Last Days Pt. 1 (Not A Secret)

 “I guess I’ve always been a skeptic about a lot of things and some things that seem obviously stupid, always make me wonder how the masses believe and fall for these things. I have heard many say that about my faith in God, to the unbeliever my faith, is in vain, or a crutch. I grew up in the Eighties, to what society calls Generation X. In junior and High school, Global warming was going to put the whole planet under water,  church leaders, religions and cults of the world predicted the end was coming, and nuclear war was going to happen at any moment. (No wonder we’re a messed up Generation) Prince even wrote a song about Nineteen Ninety Nine, being the end of time. Y2K was going to send everything into chaos, because the computer codes were not going to handle the year Two Thousand. Thirty plus years later, Global warming is still going to end the planet any year now, numerous religions, cults and false prophets have come and gone with false  predictions not coming to pass, including the Mayan calendar of Two Thousand Twelve and nuclear war is still a reality. Throw in Covid, micro-chips, political and social unrest, and more false prophets into the mix, and no wonder we as a people are messed up and losing our minds.

Peter in Second Peter Three writes, 

"This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” (ESV)

I have referenced that this passage reminds me of the furniture stores that "Never" go out of business, even though, that is what their windows display constantly. Peter, (who I can relate to the most with because; I have loved God, denied God, and yet in His mercy, God restored Peter and thankfully, he is slowly working on me, daily.) is saying a few things, in both his letters. First Peter says, in the Last Days, which many teacher falsely teach, that this is only for Twentieth Century American Christians, but then how was this letter that was written in the first century only relevant to that group, or only to us? This is because, ever since Jesus died and rose, we have been living in the last days. There are two time periods, the current age or the last days, and then the END. Look at scripture and what Jesus and the Apostles preached about and what the Old Testament and the Prophets and Apostles  wrote, The Day of the Lord is at hand, the Kingdom of heaven is at hand, Jesus is coming soon. Paul in First Corinthians Fifteen says, 

"For as in Adam ALL DIE, so also IN CHRIST SHALL ALL BE MADE ALIVE. But each IN HIS OWN ORDER: Christ the firstfruits, THEN AT HIS COMING THOSE WHO BELONG TO CHRIST. THEN COMES THE END, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power." (ESV)(Emphasis added)

Christ came, the first fruits, then at His coming, those who have repented and accepted Him as Lord and Savior and then THE END! There is no gap in what Paul wrote, there is no seven year period that is misinterpreted from Daniel, and is interjected by man. One would think, if Daniels Seventieth week was important that one of the writers of the New Testament would have mentioned it? Daniel is one of the most quoted books in the New Testament and not once is the Seventy weeks mentioned.  (That is another post, where the dates taught in many churches are miscalculated and start from the wrong point) The problem with God’s coming is that people look at the Bible and think, “how outdated it is,” and they’ve been saying He’s coming ever since He left. But it's not about when He is coming, although that is important, but are we ready today to meet our Maker? Paul says later in First Corinthians Fifteen,

"Why are we in DANGER EVERY HOUR? I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE.” DO NOT BE DECEIVED: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame." (ESV)(Emphasis Added)

Jesus himself says in Luke Thirteen when people were asking Him if the Galileans or the people who were crushed at the tower of Siloam, 

"And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? NO, I TELL YOU; BUT UNLESS YOU REPENT, YOU WILL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH." (ESV)(Emphasis Added)

Peter even continues later in Second Peter Three which is beautifully written when read in context and also when compared to the whole of scripture, 

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is NOT SLOW TO FULFILL His promise as some count slowness, but is PATIENT toward you, NOT WISHING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, but that all should REACH REPENTANCE. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and THEN the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE OUGHT YOU TO BE IN LIVES OF HOLINESS AND GODLINESS, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!  But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (ESV(Emphasis Added)

God is patient, not wanting any to perish! How awesome is that, and His love and mercies continues to give people chances to come to Him in humility and repentance. Peter also is saying, when He comes, there is no "grace period" for those who while destruction is going on in the Earth, that they will all of a sudden repent, because that is not so! Look at Pharaoh, look at  Israel, look at the history of the world, look at ourselves, people blame and turn away from God, rather than come to Him. He says the heavens will pass away, so how can we disappear for Seven years and then come back?

Look at what John writes in Revelation Sixteen of people experiencing pain, which is a symbolism of all the plagues, wars, hurricanes, fires, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and everything else that has been going on and more so in the last days, because of sin and a hate for God.

"They were scorched by the fierce heat, and THEY CURSED the NAME OF GOD who had power over these plagues. THEY DID NOT REPENT and give him glory. The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish and CURSED THE GOD OF HEAVEN for their pain and sores. THEY DID NOT REPENT of their deeds." (ESV)(Emphasis Added)

Tomorrow is not promised! We see each year people die that are young, do drugs, car accidents, suicide, cancer, old age, disease, young or old, you name it and yet people won't repent and come to Jesus. Sadly too many pastors are taking scripture out of context and "cherry" picking verses to make their eschatology work, but look at it all in context and you will see, we are to be making disciples, sharing the Good News and by the grace of God, because of His patience, people will hopefully repent. Yes, nuclear war is real and natural disasters, and other kill people daily, but in Jesus, we can have peace that no matter what happens, we will be with Him forever. It’s not a matter of when He’s coming, but are you saved, by asking Him into your heart and believing He was raised from the dead and knowing, you can avoid all the nonsense man can conjure up to dismiss God, and be with God, for we don’t know when our last breath will be. He is coming like a thief, but that doesn't mean secretly, for even the "ELECT" will not know or see or sadder, fall away because they believed the false prophets! I don't relate with Generation X, but I want to be counted and relate with what  David writes in Psalm Twenty Four,

“He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.” (ESV)

” Jose Barajas

Linus' Blanket

by Jose Barajas

My grandson from birth, loves to hold on to "tags" on a blanket, or his shirts, that we even bought him a blanket of tags. It is his security to know that when he is holding that, he is comfortable and also his security. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is filled with so many messages of humility and basic messages of what the true meaning of Christmas is and should be. One of the most unnoticed things is that of Linus dropping his blanket after he goes to the center of the stage to recite Luke Two, Eight thru Fourteen. Right at the point of verse Ten where it says, "FEAR NOT," he drops the blanket. Now if you know anything about Charlie Brown and have watched any of his specials or cartoons, you know that Linus is known for carrying that blanket around everywhere he goes and in everything he does. Regardless that everyone else makes fun of him, or tries to take it away from him, or convince him, he doesn't need it, he never let's it go. Because it is his security, his comfort, his way of being able to do anything, because his blanket is protection. In the same way my grandson holds his "taggies", so does Linus hold that blanket.

Jesus when He calls His first disciples, ,Peter, Andrew, John and James, who would become His inner circle, and most referenced disciples of all others, says in Mark One,

Linus Speech

I love to read books and I even love reading to the kids and now the grandkids. One of my favorite books and also TV specials is “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The book my wife found at the thrift store, is one of those that have the buttons that you push at different times of the book when the picture appears in the story. The book and the special for those who don't know goes like this;

"Schulz's main goal for a Peanuts-based Christmas special was to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. He desired to juxtapose this theme with interspersed shots of snow and ice-skating, perhaps inspired by his own childhood growing up in St Paul, Minnesota. He also created the idea for the school play, and mixing jazz with traditional Christmas carols. Schulz was adamant about Linus' reading of the Bible, despite Mendelson and Melendez's concerns that religion was a controversial topic, especially on television. Melendez recalled Schulz turned to him and remarked, "If we don't do it, who will?". Schulz's estimation proved accurate, and in the 1960s, fewer than 9 percent of television Christmas episodes contained a substantive reference to religion, according to university researcher Stephen Lind. It could also be worth potentially noting that there is a possibility that someone might have arguably presented the idea that there was a chance that something may have suggested the idea that maybe Linus's recitation of Scripture was incorporated in such a way that it forms the climax of the film, thus making it impossible to successfully edit out. Schulz's faith in the Bible stemmed from his Midwest background and religious and historical studies; as such, aspects of religion would be a topic of study throughout his life" 

When Gabriel came to Mary and Joseph to announce the birth of Jesus, the world was in turmoil, with kings being "fat" off of the people, the "religious" leaders "fat" off of their "flocks" and people looking to overthrow all of them. Many call the time prior to this, the silent years of God, but I never believe God is ever silent or not working, it's that we stop listening and living our lives for our wants and have no need or belief of God. Schultz said, "If we don't, who will?"  If we who have the hope that lies within us as Peter Says, why are we silent or allow the world and man to keep us silent. Christmas is more than a holiday, of gifts being exchanged, or parties to "celebrate" a man in a suit, but it’s about Jesus, but sadly most people don't think twice about Him the rest of the year. 

As I read the story to my grandson , he listened as I read, waiting to push the buttons to hear the music or the words spoken. The story is about Charlie Brown not getting the Christmas spirit and doesn't understand the true meaning of Christmas. Lucy make him director of the Christmas play at the school and as usual Charlie Brown gets no respect, so him and Linus go to find a tree, to hopefully save his role as director and make the play a success, which ends up being a bigger disaster. As everyone is making fun of his tree, Linus, go to the center of the stage and my grandson pushed the Linus button and Luke Two came out saying, 

"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (ESV)

Linus turns and says, "That is what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." My grandson was excited and happy that we read the book, and we placed it back by our Charlie Brown Christmas tree. 

I have seen and read over the years, people saying "keep Christ in Christmas", Jesus is the reason for the season, and though these things are true, I believe Jesus is and should not only be for a season, or for "Christmas," but for all of our days. Jesus tells the people in Luke Nine, after feeding the two different sets of groups (One Jewish and the other Gentiles, in case you didn't know) 

And He said to ALL, “If ANYONE would come after Me, let him DENY HIMSELF and TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (ESV)(Emphasis Added)

The people were following Jesus for the food and the miracles, and when read in conjunction with the other gospels, you see that Jesus is telling them, it's a daily thing to be my disciple. You aren't to only claim you're a "Christian"  just when the crowds are watching, at church, during a "season", when being fed, healed, or only during good times, but at all times and with each day. Charlie Brown thought Christmas to be more than just commercialism and nothing has changed since Jesus first came until when He comes again. People are always hungry, poor, fighting, looking for power, wealth, healings, and we will look everywhere, except to the One who can provide, peace thru the storms, thru the good, but also, more importantly give us eternal life. Jesus isn't and shouldn't be confined to a "season" He is so much more than that. A simple message from a Savior who gave His life for all. A simple message told thru cartoons for generations to see and hear every year, even though the TV station originally didn't want it done, but like Mr Schultz wasn't silent, neither should we be. Let’s be like Linus and stand up and proclaim daily that Christ the Savior is alive!" Jose Barajas

Magi

 “A few of my favorite movies are the “Toy Story” movies, because they are written very well, that it makes me cry. Now I admit, I don’t mind saying I cry at movies, especially when I can relate to them or they touch my heart. The first movie has the toys that have been a part of Andy’s world for a while and he’s having a birthday party, where the toys are intently listening to see if they're going to be replaced by any new toys. Pixar does such a great job of taking ordinary toys, that I grew up with or my kids and grandkids enjoy and making them come alive. One of my favorite lines in the movie is when the army man announces the next gift and they say, “bed sheets”, Mr Potato responds with, “who invited that kid?” They finally get to the new toy, Buzz Lightyear, the new and improved spaceman who has all the bells and whistles.

When the Magi came bearing gifts to the newborn King, they brought gold, frankincense,  and myrrh. Now gold I can see but the other two, “you could hear someone at the house yelling, “who invited those Magi?” Now if you’re not familiar with the meaning then maybe we need to understand what kind of gifts were brought. The three gifts had a spiritual meaning: gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death. Isaiah 9 says, 

““For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” ‭(ESV‬‬)

Jesus came to give His life and the Magi knew this. Now the magi didn’t have a Walmart on the way and Amazon’s camels were probably busy delivering other orders, so it wasn’t a last minute idea and these were actually thoughtful gifts. Too many times gifts are not thought out whether on birthdays or Christmas, and by the time January comes around many are broken, returned and or on the shelf like Woody in Toy Story Two. 

Some scholars believe that these gifts might have been used by Joseph to support his family as they went to Egypt after the Angel appeared to him to take his family there, because of Herod wanting to kill all boys two years and younger. (This also reminds us that the nativity scenes are cool, with baby Jesus in a manger, but the Magi didn’t show up until Jesus was almost Two years old.) 

Unlike the toys in Toy Story, God doesn’t want to replace us with new shinier toys, and we aren’t robots that are programmed to be His minions. He chose to loves us by dying and giving us the ultimate FREE thought out, not last minute gift. He desires our true and full worship, like the Magi came to do, with our  heart fully abandoned to Him. We can’t just show up twice a year to God and then blame Him for all the bad or think of Him like a “toy.” He is not a “child’s” play thing!” 

We need to be like Woody doing everything he could to get him and Buzz back to Andy, after getting lost. We get lost too and should repent and do all we can to get back to Jesus, bringing our best! He was born a humble King, who is God, but suffered as a sinless man to die, as a gift for us to receive eternal salvation, if we repent and accept Him as our Lord and Savior! His love is, “To eternity and beyond!” Jose Barajas

Tamales

by Jose Barajas

"Growing up in a Mexican home, Christmas time was always a happy memory for me. My dad liked to have people over but especially during Christmas time, as it was more of a reason to celebrate his birthday which fell on December Twenty Fourth (Although sometimes he'd say it was the Twenty Fifth.) (Now on another note, Jesus was not born on December Twenty Fifth and if you didn't know that, sorry for the spoiler alert) The thing that most non "Latino" families, (Hispanic, is deemed a derogatory term to many of whom that term was created for by the Census bureau) associate with this time of the year is TAMALES! Now if you know my family, its truly the most wonderful time of the year because of this rite of passage. My mom has a restaurant size mixer, as tamales are rolled out by the dozens when my sisters and brothers come to the house to make the often made, but never replicated, or better than those that come from my family's house. 

The joke I always like to tell, is the reason we made tamales was so that we would have something to open on Christmas. For us it's not just about making the tamale, but the preparation and love that goes into each one. The music and conversations that take place, and the laughter that fills the room regardless of the drama outside the walls. The masa is mixed, never pre-bought, the meat and chili all from scratch. The last secret, is that the person who starts putting the tamales into the pot to steam them, must be the same person who started the process. We don't use too much masa, unless you're making ones with pineapple, otherwise too much masa is a no-no in our house. We also use lard for flavor, except for my sister Laura, something about being healthier for you, it's okay we still love her.

Throughout the Bible we see order in how things were to be done when it came to the worship of God and in the preparation of the Passover meal, and even preparing our hearts to receive the "Lord's Supper." (We use crackers and grape juice at our church) In Exodus Twelve before they are taken out of the land of Egypt and before the first born was killed throughout the land, (always a picture of sin in the bible) it says,

"For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you. You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever. And when you come to the land that the Lord will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service. And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped." (ESV)

The Israelites became angry with Moses, but ultimately against God as they felt that God didn't care for them and so they did what most people do, we stop Worshipping God, correctly. We feel alone, lost, or because something has happened in our life, that "Why would God allow, fill in your blank" philosophy and want to go back to Egypt and forget that He has covered us with His blood. 

Paul talking about observing the Lord's supper or the remembrance of what Jesus did says in First Corinthians Fourteen,

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."

Paul reminds us how we need to do this in remembrance of the price Jesus paid with Him being the Ultimate Sacrificial Lamb, and says to examine ourselves before we come together to partake, for if we come without asking for forgiveness of our sins, we bring judgement on ourselves. When Jesus had His last supper with the disciples, one of the original Twelve was not there when he passed out the bread and wine, because of his betrayal to God. Now we all sin, but it's how what we do when we sin, do we count it off as, "God will forgive me", "God understands", and continue in it, Are we looking at what we are doing and how we are doing it and understanding that God will not be mocked? The process hasn't changed in making tamales in our family and neither has it with God's word. We can change the type of meat we like, or how how hot we like the tamales, but our faith and walk isn't physical food. In our walk, we should not conform to the ways of the world, or worse, to satisfy our own flesh, by changing words, allowing the "leaven" or looking the other way, or watering down the word. 

Our family was not perfect as I've stated in the past, but our gatherings as I remember them, were fun and filled with food. The making of tamales has to be made a certain way otherwise the taste and the tamale itself won't come out right. Everything has order and more so when it comes to God and His worship. That's why I can't believe in random selection or A Big Bang theory where everything blows up and everything came together. We have never thrown the husk, unmixed masa, raw meat, chili's and other ingredients into the pot, cooking them all together and we open up the pot and Tamales are there waiting for us to eat. We do things for worldly things, with more care and precision than with our walk, and we need to stop and realize, our salvation is far more important than anything else.

Christmas to me isn't about gifts and the decorating of trees and houses, or a man in a suit, and there isn't anything wrong with those family traditions, but to me it should be first and foremost about Jesus, about family and making memories with food, and laughter. One day we will be in heaven with God and His family, if we repent to be a part of the "tamale" making parties in heaven." Jose Barajas

A Gift is Free

 “As I’ve mentioned before my family are huge Dodger fans and we love going to Dodger Stadium at least once a year. My dad use to get tickets from vendors at his work back before it was okay to do that. (I never understand why people complain about things like free tickets and ruin it for everyone) One year, I think I was like Twelve years old and  my dad got Four prime seats as he always did that were 12 rows behind the Dodger’s dugout. My brother Chente drove us in his van and my brothers Sal, Martin and Ruben claimed the tickets to go with him. My little brother Michael and me wanted to go and buy tickets that back then we’re Five dollar tickets to sit in the pavilion and my brother Sal was like, no they’re sold out, stay home. Chente said we could go and try and that made Sal mad for whatever reason that I still don’t know. We got there and they went in to their seats and me and Michael went to the pavilion ticket booth. As we stood in line a man came up to us and said, “I have two tickets but I can’t sell them so I’m going to drop them on the ground and you guys can pick them up and go in.” We looked at each other, sort of skeptical but then we were like, okay, what’s there to lose, so we picked them up and went in. We started walking to the seats following the numbers noticing we were getting closer to the dugout. We asked the usher and he walked us to the second row right behind the Dodgers Dugout. 

Paul in his letter to the Ephesians reminds us in chapter Two, 

“I mean that you have been saved by GRACE through believing. YOU DID NOT SAVE YOURSELVES; IT WAS A GIFT FROM GOD. It was not the result of YOUR OWN EFFORTS, so you CANNOT BRAG about it.” ‭(NCV‬‬)(Emphasis added)

A gift is something you didn’t buy, it’s not something that you expect (at least you shouldn’t, even for birthdays or Christmas.) it’s nothing you deserve or worked for and that’s why it’s called a gift. 

Cults and sadly many so called “Christian”  churches put worldly expectations on their followers with; you have to give so much money to move up the ladder of enlightenment. You need to knock on so many doors a week, you have to attend all these conferences and buy our books, buy our under garments, or you have to be baptized in our church to be saved, to get more knowledge or to be a someone in that “religion” or church. But Paul clearly states , we can’t do anything to earn it, there’s not enough money to buy it, it’s simply by faith in Jesus Christ. Now many will argue, yes but we still need to work as James says in his letter in the second chapter, 

“In the same way, faith by itself—that does nothing—is dead. Someone might say, “You have faith, but I have deeds.” Show me your faith without doing anything, and I will show you my faith by what I do. (NCV)

But what James is talking about in context is that many claim they have faith and that is enough, that I’ve said a little prayer and I am saved, I don’t need to love my neighbor and or go to church, or read my Bible, because I have faith. But having faith and being saved are two different things. Listen to what Paul continues in Ephesians Two, 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

We are His workmanship to do His work, not the works of man, not the works of a religion, but to WALK in them, which SHOUKD glorify God! 

James also continued in chapter Two with, 

“You believe there is one God. Good! But the DEMONS BELIEVE that, too, and THEY TREMBLE WITH FEAR.”‬ ‭(NCV‬‬)(Emphasis added)

It’s not enough to just believe and sit on our laurels. James says that demons believe and yet they shudder and most of us, don’t bat at eye, when we think of God, play with God, or bother to do for God. We do for our traditions and our religion but never to glorify God! I believe Jesus is Lord and that He died for me and if that’s too simple for people to accept, then the GIFT being FREE will always  be an obstacle. But I also know that I am called to preach the word and to make disciples, to reproof, rebuke, admonish, and do everything given me by the Holy Spirit as gifts, to share so that others may believe, repent and come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

When that man dropped those tickets, me and my little brother didn’t have to pay for them and they were better seats than my dad had gotten. When our brothers saw us pass by and they were jealous, we didn’t say that’s what you get, we’re better than you, we just enjoyed the game. Actually I think we even let my brother Sal sit in the better seats, because as with Gods gift, we can’t boast of something we didn’t pay for, we reaped the benefits and shaming people is not what true Christians do. 

I play music for God and volunteer where I can to do God’s work, not for fame and money, but by doing for God. I get to share and allow people to see grace as it was given to me. It is available to all who confess with their mouth and believe in their heart that Jesus died and rose for all.  I am not perfect and fail and fall from time to time, but I also know that God is there, if I walk in Him and go to Him.

God “dropped” your free ticket in the form of Jesus as Isaiah foretold in Isaiah Nine, 

“For to us a child is born, to us A SON IS GIVEN; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)(Emphasis added)

He was freely given as a child to live a sinless life, to die a sinners death. All you have to do is take the “ticket” and walk in Him (daily taking up our cross) and reap the benefits of God and His grace, His gift!” Jose Barajas

Thankfulness Daily

 “Every year and every day for the month of November people have been posting what they are thankful for. I don’t know what to think about this as I know some like it and some are like really enough already. I look at it like any other holiday or trend that hits social media, some are funny and some are like, huh what is that about ? I’ve never been one to follow the crowd of doing things cause everyone else is doing it. Maybe my parents told me if one of your friends jumps off of a bridge, will you too, one too many times and that’s why I don’t, or maybe I’m just awkward. Now please don’t take this wrong as there is nothing wrong with saying what you’re thankful for, but that’s like me only telling my mom and wife happy Mother’s Day on that one Sunday of the year. 

I’ve referred to “submarine” Christians in the past but I’ve also been witnessing more and more of “white tomb” Christians in and out of churches. This means or is a play on what Jesus told the Pharisees in Luke Twenty Three, 

““How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You are hypocrites! You are like tombs that are painted white. Outside, those tombs look fine, but inside, they are full of the bones of dead people and all kinds of unclean things. It is the same with you. People look at you and think you are good, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and evil.” (‭NCV‬‬)

Asleep in the Light

 “During the week like everyone else I’m sure, I have an alarm set to wake me up to get ready for work. Three of the five days I hit the snooze button, it starts with ten minutes then nine, eight until finally I have to get up or I will be late. There have been a few times where I have accidentally hit stop instead of snooze and all of a sudden I jump up out of bed starling my wife and dog as I overslept. I run around looking for my clothes and rush to get ready, brushing my teeth and hair haphazardly, and even at times I’ve put my shirt on backwards as I run out of the house. Then of course because I’m already late, I hit ever light, there is an accident and or I need gas or forgot something that I have to turn around and go back to get. 

Jesus is telling His disciples about His return and uses different parables to convey the message. One He tells about is the ten virgins and their lamps, found in Matthew Twenty Five, 

Hurry Up

 “We have passes to Disneyland which we’ve always had since our children were small as I’ve stated before. We go but we don’t rush around to get on every ride and to see every parade each time we go. We take our time and stroll thru the park and look at things that most people probably don’t spend time doing if they only have a one day pass or a weekend pass. We go on our favorite ride Pirates of the Caribbean most every time we go, but like last night we went on Casey’s train ride and storybook boat ride, and stood and watched the fireworks in front of the castle. Each time we go we see something new, although the whole park is the same and the structure mainly hasn’t changed, there are always new and exciting things that have probably been there, but we never noticed them. For me as a kid, Disneyland was totally amazing and I was able to enjoy it and now as a parent and grandparent, I get to see the joy in my kids and grandkids faces as they discover the wonder of it all.

The writer of Hebrews says in chapter Four, 

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (ESV)

Our Heart of Worship

 “I remember hearing the "Heart of Worship" for the first time, it was not only heart felt, but listening to the lyrics allowed me to understand that God wants more that a "pretense" or false worship. I was not on a worship team at the time, but knew that it was a song that I wanted to learn and play over and over again.  

Matt Redman’s home church in Watford England was going thru a tough time spiritually, but the people were only there to hear the music and the band. Mike Pilivachi, who was the pastor of the church  asked his congregation, 

“what they were bringing to God in worship, or if they were just there as consumers, soaking up the music?” 

In His Eyes

 “In the Eighties, cheesy movies ruled the day and I loved and still watch most of them. One I like is “Say Anything” that stars Jon Cusack, who is in quiet a few movies I like. In the movie, he is trying to be with a girl who is above his level in terms of looks and where she lives, and when she ends up liking him many are shocked. The most famous scene that many movies have copied and or even, I’m sure many a high schooler or hopeless romantic, like me, is when he takes his boom box and in the rain holds it up with the song, “In Your Eyes.” Part of the chorus says, “In your eyes

“The resolution of all the fruitless searches; In your eyes

I see the light and the heat; In your eyes; Oh, I want to be that complete; I want to touch the light; The heat I see in your eyes.” 

The lengths we go to prove a love.

When man rebelled against God, the original love was broken, but not forgotten by God, in that He sent Jesus to restore that bond of love. It’s very hard for us to understand how that is or even works, because when someone doesn’t love us or hurts us, we become bitter and quit on them. But God’s love is different, as Jeremiah says in chapter Thirty One, 

A Cloud of Witnesses

 “I remember talking to my nephew back when he was in the Marines about his experience in boot camp and on how difficult it was for him. He had said that a one point about five weeks into it, he started to fell real burned out. He said that he never thought of quitting, but his body just couldn't take it anymore and that he felt like he would not make it. I asked him how he got through it and this was his response. “I started reading the letters people were sending me and saw that people were praying and loving me thru these letters. He said he had gotten the letter Arianna and me had sent him. It was a letter that contained the Lord's prayer Arianna had made for him in Sunday school. At the bottom it said, "Please protect my cousin while in the Marines." 

At times we tend to forget that even the simple words in life makes all the difference to someone. We think that we have to do something special all the time, or get “x” amount of attention, or come up with a perfect speech to lift people up. God in His infinite wisdom knows the words that need to be said to someone going thru trials and with His Spirit allows us to express the right sentiments. The writer of Hebrews reminds us in chapter Twelve, “ 

Set Apart “Elect”

 One year, when I was working for the City of Long Beach at Houghton Park, we got the opportunity to go to Disneyland and take the kids from the daycare to enjoy the day. It was Mickey Mouse’s Sixteenth Birthday celebration and many cities were invited to celebrate and be part of a parade in a big pomp and circumstance celebration. We got to go around and enjoy the day on all the rides, but the best part came when they kicked the general public out and only those who were invited, got to stay and enjoy the park, rides, food and drinks for free, because we were “set apart” from everyone else.

Jesus in John Seventeen, which is His real prayer and not what many call the Lord’s Prayer, in Matthew Six, in verse Seventeen says, 

““Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth.” ‭(NET‬‬) 

God’s Not Dead

 “God is Dead” was proclaimed by Nietzsche in the Nineteenth century. He was an atheist for his adult life and by his statement, he wasn’t saying that there was a God who had actually died, rather that our idea of one had. He believed that men wouldn’t be able to handle a world without a God, but as time has progressed, we find that first this concept is not new. Agnostic means not knowing, they are basically on the fence people, of they don’t know if God is real or not. These people were around when Paul taught, the people in the times of Moses, believed in every form of god and worshipped images made by men, ranging from birds to animals and even moon and sun. To think that God didn’t exist and or that faith is blind even has troubled prophets, and I early on in my walk and at times had questioned if God was real. I think it’s a valid thought and struggle for all mankind. People say science proves God doesn’t exist, that death and famines, prove it also. Billy Graham before he started his Los Angeles tent revival said he went to the desert with his Bible and questioned whether God was real. This after his longtime friend and co-evangelist Charles Templeton lost his faith after seeing a Life magazine  picture with a starving child on it and said God can’t exist.

Hebrews Eleven is known as the “Faith Hall of Fame” where it recounts many people in the Bible who lived and died for their faith in God. 

Hebrews Eleven verse Six says, “No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek him.” 

Where is our Hope?

by Jose Barajas

I love the movie, “The Shawshank Redemption. It is based on a short story from one of my favorite writers when I was growing up, Stephen King. Andy Dufresne is imprisoned for killing his wife, even though he didn’t do it. After having spent two weeks in solitaire confinement for playing opera music over the prison loudspeakers, Andy is telling his fellow inmates how it was the two easiest weeks because of the music he had in his heart and mind. Him and Red, his best friend in prison, go back and forth saying, 

“Andy Dufresne : That's the beauty of music. They can't get that from you... Haven't you ever felt that way about music? 

Red : I played a mean harmonica as a younger man. Lost interest in it though. Didn't make much sense in here. 

Andy Dufresne : Here's where it makes the most sense. You need it so you don't forget. 

Red : Forget? 

Andy Dufresne : Forget that... there are places in this world that aren't made out of stone. That there's something inside... that they can't get to, that they can't touch. That's yours. 

Red : What're you talking about? 

I Know I Will See Christ Face to Face

by Jose Barajas

“We all gathered as a family the day we celebrated the life of our father with friends and people who had known my dad. That day was beautiful as the sun shone and I had spent the morning crying and admittedly even had a few shots with my brother in law. I was chosen to be one who would speak to the crowd that gathered and really didn’t know what I was going to say.

I remember talking about each of my siblings and making people laugh because that’s what my dad would have wanted but I know I was in a daze! When we took his body to the spot where it would lay, all of my family stood there, and God only knows what they were thinking. However, because of what Jesus did on the cross, I know in my heart that I will see my dad again.