Pastor Luis' Blog

Happy New Year!

In preparation for God’s movement in our lives PSCT will be on a 21 day fast to seek God’s direction in our lives and the church. We will be joining hundreds of churches throughout the country in a movement called Awakening. Please join us. Information and instruction are at back.  We’re excited about what God is going to do!

Here is background on fasting:

• What is fasting? Abstaining from something, usually food, for period of time for spiritual purposes.

• What does the Bible say?

–      Biblical examples:  Moses (Exodus 34:28; Deut. 9:9,18), David (2 Samuel 12:16), Elijah (1 Kings 19:8), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4); Esther (Esther 4:16), Daniel (Daniel 1:12), Anna (Luke 2:37), Paul (Acts 14:23), Jesus (Matthew 4:1-2), the early church (13:2).

–      Jesus placed fasting on the same level as financial giving and prayer (Matthew 6:1-18).

–      Jesus said that there is a time for fasting (Matthew 9:15).

–      Paul says we should give ourselves at times to prayer and fasting (1 Corinthians 7:5).

• What is the purpose of fasting?

–      The primary purpose of fasting is to focus on God and to center our attention on Him.  In doing so, we glorify God (Zechariah 7:5).

–      Outer fasting is to lead to inner prayer, worship, and devotion.  We “fast on food so we can feast on God.”

–      Fasting is not for personal glory or any other selfish motives (Matthew 6:16-18).

–      Secondary purposes of fasting:  fasting can reveal non-essential things that control us and take precedence in our lives (1 Corinthians 6:12); fasting can increase the effectiveness of prayer (2 Samuel 12:16); fasting can bring guidance from God in decisions (Acts 14:23);  fasting can bring revelations (Acts 13:2); fasting can help our physical well being (Daniel 1:12); fasting can aid in concentration; fasting can help bring deliverance for those who are in bondage.

¨   But these benefits come only when fasting is our attempt to diligently seek God.

• What are the different types of fasting?

–      absolute fast:  no food or water for a period of time (Exodus 34:28; Esther 4:16)

–      normal fast:  only water, but no food or other drink (Nehemiah 1:4)

–      partial fast:  usually only water, juices, and sometimes fruit (Daniel 1:12)

–      Lent fast:  giving up something specific for the duration of Lent

–      other things to fast from:  people, media, telephone, certain activities/habits, etc.

Erma Bonbeck once wrote, “There’s nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.” Many of us probably remember the wonder and awe that we felt on Christmas as children. Consequently, we can easily connect with Erma’s sentiment. We can connect with it in a positive way as we re-live some of those childhood Christmases in our memories. We can also connect with it in a negative way, knowing that, over the years, many of our Christmases have been met with too much pain, cynicism and callous familiarity. The wonder and awe has a way of evaporating, doesn’t it?

I believe Bonbeck hit upon a truth that Jesus taught his disciples during his ministry. The gospel of Luke tells us:

“But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” – Luke 18:15-18

Jesus said that in order to receive God’s kingdom we must receive it as children. In order to be a part of and to perceive it around us we must be as children. Could it be that for us to receive Christmas in it’s fullness and enjoy it’s awesomeness we need to experience it as a child? Childhood a unique time in life.  A child’s world is usually devoid of the world’s pressures and responsibilities and whatever pressure they might feel is quickly dissipates in fun and a singular moment of wonder.  Our purest time of enjoyment and impression is as a child.

May we all once again come to Him as little children, awe-inspired by the power, grace and love of  God through Jesus our savior. In fact, may we share the response of those who witnessed  and heard about the birth of Jesus for the first time:
^“and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”(Luke 2:18)

In awe and amazement,

Pastor Luis

I came across this great article by Pete Scazzero. It has a good word for leaders and Pastors as well as all busy Christians during this season.

It is ironic that Christmas is often the time we as pastors find ourselves least centered on Jesus. With the emergence of social media and new technologies, this problem has reached new proportions.

The following is an adaption of my top 10 lessons for leadership applied to this Advent season.

Be yourself.
You and I are uniquely crafted by God to lead. That means we cannot do what others can. You may be able to do more or less. The great challenge of leadership is to calmly differentiate your “true self” from the demands and voices around you. Discern the desires, vision, pace, and mission the Father has given as you lead. Take off Saul’s armor. How much activity can you sustain without losing your soul? And remember, “to live unfaithfully to yourself is to cause others great damage” (Rumi).

Your first work is to be contemplative before God (to be with him).
Our goal during this season is to lead people to Jesus and help them center on him. But you cannot bring people where you have not gone in God. We are not CEOs or even preachers first. We are called to be contemplatives first (Psalm 27:4). Above all else, cultivate a pure heart before God, loving him.

I like what Thomas Merton once wrote: “Untie my hands and deliver me from sloth. Set me free from the laziness that goes about disguised as activity when activity is not demanded of me and from the cowardice that does what is not demanded in order to escape sacrifice.”

Practice Sabbath.
Take a 24-hour period each week to Sabbath – to stop, rest, and contemplate God. You are not God. This essential spiritual formation practice is not something to drop during the celebration of Christ’s coming. I take from 6:00 p.m. Friday to 6:00 p.m. Saturday at a minimum. Large spiritual issues are at stake, especially with regard to trusting God to be in control. Relinquish the ministry to Jesus.

Embrace the gift of your limits.
Remember that “a man can receive only what is given him from heaven” (John 3:27). You will be present to your spouse and children in proportion to what you’ve received from being in God’s presence. It takes time and effort to think through thoughtful gifts with meaning for your family and key leaders. I encourage you to make sure you have the margin in your life to do that.

Wait on the Lord.
This is your life. You will finish the end of your days waiting on the Lord.  This is the most important work there is if you are to allow your soul to grow up and be what God wants you to be. Be sure to carve out time for this.

Don’t neglect ministry to yourself.
“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16).Investing in your development is your first ministry. This includes monthly and quarterly retreats, utilizing the gift of therapy along the way, finding a good spiritual director, and seeking mentors at different stages of the journey. It is the most loving gift you can give your church. What does this mean for Christmas? Take a few moments now to ask God what you need to remain connected to him over the next few weeks.

Lead out of your vow of marriage.
Scripture is clear about marriage between one male and one female as a taste of Christ’s free love for his bride, the church. And central to this marriage vision is the sexual relationship. It is essential, not peripheral, to your spiritual formation and discipleship as a Christ-follower.

Live what you preach.
Good sermons take a lot of time to gestate. If the sermons aren’t changing you, they will not transform anyone else. This is both a joy and an agony if fresh revelation from Scripture is going to come through the unique prism of your life. This never changes, whether you have been preaching for six months or 30 years.

All the work of pastoring is holy and sacred.
It took me 19 years to learn this hard lesson, and I am still learning it. Preparing budgets and job descriptions, hiring, firing, planning a good meeting, handing in reports, confronting conflicts, etc. is every part as holy as prayer and Bible study. Be sure to fight against the sacred/secular split first in your own life and then in the life of the church. Recover a biblical theology of work and spirituality.

Things are not as they appear.
So often what looks like a blessing is not. What looks terrible in the short run is, very often, a rich gift. When you think you are going forward, you may be actually going backwards. What appears as success, oftentimes ends up being a failure and setback. Failures will teach you much more than success every time.

The pressures of Christmas can distract us from what’s most important. I hope these 10 lessons will help you focus on Christ and enjoy this holiday season.

Pete Scazzero

By Dr. John C. Maxwell

As a train’s source of energy and direction, the locomotive plays a vital role. However, unless a locomotive connects to other cars on the track, it is relatively useless. A train’s value comes from its ability to transport massive amounts of cargo, and doing so requires the locomotive to link up with dozens of freight cars. Traveling by itself, a locomotive would arrive at its destination empty-handed. In that case, its journey would be nothing more than a waste of fuel.

Leaders are like locomotives in that they’re blessed with drive, energy, and vision. However, until leaders learn the art of connection, their influence remains minimal. In isolation, their talents accomplish little, and their efforts are squandered.

Let’s look at practical ways whereby leaders can make meaningful connections with others.

8 Steps for Connecting with People

#1 Don’t Take People for Granted

Weak leaders get so caught up in the vision of where they’re going that they forget whom they’re trying to lead. Instead, leaders would be wise realize that connecting to people and developing them are the surest ways to gain influence. Results happen through relationships.

#2 Possess a Difference-Maker Mindset

A hesitant and indecisive leader doesn’t enliven the hearts or imaginations of people. On the contrary, leaders who influence and inspire have a difference-maker mindset. They connect with others by passing along an infectious confidence in their ability to succeed.

#3 Initiate Movement Toward People

Freight cars sitting on the railroad tracks won’t go anywhere by themselves. They will rust and collect dust unless a locomotive makes contact and connects to them. Similarly, most people stay parked due to self-doubt, fear, or absence of vision. It takes the connection of a leader to tap into their potential and rouse them to action.

#4 Search for Common Ground

Anytime you want to connect with a person, the starting point should be shared interests. If you’re attentive to the hobbies, histories, and habits of those you lead, then you will find ample areas of common ground. Launch out from these areas of agreement to build rapport.

#5 Recognize and Respect Differences

We are capable of finding common ground with others, but at the same time we need to acknowledge that we’re all different. The greatest influencers realize that differences ought to complement rather than clash. When you demonstrate regard for diverse personalities and meet people on their terms, they will appreciate your sensitivity and connect with the understanding you’ve shown.

#6 Learn the Key to Others’ Lives

People have core motivations that vary drastically, and a leader has to discern them to forge a connection with others. Generally, the key can be unearthed by examining what a person has already done in life and by discovering what he or she aspires to do in the future. Once you’ve found the key, do not exploit it. Turn the key only when you have the person’s permission, and always use it for his or her benefit – not your own.

#7 Communicate from the Heart

Nothing repels people like a phony leader. Be authentic when you speak, and align your actions and words. People respond to passion, and they will latch onto a vision when it’s communicated directly from the heart.

#8 Share Common Experiences

Shared experiences cement a relationship. For this reason, it’s wise to be intentional about eating out with teammates, inviting them to join you on an errand, or taking in a play or ballgame together. The more time you invest in those you lead, the greater the connection you will forge with them.

Summary

One is too small of a number to achieve greatness. No one ever accomplishes alone what he can do in partnership with others. If you’re looking to grow as an influencer, start by strengthening your connections with the people around you.

About

John C. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold over 16 million books. EQUIP, the organization he founded has trained more than 2 million leaders worldwide. Every year he speaks to Fortune 500 companies, international government leaders, and audiences as diverse as the United States Military Academy at West Point, the National Football League, and ambassadors at the United Nations. A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Business Week best-selling author, Maxwell was named the World’s Top Leadership Guru by Leadershipgurus.net. He was also one of only 25 authors and artists named to Amazon.com’s 10th Anniversary Hall of Fame. Three of his books, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Developing the Leader Within You, and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader

This is a great exert from Max Lucado’s Town hall part 4 of 4. Max answers question from the audience. The questions revolve around his book “Fearless”. Please check it out.

I’ll begin reading “Fearless” this week. How about joining me?

Pastor Luis

As many of you know, I think food is one of the greatest gifts that God has given us. Besides loving to eat, I believe a meal tastes better when shared with friends and family. The enjoyment you feel as you sit around the table, share stories, laugh and partake in God’s daily bread is unlike any activity that we participate in.

I’m on one of my favorite Islands in the world, Puerto Rico, “La Isla del Encanto”,  with my good friends Rev. David and Gigi Ramos and I’ve enjoyed some excellent food here. Among the great dishes Puerto Rico offers is “Mofongo”, a garlic-flavored plantain dish served with pork, chicken or sea food, with a delectable sauce. I  have this all the time in the States but it just taste better on the Island with friends.

Food plays a prominent role in scriptures,  references include, Jews celebrating liberation from Egypt with the Passover meal, the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion and the Apostle John chronicling the voice of Jesus as he says:

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” -Rev. 3:20

The “new birth” is likened to partaking a meal with Jesus. Something happens when we have a meal with others. Intimacy grows among those gathered at the table. Life is shared,  and love and friendship have fertile ground to grow.  I would be the first to admit that I don’t always think of fellowship when I’m hungry, my mind gets focused on gulping down my food and satiating my need. Why do we have to wait for vacations and special occasions to sit down together? With a bit thought and minimal planning we can share the best of God’s provision with others. Here are some things we can do:

• Make it a point to have lunch with someone at least twice a week.
• Buy lunch for someone in need and sit with them.
• Bring back family dinner around the table (not around the television).
• At least once a month have dinner with a close friends, people you enjoy spending time with.

I suspect God has many things to reveal to us around the table.

My Mofongo de Pollo, Isla Verde Restaurant, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

Pastor Luis

Moca, Puerto Rico

I’ll begin blogging again while in Puerto Rico. I’m taking a few days of vacation with some good friends. I’m looking forward to telling my experiences. Of course I’ll be twittering too.

Please pray that I get some time to rest and revive!
Blessings,

-Pastor Luis

Becoming Like Our Heavenly Father

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children ²and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. – Ephesians 4:1-4

To help us become parents with qualities like His, God expresses His Fatherhood in several ways. First, He desires intimacy with us. Our heavenly Father sent His Son to die in our place so we could become His children. But for that relationship to be intimate, honesty is necessary. Can your children openly express their thoughts, activities, and mistakes to you?

The second way God expresses His Fatherhood is by speaking through His Word, inviting us to pray, and promising to reply. Good communication includes listening. Do you offer undivided attention to your children?

Third, God unconditionally loves us, just as He unconditionally loved Jesus. (John 17:23) Do you practice this type of love in your family?

The fourth way God expresses His Fatherhood is by meeting the needs of His children. Just as He cares for the birds of the air, He will provide for us too. (Matthew 6:26) Children have spiritual needs as well as physical and emotional needs. Are you instructing your sons and daughters in the truths of the Bible?

Fifth, He disciplines us for our good. When God holds us accountable for what we say and do, it’s an expression of His perfect love. Are you holding your children accountable for their actions and words?

Finally, God expresses His Fatherhood by instructing us in the way to live. Through our example and teaching, children can learn how to please our heavenly Father by their lifestyle. What kind of model are they seeing in your daily life?

By relying on God, we can become godly parents. In which area would you like Him to help you?

Dr. Charles Stanley In Touch Ministries

God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves – Dwight L. Moody

Mike Morrel just started a new blog and I found this great youtube video on it by the  Michael Gungor Band.

What do you think?

-Pastor Luis