesterday that I have been living for my daughters and my wife. I fear for their safety, desiring to be everything they need. But when they are sick, I am helpless. God demonstrates His power when I am powerless. I sometimes act like I need to take care of everything, but I cannot do what God can do. He is Sovereign and Almighty. As I become mindful of this, "He must increase, but I must decrease."
Therefore, I must cast my cares upon Him (1 Peter 5.7) and trust that He cares enough for me and my family to lead us in the right direction.
So our plan will develop as we depend upon God to work out the details. God is good! And Jesus é fiel!! (Deus é bóm! e Jesus is faithful!!) |
| posted by pregador27 @ 17:18 |
|
|
|
| Daddy...Papai... |
|
Oro para que, com as suas gloriosas riquezas, ele os fortaleça com poder, por meio do seu Espírito no homem interior, para que Cristo habite em seus corações mediante a fé; e oro para que vocês, estando arraigados e alicerçados em amor, tenham poder, juntamente com todos os santos, para compreender a largura, o comprimento, a altura e a profundidade, e conhecer o amor de Cristo que excede todo conhecimento, para que vocês sejam cheios de toda a plenitude de Deus. --Efésios 3.16-19 (Nova Versão Internacional)
This verse is one I sent to one of my two "daughters," Ligía. In English the verse is found in Ephesians 3.16-19:I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
I am so thankful for Ligía and my other "daughter" Raquel. They
mean so much to me. They both went to my wife's seminary. Raquel called Loiana her mom and so I became Daddy after our marriage. Ligía came to a crusade we ministered at in Caetes I by Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. She was present for a Sunday School class I spoke at and she identified with my younger days. We grew closer and I have become like a father to her in many ways.
Both Raquel and Ligía have families that do not seem to care for them like they should. I believe God has placed them in my life to be their "Daddy" or "Papai" (Português for Daddy) and show them a picture of His love for them. It is a gift for me in many ways. They encourage me just by caring that I care about them.
In Brasil the daughters often ask their father for a blessing. They both asked me at times and now I send them a blessing whenever I can. That is why I sent this verse; it is a blessing to one of my "daughters." |
| posted by pregador27 @ 15:34 |
|
|
|
|
|
