April Edition - Valley Christian Magazine

h c i Wh y ? a W

n decisio t s e i s a e the e b t s u j y ing ma s o o h C

Carrie Und erwood as Sara Hil l in Sou l Surfer the

Movie

y e s m a veneRy Da n Mo o

A different kind of valley

church

Premiere Edition / * / April 2011

x e d n I 6 4

15

20

Volume 1 Issue 1

STAFF Christian Torres Publisher

Henry Miller Editor

Irma d’Santiago “morett” Designer Creative

Barbara Delgado, Photographer

Lee Jinks,

Photographer

11 48 s t n e v e 50 Features 36. Letty Rodriguez

Her Dreams, Her Reality

30.

Logos Community Church

Called to Love & Serve

28. FCA Female Athlete of the Year – Jane Hervey from Rio Hondo Highschool 26. Sergio Pena A Healed Heart 11. Soul Surfer

The Bethany Hamily Story

On The Cover

15. Which Way - Kate Shannon

desperately wanted and needed what Jesus had to offer. She accepted it. Then fought it.

National Columnists

8. Greg Laurie – What Gets You Out of Bed… 24. James McDonald – Unstoppable Force 32. Max Lucado - Fearless 50. Dave Ramsey - Dave Says

CONTRIBUTORS Jerrell Jobe Mike Masso Miguel Paredes Lance Phy

For Advertising contact:

956.314.0161 phone 956.688.6336 fax www.valleychristianmagazine.com Texas Christian Publications c/o Valley Christian Magazine 3827 North 10th Street, 301 McAllen, TX 78501

Valley Christian Magazine is a free monthly magazine published by

Valley Contributors

34. Henry Miller, Editor: Dive In, Chase Your Dream 40. Lance Phy: It’s all about Worship 42. Miguel Paredes: The Blue Parakeet, Consumer Detox 17. Mike Masso: Can People Really Change 20. Jerrell Jobe - Who’s the Greatest 6. Christian Torres, Publisher; That’s It!

22.VC Kidz

Veggie Tales – T’was the Night Before Easter Rick Warren – The Lord’s Prayer Sarah Young – Jesus Calling: 365 devotions for kids

Valley Christian Magazine is a publication of Texas Christian Publications (a 501c3 organization). Texas Christian Publications reserves the right to edit, modify, revise, rewrite and reject editorial materials and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors, omissions or consequences arising from it. All correspondence to this publication becomes the property of Texas Christian Publications. Texas Christian Publications shall be held harmless indemnified against any third-party claims. Texas Christian Publications accepts no claims made by photographers, agents or contributors. Writers’ and columnists’ opinions are not necessarily those of Texas Christian Publications or its publishers. Advertisements appearing in Texas Christian Publications present only the viewpoint of the advertisers. We assume no responsibility for advertising claims made in this publication. Valley Christian Magazine is printed in the United States. Reproduction without the expressed written permission of the publisher is prohibited. Copyright 2011.

Have you ever felt like you were supposed to do something but thought it was crazy?

So there I was a few years ago… asking just that…seriously?! Why?! Me? When I felt the desire to create some type of magazine and I thought, “really, a magazine? Come on.” So I tossed it around to a couple of friends who gave me some direction.

I hadn’t a clue what I was doing.

For those of you who know me, this is quite different from what I’m accustomed to.

So I did it anyway. Research, development, production, printing, etc…. again not sure why or what direction -- but I was ready. One random day I received a text from a friend, Henry Miller (who happens to be editor now), “How ‘bout a Christian magazine?”

I had that Charlie Brown Christmas moment …..THAT’S IT! This is the reason why God had been prompting and preparing me for a magazine launch. Valley Christian Magazine would be that calling.

I LOVE IT! Isn’t it cool how God is speaking to us and WE need to be ready to listen. He’ll prompt you and then it’s up to you to either act or ignore.

So here we are, super excited about the premiere edition of Valley Christian Magazine. God’s put together an amazing team of people who are ready to serve Him in an ambitious way - should there be any other way?

As we went out and introduced Valley Christian / 6 / www.valleychristianmagazine.com

Magazine to churches and businesses in our community, we kept hearing “It’s About Time!”

So why Valley

Christian Mazine?

That’s simple: Glorify God. Our content should be specific: 1) Encourage fellow believers in their walk and journey and give Valley Christians a new and exciting platform to share what God is doing in their lives and ministries.

2) Help those who are still searching and have questions about what being a Christian is really about to find answers and lead them to a local church body.

That’s why. To help all of us on our journey and relationship with the One even if you think you don’t deserve it (Romans 5:8).

If you’ve sorta heard of God...

If you kinda know God...

If you really know God… …And If you don’t…that’s ok, you can.

So let’s get to know Him. When you do you….you’ll never be the same! ….and they all lived happily ever after! …NOT kidding!

Christian Torres

Executive Director

Who is Greg Laurie ?

Greg Laurie is the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. He began his pastoral ministry at the age of 19 by leading a Bible study of 30 people.

Since then, God has transformed that small group into a church of some 15,000 people. Today, Harvest is one of the largest churches in America, and consistently ranks among the most influential churches in the country.

Harvest Crusades

In 1990, Laurie began holding large-scale public evangelistic events called Harvest Crusades. Since that time, more than 4,219,000 people have attended Harvest des events around the United States, and in Australia and New Zealand. More importantly, more than 350,300 people have registered professions of faith through these outreaches.

“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple” (Psalm 27:4).

David wrote, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek….” He was saying that one thing that really excited him was spending time in the presence of God. Mary knew this one thing, too, when Jesus came to visit her and her sister Martha in the little village of Bethany. She sat down at His feet, absolutely riveted by everything He had to say.

Cooking for Jesus Martha, a hardworking woman, wanted to impress the Lord with the fine meal she was preparing. Who wouldn’t, if you had a guest like Jesus? Can you imagine Jesus showing up at your house? You would want to offer Him your best, right?

You wouldn’t give Him a microwave dinner or reheated food from last night.

You would want to prepare a special meal.

As Martha was working away, she undoubtedly kept looking for Mary. Where is Mary? I can’t believe she’s not in here. Finally in frustration, she came out—probably with her hands on her hips—and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

One thing is needed Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.

But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:4142).

Mary figured out one thing, and that was the importance of sitting at Jesus’ feet. What is your “one thing”?

What gets you out of bed in the morning? What keeps you going, even through heartaches and trials and disappointments?

Forgetting the Past In Philippians 3:13-14, the apostle Paul said: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Paul said, “But one thing I do.” He didn’t say, “Twelve things I dabble at.” In other words, Paul’s life had a strong focus that helped him prioritize everything else.

Used by permission from Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie, PO Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514

In an interview with Valley Christian Magazine, Hill shares Bethany’s amazing story.

By Henry Miller Bethany Hamilton’s life, just like the waves she surfed, could’ve come crashing down Halloween day, 2003.

Instead, her life has been an inspiration to many and has given hope to many more.

And she’s become a national force on the surfing scene along the way.

Hamilton, 13 at the time, was enjoying her passion, surfing, on Halloween Day in 2003 when she was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark, which bit off her left arm. She lost more than 60 percent of her blood and had to endure several surgeries.

It looked as if her dream of going pro and competing nationally had been sunk.

One month later, however, Hamilton stunned everyone and was back in the water surfing. A little more than a year later, she won her first national title and in 2007 she turned professional.

Her story - Soul Surfer - will hit theaters nationwide April 8. According to www. soulsurferthemovie.com “Soul Surfer reveals Bethany’s fight to recover from her ordeal and how she grappled with the question of her future. Strengthened by the love of her parents, Tom (Dennis Quaid) and Cheri (Helen Hunt), and supported by her youth group leader Sara (Carrie Underwood), Bethany refuses to give in or give up, and begins a bold return to the water.”

Bethany Hamilton

Sara Hill, Hamilton’s youth pastor, said that while Hamilton seemingly bounced back from the attack, there were a lot of prayers said and a ton of comforting needed.

“She was just a 13-year-old girl and this was a huge physical change,” Hill said in a phone interview with Valley Christian Magazine. “It’s gonna have an effect on you. She needed a friend. I would pray with her, try to comfort her.”

“Before she ever had the accident she was a unique girl and had a big, close relationship with the Lord. She stayed steadfast in her walk – she’s a light to so many people. She never turned her back on the Lord, she was never angry with Him. Sure she got frustrated with certain things that she was limited to doing but she came through strong.”

/ 12 / www.valleychristianmagazine.com

The emotions, the fears ran through the family. Hill said she spent a lot of time with each, trying to provide comfort and guidance.

“We pray every day that the Lord will use this to expand our territories and share the Gospel. We are excited and we will take those opportunities for the Lord.”

“For Tom (dad) it was a lot more emotional,” Hill said. “There were times when he was so broken and we would just sit and pray together.”

One scene in the movie was when Hill reached the hospital after hearing about the attack. She approached Hamilton’s mom and shared with her Jeremiah 29:11, which reads “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV, 2011).

Hill does missionary work in Hawaii focusing on the youth ministry and had been used to hearing young people pour out their lives to her. But this was different and while she was doing everything to help provide comfort for the family, on her trips home she would pray for that comfort for herself.

“Every day driving back home from the hospital, I would take my time with the Lord and cry out to Him,” Hill said. “We can take refuge in the power of the Almighty. He would give me a clearer picture.”

More than seven years later, Hill and Hamilton still talk with one another and share the Gospel, something she says she’s excited to see being done as well in the movie.

That scene and use of the verse was even discussed on whether or not it would stay in the movie – it did.

“The movie really was about what the family wanted,” Hill said.

“It was lots of fun.”

What made it especially fun for Hill was watching Carrie Underwood – who’s making her acting debut – portray Hill.

She said she had opportunities to work with Underwood and explain to her what her thought process was at certain points.

“A couple friends after seeing her said ‘she sounded so much like you,’” Hill said. “It was great to have that input and share with her.”

So, since Underwood portrayed and sounds like Hill in the movie, does that mean Hill will make her musical debut on Underwood’s next recording?

Hill laughed. “I wouldn’t do that to anybody,”

Check local listings for where and when

Soul Surfer will be playing.

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Hamilton Bethany milton Cheri Ha ilton Tom Ham hard nc Alana Bla Sara Hill chard Holt Blan Byron ilton Noah Ham irch Malina B amilton Tommy H

Fall, 2008

Kate Shannon accepts Jesus Christ.

Many people believe – some even teach – that when we take that step to let Christ into our lives that everything gets easier.

In reality, however, such a major change – one that covers all areas of life and requires submission and trust – is incredibly difficult to follow through on. The rewards, though, are eternal.

And, nowhere in The Bible does it say Christians will have a “trouble-free life.”

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one day

later

Kate Shannon’s life (as she knew it) falls apart.

Believers, new believers especially, struggle with how to follow God after building and establishing their life “as is.” They have their friends, their routines…. life is full-speed ahead for them. Then comes a fork in the road – and you have to decide which path you’re going to take.

“It’s easy to change things on the surface,” said Mike Masso, director of The Life Company in McAllen. “We do a great job of putting on masks and making it look like we are something we’re not but haven’t dealt with the internal issues that come down to the core of our characters.” (See Masso’s article “Can People Really Change?”).

Many people see that Christian life as something that’s too much of a change. They feel they could never be accepted into the Christian circle. They may joke about it (“if I walked into a church I’d probably get struck by lightning”) but many times that’s just a way of hiding their fears, insecurities or misunderstandings.

Masso says that’s just the enemy invading our minds and it’s a battle that even lifetime Christians fight.

“People will say ‘we blew it, we’ll never measure up to so and so, I don’t have what it takes,’” Masso said.

“That’s just the enemy’s way of tearing us down and it is warfare and it is a battle in the mind. That’s why we are to take every thought captive and apply God’s truth to it.”

Shannon, a Houston native, grew up in a Christian home, both parents being believers. She went to church regularly and had “heard the stories” about Jesus Christ. She came to the Rio Grande Valley and attended UTPA, walking onto their track team after learning how to pole vault. She ended up being a four-year pole-vaulter for the Broncs. Her path led her to meet up with Tom Weaver, pastor of the Logos Community at BT as a junior when she started searching to get plugged into the community.

Her soul was searching for something more. Weaver’s bible studies provided her with a taste of the truth. And she wanted more – she longed for the gift Christ had for her. More importantly, she knew she needed it.

But that would require a lot of change.

“I was in a place where I was ready for help,” Shannon said. “I didn’t know how to communicate that appropriately on the outside but on the inside I was screaming for help.”

Shannon can speak from first-hand knowledge regarding the battle that may come with such a change.

When she finally became self-aware of where she stood – something Masso says is the first step in truly changing – that’s when she realized that doing things her way just wasn’t working.

“Finally I said ‘I give up. I’m tired of my way. I’m sick of it.’” She said. “I was left in pieces, a mess and couldn’t clean myself up if I tried.”

She started attending Logos and it was there that she started to see the answer. And with Weaver and other church leaders’ help, Shannon finally “came under the authority of Christ.

But life for the 24-year-old Shannon didn’t become any easier.

“I fought Him the whole way,” Shannon said. “I literally fought Him. I cursed Him out. It wasn’t just an ‘oooh shiny’ moment. There was a huge part of me that still wanted to be in control. We want to be our own god.

We want to do what we want to do and giving that up and submitting to authority was terrible – it was hard. It was rough. It was a battle.”

That battle was fought on all battlefields. As Christians draw closer to God, often they see that current relationships and lifestyles aren’t pieces that fit the Christian puzzle. Likewise, Shannon recalls that she had a lot of casual friends at the time but that one particular close friend and her were ripped apart at the moment she accepted Christ.

“That relationship was just twisted at the moment,” Shannon said. “But I was ready for change – there were things I had to break off. I had to cut a lot off. It was very hard, very painful.”

Oftentimes Shannon would bring different scenarios to Weaver of her previous life to see if they would fit within the boundaries of Christian living. They seemed normal and harmless so they should be okay, right? Time and again, however, they crossed those boundaries.

In her mind, her life was falling apart. In reality – she was building upon her new life.

“There was so much I didn’t understand, I was literally in a fog,” she said. “I had to step out in faith and trust in the Lord and say He knows what He’s doing. I had to step out and obey Him. I just couldn’t see it the first few months and had to listen to someone else guiding me through it.

“It wasn’t like ‘accept Jesus and everything’s going to be okay.’ I fought Him the whole way.”

That scenario is more common than many people may believe. Complete change means not letting your old life sabotage your mind and thoughts.

“The Bible lays it out pretty well,” Masso said. “It talks about renewing our mind. What goes into our mind comes out in our lives. The enemy is trying to take you off the path, down a path of destruction.

“We are supposed to consider every bad experience a joy because those are God opportunities. We so often look at those experiences that have broken us and if we see them as failures the healing never takes place, therefore the strength and power to sail us to the next destination that God has for us will never take place if we allow the enemy to sabotage our minds and thoughts.”

Masso also said that it’s imperative that believers – especially those who have recently transitioned from their previous lives – be willing to surround themselves with other believers, or “wise counsel” as the Bible refers to them. www.valleychristianmagazine.com / 16 /

“Some people are just not wired to do what they want to do and they need to surround themselves with the right people,” Masso said. “The problem is that most times they are not really aware of that. They have a dream and they just want to blow and go. It’s the internal resources they don’t have.

By Mike Masso

“But it’s okay to not have all the tools. That’s why God made us to be interdependent with others and change requires those interdependencies.”

Weaver and others at Logos worked with Shannon, teaching her the ways of being a Christian her and surrounding her with “wise counsel.” They even took her aside when she slipped and looked to be falling back into some old habits. Shannon finally started seeing that it wasn’t going to be by her talents, skills or knowledge that she would stay on the Christian walk, but by submission to Christ and learning from His followers.

“Outside of Christ, you can’t (change) – period,” Shannon said.

“I could not change and would not be where I am at today if it weren’t for Him not just working in my life, but doing the work.”

Weaver said that helping a new Christian in their walk with Christ is something special – it’s invigorating and exciting.

“When non-believers come to Christ they have nothing,” said Weaver, “And it’s really all about building the body of Christ. That the fruit that comes out of a new Christian is filled with freshness and it’s so much fun. They are new to the game.

“It’s all about Jesus and they remind us of that every time a person comes to Christ – nobody should care what color the carpet is of the church or if you wear a tie or not. We don’t care because they are being changed – we want to see people

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Is it really possible for a person to change?

If so, why does it seem so difficult?

What needs to happen for real change to take place?

We’ve all asked this question one time or another about ourselves or others. But what is “change” and what are we are trying to change? It can be improving our social and leadership skills, physical appearance, spending habits, shifting our paradigm on life, or even trying to incorporate changes to our personalities.

How many people do you know who have really changed? Not many, right? It seems the most common change in others that we notice is usually for the worse. They end up in life where they never intended to be - overweight, bound by debt, broken marriages, over-worked, over-stressed, bitter, the list goes on.

There’s been a multitude of self-improvement books written over the years, so what’s the problem?

For many years I’ve dealt with myself and others in relationships – family, ministry, business and friendships. It takes more than just noble ideas and good intentions. Andy Stanley writes in The Principle of the Path that “Direction, not intention, determines your destination.”

So this month and next, take a journey with me – let us determine our direction and, ultimately, our destination.

First, you can’t get to where you want to be unless you know where you are. Self-awareness is the starting point to get you where you want to be. Without knowing this you will wander aimlessly, wasting precious time. It’s like trying to find your way around the Mall of America without locating the big red dot on the mall directory map that says “You Are Here.”

“You are Here” is relative to a person’s life.

It is an understanding of one’s passions, talents and significant experiences. It has contributed to your

change.”

in pain and despair and without hope.

Don’t think you have to change before you go to church, Weaver says. Go to church – then let the love of Christ change you.

“But now I have hope – I have hope in Christ and I realize wherever I am how much more alive I am because of Him.”

Shannon said it was more than just letting Christ into her life – it had to be more. She knew she had to come under His authority, submit her life to Him and let Him work in her – which meant giving up control.

Shannon has some advice for everyone, however, that accepting and following Christ is not a sprint, but a marathon.

“I’ve learned and am still learning how to wait on Him and His timing,” she said. “I have given things over to Him and it’s no longer when I want things to happen.

It’s a lot of discipline and going uphill and going against the current.

“He’s loving and gentle but He’s also a dad who disciplines his kids. The reason is to direct us in the right path and draw us closer to Him,” Shannon said. “I would still be where I was a couple years ago if it weren’t for Christ – lost, depressed, struggling with suicide – it was a dark place. I was so lost and blind and

“It’s truly the straight and narrow – but it’s not easy. But He is faithful and it’s definitely all worth it.”

TODAY

Kate Shannon photos taken by Lee Jinks

2011

annon h S e t a K er is a lead s. at Logo rist. h C s e v o She l etter b s i e f i l And er. than ev

www.VALLEYCHRISTIANMAGAZINE.com

view of yourself, God and the world around you.

The ground on which these resources are built upon is your character. Your character is the foundation that determines what you can actually build your life upon.

A recent example of this is a luxury high-rise condominium resort that was built on South Padre Island not too long ago without the proper foundational support. “Construction was more than two years under way when it began to sink and bend. Pier supports in the shifty clay more than 100 feet underground began buckling, stressing beams and columns,” reported mysanantonio.com.

The elegant modern design, skilled workers, and finances were just not enough.

The inadequate foundation eventually led to the demolition and resulting 55,000-ton pile of concrete and steel instead of the beautiful structure it was intended to be.

How do we estab-

Many well-intentioned people are doomed to fail in achieving the changes they desire because they begin their journey from an external reference point. In other words, just knowing you have a vision in mind, the plan to build something and the resources, your dream will fall short if the foundation upon which it is built is faulty.

lish a sure foundation, or starting point, knowing that we don’t have it all together, with character flaws and bad habits that need to change?

When we need to find our way somewhere, you have to have the right map.

Therefore, if being self-aware is our starting point, then being God-aware is our reference point.

The best reference point available for our lives is non-other than God’s Word — the Bible. It will show how far off course we may be.

This is where our faith in God’s truth brings His grace to our flawed character.

God’s Word reminds us (because He knows we tend to forget) that His Grace is Sufficient.

His grace is not available as permission to stay off course, but it is there to allow access

to His Spirit to renew us — to change us and help us align with His destiny for us.

It’s not our talents or experiences, our accomplishments or failures that define us. It is our interpretation of those things that will determine who we become and where we end up.

It is God’s Truth that sets us free.

Free from the effects of the thief who is determined to steal our God-given dream of the abundant life we are destined for. The alternative to God’s Truth is accepting our own limited interpretation of ourselves, which is usually distorted by accepting the faulty reference points of those around us, while we allow Satan to corrupt the pure simple truth about how God sees us.

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10).

For us to be God-aware means we validate our perspective, passions, talents and experiences from God’s viewpoint. That is to understand that our talents, passions and experiences come from God who works all things (especially the “failures”, hurts and negative experiences!) for good to those who love Him and are called to His purposes.

Now that we are both self-aware and, more importantly God aware, where do we go from here?

Next month we will continue our journey and define our destination.

By Jerrell Jobe

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Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions For Kids

By Sarah Young Based on her original Jesus Calling, this version has been adapted in a language and fashion that kids and tweens can relate to their everyday lives. They are devotions written as if Jesus is speaking directly to a child’s heart.

After many years of writing in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to listen to God with pen in hand, writing down what she believed He was saying to her through Scripture. Others were blessed as she shared her writings, until people all over the world were using her devotionals. They are written from Jesus’ point of view, thus the title Jesus Calling.

It is Sarah’s fervent prayer that our Savior may bless readers, and now young readers, with His presence and His peace in ever deeper measure.

- From Thomas Nelson Publishing VeggieTales: ’Twas the Night Before Easter

It’s Easter time in Crisper County and cable news reporter Marlee Meade is hunting for a way to help others. She cooks up a plan to save the old theater with a cast of costume-clad townies, massive props and a 20-foot robot rabbit to perform “Up With Bunnies.” Now there’s only one thing missing – the star of the show!

When word spreads that singing sensation Cassie Cassava (voiced by American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle) is arriving to perform in her hometown church’s Easter service, Marlee schemes to steal the starlet for her own pageant! But when things go haywire, will it be curtains for Marlee’s dreams–or will she discover the true meaning of Easter and what helping others is really all about?

“Eggs-tra” Bonus Features: • Audio Commentary • “The Hopperena” Silly Songs Sing-Along • Behind the voice of “Cassie” with Melinda Doolittle • Larry’s backstage pass to “VeggieTales Live!”

• “Easter Cards” Interactive Matching Game -From Big Idea, Inc.

The Lord’s Prayer

By Rick Warren Illustrated by Richard Jesse Watson The Lord’s Prayer pulses with new life through the exquisite illustrations of award-winning artist Richard Jesse Watson, and simple, yet insightful commentary by bestselling author Rick Warren.

Watson’s use of vibrant color and detailed imagery beautifully captures the essence of Jesus’ words to his disciples, and Warren’s thoughtful words help make the King James Version of this prayer come alive for young readers. With vivid pictures of young girls and boys just like them who are playing, smiling and learning to understand the true meaning of the prayer, young readers will be motivated to also take part in the lesson.

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www.valleychristianmagazine.com / 20 /

James MacDonald

is founding and senior pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel in the northwest Chicago suburbs.

James’ teaching can be heard on Walk in the Word, a daily30minute radio program heard on over 1030 outlets across North America. For more information, visit

www.walkintheword.com

By Dr. James MacDonald

But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison.

But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life ”And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach. Now when the high priest came, and those who were

with him, they called together the council and all the senate of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” Acts 5:17-23 I like words. I like to play around with them and study them. Better still, I like when I live out what they mean in my life.

One of my favorite words is unstoppable. Something is coming and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it.

Unstoppable, like a tornado or a tsunami or a stampede.

Unstoppable is the word that comes to mind when you look at the early days of the church. Conflict and controversy threatened to take the young group down, but instead of killing it, the challenges fueled the fire that spread across the first-century landscape.

Think through the early obstacles the church faced. Acts 4:18 says that the religious leaders tried to muzzle the message that Peter and John boldly proclaimed. Several times they “charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” So when Peter and John wouldn’t keep quiet, the leaders locked them up.

But then God sent a messenger to restart what they had stopped. (I love this scene.) “During the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ‘Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life’ ” (Acts 5:19-20).

After miraculously freeing them, the angel charged the apostles to go back to the temple and pick up where they left off: Don’t lower the flag. Don’t soften the message.

Don’t get strategic or subtle or clever. Just get back to work, boys. “And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach” (v.21). Peter and John went right back to doing what God had called them to do. In spite of the religious leaders’ attempts to douse the passion of the early church, Acts 6:7 tells us that, “The word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem.”

You just can’t stop what God is doing. No matter what move man makes, God trumps it, and His purposes move forward. His hands are never tied. His message is never muted. No matter what opposition is thrown in its path, when the church of Jesus Christ is what it’s intended to be, it is flat-out an unstoppable force for God. Used by permission of Walk in the Word, Elgin, Ill., 61023.

All rights reserved. To subscribe to the Weekly Walk, a weekly e-devotional, please visit:

www.WalkintheWord.com

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A

fter a difficult surgery, little Sergio Pena slept peacefully. His mother, Veronica Pena, walked into his hospital room for the first time since his surgery and wanted to cry. “Go ahead and talk to him,” nurses told her. “He can hear you.” Sergio heard his mother’s voice and stirred. “I asked him how he was doing and he started to try and get up and out of the bed,” Veronica said. “The nurses had to help keep him down.”

Sergio, 3, had just come out of the Valley’s first pediatric open heart surgery, performed June 9, 2009 at the Children’s Medical Center at Rio Grande Regional Hospital. Sergio was diagnosed with Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), most commonly known as a hole in the heart, at 8 months old. In most cases, children born with ASD require to be closely monitored and eventually the hole closes. In Sergio’s case, the hole continued to grow and that can lead to other complications.

Sergio’s team of Pediatric Cardiologists consisting of Dr. Assad Alhroob and Dr. Muhammad Khan agreed that in order to prevent Sergio’s condition from deteriorating, open heart surgery was necessary.

In collaboration with a specialized team, which included physicians from Methodist Children’s Hospital of South Texas in San Antonio, the Valley’s first pediatric open heart surgery was performed.

Greg Seiler, CEO of Rio Grande Regional Hospital, said, “One of the hospital’s missions is to reduce the need for children and their families to leave the Valley to receive advanced pediatric treatment.”

The hospital’s “Heart Team” received specialized training for more than a year. Still, Veronica worried, hearing from friends and family that she should seek the surgery outside of the Valley.

“Greg and the nurses really made me feel confident,” she said. “I prayed about it too and

One time at church, they said our kids are loaned to us – they belong to God. I understood and I would pray that I know he belongs to you God, but let him live his life. Please don’t take him away. I know he’s yours but he’s so little.”

Alhroob who was part of the surgery team that has performed many of these procedures, said this particular case was low-risk. “It’s still something big for a parent,” said Alhroob, the father of six. “For us it’s one of the simplest surgeries, but for the parents it’s a major one. I would look at it as a major thing for my kid – it’s the heart.”

Veronica remembers bringing Sergio home after the surgery, knowing that she and her husband Santiago would have to monitor Sergio and make sure he didn’t get too active too soon.

That was easier said than done. Not too long after returning home, Veronica and Santiago walked into the bedroom and were shocked to see Sergio jumping all over it.

“He was just laughing and jumping,” Veronica said.

“When we would try to get him, he would just jump to the other side. He was having a great time.”

Even recalling that incident brings emotion into Veronica’s voice.

The joy of having Sergio home is still overwhelming, nearly two years after

the surgery. “I remember holding his little hand as he was going to the surgery room – joking and laughing. Finally, the operating staff said, it’s time to get ready – and it hit us. We knew this day was coming for a year or longer but it hit us right there,” Veronica said. “God has been there with us this whole time and we had to have faith – and He has blessed us.”

Seiler acknowledges that being able to help – especially children – is a blessing to families, to the hospital and himself. “My pastor talked about a calling not necessarily being a call to be a missionary or to be a pastor or anything like that. It can be just what you do every single day in your job,” Seiler said.

“So I remind myself that I can make a difference in my daily life – not only by being a hospital administrator, but a Christian as well.’”

Today, little Sergio can run up to his punching bag at Combat Fitness in Mission and throw a 1-2 combo.

Then he’s off to do a front roll on the inclined mat. Finally he runs over to the heavy bag, delivers another 1-2 punch and a front snap kick.

One look at him and you’d never think that nearly two years ago Sergio was in open heart surgery. But one look at him also reveals something special.

Sergio, now 5, has the heart of a champion.

MARIO FLORES & SERGIO PENA

RGV Medical ObseRVeR

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FCA Female Athlete of the Year ing tennis, FCA president and yearbook editor in chief.

By Henry Miller

Singing and songwriting are two of Jane Claire Hervey’s fortes.

Her real strength, however, comes from her love for Jesus.

It’s something she makes clear wherever she is and whenever she can.

It’s also a major reason she was named the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Female Athlete of the Year.

Hervey is a senior at Rio Hondo High School and has a long list of extracurricular activities, includ-

ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has challenged athletes and coaches to impact the world for Jesus Christ. The playing field is where many cultivate their values. A staggering 44 million kids under the age of 18 play competitive sports. That’s why, as the largest Christian sports ministry in the world, we believe FCA is needed more than ever. We need more athletes and coaches who play with heart. But to do that, we must first feed their soul.

FCA reaches nearly two million each year for Christ through our “4 C’s” of Ministry: Coaches, Campus, Camp and Community. With greatly valued volunteer and financial support, we are indeed putting the heart and soul in sports.

To see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches.

To present to athletes and coaches an all whom they influence the challenge and adventure of receiving / 28 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com

She was also a state finalist in the UIL feature writing category.

Hervey plans to attend the University of Texas’ communications school and use her writing talents to pursue either print journalism or broadcasting degree.

Deep down inside though is her passion is to make a career out of her writing and vocal talents.

Her huddle coach, Janis Ste-

phenson, said Hervey is clearly advanced not only in her talents but also her knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. A huddle coach is a coach, faculty member or volunteer who assists the student leaders in organizing and carry-

Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church.

Our relationships will demonstrate steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word through Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence.

Integrity: We will demonstrate Christ-like wholeness, privately and publicly.

Serving: We will model Jesus’ example of serving.

Teamwork: We will express our unity in Christ.

Excellence: We will honor and glorify God in all we do.

To Contact the Rio Grande Valley FCA Chapter, Call Barney Sarver at 956’994’1121 www.rgvfca.org

ing out the FCA Programs and Activities.

Letters of the King

Hervey volunteered and spoke at Harlingen’s Fields of Faith Conference, an interdenominational outreach event that allows students to invite classmates to hear testimonies from peers. Stephenson said it was something that Hervey not just wanted to do, but believed she needed to as well.

I’m writing a letter and there’s no address on the envelope It won’t need a stamp It’s sent on wings of hope

“She is in love with Jesus, she is bright and has a lot of talent,” said Stephenson, who coached Hervey on the tennis team. “And what’s so good to see is she’s bringing that talent and using it for Him.

She has wisdom beyond her years, she trusts in God and is very mature in her faith. She has a confidence that God gave her and she just wants to serve Him.”

By Jane Claire Hervey

Won’t have to sign it sincerely because The Reader knows my handwriting He knows my every intention He knows everything Chorus: Dear God, have I mentioned Your Son saved me?

Have I told You I love you lately?

Have I thanked You at all?

And yes, Lord, I know I’m as imperfect as they come, but after everything you’ve done, I know You will catch me when I fall.

Loving

In

the c i t y the n a m e of

By Henry Miller

well

Jesus

Welcome to a different kind of church.

Not different in changing the Bible, different in changing people. And not your everyday “church-going” person, changing people like drug dealers, prostitutes and violent criminals.

And you know why? Because even as Jesus came, he did not come for the Pharisees – the ones who “already knew.” Jesus came for the ones who were sick, hurting and lost. He came to make a difference in everyone he touched within His community, and beyond.

Such is the vision of Pastor Tom Weaver and the mission of Logos Community Church.

“We’re about being simple Christians,” said Weaver, a North Carolina native who moved to the Valley in 1998.

“Theologically we are very conservative. Socially we are more liberal.”

Logos is located at 2001 Trenton Road in McAllen. Services are Sundays at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.in the pavilion next to BT McAllen. As their website, www.logoscommunity. com, states “with both services, you’ll find it to be more informal than typical church services, where more people will be wearing jeans, T-shirts, shorts and the like.”

Logos started with a few people sitting around a table with a desire to become a body that disciples. This means they take new believers under their wing and teach them what it means to follow Jesus – how they pray, how they live and how they love one another. Two years after starting, the church has grown to more than 250 in the congregation.

Something must be working there – the executive pastor - Josh Stockel, the head deacon, the children’s minister, and several other church leaders became Christians at Logos.

“We have seen men and women’s lives radically changed by the simple message that Jesus died on the cross for their sins, and because of this, they are called by Him, and loved by Him. This changes everything, “ Weaver said. “We have an ex-stripper who is one of our strongest disciplers, a deacon who came from same-sex lifestyle, our lead guitarist who was a dealer in the Valley, and our Children’s minister who toured for six years with a rock band and struggled with alcohol abuse. Jesus has radically saved these people.”

Weaver said that sharing Christ and “loving people well” are crucial to not only the church’s mission but to the Christian’s walk.

“You’ll see us intermingling with a lot of people and we want to be involved with people who really are serious about reflecting Jesus, the life He’s given to us and other people,” Weaver said.

Logos believes in community and outreach and they show it through volunteering and helping those in the community. Not only did they have a booth at La Posada but they also approached the city to ask if they could just pick up trash for them after the event.

“They were surprised when we asked if we can pick up trash during the event,” Weaver said. “They allowed us to do it, and made comments afterward that they were really thankful.” Pastor Tom says this is what it’s all about for Logos. Loving the city well in the name of Jesus.

Weaver recalls one service where he looked out over the congregation and saw some young Mormon guys (who were invited by a new Christian), a professed atheist, some people who were struggling with same-sex attraction, and several men struggling with violence. “These are the people we get super excited to

see coming. They need Jesus, and we know Him. We get to share Jesus with them.”

Weaver doesn’t shy from his past – in fact, he believes that his past and his story – along with many of the other church leaders’ pasts and stories, helps those who feel outcast from society and don’t feel they can ever be accepted by a church – or Jesus. “Here is what we know to be true”, Weaver said. “We were lost in our sin. Then Jesus saved us. We tell our stories so that people can see that Jesus changes lives.”

“My flesh loved sin,” Weaver said. “But now I follow Christ.

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edges and the ladies who have had a tough life. We don’t see ourselves as better than, but equal to. We want to love these people.

“When they become believers they are excited because they realize sin doesn’t own them anymore. They don’t have to get high, they don’t have to live sexually immoral lives, and they don’t have to be violent. They are excited because Jesus is a simple concept – they were lost, Jesus called them and now they have been given new life.”

For more information on Logos, check out

www.logoscommunity.com

“Why are you fearful? O you of little faith.”

Matthew 8:26

The question of Jesus is a good one.

He lifts his head from the pillow, steps out from the stern into the storm, and asks: “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’” (vs. 26).

To be clear, fear serves a healthy function. It is the canary in the coal mine: warning of potential danger. A dose of fright can keep a child from running across a busy road or an adult from smoking a pack of cigarettes. Fear is the appropriate reaction to a burning building or growling dog. Fear itself is not a sin. But it can lead to sin.

If we treat fear with angry outbursts, drinking binges, sullen withdrawals, selfstarvation, or vice-like control, we exclude God from the solution and exacerbate the problem. We subject ourselves to a position of fear, allowing anxiety to dominate and define our lives. Joy-sapping worries. Day-numbing dread. Repeated bouts with insecurity that petrify and paralyze us. Hysteria is not from God. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear…” (2 Tim. 1:7 NKJV emphasis mine).

Fear will always knock on your door.

Just don’t invite it in for dinner and, for heaven’s sake, don’t offer it a bed for the night. Let’s dedicate some pages and thought to Jesus’ teaching about fear, examining a select number of his “Do not fear statements.” The promise of Christ and the contention of this book are simple. Fear may fill your world, but it doesn’t have to fill your heart. You can fear less tomorrow than you do today.

When I was six years old, my dad let me stay up with the rest of the family and watch the movie Wolfman.

Boy, did he regret that decision. The film left me convinced that Wolfman spent each night prowling our den,

awaiting his preferred meal of first grade, redheaded, freckle-salted boy. My fear proved problematic. To reach the kitchen from my bedroom, I had to pass perilously close to his claws and fangs, something I was loathe to do. More than once, I retreated to my father’s bedroom and awoke him. Like Jesus in the boat, Dad was sound asleep in the storm.

How can a person sleep at a time like this? Opening a sleepy eye, he asked to be reminded, “Now, why are you afraid?” And I would remind him of the monster. “Oh, yes, the Wolfman,” he’d grumble. He would then climb out of bed, arm himself with superhuman courage, escort me through the valley of the shadow of death, and pour me a glass of milk. I would look at him with awe and wonder, “What kind of man is this?”

God views our “seismos” storms the way my father viewed my Wolfman angst.

“Jesus got up and gave a command to the wind and the waves and it became completely calm” (vs. 26).

He handled the great quaking with a great calming. The sea became as still as a frozen lake, and the disciples were left wondering, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (vs. 27).

What kind of man, indeed. Turning typhoon time into naptime. Silencing waves with one word. And equipping a dying man with sufficient courage to send a final love message to his family. Way to go, Dee. You faced your share of “seimos” moments in life, but in the end, you didn’t go under.

Here’s a prayer that we won’t either.

Taken from Fearless

by Max Lucado, (Thomas Nelson, 2009).

Used by permission.

Dream Big. Dive In.

By Henrry Miller

For 22 years I worked the same job – a journalist/editor.

It was fun, always different and had super highs and lows.

But I became content. I allowed that contentment to turn to boredom, the boredom to bitterness, the bitterness eventually to frustration. I went from chasing my dreams to chasing better editing jobs with more authority and more money.

My dreams had been crushed.

No, wait – that’s a lie. I stopped dreaming. The longer I stopped dreaming, the easier it became to dream no more. I just kept feeding the frustration factor.

I remember how learning to swim used to be a dream for me (a minor one but a dream anyway), to be able to just dive in. It wasn’t until I was 41 that I learned – and I had to dive into the deep end.

“Don’t worry,” the swim instructor told me. “You’re gonna hit bottom but you’re gonna pop right back up. And I’ll be right here the whole time.”

How often do we forget that Jesus is right there with us, telling us to dive in, to chase our dreams, to not worry because once we let go, once we’ve hit bottom and are in over our heads, that’s when He takes over and helps us pop right back up.

After all, He tells us in Matthew 28:20 “…I am with you always, til the end of the age.”

Our lives become such a routine that we forget what made them enjoyable in the first place - chasing our dreams. Don’t we teach our children to dream? Don’t our actions weigh more than our words to our children. Do you see where I’m going?

Does this sound familiar? Wake up, get the kids ready, take them to school, go to work, go home (maybe hit the gym), eat dinner, spend time driving the kids around, go back home, go to bed.

It happens day after day, week after week, year after year, as our lives speed by.

Don’t get me wrong, being content isn’t always a bad thing. We should be content in knowing that Jesus Christ died for our sins and through Him and Him alone we can be saved.

But what are dreams? Don’t we dream of great things? Of huge things – then why do we settle?

Because it’s easy? Because that’s what we’re supposed to do? It’s when we settle and when we discard our dreams that we start dying.

It’s when we chase those dreams – especially God-ordained opportunities – that life begins.

Yeah, it can be scary.

Yeah, it’s gonna be difficult.

But when you use the gifts God has blessed you with to be an instrument for His glory, you realize that those tools and your passions are aligned. It’s no coincidence. After all “I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and hope.” (YouVersion. com; Jeremiah 29:11) For too long I stopped dreaming.

My dreams became nothing more than clichés – commercials in the ongoing novella of life.

In “One.Life: Jesus Calls, We Follow,” author Scot McKnight writes “You have only One.Life to chase, find, and live your dream.

Let your One.Life be consumed by the dream.”

We all need to find our dream of dreams. I’ve found mine again.

I’m no longer content, bored, bitter or frustrated.

I’m a dream chaser.

“I’m diving in, I’m going deep in over my head, I want to be Caught in the rush, lost in the flow, in over my head, I want to go The river’s deep, the river’s wide, the river’s water is alive So sink or swim, I’m diving in.”

-Steven Curtis Chapman

Henry Miller is a New York native who has lived in McAllen for nine years and is proud to call it home. The love of his life is his 6-year-old daughter (and Padawan) Camilla (seen in the photo at the Baylor University’s Texas Bowl Game at Reliant Stadium).

Her Dreams….

I want to be a concert pianist.

I want to go to medical school.

I want to be a teacher.

Her Reality…

I am a single parent.

I am back home.

I am a homecare provider for my parents.

By Henry Miller

The path we want to take and the journey the Lord takes us through are rarely the same. But His plan has been put into work since “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;” (Jer 1:5; NIV, 1984).

If you listen to Leticia Rodriguez’s story, it doesn’t take long before you realize she’s submitted herself to follow the path He has created for her.

Her love has always been music, thus her plan fo

cused on being a concert pianist. Then the path turned and she found herself en route to medical school.

The path suddenly detoured again and she returned home to take care of family. Now, she’s back on the musical path and while the plans may have not been hers, she has been given a gift and is using it to proclaim God’s glory.

”Music is my gift, my love, my passion,” Rodriguez said. “I thank God that He has given me this means to communicate to others what is in my heart.”

One look at the 48-year-old Mission native’s website leticiarodriguez.com and you can see from the showcased Bible verse that the path she followed is God ordained. That verse, Proverbs 3: 5, 6 reads “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”

And that verse has given the Sharyland High School graduate direction, time and again.

Rodriguez, who in 2000 was part of Christian recording star Jaci Velasquez’s Crystal Clear Tour and received a Gold Record for her part on the 60-city tour, is back in the studio after a six-year hiatus. And, unlike the first record –originally intended to just be heard by close friends and family and was her pet project – this one is on full-scale production mode with former Petra guitarist Pete Orta.

She never thought she would jump back into the recording studio, especially with such a consummate professional as Orta. Rodriguez is quick to admit that the brokenness that accompanied her first project, entitled “Reflections Of My Heart” may have had something to do with her six-year studio hiatus.

After graduating from University of North Texas (where she was awarded a music scholarship with aspirations of becoming a concert pianist) with a degree in pre-med biology and minors in chemistry and microbiology, Rodriguez had been accepted to medical school. Her dad, however, suffered a heart attack – only to be followed by her grandmother suffering a stroke – and she returned to the Valley.

Upon her return, doors opened and she started teaching at Texas State Technical College and South Texas Community College before leaving there to teach at Mission Jr. High then Veterans Memorial High School.

“One day a friend called me looking for a choir director at the school,” Rodriguez said. “I got certified and then spent 11 years as choir director.

God brought me back to music even though I still had medicine in my heart – and on my wall with my degree.”

In 1999, Rodriguez

was working on a record for a friend in Corpus Christi. Her friend happened to be good friends with Jaci Velasquez’s band leader, Javier Solis. Soon she was on the phone with Solis, who was looking for a keyboardist and vocalist. With Rodriguez, they had that 2-for-1 talent.

“This was a big deal and I didn’t want to go into it with my eyes wide shut,” Rodriguez said. “God needed to make it very clear to me if he wanted to keep that door open or close it – and it was closed.”

A little while later, Solis called to let her know they didn’t need a keyboardist. Three months

later, Solis called again with the offer. She immediately got on the phone with prayer partners.

“I didn’t know what to do and I had to stand before God. I wouldn’t be able to take my daughter with me – and it was going to be hard and I just kept praying about it,” Rodriguez said. “I never shed so many bittersweet tears. But was it not a God thing?” She went to Nashville to audition – and got the gig.

Before long, she was on Velasquez’s Crystal Clear Tour.

“It was such an amazing opportunity – God opened so many doors and people to meet. Every couple of weeks whenever we would get a break I would come back and visit with my (5-year-old) daughter. Believe me, it wasn’t something I walked into lightly. If God opened the door and provided the opportunity, He was gonna work everything else out.”

Now she’s back in the studio and the passion that flowed through her before she attended college is as strong and as vibrant as ever.

I’m writing more songs reflecting this journey and experiences I’d have and continue to have along the way,” Rodriguez said. “I’m finding more and more that so many of us have been affected with the same things – issues, experiences, tragedies and triumphs – and we should truly empathize with one another and pray for one another.”

Her biggest, most passionate dream has always been music. Now music has engulfed her. She will soon be recording in San Antonio’s Studio M with producers Ron and Michael Morales, Grammy-Award winning producers with an “A-client list” that includes entertainers like Beyoncé.

She’s also jumped into voice acting classes, working at establishing herself as a voice over actor. On top of all that she is co-writing music with area artists, working as a music consultant with several school districts and now has become active in musical theatre, playing most recently at the San Pedro Playhouse.

“My favorite verses have provided such strength, hope and promise and I know that when times get dark and difficult along the way, I hold on to His promises that He will never leave me.”

WWW.THELIFECOMPANY.ORG

By Lance Phy David Sanborn, Duran Duran and Dvořák are some of the musicians I grew up with.

As a young saxophonist I yearned to play that funky fusion-filled jazz Sanborn was known for. Then the 80s hi-tech synth sounds occupied my stardom aspirations.

Later it was the dream of being a famous classical musician.

But I became none of these. Instead, I settled down to family life and “played out” my childhood fantasy as a sax-man in church.

As I look back, I realize this - it was a natural fit.

My first gig at age 11 was playing “Amazing Grace” at First Baptist Church in Clute, Texas. I knew the melody to nearly every song in the hymnal. I played as often as I could. It was about the performance. I thrived on the attention and praise.

In other words, I didn’t get it.

It wasn’t until God yanked me out of my comfort zone that I realized it wasn’t about me. It wasn’t about music.

It was about worship.

I had been performing His music for 20 years, but hadn’t been performing music for Him. I was performing for me. I grew up in church and could recite – singing was not my thing – the lyrics to most hymns. But if you asked me to tell you what Amazing Grace was “saying,” I couldn’t tell you.

God changed my role from player to worship leader in front of the church. I had no idea how to do what God expected. I chose songs with cool rhythms and harmonies. I prayed that God would bless my effort. I sang the words but never thought of the message. As I led the church in “I Love You, Lord” God spoke to me: “Do you really love me? Or, do you love yourself?”

God’s revelation stung. I started planning worship differently.

I studied the meaning within the lyrics. I selected worship songs for the message, not for jazzy chord progressions and syncopated rhythms. God blessed our worship. The message within our worship songs became my prayer, my praise and my peace.

I still hear rhythms, chords and harmonies. But I listen to the spirit of the song. I dwell on the message.

Some Christian songs today are very compelling, others are music genius. Some are just plain, others are just plain bad.

Some of the most popular songs on the Christian music charts are full of soft, meaningless words and phrases that offer no encouragement or pur-

pose. One mentions a city on its knees with no mention of prayer. Others sing about hope without proclaiming the name of Jesus – the source of all hope.

But there are artists who are not ashamed. Chris Tomlin isn’t afraid to proclaim his faith in Jesus, the Messiah. Casting Crowns packs a sermon within every song. Downhere’s music is filled with personal testimony, pain and victory only through Jesus.

I pray that Christian artists remain humble and willing to be used

by God Almighty. The message in their work transcends their music.

A great song without a message that glorifies God is just entertainment.

A message from God put to music is glory to His name.

“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16 NKJV

Lance Phy is a Houston native living in McAllen and has been a performing musician for 27 years.

Send him an e-mail with your questions and/or comments at: lance@valleychristianmagazine.com

1. Mercy Me - Beautiful CD: The Generous Mr. Lovewell 2. Brandon Heath - Your Love CD: Leaving Eden 3. Chris Tomlin - I Will Follow CD: And If Our God Is For Us...

4. Third Day - Children Of God CD: Move 5. The Afters - Light Up The Sky CD: Light Up The Sky 6. Tenth Avenue North You Are More CD: The Light Meets The Dark 7. Francesca Battistelli This Is The Stuff CD: Hundred More Years 8. Mandisa - Stronger CD: Single 9. Matthew West My Own Little World CD: The Story Of Your Life

How (or Do) you read the Bible?By Miguel Paredes Some may read the Bible to know who God is and what He is like.

Others may read it to learn how to live in a way that honors God Scot McKnight’s “Blue Parakeet” is a refreshing look at the Bible as a story that must be listened to so we may discern how to apply its truths.

How we apply Biblical truths or principles of the Bible depends on how we read the Bible.

First, do you read the Bible? If so, how do you read the Bible? It seems like an easy question to answer, but it may not be. Perhaps some options may help.

Read a verse along with a devotional.

Read at least one chapter a day.

Look for blessings and promises.

Look for truth.

Seek knowledge of God. Seek to apply what you learn about God. McKnight takes you through a journey, allowing you to examine and honestly determine how you read the Bible. He reminds you that the Bible is a story God’s story communicated to His people with a powerful message to unite God with humanity.

Stories are told to be listened to. The Bible is more than a book, it is God

speaking. Therefore we must read as though we are listening to God the person speaking to our hearts.

How do you read the Bible?

What tips can you share with others?

What questions do you have about reading the Bible?

You can E-mail Miguel at

After listening to the compelling story, it is time to discern how to put in Miguel@valleychristianmagazine.com to practice the things God says. McKnight understands that the culture is in constant motion. Therefore the application of Biblical truth should also be in motion without compromising the essential truths that make Christianity distinct.

McKnight is a bona fide Bible Scholar who applies his years of teaching experience and scholarship in a way that is easy to read and understand. The topic of “Women in Ministry” is the case study that he challenges with his question, “How do we do what the Bible says?” You will find yourself challenged and perhaps a little uncomfortable with some of the things

McKnight has to say. It is rather refreshing because his argument is Biblically backed up.

McKnight wants you to explore God’s Word and think.

The Extraordinary Power of an Ordinary Prayer

MICHAEL W. SMITH

Something wonderful and life-changing has been happening at Michael W. Smith’s concerts.

Recently he began closing the evening with a simple prayer of blessing woven from Scripture. The response has been overwhelming. The emails and letters of testimony are like nothing he has ever experienced in his 25 years of ministry.

Far from being a “magical” formula for extracting wealth and possessions from God, he has discovered that God’s blessings are measured more by the flourishing of character in adversity than by the flourishing of stuff. The amazing result of God’s true blessing is overflowing joy and peace.

Unfortunately, many are robbed of the promise of blessing because they seek to be blessed more than to bless others.

This beautiful work, written with Thomas Williams, will inspire readers to examine their hearts and learn to experience God’s blessing as they seek to bless others, thus discovering the secret to drawing near to the heart of God.

Jesus Calls, We Follow

SCOT MCKNIGHT

What does it look like to follow Jesus, and how will doing so change the way we live our life ... our love.life, our justice.life, our peace.life, our community.life, our sex.life ... everything about our life?

One.Life opens our eyes to the full, compelling immensity of what it means to be a Christian. Jesus offers to us a kingdom dream that transforms us to the very core of our being.

His vision is so big we are called to give our entire life to it.

His vision is so big it swallows up our dreams.

McKnight invites us to discover exactly what Jesus meant when he announced the arrival of Gods kingdom.

Equipped with a new understanding of that kingdoms radical nature, we gain profound, challenging, and practical insights on how to demonstrate its reality in our lives. What The Cost of Discipleship by Bonhoeffer challenged Christians to do in earlier generations, One.Life will do for a new generation.

Less Stuff; More Life

By Miguel Paredes

My family has moved eight times in the past six years. That’s enough times to realize we have LOTS OF STUFF.

But to be truthful, I WANT MORE STUFF. Not just anything. I want the latest in technology, a newer car, more clothes for my children… the list goes on.

Do you want more stuff? Resources to acquire more things are irrelevant. We are great consumers.

We...

Want...

More...

As consumers we can become obese and obsessed. Consumerism, like unhealthy eating, can become a problem. Many books and programs can be found to help people detoxify the human body. Consumer Detox: Less Stuff; More Life by Mark Powley is a book that can help us become healthy consumers.

Powley explains how you can understand yourself as a consumer, consider what you can change, and experiment with giving. His writing is easy to understand and relate with, and he provides a Detox Diary in order to help you in your Consumer Detox adventure. Though he lives in England, he is as much in touch with consumerism and its problems as the next American.

Consumer Detox is not a Bible study, nor is it a book swarming with Biblical quotes and references. However, it can be a great conversational tool for sharing with people of different religious or nonreligious backgrounds. This is a good and quick read.

I... Want

(to read)... More...

The Adventure of Life Beyond Halftime BOB BUFORD Author Bob Buford, who motivated countless readers with his personal story of moving from success to significance in his bestselling book, Halftime, further challenges readers to pursue a life of significance by presenting the stories of others who have embraced the art of finishing well, no matter what stage of life they’re in.

Buford sought out 60 modern trailblazers — including Peter Drucker, Roger Staubach, Jim Collins, Ken Blanchard, and Dallas Willard — and has recorded their lively conversations in these pages so they can serve as “mentors in print” for those who desire to follow in their footsteps.

Buford gives readers a chance to sit at the feet of these pioneers and learn the art of finishing well so they can shift into a far more fulfilling life now. No matter their age, readers can pursue and achieve a lasting significance that will be a legacy for future generations.

For outstanding resources, self-assessment tools, stories, events and experiences to help you on your Halftime journey from success to significance visit www.Halftime.org.

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Miguel Paredes Is a teacher at Edinburg North and leads the Limitless ABF Ministry at Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen. He is married to Brenda and has four children, Diego (9), Karla and Andrea (6) and Charis (2).

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OnePlace.com Listen to Christian Radio Ministry Broadcasts Online. Your favorite Christian speakers, authors and pastors can be found here, including Dr. David Jeremiah, Kay Arthur, Charles Stanley, R.C. Sproul, Greg Laurie, Adrian Rogers, Beth Moore, among others.

You can search audio broadcast by topics to find messages and sermons that speak to you on issues that are important to you right now.

You’re basically taking your Christian radio programs on the go when you download OnePlace. com Christian Radio Programs & Sermons application.

Grow in your walk with Jesus Christ, be encouraged in your faith, and build your knowledge of the Bible with OnePlace.com Christian radio programs.

Almighty Bible The Almighty Bible brings the Old and New Testament to life - one book at a time.

In Genesis, exciting images, narration, maps and biblical commentary all combine to create a version of the bible that is more engaging than ever.

You can listen to the concise narrated version or double tap and pull up the full unedited text. The Almighty Bible takes advantage of today’s technology to make the bible more accessible than ever before - for young people of any age.

Holy Bible – You Version This app is for everyone – 41 different translations in 22 languages. It has more than 50 different reading plans for daily selections and keeps track of where you are. You can search the entire Bible for a word, phrase or verse and can jump quickly to a verse of your choice by typing the reference in the search box.

There are also recent contributions available where you can learn from others.

IHOP International House of Prayer IHOP was founded in 1999 by Mike Bickle and 20 intercessory missionaries who cried out to God in prayer with worship for thirteen hours each day. Four months later, prayer and worship extended to 24/7 and has never ceased. You can see the prayer room live (among other things) with this App.

Saddleback Church Are you ready for an app driven with a purpose?

With the new Saddleback Church iPhone/iPod touch application, you can stream Rick Warren’s sermons livestraight from the pulpit to your pocket.

Prestonwood Baptist Church Prestonwood Baptist Church has spent the last 20 years reaching thousands with their ministries. And now, they are reaching people on their mobile phones with the release of their app.

Interested in creating an App for your church?

Hillsong United Check out new songs and stay up-to-date with all that’s happening with. Have a flick through the photo gallery (regularly updated) and take a look at the latest videos from Hillsong UNITED.

There are no words more powerful than those in scripture. Jesus studied them, quoted them, taught from them, and instructed us to do the same.

Key Features: - Preview songs before they’re released - Purchase individual songs or the whole album through iTunes - Choose your own home screen image.

- Regularly updated photo gallery

The Church App Subsplash

The Church App allows your members and visitors to easily discover and access video, audio, blogs, devotions and other resources whether in the car, at the office, or out for a run. With billions of phones out there, the church app is a great way to equip a generation of people who are constantly on the move.

The Church App is available for iPhone, Android, iPad, and web media apps.

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Who Is Dave Ramsey?

Dave Ramsey is a personal money management expert, popular national radio personality and the author of three New York Times bestsellers – The Total Money Makeover, Financial Peace Revisited and More Than Enough. In them, Ramsey exemplifies his life’s work of teaching others how to be financially responsible, so they can acquire enough wealth to take care of loved ones, live prosperously into old age, and give generously to others.

Ramsey knows first-hand what financial peace means in his own life, having lived living a true rags-to-riches to rags-toriches story. By age 26 he had established a $4,000,000 real estate portfolio, only to lose it by age 30. He has since rebuilt his financial life and now devotes himself full-time to helping ordinary people understand the forces behind their financial distress and how to set things right financially, emotionally and spiritually.

Ramsey offers life-changing, financial advice as host of a nationally syndicated radio program, The Dave Ramsey Show, which is heard by 4.5 million listeners each week on 450 radio stations throughout the United States. His syndicated column, Dave Says, can be read in more than 300 print and online publications worldwide.

Ramsey is the creator of Financial Peace University (FPU), a 13-week program that helps people dump debt, get control of their money and learn new behaviors with money that are founded on commitment and accountability. More than 1,000,000 families have attended FPU classes at their workplace, church, military base, nonprofit organization or community group. The average family pays off $5,300 in debt and saves $2,700 in the first 91 days after beginning FPU, and is completely out of debt – except for their mortgage – in just 18 to 24 months.

New car in a bad situation?

Dear Dave, My wife is divorcing me, and we just had our first baby boy. I feel it’s my responsibility to take care of her until the divorce is final, and to keep her in a safe vehicle. She’s driving a 1982 Honda Civic, and it’s so small any kind of wreck could be a disaster. I’m thinking about buying her a new car. What do you think?.... Mike

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Dear Mike, I’m really sorry you guys are going through all this, especially with a brand new baby in the mix. I appreciate your nobility and attitude about the situation, but you need to realize that once you’re divorced, it’s no longer your responsibility to take care of her. Divorce carries a lot of emotional stress and worry for everyone involved, but I don’t think buying her a new car will solve anything. It may actually lead her to expect even more from you later on.

I’m going to take a wild guess that the truth of the matter is you’re worried about your child, and this whole thing is breaking your heart. That’s natural, Mike. It means you love your baby. But a “safe” car doesn’t have to mean a brand new car. You could put her in an old Suburban and she’d be safe, because those things are tanks!

If it were me, and the relationship couldn’t be salvaged, I’d find a large used car – one that either one of you can pay for with cash – and let her drive off into the sunset. But spend every second you can hugging and loving on your little boy, and make sure you’re a fixture in his life. He’s going to need someone like you... Dave

Piles of cash?

Dear Dave, You’re always talking about accumulating piles of cash. I’ve gone to church for several years, and the Bible says not to lay up treasures on earth. Doesn’t that mean that we shouldn’t accumulate wealth or be greedy?... George Dear George, The Bible also says in Proverbs that in the house of the wise there are stores of choice food and oil.

If you look back through scripture, you’ll find that many of the major Biblical characters were very wealthy people who understood they were not the owners of the money and wealth. They understood that their job was to manage these things properly for God’s glory.

I can appreciate your concern, George, but when I talk about piles of cash my frame of reference is that we’re to handle our money and other possessions for good and for God. It’s not about greed, or to use in buying bigger and better stuff for ourselves.

But you can’t do good things if you don’t have the strengths to do good things!...

-For more financial help, please visit

www.daveramsey.com

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