Valley Christian Magazine November 2012

Page 1

November 2012

7

Things a

Daughter Needs from Her

Father

The Unraveling Of a Marriage

p.20

p.34

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Word‌ The Right At the Right Time p.8

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December 1 - 31, 2011

December 1 - 31, 2011 The biggest display of Christmas Lights in Texas just got bigger! Join us with your friends in Hidalgo and celebrate A Victorian Christmas! – Trail of Nine Sights – Saturday, Dec.1 - Illuminated Parade – Entertainment & Dinners – Trolley & Train Tours – Ramon Ayala Posada – “Ice Palace” Ice Rink – And so much more! Dinner, Concert and Trolley Tour dates: Dec. 2 -18 Tickets $10 956-843-5311 Schedule on-line: www.hidalgotexas.com

www.hidalgofol.com 956-843-2286

Lights are FREE!

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index

20 38

Features

12

The Unraveling of a Marriage

12 22 24 34 36 38 40 42 45 45

FCA Camp Campaign

National Columnists 10 18 20 28 46

James MacDonald Greg Laurie Proverbs 31: Lysa TerKeurst Joe Beam Dave Ramsey

At Home With Pastor Tim Ousely My Valley Story: Pilot Rick Larson: Star of Bethlehem 7 Things a Daughter Needs from her Father Kids Talk About God Fellowship of Christian Athletes Music: Tedashii Books Events Praise on the Hill Concert Photos

On The Cover 24 The Star of Bethlehem Myth? Fact? Follow the Science for yourself… Rick Larson shares about his upcoming visit to Edinburg.

AT HOME WITH: Pastor Tim Ousely

Valley Contributors 8 16 26 30 32 40

Christian Torres Milton Gonzalez Abram Gomez Jacob Ramon Theresa Valladares MD Miguel Paredes

7 things a daughter needs from her father

Vol. 2 / Issue 8

Christian Torres Christian@valleychristianmagazine.com

Designer morettadds@gmail.com

Stephanie Torres

CONNECT WITH US: Twitter: @vcmagazine

Accounting

James Alexander Distribution ]

Texas Christian Publications c/o Valley Christian Magazine 3827 North 10th Street, 301 McAllen, TX 78501

PHOTOGRAPHERS Johnny Q Photography Kerrin Sutton Tannia Montemayor (Family Arredondo-Cabeza p.34)

Eli Lara 956-451-0174 Eli@valleychristianmagazine.com

Stella Gallegos 956-854-1601 Stella@valleychristianmagazine.com

Tax Deductible donations can be mailed to:

956-314-O161

24

To submit story ideas, events, or comments: valleychristianmagazine@gmail.com

For Advertising contact:

Publisher

Irma d’Santiago “morett”

34

Ronnie Guerra Vela 956-599-8036 Ronnie@valleychristianmagazine.com

Julio Normendez 956-821-3819

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Valley Christian Magazine is a free monthly magazine published by

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 KHOG KDUPOHVV LQGHPQLÀHG DJDLQVW 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 permissi on prohibited. Copyright 2011.

/ Printed in the USA.

CHRISTIAN TORRES / 8 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

,V D JUDGXDWH RI %D\ORU 8QLYHUVLW\ +H DQG KLV wife, Stephanie, live in McAllen with their 3 daughters: Madeleine (12), Natalie (9), and Courtney (7). They are members of Palm Valley Church of Mission.

/ 9 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

JESUS THE WORD By Dr. James MacDonald

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5

)LUVW -RKQ VD\V ´7KDW ZKLFK ZDV IURP WKH EHJLQQLQJ ZKLFK we have heard, which we have looked upon, and have WRXFKHG ZLWK RXU KDQGV FRQFHUQLQJ WKH ZRUG RI OLIH Âľ -RKQ VWDUWV RXW KLV Ă€UVW OHWWHU MXVW OLNH KH VWDUWHG RXW KLV JRVSHO 1RZ , GLG QRW JHW WKLV XQWLO WKLV ZHHN ,W¡V VR JUHDW WR VWXG\ *RG¡V Word and learn new things. Why does John call Jesus the Word in both John 1:1 and in 1 John 1:1? Why, in Revelation 19:13, does -RKQ DOVR VD\ WKDW -HVXV¡ QDPH LV ´WKH :RUG RI *RGÂľ" /RRNV WR me like a pattern with a lesson. , PLJKW VHH VRPHRQH DW FKXUFK HYHU\ ZHHN %XW LI , ZDQW WR JHW WR NQRZ VRPHRQH ,¡YH JRW WR KDQJ RXW ZLWK WKHP :H FDQ¡W MXVW RQO\ PHHW DW FKXUFK ,I ZH GLG VLW GRZQ DQG KDYH FRIIHH ZKDW ZRXOG EH WKH Ă€UVW WKLQJ WKDW ZH ZRXOG GR" :H ZRXOG VWDUW WDONLQJ ,¡G DVN ´7HOO PH D OLWWOH ELW DERXW \RXUVHOI Âľ $QG KH ZRXOG ask me some questions too. But here’s the point: All of the intimacy that would grow beWZHHQ XV ZRXOG EH WKH UHVXOW RI ZRUGV :RUGV ZRXOG EH WKH thing that would make it happen. We would exchange some words which are the currency of disclosure; disclosure leads to LQWLPDF\ 6R LI , ZDQWHG WR JHW WR NQRZ \RX EHWWHU WKHUH ZRXOG need to be some words. Likewise if you wanted to get to know me better—words. God wanted to get to know you and me better. And God wanted us to know Himbetter. So He sent the Word. He disclosed in a ELJ ZD\ -HVXV LV WKH :RUG WKDW FRPHV IRUWK IURP *RG¡V PRXWK VR you could know Him and so He could know you. Do you get it? This ZDV QHZ IRU PH 1RZ HYHU\ WLPH ,¡P VHHLQJ -HVXV FDOOHG WKH :RUG ,¡P OLNH ´7KDW¡V *RG WDONLQJ WR PH Âľ +HEUHZV VD\V ´/RQJ DJR DW PDQ\ WLPHV DQG LQ PDQ\ ZD\V God spoke . . . but in these last days he has spoken to us by his 6RQ Âľ 7KDW¡V ZKDW LW PHDQV ZKHQ LW VD\V -HVXV LV WKH :RUG +H ZDQWV WR VSHDN LQWR \RXU OLIH <RX KDYH WR KDYH D SHUVRQDO H[SHULHQFH ZLWK Him if you’re going to know Him completely.

Listen to Walk in the Word locally

:KDW ZRUGV RI -HVXV FDQ , PHGLWDWH RQ WRGD\ WKDW ZLOO DOORZ +LP WR speak into my life? +RZ FDQ , PDNH PHGLWDWLQJ RQ +LV :RUG D GDLO\ RFFXUUHQFH"

weekdays at 5:30a.m. James MacDonald is founding and Senior Pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel in northwest Chicago. James’ teachings can be heard on Walk in the Word, a daily radio program reaching more than 3 million people across North America. Used by permission of Walk in the Word, Elgin, Ill., 61023. www.walkintheword.com by permission of Walk in the Word,Elgin, Ill., 61023.

Prayer – Father in heaven, Your Son and His words are the Bread of life to me. Let me never tire of taking them in and relishing how they renew my mind and transform my life. I want to mean Jesus when I quote Psalm 119:11, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.� I pray this in the name of Jesus who gave His life for me. Amen. / 10 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

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North Mission Church of Christ www.northmissionchurch.com 1410 E Mile 3 Road Palmhurst, TX 78573 956-585-0146

Service Times: Sunday 9:30 am Bible Study 10:30 am Worship 5:00 pm Life Groups Tuesday 7:30 pm Small Group Bible Study Wednesday 7:00 pm Classes for all ages Thursday 6:00 am Men’s Breakfast

How long has North Mission Church of Christ been here on 3 Mile line in Mission/ Palmhurst? Since Feb 1992, before we were down over on 495 at the now Ric Brown Funeral Home. That used to be our building. We moved out here in 1999. That was when we built the building and bought the property. Great set-up out here‌tell us about it ,W¡V NLQG RI D VWUDQJH \HW JUHDW *RG 7KLQJ Back in the early 1990’s we would double in size, mostly due to the Winter Texans and other older generation. By about 1995 and 1996 things were going well and just by God’s timing, we added several new families. One of the members that had joined us was a very successful businessman in McAllen and a very generous person. One day we were driving around and he asked ‘Where do we want to build a building? We can’t stay where we’re at‌we’re land ORFNHG Âľ As it turns out, we had our eye on a piece of property very close to where we are now but the price was way high. We then drove by this piece of property and it had a faded sign. Turns out an older out of town couple bought the property a long time ago.

We explained what we wanted to do with the property and they asked for a price that was well within our budget.

people who take part. Some people that come are churched and others may not KDYH D FKXUFK KRPH ,W¡V D JUHDW ZD\ WR build relationships.

Share about some of the Ministries you all are doing here at NMCOC? We are doing a number of local ministries with our community. We offer a Food Pantry, Partnered with City of Palmhurst with National Night Out, offer Financial Peace University, Upwards Soccer, Living Water, and we offer a jogging track for our community.

How do you think that affects the parents, especially those who typically don’t go to church? They can see that we are normal. e are not freaks. t helps them to see‌a lot of time their only images of Christians are those they see in the news. Negative stories. What they are seeing are Christians who are actually serving them.

National Night Out? We had a great opportunity to partner with the City of Palmhurst and help host the National Night Out. There was a large presence of our community here along ZLWK WKH SROLFH ÀUH GHSDUWPHQW DQG VR PXFK PRUH ,W ZDV JUHDW WKDW ZH ZHUH able to partner with our city.

How many people do you have here on game day? We probably average about 300-500 SHRSOH RQ DQ\ JLYHQ 6DWXUGD\ ,W¡V D ORW ,W¡V JUHDW

Living Waters? :KHQ ZH Ă€UVW EXLOW RXU FKXUFK ZKDW FDQ we do to help build community? We deFLGHG WR EXLOG D ZDONLQJ WUDFN ZLWK Ă€HOGV for sports activities and have it completely open to the public. Living waters is ministry where you will see members come out to the track and pass out free water to those walking and exercising. People DUH OLNH ZKDW" ,W¡V IUHH" 7KDW RSHQV XS the door to just share a little about Christ and just show God’s love in a practical way. Let’s talk about Upwards Soccer‌.Why Upwards? Part of it is because we have this properW\ÂŤ WKLV Ă€HOGÂŤ ZKDW FDQ ZH GR ZLWK LW IRU *RG" ,W¡V D &KULVWLDQ %DVHG RUJDQL]DWLRQ activity‌it’s a great way to minister to / 12 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

-HVXV VDLG LI \RX OLIW 0H XS , ZLOO GUDZ DOO men unto Me. Our goal is to life Him up. Our mission is to Reach in and Reach out into the glory of God. We want to serve and to minister to our community so they can see the love of Jesus. We are just doing what we can. It sounds like you are doing just that‌ <RX NQRZÂŤLW¡V VR HDV\ WR JHW LQWURYHUWHG ,W¡V HDV\ WR VSHQG DOO \RXU WLPH PRQH\ and resources on yourself. We really strive not to be self-centered but serve others. Let’s chat about Pastor Tim‌ How long have you been married? \HDUV :H PHW LQ :D[DKDFKLHÂŤ'DOODV area. Me and a few others guys moved WKHUH IURP 0LVVRXUL , WULHG GRLQJ HYHU\WKLQJÂŤGULYLQJ D WUXFN <RX QDPH LW 7KDW¡V when we met.

Thank You to all My Clients, May God Bless You! “Give thanks in all things.� Thessalonians 5:18

Keller Williams Realty, RGV

Cynthia Salas Rodriguez, GRI 833 N. Ware Road McAllen, TX 78501

2IĂ€FH 956-928-1422 Fax 956-212-3886 Cell

(DFK RIĂ€FH LV LQGHSHQGHQWO\ RZQHG DQG RSHUDWHG

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Time for fun‌Let’s do some Pastor Tim VS questions‌

Pastor Tim during an Upwards Game

When did you feel the call to be come a Pastor? 2QFH , DFFHSWHG &KULVW LW ZDV ZLWKLQ months of conversion. Tell us about that‌ After a bad stint, God did some crazy WKLQJV WR WXUQ DURXQG P\ OLIH , JUHZ XS not a ‘good’ person. My wife grew up in a Church of Christ‌super conservative, VXSHU OHJDOLVWLF , QHYHU ZDQWHG WR JR WR FKXUFK ZLWK KHU , IHOW OLNH , GLGQ¡W Ă€W LQ , ZDVQ¡W JRRG HQRXJK 7KH ZD\ , ZDV OLYing throughout the week didn’t match up with what was happening on Sunday. 2QH QLJKW , NQHZ , FKDQJHG , DOZD\V NQHZ ´RI -HVXVÂľ DQG ZDV EDSWL]HG EXW never really knew what to do after that. , ZDV EDFN LQ WKH ZRUOG GRLQJ ZKDW , DOZD\V NQHZ WR GR 7KDW QLJKW , ZDV VHULRXVO\ FRQYLFWHG DQG NQHZ , ZDQWHG D QHZ life and to change things.

Kindle VS Hardback Chicken VS Steak Salad VS Potato Dessert VS Coffee Do you Drink Coffee? Caf VS Decaf T-Shirt VS Tie Tennis VS Flip Flops

WKH 9DOOH\ P\ ZLIH DQG , ORRNHG DW HDFK other and both said that this is where we are supposed to go. We just knew it. Describe yourself in 3 words? Plain and simple. One more‌that’s 2... 1RÂŤ3/$,1 $1' 6,03/( >KDKD@ 7KDW¡V WKUHH ZRUGV 1DK ,¡P MXVW NLGGLQJ /HW PH VHHÂŤRUGLQDU\ ,¡P QRW D JUHDW RUDWRU 1RW D EUDLQFKLOG 1RW DQ LQWHOOHFW ,¡P D YHU\ common person. How about three words to describe your wife? 6DFULĂ€FLDO 0RWKHU 'HGLFDWHG %HVW PRWKHU RI FKLOGUHQ RQ WKH SODQHW 0\ NLGV DUH WKH JUHDW NLGV WKH\ DUH EHFDXVH RI KHU Now when they became teenagers‌ 'R \RX KDYH WHHQDJHUV 127 <(7ÂŤ-867 ABOUT TO) She was great with them during that time. 6KH UHDOO\ NQHZ ZKDW WR GR $PD]LQJ

That same week, my friend Mike invited us to a couple’s bible study that he was WHDFKLQJ , VDLG \HV OHW¡V JR , ZHQW IURP staying out all night doing who-knowswhat to staying up late studying the bible.

Why do you think people struggle with the idea of going to church? ,W¡V LUUHOHYDQW WR WKHP 7KH\ FDQ¡W Ă€QG DQ\ relevance with the church.

,W DFWXDOO\ IUHDNHG P\ ZLIH RXW 6KH KDG wanted me to change but didn’t know that my life had actually changed that dramatically.

People are too busy. And often times, it doesn’t come across very relevant. Churches have church language. Church OLIH :H ´GRÂľ FKXUFK

How did you wind up here in Mission, TX? That same guy who had invited us to the couples bible study moved down here to Brownsville. He had been dogging me WR FRPH RQ GRZQ WR WKH 9DOOH\¾,W¡V WKH JUHDWHVW SODFH RQ WKH SODQHW 3HRSOH DUH open and they want to hear about the JRVSHO ¾

Often times we don’t connect real life and faith. So they struggle. Others have been burned or turned off by negative stereotypes. Some people don’t feel accepted because of their background.

7XUQV RXW , KDG EHHQ RIIHUHG D MRE LQ ,RZD 0LVVLRQ KDG KHDUG WKDW , KDG EHHQ RIIHUHG WKH MRE DQG Ă€JXUHG WKDW , KDG WDNHQ LW , IROORZHG XS DQG LQIRUPHG WKHP WKDW , ZDVQ¡W JRLQJ WR WDNH WKH MRE RIIHU So they invited down to visit. After our visit while we were pulling out of

A lot of times churches get lumped into one big pile. Truth is there are no two churches alike even if they have the same name. What is your hope for people when they FRPH WR \RXU FKXUFK IRU WKH Ă€UVW WLPH" 0\ KRSH LV ZKHQ WKH\ FRPH WKH\ ZLOO Ă€QG love, acceptance, warmth, and that will OHDG WKHP WR -HVXV ,W¡V UHDOO\ -HVXV ZRUNing through each one of us. / 14 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

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%HFDXVH , GLGQ¡W JURZ XS ZLWK WKH FKXUFK DV D NLG , PLVVHG RXW RQ DOO WKRVH \HDUV RI what church could be to a family. When , EHFDPH D &KULVWLDQ WKH FKXUFK EHFDPH my family. ,W GRHVQ¡W PDWWHU ZKHUH \RX OLYH RU ZKHUH you moved from‌we are the family of God. Someone who doesn’t really go to church‌Explain that to them if they want to check out North Mission Church of Christ‌ We want to be a place where people FDQ FRPH DQG JURZ ,W¡V D PDWWHU RI \RXU journey. We have a number of people who come here who are not Christians. They are welcome here. Not just come in and sit but actually come in and get involved. , JHW FDOOV IURP SHRSOH ZKR DUHQ¡W D part of our church yet wanting to know how they can get involved and volunWHHU KHUH , WKRXJKW ZHOO WKDW¡V ZHLUG , haven’t had that happen before. No matter where they are. Relationships problems. Sin issues. We don’t push‌we let you come and be. We are not going to hurry you up and just try and get you EDSWL]HG 1RZ WKDW ,6 ZKDW ZH DUH DERXW We do eventually want you to get saved EXW QRW HYHU\RQH DIWHU WKHLU Ă€UVW YLVLW RU VR are just like poof, they’re ready. We are this way because of my background; people did not give up on me. My wife didn’t give up on me. Her famLO\ 7KH FKXUFKÂŤHYHQ WKRXJK , ZDV SUHWW\ worthless. They just kept believing and kept trusting God. They let me grow. So on any given Sunday at our church we will have people of all different stages‌ DQG WKH\¡UH ZHOFRPH Jesus prayed John 17 that we would be one‌just as He and the Father are one. Every way we can‌we need to demonVWUDWH WKDW , DP WKDQNIXO IRU RXU FKXUFK family.

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MILTON GONZALEZ is the Principal of Covenant Christian Academy in McAllen. He is married to Elena and has a son, David.

/ 16 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

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Excuses, Not Reasons

By GREG LAURIE

$QG OHW XV QRW QHJOHFW RXU PHHWLQJ WRJHWKHU DV VRPH SHRSOH GR EXW HQFRXUDJH RQH DQRWKHU HVSHFLDOO\ QRZ WKDW WKH GD\ RI KLV UHWXUQ LV GUDZLQJ QHDU Âł+HEUHZV

A reason is what we offer when we are unable to do something, while an excuse is what we offer when we don’t want to do something and want to get out of it. And people offer a lot of excuses as to why they can’t go to church. Yet I look at the commitment that sports fans have—how they will go and support their team, no matter what. No matter what the circumstances or weather conditions, they will root their team on. They will dress in the team colors and even paint their faces. And when their team scores, they will yell in their excitement.

“When you don’t go to church, is it that you have areason or excuse?â€? What if people were like that in church—never missing a service, never missing an opportunity to worship? And what if people offered the same reasons for not going to sporting events as they do for not going to church? Think how stupid it would sound: “Yeah, I don’t go to the games anymore. The people who sat around me didn’t seem all that friendly. And it is so crowded. There are just too many people.â€? Or, “The seats were too unFRPIRUWDEOH Âľ 2U ´,W LV WRR KDUG WR Ă€QG D SDUNLQJ SODFH Âľ 2U ´7KH FRDFK never personally came and talked to me.â€? Or how about these excuses? “Well, I read a book on this sport, and I think I know more than the coach anyway.â€? Or, “My parents took me to a lot of games when I was growing up, so I just don’t want to go anymore.â€? I doubt you would ever hear these excuses for missing a sporting event, yet these are things people say about why they don’t go to church. They may have a lot of excuses to offer, but none of them are reasons.

greg laurie is Senior Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif. He began his pastoral ministry at 19 by leading a Bible study of 30 people. Since then, God has transformed the small group into a church of 15,000-plus, one of the largest churches in America. For more, visit www. greglaurie.com. Used by permission from Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie, P.O. Box 4000, Riverside, Calif., 92514. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright Š 1996.

/ 18 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

/ 19 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

The

Unraveling Of a

Marriage

by Lysa TerKeurst , KDG D IDYRULWH VZHDWHU , ORYHG ZHDULQJ ,W ZDVQ¡W WRR EXON\ EXW ZDV VWLOO ZDUP and cozy. The only problem was the WKUHDGV ZHUH ORRVHO\ ZRYHQ WRJHWKHU ,W ZRXOG VQDJ RQ WKLQJV VR , KDG WR EH HYHU VR FDUHIXO ZKHQ , ZRUH LW , ZDV DOZD\V PLQGIXO RI WKH GHOLFDWH QDWXUH RI WKLV VZHDWHU VR , FRXOG SURWHFW LW make it last, and enjoy wearing it time and again. 8QWLO RQH GD\ , ZDV LQ D KXUU\ , JUDEEHG VRPH WKLQJV , QHHGHG IRU D PHHWLQJ DQG UXVKHG WR P\ FDU , WRVVHG DOO P\ VWXII RYHU to the passenger seat, including a spiral notebook. A spiral notebook whose metal binding wire had gotten caught on P\ VOHHYH $V , SXOOHG P\ DUP WRZDUG WKH steering wheel, the notebook came with it and pulled a huge snag in my sweater. , XQKRRNHG P\VHOI DQG DVVHVVHG WKH damage. :KDW , VKRXOG KDYH GRQH ZDV WDNHQ WKH sweater off, put something else on, and later taken the time to repair the snag the correct way. %XW LQ WKH UXVK RI DOO , KDG JRLQJ RQ , made the tragic decision to do what VHHPHG HDVLHVW LQ WKH PRPHQW , VQLSSHG the lose threads and hoped for the best. That tragic decision started an unraveling process that ended the life of that beautiful sweater.

$ IHZ GD\V DJR P\ KXVEDQG DQG , JRW LQWR DQ DUJXPHQW ,Q IURQW RI WKH NLGV Over something so stupid. Right before we were about to head out the door to go on a date.

it all for granted and stop being careful. Stop being mindful. Stop being protective.

,Q WKH KHDW RI WKH DUJXPHQW KH DQnounced the date was off. He no longer wanted to go.

What’s something you can do today to invest wisely in your marriage? To be mindful of your mate? To protect your relationship?

$QG KRQHVWO\ , QR ORQJHU ZDQWHG WR JR either. , ZDQWHG WR JR VLW LQ D FRIIHH VKRS E\ myself and make a mental list of all the UHDVRQV , ZDV ULJKW $OO WKH UHDVRQV KH ZDV wrong. And justify my perspective. But it’s at this exact moment of resistance that an unraveling can begin. Doing what seems easy in the moment often isn’t what’s best for the long term. , SXVKHG IRU XV WR VWLOO JR RQ RXU GDWH ,W ZDVQ¡W IXQ ,W ZDVQ¡W HDV\ 7KHUH ZHUH tears. There were awkward stretches of silence. But we pushed through the resistance we both felt, and eventually talked. Talking through the snags. The pulls. The things that threaten to unravel us. 7KHUH LV D GHOLFDWH QDWXUH WR PDUULDJH ,W¡V VR HDV\ WR IRUJHW WKDW ,W¡V VR HDV\ WR WDNH

/ 20 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

The unraveling can happen so quickly.

)RU PH" , KDYH WR DSRORJL]H 7KH ULJKW ZD\ %\ DGPLWWLQJ , ZDV ZURQJ DQG DVNing for forgiveness. Repairing the snags the right way‌ tying a knot and tucking it back into the weave of our relationship fabric. ,VQ¡W LW IXQQ\ WKDW ZKHQ ZH JHW PDUULHG LW¡V FDOOHG ´W\LQJ WKH NQRW Âľ )RU XV WKLV ZDVQ¡W MXVW DQ DFW DW WKH DOWDU ,W¡V VRPHWKLQJ ZH have to do over and over again. Used By Permission Proverbs 31 Ministries. www.proverbs31.org

Lysa TerKeurst 6KH LV D 1HZ <RUN 7LPHV EHVW VHOOLQJ DXWKRU DQG speaker who helps everyday women live an adventure of faith through following Jesus Christ. As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa has lead thousands over the past 15 years to help make WKHLU ZDON ZLWK *RG DQ LQYLJRUDWLQJ MRXUQH\ ,Q the midst of her ministry, though, Lysa is a real, everyday woman who simply seeks to glorify God through her life and family.

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C rown Princess C aribbean C ruise January 19-26,2013 7-D ay from G al veston,TX H osted by:C huck and E nid O lson Featuring Jerry Nelson: A captivating m ultim edia experience Presenting specialconcerts exclusively for our group After directing the same church orchestra for over 30 years, Jerry has felt a desire to share his talent and heart with people around the world. His passion is to use music to rekindle that spark of joy‌and to inspire hope. And so he’s bringing a wealth of experience as a recording artist, conductor, composer, arranger and SLDQLVW WR WKH FRQFHUW VWDJH <RX ZLOO KHDU D ZLGH UDQJH RI PXVLFDO VW\OHV FODVVLFDO jazz, pop, broadway, gospel and hymn arrangements.

For more information call:

Chuck Olson Tours & Cruises 956-664-2916 / 800-568-9890 3827 N 10th St. Ste. 203 McAllen, TX 78501

www.chuckolsontours.com / 21 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary or arrangements due to circumstances beyond our control. Passport must be valid for 6 months following our return

Pilot‌ Welcome to My Valley Story‌ Story began as an idea to share the story of people who have My Valley ´What do you want your kids to say about come from wrecked lives. People who have hurt others, and been hurt. \RX WKDW \RX FRXOGQ¡W VD\ DERXW \RXU 'DG"Âľ People who are cheaters, liers, perverts, violent, bitter, and angry. People with all of these characteristics who were radically rescued by TRUTH.

Valley Christian Magazine & Logos Community has partnered up for the next PRQWKV ZH ZLOO SRVW D VWRU\ DQG D YLGHR RI WKHVH SHRSOH <RX ZLOO KHDU WKHP tell rough, painful, stories of ugliness. Of pain. They will vividly describe to you, their scars. 6R ZK\ ZRXOG DQ\RQH GR WKLV" , DVVXUH \RX QRQH of them are choosing to do it for shock value, or to recount a war story. None of them seek credit for the change in their lives. Why we share our stories is so that those of you who are like us can receive HOPE. Hope that who you are is not who you have to be. Hope that real forgiveness and new life is possible. All of the people whose stories you will hear and see have been saved by HOPE. Truth and Hope have a name, and that name is Jesus.

This was the question Pilot Galvan heard that rocked him to his soul. He was sitting in church hoping to hear some words of peace, but instead heard this. So many years of pain, hurt, longing for better days... What could he say about his Dad? That he was a wife beater? Drug addict? A man who cursed him and called him names the last day he ever saw him?

Pilot’s

earliest memory was at 2 yrs. old watching his Mom be dragged through the apartment where they lived with a bloody QRVH DQG D EURNHQ ÀQJHU 6KH ZDV PRQWKV pregnant with her second son, Alex. Hearing the sirens outside and seeing the people stare outside his apartment, Pilot felt great shame and embarrassment. These feelings would remain with him for years.

At 16 Pilot’s Dad left the family forever, and they haven’t seen him since. Pilot

spent years telling himself he would never be like his Dad. he hated his Dad. The following years were spent searching IRU WKLQJV WKDW ZRXOG ÀOO WKH YRLG LQ KLV KHDUW Entering a relationship with a young woman which started off as a Christian relationship, it soon morphed into a sexual one. He began to realize he was doing some of the same things that his dad had done: He was cheating, lying to her, and had become verbally abusive.

Go to www.myvalleystory.com to watch Korey’s amazing story.

Pilot knew that unless things changed, it was

going to get worse. No matter what relationship he was in, his past was going to haunt him. He needed help. Pilot turned his life over to Jesus knowing that nothing else was going to bring change. What he found was not only change but hope in greater things in Christ.

Pilot

still doesn’t know where his Dad is. Hasn’t seen him in years. He does pray for him and wants him to know Jesus. So what does Pilot want his kids to say about him one day that he couldn’t say about his Dad? He ZDQWV WKHP WR VD\ ´0\ 'DGG\ loves Jesus. My Daddy loves me and my Momma. My 'DGG\ LV P\ KHUR Âľ %\ JUDFH alone Pilot lives for that day.

Thomas Weaver Lead Pastor, Logos Community An A29 Church Is a multi-site church in the Rio Grande Valley which was planted 4 years ago. www.logoscommunity.com

/ 22 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

´7KH KDOOPDUN RI (852322/6 LV WKH creation of an impressive poolscape to compliment the architecture of the home. We strive to combine beauty with function by using masterful complex of landscaping, custom pools, decking and automation. Water features and artful lighting is often added to create GUDPD DQG HOHJDQFH ¾

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Myth? Fact? Follow the science for yourself‌ Have you ever really thought about the &KULVWPDV 6WDU" ,W¡V PRUH WKDQ MXVW DQ ornament we put on our tree or something we use to decorate the set of a Christmas Pageant. We’ve all heard about the Star that leads the Wise Men to Jesus. “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.â€? 0DWWKHZ 1,9 “After they had heard from the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they swathe star, they were overjoyed.â€? Matthew 1,9 Valley Christian Magazine had a chance to talk with Rick Larson on his upcoming visit to the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance on November 17th at 5:00 pm. Here’s a little bit from our conversation‌

What should people expect? <RX NQRZ WKDW LV WKH KDUGHVW WKLQJ DERXW WKH SURMHFW 7KHUH DUH QR TXLFN ways as to how important it will be to WKHP $OO , FDQ VD\ LV WKDW WKH\ DUH JRLQJ to love it and they will have wished that WKH\ KDG EURXJKW VRPHRQH ZLWK WKHP ,W KDSSHQV HYHU\ WLPH

7KH\ ZLOO QRW VHH D OHFWXUH DW DOO , ZLOO bring an astronomical clock and go back in time and reproduce the night VN\ DV LW ZDV EDFN DW -HVXV¡ ELUWK 7KH\ ZLOO DFWXDOO\ VHH ZKDW WKH 0DJL VDZ +RZ LQFUHGLEOH LV WKDW" ,W ZLOO EH HQWHUWDLQLQJ IXQ DQG Ă€OOHG ZLWK awe.

Tell about your journey and how you started this incredible project? :KHQ , VWDUWHG WKLV MRXUQH\ , KDG QR idea how important it would become. 7KH PRUH , UHVHDUFKHG WKH PRUH FXULRXV , EHFDPH ,W DOO VWDUWHG ZLWK D VLPSOH UHTXHVW IURP my daughter. We were decorating our home with Christmas Decoration when she asked me to make a star. She said how important it was and we couldn’t forget. ,¡YH VSHQW WKH EXON RI WKH SDVW \HDUV UHVHDUFKLQJ DQG , DP VWLOO OHDUQLQJ ,¡YH spent countless hours on the deck along with software and watch the stars over. :LWK WKH UHVHDUFK , FRXOG QRW KDYH EHlieved it People joked that it was OCD but it ZDVQ¡WÂŤ,W ZDV D FDOOLQJ

:LWK ZKRP GLG \RX ÀUVW VKDUH WKLV"

, ÀUVW VKDUHG LW ZLWK P\ 6XQGD\ 6FKRRO class. Their reaction was extremely strong. Questions started pouring in then came the invitations to speak at

YDULRXV SODFHV , FRQWLQXHG WR ZRUN RXW the kinks and now maybe half of the presentations are standing room only. ,W¡V YHU\ XQH[SHFWHG DQG YHU\ H[FLWLQJ

What have you used during your research? , XVH VRIWZDUH FDOOHG 6WDUU\ QLJKW ,W LV widely used by planetariums and astronomers. The software calculates the WLPH DQG WKH QLJKW VN\ ,W LV PDWKHPDWLFDOO\ DFFXUDWH ,W LV PRVW ZD\ EHWWHU than a chart or graph, but actually what we see at night.

7HOO XV DERXW WKH ÀUVW WLPH \RX plugged in the numbers and saw for yourself? :RZ WKH ÀVW WLPH , ZDV MXVW à RRUHG , DP not a crier but there were many tears in P\ H\HV $V , VDZ , ZRXOG VHH VRPHWKLQJ else and it just kept piling on. First one thing, then another and the story began to unfold in front of me. , UHDOL]HG WKDW LW ZDV PRUH WKDQ MXVW WKH Star of Bethlehem but a star of poetry. ,W EHJLQV ZLWK &KULVW DQG HQGV ZLWK KLV GHDWK ,W LV D YHU\ HPRWLRQDO PRPHQW DQG WKH DXGLHQFH DOZD\V ÀQGV LW YHU\ moving. Sometimes you can hear people crying.

Should people attend? Absolutely and one thing‌bring someRQH ZLWK \RX 7KH UHVSRQVH LV SUHWW\ uniform once it is over‌they want to tell more people about it and wish they KDG EURXJKW D IULHQG ZLWK WKHP

About Rick Larson: Received a BA degree from University of Southern California, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Southern California Law Center; practiced in Los Angeles; Professor at Texas A&M University; voted Larson Professor of the Year multiple times; directs the STAR project, a ministry dedicated to spreading word of Messiah worldwide; Larson has been on ABC, CBS, NBC, TBN, Fox News, PBS, & BBC; Star DVD has been the #1 Independent Documentary in the world, #1 on Amazon. For more information go to www.starofbethlehem.net

/ 24 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance Saturday, November 17th at 5:00pm What was the Star?

FREE to public [but recommended for ages 10+.]

Scholars debate whether the Star of Bethlehem was a legend manufactured by early church or was it a miracle which marked the advent of Christ.

Absolutely no collections will be taken or requested, we just want to share this amazing presentation with you!

www.bethlehemstar.net But if the Star was a real astronomical event, what could it have been? Come see the science and proof behind the most famous celestial event in history. / 25 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

My Entourage by Abram Gomez

“

� ABRAM GOMEZ is the Executive Pastor at Valley ,QWHUQDWLRQDO &KULVWLDQ &HQWHU LQ 6DQ Benito, Texas. He serves under the Leadership of Bishop Jaime Loya, and is a graduate of Southwestern Assemblies of God University. Abram has helped to develop leadership in various ministries and programs at 9,&& +H DQG KLV ZLIH 5HEHFFD UHside in Harlingen.

/ 26 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

The Mortgage Lender You can Trust!

Joe Cuellar Branch Manager

Should I Build? Is This the Best for Me? A Powerful Combination Working for You Morgan Stanley Smith Barney combines two of the most powerful names in wealth management to bring you global investment research and smart financial strategies that deliver thorough advice and a plan to help you preserve and grow your wealth. Please call us at our new office. Let us introduce you to the powerful combination you have working for you. Mark Southwell, CFPÂŽ

You won’t know if building a new home is your best option unless you talk to an unbiased mortgage professional. Be fathering all your information we will determine if building is your best choice. Very often potential Home Buyers will be told by a builder to use their choice of a mortgage company. This may not be the wisest thing to do. An unbiased mortgage company does not have a commitment to DQ\ EXLOGHU DQG ZLOO QRW EH LQà XHQFHG WR SXVK \RX into a construction loan if it is not the best option. Always get all your facts before moving forward on a construction loan. New construction may require you to have more expenses than buying an existing home. Only by gathering all your information can we really determine if building is the right thing for your and your family.

Financial Advisor 7000 N. 10th St. Ste C-2 McAllen, TX 78504 956-683-1700 mark.southwell@mssb.com

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Š 2010 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. NY CS 6248582 BC003 04/10 GP10-00387P-N02/10

Joe Cuellar, Manager for Castle & Cooke Mortgage, LLC 5412 N 10th Street McAllen, TX 78504 2IĂ€FH 0RELOH

/ 27 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

BY JOE BEAM

How to Win Back Your Husband or Wife ´<RX DFWXDOO\ ZDQW WR VWD\ PDUULHG WR WKLV JX\"Âľ 6KH GLGQ¡W KHVLWDWH D PRPHQW <HV VKH wanted to save her marriage. She and her husband were 40ish, married about twenty years, with a couple of children. One evening he told her he was in love with his assistant, that he already had a lawyer, and suggested she procure one for herself. At least that last part was different. Often the abandoning spouse tries to convince the other that he will be nicer in the divorce – and they each could save a lot of money – if she would agree to let his law\HU KDQGOH HYHU\WKLQJ ,W¡V D ZD\ WR PDnipulate the outcome and many spouses fall for it, thinking that keeping him (or her) calm provides better opportunities to potentially salvage the marriage. Not so. Making the path to divorce easier may keep the abandoning spouse calmer, but keeping him or her calm shouldn’t be WKH JRDO ,Q P\ ZRUN ZLWK PDUULDJHV RYHU QHDUO\ WZHQW\ \HDUV ,¡YH OHDUQHG WKDW rather than making divorce easier, anyone who wishes to salvage a marriage should make it harder. Much harder. 7KDW¡V ZKDW , WROG 6DOO\ ´,I \RX UHDOO\ ZDQW WKLV PDUULDJH WR ZRUN ,¡OO JXLGH \RX WKURXJK D VWHS E\ VWHS SURFHVV WR VDYH LW ,I DQ\WKLQJ ZRUNV WKLV ZLOO 8QGHUVWDQG PH FOHDUO\ ,) DQ\WKLQJ ZRUNV WKLV ZLOO , FDQ¡W JXDUDQWHH VXFFHVV EXW LW ZRUNV PRUH WKDQ RI WKH WLPH Âľ %HIRUH VKDULQJ ZLWK \RX WKH VWHSV , JXLGHG 6DOO\ WKURXJK ,¡OO JLYH \RX WKH JRRG QHZV LW ZRUNHG ,W ZDVQ¡W HDV\ DQG GLGQ¡W happen overnight, but by doing the right things she created a climate that ultimately led to the saving of her marriage. Her husband abandoned his lover, returned home, and worked on falling in love with his wife again. That was nearly twenty years ago. They’re still together and still in love. )RU WKH ODVW GR]HQ \HDUV ,¡YH EHHQ WHDFKing the same principles to couples who come to my intensive workshop for marULDJHV LQ FULVLV ,¡YH VHHQ LW ZRUN ZLWK MXVW about any situation you can imagine, not just adultery but also marriages plagued with anger problems, a controlling spouse, disrespect, disinterest, and more. 6R ZKDW DGYLFH GLG , JLYH" :KDW ZRUNV LI anything will? Here is the short and simSOLĂ€HG YHUVLRQ :H SURYLGH D PXFK PRUH detailed and customized version in our workshop.

Accept the Person but Not the Actions

Never accept the sinful actions of another, but try to understand and accept

what is behind the sin. What led the person to those actions? Was it pain? Feelings of neglect or disrespect? Even if you consider it imaginary, accept what your spouse sees has his/her reality and be very open to the possibility that you played a part in causing your spouse to feel the way he/she feels. That doesn’t PDNH \RX WKH ´EDG JX\Âľ RU WKH RWKHU SHUVRQ WKH ´JRRG JX\ Âľ ,W VLPSO\ PDNHV each of you human beings.

Be Ready to Forgive

, UHJXODUO\ VHH SHRSOH ZKR ZRUN KDUG WR save their marriage and as soon as the spouse turns, the anger overwhelms the spouse trying to save the marriage. At that point he or she doesn’t want to forJLYH ,¡P ZDUQLQJ \RX GRQ¡W WU\ WR VDYH your marriage unless you intend to follow through by learning to forgive. That doesn’t make the hurt instantly go away; it makes it possible for it to go away. That also doesn’t mean that you aren’t entitled to know who, what, when and where but that is a delicate matter for each of you that we’ve found often needs a third party or at least a constructive plan. Such a plan is outlined in my article, ´+RZ WR &RQIHVV $Q $IIDLU ZLWKRXW /RVLQJ <RXU 6SRXVH Âľ ,W¡V ZULWWHQ PRUH IRU WKH straying spouse, but it will likely help you understand that this type of conversation needs the right mindset, environment and forethought (maybe even professional help). There are steps that the other person will need to take in order for you to be able to do this to the level necessary to save your marriage long term. But in the short term, while your spouse still wants to leave, you QHHG WR Ă€QG D ZD\ WR IRUJLYH WKHP XVLQJ D EURDG VWURNH ,I \RXU VSRXVH IHHOV KH VKH is just going to be punished by coming back, it’s very unlikely to happen.

STRATEGIES

7KH QH[W VWHSV DUH DERXW VWUDWHJ\ ,Q some ways, they’ll act as your secret weapon in winning back your spouse. %XW \RX PXVW EH FRQĂ€GHQW WKDW WKH\¡OO work so that you’ll stick with them even if you feel the urge to do the things you VKRXOGQ¡W /LNH , VDLG DW WKH VWDUW RI WKLV DUticle, if anything will work, this will.

Don’t Pursue

,I \RX EHJ ZKLQH FOLQJ RU WU\ WR PDQLSulate your mate into staying, you push them away faster. *LYH WKH RWKHU SHUVRQ VSDFH WR EUHDWKH ,I you don’t leave them alone, you aren’t allowing him/her the opportunity to miss you. <RX SUREDEO\ QHHG WR WDNH D VWHS EDFN LQ order to create a vacuum that the other person will see and feel. Don’t be rude or mean but don’t make them feel that they are all you’ve got. Make yourself scarce. That’s one of the keys to attraction and that leads us to the next step. / 28 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

Do the PIES

Make yourself attractive physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Do it for you but it also will affect the other person. ,¡P QRW WHOOLQJ \RX WKDW \RX KDYH WR FRPpete with your spouse’s lover. Simply attempt to be as attractive as you can at your stage in life. Get involved with a local gym, go for walks or bike rides, join a book club, and/or sign up for classes at church. Not only will those things help make you more attractive physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually, but they’ll give you things to do and new friends to enjoy to help you resist the urge to pursue or be clingy toward the straying spouse.

HAVE FUN

1R VHULRXVO\ ,I \RX PRSH DURXQG DQG sound like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, your spouse is not going to want to come back to you. Do you want to be around people who are constantly complaining, whining and negative? Do you feel attracted to those types of people? No you don’t. Let your spouse see you having fun. By WKDW , GRQ¡W PHDQ WKDW \RX JR RYHU WKH top or fake it. Go out with your friends (preferably of the same gender) and have a good time. Go see a comedy at the movie theater, go to the mall, go to concerts-just have fun. Even if your spouse is not there to see, it’s possible that he/she will hear about it. Or maybe they’ll call about something and you’re too busy having fun to talk (that’s a good thing because it shows them that you have a life and a world that doesn’t revolve around them). At the very least you’ll be making yourself a more fun and attractive person. 2QH Ă€QDO WKLQJ WR NHHS LQ PLQG RQ WKLV VWUDWegy step is that if you’re having fun, you’re probably doing the other things right too.

Do the Work

,W LVQ¡W HDV\ WR SXW D PDUULDJH EDFN WRJHWKHU EXW WKH /RYH3DWK ZRUNV ,I \RX do the things mentioned above to stay on the path, you’ll likely pull your spouse back to walking the path with you. ,W¡V LPSRUWDQW WR OLPLW \RXU SDQLF 'R \RXU best to stay cool, calm and collected so that you can focus on what you need to do to apply the strategies mentioned in this article. There are other strategies that , PLJKW EH DEOH WR SURYLGH LQ IXWXUH DUWLFOHV EXW EHFDXVH RI WKHLU FRPSOH[LW\ , don’t have the space or time at the moment. Joe Beam is a best-selling Christian author and internationally respected marriage expert. He founded Family Dynamics institute in 1994 and in 2008 he founded LovePath international, and serves as its chairman.

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/ 29 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

By: Jacob Ramon

“Give thanks in all circumstances...â€? 1 Thessalonians 5:18 , VXSSRVH LW¡G EH DSSURSULDWH WR WDON DERXW WKLV VXEMHFW as we near the holidays--walking out the door, already you can see little emergences of seasonal tradition: clumps of stringed lights pulled out of garages, cardboard turkeys holding welcome signs, greeting cards, television specials, the works. All a subtle crescendo in preparation of gorging on your favorite dish, seeing the relatives, even going out of town for a nice weekend if you’re lucky. For me, it’s the annual dinner at the grandparents’, FDWFKLQJ XS ZLWK WKH FRXVLQV , KDYHQ¡W VHHQ LQ PRQWKV , don’t remember there ever being a Thanksgiving where ZH VWUD\HG IURP WKLV FXVWRP (YHU\ \HDU ZH Ă€QG RXUVHOYHV holding hands in a circle around the kitchen, surrounding a succulent lineup of food, while my grandpa or another elected relative says grace. Meanwhile we restless kids never cease to exchange funny looks while everyone’s eyes are closed, squeezing each other’s hands a little too hard, tapping feet to the agonizingly slow rhythm of the prayer in a pressurized silence, taunted with the promise of turkey and casserole. , NQRZ ,W¡V SUHWW\ EDG RI XV $V LOO PDQQHUHG DV LW PD\ have been, our little discreet tradition continued year after year without a second thought. (We’ll deny it, of course.) %XW DV IDU DV EHLQJ JUDWHIXO DQG , PHDQ *5$7()8/ IRU WKLQJV , GLGQ¡W WUXO\ XQGHUVWDQG WKH IHHOLQJ XQWLO WKH VXPPHU of 2011. My parents--reluctantly--had let me join a drum corps, which in a nutshell consisted of an entire summer spent touring parts of the U.S. We practiced in the sun all day, perfecting a 10-15 minute show, competing with the constantly evolving product in different states. My rations: water jug, some clothes, a box of crackers, and a whole lot of sunscreen.

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, FDPH EDFN DERXW WKLUW\ GLIIHUHQW VKDGHV RI EURZQ EHDULQJ D KROORZHG RXW VHQVDWLRQ , ZDVQ¡W H[DFWO\ IDPLOLDU with. Suddenly the world, the tiniest morsels of luxury, beFDPH DPSOLĂ€HG WR DQ H[WHQW WKDW ZDV DOPRVW H[FUXFLDWing. The palpability of everything, the idea of choice and selection, of privacy, of food you got to eat whenever you wanted, seduced me enough to draw forth from every breath a reason to give thanks for it. Hugging parents. Not raiding the fridge (as much). Doing something productive ZLWK IUHH WLPH 1HHGOHVV WR VD\ WKDW 7KDQNVJLYLQJ , ZDV WKH Ă€UVW RQH ZLWK H\HV FORVHG DQG KHDG ERZHG ZKLVSHULQJ WR God my personal thanks before everyone else beat me to the punch. Even a year later, as tan lines and seasons faded, those principles had a nifty way of keeping true to everyday OLIH :KHQ \RX KHDU WKH WHUP ´JLYH WKDQNVÂľ LW LV QRW VLPply plucking the word out of your mouth and handing it to *RG REOLJDWHG ,W¡V DQ HYHUODVWLQJ ZHOOVSULQJ RI EXEEOLQJ total gratitude. Let’s not forget that God gave us this life, and every little blessing that we’ve grown callous to from our routine indulgences. This year, try something different. Break free by opening your eyes to the splendor of your circumstance. Swathe yourself in the bliss of the little things. Throw your gaze up at the sky in gratitude, and dare yourself to shout in thankfulness. Then, maybe, you can get another serving of casserole.

JACOB RAMON IS A 16-YEAR-OLD STUDENT AT S HARYLAND HIGH SCHOOL. HE IS MEMBER OF THE MAKING A CONNECTION GROUP AT SHARYLAND HIGH SCHOOL.

/ 30 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

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?

Are you Martha or Mary B y Th eres aValladares, M .D .

I Love Thanksgiving!

1Chronicles 16:34

, HQMR\ WKH IRRG WLPH ZLWK IDPLO\ ZDWFKLQJ WKH 0DF\¡V SDUDGH DQG GLG , PHQWLRQ the food? As a working mom this time of year can also bring on stress and feelings of being overwhelmed by extra demands. The stress of planning the meal, the coordinating of family member invites, the grocery store and its long lines.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good His love endures forever‌

, XVH WR WU\ WR FRRN WKH PHDO EXW OHW¡V MXVW say God passed me over when handing RXW WKH ´FRRNLQJÂľ JHQH JLIW ,¡YH EXUQW turkeys, undercooked turkeys and even dropped turkeys-thank goodness for the VHFRQG UXOH $QG ZKHQ LW ZDV DOO RYHU there would be the cleaning‌ever notice that the men suddenly disappear WR UHFOLQHUV RU DUH RXW WKH GRRU IRU JROI ,W ZDVQ¡W IXQ DQG , ZRXOG EH H[KDXVWHG IRU GD\V , ZRXOG EH WKDQNIXO WKDW LW ZDV RYHU , ZRXOG LGHQWLI\ ZLWK 0DUWKD IURP WKH VWRry of Martha and Mary. Martha is busy trying to prepare a meal and has opened her home to Jesus and his disciples. She is obviously overwhelmed and noticed Mary, her sister, sitting down at Jesus feet. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!â€? Luke 10:40 , ZRXOG¡YH VDLG WKH VDPH WKLQJ ,Q IDFW ZKHQ , UHDG -HVXV¡ UHVSRQVH WKH Ă€UVW WKLQJ WKDW FDPH WR P\ PLQG ZDV ´ZKDW" 0DUWKD LV VHUYLQJ DQG VKH QHHGV KHOS 0DU\ JHW XS DQG KHOS \RXU VLVWHU¾ 'R \RX UHcall His response? But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.â€? Luke 10:41-42 $ IHZ \HDUV DJR , PDGH D GHFLVLRQ , ZDV not going to stress over this meal. Trust PH ZKHQ , VD\ P\ IDPLO\ LV WKDQNIXO WKDW , KDYH JLYHQ XS FRRNLQJ 1RZ , HLWKHU preorder the whole meal or we go somewhere to eat. Thanksgiving shouldn’t be about the meal and all the distractions WKDW FRPH ZLWK LW ,W VKRXOG EH DERXW JLYing thanks to our God for all our blessings and trials. My family has a better time and we enjoy each other’s company.

,W¡V D JLYHQ WKDW PRVW RI XV DUH WKDQNIXO IRU our families, our health and blessings. But we need to go deeper. There are reasons to be thankful even when we are faced with trials. Did you know that for every WULDO ZH IDFH *RG LV UHĂ€QLQJ XV" <RXU character and faith is being tested and we will come out stronger and probably more thankful when things turn around. Look around you and change your perspective. Do you have a job? Be thankful because some don’t. Do you have shelter and clothes? Not everyone is so lucky. Are you feeling depressed? Give thanks because there is a God that is waiting for you with open arms who wants to carry your burdens. Are your kids out of control? Be thankful that they are alive and you have a daily chance to impact them. There are many parents who wish they had that opportunity. ,V \RXU PDUULDJH VWUXJJOLQJ" %H WKDQNIXO because God promises that he will never forsake you and through Him restoration is possible . $UH \RX VLQJOH RU ORQHO\" <RX KDYH WKH RSportunity to be committed to God and his SXUSRVH IRU \RXU OLIH ZKDW D EOHVVLQJ ,V VRPHRQH FXUVLQJ \RX" %H WKDQNIXO WKDW God is protecting you and teaching you appreciation for true friends in your life. ,V \RXU KHDOWK IDLOLQJ" *RG VD\V E\ KLV VWULSHV ZH DUH KHDOHG Are you feeling overwhelmed with commitments of family and work? He gives you grace and endurance to keep going. Be thankful for the many promises God has made and that you can rest assured that he does not lie. Money is tight and bills seem never endLQJ" <RX DUH OHDUQLQJ VWHZDUGVKLS DQG have physical ability to overcome it. When was the last time you thanked God for the simple things? Air we breathe, waking up to a new day, ability to attend church services, eyes to see and ears to hear the Word of God. 3HUVRQDOO\ , KDYH PDQ\ reasons to be thankful and am a testimony that

/ 32 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

EOHVVLQJV GR FRPH IURP WULDOV , ZRXOG OLNH WR VKDUH VRPH ZLWK \RX , DP WKDQNIXO IRU , DP IRUJLYHQ DQG QRW MXGJHG E\ SDVW mistakes which allow me to pass the gift of forgiveness to others. 'HVSLWH DOO WKH FXWV LQ UHLPEXUVHPHQW , am doing well. His promise to provide for all my needs has been more evident this year than in past. 3. My staff makes it a joy to come to work. God brought peace to my workplace. There have been times in past WKDW , WKRXJKW LPSRVVLEOH , DP SK\VLFDOO\ VWURQJHU WKDQ HYHU EHcause He promised that all things are possible. 5. My children are attending a Christian school and learning to apply biblical principles to all areas of academics. :KDW D SULYLOHJH DQG EOHVVLQJ 6. God has shown me this year the importance of trustworthy friends. 7. VCM-whether opinions are good or EDG RQ DUWLFOHV , DP EOHVVHG WKDW , KDYH this opportunity to not only share but DOVR OHDUQ IURP RWKHUV >DQG WKDW \RX WKH reader have taken the time to read my DUWLFOHV@ 8. Marriage is tough but here we are 20 \UV ODWHU +H¡V VWLOO UHĂ€QLQJ XV So my advice is to choose to be like Mary and stop being overwhelmed and disWUDFWHG OLNH 0DUWKD ,I \RX ORYH WR FRRN and you are great at it and it’s not stressIXO WKDQ GR LW %XW LI \RX DUH QRW DQG \RX Ă€QG \RXUVHOI IHHOLQJ RYHUZKHOPHG DQG GLVWUDFWHG LWV RN WR VLW DQG EH VWLOO ,W¡V not about the meal. Sit at Jesus feet and enjoy the moment and focus on the one thing that matters most on Thanksgiving. $ KHDUW RI JUDWLWXGH 1Thessalonians5:18 ‌give thanks in all circumstances for this is Gods will for you in Jesus Christ

theresa Valladares She is married to Enrique Lopez and has two wonderful sons, Cord and Diego. They are members of The Family Church and she practices family medicine in Pharr.)

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7

T h in g s

a

Daughter Needs fr o m

H e r

Father As a girl grows up, men will come in and out of her life, but the one man who will always be there is her father. A father plays a vital role in his daughter’s journey to adulthood, and below are seven things that can help a father give her his best. 1. She needs you to be involved.

3. She needs you to support her.

A daughter needs her father to be actively interested in her life. “Actively interested” does not refer to the second-long conversation that sometimes happens between a father and daughter when he asks how her day went and she replies with one word. A father should participate in his daughter’s hobbies and activities by displaying interest. For example, if she is interested in collecting coins, take her to coin shows. Use the Internet to learn about rare coins and talk about them. Is your daughter talented in the any sports, such as volleyball? Whether she wants to play or just enjoys watching the games, become an enthusiastic fan and supporter! Show your daughter that you are interested in her life by learning more about it and trying to become a part of it.

Even though a father may not always agree with his daughter, she needs to know you will support her. When a father fully and wholeheartedly supports his daughter, she will develop strong self-esteem and a positive self-image. This doesn’t mean that you always have to agree with her, but show her that while you might not agree with a choice she is making, you will always believe in her as a person and KDYH FRQÀGHQFH LQ KHU DELOLWLHV

2. She needs you to demonstrate a healthy marriage. 7KH ÀUVW UHODWLRQVKLS D GDXJKWHU H[SHULences is the one between her mother and father. If her father disrespects his wife with physical or emotional abuse, a daughter might come to believe that is the expected relationship with a husband. However, a father that displays physical affection, respect, and a true partnership with his wife provides an incredible example that his daughter will want to mirror in her own life.

6. She needs a strong spiritual leader. A father should be the spiritual head of a household and should take charge of his children’s religious education. Pray with your daughter! Don’t be shy about bringing the Lord into your conversations with her.

7. She needs a positive role model.

Many daughters today lack a positive male role model in their life. A father is WKH ÀUVW PDQ LQ D JLUO·V OLIH WKDW VKH ZLOO LQ4. She needs to trust you as a con- timately know. Her father sets the stanÀGDQWH dard for all other men in her life, and a When your daughter does come to you positive role model will help her choose a and discusses personal issues and prob- good husband in the future. Take a molems, she needs to know that you will treat PHQW IRU VRPH VHOI UHÁHFWLRQ $UH WKHUH WKHP ZLWK UHVSHFW DQG FRQÀGHQFH 7KH\ any habits you need to break? Are there shouldn’t become dinner-table conversa- some areas of your own life that could use tion with the rest of the family. a “spiritual overhaul” and prayer? When your daughter sees that you are willing to 5. She needs your unconditional examine your own life and make changes when necessary, you provide the best exlove. Just as our Father in Heaven demonstrates ample she could ever have of accepting unconditional love, fathers on earth need responsibility for her actions. to display this as well. Unconditional love requires that a daughter knows no matter how badly she messes up, her father will Copyright 2012 All Pro Dad. All Rights Rebe there, not to ridicule and demean but served. Reprinted with permission. For more fatherhood resources, visit AllProto forgive. Dad.com.

/ 34 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

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What Do You Think Your New Name Will Be in God’s Kingdom? bba’ ive me ‘Bauge 11. g l l i w d o “I think Gname,â€? says Andrew, friend. as a newmeans like a goode a good “’Bubba’ verybody will havhere is no I think e heaven because t name in evil there.â€? If there’s a sout hern se %XEED VKRXOG Z ction of heaven, RUN MXVW Ă€QH “It’s “Scoo by Dooâ€? for Dr ew, 7. “He’s my fa vorite cha racter, and he’s alw ays funny.â€?

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WDWHLIÂľ LQ -HVVH¡V V H WKH ZRUG ´e gift received by WLF R Q VH D H 3O savior, l life is a fre ment. Eterna the Lord Jesus as their y faithst b d tru e earn all who ence rewards are but kingdom ose who live in depend i â€? ist’s life Th hr . C e f ic o r rv e se w l o fu k God owf the Spirit, n nce the p new names on i rie e h xp t e d I o “ G ed on its oming d has reserv the fru in them. Go for those who live overc f o e n s o ne white sto JLYH UFRPHV , ZLOO lives. KLP ZKR RYH D WR HDW $QG , ZLOO R ´7 LGGHQ PDQQ one a VRPH RI WKH Khite stone, and on the stws exo this: w kn a give him bout H ch no one hi a w

n k te rit in Q w P Th new name UHFHLYHV LWÂľ 5HYHODWLR ncient HZ QD <RXU Qe with you FHSW KLP ZKRrious athletes in the a ,Q WKLV Victo will b rever. ZKLWH VWRQH new fo V UHFHLYHG D a this *UHHN JDPH rites on a white stone orize Mem evelacase, God wnly the recipient knows. of our R truth: 7 quoted name that o most famous athlete erwise n 2:1 ove. th o The io t n, a hael Jord V ab uestion: ic KD M is KR Z n tio genera is q H Q $Q\RQH hang as D UG -R k LUÂľ s ´$ A th HUH WR JLY NQRZQ DV rdan’s gravity-defying called e Z m G a R ,I * a new n uld ever seen Jo a dunk knows why he’s d you ,what wo he glides for ribute lva nt re e is dist archive iff oday it be? d t n lly a ic m ´$LU Âľ d ra lu Dco sson Except for any different in heaven? ated a Bible-le Q¡V ,QWHUQate UH s ill it be a QDPH tr syndic w Z s e G , r LO QH m lu d e u ¡V K st il t o QH sy R & a ue r and rg fe out G OLVKHG 5*9 XEW WKDW DQ\ HU LI WKH lk Ab outGod.o U RI WKH ay answeLOO EH SXE ily to , VHULRXVO\ GR WKOHWLF SURZHVV , ZRQG r coins) a T s s Kid sTalkAb IRXQGH ildren m QWULHV Z r her fam ites (coppe LJKW\ ZLOO UHODWH WR D R h lving’ id o O H 0 gave two m Kinso dicate. K J LV WKH F ec. 21, c VW IHVWLYD n for his go to y e widow who WUHDVXU\ ZLOO EH FDOOHG ´ r io H D n a t LQ y C E h a S OY H g c ails, s R OH r t K u S V a 7 P o e o v t LQ WH r d H a . Q h a H r WK t e H WR o Q RQO\ LPDJLQ etimes by Cr FROXPQV ival. Now RXW KHDY ild will winlorado. F UVHV 0LWH Âľ :H FD ands and wives som other RI DOO l Arts FestHVWLRQV DE Valley ch rshall, Co Q WKH KR ch a Husb e r s fo tiona R Ă€YH TX ok. One nch in Pa QG FOLFN R earing name s. God develop end rve for private moment ful beRQH W online boGuest Ra RG RUJ D se in an ar Lazy J ON$ERXW* that they re , personal names for faith the B Z .LGV7D has intimate ZZ lievers. / 36 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

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Since retiring as an athletic trainer from the Brownsville ISD, I asked God what was it He wanted me to do for Him in my second career. He told me that He had been training me for the last 30 years to minister to young athletes in the high school and middle school setting. I have found that the young athletes that were placed in my path were placed there to teach me how to reach out to them by introducing Jesus Christ into their lives. I have been serving FCA in the Los Fresnos and Brownsville area for about 12 years as a huddle leader. I have now been called by God to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the inÁXHQFH RI DWKOHWHV DQG FRDFKHV LQ D JUHDWHU ZD\ and from a different perspective. I have committed myself to be in the will of the Father and know that if God is for us who can be against us! I truly love where God has me right now and I can’t wait to see what He has in store and how He’s going to get us there!

Thursday, November 8, 2012 7:00 PM Brownsville Event Center Donation: $1,500 per Table (8 seats) or $200 a Person Make Checks Payable to: Fellowship of Christian Athletes 1801 S. McColl Suite 300 McAllen, TX 78503 Call 956-994-1121 to pay by Credit Card Visa, MasterCard, American Express & Discover Accepted For More Information Contact:

Jimi Cantu, FCA Area Representative Jimmi Cantu

956-455-8567

A Note from Nathan…

Nathan Jones Multi-Area Director Fellowship of Christian Athletes njones@fca.org

WOW!!! What a great “Fields of Faith” event we just had across our South Texas Area. Approximately 15,000 were in attendance, and we saw thousands of students, teachers, coaches, and community members whose lives were touched and changed forever. One of the attributes that makes the Fellowship of Christian Athletes so powerful and so beautiful is all of the many volunteers who pull together to minister through FCA. Fields of Faith a good reminder that we should all take some time to love on those who voluntarily give of their time and resources in order to help someone else succeed. Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” THANK YOU FCA VOLUNTEERS!!! To God be the Glory. Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is worthy!!! It is a joy serving alongside each of you.

Nathan Jones / 38 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

FCA Camp Scholarship Campaign FCA Camps are a time of “Inspiration and Perspiration” for athletes who want to reach their potential through comprehensive athletic and spiritual training.

Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has challenged athletes and coaches to impact the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is cultivating Christian principles in local communities nationwide by encouraging, equipping and empowering others to serve as examples and to make a difference in their family, school, and community. Reaching over two million people annually on he college, high school, junior high and youth levels, FCA has grown in to the largest inter-denomination sports ministry in the world. Through this shared passion for athletes and faith, lives are being changed for current and future generations.

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call Robin at 956-994-1121 today! FCA Vision 7R VHH WKH ZRUOG LPSDFWHG IRU -HVXV &KULVW WKURXJK WKH LQÁXHQFH RI DWKOHWHV DQG FRDFKHV FCA Mission 7R SUHVHQW WR DWKOHWHV DQG FRDFKHV DQG DOO ZKRP WKH\ LQÁXHQFH WKH FKDOOHQJH DQG DGYHQWXUH of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relation-ships and in the fellowship of the church. FCA Core Values Our relationships will demonstrate steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word through Integrity, Service, Teamwork and Excellence.

/ 39 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

Tedashii “I wanted to do college ministry‌being a part of Christian Hip Hop was never the plan,â€? he reveals.

While Tedashii’s robust stature and delivery on the mic catch the attention of most, his gentle spirit hints at an even deeper story behind the man and the music. %RUQ LQ (DVW 7H[DV 7HGDVKLL ´7'RWÂľ $QGHUVRQ ZDV UDLVHG WR be very family-oriented, respectful and appreciative, but HPEUDFLQJ WKH ODWWHU ZDV RIWHQ GLIĂ€FXOW LQ OLJKW RI WKH HFRnomic conditions his family faced. Television became an HVFDSH IRU KLP DV KH DGPLWV WR ZDQWLQJ D GLIIHUHQW OLIH ´, UHDOO\ ZDQWHG WR JHW DZD\ Âľ 7HGDVKLL UHFDOOV +H HQYLHG the Huxtable lifestyle and eloquence and desired the urbanized southern version, topped off with a candy-painted car on 26’s. His ambitions would soon mirror those he stayed up watchLQJ RQ WHOHYLVLRQ DQG UHDG DERXW LQ ERRNV ,Q KLJK VFKRRO he joined the band to play jazz, studied black history, reveled in poetry, endeavored to become a renaissance man, and even idolized Ted Kopple. Tedashii remembers being different than his peers in his vast interests, but as expected for a Texas boy, Samoan at that, he also played football. By most standards, he was a well-rounded, good person--most, but not all. Tedashii was given a wake-up call in college after being confronted by a student who overheard him using profanLW\ ´+H WROG PH WKDW , ZDV D VLQQHU DQG EDVLFDOO\ VKDUHG WKH *RVSHO ZLWK PH WKDW GD\ Âľ 6RPH WLPH ODWHU DIWHU JRing to a Christian event on campus and seeing hundreds of urban students authentically worship God, he received Jesus and found new life in Christ instead of Hollywood.

1. Matt Redman

2. Toby Mac

10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) CD: 10,000 Reasons

Me Without You CD: Eye On It

His newfound family in Christ encouraged him to use his rapping skills, honed since being challenged to freestyle in KLJK VFKRRO WR JORULI\ *RG $QG ZKLOH KLV Ă€UVW DWWHPSW WR GR VR ZDVQ¡W ZHOO UHFHLYHG KH ZDV UHFRJQL]HG DV ´GLIIHUHQWÂľ E\ KLV SHHUV DJDLQ EXW QRZ LW ZDV EHFDXVH RI KLV IDLWK After being introduced to Lecrae, rooming with both him and Sho Baraka and later being featured on several tracks from Real Talkand the 116 Clique Compilation, Tedashii was H[KRUWHG WR FRPPLW WR PLQLVWU\ WKURXJK PXVLF ´, ZDQWHG to do college ministry‌being a part of Christian Hip Hop ZDV QHYHU WKH SODQ Âľ KH UHYHDOV %XW ZLWK HQFRXUDJHPHQW from his peers, along with releasing his debut album Kingdom People and recognizing his ability to reach people with his raw, southern style, he has since needed no motivation to continue spitting the Gospel. :LWK ,GHQWLW\ &ULVLV 7HGDVKLLL VKDUHG KLV SDVW LGHQWLW\ VWUXJgles, the fountain of his new identity, and challenged lisWHQHUV WR Ă€QG WKHLUV LQ &KULVW DORQH +LV VRSKRPRUH DOEXP charted No. 2 on the Gospel Billboard chart and No. 9 on the Christian Billboard chart, solidifying the appeal of a unique artist who is unashamedly Christian and soulfully Hip Hop. Since his last release, Tedashii has blazed several tracks as a feature artist, and is gearing up to release his third album this spring. He has also been serving at The Village Church in Denton, TX and raising his son with his lovely wife. Far from his childhood dreams, if he had things his way, being known as someone who lived and even died for Christ would be the perfect ending to his life story.

3. Tenth Avenue North

4. Big Daddy Weave 5. Matthew West

Losing Redeemed CD: The Struggle CD: Love Come To Life / 40 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

Forgiveness CD: Into The Light

6. Jason Gray Good To Be Alive CD: A Way To See in The Dark

7. Brandon Heath Jesus In Disguise CD: Blue Mountain

8. Third Day

9. Newsboys

Your Love Never Fails I Need A Miracle CD: God’s Not Dead CD: Miracle / 41 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

How Should Grace Christians Vote? By Max Lucado

%\ 7RQ\ (YDQV Moody Publishers

Is God a Republican or a Democrat? It is time to cast your vote! EleSKDQW RU GRQNH\" 5HG RU %OXH" How Should Christians Vote? Tony Evans has written a small ERRN WKDW GLJV LQWR VRPH %LEOLFDO truth get you thinking about how you should vote. This may surprise some people because, to some, there is no question how Christians should vote. Perhaps I agree with Tony Evans when he says the following: “On a number of issues, the Democrats represent the values of the kingdom of God. And then on a number of other issues, the Democrats are antithetical to God’s kingdom laws. 6LPLODUO\ RQ D QXPEHU RI LVVXHV WKH 5HSXEOLFDQV UHĂ HFW WKH YDOXHV RI WKH NLQJGRP RI *RG %XW WKHQ DJDLQ RQ other issues, they do not.â€?

Grace. We talk as though we understand the term. The bank gives us a grace period. The seedy politician falls fromgrace. Musicians speak of a grace note. We describe an actress as gracious, a dancer as graceful. We use the word for hospitals, baby girls, kings, and premeal prayers. We talk as though we know what grace means. But do we really understand it? Have we settled for wimpy JUDFH" ,W SROLWHO\ RFFXSLHV D SKUDVH LQ D K\PQ Ă€WV QLFHO\ RQ a church sign. Never causes trouble or demands a response. When asked, “Do you believe in grace?â€? who could say no? Max Lucado asks a deeper question: Have you been changed by grace? Shaped by grace? Strengthened by grace? Emboldened by grace? Softened by grace? Snatched by the nape of your neck and shaken to your senses by grace? God’s grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you. It rewires you. From insecure to God secure. From regret riddled to better-because-of-it. From DIUDLG WR GLH WR UHDG\ WR Ă \

Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off. Let’s make certain grace gets you.

(YDQV LV GHĂ€QLWHO\ RQ WKH VLGH RI KHWHURVH[XDO PDUULDJH DQG KH LV SUROLIH 6R WKH SROLWLFDO FKRLFH VHHPV REYLRXV +H WDNHV WKH LGHD RI VRFLDO MXVWLFH which involves “government’s responsibility to create an environment of MXVWLFH LQ VRFLHW\ DV ELEOLFDO MXVWLFH S 6RPH PD\ FRQVLGHU WKDW D particular party focuses on this “social justice.â€? 2QH WKLQJ WKH %LEOH LV FOHDU DERXW LV OLYLQJ WR SURPRWH ORYH IRU *RG DQG WKRVH PDGH LQ +LV LPDJH %RWK FRORUV VXSSRUW LVVXHV WKDW *RG ZRXOG KDYH +LV NLQJGRP FLWL]HQV VXSSRUW Tony Evans emphasizes a focus on our citizenship of the Kingdom of God DQG +LV DJHQGD 6R SHUKDSV WKH FDQGLGDWHV VKRXOG EH FRQVLGHUHG UDWKer than the party? (YDQV ERRN KDV KHOSHG PH UHFRQVLGHU WKH XUJHQF\ WR EHFRPH D 8 6 citizen in order to cast a vote. One vote does matter. That is what Evans wants Christians to get out of his book. Evans says, “As a Christian, it is your job to promote God’s kingdom values and stand in the divide without giving full allegiance to any one party.â€? Whether you agree or not with that statement, consider reading this book. One commitment and allegiance of the Christian is more important than DQ\ RWKHU RXU DOOHJLDQFH WR WKH 2QH ZKRP ZH FDOO 6DYLRU

Book Review by

Miguel Paredes Is a teacher at Edinburg North and earned his Masters in Theology from Dallas 7KHRORJLFDO 6HPLQDU\ +H LV PDUULHG WR %UHQda and has four children, Diego (10), Karla and Andrea (7) and Charis (3).

Christine Caine offers life-transforming insights about how not only to overcome the challenges, wrong turns, and often painful circumstances we all experience, but also to actually grow from those experiences and be equipped and empowered to help others. Using her own dramatic life story, Caine shows how God rescued her from a life where she was unnamed, unwanted, and unTXDOLĂ€HG 6KH WHOOV KRZ VKH RYHUFDPH DEXVH DEDQGRQPHQW IHDUV and other challenges to go on a mission of adventure, fueled by IDLWK DQG Ă€OOHG ZLWK ORYH DQG FRXUDJH +HU SHUVRQDO VWRULHV LQVSLUH readers to hear their name called, just as Christine heard her own--“You are beloved. You are the hope. You are chosenâ€?---to go into a dark and troubled world, knowing each of us possess all it takes to bring hope, create change, and live completely for Christ. Part inspirational tale, part manifesto to stir readers to lives of adventure, Undaunted shows the way with spiritual wisdom and insight.

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s t n e ev

Valley United Men’s Conference 11/4-5 Thevalleyunited.com

Switchfoot Corpus Christi 11/10

Rise Up Youth Conference McAllen / 11/22-24 956-212-9987

Spirit Fest Corpus Christi MercyMe, Salvador, Jeremy Camp, Crowder, Jaci Velasquez Corpus Christi, TX US 11/10

Weekend To Remember FamilyLife South Padre Island 11/30-12/2 / Kvmv.org

Tedashii

Lord’s Christian Center 12/6 *Donna

PRAISE ON THE HILL PHOTOS! Go to VALLEYCHRISTIANMAGAZINE.com or FACEBOOK.COM/valleychristianmagazine to view more photos.

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By Dave Ramsey

)RU PRUH ÀQDQFLDO KHOS SOHDVH YLVLW www.daveramsey.com Dave Ramsey is a personal money-management expert and extremely popular national radio personality. His three New York Times best-selling books— Financial Peace, More Than Enough and The Total Money Makeover—have sold more than 6 million copies combined. His latest book, EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches, releases in September 2011.

Handling the Severance Dear Dave, I’m an accountant, and my company is experiencing layoffs. I just learned that I’ll be losing my job in four weeks. I’ll receive a severance check, but I have no other savings set aside. Should I use some of the severance to pay off debt, or hold on to that money as long as I can?...Frank Dear Frank, I’d hang on to that money and pile up as much other cash as I possibly could. Right now, the most important worries are food, lights, water and shelter. Debt is not on the list. We need to take care of \RXU EDVLF VXUYLYDO QHHGV Ă€UVW DQG PDNH WKDW PRQH\ VWUHWFK DV IDU as it will go. There are two bright spots in this scenario. One, you know the wolf LV JRLQJ WR EH VQLIĂ€QJ DURXQG WKH GRRU DQG WKDW JLYHV \RX WLPH WR prepare. The second thing is you’re an accountant, and that’s a very marketable skill. Lots of companies are going to be looking for your kind of expertise as we slowly turn the corner and come out of this recession. +HUH¡V DQRWKHU WKLQJ 7KH EHWWHU Ă€QDQFLDO FXVKLRQ \RX KDYH GXULQJ this time, the better you’ll do when interviewing for other jobs. Things will be tight, but if you’ve saved and budgeted your money well, \RX ZRQ¡W FRPH RII DV QHHG\ RU GHVSHUDWH <RX FDQ EH FRQĂ€GHQW LQ your abilities to add value to a different company, instead of being all freaked out and begging for a job. Then, once you’re settled into someplace new, you can start writing FKHFNV RXW RI WKH UHPDLQGHU RI WKH VHYHUDQFH PRQH\ DQG \RXU Ă€UVW couple of paychecks to catch up on things! ...Dave

Fix it or Sell it? Dear Dave, My old car has been having lots of problems lately. Do you have DQ\ DGYLFH RQ KRZ WR GHFLGH ZKHQ LW¡V EHVW WR MXVW Ă€[ DQ ROG FDU RU get a newer one instead? ... Kristin Dear Kristin, 7KLV LV D JRRG TXHVWLRQ 0DWKHPDWLFDOO\ WKH Ă€UVW WKLQJ WR ORRN DW LV the car’s worth if you don’t make repairs. Should you spend $1,000 to increase the value of the vehicle $500? Dumb question, right? At that point, you sell the car as-is and put the $1,000 it would take to Ă€[ LW WRZDUG VRPHWKLQJ QHZHU On the other hand, let’s say you’ve got a little hooptie worth $1,000 but by putting $500 into it, you can have it up and running again. Suddenly it’s worth $2,500. That’s money well-spent, because what \RX¡YH GRQH KDV VLJQLĂ€FDQWO\ LQFUHDVHG WKH YDOXH The other side is that at some point, the hassle factor of an old car can turn it into a money pit. If you can’t get anywhere because the FDU¡V DOZD\V EXVWHG WKHQ \RX QHHG WR Ă€QG VRPHWKLQJ HOVH IRU WKH sake of safety and reliability. If this happens, though, you should still pay cash for a better car. Even if you’re not taking a step up in price or fanciness, it’s still better than taking on a car payment. I’d walk or ride a bike everywhere before I did that! ....Dave

/ 46 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

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/ 47 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

Raul “Rudy� Rodriguez attorney at law

Some historians may argue that among the greatest restoration stories of mankind are the European Renaissance or perhaps the post-World War II era. The cultural movement known as the European Renaissance roughly took place during the 14th through 17th centuries. This moment in history saw the face of Europe evolve with respect to its arts, architecture and long held science tenets. It also saw a rediscovery of the Greco-Roman classical knowledge and a rebirth of the study of Latin and vernacular languages. It served as a bridge between the Middle Ages and the Modern Era. Closer to home, America saw its restoration take place in the years that followed World War II. During this era, couples who could not afford families during the Great Depression made up for lost time. The mood in America suddenly became optimistic. At that time, the unemployment rate of the Great Depression dropped dramatically and the economy improved substantially. The G.I. Bill empowered many honorDEOH VHUYLFH PHPEHUV WR ÂżQLVK KLJK VFKRRO DQG DWWHQG FROOHJH $V WKHLU VNLOOV ZHUH LPSURYHG VR ZDV WKH Âżnancial well-being of their families. But, without a doubt the greatest restoration that can take place is when a person does as Romans 10:9 instructs us to do. Romans 10:9 says: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.â€? The message is simple: invite Christ into your heart and make him your personal Lord and Savior. At that time, your restoration will be complete. Next He will do as Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within \RX ZLOO FRQWLQXH KLV ZRUN XQWLO LW LV ÂżQDOO\ ÂżQLVKHG RQ the day when Christ Jesus returns.â€? As you seek and strive to honor God with your life, He will reward you by allowing you to take on His characteristics. Hosea 14:4 says, “I will bring my people back to me. I will love them with all my heart; No longer am I angry with them.â€? I pray that you will invite Christ into your heart and allow Him to restore you! $W P\ RIÂżFH , DOVR ZDQW WR EH SDUW RI \RXU restoration plan, albeit in a different way. I pray that God will use me for His honor and glory in helping me address your needs. If you have been involved in an auto accident and/or other serious injury or if you have lost a loved one as a result of someone’s negligence, I will do my best to restore some sense of normality to your life. I will also help you in matters involving family law, criminal law and real estate and will issues. As always, I bear in mind that in honoring God with the way I handle my business relationships I will be honoring you my esteemed client.

Raul “Rudy� Rodriguez

ZZZ UDXOUXG\URGULJXH]ODZ FRP Phone: 956.380.1421 / Toll Free: 877.480.1421 ZZZ UDXOUXG\URGULJXH]ODZ FRP Fax: 956.380.2920 / Mobile: 956.655.5455

Phone: 956.380.1421 / Toll Free: 877.480.1421 / Fax: 956.380.2920 / Mobile: 956.655.5455 : 8QLYHUVLW\ (GLQEXUJ 7; e-mail: annointed511@gmail.com : 8QLYHUVLW\ (GLQEXUJ 7; e-mail: rrodlaw@hotmail.com / 48 /www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

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