September 2013
CHRIS AUGUST
All Live In Concert Oct. 4Th Palm Valley Church
Who Told You That?p8 The Moments
We Don’t Capture With Picturesp14 When you’re
Overwhelmed
p16
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Raul “Rudy” Rodriguez
attorney at law
Presents:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 7:00PM
Tickets Available At:
Palm Valley Church-Mission For More Info Call:
BigDaddyWeave.rgv.eventbrite.com
Christian Torres 956.324.0161 Eli Lara 956.451.9174
Tickets AlsoAvailable At: valleychristianmagazine.com
index
20
Features
28 FCA - RGV 30 Kids Talk about God: What if Jesue Came to Your School 32 Music Spotlight: Kim and Skylar Smith 34 New Books 36 Events
Interview with Mike Weaver
Jerrell Jobe
National Columnists 10 14 16 38
8
James MacDonald Lysa Terkeurst Greg Laurie Dave Ramsey
On The Cover
Miguel Paredes
34
Big Daddy Weave, Chris August, & Unspoken Live in Concert October 4 Palm Valley Church Tickets on sale now
Valley Contributors 6 8 12 22 26 31 34
Christian Torres Jerrell Jobe Milton Gonzalez Abram Gomez Theresa Vallardes Jared Solis Miguel Paredes
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Abram Gomez
Vol. 3 / Issue 6
Christian Torres Publisher
Christian@valleychristianmagazine.com
Stephanie Torres Accounting
stephanie@valleychristianmagazine.com
Jonathan Martin Designer
James Alexander Distribution
Photographer
To submit story ideas, events, or comments: valleychristianmagazine@gmail.com
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Valley Christian Magazine is a publication of Texas Christian Publications (a 501c3 organization). Texas Christian Publications reserves the right to edit, modify, revise, rewrite and reject editorial materials and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors, omissions or consequences arising from it. All correspondence to this publication becomes the property of Texas Christian Publications. Texas Christian Publications shall be held harmless indemnified against any third-party claims. Texas Christian Publications accepts no claims made by photographers, agents or contributors. Writers’ and columnists’ opinions are not necessarily those of Texas Christian Publications or its publishers. Advertisements appearing in Texas Christian Publications present only the viewpoint of the advertisers. We assume no responsibility for advertising claims made in this publication. Valley Christian Magazine is printed in the United States. Reproduction without the expressed written permissi on prohibited. Copyright 2011.
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Who
Told You That?
By Christian Torres
So now that you have, now what? How are you going to get through this? How long ago was it and you’re still being reminded of it and just can’t get over it? Let’s go back and look a the couple we started with…”When the cool evening breezes were blowing the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees.” Genesis 3:8 They hid. How many of us hide from God when we mess up? How many think they can hide from God? “Then the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’” Genesis 3:9
Christian Torres
is a graduate of Baylor University. He and his wife, Stephanie, have 3 daughters: Madeleine (13), Natalie (10) and Courtney (8). They live in McAllen and are members of Palm Valley Church of Mission.
Let me first start by saying that we’ve all messed up. We have. Not one of you reading this can say that you’re perfect. I’m certainly not. This goes all the way back to the beginning. You know the story. In Genesis Adam & Eve had it perfect but what happened? This little sweet-talking-innocentportraying-what-me-snake showed up and messed everything up. Eve ate the apple. Adam at the apple and here we are. What apple have you taken a bite of today? How have you…you can call it what you want…tricked, coerced, convinced, unaware, didn’t-know, no-body-was-supposed-to-find-out, was it really that bad… sinned today?
When we are alone and lost in our sin. When we think times are at their worst and we run from God…God calls out to us “Where are you?”
addiction in your life because you’ve tried before and failed? Who told you that you screwed up so bad that you’ll never get out of it? Who told you that God can never love you? Who told you that? God didn’t. GOD DIDN’T!!…. Let me be clear on those constant voices in your head: “The serpent deceived me…” Genesis 3:13 Satan is the Master of all deception. He wants you to fail. He wants to tear apart your family. He wants nothing more than to fool you into thinking that you can never overcome your sins. I have bad news. You can’t. You can’t on your own.
“He replied, ‘I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.’” Genesis 3:10
God sent his Son to die on the cross for you. He sent his Son to take on the sins of the world. Your sins. My sins.
“Who told you that you were naked?” Genesis 3:1
“God so loved the world that he sent his one and only son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Now you may not have eaten the apple from the Tree of Knowledge and Good and Evil…. but, maybe you’re dealing with something that you did do and just can’t seem to get over it. You keep thinking that God is punishing you for the constant reminder of that thing. You keep thinking that God is putting you in your place because you screwed up. You’re ashamed and believe the things that are constantly going off in your head. I want to ask you the same question God asked Adam….Who told you that? Who told you you can’t be a good dad because your dad really messed up? Who told you that you can’t serve the Lord because of your past? Who told you that you can’t get over your divorce? Who told you that you can’t get over that
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This is not a free pass to constantly do whatever you want with no consequences. God has a selective memory…not a defective one. When you come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, he remembers the time you called out to Him. He’s calling out to you? Where are you? Don’t listen to the lies that you cannot overcome and are not good enough, that it’s impossible… Listen and answer for yourself…Who told me that?
Building Fences or Digging Wells? by Jerrell Jobe
“Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” -John 4:14 N
ot too long ago, I was visiting my father, who lives on a small farm. One night about eleven-thirty, as we were getting ready for bed, there was a knock at the door. As the door was opened, the person before us skipped all cordial pleasantries and introductions and got straight to the point. She said, “I was just driving down the road and there was a bunch of cows walking down the middle of the road. I thought they might be yours and that you would want to know.” My dad kindly thanked her with a smiling face and an expression of gratitude. We immediately proceeded to the back door, laced up our shoes, grabbed a couple of flashlights and jumped in his truck. We quickly located the cows. They had some how escaped from a pasture nearly a quarter of a mile away. We managed to successfully get them back into the nearest pasture from where we found them. However, our task was not yet complete. “These cows got out of the pasture across that field,” my dad explained. “And, there’s more cows in that pasture. We need to go find out where and how they got out. They must have broken through the fence somewhere.” After walking the fence line, we located their place of exit. They had crossed under a loose patch of fence through
JERRELL JOBE
Jerrell is a teaching pastor at Palm Valley Church in Mission. He is married to Charissa and has three children : Micah (10), Naylah (8),and Avi (6).
the bottom of a creek bed. We gathered some logs and large sticks and covered up the hole. It wasn’t sufficient, but was be good enough until we could come back and fix it properly in the morning daylight. Who knows how long these cows had been loose or what motivated them to break free. Perhaps they really thought the grass was “greener on the other side,” as it
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were. Whatever the case, we located the hole in the fence and solved the problem, at least until the next time. I’ve been in ministry for nearly twenty years. This is often how we address struggles, temptations and areas of sin, even Christianity in general. We build fences. “Don’t do this. Don’t go there.” I believe there is a biblical place for honest and
transparent relationships. There are times for godly boundaries to be established to serve as a roadblock to unhealthy patterns of behavior. However, in the long run, fences, at least fences alone, may not be the best solution. In fact, in more rural areas like the outback of Australia, where the farms or ranches cover an enormous geographical area, fencing the entire property simply isn’t feasible. Building fences in such vast and arid places would prove to be a never-ending task. The Australian ranchers have discovered a more effective way to prevent the cows from wandering off. Rather than building a fence, they dig a well right in the middle of the ranch. A well that can provide an abundant supply of clean drinking water. While the livestock may still be prone to wander, they rarely, if ever roam too far from the well. As long as there is clean water, the livestock will remain close by.
VALLEY CARE CLINICS
welcomes
DR. DANIEL C. LEE, OB/GYN “It’s by the grace of God that I’m able to be a part of my patients’ lives, whether it’s watching the miracle of a baby developing or helping a woman through menopausal symptoms.”
• Why do people wander away from God? • Why does a husband or wife stray beyond the fences of holy matrimony into the pasture of another person’s spouse? • How can one so easily become ensnared in some sin-woven life-destructive mind-set or pattern of behavior? More often than not, in each of these situations, it’s not a fence problem, but a well problem. At some point, there ceased to be a well at the center of the relationship. When we cease to dig a well and drink from the water there of, we will wander to some other source of nourishment. This is true with our relationship with God, our spouse, our children, etc.
• So, what does it look like for you to dig a well? • How can you dig a well in your relationship with God? • What are some practical ways that you can ensure that there is “clean water,” as it were, flowing in your marriage and family?
Dr. Daniel C. Lee is excited to be back in the Rio Grande Valley, providing exceptional care in women’s health. After completing a Family Practice residency at In His Image in 2004, Dr. Lee completed a second residency in OB/GYN at Oklahoma State University. At his new office in McAllen, Dr. Lee provides a full range of obstetric care, and has special expertise in minimally invasive gynecological surgery.
To make an appointment, call 855-VCC-APPT (855-822-2778) NEW MCALLEN OFFICE: 1309 East Nolana, Suite C McAllen, TX CLINIC HOURS: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcomed.
• What are some signs that your well has slowly been filled in with dirt and is in need of some re-digging? Drink water from your own cistern and fresh water from your own well. -Proverbs 5:15 “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” -John 4:14
OB/GYN www.valleycareclinics.com/vcm September 2013 valleychristianmagazine.com 9
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. -Psalm 23:1-3
deceptive lie. That was the tactic he used with Jesus when they met in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11). The devil quoted Scripture to Jesus, but only to twist it for his manipulative purposes. You can’t count on anything Satan tells you; but you can rest the full weight of your life on God and His Word. If you think about it, you can probably come up with a number of promises God is keeping right now. Take a few minutes to list them—God’s promises are your hope. He wants you to rest in His absolute reliability so that “we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” Journal • As you listed the promises God is keeping right now, which one or two are the most precious to you? • Why is it important that God cannot lie?
SOMETHING GOD CAN’T DO
• Are you staying alert to any of Satan’s lies that you may be entertaining?
by James MacDonald
“So
when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” —Hebrews 6:17-18
Nothing about Him ever changes. He is a Rock—He’s God! Because He never lies, when God says something, you can be sure He’ll do it. So when He says we are “heirs of the promise,” He wants us to be convinced of His faithfulness.
While it may seem strange to think there is something God cannot do, Hebrews reminds us it is “impossible for God to lie.” God is truth! He is the standard of truth, and everything about Him is truth. It’s not simply hard for God to lie—that would be an issue of validity. It’s not unlikely that God would lie—that would be a matter of probability. It is impossible for God to lie—that’s an aspect of His inviolable attributes—something God cannot and therefore will not do.
When God fulfilled His promise to Abraham, He made room for you there, too. Galatians 3:29 says, “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.” So, if by faith you have trusted in Christ for forgiveness and eternal life, you’re in on the promises God has made. The writer of Hebrews confirmed our part in God’s promises by highlighting the “unchangeable character of his purpose.” We may waver and wander; God is always on task and on track. Both His promises and His character are “unchangeable”!
Think of all of the reasons why people lie. Even if God could lie, He would have no motivation. He can gain nothing by lying. Everything He wants to have happen, happens. Every word He says is true. He’s afraid of nothing, and He’s right about everything. He doesn’t forget anything.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Satan, the ultimate antithesis of God. While God is the best truth teller, Satan is the worst liar. John 8:44 says, “[Satan] is a liar and the father of lies.” He cannot tell the truth. Satan will never even mention the truth to you unless it is wrapped around a
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• Pray Lord, I remain in awe of Your promises. How can a person like me be in the sights of Your great love and mercy? Yet, You have assured me You love me with an everlasting love. How can I not come to You in humble adoration and seek to know You better? Thank You that the joy of knowing Your faithfulness is not affected by my failures, but guided by Your unchangeable character. Receive my obedience today as a gesture of gratitude for all You have done for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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’ 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.
St. Matthew’s Episcopal School
St. Matthew’s Episcopal School
“A Christian community committed to academic excellence and spiritual growth for our children today” What Makes Us Different?
Why St. Matthew’s Episcopal School?
• Daily Chapel • SAES Accredited • Service Learning and Stewardship Projects • Cub Scouts • Girl Scouts • Community Affiliations: UTPA, South Texas Literacy Coalition, Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library, Oxford School of Reynosa
• Family Oriented Environment • Safe Environment • Highly Qualified and Dedicated Staff • Enriching Curriculum • Technology • Extended Day Service • Soccer • Track and field • UIL
Now Enrolling students in Pre K3 - 6th Grade Call 956-383-4202 for more information Mayani Ballesteros - Head of School 2620 Crestview Edinburg, TX 78539 Website: www.stmattrgvschool.org
we encouraging or discouraging, uplifting or putting down? Are we reiterating God’s word by reminding them that they are “wonderfully and fearfully made”, that they are “victorious in Christ Jesus” or are we feeding them resentment, unforgiveness and hatred and thus allowing bitterness to settle in their minds and hearts? Yesterday’s thoughts are today’s reality and today’s thoughts are tomorrow’s destiny. A few years ago I had the opportunity to minister to several men at a local halfway home. They were straight out of prison and currently undergoing rehab. As I spoke to them as a group I asked all 20 of them a question: “Who has impacted your life the most?” Nineteen of them replied: “my father”. I proceeded to ask them the next question: “Was it positive or negative?” their reply “NEGATIVE!” I inquired if their dad’s had ever told them that they would end up in prison some day...ALL but one said yes. My heart sank as I felt a burden for these men. The youngest perhaps 19 and the oldest in his late 50‘s… common denominator - the same words were spoken over their lives and those paternal declarations became their destiny - PRISON.
“As a man thinks in his heart so is he” - Prov. 23:7
By Milton Gonzalez
An American poet once penned these words:
“ A man is what he thinks about all day…”
Consistently spoken words have the inherent potential of becoming thoughts that later affect our emotions, decisions and actions. Persistent actions have the ability of forming habits that will progressively mold and shape our character and eventually guide us to our final destination in life. School is back in session and a multitude of eager students have recently returned to class and perhaps one of those young men and woman is your own. Their lives are being framed and configured, molded and shaped, edified or perhaps destroyed and your influence as parents is huge. It is our responsibility as parents to “train up
our children in the way they should go so that when they are older they don’t depart from it” (Prov. 2w2:6). Our words are instrumental in “training them up” and helping them become all that God has called them to be. I once heard a story about an Indian chief who patiently shared his wisdom with his young grandson. He explained that every man has two wolves that live in their minds and they are constantly fighting against each other. One is good however the other one is bad. The bad one is mean, jealous, resentful, hateful, unforgiving, lazy and prideful. The good one, on the other hand, is loving, caring, disciplined, forgiving, meek and wise. The grandson attentively listened and asked, “Grandfather, which of the two wins?” The Indian chief replied, “The one you feed the most.” As parents we must be mindful of what we are feeding the minds of our children; are
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Our words can imprison or liberate, they can curse or bless. Our words can imprison or liberate, they can curse or bless. As parents we have the ability to leave an indelible imprint in the minds and hearts of our children - an indentation that will map out their lives guiding them to their final destination in life. Are you guiding your children in the direction that God has planned for them... what will their ultimate destination be? Shalom, Milton
Milton Gonzalez Milton is the Principal of Covenant Christian Academy in McAllen and has a son David. He is married to Elena and they have a son Daniel.
1400 E. Ridge RD., STE 10 MCALLEN,September TX 78503 WWW.PENAEYE.COM 2013 valleychristianmagazine.com 13
The Moments We Don’t Capture with Pictures By Lysa Terkeurst
Lysa TerKeurst is a New York Times best selling author and 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 their walk with God an invigorating journey. In the midst of her ministry, though, Lysa is a real, everyday woman who simply seeks to glorify God through her life and family.
Some moments of motherhood are amazing. Beyond amazing. Blessed treasures of sheer joy.
ger through them.
Then there are other moments. The ones where we feel like a complete failure as a mom. I have them. I suspect you do too.
We come to the Lord and ask Him for it. We set aside our excuses, our habits, and
The moments that taste bitter, not sweet. The moments that won’t make it into the family scrapbook. We wonder if we really have it in us to grow a child into a God-following adult. Yes, those kinds of unglued heart moments aren’t the ones we capture in pictures. But there is a silver lining I’ve discovered in those moments. Wisdom can be found in the humble and sometimes even humiliating spaces of motherhood. Wisdom is our silver lining. Wisdom will help us not repeat the mistakes we’ve made but rather grow stron-
So, how do we find this wisdom?
He had an affair with a married woman named Bathsheba. When Bathsheba sent word to David she was pregnant with his baby, he panicked and had her husband killed so he could quickly marry her.
But wisdom can also come from those times of humiliation as well.
His choice brought calamity upon his house and the son born to he and Bathsheba died. Sin and consequences always walk hand in hand. And David surely suffered the consequences of his choices for years to come.
our justifications and whisper, “I need your perspective God. I come before you and humbly admit my desperate dependence on you.”
But mixed in with the heartbreak and the humiliation something else happened.
Proverbs 11:2 reminds us, “with humility comes wisdom.” Yes, humility. But wisdom can also come from those times of humiliation as well. Remember King David from the Bible?
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When the repentant David went to comfort Bathsheba she became pregnant with Solomon. From this relationship wrapped in humiliation came the man the Bible calls, “wiser than any other man.” From humiliation wisdom came. Humility and humiliation, silver linings that can lead to wisdom even in the midst of “those days.”
Holy Land Petra Tour &
March 8-19, 2014 Land & Air From McAllen Enid Olson, Tour Host $4,997.00 per person, Coach Class Deposit $200.00 per person
Your Tour Includes:
• Round trip airfare from McAllen, TX • Full breakfast and dinner daily plus four lunches as outlined in the itinerary • Transfers & sightseeing, per itinerary, via deluxe air conditioned motor coach with the service of a licensed English-speaking tour host. • Gratuities, for tour guides and meals
Chuck Olson Tours & Cruises 956-664-2916 / 800-568-9890
3827 North 10th St. Suite 203, McAllen TX 78501
www.chuckolsontours.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.
September 2013 valleychristianmagazine.com 15
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, PO Box 4000 Riverside, CA 92514
When You’re Overwhelmed — Greg Laurie
H
ear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. — Psalm 61:1-3 God promises that He will give us a peace that surpasses understanding, but not necessarily a peace that always will give us understanding. You may be facing a personal crisis right now. Maybe it is a lack of employment. Maybe it is a foreclosure on your home or a loss in your investments. Maybe you have a marriage that is falling apart or a prodigal son or daughter. Maybe you have a life-threatening illness. Maybe you are paralyzed by fear as you think about an uncertain future. So what should you do? The Bible tells us the answer to worry is prayer: “6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7). I have lived by these words since my son Christopher’s departure to heaven, because I have been hit with harsh reality of it—most notably, his absence. There have been waves of deep sadness that have overwhelmed me at times. So I pray. Sometimes my prayers are not long, but simply a cry out to God: God, help me. Give me strength right now. And He does. He gives me the strength that I need. It is not necessarily more than I need, but He
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gives me what I need for what I am facing at the moment. The psalmist wrote, “From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2). So when you are feeling overwhelmed, pray. Things will fall into their proper place as God brings about the events of your life according to His perfect will. Journal What in my life makes me feel overwhelmed? How do I normally handle it? What can I do to help remind me to pray first when I am feeling stressed and overwhelmed?
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You so much that I can run to You in prayer at the first sign of stress. Forgive me for all the times that I try to figure it all out, then finally go to You last in prayer. Help me to remember that when I go to You first, You fill me with You peace and strengthen me. Amen. Copyright © 2013 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
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To truly understand what Just Between Friends is and how it helps families and communities across the country you just need to read its mission statement. “Helping families and communities across the country save money and make money while providing for their families is what drives Just Between Friends…. Another HUGE part of what we love about what we do is the local charities with whom we partner to reach even MORE people within our communities. Each sales event donates items and goods to these local organizations which help local women, children and families.” Claudia E. Davila
Just Between Friends is the nation’s leading children’s and
maternity consignment event. Founded in 1997 in a living room in Tulsa, Oklahoma by two moms, giving back and helping the community has always been at the core of their company’s values.
Co-founder and CEO Shannon Wilburn is the sole owner of the franchise system. Shannon’s husband Mitch is Senior Pastor at Park Plaza Church of Christ so giving back and ministering to communities across the country has always been a priority. She started the sale with another mom, Daven Tackett, as a way to save money and recoup some of the investment of the items their children had outgrown or no longer needed. But another goal was to give back, giving 10 percent of profits to a local charity and donating unsold items as well to charities. “The most rewarding part of running Just Between Friends is the difference we can make in peoples’ lives. By helping others provide for their families and helping them be good stewards we are honoring God,” explained Shannon Wilburn, co-founder and CEO of Just Between Friends Franchise System, Inc. In 2004, Just Between Friends formed a franchise and today there are 133 Just Between Friends franchises across the country in 28 states as well as in Canada and Just Between Friends is proud to help hundreds of thousands of families who are consignors and shoppers. “As a consignor I’ve been able to financially contribute to our family’s income while having the privilege of being a stay at home mother. JBF has been a blessing to our family,” explains Amanda Griffin, mother of four who participates in the JBF event in Lee’s Summit Missouri. “I have passed out JBF materials at my church nursery during the time I volunteer each week to reach out to the moms who bring their children to our nursery. The church is located in a lower eco-
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nomic area of town so I want to make sure that these mothers are aware of this amazing sale,” and the benefit at the end in knowing your unsold items are donated to foster children,” adds shopper Jill West, mother of two children. One of the newest JBF Franchises is here in McAllen and they will launch their first sale this fall. Claudia E. Davila and Raul Garcia are some of the event organizers and are thrilled to bring JBF to families. “JBF offers the possibility for families to sell their children’s gently used items to create additional income in this high cost living economy. JBF will also bring to this community the opportunity to help families in need by working in collaboration with Buckner International, a charity dedicated to assist families in our community. “ Javier Perez, Manager of National Missions & Humanitarian Aid for Buckner International says they are honored to be helped by JBF and have worked with many JBF sales throughout Texas. “Buckner has partnered with JBF sales throughout Texas and the results have been amazing. We are truly looking forward to a new opportunity to make markets work for the benefit of Children and Families in the Rio Grande Valley. We are thankful to be partnering with JBF McAllen this coming September, and we are expecting great results,” added Perez.
The upcoming fall event in McAllen, Texas will be held in September
September 28 & 29 Nomad Shrine Club (Next to the old Tejano Saloon) 1044 W Nolana Loop Pharr, Texas 78577
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A Conversation with Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave! By Ann & James Gamblin of 96.9 KVMV Mike Weaver’s desire to hear and follow the call on his life has led to a fascinating journey as a husband, father, and lead singer of Big Daddy Weave. Big Daddy Weave, known for their songs “What Life Would Be Like,” “You Found Me,” “Every Time I Breathe,” “Worthy of My Praise,” “Audience of One,” and many more, have now been appearing across the country for over ten years. As Big Daddy Weave prepares to release two albums and prepare for upcoming tours, Mike also desires to follow the part of this journey that leads to even more intimate settings. He is also a solo worship leader whose heart is to worship with the family of the Lord wherever it may be. With his acoustic guitar in hand, Mike’s desire is still to hear and follow the call on his life. He knows that worshiping God will always be at the center of that journey.
Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave
Ann & James Gamblin
of “The Morning Show with Ann & James” with Christian on 96.9 KVMV had the opportunity to talk with Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave on their upcoming concert on October 4th at Palm Valley Church in Mission, TX. James: Hey it’s Mike Weaver with Big Daddy Weave! We’re excited to talk with you! How are you doing?! Hey James! I’m doin’ well! Excited to be talking with you! Ann: So you’re coming to the Valley? Mike: Yes! Things keep happening! We are always excited to show up to the Valley! I show up at the bus and they’re like this is where we’re heading. And I’m like, that’s beautiful…It’s a magical experience. James: Wake me up when we get there! Mike: That’s right! It really is that way. The Bus Fairy also known as Joe who plays keys, drives the bus everywhere. He’s a miracle in human form. I think his blood type is 5 Hour Energy! Ha! James: What’s going on with the Big Weave Family? Mike: We are tearing it up this summer. Summer is coming to a close and everyone’s kids are heading back into school. We gearing up for Fall Tours. It’s a season of writing but the big thing in our family is school. My oldest Eli is taking our first venture into home schooling. This is our first official day of. Curriculum is all on the Ipad. Gosh where was technology when I was growing up. I wish I had one growing up! We get to have him at home. My schedule is so backwards that this will allow us to reclaim a lot time that couldn’t have before which is really cool and I’m excited about that. James: Sounds like everyday family stuff and travel for the Weaver family plus a little travel, music and Ministry. Mike: Ha! That’s right! It’s wild, I’ve seen those 2 paths coming together more and more. My family really senses this coming up in the next year we will be traveling more. I feel like God is calling us out in 2014 to go out on behalf of the poor. To share how people
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Ann, James, Christian from 96.9kvmv morning show
can make a difference with World Vision World Vision. James: Tell us a little about the Tour… Mike: We’re headed out on the Only Name Tour. Really exciting. We have great friends of ours are heading out on the road with us . Chris August. We had a great spring with him. God immediately laid it on our hearts to include him again in the Fall. There wasn’t a day in the Spring that would go by where we wouldn’t laugh until we were crying out loud. He’s hilarious. I love Chris August so much. He’s such a gifted singer and song writer. We are also out with a new talented group we really, really love Unspoken. They are becoming great friends. Incredibly talented in both singing and song writing as well. We are excited what God is doing through the tour and out on the road. We are blown away how God is using this and our song “Redeemed.” God has used that message in a mighty way. God has blown us away from the testimonies that have come from that. We are blown away with things that are happening right in front of us. Whether it is God touching someone and healing their body in some way or the Holy Spirit prompting them to share something that they had never shared before. Something from their past. Something they struggle with. God has created such a vulnerability during our shows over the past few years. It’s been amazing. He’s made an atmosphere where He can do some amazing things that we’ve never seen before in show kind of settings before. Ann: All right! We can hardly wait to see you all in concert coming up real soon and are excited that 96.9 KVMV is one of the great sponsors for this night of worship! When: Friday, October 4th – 7:00 pm Where: Palm Valley Church – Mission, TX Price: Tickets are $15 for general admission and limited Meet & Greet for $25. How to get tickets: valleychristianmagazine.com or bigdaddyweavergv.eventbrite.com
Raul “Rudy” Rodriguez
attorney at law
Presents:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 7:00PM
Tickets Available At:
Palm Valley Church-Mission For More Info Call:
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Christian Torres 956.324.0161 Eli Lara 956.451.9174
Tickets AlsoAvailable At: valleychristianmagazine.com
Reaching the
Next Generation by Abram Gomez
S
itting in my office recently on a typical work day, I was working on some reports that I needed to get done by the end of the day. I knew I had a few meetings that afternoon, so I kept myself disciplined on the tasks at hand. To my surprise, a scheduled meeting that I had with a young man was moved up a bit due to his very early arrival. Not wanting to keep him idle and to be quite honest, wanting to continue with my to-do list, I went ahead and met with him before our appointed time. “I want to do something big,” he stated. “I feel like God wants to bring more unity among the Church here in the Rio Grande Valley,” he proclaimed to me in my office. As he continued to share what was on his heart with me, I could not get over the fact that this “kid” was only 17 years old, yet he was speaking with such passion and conviction. I heard him out, and I shared my pastoral counsel and wisdom with him. As he left my office, I encouraged him to continue to seek the Lord and pursue his God-given dreams. Truth be told, I consider myself to be “Next Generation” in church ministry seeing as that I am still in my early 30s. Yet, I am realizing that there is another younger generation coming up through the Church here in the RGV with God-sized dreams. It is my personal “prophetic” belief that God is raising up some anointed, younger leaders during this season of ministry throughout this entire region. They are a new and exciting breed of preachers, leaders, and thinkers that are eager to speak into their peers and friends. I have worked with young people for years in this area, and I have ministered at many different youth services, youth camps, and youth conferences. What I have witnessed is a fresh harvest of young people giving their lives over to Jesus with anticipation of Him using their lives. We recently held our Annual Student Conference OUTPOUR 2013 in July, and we saw hundreds of young people worshipping God with such passion that the Presence of the Lord could be felt even through the live stream on the internet. Our team of young adults and students came together to make this event happen! Over the course of the 3 nights, we had a total of over 1800 students
22 valleychristianmagazine.com September 2013
Part 1
come experience this move of God. At another conference in the McAllen area last month, hundreds of teenagers poured into the McAllen Convention Center to seek Jesus and lift His name up. Did I mention that this particular conference is led by a team of students? These are just a few examples of what is happening among this Next Generation in this Valley. My spirit is stirred! Speaking from my heart, I am so glad that God does not see age as a barrier, but that He seeks out the young as early as possible. From the time we are children, God is longing for us to know Him. If you remember correctly, it was young David who knocked down the giant, and not his older brothers. It was young Josiah who began to seek the Lord while he was still young, and brought national reform to his land. It was also a young Mary who was chosen to carry the Son of God in her virgin womb. God uses young people! Every generation must have a fresh touch from Heaven. In this day and hour within our region, I truly believe that this is happening among our young people. As a preacher and a pastor, I pray that we would begin to see the Next Generation as part of the solution, and not part of the problem. They need us and we need them. In the midst of changing times, there is hope. Jesus continues to call disciples into His field regardless of age or background. From what I have been seeing and hearing, the Next Generation has been responding to His voice. Are you?
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, currently reside in Harlingen, TX and are parents to Isabella Claire.
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September 2013 valleychristianmagazine.com 23
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24 valleychristianmagazine.com September 2013
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Anonymous Blessings
by Theresa Vallardes
I
was working out with my running coach Cathy the other day when she said “Did you know we have been in each other’s lives for 3 years? It’s going to be our 3 year anniversary.” The first thing that came to my mind was “poor Cathy”. I’m difficult to be around when workouts or races don’t go as planned or hoped. Temper tantrums are a norm and yet Cathy has never judged or treated me differently. She loves me unconditionally. I know I have definitely been a test of her faith. She has grown spiritually because she has been able to maintain her Christlike attitude even when I have definitely lost mine. So it made me start to think about my own attitude toward difficult people. How quick I can be to judge or complain. Have you ever been in church and judged someone else? “Can you believe they come to church and yet are so awful at work?”….”Why is she wearing that to church?”….”I can’t stand her she is so rude!” Have you ever considered that maybe someone may be thinking the same thing about you? Maybe someone has offended you and you can’t seem to get past the hurt. You judge them based on their mistake or failure instead of seeing their good attributes. We can develop tunnel vision and only see others through their faults. Does God see us this way? There is a scene in the movie “The Vow” where a daughter is confronting her mother about her father’s infidelity. She demands to know why the mom stayed married and thinks less of her mom for doing so. Her response was simple yet so profound. “I chose to not leave him for the one thing he did wrong but to stay with him for all the things he had done right. I chose to forgive him.” How many marriages, friendships, jobs could be saved if we took the time to focus on the positive attributes of a person? Who among us can say we are without sin or
flaw? And yet God doesn’t focus on our faults.
told nobody needs to know what you are doing. This is between you and God.
Philippians 4:8 (MSG)
Matthew 6:5(MSG)
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All of these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?”
Here is my challenge to you. Pick someone that irritates you or that you are critical of or someone that has offended you. Choose the person whose mere mention of their name brings out negative emotions in you. It could be your coworker, boss, an ex-friend, a bully or even your spouse. Begin to exchange every negative thought into a prayer for them. Ask God to reveal to you how you can be a blessing to this person. Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you (who are cruel in their attitude toward you); Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Resolve to not say anything negative about or to this person for a month. Make a sacrifice for this person. Perhaps set a jar aside and for every thought that you have replaced with prayer put a nickel, dime, quarter or whatever you can afford inside this jar. The goal is to focus on the goodwhatever is lovely, noble, trustworthy, admirable, and true –to see the whole individual. Doing so helps you lift that filter of judgment and negativity. At the end of the month take that money and buy this person a gift. Do it anonymously. Why? Anonymous gifts give God the glory. This person doesn’t need to know what you’ve done, or that you’ve been praying for them or that you have sacrificed in order to bless them. Truth be
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In other words don’t do it for show. You see friends the one whom you have chosen is not going to change in a month. In fact in my experience they may continue to dislike you or persecute you. But I can testify that I have prayed and watched God bestow incredible blessings in the lives of the ones I have chosen. God knows your heart and he knows the sincerity of your prayers. Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know Gods will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. The one who will be changing is you. What you will notice is that God is revealing Himself to you by showing a glimpse of what He does for us daily. He doesn’t condemn us for our failings. He always forgives us when we ask after we have failed. God doesn’t hold a grudge or judge us based on past mistakes. How can we possibly justify doing the opposite? We all fall short of His expectations. Our Heavenly Father doesn’t withhold His blessings because we mess up. The challenge is not easy but to put it into perspective-it doesn’t compare to Calvary. Jesus died for my sins, my failures, my negative attitude and yet He chooses to love, forgive and bless me. My Abba wants me to grow daily and someday I hope to be just like Cathy! Don’t be surprised if you receive an anonymous gift yourself! God has a great sense of humor and a wonderful way of making His point! Be an anonymous blessing! 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.
September 2013 valleychristianmagazine.com 27
OCTOBER
9,
2013
GET IN THE GAME. GET IN THE BOOK. Fields of Faith is a peer-to-peer movement where thousands of students from across the nation and world gather on their school’s athletic field to share stories and challenge each other to apply the Bible as their “game plan for life.” Join the field nearest you!
FIND A FIELD NEAR YOU
FIELDSOFFAITH.COM
A Note From Nathan...
Nathan Jones
Mulit-Area Director Fellowship of Christian Athletes njones@fca.org
Well… the 2014 School Year is here, and that means all of our incredible Coaches and Athletes are about to lace up their shoes, take the field, hit the weights, turn on the gym lights, and go 100 mph in their sport. Those who know me know how much I love sports. Even though I am in my 40s, I still love to play and compete. Nevertheless, more than the love of sports itself, I love the people of sport, and I am looking forward to seeing those that I have not seen in a couple of months. I want to challenge each of us to take the time to find at least one Coach and one Athlete to whom we can give a word of encouragement about who they are and what they do. You never know, your word of encouragement may be the simple act of kindness that God uses to make a big impact in their life. It’s great to be in South Texas, and I love being a part of FCA. I Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.” Blessings,
Nathan Jones FCA Vision To see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches. FCA Mission To present to athletes and coaches and all whom they influence the challenge and ad-
venture 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.
Championship Tournament Honoring Jim Myers Monday October 14, 2013
Call the Robin at 956-994-1121 to reserve your team!
If Jesus Came With You to School, What Would You Do? “I would ask him for all the answers. I would buy
him lunch,” says Bobby, age 7.
Yes, it would be nice to not study and have the answers to those pesky tests. Then, there’s the other trial that takes the fun out of school -- homework. “I would tell Jesus about the 1,000 pages we have to read,” says Eric, 9. “I would tell him about my homework Mrs. Wright gave me.” Eric, do you think Jesus would decrease your reading or homework? Don’t count on it. This might be hard for you to believe, but most teachers have the best interests of their students in mind. When Jesus walked on the Earth, his homework was heaven’s work. He always listened to his Father’s voice and obeyed perfectly. Because of his obedience in dying on the cross, our disobedience doesn’t have to keep us out of heaven. Ellyn, 9, has another plan for dealing with school: “I would ask Jesus to get my brother out of school, get on a cloud and fly us home.” I wonder if the Lord could arrange a cloud-ride home about two minutes before a final exam. What teacher could argue with being whisked away on a cloud? “If Jesus came to my school, I think I would show him how I can do the monkey bars,” says Lauren, 7. “I would ask him to swing me. I would also ask him what heaven is like.”
Think about this: Forget about your rights. If God gave us our rights as people who have sinned against him, we would have no hope of spending eternity with him. Every day, our hearts should be jumping for joy with gratitude and bowing down before God with reverence for his grace and mercy to us. Memorize this truth: “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)Ask this question: When is the last time you made Jesus smile?
Some of us can’t imagine Jesus taking time to swing a child on a playground. It seems so ordinary. We like the stories of Jesus walking on the water, feeding 5,000 people or healing a man born blind. If we always look for Jesus in the miraculous, we’ll miss him in the ordinary details of life. What could be more ordinary than asking for a drink of water? Jesus asked for a drink of water, and a revival broke out in a Samaritan town (John 4). A woman drank of the living water and told others the Messiah had come. Like the Samaritan woman who came to draw water from the well discovered, Jesus offers living water (eternal life) to all who drink (believe in him). “If Jesus was right here at school, I would jump up and down, and give him a big hug,” says Caroline, 6, “because I want to make Jesus smile, and I would bow down to him in respect.” Our lives would be radically transformed if we lived to make Jesus smile at school or at home. Eliminating thoughts, words and actions that grieve Jesus would start us toward this lofty goal.
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Carey Kinsolving’s Kids Talk About God syndicated column is distributed by Creators Syndicate. KidsTalkAboutGod.org features a Bible-lesson archive of all columns. Kinsolving is the co-founder of the RGV Children’s Arts Festival. One Valley child will win a vacation for up to five, immediate family members to the Bar Lazy J Guest Ranch in Parshall, Colorado plus a check for $1000 to help pay for travel expenses. For details go to KidsTalkAboutGod.org and click on the horses.
Chuck Olson Tours of
Israel By Jared Solis
A
little over a year ago, Tony Peña ask his wife, Dora, a question that often gets asked over the course of a life: “If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you want to go?” Her answer eventually led them to the border of said. “I’m from the Valley, but those were Jordan. It is believed that the panoramic the best tasting oranges I had ever eaten.” view before them was the same Promised Land that God brought Moses to see Aside from visiting the sites that Israel is but never to enter. In celebration of their most known for, such as Bethlehem, the Via De La Rosa, and 40th wedding “It really meant something that the Wailing Wall, Chuck anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Peña Christ actually walked and had Olson Tours also took Dora and Tony Peña were on top of been there, and now I had the to other areas in and Mount Nebo opportunity to go there. It was around the Holy Land. taking that dream In a trip to Jordan, they really very moving for me.” vacation to where visited the city of Petra, Moses could only view from afar —The Holy Land called often referred to at the Rose City due to the color of stone from which it is carved. Israel. At the Sea of Galilee they were served “I attend a Bible study, and I have always fish prepared the same way it was for the heard of these places,” Dora said. “It really disciples and rode a ship that was a replica meant something that Christ actually walked and had been there, and now I had the opportunity to go there. It was really very moving for me.”
of the ones that the disciples once rode. “We keep the groups small,” Olson said. “Other agencies might take up to 300 people. Ours are very intimate, with no more than 25.” Much has been said about the safety of trips to the Middle East, but Dora has no regrets and felt no cause to worry. “Traveling with Chuck Olson Tours was a great experience because of their knowledge, Dora said. “They took care of our needs and very patiently explained to us the customs so we wouldn’t offend anyone.” If you would like more information see Chuck Olson Ad on Page 15
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, an approximation of 62 million tourist arrivals to Israel has been recorded as of 2011. As the founder of Chuck Olson Tours over 20 years ago, Chuck Olson saw the need develop tours to Israel, such as the one that Tony and Dora Peña took after seeing an ad in the newspaper. “I would encourage people to take this trip because of the importance of this area in relation to world not only from a Christian perspective but because it plays such a vital role in the whole spectrum of what is happening in the world,” Olson said. For Dora Peña, however, it was opportunity to breathe in an entirely different culture and walk the land that Christ once walked. “What I remember about Jerusalem was the markets, the spices, how they smelled, all the different fruits that they had,” Dora September 2013 valleychristianmagazine.com 31
California-based Jesus Culture, an international outreach movement with over 70 conferences and seven fulllength recordings to date, the concept of ‘home’ has always held great personal and spiritual meaning. They’d grown up in the same small town, had even known each other as children, but when they reconnected at a worship conference in 2008, boom!, it was love. Eight months later, it was marriage. But coming together as one has been a journey of faith and patience. Eighteen months in the making, The Smiths are finally ready to birth their first musical collaboration, a worshipful, modern folkpop collection called HOME. Carved out of their unique love story, the worship life they’ve aspired to as individuals and the ministry they’ve shared as part of Jesus Culture, HOME explores the intimacy of time alone and together in the presence of God, and that sense of belonging as a universal metaphor for our relationship God pursues with his children.
Home
by Melissa Riddle Chalos a Special to Valley Christian Magazine
“Home is the one place in all this world where hearts are sure of each other.” –Frederick Robertson
It happens all the time.
A young woman and a young man meet, fall in love, get married and settle into a brand new life only to discover that ‘home,’ like love itself, is more than can be measured by a feeling. It’s not something you can build with four hands. It’s not four walls with
1. Matt Maher
Featuring Audrey Assad-Lord, I Need You CD: All The People Said Amen
a roof and a door with a key. It’s not a floor plan or a mortgage or a comfy, cozy chair by the fireplace. It’s not even always a physical place. For Kim Walker-Smith and Skyler Smith, best known for their ministry with Sacramento,
2. Natalie Grant Hurricane CD: Single
3. The Afters
Every Good Thing CD: Life is Beautiful
32 valleychristianmagazine.com September 2013
“Calling this album HOME took on so many meanings as the project progressed,” explains Skyler. “We’ve always traveled so much, we’ve known that ‘home’ would have to be wherever we found ourselves. We didn’t want to force anything, but we wanted to come together as a couple and say something personal and honest about our lives in relationship with each other and in relationship with God.” In that sense, HOME couldn’t be more opposite than the live, corporate worship experience captured on the Jesus Culture records, on which Kim’s voice is most often associated. “From the beginning of our marriage,” Kim says, “we’ve been very intentional about blending our lives, taking every opportunity to be 100% completely together, so this album really is a defining moment for us, a creative endeavor that
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represents who we are as a couple and as worshipers who desire intimacy with our Creator.” Produced by Jeremy Edwardson and Jason Borneman, HOME is a labor of love, fusing together two very different approaches and personalities into one unified sound. Kim, who had recorded two solo records, has long been a pop fan, with a big voice and bold, dynamic on-stage presence, a songwriter who pounds out lyrics faster than most people can sing them. Skyler, a creative visual designer who plays guitar and serves as an executive team member on the Jesus Culture staff, is most at home in an Americana/folk vein, a meticulously poetic songwriter who writes and rewrites and rewrites some more.
HOME is a labor of love, fusing together two very different approaches and personalities into one unified sound. So, much like a couple of creative newlyweds attempting to merge her floral tapestry curtains with his ripped leather armchair, Skyler & Kim Walker Smith pushed through the frustration of creative barriers to craft a fresh new sound all their own. Not only is the breadth of Kim’s vocal gift more obvious in a studio environment, but the beauty of the couple’s harmony is essential to the mix. “Looking back over the past almost two years, it’s so easy to see now how the Lord was in it,” Skyler says. “God had put this in our hearts, and even when it wasn’t quite happening, we knew he would create a blend that was distinctively us. He directed us when to start it and inspired the worship content in it, and we’ve come out on the other side with something we’re super happy about.”
acknowledgement of the length of God’s unrelenting mercy toward his beloved. In “My One & Only,” what started as a worship song became an intimate song of devotion between a husband and his wife. Eleven of the twelve tracks were written collaboratively by Skyler and Kim, the one exception being “Christ the Rock,” a hymnlike declaration that builds to a crescendo of “Holy, Holy, Holy,” penned by a dear friend of Kim’s who had gone through a rough season in her life. In these and many other intimate moments on HOME, Kim and Skyler open the door of their life together and invite listeners inside, hopefully to discover what is possible when your heart can be sure that it is unconditionally loved. “I’ve always felt like part of the cost of being a worship leader on stage is in living that vulnerability out loud, showing people what it’s like to be real in worship, that what they see on stage is what they’d see of me at home in worship,” explains Kim Walker Smith, who is expecting their first child in September. “When you’re vulnerable in that way, it can be scary, it’s a risk, but that’s what people look for and it’s what they need to see and experience, that freedom. So the outcome is so much greater than the risk. Ultimately, she says, “That’s what we’ve tried to do on HOME. These are the messages of our lives, our marriage, the songs of our hearts... We believe that realness and vulnerability is contagious and that it brings freedom.”
From the soothing, acoustic opener of “Your Voice” to the benediction of “My One & Only,” HOME is a finely tuned marriage of songs that speak to the kind of love that always pursues, always trusts, always shows up. “...In your arms, my heart is resting, I have found my home in you, the One I was made for...” —from “Home” Here, themes of human love and God’s love are woven so organically, it’s often impossible to see the seams. “Unstoppable Love,” a dramatic, multi-layered effort intensified by Kim’s bold voice, began as a love song but grew into a worshipful
6. Building 429 We Won’t Be Shaken CD: We Won’t Be Shaken
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God of Brilliant Lights CD: Morning Rises
9.Steven Curtis Chapman Love Take Me over CD: The Glorious Unfolding
9
September 2013 valleychristianmagazine.com 33
Who Needs Theology?
By Stanley J. Grenz & Roger E. Olson Published by Intervarsity Press (IVP)
The title of this book raises an interesting question. Grenz and Olson point out that everybody is a theologian at some level. “Theology is any reflection on the ultimate questions of life that point toward God.” If you are a Christian you are a theologian simply by having faith in the Jesus, the Godman. Let’s take the Gospel. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He was buried, and He rose from the dead on the third day; 2 Corinthians 15:4.
cause of the sacrifice of the God-man who is the only one qualified to be the deliverer of fallen humanity. As Christians we are often asking questions that relate to who God is and how He works. Theology is not reserved for those who are trained in Bible schools or seminaries. Many of the books that I read and recommend are good and helpful for living for God. And they are all based on theological beliefs. Occasionally, it is good to read books that help you learn, understand, and form your theological beliefs. Who Needs Theology? is a good book to expose, introduce, and invite you to the awareness that you are a theologian, and that you can freely engage.
There are three branches of theology that are significant in the message: Soteriology (the study of salvation), Hamartiology and Anthropology (the study of sin and humanity), and Christology (the study of the person of Christ).
Some churches have classes that help guide you. One example is the Truth Project by Focus on the Family. Most people who have taken such classes have benefitted greatly. Don’t stop there, or limit yourself to the classes in your church. Engage yourself. Take some initiative.
Humanity, made in the image of God, needs to be saved from their sinful condition. Salvation is a spiritual reality available be-
Engage in the endeavor of knowing God through the study of His word and the help of some resources.
Book 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).
It’s Your Call
By Gary Barkalow
David C Cook Publishing
A revolutionary guide for discovering, understanding, and pursuing God’s true calling for our lives. Few spiritual concepts have fascinated and confused people more than understanding God’s calling for their life. Is it primarily about a job or a role? It is precise or general? Is a calling only reserved for those who work in professional ministry? The truth is actually amazingly profound: What we are supposed to do is what we most want to do. Drawing from over 20 years of personal and professional study, Gary helps us understand our calling, and shows how to connect that truth with our lives. Readers will be encouraged to walk in God’s process of revealing, restoring, and releasing the brilliance of their lives.
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The Toughest Questions Your Kids Will Ask about Christianity
By Alex McFarland Tyndale Publishing
University apologist, director, and popular speaker Alex McFarland has spent the last two decades answering questions about Christian worldview and the Bible from children, teens, and parents. In The 21 Toughest Questions Your Kids Will Ask about Christianity, he summarizes questions today’s children and teens are asking about God, the Bible, and the problem of evil. Alex’s experiences have taught him that how adults answer questions about God is as important as, if not more important than, what kids ask. He provides parents with teaching strategies that will help them reach their children intellectually and spiritually. Today’s kids and teens are looking for authenticity, integrity, and straightforward truth. Alex comes alongside parents and gives them tools to effectively answer not only their children’s toughest academic questions but also the questions that plague their hearts.
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October 4th Big Daddy Weave 7:00pm Palm Valley Church
September 12th Shane & Shane
November 8th & 9th
UTPA Student Union Auditorium
Battle of the bands
Trinity Worship Center, Pharr
September 28-29 Just Between Friends
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36 valleychristianmagazine.com September 2013
First Presbyterian Church Downtown McAllen Location at 12th & Austin Ave.
September 2013 valleychristianmagazine.com 37
As k
Dave
Ramsey For more financial help please visit: 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, released in September 2011.
Getting The Guilt Trip
Wants Aren’t Emergencies
Dear Dave,
Dear Dave,
My parents have always had financial problems, and they recently lost their home. They have a place to live, but since that time my father has been asking me for money. He calls me over to talk about this when my mother isn’t there and my husband isn’t home. He’s even asked for half of a $150,000 inheritance I received from my grandparents. He’s really making me feel guilty, and I’m not sure what to do.
My husband and I are trying to improve our financial situation by following your plan. We were wondering where home improvements fall in the Baby Steps.
Elena Dear Elena, Your brain knows what to do, but your heart is having a hard time doing it. Your father is a manipulator, and we’re not going to let that pattern continue. There’s nothing wrong with doing a few, short-term things to help them get back on their feet. But in return, you should expect them to change the behaviors that have put them in this situation. Also, there should be no more private meetings with your father. If he wants to talk, make sure he understands it will be with your husband and mother present. To this point all of his schemes have been on the side, and this needs to be brought out into the open and stopped. You love your parents. That, along with your dad’s behavior, is what’s making this so difficult. But participating in this sort of thing isn’t going to help them. You take away a person’s dignity when you subsidize them permanently. You also change their status and their ability to stand on their own two feet. Any help you give needs to be short-term in nature—a gift. You and your husband should be in agreement on exactly what you’re going to do, and it should be on your terms. Don’t get involved in giving them money every month for the rest of their lives just because they had you. That’s not how this works. There’s an ongoing sense of entitlement here that needs to be nipped in the bud! —Dave
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Emily Dear Emily, Unless you’re talking about an emergency situation, home improvements would fall into the category of wants, not needs. If you’d like new carpet, nicer windows or an updated kitchen, these things need to wait until after you’ve completed the first three Baby Steps. Let’s review. Baby Step 1 means saving up $1,000 in the bank for a starter emergency fund. Baby Step 2 is paying off all debts except for your home. The third Baby Step is going back to your emergency fund and building it up so you have an amount equal to three to six months of expenses in case something goes wrong. Once you’ve gotten to this point, you’ll be able to save and do some other things, including a few home improvements! —Dave
“Unless you’re talking about an emergency situation, home improvements would fall into the category of wants, not needs.”
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September 2013 valleychristianmagazine.com 39
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 honorable service members to finish high school and attend college. As their skills were improved, so was the financial 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.” 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 you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” 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.” I pray that you will invite Christ into your heart and allow Him to restore you! At my office, I also want to be part of your 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
www.raulrudyrodriguezlaw.com Phone: 956.380.1421 / Toll Free: 877.480.1421 www.raulrudyrodriguezlaw.com Fax: 956.380.2920 / Mobile: 956.655.5455
Phone: 956.380.1421 / Toll Free: / Fax: 956.380.2920 / Mobile: 956.655.5455 511 W. University / Edinburg, TX877.480.1421 78539 e-mail: anointed511@gmail.com 511 W. University / Edinburg, TX 78539 / e-mail: rrodlaw@hotmail.com 40 valleychristianmagazine.com September 2013