April 2015
The Different Impact of
Good and Bad Leadership p20
When Being a
Mom is Hard
Sinking From
The Antidote p28
For Stress
p14
A Sinking Distraction
p16
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When Being a Mom is Hard
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Valley Writers
8. Milton Gonsalez
What Side of The Comma are you living on??
14. Tom Weaver
The Antidote For Stress
26. Miguel Paredes
“Bonhoeffer, Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy”
30. Dave Ramsey Dave Says
Which side of the comma are you living on?
Milton Gonzalez
L
part being; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and I believe that we all agree on the fact God is the Creator and the Giver of life. It is therefore clear that He has given us life, the fact that you are reading this article is evidence of this very fact. However very few can testify to the latter part of the verse “and that you may have it more abundantly”. You see many live on the left side of the comma yet few have chosen to live on the right side. There is a monumental difference between the two that I would like to highlight. The left side of the comma requires What side of the comma are you living on? less of our time, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to less commitment kill, and to destroy. and in all “The thief does not come I have come that reality it you may have life, except to steal, and to kill, and doesn’t reand that you may to destroy. I have come that quire a total you may have life” have it more abunsubmission. dantly.” These are the words spoken by Jesus Living on the left as recorded by the Apostle John (John 10:10) side of the comI would like to focus on the second part of the ma is recognizing verse -“I have come that you may have life, and that we are God that you may have it more abundantly”. created and nothAs believers we understand that God is a three ing more. The left side is a place of ast month I had the opportunity to spend a week with one of the most influential people in my life, John Maxwell, the author of the “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” and “Running with the Giants” plus a number of other titles. His ability to connect with people is quite amazing to say the least - “Hi, my name is John and I am your friend” is his signature introduction. As a pastor he is able to draw leadership principles directly from God’s Word and teach them in a way that is crystal clear. Needless to say there was plenty of learning and growing during such week. On the second day he posed a question that stirred my spirit and quite frankly served as a catalyst - “What side of the comma are you living on?”
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April 2015
complacency and stagnancy. It is living life as a reservoir and not as a river. It is a life without purpose or direction, it is going through the day to day motions. It produces a self-centered lifestyle that focuses on personal gain and views servanthood as a weakness. It requires no discipline for discipline is the characteristic of a disciple.
So how do I get to the right side of the comma??? Believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life is the ticket that gives you the right to travel from one side to the other. It is during this time that He makes you a brand new creation - :the old things are passed away and all things have become new” (2 Cor 5:17). There is a miraculous transformation of the heart that happens the moment you say yes to Jesus and no to the world and its pleasures. The Apostle Paul spoke to the Romans about the importance of renouncing to the world and renewing their minds in order to experience God’s perfect, pleasing and good will for their lives” (Rom 12:2-3) It is on the right side of the comma where you experience love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control. It is on the right side where you become a flowing river of God’s blessings and all those who come into contact with you are impacted by His amazing love. You see God is not looking for perfection only disposition. A teachable and humble heart is the kind that can be filled with God’s abundance -“and that you may have it more abundantly”. Position yourself and see that He will not hold back. He desires to bless you in abundance, to the full till it overflows. The question is: what side of the comma are you living on??? Shalom, Milton
www.facebook.com/milton.lifecoach www.johnmaxwellgroup.com/miltongonzalez
Milton Gonzalez Milton is the Principal of Covenant Christian Academy in McAllen and has a son David. He is married to Elena and they have a son Daniel.
April
2015
valleychristianmagazine.com 9
You may ask ‘why should the Church address such a culturally sensitive subject like SEX’? We believe the Church is the mouthpiece and vocal cords of God and must recapture and represent to everyone a Biblically based message from the Manufacturer of sex Himself. The Apostles in the early Church believed the same thing and viewed teaching the proper Biblical purposes for sex to the Church as essential doctrines (Acts 15:19-30, 21:25). Taught by Pastor Blake Wilson and Dr. Ronique Wilson of Crossover Bible Fellowship in Houston, Texas, the seven-session Sex & The Gospel Conference is targeted to everyone ages 13 and older, spanning all stages of life: single, engaged, married and divorced. This conference simply and boldly proclaims that sex was created by God and is purpose driven not just pleasure driven.
WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR THE SEX AND THE GOSPEL CONFERENCE COME FROM?
A conversation with Pastor Blake Wilson Pastor and Conference speaker/ Interview By Nick Maddox
“Sex and the Gospel came from years of speaking on the subject of sex in the church. Initially in 1995 while speaking on the subject of sex at a teenage youth retreat my wife and I saw the kids respond well to the teaching. They had always heard the worlds view, or the cultural view, the music view, but they never heard what God had to say. We started getting more invites, people wanted to know more, it took off so we developed a curriculum of lessons because the topic is thoroughly discussed in the scriptures. Sex And The Gospel really transformed the lives of some teens in our youth ministries and their lives were affected long before it ever became a conference. My good brother and friend Eric Mason invited us up to share the befo teachings in Philadelphia at Epiphany Fellowship for a conference and we titled that “Sex and The Gospel.” So the origin of the conference didn’t come from a conference it came from 20 years of teaching teenagers and adults over the years discipling them with the material. It never initiated as a conference. It started out literally with my wife and I being involved in youth ministry at Wheeler Ave Baptist, the youth retreat was coming up, the kids wanted to talk about sex, nobody wanted to talk about it so because we were the new teachers on the block we got picked to talk about it.
WITH MOVIES LIKE FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, AND THE OVER SEXUALIZED CULTURE WE LIVE IN, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TIMING FOR THE MESSAGE OF “SEX AND THE GOSPEL” IN THE CULTURE TODAY?
The church is the vocal cords for God and we just need to turn the volume up and speak on what God has already spoken of. We have allowed the culture to dictate the conversation on sex. Let me explain it this way. They’re not dictating the conversation on sex; they’re dictating the conversation on sexual immorality. They’re dictating the cultural views on what is sexually permissible. Only God’s people really dictate the conversation on sex. The church just has to raise its voice. If we were to follow God’s plan, one man and one woman, we wouldn’t have some of the things we’re suffering from. Many of the things we’re suffering from come from us being out of alignment with the word of God as it relates to sex. God was not trying to hurt us when it comes to sex. God knew if used properly it could benefit us, if not used properly it could hurt us.
WHAT IT IS
WHAT IT ISN’T
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valleychristianmagazine.com 11
When
Being a Mom is Hard By Lysa TerKeurst Lysa TerKeurst is a New York Times best selling author and speaker who helps everyday women live an adventure of faith through following Jesus Christ. As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa has lead thousands over the past 15 years to help make their walk with God an invigorating journey. In the midst of her ministry, though, Lysa is a real, everyday woman who simply seeks to glorify God through her life and family. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved. www.LysaTerkeurst.com
felt like a failure as a mom because you got a not-so-great call from the principal’s office? Me too.
Have you ever
On the flip side, have you ever felt like the greatest mom ever because your child got some special recognition? Me too. We moms should never build the stability of our identity on the fragility of our kid’s choices. I need to let this crucial truth sink in. I’m posting about this today if for no other reason, sweet sister, than the fact I need this message. So, forgive me if the blog on this Monday preaches a message only to myself.
And tucked within these privileges is the reward. As long as I look for the reward within the process, I won’t misplace my expectations. I have to rest in the assurance that God sees everything I Embrace the process. Learn Sometimes bad parents raise from the process. Let God invest in these kids. terrific kids. speak to us during the And He will use every step And sometimes terrific parents of this process for good. The process. raise kids that chase bad things process will be good for me. their whole life. And this process will good for my kids. It will be So, what’s a mama to do? good. But this process won’t always make me Embrace the process. Learn from the process. feel good or look good. my power to raise them to turn out amazingly awesome – and they very well might turn out amazingly awesome – there aren’t any guarantees.
Let God speak to us during the process. And see the process of raising kids as an ongoing opportunity to invest beyond ourselves.
I’ve got five amazing kids. I really do. They are wildly funny, imaginative, moody, opinionated, strong, weak, happy, sad, good and sometimes not-so-good. In other words they’re pretty normal. And while I’ve done everything in
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We get to love our kids like crazy. Pray for them faithfully. Talk to them regularly. Listen to them tenderly. Model honesty and integrity. And point them to Jesus at every turn. We get to do all that.
April 2015
If I always expect my kids to make me feel good or look good, I am setting us all up for failure. My kids were never meant to carry the weight of a mama’s need for validation. I can’t let their failures send me to bed. And I can’t wear their successes like mommy medals of honor. Motherhood is tough you know? It really is.
However, it’s also our only opportunity to reach into the generations to come and make a difference. So, an imperfect but wonderful difference I will make
April
2015
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The Antidote For Stress By Tom Weaver
‘G
real. Some of our relationships are hard and the fight for diet, spiritual enrichment, and peace in our lives is exhausting.
Paul the Apostle gives us clear guidance as to how we do this and what happens when we do this. Check it out:
So we should probably read some good books on self help, right? SevWe feel the pressures of life, which en ways, nine ways, are real. We are stressed over work this way, that way… I really don’t think that and school, which is also real. Some is the answer.
Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
ood grief. The online car payment didn’t go through again. I thought I set that payment up for automatic debit. Why am I getting calls from the bank?’ ‘Oh no. I just saw a post on facebook by a supposed friend that is saying some horrible things about an “unknown” person..and I’m pretty sure that person is me.’
of our relationships are hard and the fight for diet, spiritual enrichment, The answer is worand peace in our lives is exhausting. ship.
‘I feel so out of shape, and even though I’m struggling to get up and read scripture in the morning, I don’t feel close to God. I’m such a loser.’
Most of us are familiar with this kind of self talk. We feel the pressures of life, which are real. We are stressed over work and school, which is also
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Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all about listening to the experts in my areas of need. I really am. They may provide ways to deal with my problems, but not my stress, not my self worth, and certainly not my guilt. Nope. The answer is worship.
April 2015
So you ready? Here is the Biblical answer to stress:
1.
Let the Gospel (good news of Jesus) LIVE in you! Christians ought to be the ones most excited about life. Sadly, many of us are
more mopey (yeah that’s a word) and focused on self than even our non-christian friends. The writer of Colossians says, let it dwell RICHLY in you. This means an abundance. A lot. A truckload. Way more than you are used to. Let it be all over you like a wave at South Padre on a two year old! It should dominate your life, and in this, others see it!! The Gospel teaches us through it’s rich presence that Jesus is our need. Not more morals, more knowledge, or more self righteousness.
2.
Sing songs about God and His goodness. There’s nothing worse than a bunch of adults singing songs with sour faces of fake piety and seriousness...BORING! What could be more fun than a whole room of kids singing a song they enjoy? They sing loud, they dance, they high five one another and fall on the floor. Jesus says we need to be more like children. Maybe we can start with our singing! Maybe you need to loosen your belt a little bit and start singing songs like you mean it. The Bible calls this worship. And for those that don’t like this? Hey, I love you, but remind me not to stand next to you when its time to sing! :)
3.
Be thankful! This is so crucial for your personal worship to jump off the charts. Be thankful! Right now, make a list of at least 30 things you are thankful for. Sound like a lot? It’s not! I’ll bet you that I can make a list of 100! Be thankful! I play this game with my kids sometimes where we go from person to person and start by saying, “Jesus, I’m thankful for…” You see, here is what God knows and what we need to know: a thankful heart is at the root of worship. It begins to lift the spirit, which removes stress. Try it if you don’t believe me.
4.
Live your life always for Christ, not for self. The WWJD bracelets. Remember those? Whoever trademarked those is living in Hawaii now. Great idea. Why? Because it’s exactly what we Christians should be asking in our lives. WWJD in this situation? Would Jesus go there? Would Jesus go to that website? Would Jesus make this business deal? Would Jesus endorse this relationship? When we live our lives for ourselves (we say it’s for others, but be honest...) it’s never enough to keep us joyful and fight stress. It actually creates stress because we become our worst enemies. Why not let Jesus be the one in charge? This type of life is WORSHIP. :) This type of life is sustainable.
5.
Again, be thankful through Jesus. The writer tells us to be thankful. Again. Maybe He’s serious? Maybe you need to come up with 20 more now for your list. :)
Religious, self centered worship will always stink. It’s judgmental and domineering. It points fingers at different political parties, people of different lifestyles, different cultures, different norms, and it forces God to be just. Like. You. Yuck! No thanks. Real worship focuses all of our attention upon Jesus. It makes much of Him because we are aware of how broken we are. It cries out for His glory and thanks Him over and over and over for the goodness He gives through His Gospel: the good news of forgiveness of sins. And you know what? Real worship ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS benefits everyone around you. It’s never a bad deal for your community when you worship the ONE who created all.
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Tom Weaver
3827 N. 10th Street, Suite 301 McAllen, TX 78501 valleychristianmagazine.com
Lead Pastor, Logos Community Church www.logoscommunity.com twitter: @pastortomweaver FB: TomweaverIII Instagram: pastortomweaver
April
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Sinking From A Sinking Distraction by James MacDonald
When [Peter] saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me” (Matthew 14:30, ESV).
P
icture the scene. A raging storm, giant waves crashing against a first-century fishing boat, and the disciples on the Sea of Galilee. Imagine their terror-filled eyes as water poured over the sides, negating their efforts to bail. Then God shows up. Appearing at the least likely moment, Jesus walked toward them on the churning sea with a calm assurance. “It is I, do not be afraid” (v. 27). Twelve jaws must have dropped as the disciples, who had been totally focused on survival, were riveted by this supernatural sight. Hearing Jesus’ voice, Peter didn’t hold back: “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water” (v. 28). So over the edge Peter climbed and—incredibly, miraculously—began to walk on top of the rolling waves. Until he sank.
Here are a few common distractions that may be hindering your ability to focus on Jesus. The Comparison Distraction: Have you been prompted to compare other people or circumstances against God’s provision for your life? Is your sense of fairness obscuring your perception of His good desires for you? The Pride Distraction: Have you allowed an offense to become an obstacle in the path of restoring a relationship? Are your strong opinions getting in the way of being open to God’s plans?
Like Peter, the moment we take our eyes off of the Lord we sink. When our attention drifts, we lose our ability to hear His voice. The same wind and waves that jolt us into crying out to God one moment can distract us from Him in the next.
The passage tells us why: “When he saw the wind, he was afraid.” Peter got distracted. In crisis his priority had rightly shifted from the raging storm to Jesus, but it didn’t stay there. Almost immediately Peter’s focus returned to his circumstances—and the consequences came in an instant. Like Peter, the moment we take our eyes off of the Lord we sink. When our attention drifts, we lose our ability to hear His voice. The same wind and waves that jolt us into crying out to God one moment can distract us from Him in the next.
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The Bitterness Distraction: Are you bent on making someone pay for the pain they’ve caused, instead of leaving it in the Lord›s hands? Rather than pursuing peace, are you nurturing a minor matter into a major rift?
If any of those resonate, you’ve been distracted. If you can’t remember the last time you’ve looked to the Lord to direct your steps—you’ve been distracted. You’re going under. Your eyes have gotten off of Jesus and onto something else. Confess it for the sin it is. Cry out like Peter, “Lord, save me”! And believe that He will. Today is an opportunity not to sink into distraction, but to focus on the Lord and what He’s teaching you. To trust Him to handle the hard situations. To release your pain and bitterness. To forgive as He has forgiven you. This is what life should be for growing followers of Christ: looking to God for wisdom and
April 2015
responding with obedience, even in the face of what may seem impossible. All the while, keeping our eyes on Jesus.
Journal What is distracting you from being focused on the Lord? If there was one change you made to your daily routine or thought life that could help your eyes stay fixed on Jesus, what would it be?
Pray God, I confess I’ve allowed myself to be distracted, and I don’t want to be anymore. Please forgive me. I want to trust You. Give me the strength and self-control I need to fix my eyes on You. Help me keep my attention on my Savior, so I can learn what You want me to learn and be who You want me to be. You are worthy of my full attention. I want to hear Your voice. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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weekdays at 5:30a.m.
James MacDonald is founding and Senior Pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel in northwest Chicago. James’ teachings can be heard on Walk in the Word, a daily radio program reaching more than 3 million people across North America. Used by permission of Walk in the Word, Elgin, Ill., 61023. www.walkintheword.com by permission of Walk in the Word,Elgin, Ill., 61023.
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April
2015
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In Search of Ordinary People
Greg Laurie is Senior Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif. He began his pastoral ministry at 19 by leading a Bible study of 30 people. Since then, God has transformed the small group into a church of 15,000 plus, one of the largest churches in America. For more, visit www.greglaurie.com. Used by permission from Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie, PO Box 4000 Riverside, CA 92514
People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. — 1 Samuel 16:7
Copyright © 2014 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
G
od uses ordinary people to do extraortaunting the armies of Israel. Everyone was dinary things. Many times when paralyzed with fear. So whom did God we’re looking for some great select? He chose a shepherd boy superstar to come on the scene, who had been sent by his father to Are you God is developing someone in take food to his brothers on the feeling ordinary obscurity whom we haven’t ever front lines. He went out to face heard of. We will say, “What if the giant with a few stones and today? God uses so-and-so became a Christian? a sling, and more importantly, ordinary people to faith Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” in God. That was the perdo extraordinary And while we’re wondering if son God used. so-and-so ever will come around, things. At another time in Israel’s history, God is grooming someone unknown when they were immobilized by fear to us. because of their enemies, God found a Think of the time when a giant Philistine was man threshing wheat. His name was Gideon,
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and he was convinced that God had called up the wrong guy. But God selected him because he didn’t trust in his own ability. Gideon had to trust in God. If you have faith in God, if you believe that God can use you, if you are willing to take a step of faith here and there, then God can do incredible things through you. One thing I have said many times over the years is that God is not looking for ability but availability. He can give you ability in time. But God is looking for someone to say, “I would like to make a difference where I am. Lord, I am available.” You just watch what God will do.
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The Different Impact of Good and Bad Leadership T
Among workers, Gen Xers seem to be the most disgruntled age group toward their supervisor—45% of them say they work for a bad boss, while only 39% of Millennials would say so and an even fewer 35% of Boomers are unhappy with their bosses. And, while workplace leadership may be the most personal concern for people, nine in 10 Americans also say they believe the nation itself is facing a crisis of leadership.
ning to look for a new job in the next year, the numbers tell the story. Employees who don’t respect their leaders—who classify their supervisor as a bad one—are more than twice as likely as those with a good supervisor to say they plan to look for a new job within the next year. More than six in 10 of those who work for a bad boss (61%) plan to be on the job hunt this next year, while less than three in 10 of those who work for a good boss (27%) say the same.
In a study among Americans in the workplace, done in partnership with Leadercast, Barna Group found that two in five people work for someone they consider a “bad” leader. When asked to attribute positive and negative characteristics to their supervisors, these 40% of workers assign at least four of the six negative
The Anatomy of a Bad Leader So what do people say makes for a bad leader? Workers most often identified three complaints when it comes to poor leadership—at least three in 10 Americans say their supervisor lacks clear vision and direction (32%), that the poor leadership at work is the most stressful part of the job (33%)
A Good Leader Makes a Big Difference Too There’s a flip side to the negative effects of working for a bad leader: for all the harm a bad supervisor can do, a good leader can do a lot of good. Good supervisors create settings that have less turnover, a better work environment and more inspired workers.
attributes to their boss. Another two in five workers (40%) say their leader displays one to three of those negative attributes, classifying that leader as “average.” In contrast, only one in five workers (19%) assigns only positive attributes to their leaders, qualifying them as “good” bosses.
and that their boss makes them feel controlled, manipulative or defensive (31%).
Employees who work for good leaders are much more likely than those with bad leaders to feel positively about their work—according to a variety of indicators. More than nine in 10 (91%), for example, say they enjoy going to work each day, compared to only six in 10 of those who have a bad leader (62%). Similarly, more than eight in 10 say their work makes a positive different in the world, compared to only six in 10 of those who have a bad boss (63%). Almost three-quarters of those with good bosses (74%)—compared to six in 10 of those with bad bosses (61%)—say they feel empowered to be a leader at work.
he Different Impact of Good and Bad Leadership
You’ve probably heard it said that people don’t quit jobs, they quit bad bosses.It’s a common leadership maxim—often issued as a word of warning to those stepping into leadership: a bad leader can ruin even the best of jobs. But is the opposite also true? Can a good boss lead to less turnover? And what are the qualities that employees think make for a good leader—or a bad one?
Additionally, one-quarter of workers (25%) feel their career progress is limited because of their boss’s poor leadership. About one in six (17%) say they would prefer a new boss over a raise. A majority (62%) say they wouldn’t follow their boss if their paycheck didn’t depend on it. Is it true then? When employees have a bad supervisor, are they more likely to leave their job? Simply put: yes. While only one in five respondents are actively looking to leave their organization because of their supervisor, when you consider who is plan-
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On the other hand, those with good bosses are also much less likely than those with bad bosses to indicate unhappiness with their work and their workplace. Only one-third (33%) of those
one can fall into bad leadership habits.
with good bosses (compared to nearly six in 10 (58%) of those with bad bosses) say there are often distracted at work. While a full twothirds of employees with bad bosses say they feel a lot of negative energy in their workplace (66%) and that people often misrepresent truth at their workplace (65%), less than one in five of employees with good bosses would say the same (15% and 19%, respectively). While very few workers (19%) chose only positive qualities for their boss—without indicating any of the negative qualities—most people do have some good things to say about their leaders. Among the positive qualities workers point to in their boss, they most often value mutual respect, safety and loyalty. More than six in 10 employees (61%) say they would be disappointed if their boss left the company tomorrow. More than seven in 10 (73%) say they can bring concerns to their boss without fear of criticism, knowing they will be heard. A similar number (71%) say they have a lot of respect and admiration for their boss and a full 77% say their boss respects them as an individual and not just as someone who produces results. What the Research Means “This study shows some important ways leaders can empower their employees,” says David Kinnaman, who is president of Barna Group and directed the study on the effects of leadership. “At the same time, the results show just how hard it can be to work for a crummy leader—and how easily
“It’s impossible to improve what you don’t assess, so this research stresses the importance of self-awareness and feedback systems that allow leaders to face the truth about their leadership. Being a self-aware leader will help to improve your leadership culture. The people on your team will thank you for it—or they will be likely to leave your team.”
ual and not just as someone who produces results (Qf) my boss lacks clear vision and direction (Qg) my boss communicateds in a way that often makes me feel controlled, manipulated or defensive (Qh) I would prefer to have a new boss over a raise (Qi) my career progress is limited because of my boss's poor leadership (Qj) I'm actively looking to leave my organization because of the leader directly above me (Qk) the poor leadership at my workplace is the most stressful part of my job Each respondent received one point for disagree (Qa-Qe) and one point for agree Qf-Qk) for a total score out of 11. Definitions: bad = counts 4-11 average = counts 1-3 good = counts=0
Comment on this research and follow our work: Twitter: @davidkinnaman | @roxyleestone | @ClintJenkin | @ barnagroup Facebook: Barna Group About the Research The research for this report included 1,026 online surveys conducted among a representative sample of adults, ages 18 and older in the United States. The survey was conducted from February 25, 2014 through March 3, 2014. The margin of error for a sample of this size is +/-3.1 percentage points, at the 95% confidence level. Respondents were asked to agree and disagree with the following questions to define their direct supervisor as “good,” “average” or “bad.” (Qa) I have a lot of respect and admiration for my boss (Qb) I can bring concerns to my boss without fear of criticism, knowing that I will be heard (Qc) if my boss left our company tomorrow, I would be disappointed (Qd) I would follow my boss even if my paycheck didn't depend on it (Qe) my boss respects me as an individ-
April
2015
The research was commissioned by Leadercast. Learn more about their 2015 conference here. About Barna Group Barna Group (which includes its research division, Barna Research Group) is a private, non-partisan, for-profit organization under the umbrella of the Issachar Companies. Located in Ventura, California, Barna Group has been conducting and analyzing primary research to understand cultural trends related to values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors since 1984. If you would like to receive free e-mail notification of the release of each update on the latest research findings from Barna Group, you may subscribe to this free service at the Barna website (www.barna.org). © Barna Group, 2015.
valleychristianmagazine.com 21
Las Llamas
Del Avivamiento
Luis Palau
E
l deseo del apóstol Pablo de ganar al mundo para Jesucristo, siempre ha representado un desafío para mí. A pesar de que Pablo fue apedreado, golpeado y sufrió otras muchas dificultades, siempre buscó reavivar las llamas del avivamiento. Pablo usó de la estrategia para llevar a cabo su ministerio. Sus viajes misioneros fueron cuidadosamente planeados a fin de poder saturar ciudades importantes y provincias enteras con el evangelio de Jesucristo. El no creyó que un plan estratégico fuese carnal o indigno.
Aunque Pablo contaba con una estrategia definida para ganar a su generación para Cristo, no era esclavo de sus planes. Permaneció sensible a la guía del Espíritu. Recuerde, por ejemplo, cómo el Espíritu Santo lo envió a Macedonia aunque Pablo tenía otros proyectos (Hechos 16). Para mí es un concepto extraordinario. Por un lado, Dios espera de nosotros un planeamiento lógico y estratégico para poner en práctica la gran comisión. Por otro lado, si permanecemos sensibles a la dirección del Espíritu, cuando sea necesario Dios podrá reencauzar nuestros planes. Una cosa no invalida la otra necesariamente. Como Pablo, tenemos que pensar de manera estratégica si esperamos que todo el mundo oiga la voz de Dios. Debemos trabajar y orar no sólo para la salvación de individuos específicos sino también para la salvación de las multitudes en grandes metrópolis y naciones. ¿Qué se necesitaría, qué habría que hacer para que determinado pueblo oiga la voz de Dios y crea en el mensaje divino? Luego de estudiar las vidas de Pablo y de otros grandes evangelistas en la historia de la iglesia, estoy convencido de que el Señor está usando misiones o campañas de evangelización para tocar millones de vidas y traer a millares y millares al reino de Dios. Y asimismo estoy convencido de que Dios también se vale de otros métodos. La idea de que una forma de evangelismo sea superior a otra a los ojos de Dios, es una grave falla teológica sostenida por algunos críticos del siglo XX. Pablo afirmó: “Me hice todo para todos, a fin de salvar a algunos por todos los medios posibles” (1 Corintios 9:22). Testificar a un amigo no es ni más ni menos importante que predicar a una multitud. Dios hace la obra; no importa el método que usemos. La gente se salva a través del poder del Espíritu Santo y la gracia de Dios. Repetidas veces las Escrituras testifican que Dios mueve tanto a individuos como a multitudes de individuos--por lo general después de que la iglesia experimenta un fresco toque de la mano de Dios. La historia de la iglesia lo confirma. Pero ¿por qué razón siempre tenemos que leer sobre avivamientos pasados? ¿Por qué no podemos vivir un avivamiento en carne propia? Cada vez que el pastor Roberts, predicador del gran avivamiento escocés, se dirigía a sus oyentes, les decía que Dios derramaría el fuego de la renovación espiritual sólo cuando hubiera cuatro cosas: 1. Confesión pública de Jesucristo como Salvador. 2. Confesión de todos los pecados de que uno es consciente. 3. Abandono de toda actividad dudosa. 4. Pronta y total obediencia al Espíritu.
Luis Palau Luis Palau ya entró en la historia moderna como uno de los contados hombres que le hablaron a más personas en el mundo. Su mensaje fue, y es escuchado por más de 800 millones de personas en 112 países a través de la radio y la televisión, y tiene el privilegio de haberle hablado a más de 22 millones de personas cara a cara en 80 países del mundo, organizando, junto a un selecto grupos de colaboradores internacionales y con el apoyo de invitaciones locales, congresos, seminarios, charlas informales, conferencias y recitales-conferencia llamados “Festivales”.
Si en nuestra tierra tienen lugar estas cuatro cosas, los fuegos del avivamiento podrían esparcirse por todo el mundo. Ahora bien, ¿qué debe suceder en su vida antes que comience el avivamiento? Medítelo, sea sincero consigo mismo y luego actúe. Luis Palau
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April 2015
Usado con Permiso. Derecho de Autor 2014 www.luispalau.net
FCA Gala 2015
Photo Credit for FCA Gala Pictures: - RS Photography - 956.342.0723 - Randy Salazar
With the 2015 victory gala behind us, I wanted to say a word of thanks to all of those involved. We appreciate the support from our event sponsors so that ministry can happen with our coaches and athletes in the valley. You all have made a huge difference in the lives of so many. Also, a big thank you to Colt McCoy for coming out and speaking. What a great example for our students and athletes to hear and see!
Paul Parsons Area Representative Fellowship of Christian Athletes 956.358.0690
Congratulations to Danniana Zapata of IDEA Quest and Carlos Portales of PSJA Southwest for being awarded the FCA female and male Athlete of the Year award! Grace and Peace, Paul Parsons
April
2015
valleychristianmagazine.com 23
Where would I be without your love” just touch part of your soul and heart, and take you back to thinking ‘without God we have nothing’. So as a five track album, this is a solid offering from NCC, with each listen I enjoyed the songs more. We then move to the 5 stripped down versions and for me I think I preferred the songs like this. I can’t put my finger on why. Maybe it’s the fact as a listener you are not distracted by the production of the songs, maybe the songs feel like they are part of a worship time as you can hear a group of people singing together, or maybe they work better like this. Majestic’s lyrics come over more in the live stripped back version, and the song has some great lines. ’Christ The Lord Is Risen (He Is Not Dead)’ has a fist pumping, ‘yeah’ feel to it. It even has a modern hymn feel. ’You Alone’ is more intimate and honest and ’Eternal One (Psalm 145)’ feels fresher and cleaner as a song in this format. The standout song Where Would I be still sounds great like this, yet I think the studio version has a more haunting element to it which I enjoyed. It’s still a song that will leave you with your head bowed in praise.
N
ational Community Church releases NCC Worship’s first label-distributed recording, You Alone. Produced by Kurtis Parks and Kyle Lee (All Sons & Daughters, Pocket Full of Rocks), You Alone features lead vocalists/musicians Parks, Joel Buckner, Carolina Soto, Dan Rivera and Chris Douglas. Parks, who also serves as NCC’s Worship Director, came to NCC via Nashville where he spent four years touring with his rock band, The Season, which led worship at camps, conferences and churches around the country. Buckner, who serves as NCC’s Worship Leader, has been leading worship nearly all his life on many platforms across the country and around the world. Different from regular product configurations, You Alone is bundled as a five-song project with full studio recordings, stripped down, live versions of each song and videos of those live versions recorded at Ebenezers coffeehouse. Meant to be a resource for other churches’ worship teams, this Worship Resource Pack also includes lyrics and mini teaching messages from NCC lead pastor, Mark Batterson.
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For the opening 5 tracks, the songs are given the full band treatment. The album opens with Majestic which starts with a synth led keyboard sound which is then powered over with all instruments blasting into a full power praise song. The same could be said for ’Christ The Lord Is Risen Today’(He Is Not Dead)’. Both tracks use synths, drums and guitars as you would expect from a worship band who are shouting about the amazing God we have. For me, ’You Alone’ and ’Eternal One (Psalm 145)’ are the two standout tracks. They push the boundaries musically, keeping the listener on their toes. Both are strong songs with a strong messages pouring out of them. Yet the whole album is given a different spin when you hear ’Where Would I Be’, this intimate, tender track is simply beautiful. The lyrics of ”Where would I be without your Grace,
April 2015
As a concept this album is very interesting. Hearing two different versions of each song gives the songs time to grow into the songs they wants to be. The guys at NCC Worship want you to be able to use these songs in your times of worship and in your church, with them showing you two different ways of playing them and how they can work in different settings. Overall this is a solid 5 track album, and I would love to hear more of what these guys are going to bring in the next few years. Review by Jono Davies Standout Tracks Where Would I Be You Alone
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valleychristianmagazine.com 25
Bonhoeffer, Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy Eric Metaxas This book review is written by Daniel Villa.
T
he future is unpredictable. It is hard to imagine having an ideal childhood free of care and a brilliant career early in life which is suddenly swept into growing oppression and culminates in martyrdom.
their faith and moral stand against evil. Clearly it was not God’s will for everyone to stand and die over every confrontation.
Bonhoeffer’s theological development is intertwined by Metaxas with the historical events Eric Metaxas presents the life of Bonhoeffer of his life. In Bonhoeffer, Metaxas shows a man as a man who lived by his conviction to the who earnestly sought a globally united church death. The inner while remaining thordynamics of the He argued and lived that moral prin- oughly committed to the Bonhoeffer fam- ciples are insufficient to guide our gospel, a man dedicated ily are shown as actions alone and that the active to family yet serving a house with the first, a man with presence and leading of God is re- Christ evangelical faith of superior intellectual quired for us to know how to live. capacity than most yet his mother and tolerant intellectual willing to work with the secularism of his Father. The account as told smallest children joyfully, a man desiring love by Metaxas does well to reshape perspectives and marriage yet sacrificing them for Christ. of Germany during the bitter years of Nazi rise to power. His conviction led him to become a leader in resistance to heresy in the German Church which Our tendency to oversimplify the plight of developed into his participation in a plot to kill German Christians and to judge them is put Hitler. Yet, how can plotting to kill and serving into check as we see how they were forced Christ have anything in common? At this juncto make life and death decisions concerning ture Metaxas shows how Bonhoeffer disagreed
You’ll Get Through This: Hope And Help For Your Turbulent Times Author: Max Lucado Publisher: Thomas Nelson:
with many of his contemporaries in the German Christian resistance by openly exercising deceit to frustrate the Nazi cause. He became a double agent who was willing to lie about his intentions in order to seek justice. He argued and lived that moral principles are insufficient to guide our actions alone and that the active presence and leading of God is required for us to know how to live. Bonhoeffer viewed the Christian as one who must quickly recognize overt evil and combat it shrewdly. He criticized many Christians of his day as remaining naïve about the Nazi’s intentions for too long. His ethics are still being disputed by theologians today. Whether you agree with his theology or not, many members of both sides of the debate of how to live under the Nazi regime died for their common faith in Christ. Reading Metaxas’ account will encourage and strengthen your faith. It will help you to prepare your heart for action for Christ’s kingdom.
Bookw Revie by
Miguel Paredes Is a teacher at Edinburg North and earned his Masters in Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is married to Brenda and has four children: Diego (12), Karla and Andrea (9), and Charis (5).
You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless.
leave. In the pits, surrounded by steep walls and aching reminders, we wonder: Will this gray sky ever brighten? This load ever lighten?
It won’t be quick. But God will use this mess for good. Don’t be foolish or naïve. But don’t despair either. With God’s help, you’ll get through this.
You fear you won’t make it through. We all do. We fear that the depression will never lift, the yelling will never stop, the pain will never
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April 2015
In You›ll Get Through This, pastor and New York Times best-selling author, Max Lucado offers sweet assurance. “Deliverance is to the Bible what jazz music is to Mardi Gras: bold, brassy, and everywhere.” Max reminds readers God doesn’t promise that getting through trials will be quick or painless. It wasn’t for Joseph--tossed in a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, wrongfully imprisoned, forgotten and dismissed--but his Old Testament story is in the Bible for this reason: to teach us to trust God to trump evil. With the compassion of a pastor, the heart of a storyteller, and the joy of one who has seen what God can do, Max explores the story of Joseph and the truth of Genesis 50:20. What Satan intends for evil, God redeems for good.
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valleychristianmagazine.com 27
What Does It Mean To Be Born Again? Artwork by Alyssa Andres, age 9
“W
ell, being born again doesn’t mean to go back into your mother’s stomach,” says Taylor, 11. “It means being born into the family of God.” Unlike Taylor, the religious leader (Nicodemus) who came by night to talk with Jesus missed the point entirely. Jesus spoke of being born again spiritually. Nicodemus thought Jesus spoke of a physical birth when he said, “How can a man be born when he is old?” (John 3:4a).
the power of God’s Word. Don’t ever underestimate the power of God’s Word to change lives: your own and others’. The longest Psalm in the Bible is entirely devoted to the importance of God’s Word (Psalm 119). “Probably the most important thing about being born again is that the Holy Spirit is living in you,” says Anna, 10. “He came, cleaned you out and is now living in you.”
We live in a time that the Old Testament “To be born again means you have to trust prophets could only dream about. Some foretold God as your savior,” says Hannah, 10. “What of a time when God would dwell in the hearts that means is: 1) Believe that Jesus is God’s of his people instead of a Jerusalem temple. son. 2) Believe that He died on the cross for That time is now! Yet, many Christians remain your sins. 3) Believe that He rose again.” unaware of this spiritual reality. They don’t take time to listen “We live in a time that the Old Hannah’s clear to the promptings, presentation sounds leadings and Testament prophets could only like the Apostle Paul’s dream about. Some foretold of a teachings of description of the gospel God’s Spirit. in his letter to the time when God would dwell in the hearts of his people instead of a The Corinthians (I Corinthians Spirit-filled 15:3-4). Don’t get life is not living Jerusalem temple.” sidetracked on superfluous in Weirdsville. It’s issues. Present the gospel clearly and concisely. productive. The Apostle Paul describes it as fruitful: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, “Being born again means being born or adopted joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, into the Lord’s family and becoming one of faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against his children,” says Maranatha, 12. “You must such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). first believe that Jesus died and rose again. Being born again not only secures your eternal “In I Peter 1:23, it says, ‘having been born destiny with God in heaven, it gives you the again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, possibility of living a truly productive and through the word of God which lives and abides satisfying life. However, it’s not automatic. The forever.’ This means you are saved by the Word same Apostle Paul who encouraged Christians of God, and its work is eternal, never perishing.” to live productive lives also warned them to not grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). God’s Word is God’s agent in spiritual birthing. The Bible has a lot to say about At the moment people trust the Lord Jesus
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April 2015
Christ as their savior, they are delivered forever from the penalty of sin. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, they now possess the power to live productive lives free from sin’s destructive power. Jesus wants to live though his people in a way that involves their willful submission to him. When they fail to submit, God tries to get their attention through loving discipline (Hebrews 12:6). Think about this: Being delivered from the penalty of sin is called justification. Being delivered from the power of sin is called sanctification. Memorize this truth: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Ask this question: Are you born again?
Carey Kinsolving’s Kids Talk About God syndicated column is available as a free, weekly family devotional by email at KidsTalkAboutGod.org. Also, view a Biblelesson archive of all columns. Kinsolving is the cofounder of the RGV Children’s Arts Festival. One Valley child will win a vacation for up to five family members to the Bar Lazy J Guest Ranch in Parshall, Colorado plus a check for $1000 to help pay for travel expenses. For details go to KidsTalkAboutGod.org/rgv.
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April
2015
valleychristianmagazine.com 29
Dear Dave,
Pay For Grades?
What’s your opinion on rewarding kids with money for getting good grades in school? Joe Dear Joe, Honestly, I don’t have a strong opinion about it one way or the other. We didn’t pay our kids for good grades, but I can’t really think of a strong argument not to pay them for success in school. You could say you shouldn’t pay them because it’s something they’re expected to do anyway, and that’s somewhat valid. But you could also make the same point where chores around the house are concerned, too. We paid our kids to do some chores, but really the point is not about the economic value. It’s the fact that you want your kids to associate work with money. I still meet people my age and older who haven’t made that connection. Work creates money, and that’s an important thing to teach your kids. Once they’ve created some money by working, then you want to use those moments to teach them to save, spend and give wisely.
You can do this around the subject of grades if you want. There’s probably a valid case to be made that getting an “A” takes a lot more work than getting a “C.” You’re certainly not obligated to pay them for work or grades, but if you don’t do some of this – and teach them the proper ways to handle the money they earn — you’ll miss out on a lot a fantastic teachable moments.
Dave Says
—Dave
Help? Not Yet
Dear Dave, My daughter is in her late twenties, and she has a good job making $50,000 a year. The other day, she told me she has $15,000 in credit card debt and has financed an expensive car she’s upside down on. Her apartment in Omaha costs $600 a month, and she is asking for help to get out of the hole. We tried to teach her how to handle money, but apparently it didn’t work. How do you think I should handle this situation? Cindy Dear Cindy, Here’s what I would tell her if she were my kid in that situation. First, I’m not paying for your problem to go away. I’d tell her to sell the car and get a cheap little beater. She’ll have to get a small loan to cover the difference, but it will rid her of a car payment. And hey, a little bit of debt is better than a whole lot of debt — especially when the debt is on something that’s going down in value. After that, she can get a part-time job and work her tail off until she cleans up the mess she made.
Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He has authored five New York Times bestselling books: Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover, EntreLeadership and Smart Money Smart Kids. His newest best-seller, Smart Money Smart Kids, was written with his daughter Rachel Cruze, and recently debuted at #1. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 8 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.
I know all this sounds harsh, but this girl had a good thing going and she screwed it up by being impulsive and immature. Think about it; she’s making $50,000 a year, and only $7,200 of that was going toward rent. Her taxes aren’t that much, so where’s the rest of the money going? I’m guessing a big chunk is being wasted on restaurants, goofing off and other stuff she doesn’t really need. Let her wallow in it and worry about things for while first, though. Then, if she’s willing to accept responsibility for her actions, and she starts working hard toward handling her money wisely, you might help her out once in a while. Every time she pays off $1,000, you could add $500 to the next payment. But I’d test her resolve first to see if she wants it badly enough! —Dave
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April 2015
BBQ April 25th, 2015 4pm - 6pm
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Raul “Rudy” Rodriguez
attorney at law Some historians may argue that among the greatest restoration stories of mankind are the European Renaissance or perhaps the post-World War II era. The cultural movement known as the European Renaissance roughly took place during the 14th through 17th centuries. This moment in history saw the face of Europe evolve with respect to its arts, architecture and long held science tenets. It also saw a rediscovery of the Greco-Roman classical knowledge and a rebirth of the study of Latin and vernacular languages. It served as a bridge between the Middle Ages and the Modern Era. Closer to home, America saw its restoration take place in the years that followed World War II. During this era, couples who could not afford families during the Great Depression made up for lost time. The mood in America suddenly became optimistic. At that time, the unemployment rate of the Great Depression dropped dramatically and the economy improved substantially. The G.I. Bill empowered many honorable service members to finish high school and attend college. As their skills were improved, so was the financial well-being of their families. But, without a doubt the greatest restoration that can take place is when a person does as Romans 10:9 instructs us to do. Romans 10:9 says: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” The message is simple: invite Christ into your heart and make him your personal Lord and Savior. At that time, your restoration will be complete. Next He will do as Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” As you seek and strive to honor God with your life, He will reward you by allowing you to take on His characteristics. Hosea 14:4 says, “I will bring my people back to me. I will love them with all my heart; No longer am I angry with them.” I pray that you will invite Christ into your heart and allow Him to restore you! At my office, I also want to be part of your restoration plan, albeit in a different way. I pray that God will use me for His honor and glory in helping me address your needs. If you have been involved in an auto accident and/or other serious injury or if you have lost a loved one as a result of someone’s negligence, I will do my best to restore some sense of normality to your life. I will also help you in matters involving family law, criminal law and real estate and will issues. As always, I bear in mind that in honoring God with the way I handle my business relationships I will be honoring you my esteemed client.
Raul “Rudy” Rodriguez
www.raulrudyrodriguezlaw.com Phone: 956.380.1421 / Toll Free: 877.480.1421 www.raulrudyrodriguezlaw.com Fax: 956.380.2920 / Mobile: 956.655.5455
Phone: 956.380.1421 / Toll Free: / Fax: 956.380.2920 / Mobile: 956.655.5455 511 W. University / Edinburg, TX877.480.1421 78539 e-mail: anointed511@gmail.com 511 W. University / Edinburg, TX 78539 / e-mail: rrodlaw@hotmail.com 32 valleychristianmagazine.com April 2015