Author Archives → E

I cried when I heard about the tragedy with the Chapecoense

It is not common for me to be sad with deaths and tragedies, I still have a heart that is very cold and far from what I consider to be a heart of a disciple. But…

I woke up on November 29th and early in the morning while reading the newspaper I got scared and sad. My stomach churned as I read the news of the Chapecoense plane crash. A football team I’ve never watched playing and knew little about their history, but such a tragedy afflicted my heart.

Throughout the day, I could not contain my tears, and several times I cried with deep sadness. So many stories involved. So many families. So many young people. So many dreams. So many lives. So many deaths. What a tragedy.

Initially, I tried to avoid reading about it, but with an anguished heart I searched for more news, I wanted to see the face and read the names of each of those who passed away. My heart was not filled with selfish curiosity, but with deep sadness. I prayed for them and for their families. I prayed for the city of Chapecó. I cried again.

How many there truly knew the Lord? That was the question that haunted me.

Football, like any other sport and anything else, can become idolatry. However, this is not a time for this kind of reflection. It’s a time to cry with those who cry. It is a moment to think, how many opportunities I have lost throughout my life and I did not share about the love and sacrifice of our beloved Jesus.

My life on this earth can come to an end at any moment. I do not know the day or the hour that I will leave this temporal life. If I live here, let it be to look to Jesus, to love my family, and to cooperate with God’s purpose. All else is waste of time.

May the Lord comfort and bring peace to the hearts of each one that is directly involved and may this tragedy be a reminder of the brevity of my passage on this earth.

Let us persevere.

Baptism is for those that become disciples

In the Scriptures, we see that Jesus gave us a clear direction to baptize those that become disciples.

Matthew 28:18-20 ~ 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “ All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Mark 16:16 ~ 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

The church is changing the order that Jesus gave us and we are changing the sequence, to Continue reading →

Dependence that strengthens

The letters of first and second Timothy are full of practical counsels from Paul in order to encourage Timothy to persevere in proclaiming the Gospel.

Although I can apply all of them to my life, there was one in particular that caught my attention because I never really paid attention to it:

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus” 2 Timothy 2:1

Be strengthened in the Continue reading →

What kind of love is this?

When Jesus died on the cross, God was saying to me:

  • I love you…
  • I didn’t give up on you…
  • I still have hope…

When I take my cross, I say to Jesus:

  • You love me…
  • You didn’t give up on me..
  • You are my only hope!

What an amazing love! What a perfect Jesus! What a great God!

Thank you for you love. I didn’t deserve it, I still don’t and never will.

Robin Williams: When laughter turns into tears

In 1991, I went to the movies with my father to watch: “Hook” with Robin Williams. I can remember crystal clear how much fun I had that day. This actor didn’t only make me laugh, but he brought joy to the whole world with his comedy movies.

However, in August 11th, all that happiness that flowed out of him turned into tears. Robin Williams was found dead, hanging in his own house, with slit wrists. After all the fame, success, money and fun, he committed suicide, leaving behind a legacy of fans that found life and fun in his movies.

Funny. Rich. Recognized. Three children. Winner of Oscars and the Golden Globe. Why kill himself? What was missing?

The most important and fundamental thing: Continue reading →