Medical Mission to Peru – April 8-16

My wife, myself and a group of Doctors and nurses are in Perú this week on a medical mission trip.  Last night I started a new blog.  You can keep up to date here. My wife at the guest house balcony:

Here I am with a new friend named Angel (I think this is her name)
Material is copyright by eigaldamez. Permission is given
to re-post or reproduce without editing the content.

Disclaimer:
The contents of all personal web pages and blogs published are solely my responsibility.
Statements made and opinions expressed on personal pages are strictly those of the author and not of any organization, church, or school.

<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> medical mission, peru, women for world health | Comments Off on Medical Mission to Peru – April 8-16

Call to Preach and Teach…but You have to Wait…A Long Time

Yesterday I heard a message from a young man who has been in youth ministry for 16 years and heard him preach in the church I attend (I believe it was his first time). He was simple but I could sense he was speaking full of the Holy Spirit. He wasn’t fancy, nor deep, but spoke clearly, applying the Word of God. Ironically he was teaching on a passage where Jesus sends the twelve to preach the Good News of the Kingdom and to heal. The disciples had been with Jesus in training less than a year (their total training was about 1.5 years). Yet Jesus released them to do the work He trained to do. After the service I started thinking why The Church doesn’t follow Christ’s example. Why does The Church make it so long and complicated to acknowledge those that desire to serve God in preaching and teaching.  Many churches require extensive training, such as seminary training, and years of practice before releasing them. Many churches “hire” people with the “right” qualifications. Many of these young men and even the apostles would never qualify (the Apostles were common folks with very little formal education).  See Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur and The Training of the Twelve by A.B. Bruce

I have nothing against formal theological training. I believe that due to the nature of our times, those entering the ministry must possess some level of training but I don’t think this is mandatory. There have been plenty of great men of God without formal training. Just to name one, A.W. Tozer who influenced so many for the Kingdom and is still read by so many. His books The Knowledge of the Holy and The Pursuit of God are still best-sellers. I also believe that discipleship (and not defined by going through some curriculum) and mentoring is necessary for anyone entering the ministry.
When I became a Christian at the age of 13, I was on fire. I read the Scriptures, read books, listened to the best preachers on the radio and began to be mentored by my youth pastor. By 15 I was already teaching and at times preaching to the church. Our youth pastor had a lot to do with this. He believed young people should serve God (he was also called to preach at a young age). This was not without opposition. One pastor rejected me being an elder of the church at age of twenty one. I was not of age according to this man even though I had already gone through seminary by extension and had a proven record of serving God in the church. After our church split, we decided to move to Arizona to pursue my education in Biblical Studies. My desire was to come back to the church I had left (the result of the split) to pastor. I came back but I was also rejected. Again, many saw me as inexperienced or not old enough (Now some say I’m too old).
As I am writing this I am listening to a message titled, “The Man God Uses” at a church I am helping with the youth. The first qualification mentioned was obedience. The man God uses must be obedient. I agree.  Aside, from the desire to serve, this is probably the indispensable quality (and of course the ones outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1) God can take any man who is obedient and transform him into a man that is useful for his Kingdom.  Missionaries overseas have done a better job in training and preparing men for the ministry. They understand the nature of discipleship, mentoring and preparing ministers of the Gospel.  The Church in America needs to wake up and follow the model Christ left us in the New Testament even if it means not learning Greek or Hebrew or taking 90 units to complete an M.Div. We need to find qualified men, disciple, mentor and release them to do the ministry for which they have been called.
Material is copyright by eigaldamez. Permission is given
to re-post or reproduce without editing the content.

Disclaimer:
The contents of all personal web pages and blogs published are solely my responsibility.
Statements made and opinions expressed on personal pages are strictly those of the author and not of any organization, church, or school.

<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> discipleship, mentoring to change lives, ministers, ministry, preaching, teaching | Comments Off on Call to Preach and Teach…but You have to Wait…A Long Time

Thoughts on “Heaven Is For Real”

This morning I read this review of the book Heaven Is For Real. I have read this book a few weeks ago and had no intentions of writing anything about it. But I will offer some thoughts.

1. The hype built up with this book, the fact it is a bestseller, people saying all kinds of things, is no different than The Shack90 Minutes in Heaven or the controversial Love Wins going on now as well.  The latter more of a theological discussion, serious indeed. So my point? It’s not new!
2. The book claims to be non-fiction, a true event of a 4 year old who dies for who knows how long, goes to Heaven and comes back. The dad starts finding out things this child has seen in Heaven and assessing them whether they are true or not.  It happens that the child is right on with everything he has seen. So this is interpreted as a gift of God to them, a glimpse of Heaven. Now they share the story. Is it true? I have no idea. I am a skeptic. I need verifiable truth.  Look, the kid was 4 years old. Am I just going to believe the 4 year old or the dad without any verifiable data such as intensive scrutiny of the assertions from third parties? By the way, there is one man in the Bible who went to Heaven (He wasn’t really sure if the had been dead or not) and came back but was forbidden to speak about what he saw (2 Corinthians 12:2). I wonder why.
3. Let’s suppose it is true. Does this means it is from God? How do you prove it? Can you find any Bible passage to support extra-biblical revelations? Given, the book does not say any heretical stuff. It does mention extra biblical things, such as people in Heaven with wings something never mentioned in the Bible. So you say this helps prove the Bible is true. Do you need a story like this to be sure the Bible’s truth about Heaven is true? Jesus said:  “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29-NIV).

4.  Could a story like this be true but not be from God? The Bible says that The Deceiver dresses himself as an angel of  light: “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)
There are other stories been passed around as God appearing here (or a girl having visions of heaven and then drawing them) or there, healings, etc… Could this be from Satan and not from God? I believe so. But you say, “They are harmless and they point to God.”  Do you think Satan knows how prone we are to believe experiences, especially when they support what God says? Why would he do this? I believe he will use anything to distract us from The Truth of God’s Word.  Once the does that he uses this as an opportunity to make us shallow, to water down the Gospel, to compromise and the list goes on.  Read Galatians and see what happened in this church.  Most heresies don’t start with great distortions, they start with simple deviations from The Truth of God’s Word.
5. Christians are compared to sheep in the Bible because we are followers (and they are dumb too).  We love following other people, some are great Christian personalities.  We breathe and live everything this person gives us.  We follow trends (go to a Christian bookstore and see for yourself).  As sheep we are not very good with discernment. And yet, this is what we ought to do. Have discernment.  Be a Berean. See if things are true. Questions things your pastor says, preachers say, your church says, books say, and blogs say. 
Should you read this book? It’s really up to you. I enjoyed it, it made me feel good. Like I said before, I am a skeptic about these types of book. This one read like a novel. For me, it is just a book. But this is just me. I am a bibliophile.
BTW…if you want to know what the Bible says about Heaven, read this book but you should definitely read this one. I dare you. Why wouldn’t you if you are willing to read “Heaven Is For Real”?
Material is copyright by eigaldamez. Permission is given
to re-post or reproduce without editing the content.

Disclaimer:
The contents of all personal web pages and blogs published are solely my responsibility.
Statements made and opinions expressed on personal pages are strictly those of the author and not of any organization, church, or school.

<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> Heaven, Heaven is for real | Comments Off on Thoughts on “Heaven Is For Real”

Jesus My Love

Here is a poem from “Poems For The Journey

Jesus My Love
by eig

Oh Jesus, you are my first love
I wish that I wouldn’t only remember you as someone above
But that you are in my life, my only true love
I remember the day when you saved me
I felt you so close and free as a dove

But slowly and surely as the years have passed by
I realize how cold I’ve become
I invited you into my life, and that is no lie
But often I don’t acknowledge you’re right by my side
But your grace and faithfulness to me is so awesome
Is not compared to what’s given by some
You patiently wait with arms open wide
Your love draws me and again to you I come
And my love is again as that of a bride
I only wish it would always be such a strong drive
But I am so weak, and it is only because of your grace that I barely survive
Yet, I will not stop to continue to strive
For the love of my life, my Jesus, in whom I abide

Saturday, April 18, 1998

Copyright 2011 by eig

Material is copyright by eigaldamez. Permission is given
to re-post or reproduce without editing the content.

Disclaimer:
The contents of all personal web pages and blogs published are solely my responsibility.
Statements made and opinions expressed on personal pages are strictly those of the author and not of any organization, church, or school.

<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> christianity, following Jesus, Jesús, Jesus Christ | Comments Off on Jesus My Love

Poems For The Journey: A Christian Pilgrim On The Way Shares His Heart Through Poetry


I never thought I would write poetry.  Before 1998, I had written maybe one or two poems.  I had no intentions of ever writing any. Then came 1998. It was a year of struggles and suffering.  Thus, I began to write poems to reflect my thinking and my struggles.  The poems written during this year are very personal.  After this year I wrote a few more in the year 2000.  My life started a downward spiral of questioning my faith. I wrote some more poems in the year 2001 that reflect my life drying up spiritually. I wrote some more in 2002.  A total of about 88 were written during this time. I stored them away. I didn’t read them. I struggled in my faith the next six years. It was not until over a year ago that my faith has gone through radical re-shaping by God. Last year, I started to put them in order and organized them in a systematic way. I had intentions of publishing them but didn’t think they were good enough.  And they are not. They are not on par with Dickinson, Rosetti, Whitman or any other poet.  But as I read and looked for poetry that reflects the Truth of God’s Word and the struggles Christians face I didn’t find anything.  It may be my oversight but it appears to me as such. The digital age has now allowed me to self-publish them through the Kindle store.

Today I created a blog Poems For The Journey for these poems and wrote this:

“It’s been a long time since I have been with the desire to publish poems that I wrote many years ago.  It’s been a long process but I finally got them published on the Kindle.  They will soon show up at Amazon.  Many are reflections of the Christian faith, my questions, my observations and struggles.  Some are very personal, thus emotional.  I was hesitant to release these, but I have.  I do it so that in some way they might serve as an encouragement for those who are also going through similar circumstances.  I do pray that they are beneficial and edifying for the Body of Christ.  I make no apologies for any of them. I do know that they aren’t on par with professional poets but it doesn’t really matter to me. They are what they are and the content reflects my deep thoughts and experiences.  Thus, I release them!”
You can find it in the Kindle Store.
Material is copyright by eigaldamez. Permission is given
to re-post or reproduce without editing the content.

Disclaimer:
The contents of all personal web pages and blogs published are solely my responsibility.
Statements made and opinions expressed on personal pages are strictly those of the author and not of any organization, church, or school.

<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> Uncategorized | Comments Off on Poems For The Journey: A Christian Pilgrim On The Way Shares His Heart Through Poetry

Consejos Sabios Para El Jóven: Cómo Mantenerse Puro y Rechazar la Inmoralidad Sexual

Our study for the last two weeks at our youth service:

Consejos Sabios Para El Jóven
Cómo Mantenerse Puro y Rechazar la Inmoralidad Sexual

I. El Propósito (v.1-2)
   A. Obtener Sabiduría y Prudencia (Buen Juicio) (v. 1)
        Dios desea que seamos sabios (tengamos la habilidad de hacer decisiones correctas) y tengamos buen juicio de lo que es bueno y malo. Él nos ha llamado para vivir una vida llena del “conocimiento de su voluntad en toda sabiduría e inteligencia espiritual, para que andeís como es digno del Señor, agradándole en todo…” (Colosenses 1:9-10) Esta clase de sabiduría viene de Dios.
        “El principio de la sabiduría es el temor a Jehová.” (Proverbios 1:7)
   B. Aprender Discreción y Conocimiento (v. 2)
       La discreción (prever o planear de antemano)  está asociada con la sabiduría y la prudencia. Son resultados que provienen de una vida que sigue el consejo de Dios. Una persona sabia muestra discreción en su diario vivir y su manera de hablar expresa el conocimiento de Dios que ha aprendido.
II. El Peligro (v.3)
   A. La Mujer Ajena o Extraña: Una Mujer Que No Te Pertenece (v. 3) [Mirar cap. 7:5-27]
           La mujer extraña o ajena es aquella que no nos pertenece, pues no está ligada en ninguna manera a nuestra vida.
            La mujer inmoral es una que no tiene escrúpulos, una que carece de la sabiduría de Dios. En nuestra cultura no es sólo la mujer inmoral la que es evidente sino también el hombre inmoral.
            Se pudiera decir que el cristiano también puede llegar a reflejar las características de una persona inmoral, una que acepta la moralidad cultural e ignora por omisión o comisión la
sabiduría de Dios.
   B. Su Seducción (v. 3)
        1. Atracción física: “sus labios destilan miel” (v.3a)
           Su atracción es muy dulce como la miel.   En contraste, los labios del sabio destilan
           prudencia, discreción y conocimiento.
        2. Habla seductora: “su paladar (su boca) es más blando que el aceite” (v.3b).
            La manera que habla es muy suave y amable (Proverbios 2:16, 6:24; 7:5)
            La manera de vestirse, arreglarse y de hablar de una mujer, los tres, tienen un efecto
            seductivo para el hombre. El hombre es facilmente atraído y seducido, especialmente
            sexualmente. Esto no es algo natural sino un efecto del pecado que nos afecta a
            todos.
            De igual manera, el deseo de la mujer de ganar la atención con la apariencia ante
           que con el carácter es algo contrario al plan original de Dios.
        3. Es cruel: “Para que no des a los extraños tu honor, y tus años al cruel.” (v. 9)
            Posiblemente una referencia a lo que tendrá que hacer para pagar por su error. Pero
            también sabemos que la inmoralidad cuesta no sólo monetariamente sino también en
            el honor.
III. Las Consecuencias de Ceder a la Inmoralidad (v. 4-6)
   A. Amargura y dolor (v. 4)
       Las consecuencias de ceder a la inmoralidad es amargura y dolor profundo.  Es fácil caer en la trampa y no darse cuenta de los resultados que traerá. Un momento de placer trae resultados que afectarán profundamente (espada de dos filos). Proverbios 6:33 dice: “Heridas y verguenza hallará, y su afrenta nunca será borrada.”
   B. Muerte (v.5-6)
   Ella no considera el camino de la vida pues es demasiado inestable. Busca su propio interés y se pierde en  su deleite. Por consiguiente, su camino es un camino que lleva a la muerte. Es lo más drástico que menciona Salomón para hacernos ver la seriedad del asunto. Es asunto de vida y muerte. El pecado siempre trae como consecuencia la muerte espiritual. Romanos 3:23
  
   Notemos como la cultura nuestra minimiza cualquier consecuencia de la inmoralidad.  No se habla mucho de las consecuencias. Se enfatiza el placer a cualquier costo y los resultados no deseados son minimizados (ejemplo: el aborto es legal y común y el tener relaciones fuera del matrimonio no se limita).
IV. La Prevención y Resultados para Evitar (v.7-14)
     Hay que escuchar y no olvidar este consejo. Debemos tenerlo cerca todo el tiempo.
    A. Prevención: Mantenerse lejos de ella (v. 8).  
    No debemos tener ningun contacto con ella. Lo más lejos posible es mejor. Nuestro deber es mantenernos en el camino recto. (Proverbios 4:25).
   B. Los resultados de no escuchar el consejo (v. 9-14) :
        1. Perderás tus mejores años de vigor. (v. 9)
            El vigor se pierde en el placer y el tiempo se pierde en el.  La esclavitud que la inmoralidad ejerce sobre su cautivo es cruel.  Todo este tiempo pudo haberse usado para Dios, pero el inmoral no escuchó el consejo de Dios.
        2. Perderás las oportunidades de tu vida  (v. 10)
            La persona envuelta en la inmoralidad pagará también económicamente. Gastará sus recursos en sus placeres, para complacer a la persona inmoral.
        3. Perderás tu capacidad física (v. 11)
            La inmoralidad trae consecuencias físicas.  Las enfermedades venéreas son prevalentes en los que se envuelven sexualmente con otros. Hay más de veinte. No hay ninguna cura para ellas. Lo único que la persona puede hacer es gemir de lamento y dolor.
        4. Te lamentarás de no haber escuchado la instrucción y corrección (v. 12-13)
            
            Las opciones que tenemos hoy es: amar o aborrecer la instrucción, recibir o rechazar la corrección, escuchar a nuestros instructores y  maestros o no escuchar. Es hoy que tenemos la oportunidad. Después sólo habrá lamento.
            El lamento es muy tarde. Ya la inmoralidad ha traído consecuecias. No trae nada positivo el decir “Si hubiera…” La conciencia está llena de culpa pero no sirve para mucho.
            
        5. Traerás verguenza pública (v.14)
            El pecado sexual es casi siempre revelado públicamente. Aunque hoy se quiere celebrar todo acto sexual, sabemos que muchos sufren de verguenza pública.
V. La Alternativa (v. 15-23)
    A. El Placer Matrimonial (v. 15-20)
        1. El plan de Dios para la satisfacción sexual (“la sed” sexual) es el matrimonio.  “Cisterna,” “raudales,”  “fuentes,” son referencias a la relación matrimonial. La relaciones íntimas son entre un pareja y son antitéticas del adulterio (v. 17, 20).
     
        2. La relación matrimonial es bendita, debe satisfacer (intoxicar) en todo tiempo y recrear a las dos personas (v. 18-19).
            “Cierva,” y “gacela,” son una referencia a la hermosura y elegancia de la esposa.
        Hoy día nuestra cultura da rienda suelta a las relaciones sexuales prematrimoniales. Esto no es el plan de Dios.  Hay personas que estan en una relacion y creen que “todo” contacto físico es aceptable siempre y cuando no se llegue al acto sexual.  El acto sexual es el fín o el climax pero las caricias eróticas son las que llevan a ello.  Es por esto que no es aceptable “todo” contacto físico.
    B. El Temor a Dios (v. 21-23)
        1. El Señor examina el camino del hombre (v. 21)
            
            Todo lo que hacemos está expuesto abiertamente delante de Dios. Es necedad pensar que podemos escondernos de Dios (Salmo 139:11).  Si tememos a Dios no haremos lo que no le complace a Él.  
        2. El hombre será destruido por su propio pecado si no escucha a DIos (v. 22-23)
            Dios no necesita “castigar” todo pecado. El pecado trae consecuencias y Dios muchas veces deja que suframos los resultados de nuestro pecado.  El pecado “prende” (intoxica) a la persona, no la deja libre para aceptar la corrección y ultimadamente le
destruye.   ¡Es una locura!
Preguntas de Aplicación:
1.  ¿Porqué crees que los jovenes necesitan la sabiduría de Dios?
2.  ¿Qué se necesita para tener la sabiduría de Dios? Lee Proverbios 1:7, 9:10, Salmo 111:10
3.  Escribe lo significa para ti el “temor a Dios.” (Génesis 22:12; Éxodo 1:17; 20:20)
4.  ¿Cómo debe de ser la manera de hablar, actuar y expresarse de uno que es discreto y tiene conocimiento de Dios? (Efesios 4:17-32)
5.  Proverbios 5 describe a una “mujer extraña” o inmoral.  ¿Cómo describes tú una persona inmoral?
6.  ¿Cómo describe la cultura actual una persona inmoral? ¿Qué diferencia puedes ver entre lo que la cultura “enseña” sobre la moralidad y lo que Dios enseña en su Palabra?
7.  La persona inmoral usa su atracción física y su manera de hablar para seducir a otros.  Lee 1 Pedro 3:2-4 y menciona cómo se describe a una esposa. ¿Cómo se pude aplicar este pasaje a las jovenes solteras?
8. Lee Proverbios 7:5-27. ¿Qué puede el jóven varón aprender de este ejemplo?
9.  Proverbios 5:4-14 describe las consecuencias de la inmoralidad.  Describe cómo aplican cada una hoy día.
10.  La relaciones matrimoniales son el plan de Dios para satisfacer el deseo sexual (1 Corintios 7:1-2, I Tesalonicenses 4:3-4). El amor (eros), las caricias y el contacto físico forman parte de la relación sexual.  ¿Crées tu que cualquier contacto físico entre una pareja de “novios” es aceptable? ¿Cuáles son los limites? [por favor discute con madurez esta pregunta con terminos apropiados a tu edad y sin
       necesidad de ser muy explícitos]

11.  ¿Cómo te debe afectar el hecho de que Dios “examina” todos tus caminos? Lee Oséas
        7:2, Hebreos 4:13
12.  El pecado es una necedad que te amarra y eventualmente te destruye.
       Lee Juan 8:34-36 ¿Qué dijo Cristo acerca del pecado?
Material is copyright by eigaldamez. Permission is given
to re-post or reproduce without editing the content.

Disclaimer:
The contents of all personal web pages and blogs published are solely my responsibility.
Statements made and opinions expressed on personal pages are strictly those of the author and not of any organization, church, or school.

<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> inmoralidad sexual, jóvenes, proverbios, proverbios 5, pureza | Comments Off on Consejos Sabios Para El Jóven: Cómo Mantenerse Puro y Rechazar la Inmoralidad Sexual

God’s Protection

“The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.” Psalm 34:7

After a church meeting a sister from our church prayed that God’s angels would protect us as we travelled back home in the rain. I didn’t even hear this part until my wife later reminded me.

Today as we travelled home I decided to go on the carpool lane while it was raining. I had not driven too long around 70 mph when I felt the water on the side hitting the wheels of the car. I pressed on the breaks and as I did this the car started to spin counterclock wise. I held on to the steering wheel and kept pressure on the breaks as the car rotated to the next lane and slowly spinned and faced incoming traffic. I worried about my wife being hit by a car coming and was waiting for the impact. The car kept spinning as it moved into two lanes and came back to the carpool lane heading for the medium. At that point I straightened the steering wheel and felt the car quickly jerking and moving forward. I pushed on the accelerator and kept driving.

We had just spinned 360 degrees, no car came close to us and we kept driving. That moment felt like time had stopped and we were in another dimension. As we drove we were 100% certain God has send an angel (or maybe more than one) to protect us. Five minutes after we experienced this we saw a big accident on the opposite side of the Freeway. About 20 mins. later, there was an accident on the carpool lane, car was facing incoming traffic and two other cars on the side of the Freeway.

We know God protected us today. Thank you Lord for your loving kindness.

Material is copyright by eigaldamez. Permission is given
to re-post or reproduce without editing the content.

Disclaimer:
The contents of all personal web pages and blogs published are solely my responsibility.
Statements made and opinions expressed on personal pages are strictly those of the author and not of any organization, church, or school.

<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> angels, God's protection | Comments Off on God’s Protection

Cuatro Maneras De Amar (usando cuatro palabras Griegas)

Hay cuatro maneras de amar usando cuatro palabras griegas.

1. Storge – Amor familiar

El amor familiar es lo más básico y elemental que Dios nos ha dado. Él como creador del hogar nos da el privilegio de amar a nuestros seres queridos.

     A.  Exódo 20:12 (Exodus 20:12) – Habla del amor hacia los padres demostrado en la manera que los honramos.

     B.  2 Timoteo 3:1-4 – Habla de la falta de amor familiar en los días finales.  El egoísmo y el placer personal reinarán el la vida de las personas. 2 Timothy 3:1-4

     C. La iglesia es la “familia” de Dios y por lo tanto se expresa éste amor entre sus miembros.Gálatas 6:10 (Galatians 6:10)

2. Filia – Amor Amistoso (de amigos)

     A.  El amor amistoso se expresa entre amigos, tanto del mismo sexo como del sexo opuesto. No es un amor sexual.  En la biblia se habla del amor amistoso entre dos hombres: Jonatán y David en 1 Samuel 18:1 (1 Samuel 18:1). Éste no era un amor homosexual. Era un amor entre amigos. Se ha perdido ésto entre hombres.

     B.  Esta clase de amor se expresa también al sexo opuesto pero con pureza.  El hombre debe tratar a las señoritas como hermanas.

     C.  Este amor de hermanos de demuestra en la familia de la fe.  Romanos 12:10 (Romans 12:10).

3. Eros – Amor Romántico

     “Eros” es el amor que muchas veces comienza con la amistad y progresivamente se convierte en amor romántico entre un hombre y una mujer. Esto es normal.  Sin embargo la expresión “erótica” o sexual está reservada para el momento especial en el que una pareja se une en matrimonio. El mundo actual no hace diferencia entre amor romántico y sexual.  Se da rienda suelta al amor sexual tanto que ha llegado a ser parte de lo “normal.” Esto es un resultado de la perversión del pecado. El auto control no es considerado.
      La Biblia dice que:

     A. El amor romántico se expresa en el matrimonio – 1 Corintios 7:8-9 (1 Corinthians 7:8-9)

     B. El amor romántico se expresa entre esposo y esposa: Cantar de los Cantares (Song of Songs 1)
  
     C. La pureza sexual se debe mantener antes del matrimonio: 1 Tesalonicenses 4:3-9 (1 Thessalonians 4:3-9).
         1. El llamado de Dios es que vivamos una vida santificada (apartada para Dios).

         2. El llamado de Dios es que vivamos una vida pura y no seguir las normas del mundo.

      Es importante que los varones sean caballeros y traten con pureza a las señoritas y las señoritas se den a respetar también. Para los hombres el amor “eros” es más dominante pero para las señoritas es el amor “filia” el cual envuelven las emociones.

4. Agápe – Amor Divino

     A. El amor de Dios: Romanos 5:8 (Romans 5:8). Éste amor proviene de Dios. Dios es amor (1 Juan 4:8, 1 John 4:8). Es un amor que se caracteriza por el sacrificio y por lo dadivoso.

     B. El amor de Cristo – 2 Corintios 5:14-15 (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

     C. El amor del Espíritu Santo – Romanos 5:5 (Romans 5:5)

     D. El amor del Cristiano – 1 Corintios 13 (1 Corinthians 13)

El amor “agápe” debe dominar la vida del cristiano. Éste amor hace posible que podamos tener “storge,” “filia,” y que podamos controlar el amor “eros.” Eros proviene de Dios.
Si no has recibido a Cristo éste amor no tiene lugar en tu vida. Pero puedes recibirlo pidiéndoselo a Dios.

Material is copyright by eigaldamez. Permission is given
to re-post or reproduce without editing the content.

Disclaimer:
The contents of all personal web pages and blogs published are solely my responsibility.
Statements made and opinions expressed on personal pages are strictly those of the author and not of any organization, church, or school.

<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> agape, Amor, eros, four loves, philia, spanish, Spanish language, storge, valentines | Comments Off on Cuatro Maneras De Amar (usando cuatro palabras Griegas)

Letters To My Son: The Way of Wisdom

The Way of Wisdom
Dear Misael,
              I have been thinking a lot about what I should write to you about and the words “The Way of Wisdom” kept ringing in my ears and believe or not it was in Hebrew (haderek hokmah) which is found in Proverbs 14:11 “I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.” The book of Proverbs is the book of Wisdom in the Bible.  Salomon wrote it (Proverbs 1:1), and much of it directed to his son. He is known as the wisest man in the Bible not because of his own doing, but because he asked God to give him wisdom and God granted it to Him (2 Chronicles 1:10).  Yet he wasn’t perfect and made many mistakes. In fact, the Bible says that his heart wasn’t devoted to God like his father David’s had been: “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.” (1 Kings 11:4-NIV) In fact, this act was foolish and Salomon did not follow his own advice.
            Wisdom is the God-given skill or ability to make right decisions when presented with various choices, whether they are morally right or wrong.  Sometimes making a decision involves making a choice between what is right and wrong, but in such case it is not too hard to determine which is the path to take.  But sometimes situations are presented that are not morally right or wrong (read how Salomon dealt with a difficult situation and made a wise decision in 1 Kings 3) and wisdom is necessary.  In the Old Testament the word “Hokmah” is used for the men who were very given wisdom or skill by the Holy Spirit for building the Tabernacle (Exodus 28:3, 31:3).  In the New Testament the word “Sophia” is used for Wisdom.  A person who has wisdom is very cunning; he or she is very keen in observing behavior, opportunities, and choices and is able to make the best decision for the best desired outcome.
        Proverbs 1:7 says that it is the fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom.  In other 
words, when you understand who God is, and you fill your life with his knowledge, then you will be able to make “skillful” decisions.


Note: These letters have been edited.
Material is copyright by eigaldamez. Permission is given
to re-post or reproduce without editing the content.

Disclaimer:
The contents of all personal web pages and blogs published are solely my responsibility.
Statements made and opinions expressed on personal pages are strictly those of the author and not of any organization, church, or school.

<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> fear of God, Hokmah, proverbs, Sophiawisdom | Comments Off on Letters To My Son: The Way of Wisdom

Will Justice Come?

In light of current events I post this poem I wrote many years ago; a forthcoming ebook “Poems For The Journey”

Will Justice Come?
Isaiah 32:1-8
A man in ragged clothes is in a corner standing
Begging for money for a piece of bread
Another comes out of a restaurant laughing
Passing by him; he has been well fed
A woman sobs seating in her living room
Bruises on her body, her nose bleeding
A man singing out of tune
Feeling brave after the beating
A child wakes up trembling
Begging the man she loves not to hurt her
The abuse she has been remembering
If only she could say it louder
A young man taken into custody
The coroners has identified the bodies
It all happened as a rhapsody
In a cell he will have new buddies
A woman looks out her window
Wishing tomorrow she’ll have a better mood
Lonely and sad as a widow
A year has passed and there she has stood
Physically and emotionally drained
An old man walks through the door
He’s been fired for the job he was trained
He is too old to serve any more
A young mother is counting her pennies
Hoping to have enough money
To buy her children some tennis
Where is the man that called her honey?
This is the world where we live today
Injustice is around every corner
Will justice come some day?
Will it ever be better?
Look up and pray to the King
He’s coming to reign in righteousness
There will be justice for all human beings
Will you be ready to face his Holiness?

Material is copyright by eigaldamez. Permission is given
to re-post or reproduce without editing the content.

Disclaimer:
The contents of all personal web pages and blogs published are solely my responsibility.
Statements made and opinions expressed on personal pages are strictly those of the author and not of any organization, church, or school.

<span class="entry-utility-prep entry-utility-prep-cat-links">Posted in</span> disagreeing with Jesus, Injustice, justice, King, poems for the journey | Comments Off on Will Justice Come?