Staying Connected!

John 15:5 ”Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

I love to look at vineyards. I do not drink wine, but I do enjoy grapes, raisins, and grape juice. One of my only “chick flicks” that I enjoy, besides Braveheart (yes, Braveheart. It’s a love story you know) is”A Walk in the Clouds.” Not because of Keanu Reeves, or because it’s a Mexican family (I’m Puerto Rican, just saying). What attracts me to this movie is how the grandfather explains the relationship between the family and the vineyard. Their lives we surrounded by the life of the grape fields.

It is no different for you and I. We need to stay connected to God not just for grow but for life. Staying connected to the Word and prayer gives me life.  But I am learning that continued growth comes through the trails of training and pruning.  

Vines are trained to grow up and off the ground because if they droop over, it stunts growth.  So they are twisted and tied and learn to grow upward. Many times throughout the year they are adjusted. God allows twists and ties in our lives so that we will have the discipline to grow towards Him. As many times as it takes, He adjusts us.

I always thought that pruning was a little trim for growth. But it is far more than that. It is a cutting away of all by one or two small stubs of the branch. It brings you back to where you started from. God does not desire a onetime harvest. God desires people that will continue to produce more and more each year.

I can do nothing without God.  But with Him I can change the world for His glory. Staying connected!

808 Project Update

The past two weekends have been phenomenal.

On April 25th we were in Hollywood, California with Apostle JR and Deanne Rodriguez. We intented to be a blessing to them; however, we never expected the tremendous blessing that they would be to us. Christian Worship Center in North Hollywood felt like home. Beautiful people, hungry for the advance of God. We left encouraged and supported.

May 2nd we were with Pastor Angel and D Menchaca, who lead one church with two campuses in Cutler and Dinuba. What a truly awesome community of loving people. Anthony preached a message of encouragement and God did the rest. Once again we left feeling encouraged and received much confirmation.

As we get our hearts, minds, and spirit ready for the new land that God has called us to, we are learning from a great company of believers. God has orchestrated everything for us before we even thought of it. It is so good to know that this is all God and we are just along for the ride.

I want to say thank you to all of our supporters, both financial and prayerful. We couldn’t do it without you. I will continue to update my blog as we get closer to our flight date and when we arrive.

You can partner with us.

Join us in prayer.
Give financially.
Tell someone about our cause and tell our story.

If you would like more information, please visit our website at: 808project.com

For donations, mail to:
Christian Worship Center
241 South Main Street
Milpitas, CA 95035

Make checks out to Christian Worship Center and put Hawaii in the memo.

Your continued support is appreciated.

808project Update

Good Morning,

I apologize for not writing for so long. God is on the move and great things are taking place. The 808project is gaining support and Anthony will be preaching all over through the end of May. This is an exciting time as we spread God’s message and reveal His heart. We will be ministering at Christian Worship Center Hollywood this Sunday, May 25th. Apostle JR Rodriguez is a powerful man of God and has graciously opened his doors to us. We are expecting a mighty move there on Sunday.

You can become a partner with us.

Join us in prayer.
Give financially.
Tell someone about our cause and tell our story.

If you would like more information, visit our website at 808project.com.
For donations, mail to:
Christian Worship Center
241 South Main Street,
Milpitas, CA 95035

Make checks out to Christian Worship Center and write Hawaii in the memo.

Your continued support is appreciated.

The Power of One

Deut. 10:18 “He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing.” (New Living Translation)

An orphan is not a term widely used in America. When we hear the word orphan it is usually in reference to children in other country. America camouflages the problem by using the term “foster youth.” Whatever term you use, it describes a group of children from birth to 18 years of age that have been separated from there parents. Whether from death, abuse, neglect, abandonment, or juvenile delinquency, these youth need help.

God specific challenges His people to “administer justice” to these young people. What does that mean exactly? It means to correct the standard to what is right.

In the past two and a half years of working with foster youth I have found some of the most creative and talents youth. However, the emotional and mental strongholds of there childhood hinder a successful future. I have made it my personal responsibility to correct the wrong done to foster youth. Can I change the whole system? Probably not, but that does not mean I can’t make a difference.

Christian Worship Center Hawaii is on a mission to love, encourage, and support foster youth. We are committed to developing security, significance, and strengthen that will enable each young person to be whole and capable of a bright future.

You may not be capable of reaching these people; however, you can assist us in our efforts.

· Pray for Christian Worship Center Hawaii
· Attend our up coming Benefit Dinner March 27th.

Go to 808project.com for details
· Become a sponsor.

Send donations to:

Christian Worship Center

241 South Main Street, Milpitas, CA 95036

It all begins with one. Will you be one who makes a difference?

Got Grace?

Deuteronomy 9:26” I prayed to Yahweh, and said, Lord Yahweh, don't destroy your people and your inheritance, that you have redeemed through your greatness, that you have brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.”

What is grace?

” grace is not an abstract quality, but is an active, working principle, manifesting itself in beneficent acts, Gen. 6:8; 19:19; 33:15; Ex. 33:12; 34:9; I Sam 1:18; 27:5; Esth. 2:7. The fundamental idea is, that the blessings graciously bestowed are freely given, and not in consideration of any claim or merit.” Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, 1949), pp. 426-27

Moses understood grace and he gave it easily. He did not have to intercede for the children of Israel. He was not raised with them nor did he have strong relational bonds, but grace was internal. Moses had received much grace since birth. Pharaoh’s daughter showed him grace when she took him as her own son. Pharaoh himself showed grace allowing Moses to be raised in his home and given status as a Prince of Egypt. He was shown grace by Jethro and the Midian family in the desert and taught a trait. Moses understood that grace is not earned, but given out of love.

Grace is rarely seen today. Kind acts with no expectation of reward, yet ever heart craves it. God is truly a gracious God. He thinks about us more than we do Him, and still does great things for us that we do not deserve. As if sending His own son to die for our sins were not enough. When the love of God over flows in your life you don’t have a problem giving grace. Grace comes out of a changed heart.

I Corinthians 13:4, 5 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

These are examples of grace that come when the love of God is present. My prayer for this season of my life is to love bigger, with no limitations. Love is powerful. I want everything that I do to ooze love and the grace of God.

What do you want your life to ooze?

Prison

Acts 24: 27 “When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.”

Most of Paul’s writings were while he was in prison. Prisons were not like our modern day prisons with beds, TV, showers, and hot meals. Don’t get me wrong, prison is not a comfortable place, however, in Paul’s day it was torture. One of the prisons that is said that Paul lived in was 'Tullianum', or 'Tullian dungeon' (medieval Mamertine Prison), beneath the Capitoline hill. The ancient historian Sallust said it was 12 feet below the ground and "neglect, darkness and stench make it hideous and fearsome to behold." Throughout Paul’s writing he encourages and praised God continually despite his conditions.

I am humbled at the joy that comes from Paul. It is a true example that joy comes from within and not from external comfort. I am not to look at the physical details of life, but focus on God and God alone. All around me people are losing there jobs and homes, not knowing what tomorrow will bring. It’s easy to say to trust God. In my own life I have found peace in counting my blessings and remembering the faithfulness of my God.

What every your circumstance today, be encouraged, you are not alone.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Unfailing

Psalm 13: 5,6 “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.”

This week has been a roller coaster of emotions. I have been so overwhelmed and yet my God is always faithful. When things look there worse, He comes in and changes everything and He is not slow to answer me when I call. In the midst of the storm, I have felt abandon. However, I count my blessings and remember He has never failed me and so I press on with expectance. Wow, what my God can do is amazing. I do not know my next step, but I do know that He has it all under control. My heart is full of joy and praise. I love to lift up my voice to my God. I will shout His praise for He is worth.