True Power

Last night in the midst of a powerful time of worship, I sensed the Lord speaking to me very clearly about a few things.  I heard the question, “what distinguishes me and sets me apart as a Christian from the rest of the world and other religions?”  As I pondered that question, the first thing that came to my mind was “POWER”.  As I thought a little more, the Lord clarified a few things and gave me three distinct responses, which I would like to share and dissect a little.

·      Power of Our Message!  This includes the gospel & our testimony of Jesus in our lives.  The Bible says there is power in the gospel of Jesus & our testimony to transform & change lives.  Our message is not a bunch of fancy words, it is full of life changing power! 

·      Power of Our Love!  How we treat people all around us…our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, people we don’t like and even those that could be considered enemies.  Are we living out Christ’s command to “love one another”?  Paul says it doesn’t matter what we do, if we don’t have love we’re nothing.  (1 Cor 13)

·      Power of the Holy Spirit in our lives!  This is the supernatural active in our lives.  Jesus said we would receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes upon us (Acts 1:8) and that we would even do greater things than Him.  Jesus commanded us to go and heal the sick and said that signs & wonders would follow us as we go. 

As I thought about those three things something very interesting hit me.  The common denominator in all three is power, but the power of the Holy Spirit operating in our lives through signs & wonders has a unique purpose.  It is to prove that our message & our love is REAL & TRUE!  Jesus time and again performed miracles to prove that what He was saying was true.  In fact, Jesus didn’t begin his ministry until He was filled with the Holy Spirit.  Jesus had the message & had love, but needed the power of the Holy Spirit actively working in his life to fulfill God’s purpose for his life.  With miracles, Jesus silenced & confused his critics, demonstrated God’s love to those in need and opened the floodgates of repentance & salvation. It was the crucial piece for Jesus, so how much more for us?  God is calling us to walk in all three areas.  They are inseparable.  We must move ahead, carrying the message of Jesus wherever we go, in love and power so that the world can see & know that Jesus is the only way, the only truth and the only life!    

Hola Argentina!

Well, we arrived safely to Buenos Aires, Argentina on Friday (March 16) around 6am after our overnight flight.  As you can imagine we were exhausted!  Joaquin slept the whole time, as was expected.  He could sleep in the middle of a tornado with no problem...kind of like his dad!  Milena is another story.  She's like her mother...enough said.  hahaha
Anyways, we got through customs easily enough and were greeted by our new & wonderful friend Sherry Grams.  What a wonderful woman.  It took us about 30 min to get to IBRP (the bible institute) and were warmly welcomed by Rocky Grams & a few staff.  The people are very kind & cordial here, as was expected, even if they don't know the answer to your questions (which happens to be the majority of the time).  We got into our very tiny apartment (bi-level, about half the size of a Southmore apartment, if that gives you any idea).  Let's just say, this is the definition of "simple living" for sure, which is A-OK with us.  It's humbling, but makes us truly appreciate to a greater level what we have back home.  The Institute provided us with some beds & a play pen for Milena.  The first night I was so uncomfortable...my back was killing me on Saturday morning.  I got up and said, "God, I can't do this all year, so You're going to have to do a miracle on this bed or on my back...either one."  I've slept well with no pain since.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still uncomfortable, but I'm not waking up with pain. Thank you Jesus!!! 
We spent all day Friday-Sunday trying to get acclimated (cleaning, buying the essentials & fixing up the place a bit).  We had heard things were expensive here, but never imagined it being this expensive.  Everything here is expensive...I mean everything.  Take cheese for example.  My wife is going to have to do without it for the year because she went to buy some and it cost between $10-$15 U.S. for a 16 oz block.  We had to pay $400 for a mini-refrigerator...SERIOUSLY!?!?  So, needless to say, we're not trying to fill up our apartment...we're going to live with the bare minimum this year.  One blessing to note is that a church in Rosario (where I went back in 2010) gave us a bunch of things for the apartment (sheets, towels, blankets, plates, silver ware, cups and a few other things).  That had to save us quite a bit of money.  Thanks to Pastor Miguel, Pastora Silvia  & all our wonderful friends from the church there. 
We went to the church of one of our professors on Sunday and had a wonderful time.  It's very simple, but had wonderful teaching.  It took us forever to find, because like everything else, strong communication here is lacking BIG TIME!  An observation that Carolina & I have noticed in just our few days in being here is that Argentina seems to be way behind the rest of the world, or at least the USA.  We were very surprised by this.  We don't know if it's because they are so passive with everything or just unorganized.  Maybe it's both.  I'm already getting used to the idea that if I ask a question, I won't get an answer right away...or ever.  Regardless, it will take some getting used to, but in the scheme of it all, it's minimal. 
Through everything, we're so excited to be here & are looking forward to all that God has for us this year.  The journey for new discovery has begun.  Please keep us in your prayers.  Lord bless you all. 

Caleb, Carolina, Joaquin & Milena

From Argentina...over & out! 

Power of Addiction

Addiction!  When we hear this word it sparks a whole host of things in our minds.  We usually think of people who are addicted to things like drugs, alcohol or tobacco, but rarely do we put ourselves in this category.  The reality, in my opinion, is that as humans we are inevitably addicted to something in our lives.  Think not? Addiction is simply that thing we cannot do without...that thing we look forward to, long for and would do anything to get.  It calls out to you!  Addiction is not solely isolated to the big 3 (drugs, alcohol & tobacco).  What about food, TV, money, internet, Facebook, shopping, pornography, relationships, self?  The list can go on and on.  What is it in your life?
Here's the thing, I believe we were created to be addicted.  What?  Absolutely, addiction is in the very core of who we are as people.  The problem is that we have become addicted to things that we were not intended to be addicted to.  God designed us to be addicted...but addicted to Him!  This verse is just an example: "Do not be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Eph 5:18).  ie, don't find your pleasure & don't be addicted to earthly, fleshly things, but find your pleasure & addiction in Him!  Are you dependent on Him in all you do?  Do you long for Him & His presence above all else?  Do you continually think about Him?  Do you do whatever it takes to have more of Him?  Do you care more about what He thinks above what you/others think?
As I was spending time seeking the Lord this morning this concept hit me square in the face!  God is calling me to be addicted to Him...nothing else!  When all is said and done, does He have complete & total control in my life?  Do I have complete dependency on Him?  As of this moment, no, He does not!  But the beautiful thing about addiction is that the more we do it, the more we want it, need it & desire it!  "Those who seem to have the greatest measure of God's presence on their lives tend to be the hungriest for more.  There's always more to hunger for." (Bill Johnson- "Face to Face with God")  Today, I pray that the flood gates of heaven would open wide in our lives, that we would hear God calling us to Himself and that we would hunger & thirst for more of His presence.  God, let it rain and allow us to see You face to face as we position ourselves to seek after You.  Amen.

Here are the lyrics to a powerful song by Jesus Culture: Show Me Your Glory
I see the cloud, I step in
I want to see Your glory as Moses did
Flashes of light, rolls of thunder
Pre-Chorus:
Im not afraid
Im not afraid
Chorus:
Show me your glory
Show me your glory
Show me your glory
Show me your glory
Verse 2:
Im awed by your beauty, lost in your eyes
I want to walk in your presence, like Jesus did
Your glory surrounds me, and Im overwhelmed
Bridge:
I long to look on the face of the one that I love
Long to stay in your presence its where I belong

Chord Charts for "Redemption" worship album

 Here's the chord charts, lyrics & Spanish translations to all my songs from my worship album "Redemption".  I pray these songs will be a blessing to you and your church.  Lord bless.
I Come (Aqui Estoy)
You Are (Eres)
Redemption (Redencion)
I'm Cryin' Out (Clamando por Ti)
My Everything (Todo de Mi)
Let Your Fire Fall (Que Tu Fuego Caiga)
Light of the World (Luz del Mundo)
I Know (Yo Se)
Heroes Journey