Salt & Light Magazine October 09

8/14/2019 Salt & Light Magazine October 09

1/32

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male norfemale; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abra-hams descendants, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:28-29

3rd issue, Oct 2009, 4Q

Joyelless StoryF e a t u r e :

Gods FamilyFeatured in the Family Section Pg.19

Political SectionPg. 25


2/32


3/32

Editor in ChiefDaniel Ruiz

Graphic DesignScott Paden

PhotographyGabriella Sanchez

Rachel Baros

DistributionTarget Distributing, Inc.

Special Thanks to:

The men, women, and

youth who took time to

meet with us for an inter-

view or who wrote an arti-

cle. To the Christian owned

businesses who paid forads to support our maga-

zine. This magazine would

not and will not move for-

ward without the nancial

support of our Christian

businesses. So please give

them the opportunity toearn your business. To the

volunteers who helped

with articles, thank you all

for your help, support and

prayers!

Our hope for the third issue

is to

of ContentsPastor Section ..........................4

College Section .........................9

Youth Section ..........................12

Family Section .........................15

Outreach Section .....................20

International Section ...............23

Political Section .......................25

Featured Story .......................28

Event Guide ............................30

SUBCRIBE

to

Salt & Light Magazine!Have all four issues of Salt & Light Magazine in

2010 delivered to your home or business next year

for six dollars. Pricing is for anywhere in the United

States. Call or email for international pricing.

Please send check or money order to:

New Mexicos Body of Christ

Salt & Light Magazine 2010 Subscription

PO Box 3495

Albuquerque, NM 87190

NewMexi cosBodyofChr i s t . com


4/32

Ive been pastor-

ing for almost

thirty years now,

twenty as a bi-voca-

tional pastor and the

last ten as the full-time Senior Pastor at

Rio West Community

Church in Rio Rancho.

This past spring I was

feeling more pressure and

apprehension and less joy

in my duties as a pastor. I knew

there were some faith issues that

werent in sink and I felt like I was losing thefaith battle, not enjoying my job and feeling very inadequate in

my leadership and at the pulpit. I was in a rut and needed a faith

renewal. There have been other times like this over the years

when I would doubt my calling and then question my vocation,

but by Gods grace

I sensed that was

not the issue or the

question, but rather

a need for faith re-newal. I didnt just

need physical rest, I

needed a faith cor-

rection.

I requested a ve

week sabbatical to

lay low, stay away,

and take a coupleof two night get-a-

ways with God in

Jemez. My wife and I didnt travel, but stayed local, unencum-

bered by the normal busyness of modern American life, includ-

ing vacation travels. I was a little nervous that my fellow elders

would expect me to come off the mountain full of faith and re

and I wasnt so sure that would happen, nor did I want that pres-

sure on me.

By Gods grace, and the prayers of my congregation, whom I

had prepped that I needed a faith renewal, the Holy Spirit spoke

to me in simple but clear ways. I had left my rst love and need-

ed to repent and do the things I did at rst, with a renewed vi -

sion and faith for those rst love things. Second, I needed to be

much more vigilant in renewing my mind with Gods word and

promises. I had allowed my thoughts to be unbelieving, and my

self talk to be overly negative, and thus quenching vibrant faith

in my life. Fear and inadequacy were winning me over. Lastly, Ineeded to make sure I scheduled more alone quiet time with the

Lord on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis. I had neglected

the principle of the Sabbath in my schedule and was paying a

price of diminishing faith.

I didnt come off the mountain with a halo on my head, or full

of re in my faith, but I did get a clear picture of what I needed

to do to get back on track with the Lord. If I pursued those new

habits, and renewed my mind more diligently, I could anticipate

a renewed faith for the work ahead and so that is how it has

worked out.Changing habits of any kind, in body, mind, or spirit are rarely

easy, but they are necessary if we are to grow and please God.

Its been a ght of faith since my sabbatical, but Ive been win -

ning more than losing and my mind is steady on Him, on His

power and His promises. And this is the victory that overcomes

the world, even our faith.

Pastor Don Schilichte

Rio West Community Church

www.riowest.org

If you are a Christian business or know

one we want to know about it! Have themvisit NewMexicosBodyofChrist.com, or

contact:

Daniel Ruiz at: (505) 264-5201

or [email protected]


5/32

NewMexicosBodyofChr i s t . com

Unity is something that we can really

have and experience as the Body of

Christ. With todays technology

the world seems to be shrinking. You can

have teleconferences with people around

the world without leaving the comfort of

your home. Yet there are still so many

things that are splintering the world as well

as the church. Sunday morning is still one

of the most segregated hours in America.

People look for the right church instead

of His church. The challenge is to develop a

convincing unity-knitted hearts. The world

doesnt want to just hear about it, but they

want to see it. The hope is in the hands ofall of those who will embrace one another

because of His presence. Weve got to un-

derstand that were all different. Someone

once said that America is one big tossed salad; each maintain-

ing his culture while adding to everyone elses. God brings us

all together to add to His song.

People often tell me that when they look at me that They dont

see a Hispanic, they just see a man! I am a Hispanic! Whenyou see that you might understand me better. Yet it shouldnt

make a difference because I am a Christian rst! Our maturity

in Christ should help us realize that we are all many members

of one body--The Body of Christ!

The world wants to see us live out Unity. Je-

sus told us that by this we would know that

we are His disciples, if we have love for one

another. The story of David and Jonathon

teaches us what we have to do to live in unity.

In I Samuel 18:1-4, we see two men that on

the surface were totally different yet ended up

with knitted souls. Now when he had n-

ished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan

was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan

loved him as his own soul. 2Saul took him

that day, and would not let him go home to

his fathers house anymore. 3Then Jonathan

and David made a covenant, because he loved

him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan took offthe robe that was on him and gave it to Da-

vid, with his armor, even to his sword and his

bow and his belt. David was a shepherd boy;

Jonathan was an heir to the throne. No vote, no committee, or

commission sanctioned their relationship. Unity comes by the

spirit of the living God.

After David killed Goliath, he was invited to live in the kings

palace. This is when David and Jonathan souls were knittedtogether and they became best friends. What must happen for

us to become knitted together?

First, we must be companions and not competitors. Now think

about it, heres David on his way to the throne and Jonathan is

on his way out. Jonathan was to be the king by appointment

but David was to be the king by anointment. Id rather have

anointment than appointment any day. People appoint people

to many things, they raise you up and sit you down, but anoint-

ment comes from the Lord. If anyone had the right to be in-

timidated by David it was Jonathan, but he wasnt. We need to

quit looking at each other as threats and start seeing others as

companions. Ive heard people say things such as, theyre so

many of them in charge. The only time we think like this is

when we are competing with one another. We shouldnt let that

bother us. What matters is to identify who the anointed man for

the hour is. Jonathan had the papers but David had the favor

of God: quit competing with one another! Its amazing whatpeople compete about; new ideas versus old ideas, music styles,

denominations, and on, and on! David and Jonathan became

best friends and best friends dont compete and ght, but love

and help each other.

We also need to be willing to be vulnerable with one another.

Jonathan honestly and lovingly welcomed David into his house.

He said, Mi casa es su casa! Jonathon surrendered everything

to David. He made a covenant with David saying this. He liter-ally gave him the robe off his back. He was saying that whats

mine is yours and because were not competing against each

other its yours too. Incredible trust is built when we get open

and transparent before each other. Jonathan also gave David his

Reference Text: I Sam. 18:1-4


6/32

It is said to be almost impossible to successfully grow a trulydiverse family oriented church. Churches everywhere are

segregated not only by denomination and doctrine, but even

more by ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, language and

generation. Few church bodies ever cross these seemingly un-

breakable boundaries. The Reverend Ruben A. Guajardo Jr.,

who serves as the Senior Pastor of Casa Del Rey in Albuquer-

que, NM, has made building this type of congregation a per-

sonal mission of his. Though proven to be one of the most chal-

lenging and stressful tasks any minister could undertake, PastorGuajardo still has committed his life to this effort and has seen

great success.

During his youth, Ruben Guajardo Jr. developed a passion to

forge a multicultural and multigenerational church community

with various ministries to reach everyone, despite their age or

background. He grew up in Albuquerque, the city where his

father, a world renowned Mexican Preacher and Evangelist, pa-

stored a thriving Spanish congregation in the famous Barelasneighborhood. Having been raised in an all Spanish-speaking

church, the young Ruben learned and picked up on a few things

that would lead him to develop this passion. He noticed that

despite all of the newly American Spanish speakers coming to

salvation in his church, many of their family members were 2nd,

3rd, and even 4th generation Americans and were not comfort-

able in their parents church setting. Guajardo says, These

were the children and grandchildren of our parishioners. Many

of them were moving to other congregations while others wereleaving the faith completely. It was clear to me that this was be-

cause of language barriers, cultural differences and changes in

economic status. The institution of the family was one created

by God Himself. It broke my heart to see these families, though

alike in faith, split up because they could not nd a church that

met the diverse needs of all of their members.

Guajardo claims that this family breakup was not only charac-

teristic of those in his childhood church, but that it is a regu-lar pattern seen amongst Christian Hispanics all over the U.S,

today. It was Pastor Rubens dream to put a stop to this and

create a new kind of church. He wanted to make it possible for

the young Hispanic man, who speaks no Spanish, whos best

sword. He was saying I wont ght with you. Heres my weapon

to prove it. I wont attack you because I am your brother, your

friend and your companion. David, I promise not to hurt you. He

also gave him his bow. I promise not to hurt you from afar. Have

you ever noticed how some people will love you to your face, but

turn away and take a few steps and its a different story. The ar-

rows start ying! Things are said about you that are far from the

truth and you are attacked. Put down your bow and arrows! He

also gave up his belt. This is where they carried a small dagger to

use on their enemies on any close up situations. He was saying,

David, Im not going to attack you up close and personal. My

friends, we need to lay down our weapons and allow God to knit

our souls together. We are way too dressed up in church today.

No one knows us, no one sees our pain. When we can strip down

to nothing and not be afraid of anyone using weapons against us,thats when healing begins. We have been carrying many hurts

since we were kids and we need to deal with them.

The last thing I want to encourage you to do to have knitted souls

is to take risks. Let me explain. Saul wanted to kill David yet

Jonathan, his son, helped David. It wasnt that Jonathan rebelled

against his father; it was because of his love for David that he

stood on the side of truth. Jonathan took a risk by maintaining

his relationship with David. If his father would have found out, itcould have cost him his life. We too must be willing to take risks

in our lives. Be willing to be a real Christian every place you

go. Too many Christians are afraid to live out their Christianity

in the marketplace. Dont be an undercover Christian. Be willing

to be misunderstood. Some people wont understand some of

your decisions because of your commitment to Christ but thats

okay. Jesus was also misunderstood. Living out the Word of

God can be misunderstood. And nally, be willing to pay a price

for your convictions. Jonathan died before he ever became king,but he celebrated Davids position. He celebrated Gods man for

the hour.

I believe that we as the Body of Christ can have knitted souls,

working together as companions and not competitors. As we

learn to lay down our weapons and become vulnerable with each

other, we will take risks and have the knitted souls God wants us

to have.

Pastor Richard Manseld

New Beginnings Church of God

www.newbeginningsabq.com

If you are a ministry leader at your church

and would like to submit an article visitNewMexicosBodyofChrist.com, or contact:




7/32

friends are African-American and who is married to the Anglo

girl, to take his kids to the same church that his Bilingual mom

and dad love and yet still the same church that his Spanish-

speaking immigrant grandparents call home. He, along with his

father and children, has worked tirelessly to make this a reality.

Sandra Lopez, a long time member of Casa Del Rey remembers

what all those years were like. She says, Creating that kind of

church was hard because we had to do so much extra work to

meet needs and reach all of those cultures and generations. And

then after that we had to do it all again in another language! It

took lots of hard work and training. Pastor Ruben kept working

hard, reinventing and pushing forward the vision that God had

given him despite ridicule and opposition.

Now, twenty seven years later, at the age of 48, Pastor Guajardo

has seen his dream come to pass. His congregation, now num-

bering in the thousands, is a blend of immigrants from dozens of

countries and Americans of various ethnic groups. His vision

has now become a leading model for Multicultural and Multi-

generational family-oriented ministry.


Pastor Rueben Guajardo, Jr.

Casa Del Rey

www.casadelrey.info

If you nd an article you would like

more copies of for your group or classvisit NewMexicosBodyofChrist.com, or

contact:




8/32

The world may do for a cheap hotel, but it will never do for

a home. Our real home is a mansion a Heavenly King-

dom, and its King, is a Prince, a Lamb, and Our Savior.

So, just for now anyway, to His kids, home is just a lling-sta -

tion (smile)

As for husband and wife, here iswisdom. Preserve sacredly the

privacies of your own house, your

married state, and your heart. Let

no father, or mother, or sister, or

brother, ever presume to come be-

tween you, or share the joys that

belong to you two alone.

With mutual help build your quietworld, not allowing your dearest

earthly friend to be the condant

of anything that concerns your

domestic peace. Let moments of

alienation, if they occur, be healed

at once. Never, no never, speak of

it outside; but to each other con-

fess and all will come out right.

Never let tomorrows sun stillnd you at variance. Renew and

renew your vows. It will do you

good, and thereby your mind, will

grow together contented in that

Love which is stronger than death

and you will truly be one.

Mike Hoffman

Ray of Hope Ministries

*See Card Above

So lets live in our cheap hotels, at peace with each other and

with God, til we all go to, our Heavenly Home AMEN

Ray of Hope Ministries has many layers, taking the word to

crusades, revivals, meetings, teachings, hospitals and nurs-

ing homes, and outreach at homeless-shelters with free bibles,

Christian books, booklets, tapes, and tracts; anywhere God will

open a door.

Become a prayer partner; your contributions are welcomed (make

checks payable to) New Beginnings Church- R.O.H.M.

God bless you.

ONLINE VIDEO INTERVIEWSalt & Light Magazine spoke with Pastor Troy Smothermon in

a video recorded interview. We discuss his concern for men of

the household to take on sowing into the spirit for their families.

We talk about the difference between being a godly husband

and a worldly husband and the corruption of pornography andother sexual sins and helpful ways to overcome and ght these

battles. If you desire to be a stronger man and/or husband spiri-

tually then we highly recommend you watch this video.

Go to www.NewMexicosBodyofChrist.com to watch this vid-

eo interview in our online magazine November 1st.

Pastor Troy Smothermon

Church on the Move

Roswell, NM

ONLINE VIDEO INTERVIEWSalt & Light Magazine spoke with Pastor Steve Freeman in a

video recorded interview. We discuss his desire and some exam-

ples of the breaking down of denominational walls to do Gods

work and how when churches combine there efforts together

wither Baptist, Christian, Lutheran, Etc... We can multiply andstrength Gods work in our communities.



Pastor Steve Freeman

Crestview Baptist Church

Albuquerque, NM


9/32


Fresh

Wouldnt it be great if there was a class that you could

take before you got married so that you would know

what in the world you were doing? Oh yeah, I guess

there is. Its called pre-marital counseling, and if you were for-

tunate you attended. Whats far less available is advice during

the rst few years of marriage. Its a critical time when as cou -

ples we move from the utopian dreams that we incorporated

into our vows and start asking the hard questions about how

the marriage relationship is going to really work. The process

usually starts with that morning or moment when you say to

yourself, What on earth have I done, and what was I thinking?

This is too hard!

Most of us really want to honor our vows when we stand up in

front of our family and friends to recite them. Its pretty cool

and often poetic stuff. However, most often we dont have

a clue what in the world were talking about. We may have

thought about what marriage will be like. We might even have

participated in wonderful premarital counseling. Nevertheless,

we cant know what its like to be married to our spouse until

weve actually lived with them (married) for a while.

As far as I can tell there are three challenges that we all face.

First, the covenant

that we entered intowas not like a set of

handcuffs and chains

that mean our spouse

is now our servant

and that we have the

right to be angry and

do all sorts of inap-

propriate or mean

things when they

dont live up to our

expectations. Sure

they vowed to love

us and etcetera, et-

cetera. But that was

not the focus of our vows. The bottom line is that we promised

to love our spouse through the worst: through sickness, through

poverty, and through anything else that might come up.Ephesians 5:25 and 33 makes it clear that as spouses we

have committed to out serve one another. The admoni-

tions Husbands love your wife, and, Wife respect

your husband, make it clear that the marriage covenant

is based on agape love. The following is a denition that I

use for agape to keep myself straight. Its based on Ephe-

sians 5. Love is an unconditional commitment to be a

chief means of nurture and safety in the life of the person

with whom I have a relationship. Further, unconditional

means that you will continue the commitment regardless

of what you have perceived the person to have thought,

said, or done.

Therefore, second, we

need to get that the

covenant we entered

into at the altar was

not with our spouse

at all, but with God.

If the marriage cov-

enant was with our

spouse then we could

see it as merely con-

ditional. However, be-

cause the covenant is with

God, we have taken on the

nurture and safety of our spouse

as a ministry. Could you imagine Je-sus words in the parable of the Sheep and

the Goats where the least of these my brothers he was talking

about is your spouse. Therefore, how we treat the person who

weve said is one of the most important people in the world

to us is our greatest ministry and the greatest statement of our

spiritual walk.

Last, we need to be clear with ourselves that the covenant that we

entered into was to out-serve our spouse. Jesus said that if you

want to be the greatest then be a servant. He also suggested that

if you give (including agape) it would be given to you pressed

down, shaken together and running over. What I wanted when

I got married a few years ago was to nd fulllment in my re-lationship, and I did. I found fulllment in my relationship with

God by learning to honor (even though sometimes I was dis-

honorable) my covenant. I also found fulllment in my relation-ship with myself as I have learned and am learning what being

faithful means. I nally have found fulllment in my marriageas I have learned and am learning that there is blessing in beinga chief means of nurture and safety for my wife.

Dr. Joseph Miller LISW

New Life Christian Fellowship

(505) 323-3665 ext.2


10/32

Rachel Jones

Hoffmantown Church

www.hoffmantownchurch.org

Recently, I have real-

ized how important

it is for me to love

God with all my heart, soul,

and mind (Mt 22:37). He

has taught me so much, and

He is growing me every day

to the point that I can hon-

estly say that I love Godmore than any one or thing

in my life! I would rather

give Him glory and do what

is pleasing to Him than anything else. I have many desires for

my future, like being a missionary, wife, mother, teacher, etc.

One of the hardest things I have prayed about in a long time was

a prayer I just prayed not too long ago. A lot of my very close

friends are dating, getting married, or are married. With all this

going on, I was thinking, praying, and learning about marriage.I heard people say how important it is to surrender every area

of our lives to God, but I never applied it to this area of my life,

because I wanted to be married more than anything! About a

year ago (and a few times since then,) God challenged my heart

to surrender this area of my life to Him. Not too long ago, the

thought came to me again, and this time I told God that if He

didnt have marriage in my future, then that would be okay with

me. I told Him how I wanted to serve Him with my whole life

whether single or married and I honestly meant it (and still do.)Wow friends, ever since I prayed that prayer, I have found my-

self growing so much closer to the Lord, my True Love. I have

never loved Him so much in my whole life. I know in my heart

that if we put God rst in our lives and allow Him to have com-

plete control, then whatever happens (whether the way we plan

it or not,) we will not turn away from God because our hearts

desire will be for Him to be gloried because we love Him.

I challenge you to ask God what is it that He wants you to giveover to Him. Is there anything you have been holding onto that

God wants you to surrender to Him fully? Is it your life, future,

job path, money, dreams, relationships, etc? Just know when

you do, He will bless you more than you could ever imagine!

Go ahead, say a little prayer right now asking Him what you can

give over to Him.

Buy 1 round and get 1 free per family.Offer good til 12/31/09. Not valid with any other offer


11/32

Abstinence Until Marriage:Discovering the Gift of Purity

12th Annual Father/Daughter Purity

Ball (ages 11-17)

Sheraton Uptown Hotel

Friday, November 6, 2009

6:30-10:30p.m.

Shortys Bar-Be-Cue

Bar-B-Cue By The Pound (Heavy.. Man!) Turkey Legs (These You Dont Mind Having.) Applewood Smoked Beef, Pork, and Chicken (Did You Say Smoked?) Home-made Italian Pizza, Pasta and Bread (Home-made you say.)

Soft-Serve Ice Cream (Something to finish off a HOT Meal.)

& Broasted Fried Chicken1202 Main St.

Moriarty, NM 87035505-832-0400

www.shortys66bbq.comSummer Hours Tue-Sat 11am to 9pm Winter Hours Tue-Sat 11am 8pm


12/32

My name is

Vanessa

G r i e g o

and I am eighteen

years old. I am

originally from Cal-ifornia, but moved

to Albuquerque

when I was 8 years

old. I have 3 broth-

ers and 5 sisters and I

am the sixth child out of

nine. When we arrived in Al-

buquerque, my parents went to the

School of Ministry (SOM). My Dad has been an Assistant

Pastor at Calvary of Albuquerque for almost ve years now.

I just recently graduated from the SOM and I am looking for-

ward to what God is going to do with my life. Family is some-

thing very important to me and I feel that it is something we

should always cherish. God has put us in a family for a rea-

son, even though we may not think so. I pray for my siblings

because half of them are believers and the other half are not.

I was raised in a Christian home and home-schooled all mylife. We attended Calvary Chapel Montebello and our Pastor

was Pancho Juarez. I gave my life to the Lord when I was 4

years old at a puppet show. At that time I didnt really know

what it meant to have Jesus in my life, so I rededicated my

life when I was 5 years old at a Greg Laurie Harvest Crusade.

It was at this time that I realized the true meaning of what it

was to have Jesus in my life. When I was fteen years old, I

went on a mission trip to England with a high-school groupand realized that I had a re for mission ministry. I had

plans on being a Veterinarian, but God changed my plans.

I began won-

dering if God

was real and

asked Him to

show me what

my future wouldbe in life. My

Dad asked me

if I wanted to

go to Belize

with a high-

s c h o o l

group and

I went for

two weeks.

Boy, did

God rock

my world; I

was sitting on the dock doing my daily devotional and the

bible pages turned by themselves. I was called to read 2

Timothy 4:17-18 which reads, But the Lord stood with me

and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached

fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also

I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lordwill deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for

His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever.

Amen! Then I heard a whisper telling me that I was going to

be a missionary and that He would guide me. At this time I

had a feeling of peace. God gave me this verse to remember

and to tell me not to be discouraged and to know that He will

give me the words to speak. I have learned to wait for God

to continue to speak to me because I know that everything

is in His timing, not mine. I would like to continue to go to

the mission eld. I hope that this will be an encouragement

to you and that it will make you think about what God might

have you do. God will speak to us all, if we just listen to

what He is trying to tell us. Remember that you may or may

not know your calling in life, but God has it all planned out.

Also remember that it is all in Gods timing, and not ours!

We all have gifts that God will reveal to us and to others. So

listen to His still small voice, to what He is trying to tell you,and take the next step.

Vanessa Griego

Calvary Chapel

www.calvaryabq.org

NewMexicosBodyofChr i s t com


13/32


But since our thoughts are not xed on the present, we are

not concerned when men cut us off; since also death is debt

which must at all events be paid. -Justin Martyr, 1st Apology

Iwant to grab onto your shirt, to shake you, and to speak in

strong words with penetrating eyes the following: no trial

is deeper than His love. I want you to do the same to me.

Stop me in the happy tracks of my apathy. Arrest my comfort.

Slow down my fast paced blogging-tweeting-texting self and

force me in love to think on the scandal of the gospel. No secret,

no trial, no darkness can ever nd deeper footing, a more rm

foundation, than the love of God in Christ. He is a shelter to us,

our father in heaven. Glory to His name.

Recently, I was teaching to some of my brothers and sisters

in the juvenile detention center. Our time together is always a

blessing. These kids get it. They see their sin, they wear their

shame, they are ready for grace. Yet I always consider the dan-

ger of coming off as a well groomed (maybe,) buttoned up,perceptively pleasing church guy. I pray that they know, while

seated in order and uniforms, that before the cross we are equal.

The scandal of Messiah is not only his preeminent Kingship but

also mans humble leveling.

Friends, let us probe the depths of Gods redemptive work for

us in Christ. We protesting types are fond of parroting our pa-

tron saint Paul, we are saved by grace alone. Works are nei-

ther sufcient nor necessary for Gods free act of saving us.

Of course once we have been rescued by innite love we will

have no other proper reaction than love, but our standing before

God is not contingent on our inherent goodness. It is the good-

ness, even the perfection, of Christ which stands in our place.

His righteous body, ripped by mans ignorance and arrogance,

raised to new life, in the place of our lthy rags. Is God then

just? By all means, the punishment we deserve was poured out

on the Son. We are free.

My senses are indignant. They should be. It is foolish in the

worlds eyes. To seekers of wisdom it is irrational. To those

who long for signs it doesnt add up. Yet to us who are be-ing saved by this good news, it is the essence of power, free-

dom, and love. Think on this radical notion. Pause, ponder, and

wonder at the work of Christ for YOU. Who are we? Cosmic

criminals, made in Gods image, yet inclined toward rebellion.

Lost in sin. Steeped in law. Who will save us from this body of

sin? Who will do what we know we cannot? It is already done.

He has stretched out His hand to lepers, called tax collectors,

reclined with sinners, of which you are one. It is done. Yes,

yes, your better judgment protests, death is a debt that must be

paid. It has. Be free. Fix your thoughts not on your present trial.

His love extends to its darkest depth and consumes it with love.

Instead, let your head by lifted by the strong hand of Christ and

marvel in the scandal of His grace.

Greg Schneeberger - Youth Minister

Desert Springs Churchwww.desertspringschurch.org


14/32

What is love anymore? A convenience? A

comfort? In our society, we have com-

pletely diluted the reality and meaning of

what love is. Listen to pop music on the radio and

tell me that we know what love is! Then we wonder

why we have an unprecedented amount of broken

families in our nation or the abundance of crimes

and violence.

Today it is all about the next hook-up or how cute

someone is. Or my favorite, what you are going to

get out of being with that person, like love is a business deal. Do you realize the power

of love? The count I found was 697 verses in the Bible with love. Some of these

verses contained love more than once! SO, instead of me explaining love and not do-

ing a good job, listen to Gods opinion on love:

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one an-

other in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. - Romans 12:9-10

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he

who loves his fellowman has fullled the law. The commandments, Do not commit

adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not covet, and whatever other

commandments there may be, they, are summed up in this one rule: Love your neigh-

bor as yourself. Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulllment

of the law. - Romans 13:8-10

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resound-

ing gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all

mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have

not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the

ames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy,

it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily

angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices

with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are

tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know

in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

When I was a child, I talked like a child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.

When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reec -

tion as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall

know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and

love. But the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Take this to heart! The next time you are at school, work, or church, consider this:Why do we not love our brother? The one guy at work who annoys us? The pregnant

16 year old? The drug addict? Hate the sin, not the sinner was supposed to be what this

was about and love would handle the rest. Instead we judge and ignore.

To truly make a difference, true, pure, honest love has to be apparent in our every action and

in every aspect of our lives. That is what will make a difference in this world and truly set us

apart like we are supposed

to be. How much easier

would it be to, Gounto all the world and

make believers if we

truly loved them all?

Scott Paden

New Mexicos Body of Christ

www.newmexicosbodyofchrist.com



15/32

Ihave never met

a parent who

looked into their

newborns eyes in

awe of their new

childs beauty and

then stated that they

hoped that the child

would live a life

of godlessness and

sin. Every Chris-

tian parent that I meet will state emphatically that they want

their children to love God and serve Jesus all their lives. Yet

research done by George Barna and others give us a startling

reality, 90% of our evangelical children growing up in com-mitted Christian families are jumping ship and going the way

of the world. What is going on today? Where is the disconnect

between our desires and the outcome? I believe the Christian

community has forsaken the God breathed scripture in regards

to how we raise our kids and we have adopted far too much of

the world into our families.

I believe the #1 issue in family disintegration is vision. Prov-

erbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he

that keepeth the law, happy is he. When was the last time you

thought about, then articulated, a vision or a goal to your family?

Something like, My family will be a kind, generous and God

fearing family that is a light to the world. We will be evangelis-

tically minded, a help to the poor, and be an encouragement to

our friends and neighbors. Once you have a vision statement,

you have to act on it and evaluate everything you do against

your vision. It is so easy to go on autopilot in life, going to

work, school, and church without a signicant thought to whatwe are really doing. We

pray and sing songs about

God using us, but weeks

and years go buy with no

real effort on our part to

truly make a difference.

If an activity doesnt sup-

port your vision or if it

occupies time that couldbe dedicated to the vision,

dont do it! Trade a year

off from little league and

tumbling classes to visit

retirement homes, serve

together in the food bank,

soup kitchen, help clean

the church or pull an el-

derly neighbors weeds.

If you want your kids to

have a godly worldview,

you need to turn off the

TV and read the Bi-

ble with your kids.

Give them the armor

of God to protect

them from evil in-

uences. Know who

your kids are hanging

out with and remove

them from situations

that tear them down in-

stead of lifting them up.

Proverbs 22:6 commands

that we should train up a

child in the way he should go,

and when he is old, he will not departfrom it. Consider seriously and pray about homeschooling.

Deut 6:7-9 says that we should speak of the Lord when we get

up, while in the house, go about our business, and when we lie

down. God and His wonders should be ingrained in everything

we do. The American school system is about as far from that as

possible. It is a godless anti-Christian institution that is poorly

educating your children and has 40 hours of inuence on your

children every week! Do you honestly think that 45 minutes of

Sunday school a week can undo the damage done 5 days a weekin public school? You may claim, thats too radical! You need

not go far to nd a multitude of couples in church that lost some

or even all of their children to the world as soon as the chil-

dren left home. Take them out to lunch and ask whether or not

daily devotions, homeschooling and guarding their hearts from

wicked friends and ungodly media would have made a huge

difference in their kids lives. Ask them about the heartache that

comes from knowing their kids will not be with them in heaven

and ask them what they would have done differently if theycould do it over again. Would they have spent less time working

and more time talking about Gods truth, living a joy lled life

and sharing the gospel like crazy?

Dear friends, I encourage you to look at your current place in

life through the telescope of the end of your life. If you want a

legacy of godly offspring, make tough choices today that will

lead to pride and joy over your children and not regret. Seek the

scriptures on how to raise your kids and ask the Holy Spirit toguide your application of those scriptures in your daily life. God

will richly bless you.

Adam Getty, husband of one wife for 11 years and struggling

daily to raise my four kids to Gods glory.

B y f

Adam GettyRio West Community Church

www.riowest.org


16/32

The Great Chicago Fire began

on October 8, 1871 at 8:30

pm. The re cost 100,000

people their homes. 17,500 build-

ings were destroyed, 300 people

died, and it cost the city 400 mil-

lion dollars to recover. Youve

probably heard that Mrs. OLearys

cow, Daisy, kicked over a lantern

in the barn and started the re. But

it was never proven that the cow was

to blame. The Chicago tragedy burned

Mrs. OLearys reputation beyond belief. Her life was in ruins

despite any proof that she had a hand in the re. Chicago Tri-bune reporter, Michael Ahern, later retracted the story, but it

was too late to save OLearys reputation. Her story is proof that

the tongue can either be a re igniter or a re extinguisher. The

book of James warns us of this, and Scripture teaches us how to

prevent res caused by words blazing out of control.The King James translation of James 3:1 says: My brethren,

be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greatercondemnation. Master literally means instructor or teacher.

Lets ask ourselves the ancient question, Art thou the master of

the unspoken word, or is the spoken word the master of you?

Truly, the tongue can spark scandals or save reputations.

In the forest world, the forest ranger is the master of his domain,

sitting in his tower watching for res. In dry seasons, the rangers

are especially vigilant. When they detect smoke, they summon

reghters who try to stop the re before it gets out of hand.They also determine which trees, because of disease or decay-

ing, need to be cut down. In addition, they diagnose how to save

nearby healthy trees.

In the church, there are pastors and teachers who vigilantly

guard the church. They are much like the forest ranger, watching

vigilantly for danger, disease, and diagnosing trouble within the

church. As James warns, its crucial that the right person is in

the pulpit.

The teacher or master must be called or gifted by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:11-12 tells us, He [the Holy Spirit] Himself gave

some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some

pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work

of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. The pas-

sage is clear that not everyone is a teacher. It is a spiritual gift

given by God to help believers understand Christian truths more

clearly. In this way the church is kept safe from spiritual harm.

One of the objectives in re safety is to contain res within asmall area. This protects both lives and property. James 3:2

reminds us that this principle works concerning the words we

speak, as well. As believers, we must restrain or set a guard over

our tongues: For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does

not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the

whole body.

However, James admits that no man can tame the tongue

(James 3:8). So whats the point? I believe that James is direct-ing us to the One who can tame the tongue. We cant contain our

words on our own. The psalmist prayed, Set a guard, O Lord,

over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips (Psalm

141:3). Maybe it would be helpful for us to ask God, Please,

seal my lips that I may not sin against You or others.

It may seem paradoxical, but sometimes reghters set a small

re to prevent a larger one. It is believed that controlled burn-

ing stimulates germination and forestation renewal. One force is

used to overcome another. Likewise, James reminds us that we

put bits in horses mouths (James 3:3) and use small rudders to

turn a ship wherever the pilot desires. (James 3:4). Bits and

rudders must overcome contrary forcesa bit overcomes the

wild nature of a horse and a rudder overcomes wind, currents,

and other forces that could take a ship off course. Our human

tongue must overcome the opposing force of the esh and oursinful nature or we will go off course.

Proverbs 15:1 gives a great example of a controlled burn, A soft

answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The

next time you encounter heated words, try the counterbalance of

a calming tone.

Sometimes res are started by natural means like a strike of



17/32

lightning. But nine out of ten res are started by human negli -

gence. The same is true with burning words. In James 3:5 we

read, Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great

things. See how great a forest a little re kindles!

James explains that there are two ways the ery tongue becomes

irrepressible. The rst of these is boasting: Even so the tongueis a little member and boasts great things. (James 3:5). It

reminds me of the boastful frog who wanted to go south with the

migrating geese. The frog called out to a goose and asked him

for a ride. The goose replied, We have no idea how you could

y south with us. But the vain frog had a plan. He plucked a

cattail and asked two geese to use it as a pole for him to hold on

to with his mouth. A farmer looked up and saw two geese with

a frog hanging by a reed and said, Which one of you gured

that out? The frog said, It was I...IIyi yi! As Proverbs16:18 says, Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit

before a fall. Havent you noticed that the very things you boast

about lead to your downfall?

The second re hazard is strife. The person who stirs up strife

is like a person who stirs up coals to get a re blazing. Proverbs

26:20-21 says, Where there is no wood, the re goes out; and

where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burn-

ing coals, and wood to re, so is a contentious man to kindlestrife. Im sure you know people who add fuel to the re of hot

situations. Please make sure youre not one of them.

If youve ever been near a campre you know that when you

come home, everything smells of smoke. In James 3:6 we learn,

The tongue is so set among our mem-

bers that it deles the whole body.

Just as smoke permeates everything it

comes in contact with, words can be

delingthey can stink.

Here are four symptoms to let you

know youve been contaminated by

tainted talking:

1. Dislike: Developing bitterness or

resentment toward someone who didnot directly offend you.

2. Disapproval: Maintaining a critical

attitude or recruiting others to take

your side in a conict.

3. Distortion: Distorting a situation to

give a bad impression of another or to

make you appear more spiritual.

4. Deception: Deceiving yourself into

believing that such actions are actu-

ally accomplishing Gods will rather

than realizing that you are acting in

an unloving manner.

Lets face it, weve all been guilty of polluting the air with dam-

aging dialogue. Thankfully, God does not want us to remain

deled. Allow me to walk you through the three steps to decon -

tamination.

1. Repent: Pray for God to cleanse your mind from the dele-ment of spreading or listening to gossip.

2. Restore: Pray for God to give you genuine love for each

person involved in the gossip, and if you have sinned against

someone, to make it right.

3. Renew: Romans 12:2 says, And do not be conformed to

this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Gods Word is truth and it will cleanse you. If you feel con-taminated, you can rest assured that Gods word will cleanse

you once you confess.

In 1944 there was a re in Capitan, New Mexico where 17,000

acres were burned. A tiny little bear cub was found hiding up

in a pine tree. His little paws were singed and burned. One of

the forest rangers found him and the department adopted him

as Smokey the Bear. To this day, most kids can recognize the

Lenya Heitzig

Calvary Chapel

www.calvaryabq.org


18/32

Couples ght! The key to

any ght is to maintain

control. You do not have

the right to be immature, childish

or abusive. If you do have legiti-

mate feelings and issues, you are

entitled to give a reasonable voiceto those feelings in a constructive

way. (That includes not being self-

righteous or taking yourself too

seriously.) Proverbs 29:11, A fool

gives full vent to his anger, but a

wise man holds it back.

1. Take it private and keep it pri-

vate. Fighting in front of your kidsis nothing short of child abuse. It

can and will scar them emotion-

ally and spiritually all because you

dont have the self-control to keep it

together until you can talk about it privately. It also not advisable

to share information about your ghts with family and friends

the information always gets twisted and enhanced. Proverbs

15:18, A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow

to anger pacies contention.

2. Deal with the issue at hand! Keep it relevant! Stay on

task! Focus on the issues rather than attacking each other. Dont

bring up old issues or grudges when they are not a part of the

solution. Put boundaries around the subject so it wont turn into

a free for all. Limit the discussion to the one issue at the center

of the conict.

3. Stay in the room emotionally, keep it real. Deal with theissues not with symptoms. Tell your spouse what is bothering

you. Focus on the issue rather than the attack! Proverbs 11:2,

He who belittles his neighbor lacks sense.

4. Eliminate You never, You always. These phrases will

always lead to some place you really dont want to go.

5. Avoid character assassination. Stay focused on the issue

rather than ripping into your spouses personality, family, or

past.

6. Dont mind read! If you are not sure what your partner

meant by something they said, ask for clarication.

7. Stay on task! The mission is to resolve to conict and come

out with a win-win not a I win you lose outcome.

8. Be proportional in your intensity. You dont kill a y with

a cannon. There are basically only two types of problems

people have solvable and unsolvable (or not solvable rightnow.) Everything that you disagree on is not an earth shattering

issue. Remember, you dont have to get mad and upset every

time you have a cause to be.

9. Commit yourself to openness,

honesty, and acceptance. This will

help you relax, listen, and give feed-

back.

10. Allow yourself and your partner

to retreat with dignity. How a ghtends is crucial. Recognize when an

olive branch is being offered to you

(it might be disguised as an apology

or a joke,) and give each other a face-

saving way out of the disagreement.

11. Pray privately and together

about each conict before discussing

it. Prayer can never hurt any situation.

Stuck? Need some help? Email John

today: [email protected].

320 Osuna NE, Suite, H-4

Albuquerque, NM 87107

Office: 505-345-2778

Mobile: 505-306-0395

www.johnthurman.net

[email protected] Thurman M.Div., M.A.

Speaker, Writer, Professional Counselor

John Thurman, Professional Counselor

Sagebrush Community Church

www.johnthurman.net



19/32

Gods Family

Daniel Ruiz

New Mexicos Body fo Christ

[email protected]

Divided, Blind and Lost?!?

Are we divided? Have we allowed ourselves

to be divided by denominations, church afli-

ation and some biblical differences that do not

separate us as Gods children or being one body

in Christ? Have we kept church locked up in

church and do we ever see mul-

tiple churches supporting anevent or outreach? Paul writes,

no he PLEADS, in 1 Cor. 1:10

- Now I plead with you, breth-

ren, by the name of our Lord

Jesus Christ, that you all speak

the same thing, and that there

be no divisions among you, but that you be per-

fectly joined together in the same mind and in

the same judgment.

Are we blind and lost? We as members of the

church, yes you and me who sit in the seats of the

church we attend, have we become blind and un-

aware of our purpose as children of our Lord and

Savior Jesus Christ? Are we lost in the cares of

this world? Are we blind? How do we see homo-

sexuals, atheist, homeless, and those who worship

false gods? Do we not see them as Gods creation

in whom He died for, a lost soul being lead to the

slaughter? Do we avoid them like some plague

or does our heart feel love and compassion? Who

did Christ die for? If we are to be Christ like how

are we dying and showing love to the lost? Paul

wrote in 1 Cor. 9:19, 22b For though I am free

from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I

might win the more. I have become all things to all men, thatI might by all means save some.

Unity starts with UnI. Why would Paul tell us to be united,

no perfectly joined together? Maybe for such a time as this!

The enemy is trying to keep us divided by denomination or

church afliation and now he is using political party, govern-

ment, our president, and some media to keep us separated.

There are even so called christian churches that say same sex

marriage is ok. We lost prayer in school and did nothing about

it. New Mexico is number four in the nation in suicide. What

about rape? Did you know 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men

will be a victim of sexual assault in their lifetime. UNITED

for such a time as this! Imagine our churches being united in

prayer for our state and nation. We could have 365 churches

pick one day to pray. We even have a few churches that could

do one day every month. We read in 2 Chron. 7:14, if My

people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves

and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways,then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will

heal their land. We can do this! Imagine one weekend every

church in Albuquerque united in a street outreach. We could

have church members at every block from Juan Tabo to Co-

ors and from Central to Montgomery. In the same mind

through prayer and spreading the Gospel in love, after

all isnt that our instruction. We dont have to imagine!

UNITED we can do this. Eph. 4:15-16 reads: speaking

the truth in love, so we may grow up in all things into

Him who is the headChristfrom whom the whole

body, joined and knit together by whatevery joint supplies, according to the

effective working by which every

part does its share, causes growth of

the body for the edifying of itself in

love.

Prayer Mission.

Never before has the churches in New Mexico been

more unied, but we still have a long way to go. Several

churches, organizations, and fellow Christians have felt

a call to pray for New Mexico 24 hours a day, 7 days a

week, all 365 days next year. We are looking for church-

es and Christian organizations who would like to take

a day, or a day a month, to be in prayer. What about

your church? Unity starts with UnI! We can not leave

this entirely up to churches or the pastors! You and I,

(UnI) the members of the churches need to drive this

mission! Only together and united can we accomplish

such a task. Go to www.NewMexicosBodyofChrist.

com and click on the Prayer Mission Tab to learn how

you and your church can be involved.


20/32

Alone, aban-

doned and

a b u s e d ?

Sounds a lot like us

before Christ.

Rom 5:8, But Goddemonstrates His

own love toward us,

in that while we were

still sinners, Christ

died for us. Some of us

have good fathers, some of

us bad fathers, and some hav-

ing no fathers at all. As Christians

we all have a perfect Father, a Father who gave up everything sothat we could become sons and daughters of His eternal family.

As His sons or daughters we are able to enter into the throne

room of King of Kings and cry out Abba Father (Daddy)

Rom 8:15-17, For you did not receive the spirit of bondage

again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom

we cry out, Abba, Father The Spirit Himself bears witness

with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then

heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suf-fer with [Him], that we may also be gloried together. In the

eye of God we are as much a son or a daughter of His family as

one being born into it. This word adoption comes from 2 Greek

words, the rst, Huios that means Son and the second Thesis

means Placement. Adoption is a legal term, and in the above

context indicates that the believer has been given full privileges

of sonship. Adoption was Gods plan for us from the very be-

ginning. In the same way adoption is a reection of the very

nature of God to rescue His lost children. Christian couplesconsidering adoption are mirroring the love, grace, and mercy

that God has shown us in rescuing a lost or fatherless child.

Take a close look as God calls us to make disciples of all men.

Mat 28:19-20, Go therefore and make disciples of all the na-

tions, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that

I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, [even]

to the end of the age. Amen. How better to preach the gospel

and make disciples, teaching them to observe all things, then to

bring a child into our home where they can see and hear daily

the love and truth of the God we follow.

At Aspen Project our mission is to challenge the church com-

munity to follow the Lords command as set forth in Exodus,

Deuteronomy, Job, and Psalms, to care for the fatherless. It is

an area where we feel the church community as a whole, falls

short. Please do not misunderstand. Not all are called to adopt,not all are called to foster. But we are all called to help care for

the fatherless.

Consider this, for our adoption God gave up heaven and came

to earth where He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised

for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

and by His stripes we are healed. As He hung on that cross He

became Fatherless so we would never have to.

There are over 2000 orphaned in New Mexico. 858

are ready for adoption now! New Mexicohas 1615 churches, so we must ask our-

s e l v e s why? If only one person per

c h u r c h were to adopt a child we would

be ght-

ing over

who would get

a child instead

of ghting to nd

them a home. All these kids want is to be loved, to be safe, andto be wanted.

How can you help?

1. Pray: Hold these children here in New Mexico and the mil-

lions around the world up before the Lord who we call Father;

that His good news of salvation nds them, that they nd safety,

comfort and love, and that their daily needs are met. Pray that

hearts of the Christian community open to the call to care for

the fatherless.

2. Foster a child: Bringing a child into a home where they

can be loved unconditionally as Christ loved us. Teach them

by your example that the God we follow loves them, and show

them there is a better life in Christ.

3. Adopt a Child: Become a forever family for a child. Make

them heirs of your family and by example, heir to the kingdom

of God.

4. Volunteer: Become a big brother or big sister. Serve in your

churchs Sunday school. Get involved in a childs life where

you can imprint the love of Christ on their hearts.

5. Financial support: Not all ll the calling to bring a father-

less child into their homes, please help those who do. In many

cases the adoption fees are too high for an average family to

adopt. Your nancial support goes a long way to come along

side the families and the orphaned child.

Your support can make a difference. For questions or help get-ting plugged in, call 410-4460, or email schroff@aspenproject.

org.

Free 4 band concert to benet Aspen Project at the El Rey

theatre Oct 16th doors open at 6:30n ends at 10pm. Featured

bands POEMA, NICK CRESPO, CHUCK ELMORE, and

IVES!!!

Clay Schroff

Aspen Project

(505) 410-4460



21/32

If anyone has material possessions, and sees his brother in need but

has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? - 1 John

3:17

They also will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty

or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison and did not help

you? He will reply I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one

of the least of these, you did not do for me. - Matt 25:44-45

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to

look after widows and orphans in their distress and to keep ones self

from being polluted by the world. - James 1:27

What ifwe are NOT called to gather together as many

as we can t into our building, but to go out and be

Jesus among the watching world? What if church has

nothing to do with sound systems, padded pews and bulletins?

What if every believer was involved in outreach outside his

church walls and the coming together was to worship and give

good reports of the things that God has done through each mem-

ber while they were NOT in the building?

What if there is NO SUCH THING as a layman, and God has

called ALL OF US to be ministers? What if every time we saw

a vagrant or a person in front of us in the grocery store line

or someone standing at the exit ramp holding a will work for

food sign, we looked hard enough to see nail prints in their

hands and feet and recognize them as Jesus?

Gods people are stewards of those who He desires to be His

people. The lost and broken are His rst priority. That is why

He became man and endured death on the cross. Since we are

His Body and are inhabited by His Spirit, then the lost and the

broken should be our rst priority too.

Instead of showing our God how much we love Him by go-ing to Church four times a week, what if we showed up at

the prisons, the hospitals, the orphanages and the convalescent

homes? Then gathering on Sunday mornings would truly be a

celebration. Unconventional steps? Sure. Required steps? Read

the scriptures at the beginning again and decide for yourself.

Juliet TrossEkklesia Church Outreach

Rio Rancho, NM


22/32


23/32

My wife Meagen and I have been working with Musicians musiciansformissions com


24/32

My wife Meagen and I have been working with Musicians

For Missions International since January of 2007. MFMI was

founded in Amsterdam, Holland by Karen Lafferty in 1981 and

it is now based in Santa Fe, NM. The purpose MFMI is to

encourage, train and mobilize Christian musicians who have a

heart for God, a compassion for people, a high standard of ar-

tistic excellence and seriousness for ministry. MFMI focuses onevangelism, training, tours, and recording projects as a means

to reaching the lost encouraging Believers and equipping others

for music ministry.

Our most recent project was a 3-week music seminar in the

Quito, Ecuador. We have spent extensive time in Mexico and

Honduras but this was the rst time to South America. We

were invited by the Christian Missionary Alliance Church of

Cumbaya to be part of the Music and Arts seminar.

Quito is a beautiful city set in the Andes Mountains with a

population of 1.4 million people. Ecuador is made up of many

indigenous people groups and is rich in resources such as oil,

timber, and gold. It is also one of only 18 countries in the world

having a mega diverse biosystem, meaning Ecuador hosts a

large variety of plant and animal life.

The Music and Arts seminar hosted about 70 students over the

3-week period. The classes included music theory, piano, voice,guitar, bass guitar, drums, painting and cooking. My wife and I

were teaching music theory, piano, voice, guitar and bass guitar.

It was an amazing time for the two of us to see the students so

eager to learn and to grow in excellence, and to use their talents

to glorify God. We also found God giving us a heart to invest

in the students and to trust in Him to use these men and women

in the future for His purposes.

The long-term vision of worship pastor Gustavo Sa-maniego, who was over seeing the seminar is to have

a full time Christian music and arts school operating

alongside of CMA Church of Cumbaya. We were

privileged to be a part of the rst steps of working to-

wards that goal. Classes will continue once a week

from now until the end of the year and possibly by

then the Music and Arts school will begin to operate

in its own building on a full time basis. The arts are

such an important part of Christian culture and Wor-

ship and we need to continue to encourage excellence

in Christian Art and Music.

Meagen and I always nd that as we step out in obedi-

ence to Him, He is always faithful lead us and to work

in us. We are so thankful for the opportunity we had

to glorify Him in Ecuador and we look forward to see-

ing how God will use the many musicians and artist

who are being trained in Ecuador to be worshippers inSpirit and in Truth.

You can nd out more about Chad and Meagen Moody

and Musicians For Missions International at www.

musiciansformissions.com

Also Meagen Moody just released her studio album called

Notes To The Author and samples of that album can be heard

at www.myspace.com/moodynotes or on iTunes.

Chad & Meagan Moody

Musicians For Missions International

www.musiciansformissions.com

ONLINE VIDEO INTERVIEWSalt & Light Magazine spoke with Missions Pastor Matt Brad-

shaw. We discuss their recent mission trip to Marseille, France

where they were meeting people (mostly Muslims) who arrive

at the port there and handing them material to read about Jesus.

If you have ever been interested in missions we encourage you

to come watch this video as Matt talks about their 10 day trip to

France and how the people there reacted to them being there.



Pastor Matt Bradshaw

Sagebrush Community Church

www.sagebrush.cc

Have you attend- ceived ceremonial



25/32

Have you attend

ed a tea party?

Have you been

to a townhall meeting?

These are good ques-

tions in light of the po-

litical unrest in our na-tion. But there is a more

important question;

should you as a Christian participate in the volatile arena of

politics and government?

It has been my experience and it is my opinion that the church

has withdrawn from the realm of political controversy. Why?

Maybe its because of the old adage which says, If you want

to keep friends avoid conversations about politics and religion.

Or heres another favorite viewpoint, Whatever you do, main-tain separation between church and state. Pastors and church

leaders everywhere live in fear of crossing the line.

What is the biblically correct stance when it comes to the church

and government, along with the active participation of Christs

followers? The apostle Peter makes it very clear that we are to

be subject to every human institution. We are to honor every-

one, love fellow believers, fear God, and honor the king. (1Peter

2:13, 17) In other words we are called to be model citizens.But the question that remains with many Christians is; to what

extent are we to be involved in the political process of our na-

tion?

Lets look at what government and politics are supposed to be.

First, the denition of government is the act or process of gov-erning; specically: authoritative direction or control. Second,the denition of politics is a: the art or science of government b:the art or science concerned with guiding or inuencing govern-

mental policy c: the art or science concerned with winning andholding control over a

government. In a nutshell

government and politics

go hand and hand. You

cant have one without

the other.

As a Christian we need

to recognize that God hasestablished civil govern-

ment for the good of the

people. After Gods cho-

sen people, the Israelites,

came out of Egypt and

400 years of slavery God

led them into the wilder-

ness and made a mighty

nation out of them. At thefoot of Mount Sinai they

received not only the Ten

Commandments (moral

laws) but they also re-

ceived ceremonial

laws regarding their

worship, and civil

laws regarding their

relationships with

one another. The

observance of theselaws required gov-

ernmental activity.

The biblical pattern of

government is shown in

the Old Testament Scrip-

tures: rst there was a theoc-racy, the rule of God. Adam and

Eve, Noah, and early descendants

of man lived under this perfect form of government. As thepopulation of the earth expanded we see the institution of the

patriarchs, the rule of fathers. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are

examples of this kind of leadership. Finally, the people cried out

for a king, and God granted their request by anointing Saul to be

the rst monarch, a sovereign ruler, over Israel.

The New Testament writers also provide details on the gover-

nance of the people, whether Christian or not. The apostle Paul

says, Let every person be subject (submitted to) the governingauthorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those

that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13:1)

It becomes evidently clear from a study of Gods word that

government isnt a man-made institution; rather it is the sys-

tem God has ordained for the orderly conduct of human affairs.

Since God has established moral standards and holds all people

accountable to him, Christians should take every opportunity

to inuence the government to make laws consistent with the

Bibles moral standards. This, out of necessity, will require theChristian to engage in the political process that ultimately deter-

mines who has authority in government.

Jesus was once questioned about his political allegiances and

whether or not he should keep the law regarding paying taxes.

His answer was simple, Give to Caesar the things that are Cae-

sars; and to God the things that are Gods. As a Christian, will

you respond accordingly, serving the Lord with wholehearted

devotion, participating in the process of government and poli-tics that leads to good citizenship here on the earth?

Carl Mahler is an associate pastor with Apostles Lutheran

Church in Chesapeake, Virginia. He leads the churchs small

group ministry and conducts Bible studies. He and his wife Rita

are the parents of four children and ten grandchildren. They are

Christian marriage counselors and have conducted parenting

classes for many years.

POLIT

ICALSECTION

Pastor Carl Mahler

Apostles Lutheran Church

Chesapeake, Virginia

New Mexico Watchman


26/32

New Mexico Watchman

www.nmwatchman.com

Christian Coverage of

National and Local Events

The New Mexico Watchman meets the need for information

concerning the New Mexico Christian community and our civic concerns.

NM Watchman began when legislation proposed by New Mexico State Legislature was not reported through

other media.

Receive emails regarding the New Mexico State Legislature and other national and local events that affect theChristian community by visiting our website and subscribe. May God bless you today.

ONLINE VIDEO INTERVIEWSalt & Light Magazine spoke with Steve Pearce in a video re-

corded interview. Steve is running for Congress, 2nd district

which is the Southern district of New Mexico. We discuss the

changes and vision he has for New Mexico and how we need to

start voting our faith over our political party. If you would like

to know more about Steve Pearce go to www.NewMexicos-

BodyofChrist.com to watch this video interview in our online

magazine November 1st.

Former Congressman Steve Pearce

Taylor Memorial Baptist Church

Hobbs, NM

ONLINE VIDEO INTERVIEWSalt & Light Magazine spoke with State Representative Nora

Espinoza in a video recorded interview. We discuss voting

biblical values not political party. We ask her why she thinks

Christians should be involved in politics and what she would

like pastors in New Mexico to say about voting to their congre-

gations. To hear her answers and more go to www.NewMexi-

cosBodyofChrist.com to watch this video interview in our on-

line magazine November 1st.

Nora EspinozaNM House Representative District 59

Church on the Move

This section is not about Republican orDemocrat but bringing you a more personal

side of the people in government. If you arerunning for ofce or are already in a positionwe would like to interview you.

Daniel Ruiz at: (505) 264-5201or [email protected]


Last December, Terri Krueger, the mother of two Naval

Many of


27/32

LAcademy sons, was attending the Army/Navy footballgame. During halftime, a check was presented to theWounded Warrior Project. During the applause she knew, to-

gether with her friends and their friends back in New Mexico

that she could raise even more money for this worthy cause.

Terri became passionate about raising money and awareness forthe Wounded Warrior Project. And since she is a successful

and respected designer, you do what you do best. The Ooh La

La Christmas Home Tour was born.

The group she organized is called Ooh La La Christmas and is a

new, local 501 ( c ) (3) non-prot organization whose missionis to help fund and promote awareness of organizations that sup-

port the needs of severely injured service men and women. This

year the group is supporting the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Wounded Warrior Project was founded in 2002 by a group

of veterans and brothers who decided that wounded service

members returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan deserved

more than brass bands and ticker tape parades. They needed

tangible support and help on their road to healing, both physi-

cally and mentally. The Wounded Warrior Project provides a

range of programs and events designed for these heroes beyond

their hospital stay that include outdoor rehabilitation retreats,

cross-country cycling, career guidance, college preparatoryclasses, year round sports programs, backpacks of personal

items, caregiver retreats, and advocacy programs that work on

legislation for the injured military.

For more information see the ad below or visit :

www.oohlalachristmas.org or call (505) 856-8582

Mus knowone of themany heroes who

serve in our armed

forces andkeep us

safe both here andabroad. We want to

hear about service

men and women who

are not only heroes for

their country but are also

heroes for Christ. We would

like to feature a special section

just to our military men and women

and show how they are making an impact for Christ.

So if you know some of these amazing men and women please

contact us and give us their story or we can interview them.

January 2010 will have our rst full Military Section, lets kick

it off with a bang!

We want to hear about amazing military

personnel who are letting their light shine

please let us know so that we can include

them in our new military section!




28/32

Idont think I

will ever for-

get the sound

that the door made when

the staff at the psychiat-

ric hospital took Joyelle from us.They told us they would stay in touch, but for us to

not contact her for at least two weeks. When that door

closed we knew in our hearts that life for Joyelle was

hanging by a thread. The little girl that we knew and

loved would never be the same again. We continued

contact with Joyelles doctor at the hospital calling ev-

ery day to see what was happening. He explained to us

that Joyelle had to face her demon and it was probablyone of the most difcult things she will ever experi-

ence. When we were nally able to see Joyelle we

were in shock. Joyelle had lost weight and was ex-

tremely weak and very angry with us. Her rst words

to us were, You always said you would be there for

me, where were you? I personally felt like I had been

hit by a truck and I knew it was going to take extensive

counseling for all of us to get through this crisis. You

realize that you must put on your strength and trust in

your Heavenly Father to get you through trying times

like this. We spoke often with our Pastor and asked

him to please visit Joyelle. After one of his visits with

Joyelle he dropped by to see us and he was in tears.

Joyelle had asked him, where was God when HE was

raping us, You said in church that God is always withus? I nally realize what they mean when they say

time is a healer.

Joyelle was so fortunate to have the team of therapists

she had. Every night we drove forty miles round trip to

meet with other parents whose children were in the hos-

pital with Joyelle. Joyelle was inpatient for thirty days

and then transferred to outpatient services for sixty dayswhile also attending AA and Tough Love groups for

over a year. We had individual family counseling and

we learned what our daughter had been going through

alone. We found out that Joyelle had been drinking ev-

eryday since the rst rape. It is hard to comprehend that

our child became an alcoholic at age twelve and we did

not even see the signs. So we nally realized Joyelle did

not have headaches from allergies but had a hangover

every morning for 4 years. Dont forget the $10,000

phone bills; it seems that Joyelle would call Courtney

in MA and her friend Rick, who had moved from Mi-

ami to CA, on three way calling. Joyelle would pass

out and Courtney and Rick became very good friends

talking on the phone every night most of the night. As

we continued our counseling, we realized the pain our

daughter must have been suffering daily. Apparently,

the perpetrator had such a hold on the children in FallRiver, MA because he always knew where Joyelle was

until she moved to Dallas, TX. You see Joyelle never

told Courtney about Dallas, we thought it strange she

stopped asking us if Courtney could come for her year-

ly visits and we just thought maybe they had just out

grown each other. Now that we put things together we

realize they did always stay in touch but Joyelle always

made up excuses as to why Courtney could not come

to visit. Joyelle knew that if she told Courtney where

we were living in Dallas her rapist would nd her. We

did not know he kept calling her and threatening her

while we lived in Miami, saying there was no place she

would be safe and he would always nd her. He told

her he was going to rape her and her best friend and

he did. He also said he would kill her dog and he did.So when he said he was going to kill her parents and

make her watch if she told anyone, then she thought

he would. It is hard for us to try to comprehend what

she went through as she (at age 12) was trying to pro-

tect her mother from a rapist/killer and her dad from a

killer. The threats were so believable to her. She said

he always knew when Jack was out of town and would

call her. The hold that a perpetrator has on his victim

is monumental. She nally felt safe when we moved

to Dallas and this was why the truth could nally come

out.


29/32


30/32


31/32


32/32

Date post:	30-May-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	gough4it
View:	217 times
Download:	0 times

Salt & Light Magazine October 09

Documents