Cuando Salí de mi trabajo a las 10:00 pm, llovía torrencialmente; al llegar a mi vecindario, no puede entrar, estaba inundado. Trate de llegar a casa por tres vías diferentes, pero la policía había puesto barreras para impedir que los arriesgados se aventuraran con sus carros y empeoraran la situación.
En Houston tenemos inundaciones no solo por lo plano del terreno, sino por el área pavimentada que es muy extensa y creciente; y el agua que cae sobre la capa de pavimiento no sigue el proceso natural.
Lluvia nutritiva
Isaías 55:10 dice,
"Porque como desciende de los cielos la lluvia y la nieve, y no vuelve allá, sino que riega la tierra y la hace germinar y producir, y da semilla al que siembra y pan al que come,”
Dios estableció un sistema por el cual el agua que se evapora durante el día, vuelve a la tierra en forma de nieve o lluvia y riega la tierra para que produzca más semilla para sembrar y alimentar a su pueblo. Ahora, leamos el verso 11 de Isaías 55 donde se compara el proceso natural de la lluvia con el proceso espiritual de la Palabra de Dios:
“Así será mi palabra que sale de mi boca; no volverá a mi vacía, sino que hará lo que yo quiero, y será prosperada en aquello para que la envié.”
La Palabra de Dios es el poder más grande del universo. Genesis dice que cuando Dios dijo sea la luz, la luz fue y cuando el Señor Jesucristo le decía al mar agitado, “Calla, enmudece”, el mar se aquietaba.
¿Alcanzará el suelo?
Sin embargo, si el corazón está pavimentado con capas de indiferencia, aunque la persona escuche la Palabra, no le llega a su corazón; como en la parábola del sembrador, donde tres clases de personas oyen, pero, no dan fruto.
Estados Unidos es quizás el país con más libertad para predicar el evangelio. Tenemos canales de tv, radio estaciones, iglesias, seminarios, ministerios, y publicaciones que inundan el país con el mensaje. ¿Estará, de veras, llegando al corazón de la gente y dando fruto?
Las esposas de pastores necesitan una comunidad tanto como cualquier otra persona en la congregación. La verdadera fortaleza se encuentra en permitirte ser vista, conocida y sostenida con ternura.
¿Cómo podemos plantar iglesias que enriquezcan la comunidad, amén la ciudad y contribuyan al shalom urbano?
Pastors from Nassau Bay Baptist and Iglesia Bautista Vida en Cristo discuss how they were able to reach their community better because they worked together.
Podemos tener estilos distintos, estructuras diferentes, pero cuando nuestros valores centrales —el evangelio, la humildad, la gracia, la misión— están alineados, hay un terreno fértil para caminar juntos con gozo y libertad.
Victor Marte recomienda Liderazgo Emocionalmente Sano por Peter Scazzero
Victor Marte recomienda La Vivacidad del Evangelio por Jeff Vanderstelt.
Pero en un mundo que clama por autenticidad y relaciones profundas, surge una necesidad: un discipulado que sea más orgánico, más relacional y verdaderamente transformador.
La fuerza para continuar el camino no proviene de nuestros propios esfuerzos, sino del descanso que encontramos en Él.
No se trata de esperar ayuda externa, sino de reconocer el potencial en lo que ya se nos ha dado y dar un paso de fe para ver cómo Dios puede obrar a través de ello.
Campo Londoño
The Rain
When I got out of my work at 10:00 pm, it was pouring rain. Then when I got to my neighborhood, I couldn't get in because it was flooded. I tried to get home by three different routes, but the police had put up barriers to prevent dangerous drivers from venturing out with their cars and making the situation worse.
In Houston, we have flooding not only because of the flat terrain but also because of the mass amounts of pavement, which are only growing. When water falls on pavement, it can't follow the natural process.
Rain that Nourishes
Isaiah 55:10 says,
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,"
God has established a system whereby water that evaporates during the day, returns to the earth in the form of snow or rain and irrigates the earth to produce more seed to sow and feed the people. Now, let us read verse 11 of Isaiah 55 which compares the natural process of rain with the spiritual process of God's Word:
"so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
The Word of God is the greatest power in the universe. Genesis says that when God said "Let there be light," the light was. And when the Lord Jesus Christ said to the rough sea, "Peace! Be still," the sea was quiet.
Will It Reach the Soil?
However, if our hearts are paved with layers of indifference, even if the person hears the Word, it does not reach his heart. As in the parable of the sower, three different kinds of people may hear, but they don't all bear fruit.
America is perhaps the country with the most freedom to preach the gospel. We have tv channels, radio stations, churches, seminaries, ministries, and publications which flood the country with the message. But will it really reach the hearts of the people and bear fruit?
What is a “rule of life” and how can it help you abide and grow in Christ?
How can we know when what we say is out of line?
Allow me to share with you a realistic regimen that can reverse the spiritual condition of a wayward heart.
Sometimes, it's hard work to dive into and delight in the Word of God? What's a Christian—and especially a leader—to do when they just don't want to read their Bible? This article provides some theology and practical advice to get you out of a rut.
Gardens have long served as rich spaces for contemplating God’s beauty and creativity. However, it wasn’t until I tried creating a garden of my own that I was able to gain a deeper understanding of some basic truths.
There are two spheres of existence: being and doing. "Being" concerns who we are. "Doing" concerns the roles we play and the things we do in them. While the things we do in life can certainly enhance or detract from our sense of self, they should never define it. In other words, if we receive our identity in what we do (roles, titles, positions, jobs, functions) we set ourselves up for great disappointment.
My husband and I recently visited Shipshewanna, Indiana, to experience an Amish community. The calmer pace of life and the cooler weather were a respite for us from our life in Houston with its frantic pace and hot, humid weather. Their pace of life, value of simplicity, and commitment to living our their faith in a countercultural way really made me think about how we might better live out our beliefs among our community. Here's a bit of what I learned.
What can we do to prevent that life-altering breakdown of our physical body?
Although it's long passed, I want to share with you a practice my husband and I use on Good Friday to deepen our observance of the day. We call it “Go Silent; Go Dark.” It is especially meaningful on the day that we remember the crucifixion of Christ, but it is also a practice that can be implemented at any time of the year to slow your life down, heighten your focus on spiritual things, and increase your openness to the nudgings of the Holy Spirit.
This season of my life has been particularly straining. All good things, but good things still take their emotional toll. Ministry requires pastors who truly love their congregation, feel what they feel, hurt when they hurt, and grow weary when they grow weary.
My point here is not to commiserate. The spiritual oversight of souls is tough work, and those of us in ministry aspire to that work. Instead, I simply want to issue a plea: Pastor, seek respite. Use the resources available to you for the good of your ministry, your family, and your soul.
“Pastor, ¿Cómo sigue usted aferrándose a la esperanza cuando el mundo se siente tan pesado?”