Valley Christian Magazine April 2012

APRIL 2012

Exclusive VCM Interview:

Newsboys &

The City Harmonic p.12 Dealing with Today or worried about tomorrow? p.14

Happy Inconvenient Blessings p.8

p.16

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x e d in 39

Volume 2 / Issue 1

Christian Torres Publisher

Pastor Ru

12 event

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12 - VCM Exclusive Interview: Duncan Phillips of the Newsboys 24 - Photos: FCA Victory Banquet 26 - VCM 1-year Anniversary 31 - Photos: Harlingen Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast 32 - VCM Exclusive Interview: The City Harmonic 34 - National Day of Prayer 36 - Photos: McAllen Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon 39 - At Home With: Pastor Ruben Martinez 45 - Photos: KVMV 40th B-Day 46 - Paul Baloche: Modern Worship

On The Cover 12 - Michael Tait and the Newsboys Contributed Cover Photo

inez

W aboorurited tomorr ow?

Henry Miller Editor

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James Alexander Distribution

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ip toefs h s w Feiallon Athle Christ

Features

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Newsboys

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onic m r a H City

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National Columnists 16 - Greg Laurie 20 - James MacDonald 30 - Luis Palau 50 - Dave Ramsey

Valley Contributors 8 - Christian Torres

14 - Henry Miller 18 - Jerrell Jobe 22 - Mike Masso 28 - Abram Gomez 38 - Milton Gonzalez 42 - Miguel Paredes

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Ana Beicker 956-648-2511 956.314.0161 phone

Tax Deductible donations can be mailed to:

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 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 LQGHPQLÀHG DJDLQVW DQ\ WKLUG SDUW\ FODLPV 7H[DV &KULVtian 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. Printed in the USA.

Inconvenient Blessings

By Christian Torres

Ihouse‌each have about 20 bags of leaves piled up at my week.

What else can we turn into an inconvenient blessing?

Blessing

We have large oak trees and as you may have noticed that at this time of the year, they shed their leaves (isn’t that suppose to be in fall and not spring‌another story all together) and drop massive amounts of pollen spores‌I mean massive.

Here’s my ‘problem’. We have a swimming pool, but it is completely engulfed with leaves and spores. I have to break my back cleaning it and within 20 minutes it is nasty again.

Blessing 3UD\LQJ IRU DQG ÀQGLQJ D KRXVH ZLWK D pool within our budget.

Inconvenience

Their constant need for our attention and Kids commitment leaving little time for ourselves.

Their constant need for our attention and Promotion / commitment leaving little time for ourselves.

Raise at Work Managing all the people and perhaps Growing Church new programs.

Volunteering for a Additional Time Commitment to your New Ministry already busy schedule.

That Special Someone The Mother-In-Law‌just kidding!

In Exodus, Moses led his people out of Egypt. They witnessed God’s miracle

miracle after miracle. What did they do next? Complain. God provided Inconvenient Blessing: God provided, with after beautiful trees that drop massive amounts of food. What did they do next? Complain and now they wanted meat. leaves and pollen spores.

My Response: Thank you God. Pick up the leaves, zip my mouth and enjoy the time when we can swim during the summer with no sunscreen.

How many times have we complained about blessings in our lives? How many times have we grumbled and moaned about a blessing?

I guess when it becomes an inconvenience.

Isn’t it crazy that we spend so much time praying for things, circumstances, relationships, etc. only to come to a point when we start complaining about the very same thing?

A friend of mine just had a newborn baby. They’re all excited about this new blessing in their lives.

My wife and I held their baby and looked at each other with that look of ‘aaaw let’s have another!’ right up until the time she started crying. I mean CRYING! Then we looked at each other and without saying a word and was like, ‘mmmm, yeah no.’ Why? Because we remember those late-night feedings and the ungodly amount of dirty diapers.

But let me tell you, we have other friends who would just about give anything for that (clear my throat) ‘inconvenience.’ Let me clear something up. God and His blessings are never the problem. We are. When it doesn’t Ă€W LQ ÂśRXU SODQ¡ RU RXU WLPH WDEOH LW EHFRPHV DQ inconvenience.

I share this with you as we enter into our 2nd year of . God has blessed our Ministry and is opening the doors for us to soon release our Spanish Edition of . Double the work.

A little inconvenient‌I’m sure at times it will but no complaining from me! If you hear me complain? Call me on it and you, as a friend, will become my newest inconvenient blessing!

I am trying to put it all into better perspective. I heard a Pastor share, “After all, why would God continue to bless people who convert His blessings into curses?�

For me? Not so bad to live with your blessings‌even if they may include a little inconvenience at times.

Valley Christian Maga-

zine

Valley Christian Magazine

CHRISTIAN TORRES is a graduate of Baylor University. He and his 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. /8/

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Duncan Phil ips of VCM Exclusive Interview With:

By Henry Miller

Dmembers uncan Phillips isn’t one of the original of the Newsboys. He’s been

WHAT:

Newsboys, The City Harmonic, Abandon & Anthem Lights in concert WHERE:

Pharr Events Center WHEN:

7 p.m., Friday, April 6 (Good Friday) MORE INFO:

(956) 475-3434

around long enough though – since 1994 – to remember when the band had few songs to perform, but was out performing anyways. “I started back in the day,� Phillips said during a recent interview with Valley Christian Magazine. “Of course it was in Australia and it was a tougher scene at the time. It was kinda like the Blues Brothers – we’d get either a few claps or a beer bottle in the head.�

Even then, however, putting on a “wowâ€? performance was part of the Newsboys’ makeup. They’ve been doing it for more than 25 years and will continue doing it on their “God’s Not Deadâ€? tour in the Rio Grande Valley at 7 p.m. on Good Friday, April 6 at the Pharr Events Center. Also performing will be Anthem Lights, Abandon and The City Harmonic with their mega-hit “Manifesto.â€? “We’ve been around for a long time. In a sense we’re starting over. Moms and dads who were fans as teens are now bringing WKHLU NLGV WR VHH XV , UHPHPEHU WKH Ă€UVW time I ever saw them before I joined the band. There was something special about WKHP EXW , FRXOGQ¡W SXW P\ Ă€QJHU RQ LW

“We’ll be around for a long time – we’re too stubborn to go away.�

The band has 21 albums, starting with

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1988’s Read All About It and most recently with God’s Not Dead. They have 27 No. 1 singles and scores of Dove and Grammy awards and nominations. Their amazing live shows are among the most exciting and innovative of any touring band.

But in 2009 when lead man, vocalist and face of the band Peter Furler decided it was time to depart, the band was left stunned and questioning what the future had in store for them – if anything.

Then came along new lead singer, former lead for DC Talk, Michael Tait. “I feel like we’ve been given a second chance. When you change lead singers it’s a big deal,� Phillips said. “It was a very daunting and scary time – we still had kids in school, mortgages to pay. We were spent – emotionally spent like a divorce.

We were torn apart. We really were going through all these things on every level a human being can go through – spiritually, ÀQDQFLDOO\ HPRWLRQDOO\

“What have we done wrong? Has God turned His face on us? We really wondered.�

But when Tait became the new lead man, it didn’t take long for the band to realize that this was an opportunity to continue with their ministry, with their high-octane performances and their electric style of worship. “When Michael came we knew we’d have to be good – no, we had to be

Newsboys better than good because of all the things we had done before. We had to draw the line and say Michael’s in the band, this is how it’s gonna be,” Phillips said. “We kinda became the New Newsboys. But we also didn’t want to go out too far where our longtime fans started asking ‘what happened to MY band?’

“But Michael’s done that. We have our fans who have been with us and now he’s brought in the 18-25 year olds. That’s pretty exciting when you’re 20 years into your career.”

Phillips said the excitement Tait has brought sparks the entire band to bring their best performance at every show.

“I want everyone to say ‘that’s the best band I’ve ever seen.’

That’s my mission,” Phillips said. “Not only on the production side but on the spiritual side as well. I want us to be worthy of the venue and for people to feel they are having the best church service ever.

“Our show is a celebration of who He is. I can’t not perform. I’m not going to sit there with a big long face. That’s not how we are.”

Of course, performing on Good Friday where everyone will hear the message of Jesus’ death on the cross is just another thing to psyche them up when they come to the Valley with their hit single “God’s Not Dead.”

“What a day that’s gonna be,” Phillips said. “I can’t wait to get there.”

DID YOU KNOW?

The Newsboys original name was The News but they changed it when they came to the United States to avoid conflict with the group Huey Lewis and The News.

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Newsboys’ drummer Duncan Phillips

Preparing for today’s Battle? or worrying about tomorrow’s?

By Henry Miller

Ybeouhappening ever have someone mention to you that something may in the future?

When David’s brothers left for war, David stayed back and did ZKDW KH ZDV VXSSRVHG WR GR ² KH WHQGHG WKH Ă RFN 3DUW RI that tending included protection. David became superior at You start wondering “hmm, how will that affect me?â€?

SURWHFWLQJ KLV à RFN E\ XVLQJ KLV IDPRXV VOLQJVKRW DV D ZHDSRQ As you imagine deeper, you see all the possibilities – the good, to keep bears, lions and other wild animals away. and the bad. If you’re like me, you’re probably dwelling a lot :KDW 'DYLG GLGQ¡W NQRZ ZDV WKDW E\ ÀJKWLQJ WKRVH EDWWOHV KH more on the bad. was preparing for the most storied one-on-one battle in history – David vs. Goliath.

You start preparing (or panicking) for that day.

And while the entire Israeli army believed Goliath was too big You start imagining how this could hurt you, your career, or to bring down, David was thinking completely different: Goliyour family. ath’s too big to miss.

And as you freak out more and more, and your heart beats Unbeknownst to us, God prepares us for our future. As Mark faster, those thoughts turn into a masheduppileofwhatifsando- Batterson writes in his book Soul Print: therscenariosthatyoujustcannotcontrolrightnow. “Every past experience is preparation for some future opporBUT nothing has happened yet. tunity. God doesn’t just redeem our souls. He also redeems our experiences. And not just the good ones. He redeems the bad Nothing may ever happen. ones. How? By cultivating character, developing gifts and teaching lessons that cannot be learned any other way‌ Yet, you want to battle it today. ´*RG ZDV SUHSDULQJ 'DYLG WR VKHSKHUG +LV Ă RFN +H ZDV DOVR Because we are control freaks, knowing something could negatively impact our lives, affects how we live today. It may cultivating a compensatory skill that would change David’s destiny and Israel’s history.â€? never come to pass, but it’s all we can think about. “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, This wasn’t the case with David. and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard David had already been anointed future King of Israel. However, he wasn’t preparing for the future battles he’d face. He things come up when the time comes.â€? Matthew 6: 34 (msg) was taking care of today’s challenges.

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.�

Matthew 6: 34 (msg) / 14 /

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HENRY MILLER has been in the editing / writing business for more than 25 years.

He has been syndicated in more than 150 newspapers and 60 radio stations. He has a daughter, Camilla (7)

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Happy Easter T

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. / 16 /

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Fish Bread and

by Jerrell Jobe

them just a few days earlier in the Upper Room was still good.

It seems that Peter was having the toughest time with this res(John 21:12) toration. After all, he had denied Jesus three times in the same HYHQLQJ ,Q WKH *RVSHO RI -RKQ -HVXV VSHFLĂ€FDOO\ Jgathered ust before the arrest that would lead to His death, Jesus addressed Peter in a heart-penetrating conversation. Kenneth His disciples together for a meal of preparation. He Wuest’s translation of the New Testament offers one of the described to them the events that were about to unfold, even richest renderings of this passage. the betrayal by a close friend and how each of them would when they had breakfasted, Jesus says to Simon Peter, desert Him. With great passion, they all denied such a denial, “Then ‘Simon, son of Jonas, do you have a love for me called out of especially Peter. your heart by my preciousness to you, a devotional love that

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.

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LPSHOV \RX WR VDFULĂ&#x20AC;FH \RXUVHOI IRU PH" 'R \RX FRQVLGHU PH PRUH SUHFLRXV DQG WKXV ORYH PH PRUH WKDQ WKHVH >Ă&#x20AC;VK@"¡ +H

(Peter) says to Him, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Yes, Lord, as for You, You know positively that I have an emotional fondness for You.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; He (Jesus) says to him, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Be feeding my little lambs.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Jesus says to him again a second time, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Simon, son of Jonas, do you have a devotional love for me called out of your heart by my preciousness to \RX D ORYH WKDW LPSHOV \RX WR VDFULĂ&#x20AC;FH \RXUVHOI IRU PH"¡ +H (Peter) says to Him, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Yes, Lord. As for You, You know positively WKH\ ZHQW Ă&#x20AC;VKLQJ that I have a friendly feeling for You.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; He (Jesus) says to him, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Be shepherding My sheep.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Jesus says to him the third time, Jesus rose from the dead. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Simon, son of Jonas, do you have a friendly feeling and afInterestingly, He begins to search out those who had deserted fection for me?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Peter was grieved that He said to him the Him. He found them. I imagine the disciples were excited be- WKLUG WLPH Âś'R \RX KDYH D IULHQGO\ IHHOLQJ DQG DIIHFWLRQ IRU cause of His resurrection, yet all the while, guilt ridden by their me?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; And Peter said to Him, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lord, as for You, all things You cowardice acts of retreat, while He was on trial. know positively. You know from experience that I have a feeling and affection for You.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Jesus says to him, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Be Nonetheless, Jesus gathered His friends, the disciples, together friendly feeding My sheep. Most assuredly, I am saying to you, When IRU DQRWKHU PHDO $W WKLV PHDO WKH\ EURXJKW WKH Ă&#x20AC;VK DQG +H you were younger, you were accustomed to clothe yourself EURXJKW WKH EUHDG 7KH\ EURXJKW WKHLU VKDPH Ă&#x20AC;OOHG EURNHQand to walk where you were desiring to walk. But when you ness. He brought the resurrection power of forgiveness and grow old, you shall stretch out your hands, and another shall acceptance. This was a meal of restoration. bind you around and carry you where you do not desire.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; In ancient times, bread was not merely the substance of a And this He said, indicating by what kind of death he will glomeal, it was what they shared to make a covenant. Jesus rify God. And having said this, Jesus says to him, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Be following wanted them to know that the covenant that He shared with with me.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

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The disciples, perhaps out of despair and hopelessness did the RQO\ WKLQJ WKH\ NQHZ KRZ WR GR ² WKH\ ZHQW Ă&#x20AC;VKLQJ :HUH WKH\ merely mourning? Had they given up completely and now resuming what they were doing as a vocation prior to Jesus calling them to be His disciples? Regardless of the reasoning,

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We’ve all made mistakes and choices we wish we could reverse.

Perhaps, like the disciples, Jesus is standing on the shoreline, bread in hand, waiting for us to draw near to Him. Waiting to express His love, forgiveness and restoration.

This is grace.

Not grace that is easily GLVUHJDUGHG ZLWK DQRWKHU ÁLSSDQW

No. This is the kind of grace that has the power to change us from the inside out into the people Christ has called us to be.

JERRELL JOBE is a teaching pastor at Palm Valley Church in Mission.

He is married to Charissa and has three children Micah (9), Naylah (7), and Avi (5). / 19 /

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Copyright © 2012 CreationSwap LLC, All rights reserved.

well-intended promise.

By Dr. James MacDonald

Perseverance “You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.” (2 Timothy 3:10-11)

I

Listen to Walk in the Word locally weekdays at 5:30a.m.

James MacDonald is founding and Senior Pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel in northwest Chicago. James’ teacing 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.

What other Christians have served as your best H[DPSOHV RI SHUVHYHUDQFH XQGHU ÀUH" :KDW KDYH \RX OHDUQHG IURP WKHP"

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Battle of the Cosmos: Dominion of our Souls Your Spiritual Cosmos

By Mike Masso

Tcomes he spiritual warfare over our souls bevery painful when we are hurt.

This â&#x20AC;&#x153;painâ&#x20AC;? can cause us to miss the joyful IXOĂ&#x20AC;OOPHQW RI RXU OLIH PLVVLRQ :H PXVW EH on guard and understand how to claim our victory in Christ. It is not automatic, it is warfare!

When there is a battle, there are wounds.

These wounds come through sin â&#x20AC;&#x201D; of our own actions and the actions of others. In warfare, the battle is over jurisdiction. Jurisdiction refers to â&#x20AC;&#x153;territory.â&#x20AC;? As we covered in previous VCM issues, God gave jurisdiction over the earth to man -dominion. Man in turn, through sin, forfeited this jurisdiction to Satan. This was demonstrated when Satan offered to give Jesus all of the kingdoms of the earth (Matthew 4:8-9). In fact, upon the sin of Adam and Eve the ground was cursed (Genesis 3:17-19). Even though, man was created from the essence of God Himself, our bodies are deeply connected to this ground. â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śfor dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou returnâ&#x20AC;? (Genesis 3:19). The good news is that through the blood of Jesus Christ every Christian has been redeemed from the curse of sin and rule of Satan. However, the battle continues for the jurisdiction of our souls. ´)RU ZH GR QRW ZUHVWOH DJDLQVW Ă HVK DQG

blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.â&#x20AC;? ~Ephesians 6:12

Satan strikes through sin to wound us DQG RWKHUV :RXQGV RI VHOĂ&#x20AC;VKQHVV MHDOousy, anger, revenge, neglect, deception, manipulation, rejection, lust, abuse, pride, lies â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the list goes on. Through the blood of Christ, our spirit is made alive by the Holy Spirit that works within us to heal

and restore these wounds--although, The Greek word for place is topos, which RXU VRXOV UHPDLQ LQ FRQĂ LFW EHWZHHQ RXU means territory, location or opportunity.

VHOĂ&#x20AC;VK GHVLUHV VLQ QDWXUH DQG WKH 6SLULW Having experience as a real estate bro(Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nature). ker, this illustrates an interesting perspective to me. In order to build something, â&#x20AC;&#x153;For I delight in the law of God before you can even begin to do any according to the inward man. But I see ground work, you must own or have legal another law in my members, warring access to the ground you wish to build against the law of my mind, and bring- on. This is what Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word is warning ing me into captivity to the law of sin us about. which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me The other critical factor in this passage from this body of death? I thank Godâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; tells us â&#x20AC;&#x153;do not let the sun go downâ&#x20AC;? bethrough Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, fore you have released your frustrations, with the mind I myself serve the law of hurts and anger. When you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you give *RG EXW ZLWK WKH Ă HVK WKH ODZ RI VLQ Âľ Satan a deed right to that territory of your ~Romans 7:22-25(NKJV) soul for him to build a stronghold. In our spiritual battle for jurisdiction, we actuIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure you wonder how a Christian can ally allow the enemy of our souls to set up lose ground at becoming all that Christ camp and take control of that particular has for them and end up being a bitter, â&#x20AC;&#x153;groundâ&#x20AC;?. rude, angry, withdrawn or defensive person. Paul warned the church in Ephesus These strongholds of the enemy actually about this very thing. become part of our soul and character, which has been taken over by the enâ&#x20AC;&#x153;..throw off your old sinful nature and emy, giving him opportunity to control your former way of life, which is corpart of us for his mission to hurt us and rupted by lust and deception. Instead, those around us. A stronghold is a mililet the Spirit renew your thoughts and tary structure â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a fortress used to defend attitudes. Put on your new nature, cre- and attack from. ated to be like Godâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing to see when someone points neighbors the truth, for we are all parts RXW D FKDUDFWHU Ă DZ KRZ RIWHQ WKDW SHUof the same body. And â&#x20AC;&#x153;donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sin by VRQ EHFRPHV GHIHQVLYH DQG Ă&#x20AC;UHV EDFN letting anger control you.â&#x20AC;? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let the This is the manipulative work of the enemy sun go down while you are still angry, for in our soul posing as an allyâ&#x20AC;Ś Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll defend you... who do they think they are to point anger gives a foothold to the devil.â&#x20AC;?

Ephesians 4:22-27(NLT) WKH Ă&#x20AC;QJHU DW \RX ORRN DW WKHLU IDXOWV ,¡OO show themâ&#x20AC;Ś This is the work that Jesus In a broader sense, the Greek word for came to destroy. This is the order of cosanger â&#x20AC;&#x201D; orgizo, relates to what provokes mos and dominion that we as Christians or exasperates us. Paul is telling us to not must take back through true repentance. hold onto these frustrations beyond today. Release them to God before the It is upon the battleground of our minds for day ends; otherwise, we will literally give the territory of our souls that God desires Satan access to part of our soul. to build strongholds of righteousness.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christâ&#x20AC;?.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5(NRSV)

MIKE MASSO is married to Robyn Masso and they have four children. Mike and his family have been involved in the Rio Grande Valley community most of their lives in ministry and business ventures. Mike is the Director for Leadership Development Alliance, LLC, President of Viva Life Christian Book Shop and Owner-Broker of Prime Ventures Commercial Real Estate.

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April 13,14 & 15 For information call BT (956) 686-5296 or call Anibal Henrikson (956) 221-5913

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By Abram Gomez

Eebrate very year, around this time, we celand remember the greatest event in the history of humanity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the &UXFLĂ&#x20AC;[LRQ DQG 5HVXUUHFWLRQ RI -HVXV

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things He did not teach the others VHH 0DWWKHZ 0DUN ²

He even introduced them to His heavenly family (see Matthew

he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pander to these groups RU ´WLFNOH WKHLU HDUV Âľ +H FRQIURQWHG the status quo, jarred his listenersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sensibilities, and often taught in

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his audience confused and won 7KH\ ZHUH KLV FORVHVW IULHQGV GHULQJ ZKDW KH PHDQW +LV JRDO ZDV DQG FRQĂ&#x20AC;GDQWV apparently to shift their paradigm 6DFULĂ&#x20AC;FH IRU RXU VLQV DQG WKH %HDXWLIXO The multitudes represent the Crowd.

DQG JHW WKHP WR WKLQN 6DYLRU RI RXU VRXOV 7RGD\ ZH VLQJ VRQJV Who are you spreading your message DERXW +LP :H ZULWH ERRNV GLVFXVVLQJ 2. He mobilized the seventy. Jesus to? +LP :H IRUVDNH DOO WR IROORZ +LP $QG had a smaller, more intimate group The 70 represent the Committed. Who RQH GD\ ZH VKDOO EH ZLWK +LP +H LV RXU WR ZKRP KH JDYH VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F DVVLJQ5HGHHPHU RXU $GYRFDWH DQG WKH $XPHQWV +H VHQW WKHP RXW WZR E\ are you mobilizing to help you with the thor and Finisher of our Faith!

WZR +H DVNHG IRU D %,* FRPPLW- vision?

PHQW +H JDYH WKHP YLUWXDOO\ QR Jesus is also the greatest leader the UHVRXUFHV <HW KH GHPDQGHG WKDW The 12 represent the Core. Who helps ZRUOG KDV HYHU NQRZQ 7KH %LEOH FDOOV WKH\ SHUIRUP PLUDFOHV +H WROG you to carry the weight of the vision?

Him a Ruler, a Governor, and the Capthem to expect opposition (see 7KH UHSUHVHQW WKH &RQĂ&#x20AC;GDQWV Who WDLQ RI RXU 6DOYDWLRQ +LV PRYHPHQW Luke 10:1â&#x20AC;&#x201C;12) and promised no can you see walking no longer behind has yet to cease, His teachings are still HDUWKO\ UHZDUG VHH /XNH ²

you but one day beside you? spreading and His timeless example FRQWLQXHV WR OHDG XV 3. He trained the twelve. He chose the WZHOYH GLVFLSOHV WR EH ´ZLWK KLPÂľ Crowd 7KH YLVLRQ +H SXW IRUWK LQ PRWLRQ LQ WKH (see Mark 3:14a) He taught them hearts of 12 men is still being carried and also gave them assignments RXW WKRXVDQGV RI \HDUV ODWHU 5HPHP VHH 0DUN E² +RZHYHU KH Committed ber, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lead things - you lead DOVR VKDUHG ZLWK WKHP KLV GDLO\ OLIH More than 2,000 years ago this man, Jesus of Nazareth, became the Ultimate

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than just programs, the bottom line, and PDUNHWLQJ +H OHIW IRU XV D PRGHO WR IROORZ DQG HPXODWH

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years later, he poured into them his YHU\ OLIH VHH 7KHVVDORQLDQV

Because of this, he entrusted them with power to do the work he himVHOI KDG GRQH ,Q IDFW KH SURPLVHG them that they would actually do

took time to narrow down the circle to JUHDWHU ZRUNV VHH -RKQ ²

a few men to pour into them His LeaderVKLS DQG ([DPSOH 0LFKDHO +\DWW WKH 4. +H FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHG LQ WKH WKUHH Jesus had &KDLUPDQ RI 7KRPDV 3XEOLVKLQJ &RPan inner circle comprised of Peter, pany, wrote in his blog the following four -DPHV DQG -RKQ +H WRRN WKHP RQ points about the Leadership of Jesus: VSHFLDO RXWLQJV VHH 0DWWKHZ

He allowed them to witness his 1. He taught the multitudes. Yes, Jesus greatest glory (see Mark 9:2â&#x20AC;&#x201C;3) and KDG D SXEOLF PLQLVWU\ +H RFFDVLRQ-

Abram Gomez

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@RickWarren @EntreLeadership @stevenfurtick @PastorSergio @samchand @BishopJakes @PastorChrisHill @MichaelHyatt @nhclc @JohnCMaxwell My personal twitter @abram_gomez

is the Executive Pastor at Valley International Christian Center in San 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 VICC. He and his wife, Rebecca, reside in Harlingen. / 28 / ZZZ valleychristianmagazine FRP /

Ask the Expert

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Listen to good advice if you want to live well... Proverbs 15:31 Valley Christian Magazine is bringing expertise right to you in our new Ask the Expert section.

Send your questions to henry@valleychristianmagazine.com

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Look for a home and make an offer or get pre-approved?

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Residential pests can spread organisms that can increase the risk of disease which translates into costly doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visits and possible sick days.

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God Steps Out

By Luis Palau “I’ll be back soon,” a soldier told his wife before leaving her and their infant son to ÀJKW LQ :RUOG :DU ,, )LYH \HDUV ZHQW E\ The young mother would show her boy a portrait of the soldier and say, “See, that’s your daddy. One day he’s going to come home.” In reality, she didn’t know what to expect.

One morning the boy said, “Mommy, wouldn’t it be great if Daddy would just step out of the picture frame?” In a sense that’s what God did 2,000 years ago. As part of His eternal plan, He stepped out of heaven and became a man so you and I could look at Jesus and say, “That’s what God looks like.”

The Cradle Almost 2,000 years ago, God came to earth to live among us. He entered the world as a helpless baby with a feeding trough as His bed. We celebrate this miracle every Christmas. Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary by the miracle of the Holy Spirit. But that was not enough.

If Jesus had grown up and lived only

a perfect and marvelous life, without another great miracle taking place, His life likely would mean nothing to you and me today.

The Cross Jesus had to go from the cradle to the cross. After Christmas comes Good Friday. The Bible clearly states that the cross was the reason God’s Son came to earth. What happened on the cross?

The Bible teaches that God the Son took upon Himself all the sins of the world.

Every evil thought you and I have ever pondered; every evil, mean, dirty, jealous act that we have practiced, was laid on Jesus Christ.

If we repent and turn to Him, then He will forgive us and cleanse us. Every sin we’ve ever committed will be forgotten forever.

It doesn’t matter how rebellious you have been, or how guilty you feel. If you want forgiveness, you must come to the cross. Once you do, you won’t have restless nights with a guilty conscience.

Luis Palau has shared the Gospel with more than 1 billion people through evangelistic events and media. He has spoken in person to 25 million people in 72 countries with more than 1 million registered decisions for Jesus Christ. He has authored close to 50 books and has counseled with business and political leaders and heads of state around the world. / 30 /

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Instead, you will have peace with God. The Crown The Bible says three days after His death, Jesus stepped out of the grave. That’s what Easter is all about! Jesus is alive!

He’s not in a tomb. Mohammed, Buddha, and other religious leaders of yesteryear are dead, buried, and gone.

But you can visit Jesus’ grave and it’s empty. He’s God the Son, with all the power in heaven and on earth. God the Father has given Him a “name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:9-11).

Have you confessed the Lord Jesus as your Savior? If you haven’t, I urge you to commit your life to God’s Son. He was born and placed in a humble cradle as a baby. He died on a Roman cross to take away all the world’s guilt and shame.And then, on the third day after He was buried, He stepped out of the grave. Jesus Christ is alive! He’s ruler of heaven and earth. He wants to be your God and King.

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T A R E US U T OD LIK U O AN K C S E CH DATE UP

/ 31 /

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A VCM INTERVIEW WITH:

BY HENRY MILLER

W hile on the phone with Valley Christian Magazine, and on the road to his next show, Elias Dummer received some good

news.

“Hey, just found out that we’ve been nominated by the Dove Awards for Best New Artist,” said The City Harmonic’s vocalist/pianist. “We’re not young – pushing 30 but we’re new artists. We’re just a bunch of Canadian boys playing worship music that sounds like rock music.”

They’ll bring their unique sound – highlighted by their electrifying mega-hit “Manifesto” – at the Pharr Events Center, Friday – Good Friday – April 6. They will perform along with Abandon and the Newsboys.

Dummer says there is this dichotomy between worship and performance. He said some people feel the performance takes away from the worship. On the contrary, is Dummer’s response. If anything, the performance takes away nothing but barriers.

“I wonder if David separated his “performance” from his “worship” when he came back victorious from war and danced in the streets almost naked,” Dummer said. “He said ‘I’m going to do this.’ And didn’t care who was around. He probably would want them to join in – that’s true worship.

“If anything, the stage or the pulpit, are obstacles. But the best performances, or the greatest sermons, make that disappear. (U2’s) Bono can have the most elaborate stage ever and because of the performance you forget it’s there. We want to have a human to human experience and worship with the people and that human to human connection will bring a greater worship experience.”

The City Harmonic exploded onto the music scene last year with its EP Introducing The City Harmonic and its rock-like ballad “Manifesto,” which reached No. 5 on iTunes and captivated more than a million viewers on You Tube. The band also became the best-selling new artist on Billboard’s Top Current Digital Sales Chart, with more than 90,000 downloads. / 32 /

Dummer said that he’s happy with the recognition and success of the band. He says he sees no reason to not rejoice in the success.

“It seems a lot of time that the Christian music reaction is to pretend to not be happy and show this false humility,” he said. “I’m grateful for all this, I really am. It all means something well.

Dummer said he’s excited to be somewhere on Good Friday to worship – making it even more special is the fact that the Newsboys’ tour is called “God’s Not Dead,” from their newest album release.

“We all are having a blast performing and worshipping,” Dummer said. “We are all on a journey and to me worship is the sum, not just a singular isolated act. We should be worshipping all the time – with our hearts, our souls, our minds and our strength.

“If I love Jesus then I have to try and love and engage our audience. We are to be Christ like in every part of our lives.

A performance can just as easily come out of a life of wor-

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and serve the people and love them, then I can’t worship.”

www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

Jen Mannarelli

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/ 33 /

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Thursday, May 3, 2012

Pray A

Day to

Adrian Esparzaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intentions were to walk into the Hidalgo County Courthouse and pray with Judge Letty Lopez. Instead, Esparza, coordinator for the National Day of Prayer, found himself praying with the majority of judges Present that day. Lopez was the only Judge Esparza personally knew but wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t in when he came to visit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I prayed with most every one of them except herâ&#x20AC;? Esparza said.

Esparza took a moment to pray for direction and at the moPHQW KH Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHG -XGJH 5LFDUGR 5RGULJXH] -U ZDV ZDONLQJ down the same hall. Esparza took this opportunity as an answered prayer and shared his purpose for being there. It sparked a chain reaction and Esparza began going from chamber to chamber talking and praying with our County Judges. There were even moments where prayers were held in their courtrooms. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would get to a chamber and the Judge either had just taken a break or for some reason had a few moments,â&#x20AC;? Esparza said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I felt as if the courthouse had parted like the Red Sea allowing me to pray with most of the judgesâ&#x20AC;?

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it will be held Thursday, May 3 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the HDVW ODZQ E\ WKH YHWHUDQV PRQXPHQW DQG Ă DJ SROHV ORFDWHG at the Hidalgo County Courthouse in Edinburg. The NDP is designated by the U.S. Congress and on this day the nation is asked to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Turn to God in Prayer and meditation.â&#x20AC;? Locally, the NDP has grown in its 14 years, growing in attendance from Ă&#x20AC;YH LQ WR PRUH WKDQ ODVW \HDU

Esparza has directed the last three events. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People come to the event and participate, but I feel thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more to it than just thatâ&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This event has to be voted on and approved by our County Commissioners so that we can have it on the courthouse lawn. It also must be approved at a federal level as well in order for us to shut down U.S. Highway 281. It is very easy to take this for granted.

Without proper permits, documentation and approval of our county government this event would not take place.â&#x20AC;?

/ 34 /

www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

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grounds and Highway 281 with 10,000 people or more. But if only one person comes and accepts Jesus Christ as their personal savior, the mission will be accomplished “This is truly a day of prayer” he said. “Sure we could have this event anywhere, but when you’re on the courthouse lawn next to the courtrooms where Judges are holding court and the fate of people’s lives are in their hands, you can feel the presence of God at work. I’ve seen people walk into the courthouse and just take it all in as they walk into those courtrooms with prayer in their hearts. That’s a really special moment.”

Several local bands will perform during the 12-hour event and prayer tents will be placed throughout the lawn, in the past, more than 800 students were bused in to be a part of the annual event.

“God has shown us great favor toward this event” Esparza said, “And the whole purpose of this event is to reveal Jesus Christ the Son of God, to everyone. We must practice being in the presence of God, so I hope we will all come together on May 3, and pray.”

INFO National Day of Prayer East Lawn (Flag Pole) of Hidalgo County Courthouse in Edinburg 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 3 Facebook: National Day of Prayer-RGV Text: rgvprayer to: 22828 Call Adrian Esparza at (956) 533-0000 or email him at: adrian@ndprgv.com for more information

/ 35 /

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McAllen Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prayer Luncheon

/ 36 /

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FLIGHT EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 28, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS NONSTOP! s u n c o u n t r y. c o m

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/ 37 /

VIA HARLINGEN

www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

e

. . . v o L Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

ut o b A All

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I spe eloquenak with huma ecstasy ce and angeli n c but don Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not â&#x20AC;&#x2122; t love, hing bu t of a rus ty gate the creaking â&#x20AC;?. 1 Cor 1 3

G odâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ultimate expression of love to his children was manifest through

In relationships falling in love is perhaps the easiest to accomplish, however, staying in love requires 3:16 is a love letter to us from the consistency and above all Father - â&#x20AC;?for God so loved the world discipline, that He gaveâ&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;Ś gave what? His one a heart for God. and only begotten sonâ&#x20AC;Ś This is true Love is at the core of the Bible...

VDFULĂ&#x20AC;FLDO ORYH DJDSH XQFRQGLJesus said â&#x20AC;&#x153;if we love one another tional) love. then people will know that we are His disciplesâ&#x20AC;? (John 13:35). I often ask Our heavenly Father is constantly myself â&#x20AC;&#x153;is this what people see in me speaking His love to us through His no matter where I may be and no Word, inundating our hearts with matter the circumstances I may be SHDFH VHFXULW\ DQG DIĂ&#x20AC;UPDWLRQ +H challenged with? knows what to say, when to say it and how to say it - there is no margin Love is by far the most basic of of error in Him. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just His very needs of any man or woman, boy or nature...

JLUO 7KH RYHUĂ RZ RI ORYH LQ D SHUlife can empower him to go In times of dire need He tells you that sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s above and beyond human expecâ&#x20AC;&#x153;He will never leave you nor forsake tation and accomplish the most youâ&#x20AC;? (Heb 13:5), and in times of GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW RI IHDWV $QG WKH DEVHQFH RI inadequacy He calls you â&#x20AC;&#x153;fearfully can cripple emotions, impair soand wonderfully madeâ&#x20AC;? (Ps 139:14). love cial development and destroy lives.

He knows everything about you â&#x20AC;&#x153;when you sit down and when you us all is an innate â&#x20AC;&#x153;love tankâ&#x20AC;? rise upâ&#x20AC;? (Ps 139:2) and He is â&#x20AC;&#x153;familiar Within with all of your waysâ&#x20AC;? (Ps 139:3). He is WKDW GHVLUHV WR EH Ă&#x20AC;OOHG ZLWK ZRUGV RI DIĂ&#x20AC;UPDWLRQ SK\VLFDO WRXFK DFWV RI the very essence of â&#x20AC;&#x153;LOVE.â&#x20AC;?

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service, gifts and quality time. However, harsh words, withdrawal, stonewalling and a critical or judgmental heart deplete the â&#x20AC;&#x153;love tankâ&#x20AC;? and incapacitate the individual.

Love is a powerful thing. It brings down divisive barriers, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like medicine to the soul and it has the ability to resurrect hearts.

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want what it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have. Love doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t strut, Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a swelled head, Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t force itself on others, ,VQ¡W DOZD\V ´PH Ă&#x20AC;UVW Âľ 'RHVQ¡W Ă \ off the handle, Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t keep score of the sins of others, Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure LQ WKH Ă RZHULQJ RI WUXWK 3XWV XS ZLWK anything,Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the endâ&#x20AC;Ś (1 Cor 13:4-8, The Message)

Milton Gonzalez is the principal of Covenant Christian Academy. He is married to Elena and has a son David. / 38 /

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Worship 10 a.m.

Sunday School Classes 11:35 a.m.

Living Word Evangelical Free Church 5208 N. Jackson Road Pharr, TX 78577 (On Jackson Road, one blinking light north of Nolana)

www.livingwordefc.org

Nancy M Pastor Rub artinez, en Marti wife of 2 nez Stefanie 4 years Gabriel Martinez Grant MMartinez David M artinez Desiree artinez Martinez / 39 /

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HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR WIFE? Well my wife is from Oneida, New York.

That’s Upstate. We met in 1985 and got married in 1987. She went from Oneida to Denver to Austin to Dallas and then down here.

SO WHICH TOWN DID YOU MEET HER IN? We met down here but we were living in Dallas at the same time. We lived just a mile apart from each other but we didn’t know each other. Then we moved down here the same month and still didn’t know each other. A year later we met and started comparing the stories.

ANY HOBBIES? I love to play tennis and ride my bike but I really love to read. I read and read and read and read. I have so many books but I don’t have the time so all I can do is drool over them.

ARE YOU A COMPETITIVE BIKER? No, but I used to live on Ware and 6-Mile Road – exactly 10 miles from my house to the church. I used to ride my bike back and forth from home to church every day, riding about 100 miles a week.

Now I live in Edinburg and would have to get on the freeway so, I don’t do that.

YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS? J. I. Packer – Knowing God and Eugene Peterson, even though I am not in total agreement with how he uses scripture; I also really enjoy Tim Keller – The Meaning of Marriage.

HOW DID YOU START THIS CHURCH? We started the church in my mom’s living room in Pharr. She started staying every once in a while for services. Two years later after we started the church she came to me and said “son I saw in the bulletin that you are going to have baptisms.” I said “yes mom.” Then she said “I’d like for you to baptize me.” I almost fell out of my chair – my goodness.

She became a Christian then she was my strongest evangelist in my church.

We would print the Gospel in the bulletins. She would cut it out on all the extra bulletins and hand it out to her friends.

SO YOU WENT FROM YOUR LIVING ROOM TO HERE? Not even close. We started in her living room with eight people. We started growing and were in 10 different locations before we built this. We moved to a community center in Pharr, another community center in Pharr. We met at a Nazarene Church on Main and Nolana (McAllen), we met at a school in Pharr, we met at Freewill Baptist Church which is now Valley Community Church on 2nd (McAllen), we met at the Holiday Inn, we met at the Fairway Resort next to the

McAllen County Club, we met at the Rio Grande Bible Institute. We were all over the place – we were like gypsies.

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here in 1993. Two years later we built our second building. It was and has been an incredible journey.

DID YOU EVER THINK ABOUT QUITTING? A number of times - many, many times. :H ZHUH LQ DERXW WKH IRXUWK RU ÀIWK ORcation. It was a vocational school. I had gotten permission from the owner/president of that school. He said we would have to clean up and do our own lawn.

We said sure. After the fourth Sunday I

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up to me and he says “this was your last Sunday here” and I said “why’s that?”

The government had taken over this building and we could no longer meet there.

I’m going “God what are you doing?

What are you doing?”

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place. We had to go back to my mom’s house. Her living room was a 10x18 space and I wanted to throw in the towel.

YOU HAD TO FIT ALL THOSE PEOPLE THERE? There were about 50-60 people, but every time we would move we would lose some people – go up to 40-50-60 then back down to 20. Wherever we were in the community, people would start coming then we would move and lose some.

WHEN DID THINGS CHANGE? Finally, at the Fairway Resort we had some professional people start coming – two medical doctors from a practice and a wife who was a surgeon. That drew a bunch of people as well. We were packing that place out.

Soon enough we bought the land. There was nothing out there.

WAS THIS THE PLACE YOU WANTED? We actually prayed for a long time – we wanted a central location between

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Pharr, McAllen and Edinburg. I literally drew on a map from Trenton and Pecan, between I road and McColl and the Lord gave us this location â&#x20AC;&#x201C; across the street is McAllen, one street north is Edinburg and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in Pharr. I keep saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;wow Lordâ&#x20AC;? when I think about it.

We prayed for a long time and the Lord opened the doors. We wanted to be in the center of the community.

WHEN WERE YOU SAVED? I was a very, very lost person. I would get drunk every weekend and I was as lost as they would come. My oldest brother kept witnessing to me and I would get angry at him but he kept at it and kept

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up. I said Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll go to church but you have to stop. I went and said ok, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s it but he kept at it and kept at it. I went back

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trusted Christ as my Savior.

WHAT HAPPENED THEN? After I trusted Christ I became ravenous for knowledge. I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get enough.

I was in pre-med school and was going to go to Galveston Medical School but thought thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gonna take forever and I want to serve the Lord. So I went to pharmacy school. when I started, we also started a Spanish church. I had a bible study in my home, we had bible study at pharmacy school and people were coming to me for counseling in my home.

I was so involved in ministry that I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t keep up with my pharmacy so I had to make a choice. I applied to Dallas Theological Seminary.

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she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want the Christian life, didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want me, so she divorced me. No matter what I would do, what I tried, she wanted out and that was it. It was an awful, awful time for me. I meanâ&#x20AC;Ś. it was so painful. I was suicidal, I was confused - â&#x20AC;&#x153;God I gave my life to you, my career, my family and now this?â&#x20AC;? I was very confused. But it was at that time that God was performing surgery on me â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and he

wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t using anesthesia.

HOW WAS THE HEALING PROCESS? Pain is the very stuff God uses to help us to grow. But it takes the right understanding from those who can be of help to use that suffering in the right way. I tell people â&#x20AC;&#x153;donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t waste suffering.â&#x20AC;?

I began to learn so much, especially about my own pride and blindness and VHOĂ&#x20AC;VKQHVV DQG LGRODWU\ , ZDV GHSHQGing way, way too much on my spouse for my well-being, my manhood. So God began to show me. I went back to the scripture with an incredibly different perspective.

VISION FOR THE CHURCH? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always had this vision where weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to have a church where the members are really solid â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that they really know God; that they have an intimate and solid understanding of who He is and trust Him. Out of that they reach out to others. We want solid mature Christians reaching to others, not because of some program but because of their love for God. Something unique we have is Sunday School after worship service. For one of the Sunday classes we have sermon discussion where people are able to sit down and ask of the pastor questions about the sermon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; if they had a question about a point or if they want to know where did you get this from or this part of the Bible says this, how does this compare to what I heard over here.

Some want to know how to live it out. I tell people just because I preach donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just believe me â&#x20AC;&#x201C; go back to the Scriptures. I have to prepare because some people are real sharp. I have to do my homework. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just take a canned sermon. I have to be able to show them.

ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to start another church. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to church plant. If we keep growing in the next year or two we will start considering another church. My philosophy is that we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need big churches; we

/ 41 /

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need a church where there is a solid community where we can love people on a one-on-one level. Not that a big church canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do that, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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church, people really know each other. I know that right now thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s counter culture. People want to get lost in the church â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know me too well. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so broken or ashamed or whatever, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier just to do the church thing and I feel good about it. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll even write my check if the entertainment is good. Other than that I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be known.â&#x20AC;? We are scared of each other.

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S YOUR BIGGEST CONCERN OF TODAY? Our culture is very, very enticing but it can tangle us in its powerful web, everything is so entertainment-oriented, materialistic. The hard truths are not being looked at honestly and squarely â&#x20AC;&#x201C; even in the church. We need to go back to what the Scriptures have to say. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like the apostle Paul when he told Timothy â&#x20AC;&#x153;There will come a time where they will not endure sound; but wanting to have their ears tickled they will accumulate for themselves teachers in according to their own desires.â&#x20AC;? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m begging people to go back to the scriptures. Listen to messages that are biblical â&#x20AC;&#x201C; see where the message is from, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just a preacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s idea or philosophy. Go see it from the text.

From the Garden to the City The Redeeming and Corrupting Power of Technology

By John Dyer

On my way to work one day, I realized I left my cell phone at home. My body tensed up and I twitched with anxiety. My routine of tardiness was consistent, so turning back to the house would expound my late arrival to work.

The funny thing is that my work does not necessitate the use of my phone. Besides, I may get one phone call while I’m at work. The texts I receive are not very urgent. The person I contact most is my wife. But the uneasiness of not having my cell phone remained. , ÀJXUHG , ZDV RND\ ZLWKRXW P\

cell phone for a day. At work, I could always use the Internet to email my wife. Or I could use the telephone that rests on my desk.

Technology allows me to communicate in various ways from

a distance with ease. It is hard to believe there was a day when cell phones were not “necessary.”

I really depend on technology, and I wonder if the technology I use may have more control over me than I have over it.

In the book, From the Garden to the City, John Dyer takes an interesting journey through history and the Bible to give some perspective on technology. God, the Creator, made us. We, as His creation, make things. Humans make tools, technology, and those tools can shape us.

“All the transforming we do to WKH ZRUOG DQG RXUVHOYHV ÀQGV LWV way into our souls,” Dyer writes. '\HU SUHVHQWV D IDQWDVWLF GHÀQLtion of technology based on solid research and insight. His

From the Garden Review By:

Miguel Paredes

Is a teacher at Edinburg North and earned his Masters in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is married to Brenda and has four children, Diego (10), Karla and Andrea (7) and Charis (3).

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help you rethink the idea of technology and how it affects us. The Biblical observations are astounding as he points out that God made us as beings intended to make and have technology on the created earth.

The entrance of sin into the world affects how humanity uses and adjusts to technology. This is where you can start asking the question, “Does WHFKQRORJ\ KDYH VLJQLÀFDQW control over me, or do I have a handle on it?”

Dyer is not a writer who is criticizing technology. He is a tech savvy individual who is a director of Web development.

He struggles with the issues he presents, and he will help give insight that might reshape your view of technology.

Books and Music featured available at:

6601 N. 10th St., McAllen / (956) 631-5452 www.vivalifeonline.com

Christianity is messy.

Christianity is messy.

Unanswered prayers.

Painful choices.

Unresolved regrets.

We’re called to have faith, and yet we doubt. We try to be perfect, but we fall short. This is the chaos. It’s all around us.

There’s no limit to it. And there’s QR TXLFN À[ IRU LW

Christianity far underperforms the Christ it talks about. But the good news is this: God works in the mess. He gets a kick out of these disturbing, disorderly

moments because in these moments, we learn to trust Him. What if we all trusted Jesus?

How would the world look different? How would we look different?

Both annoyingly honest and refreshingly humorous, Messy reassures Christians that God can reveal Himself in their clutter. Author and pastor A.J. Swoboda offers biblical insight and vivid, personal stories to UHGHÀQH IDLWK IURP VRPHWKLQJ that must be perfect to something that is imperfect, but can still give beauty, meaning, and purpose to a messy life. / 42 /

As entertaining as it is challenging, this book teaches Christians what it means to trust in each other, in grace, in hope, and in

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joy in your chaos!

A.J. Swoboda (PhD, University of Birmingham) is a church planter and pastor of Theophilus Church in Portland, Oregon.

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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 / 43 / www.valleychristianmagazine.com /

1,000 Days The Ministry of Christ

By Jonathan Falwell An opportunity to meet Jesus Christ like never before.

Have you ever thought that when Jesus Christ came to earth more than two thousand years ago, he could have simply given us salvationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;period!â&#x20AC;&#x201D;and never done another single thing? Jesus Christ could have chosen to be born of a virgin, live for 33 years in relative obscurity, die on the cross, be buried, and rise from the dead three days later, and still give us the opportunity for salvation without doing any of the things we read about in the gospels.

Yet there was more.

For three yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;roughly 1,000 daysâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Jesus served in public ministry while on earth. He didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to do this ministry, yet he did anyway, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the key for us. This intentionality implies that there is a lot of information in Scripture that we need to grapple with. We need to understand what Jesus said and did during his 1,000-day public ministry, so we can apply his teachings to our lives today.

The

360 Degree Leader

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Anywhere in the Organization

By John C. Maxwell Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait for that promotion!

Start leading NOW... right where you are!

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the number one question leadership expert John C. Maxwell is asked while conducting his leadership conferences? â&#x20AC;&#x153;How can I implement what you teach when Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not the top leader?â&#x20AC;?

Is it possible to lead well when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not the top dog? How about if the person you work for is a bad leader? The answer is a resounding yes!

Welcome to The 360° Leader. People who desire to lead from the middle of organizations face unique challenges. And they are often held back by myths that prevent WKHP IURP GHYHORSLQJ WKHLU LQĂ XHQFH 'U 0D[ZHOO one of the globeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most trusted leadership mentors, debunks the myths,

The Case for Christ A Journalistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus

By Lee Stroebel Using the dramatic scenario of an investigative journalist pursuing his story and leads, Lee Strobel uses his experience as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune to interview experts about the evidence for Christ from WKH Ă&#x20AC;HOGV RI VFLHQFH SKLORVRSK\ DQG KLVtory. Winner of the Gold Medallion Book Award and twice nominated for the Christian Book of the Year Award.

Is there credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God? Retracing his own spiritual journey from atheism to faith, Lee Strobel, former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, cross-examines a dozen experts with doctorates from schools like Cambridge, Princeton, and Brandies who are recognized authorities LQ WKHLU Ă&#x20AC;HOGV

Strobel challenges them with questions like: How reliable is the New Testament? Does evidence exist for Jesus outside the Bible? Is there any reason to believe the resurrection was an actual event? / 44 /

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96.9 KVMVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 40th Birthday Bash at Trinity Worship Center with The Sidewalk Prophets!

/ 45 /

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Song writer Paul Baloche releases:

The Same Love

MWRGD\¡V odern worship trailblazer Paul Baloche is one of PRVW LQà XHQWLDO ZRUVKLS OHDGHUV VRQJZULW-

ers and mentors. Balocheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 12th recording with Integrity Musicâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Same Love - forges a progressive path musically, while delivering 13 compelling tracks composed in community with accomplished songwriters Ben Fielding, Kari Jobe, Lincoln Brewster ,Jason Ingram, Ed Kerr and All Sons & Daughters among others.

Best known for such modern classics as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Open the Eyes of My Heart,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Above All,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hosanna,â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your Name,â&#x20AC;? Balocheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s songs have been recorded by numerous artists, including Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Matt Redman and Philips, Craig & Dean.

And this three-time Dove Award-winning writerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s songs are sung by millions of worshipers around the world, with 21 of them included in the CCLI Top 500 list, indicating the songs most often used in North American churches.

But for this modern hymn writer, mentor and teacher who once aspired to be a priest, ministry is not a sprint, but a marathon, a long series of obedient steps in the same direction. After 25 years of marriage, 23 years leading worship at Community Christian Fellowship in Lindale, Texsas, a 20-year partnership with Integrity, a decade with the same band members and hundreds of teaching resources provided free for church leaders (via his web site leadworship. com), Paul Baloche remains focused on the adventurous calling upon his life.

Modern Worship Song Writer Paul Baloche / 46 /

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s â&#x20AC;Ś r e r o l p ex es c a l p â&#x20AC;&#x153;All o o g t g n i y r en. e b are t r e v ne theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve r worship fo Writing like that.â&#x20AC;? is a lot â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the reasons I love the process to this day is that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bit of a frontier, a mystery,â&#x20AC;? Baloche said of the creative process behind The Same Love. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t SXW \RXU Ă&#x20AC;QJHU RQ LW 1RERG\ FDQ ,W KDV a sense of adventure, a Lewis and Clark kind of thing. All explorers, over time, are trying to go places theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never been.

Writing for worship is a lot like that.

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to go places youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never been, deeper into ancient biblical truths, stirring up your modern soul, if you will. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re testing the tension and the harmony of several things, combining that with whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on musically at the moment... And you end up with all these different elements â&#x20AC;&#x201D; harmony, chords, lyrics, melody, vibe â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and out comes something new.â&#x20AC;?

In addition to co-writing, joining Baloche on vocals for The Same Love are Kari Jobe, who sings on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Look Upon the Lord,â&#x20AC;? One Sonic Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jason Ingram, who sings on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Reign in Me,â&#x20AC;? All Sons & Daughters on â&#x20AC;&#x153;King of Heavenâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Oh Our Lordâ&#x20AC;? and Brothers McClurg on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just Say.â&#x20AC;? Kathryn Scott lends her vocals on â&#x20AC;&#x153;My Hopeâ&#x20AC;? and Hillsongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ben Fielding joins Baloche on â&#x20AC;&#x153;We Are Saved,â&#x20AC;? which was mixed by GRAMMY Award-winning engineer Chris Lord-Alge (U2/Switchfoot).

Lord-Alge also mixes the title track, the touchstone for the entire alEXP DQG Ă&#x20AC;UVW VLQJOH IURP WKH SURMHFW FR ZULWWHQ E\ %DORFKH DQG 0Lchael Rossback. â&#x20AC;&#x153;God is not this impersonal force,â&#x20AC;? Baloche said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The truth is that from FUHDWLRQ WR WKH FUXFLĂ&#x20AC;[LRQ *RG KDV EHHQ FDOOLQJ XV ² E\ QDPH +H¡V giving us a challenge, calling us to the cross, asking, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Are you ready to give up your way of doing things? Come as you are, pick up your cross daily and I will transform your life.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

The same love that set the captives free The same love that opened eyes to see Is calling us all by name With themes of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faithfulness and mercy through &KULVW¡V VDFULĂ&#x20AC;FH RQ WKH &URVV 7KH 6DPH /RYH VKRZcases Balocheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unbreakable connection to and passion for the Church. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From project to project, I try to wipe the slate clean,â&#x20AC;? he says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;to consider whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening right now in my church, in my own soul and in the church at large. And I ask, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;What do I sense in the heart of the next generation, how do they perceive God, the church, fellowship and community?â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

The Same Love also gives voice to the spoken and unspoken prayers of people in times of need. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Life is hard, people are looking for hope, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not much to be found outside of the hope we have in Christ,â&#x20AC;? Baloche said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My intent is for these songs to be honest prayers for the Church to sing, songs that give people a means of expression, songs that facilitate a conversation with God.â&#x20AC;? / 47 /

1. Jeremy Camp Out:

2. New worldson 3. Jamie Grace Lead

4. Laura Story

5. Dara Maclean Free CD:

6. Newsboys 7. Big Daddy Weave

Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Like CD:

Dead

Love Come To Life

8. Britt Nicole 9. Kutless

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Take your time with this one â&#x20AC;Ś

By

DAVE RAMSEY

Dear Dave , My boyfrie n he told me d has a lot of debt. T he other da it would be y countabilit y partner. I easier for him to pay a creditor called, an d off his deb donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want ts if we we he wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t answer What do y to be the m the phone re ou think?.. o n marrie e y c op, and I w .Janine onder if he d because I could ac . Then, Dear Amanda t as would truly be more m his acSomeone who , otivated. isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t makin goin

g to g ability padrtonear complete turnaanroyuhneadway in getting ou ably a better if you want, but you d just because they t of debt while theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;r just trying to gway to do this, beca donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to get m get married. You ca e single probably is nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t n u a et you on boa rd to heslpe pyoauy can determinerriewdheto help him. In faacct,t ads his accountDonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t misunde ating is probther heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reall the bills! rstand, Janine y changin ULDO %XW \ g, or if heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taken conRtrXo¡UlH GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ QRW P. DDeUUbLDt, in itself, doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ke people are goof your life, have no JH PDWHULDO LI \RX Gep someone from be RQ¡W ZRUN cha cter or c ing marria ing \RX¡UH L a n Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d say date th to stay in debt and nra â&#x20AC;&#x2122;t UUHVSRQVLE ge matem a n a o g t e b OH your own beh e able to pay gaged yet, an is guy a little longer, aviors. Th e\sReX KDYHQ¡W th e ir b il ls d ju fo d s r t o to th k nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay one p â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Dave enny of hsisebeilif heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s serious about c e rest of their lives. inds of ls for him! hanging. But d onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get en)RU PRUH Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO 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 booksâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Financial Peace, More Than Enough and The Total Money Makeoverâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;have sold more than 6 mil ion copies combined. His latest book, EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches, releases in September 2011.

? stie m a n to a very pre an a r e sf in n a tr s â&#x20AC;&#x2122; t to ha W udent lo he wants college, and more than $100,000 in stI should tell l a c lo a t a Dear Dave, ink cur more

you th uld in sopho My son is a ity. If he did this he woalf of the cost. What do gious universtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s with us picking up h debt, and tha re valuab,lehe him?..Will l is $100,000 mo

t one sch0o0o lying around somewhoerdreit! a th y d o l, b il y W n r a a g e D time tellinct is unless he has $100,0ple reason â&#x20AC;&#x201C; he canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t aff Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have athhear rd one. The faer school for one very sim ed collegelaisy d n e tt a y than ano go to e th th o re t e a th , and wh te types out there who pH IDFW y n a p m o shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t c y m t E EXW WK every week a a few corpora RXQWU\ FOX We hire pineoopr dleeal. There will alwaQyWRs VbRePH NLQG RI VQRRW\ F a very m QG WU\ WR WXUQ WKH RIĂ&#x20AC;FH L ere you went to college. wh marketplaec-beased re e a th c JDPHV D â&#x20AC;&#x2122;t in n e o g d d rs le e w y o that kn we live in a knowledg ly thing se u is most emplo to le b a g in e arn and bill. Knowledge is king, aenydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re teaching, then the on Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what ylloyuvlealu able, W what th thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reay. If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t retain andeagprepelyis a college pedigree! econom rthless than a college d more wo â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Dave

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Raul “Rudy” Rodriguez

www.raulrudyrodriguezlaw.com Phone: 956.380.1421 / Toll Free: 877.480.1421 / Fax: 956.380.2920 / Mobile: 956.655.5455 511 W. University / Edinburg, TX 78539 / e-mail: rrodlaw@hotmail.com / 52 /

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