You're The Reason

This season in the midst of America's attempt to draw us into consumerism, I want to share a thought with you.
So often we hear that Jesus is the reason for the season, I absolutely agree with this statement. But I also want you to know that you are the reason for the season as well. You're the reason why Jesus was born. You are the reason that He walked this earth. You are the reason He died on the cross. You are the reason He conquered death. He loved and loves you that much!
Merry CHRISTmas!

Impact Statement

At the conclusion of the trial for the guy that killed my friend Albert, the family had the opportunity to give a statement to the guy that took my friend's life. I can honestly say that the words that came from Albert's older brother, Carlos lips were some of the most amazing words I have ever heard. I thought I would share it with you...

Carlos started out his statement by reading Psalm 35:22-28 (New International Version) a passage Albert had came across one night. I will never forget the night Albert came across this passage, he called me, absolutely excited. If you do not know Albert's story a guy attempted to assassinate him 4 months prior to his death, so this passage brought a tremendous amount of healing to Albert. And even though Albert did not know it at the time, this passage would soon become a soon to be fulfilled prophecy for his life...

Impact statement spoken by Carlos Cadena (Imagine him sitting less than 4 feet away from the guy that killed his brother and reading this to him...

O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord. Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me. Do not let them think, "Aha, just what we wanted!" or say, "We have swallowed him up." May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace. May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant." My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long."

We stand today as a strong and loving family. We pray to our God that He has justice. Today we sit here before the court still dealing with an open deep wound. Life will never be the same without Albert. We want you to know you took a big part of us, but not the best of us because we will carry Albert in our hearts forever. Albert was a good husband and father to his children. He was a good son, brother, nephew, neighbor, friend, church member, and person. This has deeply hurt our family and friends. His family still looks and waits for him to come back someday. We want you to know that not only did Albert suffer when you shot him on the side, face, and left him the way you did, but you did the same to all of us.
Why did you shoot him in the fashion you did? Why the face? The family, his wife, his kids, and friends were not able to kiss him or say goodbye one last time.
Albert was trying to do good when you took him cowardly. He was trying to be a better man. You did not allow that. We hope God has mercy upon your soul and you think about it everyday on how you took his life.
Although our family chooses peace and not take revenge on you or your family, we know when you stand before God you won’t be able to lie anymore. We will continue in love and carry his dreams to Stop the Violence and Start the Love.

Brother Keeper

Hey guys, I'm sure you have heard by now that my Abilene Eagles won state. Each week I met with the team like I have done previously for the past 10 years. During this time it is just the team and myself. One of the most challenging duties I have each year is to create a theme that will hopefully motivate them to unify more deeply as a team. This year I challenged the team to become their Brother's Keeper. Last Friday I met with the team for our last team meeting of the year, as a result of the state championship being the next day. Nathaniel Redric, an incredible young man read a poem he wrote to the team. I was and still am truly moved by his talent and passion for his brothers...I thought I would share it with you.

I Am My Bro Keep
From the gruesome heat of Two-A-Days,
To practice in rain, snow, and sleet.
We’ve come together as Brothers,
I AM MY BRO KEEP!

Countless hours we’ve trained together
And early morning film deprives us of sleep.
We’ve sacrificed so much for one another
I AM MY BRO KEEP!

We’ve waged war together, hand in hand
Fighting for each down, we will not be beat!
Through sweat, blood, and tears; leaving it all on the field,
I AM MY BRO KEEP!

Our offense is Unstoppable.
Blackshirts Wreak Havoc each week.
Kickoff is a Suicidal Demolition Crew.
I AM MY BRO KEEP!

14-0, Perfection within our reach.
We play for one another, not accepting defeat.
1 Game Left. 4 More Quarters. 48 Deciding Minutes.
I AM MY BRO KEEP!

The Original Band of Brothers!
Winning State our final feat!
For One Final Stand, we come together 1 Last Time!
I AM MY BRO KEEP!

Then when that final whistle blows,
As STATE CHAMPIONS, Victorious we weep.
Hand heavy from the weight of that BIG STATE RING!
I AM MY BRO KEEP!

Eagles for Life,
Our Brotherhood runs deep.
Past the grave, to Eternity
I AM MY BRO KEEP!

Best Christmas Ever Wishes

Friends,

On behalf of my family and I, we want to wish you the best Christmas ever. We pray that this Christmas will truly be different, as you worship God more fully, rebel against consumerism, give more meaningful gifts, and receive all that God has for you.

Live to Love,
C

The Postage Stamp

One of the greatest misconceptions of the average believer in Jesus Christ is to be used by God they must be a smooth talker, have the latest culturally relevant clothes, and be highly educated. The most influential, the most effective ministries on the planet are not the ministries that have the greatest resources, the hippest strategies, or be the most exciting, but those that display consistency. In the same reality to ultimately create a movement to silence the silence, we have to be consistent in our commitment to stick with our efforts long enough to make a difference. My first ministry position was to oversee the street outreach of an organization that is an advocate for the homeless and disadvantaged of the city where I reside. Four days out of the week, at 1:30 in the afternoon for over 8 years I would hit the streets to feed God’s children that happened to be homeless. The homeless knew that whether rain, sleet, snow, or sunshine I would be out delivering food, hygiene kits, and whatever else they might need that would aid them in their own fight for survival. Through my consistency, not my Bible degrees, sermons, or flashy illustrations, lives were changed. In all reality to silence the silence against injustice we have to make an aggressive commitment to exemplify consistency. Josh Billings, once said, “Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there. “ As advocates of change, as vehicles that God has divinely chose to use we must make the same commitment as a simple postage stamp that can be found in our desk drawer. We must vow to stick to fighting against injustice until we close our eyes forevermore to this present world.

Who Do I Not Love?

In attempt to find my true prejudices I thought that maybe it would be easier to ask “Who do I NOT love?” And the truth of that hit me between the eyes…The list really isn’t as long as the ones I love—those who have wounded me deeply and even more those who have deeply wounded those I love--abusers, molesters, users…I have a right to NOT love those people, right? If they hurt me so deeply that it affected my life and my choices for years to come, don’t I have a right to withhold my love for them? Oh, and God forbid that you hurt the ones I love and those who are unable to defend themselves! I have a right to hate people who are intentionally cruel or purposefully vindictive. God doesn’t really expect me to love them the same, does He? And He couldn’t possibly expect me to reach out to help them…could He? There is a woman that attends our church that I can’t figure out. Each Sunday she presents herself as this woman that is consistently beaten by her husband. Needless to say this is button you don’t push with me. If I see a man beating a woman, or hear about it that is the end of story with me. Years back I confronted this man about what he did to his wife, needless to say that he has never entered our church again but he does allow her to attend our weekly services. Many times this man has threatened my life verbally, even to this very day he would much rather have me dead then alive. As I try to justify my hatred and prejudice towards him I have to wonder what right do I have NOT to love him? Christ said to love as He loved, no more and no less. I mean Christ even died for the people that killed him. Now that is a revolutionary thought.

You Are Called

One common misconception of the average American church member is we believe it is the sole responsibility of the church leader to share the Gospel. Regardless if we want to admit it or not, once we are a believer God ushers us into place of leadership. Paul explains in Romans 10:14-15, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? God in his infinite wisdom could have selected any method possible to use as a vehicle to share the message of the Gospel. Yet He didn’t, He chose humanity to be the spokesman for salvation. Once we encounter our salvation experience, we in turn in our own unique abilities are called to give the rest of humanity an opportunity to accept His grace. We are obligated to share with others what we have first received.