A Tribute To Granddad

Today I did my first funeral - it was my grandfather's. Here are a few thoughts about him...

My grandpa was a man of God! His love for God was seen in his life - in the way that he served & blessed others. He loved to give - whether it was his time, resources, finances, etc. he would give. The greatest thing that he ever gave was giving the Great News of Jesus to others. I got to meet people these last couple of days who told us of how they came to know Christ as Lord and Savior because of my granddad's life. It was hard to see him go but I believe that if he were able to share one last thing with us today he would echo the words of Paul.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

I believe he would have recited those verses & then gone on to tell us, "Its okay to cry. Goodbye's are never easy, bust rest assured that this isn't 'goodbye', its just a 'see you later.' We will see each other again one day, but until that day, you have a race to run, a race to win. I have finished mine & I now go into the grandstands to cheer you on in your race. Run hard, don't give up & don't look back & when you are finished with that race I'll be there at the finish line to celebrate with you."

I have a race to win!

In it to win it,

Coach Luis

Don't Just Say It, Mean It.

Have you ever said something before but you didn't really mean it? I think we're probably all guilty of that. How about when someone asks us how we are doing, the typical response is, "Good." We answer back without really thinking of the question & without really meaning the answer; its an automatic response that we give. I must admit, I've been guilty of that before, not just with people, but with God too. Have you ever had a time that you prayed but didn't really mean it? What happens sometimes is we pray out of habit or routine & not out of desire & then wonder why our prayer isn't answered. God isn't looking for us to just punch a time card, he wants to spend time with us; he wants for us to meet with him! When we truly go to God he's there to meet with us...

Ps. 145:18 (The Message) - God is there, listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it.

Don't just go to prayer on auto pilot, pray & really mean it.

Coach Luis

Amazing!

God moved in a mighty way tonight! He changed the order of how we were going to do things & it was great. Salvations, rededications, & breakthroughs, it was a fantastic night!

What did you do tonight?

I've spent the last month and a half looking over the lives of some of God's mighty warriors. Their stories are amazing, their lives inspirational, & their convictions piercing. Praise God that His word is alive & active & for today. The bible isn't just a history book, its a guide for us today. We too can have stories that are amazing, lives that are inspirational, & convictions that is piercing. I want to serve God, love God, & live for God the way these men & women did.

Daniel 6:4-5 - 4At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God." (NIV)

I too must live with such character & integrity that the only problem people have with me is in my obedience to God. Daniel (along with all the others) was able to live for God in such a way because he (they) knew God.

Daniel 11:32b - ... but the people who know their God shall be strong, and cary out great exploits. (NKJV)

I cannot rest in my pursuit of God, I must know him more and more.

Coach Luis

!!!

Camp has been absolutely amazing! We've had people getting rocked by God, healed by God & set free by God. I was sad about missing tonight but I was excited about being back home with the most amazing students in the world. I was really tired coming back & I didn't want to make the drive, not to mention I wasn't feeling well. I got back & we had our meeting tonight & 3 students gave their hearts to Christ & others shared on how God was leading them to give up some things in their lives! God moved here in Taylor despite how I felt, praise God! It was worth the drive to be here tonight! 

I love you guys!

Well, time to get back to camp.

Later,

Coach Luis

Post Game Thoughts...

Yeah, its been a while since my last post. Things are going great here in Taylor! I'm really loving being here. Tonight was another awesome night! We looked at the beginning of Paul's (Saul) real life.

Acts 9:1-20

Praise God that he doesn't look at who we used to be, he looks at who we ought to be. People may remember our past but God forgives & forgets it. People may not see the plan, but God knows the plan he's made for us. We are his chosen instruments to get work done! Saul's past didn't matter, he was given a new mission, & it began right away, and the same applies to us.

I believe God that we are on the verge of an explosion & I'm thrilled to be right in the middle of it!

Coach Luis