Fairy Tale!

Being here in California I have the chance to go to the Happiest Place On Earth or so it's called. A place where you can see all the characters from your favorite Disney movie. A place where you pay roughly $80 dollars just to visit this land of make believe. The more I thought about this place, the more I thought they should change the name to the most expensive place on Earth. Although, the purpose of this article though is not to compare prices at a theme park. It's to tell you that there is another place you can go to that is not make believe. There is a place where you can have the best time of your life and it's all free. Church is open everyone, not only those who can afford it. At Church you can go as many times as you like. Disneyland is a great place to go I'll admit. My girls when they go there they have a great time. We have annual passes to go there. I'm not saying don't ever go to Disneyland but what I am saying though is Church is the happiest place on Earth. You can go to Church and it has all your favorite characters from the Bible. I may on occasion be upset about something unrelated to Church and when I come out of Church I'm carefree. My spirit and heart are free. I am ready to face any challenges and know that I'm going to win. Every day thousands of people visit Disneyland so they can go back to when they were kids and have no worries or problems. For one day they can forget about the problems of the world.

The reason Disneyland is so successful is because they sell you a Fairy Tale. They want you to think that in there world every thing is so amazing and drama free. But in reality there are people committing crimes every day. Some really petty and some really disturbing. There is no Fairy Tale in the world we live in, there is only The Truth. The Church is where you need to be. Having Jesus in your heart is where you need to be. Being focused and in tune into God's plan is where you need to be. The Bible says that this world will end but it's going to get worse before it's gets better. A Fairy Tale is a story that is suppose to bring you comfort and hope. Keep Jesus in your heart and you'll have all the comfort you'll ever need. Tightly grasp your faith and remember God's promise and you'll always have hope. In a world where murders are climbing at an alarming rate, where the economy doesn't seem to be getting better, and it seems the end of world is getting nearer and nearer. We as Christians need to stand together and show everyone that the Church is better than make believe, Heaven is free to anyone, and that THE TRUTH is better than any Fairy Tale!

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Ticket To Ride!

Anywhere you want to go if you take a plane, train, or bus you will need a Ticket To Ride. Of course you can always drive yourself but it's not always the best way. This past summer when I went to Ethiopia every plane we went on they asked for a Ticket. So in order for me to get to my destination I need a Ticket To Ride. Our lives has the same set up because when we die God will ask for your Ticket To Ride! While were here on Earth this is not our final destination. Just like me going to Ethiopia I was just visiting. We are all visitors here on Earth until we get called home. Only difference is which home are you going to? Is it paradise or fiery pit! With God there is always hope...there is always joy in knowing that paradise is available to everyone. You just need a Ticket To Ride! To obtain the Ticket is the easy part, holding on to your Ticket is the hard part. All you have to do is ask God for the Ticket...But here is the hard part. You see you are unable to use the Ticket until you die. So if you asked God for the Ticket when you are 20 and you live to be 100 then that means, you have to hold on to the ticket for 80 years. Believe me when I say that there is someone out there that would love for you to miss your Ride. The devil will do everything in his power to make sure your Ticket does not get used.

So what is your Ticket and how do you stop the devil from trying to take your Ticket from you. Your Ticket To Ride is our savior Jesus Christ. The Bible says that He is the only way to the Father. That no one will be able to go to the Father unless through Him. God is the destination but Jesus is the Ticket To Ride! The devil doesn't like Christians very much. He would rather have you in a fiery pit then in paradise. He doesn't sound like much of a friend but yet, people rather hang out with the devil then with God. People rather continue to live in sin then in glory. People rather give up there Ticket To Ride then stand up for God. The way you hold on to your Ticket is to fight. Fight your flesh, fight your desires and fight the devil. But how do you fight if you have no weapons? God's Word is the best weapon you need to fight. Read it, learn it and live it. As long as you follow the Word...You will always have your Ticket! It's okay to back slide but remember why are you sliding back? It's only because the devil is trying to take away your Ticket! Every day you hold that Ticket in your hand is a day, your going to have to fight to keep it. Jesus said it Himself if you want to follow Me then you will have to pick up your cross daily. It doesn't say weekly like every Sunday. It says EVERY DAY. If I live to be a 100 or not...My Ticket is clutched in my hands and I'm not letting anybody take that from me. I will stand up for God. I will fight for my Ticket and for my brothers and sisters Ticket as well. Fight for Jesus! Let the world know that they just need a Ticket To Ride to be in paradise!

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Goals for God!

Goals are defined as the end toward which effort is directed. In life you set goals for which you live by and once those goals are accomplished then you try to set new goals. In the picture is Bob Elliff. Bob was diagnosed with cancer and is very close to be heading home to be with God. I'm a little jealous because he gets to see God and hang out with Jesus. But I know my work here is not done. I never got to get personal with Bob but every time we spoke he would always make me laugh. He reminded me a lot of my grandfather in that aspect that he had the power to make me smile with a quick remark. I may have not known Bob like his relatives or his close friends. But the chances I had to meet him he showed me his love for life. He showed me God's heart where he was always willing to give a hand. My wife told me something that I believe is true and I hope that It helps people cope with this transition. My wife told me that maybe BOB'S GOALS FOR GOD HAVE BEEN MET AND HE GETS TO GO HOME NOW. I saw this and was like wow! You know what maybe your right. Every single one of us have Goals For God. Bob who had a life that God would be so proud of, maybe accomplished his goals here on Earth and Our Lord said okay it's time for your reward. Only God knows when those Goals are finished but His Word tells us how to get there.

We has Christians have to encourage and lift up each other. We have to encourage others to live out there Goals For God! We have help people get on the right path. What saddens my heart is that non believers can out live guys like Bob. Bob who has a heart to serve, and wants to continue to save people are taken back home. While non believers keep denying God. I believe that's because God is still hoping that they will also accomplish there Goals. God is full of mercy and grace. God would like to see everyone saved. I believe that's why I haven't gone yet because my purpose, my Goals for God have not been fulfilled. To people reading this please life is to short to let your Goals be put aside. Make your Goals for God your top priority and do everything you can for fulfill them. You might be sitting there thinking what are my Goals for God...Read the Word and your life will have purpose. It will have meaning! Your Goals will come before you and when they do. Be prepared to do what God has you do. Whether you try to save your family member...or if your praying for a whole community. Don't wait till somebody needs your help because there are people that always need somebody. Be that SOMEBODY!

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

P.S. This blog is dedicated to Bob Elliff. Your life is a great example of Goals For God!!

Pretend!

This past Halloween I put on a costume from movie that my kids like watching. My 1 year old didn't know it was me underneath the mask. So I took off the mask to show her but, She was scared when I put the mask on even though she knew it was her daddy. There are a lot of times that Christians pretend to be something else. They go to Church wearing masks and put on a costume. They look like Christians, worship like Christians, but when they leave Church, they forget all about Christ. Believe me I'm been there! When I was younger I would go to Church every week and I would be worshipping and saying Amen. But as soon as Church was over I would remove my tie and put my Bible away till next week. Church was a chore for me instead of being a blessing. You know that there are places where they don't allow you to praise God and worship Him. Here in America we have the freedom to choose when and where to worship God. The Bible says blessed are those who seek God with there whole heart. Be like Jesus! The non believers who are in constant sin have more hope than you as a Christian if you pretend. The reason is because the Non Believer who sin really don't realize that they live in sin. They don't have Godly eyes to see what there doing is wrong...So there is hope for them if they accept God and be transformed. But PRETENDERS! already know the difference and still choose to live the way they want. It's sad to say but God really dislikes those people a lot. They are called hypocrites and have no place in the Kingdom.

I understand that this article might be a little harsh but I can't ignore this very important subject. PRETENDING is not the same as making a mistakes. Christians make mistakes all the time. That's what helps us grow. I am talking about going to Church every Sunday but yet, still living your BC lifestyle. Before Christ lifestyle! Be true to God and to yourself. Like our Pastor said when you write your book and present it to God. You want to be sure that God is going to open it and say WELCOME HOME GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. A sin is a sin no matter what kind it is...but the worse kind of sin is knowing that it's wrong but you still do it anyways. That just shows that Jesus doesn't live in your heart and your only pretending to be Christian. Again it's okay to make a mistake or falter from time to time. But it's not okay to falter every time! God is great but He's not dumb. He knows who PRETENDS and who seeks him earnestly. Life is full of smiles and second chances. Don't miss out to be real for God! Don't give up your spot in Heaven and just be yourself...remember take off your mask! DON'T BE A PRETENDER...BE A CONTENDER FOR THE KING!

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Can you Walk the Walk?

I remember my coach saying when I was younger "Anybody can talk, but you need to Walk the Walk" This expression is known by everyone and there are many forms you can say it that mean the same thing. Like don't write a check that your butt can't cash. What this expression tells us is that anybody can say there millionaires but not everyone is. If you say you want to buy a new car, then you need to put the work in to get that new car. As Christians the expression also applies to our lives. God set the perfect example. God talked the talk...and then He send Jesus to Walk the Walk. Every time God said something He backed it up. That's why it's so great to serve Him because you know when He makes a promise. He intends on keeping it. It's one thing for us to say that were Christian but it's something different to lead a Christian life. If your talking to someone about Jesus but yet your actions are not Jesus like. Meaning you don't live or act like a Christian. Nobody is going to believe you and credibility is what makes you walk the walk. Jesus said to follow me...imagine if Jesus would hang out at a bar or lie about things. Nobody would want to follow Him. But, Jesus lived a perfect life He was able to walk the walk. Now I'm not saying live a perfect life but I am saying Live like Jesus. There was an expression that helps rather nicely here. What would Jesus do? Live your life always asking that question at every crossroad and I believe you'll be fine.

There is a Bible verse that scares me a little though. Jesus says not everyone that says Lord Lord will enter the Kingdom. Jesus, Himself is saying you can't just talk the talk, you have to Walk the Walk. See I can go up to someone and say God loves you but if I don't really believe it or model my life after that...then it's all for nothing. You see you have to know that God love you and that God loves everyone. You have to see what God has done in your life and the blessings you have received. So then you can show everyone else what God can do in there lives and the rewards they can receive. Everyone can I say I love you, but the real work is proving to them that you love them. Showing them how much you really care. Jesus said you have to confess with you mouth that He is Lord. Everyone can do that right! Jesus knew this and that is why He also said and believe in your Heart that I am Lord and you will be saved. It's very easy to say Jesus is Lord...I can walk up to any random person and ask them to say Jesus is Lord and they have no problem saying it. But to stop them from looking at porn, getting drunk, doing drugs, lying, sleeping around, and things like that is something else. See people need a reason to continue to live the way they do. Without any guilt or shame. If God isn't real, they have no reason to stop living that way. Jesus said if you want to follow me then take up your cross daily!! God doesn't expect you to go out and save the world like Jesus. But He does expect you to live like Jesus. Everyone can talk the talk...BUT CAN YOU WALK THE WALK?

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Stand Out

Back when I was in High School there was a word that was used to describe people who excelled at academics or sports. In a class that had 30 students if 1 person was able to do really well on a certain subject they were a Stand out! Same thing in sports if one person was faster, stronger, or more agile then that person was a Stand Out! Colleges love people who stand out because then that means the school will stand out. It's the reason athletes make so much. Because they are able to excel at the sport better than most people. Same word applies to God's children. We as Christians are chosen because we have the potential to Stand Out! Now your thinking but how do I have the power to excel at being Christian? The key word is found in the word Christian. Christ gives you the power to excel. There are a lot of people that need healing not just there bodies but there spirits also. Christ came to heal the world...We as Christians have that same power. We are able to heal and bless but some of us lack the faith or the courage to do that. How many of us have seen a homeless man that looks down on is luck and instead of praying with him. We just give him some money and walk away. I know because I have done that. By doing that am I not doing what everybody else does. To Stand Out is to really try to impact this persons life. Tell them about God, pray for them, and give them encouragement.

In the movie Troy with Brad Pitt. A young boy tells Brad Pitts character I wouldn't want to fight the man they want you to face. Brad Pitt looks at the boy and says that's why nobody will remember your name. Two things jump out at me from this one line. One is Fight for God! With all this talk about Darwin and evolution. Fight for God, Fight for what you believe in, Fight the devil and all his ways, but especially Fight for the people that don't know God. Fight for there salvation. The more we can Stand Out the more people we can save. Number 2 is do something so God remembers your name. It's great to get recognition here on Earth but it's so much better to know that God loves you to Stand Out for Him. Jesus Stood Out but yet people rather believe in evolution then the one living God. Now I don't want anybody thinking that they have to stand on street corners and preach in order to Stand Out. Not at all! One of my favorite quotes is Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words. What does that mean is just LOVE. Love God, Love yourself, Love your neighbor, and Love people. Love is showing not saying. Stand Out today by doing something nice for someone you don't know. The world is not getting any easier for Christians so if you can STAND UP for God then you'll definitely STAND OUT!

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos

Sow My Lips!

Yesterday I started thinking how awesome our God is. When God created us, He did it with a purpose. We were created so perfectly or were we? I heard a story yesterday about someone using something God gave them in a wrong way and I started thinking. I stood in front of a mirror and I was looking at God's creation and I said wait a minute. Something seems out of place. Something doesn't seem right and I wondered why God would do that. As I looked, I saw everything I had came in pairs. I had two ears, two eyes, one nose but with two nostrils, two arms, two hands, two legs, and many more. I then realized why then do I only have one mouth. Did my super powerful God...The one that gives light to the world make a mistake. Did He just get so tired from creating that He was like oh well the people look fine with just one mouth? From my walk with the Lord everything that I've come to know is that God doesn't make mistakes. He gave us one mouth on purpose. As I looked in the mirror some more and saw all the pairs...I wondered why God gave us one mouth on purpose.

God knows what He is doing. He leaves nothing left to doubt. In His word there are many verses letting us know why we have only one mouth like in Psalms and Proverbs. I'm going to break it down why God did this. It's actually pretty simple. I have never met anyone who always said the right things. Everyone at some point in time or another has hurt someone using their mouth or has hurt themselves. With one mouth it's so easy to lie, imagine if we had two. Lies would be everywhere. With our mouths we have the power to destroy with words of discouragement, criticism, and gossip. But God knew this and in so He gave you one mouth. God knows everything, so He also gave you something else that does not come in a pair. Your heart! If you put your heart and your mouth together you can create beauty. God knew that one heart meant one love and one mouth meant one voice. Use your love and your voice to help others. We have two ears so we can hear heartache. We have two eyes so we can see right and wrong. We have two arms so we can embrace unity. We have two legs to stomp on injustice. Yet, we have but one heart to love the world and one voice to try and save it. There are times where I need God to Sow My Lips but I know that God gave me one mouth for a reason. To anybody reading this, LET GOD USE YOUR VOICE TO SAVE THE WORLD!

Yesus Gitano,

Carlos