A Different Approach

Pro-Life

I am posting this video because it is breathtaking. The video is different from what you may be used to, but the message is powerful and the meaning is clear. It's awesome to see all the different vessels God can use to spread his message.

I don't know if the artist Flipsyde is a Christian or where his moral compass points, but I do know this. God can use anyone and anything to spread his message. The pro-life movement is something we as Christians should support and to see this guy create a video to reach a new generation, it's great. The video may not be your thing, but it can reach a generation of people in a way most others may not.

Carlos

Vota

The Kids...

The Christian rock band Vota is using dirty tactics to get radio stations across the country to play their new single "Hard to Believe". Who could tell these adorable kids no? I can't!



That's cheating! And very cute. For more info on Vota check out: www.votaband.com

Carlos

Super Stuff

Commercials and What-Not's

This years batch of super ads left me wanting more. What happened to that classic commercial that everyone talked about the next morning. Budweiser, self proclaimed "King of Beers" and one time "King of the Superbowl Ads" with their talking Frogs, Lizards and Whazup Guys is now nothing more than just another purveyor of 30 second fluff. Pepsi, tried to reclaim some of their Superbowl glory with this ad:



Made me laugh out loud, but still somewhat forgettable. I love the limo guy, by the way. I guess I just remember the old Pepsi vs Coke ads, with the Pepsi truck driver and the Coke truck driver. Those were clever and funny ads that stuck with you. The new "King of the Superbowl Commercial" has to be E-Trade.



Funny, cute and clever. A good commercial with staying power. One of the few this year. Gone may be the days of commercial after commercial that made me laugh out loud. Too bad. Commercials and the Superbowl. Maybe the only television event that successfully combines the two.

For more Super Ads check out: http://www.hulu.com/

Carlos

A Year Ago Today...

Everything looks different from 13,500 feet

The horizon was breathtaking. Everything was just crystal clear. You could see for miles upon miles away. Everything was peaceful and serene. Life seemed to just float by so effortlessly. Life at 13,500 feet, looks amazing.

Until they open the airplane doors and your next in line to jump! That when everything changes...

The horizon is gone. All you see is the ground. A terrifying reminder of what awaits to catch you if things go wrong. Crystal clear becomes a blur of wind and sounds. It's cold. Like the hand of death slowing running it's finger up your spine. You trade peaceful and serene for tempestuous and angry. Life at 13,500 feet, is scary.

Yet with all this, the one thing I remember most of my entire jump was the 2 seconds before we dove from the plane. For two seconds I was between safety and dicey. In those two seconds, I think I learned more about God than in any other two seconds of my life. I remember specifically praying this one prayer. I said, "Lord, if this is the end of my line, I pray I wake up to find you holding me. If this isn't the end of my line, I pray I can look back on this day and see your hand in it. Lord, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

I never got that last line out. We jumped.

Looking back though, I did see God's hand in all of it. I learned that sometimes our life can be a lot like skydiving. God leads us to places in our life where we either stay in the safety of where He has brought us. Something that is comfortable and routine or we take that next step or leap of faith, into the unknown. If God brings you to it, He'll see you through it. (Many thanks to Brother Ron for that line) It's in those leaps of faith where God really begins to stretch us, to mold us, into the person He has created us to be.

Looking back, the jump was the hardest part. But once I took my leap from the plane, that was when the fun really began! When you jump with Jesus, you can't go wrong.

Carlos

Where is God?

Right By Your Side.

It can be easy to wonder, "God where are you! I'm drowning here and you're not around!" Sometimes the world does get the better of us and we're left feeling alone and confused. I can think of times when I've felt like everything in my life came crashing down on top of me all at once and everything just stopped. There was nothing. I was alone, afraid, confused, empty, feeling like I was in a big black abyss with no where to turn. Thankfully we serve a mighty, powerful and faithful God who is so good!

God came to earth to rescue us. "For God so loved the world, that he sent his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

God knows the pain and suffering we encounter in this world. Jesus left the safety and security of His home, and entered the hard environment we live in. Jesus got tired, knew hunger and thirst, battled accusations from others and was ostracized by family and friends. But Jesus experienced far more than daily hardships. Let's face it, this life ain't easy and He knows it.

Someone might shoot us. Or we might be hit by a car. Or we might have to jump from a building attacked by terrorists. Or any number of things that might happen to us in this harsh environment called Earth, the place where God's will is not always followed.

Yet, God is not at the mercy of people, but the other way around. We are at His mercy, fortunately. This is God who created the universe with its uncountable stars, simply by speaking the words, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky." This is God who says He "reigns over the nations." He is unlimited in power and wisdom. Though problems seem insurmountable to us, we have an incredibly capable God who reminds us, "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for Me?" Somehow He is able to maintain the freedom of sinful humans, yet still bring about His will. God clearly says, "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose." And we can draw comfort from that if our lives are submitted to Him. "For God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

God has got you. Remember that. No matter the situation. No matter the magnitude. No matter what! God has got you in his righteous right hand and will keep you safe. He is our refuge and strength. An ever present help in times of trouble.

God Loves You! Stay Strong.

Carlos