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With the introduction of Superman back in the 1950s, Superheroes have been known to aid us in difficult times. Some wear capes, others wear boots, and some have all types of talents and powers to save mankind.

Last month, my wife and I spent several weeks with two pint-sized Superheroes, our grandkids! With horse-care training camp, swimming lessons, gymnastics, recreational swimming, tutoring, and other activities, they were quite busy exercising their abilities! Our granddaughter was pretty impressive giving directions.

When Abuela (Grandma) went to drop them off for the swimming lessons, she wasn’t quite sure how to get there. Little Ms. Super-Duper Girl directed her all the way! “Take a left here…. a right there…go straight…” And they arrived! Equally impressive, Captain Amazing America, improved significantly in his swimming abilities, and the putting away of his toys in record time! Additionally, making his bed, dressing himself, and eating breakfast, all proved that remarkable powers were at work!

But, as we’ve all seen in movies, Superheroes have their weak moments too. They can get lassoed, over-powered, or nearly-defeated by some gut-sucking chemicals or rocks. Everyone can use a helping hand now and then.

Sometimes we’re Superheroes too. We help where needed, do house chores, job-related programs, counsel, lead in various capacities such as praise and worship, preach, or teach. Sometimes, we end up running out of juice. Gratefully, someone comes along, helps us to our feet, and sets us in motion once again. Once rested, we set sail again. We can then soar, battle opposing forces, lift the spirits of others, and help set them on God’s path.

Where are you these days? Down and out? Hung up your cape and tossed your boots in a corner? Has Kryptonite zapped your strength? Lost your X-Ray vision? Even your regular eyesight’s dimming? Is your hearing almost gone? “Heh? Say what? Make use of the gift of Discernment available through the Holy Spirit.

Has the enemy blindsided you? Prayer is your answer. Fellowship is your restorer. Praise is your strength. Worship, your endurance. Communion with God hides your flaws and your identity. When others look at you, they see Him because we’re hidden in Him. He’s our mask. Therefore, rest in His loving arms.

It’s time to take on the world again! Common,’ don the boots, fling the cape ‘round you. Hide behind your mask and fly in the strength of His might. Strengthen and encourage others. Point them to Christ our Savior.
Psalm 46:1-3 reads: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and the foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” God, is a hand indeed.
God Bless!
Sam

“Yep!” “Flew over tall buildings, swam across the seas, battled some gators…And I’m ready to go again!”

Kids have a special way of tugging at parents’ hearts, especially girls. When our little ones were five, three, and two I built a cushioned-prayer kneeling bench so I could pray with our three kids before night-night. As they got older, they were tucked in, read to, and prayed-over each night. It was hard the first time the two older ones left for an entire week to summer camp. We received their post cards the very next day! The cards shared the wonderful times they were having! Years later all three went off; our son to the Army, & the girls to study in the states. We had an empty home. After a few years they returned for a few months. My wife had been wondering what we’d do once we became empty-nesters. How would we manage their absence? In a whirlwind, they had returned & left before we could figure out what was happening. For two years after our girls left, I’d go into their room each night as was customary and I’d “see” them there ready to sleep. I could hear them saying, “Bendicion Pa!” and “Bendicion Papiiiiii!” “Bendicion” equates to “Please Bless me.” But of course, they weren’t there and we now had to face what we dreaded: an empty home. Needless to say, we shed lots of tears during those lonely years. Last week we came across five hard-working young men and seven, equally industrious, beautiful girls that visited our home with the intention of helping us with some projects. For two days they became our adopted kids! They were fabulous! They tackled all types of projects! They’re the type that if you scold them saying, “Go to the field and do some chores” they’ll say, “Really, gee, thanks dad, you’re the best!” The more we asked them to help us with, the more they thanked us… leaving us scratching our heads! Young guys come in really handy lending a hand around the land, and girls will always tug at our hearts. This group was a thrill to have around! They exuded a sweetness that proceeds from God, our heavenly Father. How does God see us? He sees us through a Father’s eyes. A father watches his kids and delights in their idiosyncrasies, especially, when we imitate or reflect his ways in some form. In God’s case, when we do His will, we please Him. He’s pleased and glorified when we love as He loves; when we lend a hand as he does; when we forgive as he forgives, and when we encourage others just as He encourages us to persevere. In terms of our ‘adopted’ kids, they showed their love to God as follows:
How Do I Love You?
I love you Lord when I can lend a hand to clear my brother’s land.
I love you Lord when I can cut down trees, or scrub dirty tiles down on my knees.
I love you Lord when I can take down a deck
And leave windows sparkling clean without a speck.
I love you Lord when I can bring down a balcony
While working with others in harmony.
I love you Lord when with, or without a tool
I can put together a long-awaited pool.
I love you Lord when I can sort-out pieces of wood
And praise you all the more for the provided delicious food!
Today, be the best son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter you can possibly be. Share your love with your father or with a father-figure. He’s not around? Share it with God. He’s been watching you, tucking you in, and reading to you every night for so many years. He’s even adopted you into His kingdom. “In love, He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will” (Ephesians 1:5).
Happy Father’s Day!
Sam
Our Adopted Young Men & Women!

God Bless!.

Sam

Are you bound somewhere? There are a great many stories of people bound on quests. Some, to climb, others to cross, still others to discover. People have succeeded and people have failed. It’s part of life. Do you know where you’re headed? Or, are you bound by your past or by unhealthy relationships?

Lazarus was dead and buried four days when Jesus paid him a visit. “With a great voice, He cried, Lazarus, come forth,” and he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound with a napkin” (John 11:43, 44). Lazarus though dead, heard the voice of God and came forth. Bound by death, he was called back to life. However, he needed to be set free from the cloths wrapped around him.

Today, this very day, in fact, this very moment you can be brought back to life. “Say, what? I’m alive” you might say. Anyone who doesn’t serve God is dead, spiritually dead and bound by sin. Tell God this moment that you want to live! Tell Him you want to feel alive! He will call your name out from among the (spiritually) dead, and you’ll come alive. You’ll still be bound by cloths or chains of sin which with Jesus’ help, will fall off!

“Behold, now is the day of salvation” (2Corinthians 6:2). “Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:15a).

God Bless!

Sam

What would you have done had you been Jesus? I can tell you what I would have done in His place.
First, while on that cross, I’d be thinking, “Boy, can’t wait till I get down from here. First thing I’m going to do is show up at the doorsteps of those religious men that condemned me to death.” “Then, I’m going to show my fully-healed back to the tormentors who cruelly whipped me till most of my back was in shreds.”
“These things will I do before breaking-bread with my disciples and before my ascension.” What would you have done?
Unlike us, “Jesus humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death on the cross” (Philippians 2:8). He controlled Himself and did what He had to do, nothing more. He could have casually walked by the temple just to make sure people got a glimpse of Him. He could have left a note telling all the religious folk how wrong they were…
I guess that’s why He’s God and I’m not. What about you, find yourself oftentimes praying for fire down from the skies on the person who took your parking spot, or at the shmuck who wronged you? It’s normal. Incorrect, but normal. It shows how much we need Jesus in our lives. Unfortunately, as much as I often think I’m right, Jesus did it correctly.
Happy Easter!
Sam

Around 1967, while in the fourth grade, days before a class trip, our teacher, Mrs. Fischer announced what things we should or shouldn’t take with us. One thing she mentioned was, “No heels.” At hearing that, Freddy R. asked why not? Of course, all the girls including the teacher laughed at him! “Do you know what heels are?” Mrs. Fischer asked. We all laughed including an embarrassed Freddy!

Of course, it wasn’t long afterwards when heels were the rage for men! We had platform shoes, Marshmallows, and all types of 1-4 inch heeled-shoes. We wore our bell-bottoms with them, even our elephant-bottoms (extra-wide leg cuts), and later, our seamless, or French-cut pants (A.K.A. Matadors). Freddy would have felt at home!

Did you know the subject of heel is also mentioned by God in the Bible? No, He doesn’t have an Achilles’ heel! The first Gospel prophecy and promise are recorded right at the beginning of Genesis. Check it out! After the snake deceived Eve, God said to Satan, who was behind it all:

“I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head and you will strike his heel” (Genesis 3:15).

Satan bruised Jesus’ heel by getting Him to the cross, but Jesus, as the woman’s seed, crushed the enemy’s head by triumphing over him, over sin, and over death by rising from the grave. On a day much like today, Jesus took back His life! He brought Himself up from the grave. He accomplished what He left heaven to do: Die for all of humanity, stripped Satan of his power over us, conquered death and the grave, and restored us onto God. He removed a huge gulf of sin existing between us and God. He removed the curse of sin by becoming sin so we could take on His righteousness. Jesus made a way to the Father through His sacrificial death on the cross.

You and I were on Jesus’ mind when He crushed the enemy’s head. Accept His sacrifice for you today. Afterall, He’s “Head over heels” in love with you!
Happy Resurrection Day!
Sam

Contrary to popular beliefs God isn’t an old man with long, white hair, a flowing beard, wearing a long white robe, and donning sandals. Imagine being able to look and feel thirty to forty years old for decades, centuries upon centuries, even for all eternity. God’s is known as the Ancient of Days because He has no beginning and no end. He’s always existed. After the crucifixion, Jesus did what no man has ever done or ever will do. During the seemingly quiet days following the events of the cross, he was busy at work. Firstly, there was an earthquake which shook things up. Graves were open and the bodies of saints who had died came to life (Matthew 27:52). Secondly, the veil of the temple was split in two from the top down (Matthew 27:51). This veil separated the Holy Place for the priests from the Most Holy Place where only the High Priest could enter once a year to atone for the sins of the people.
Jesus tore the veil signifying we no longer require a priest in order to present our sins to God or to talk to Him. He’s given us direct access to Him 24/7.
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus (Yeshua) the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession” (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Thirdly, Jesus descended to the depths of the earth to “surprise and rain on Satan’s parade.” He made a spectacle of him. “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15). Jesus stripped Satan of his authority. “I am He that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Revelation 1:18). Fourthly, a place known as Abraham’s Bosom, where Hades (place of punishment) was below, and Captivity, where the dead righteous were kept, was above. Jesus took Captivity captive, i.e. He took them to heaven. Fifthly, Jesus triumphed victoriously over evil, over sin for all humanity, over Death, and over all demonic forces. Sixthly, He took back His life and rose from the dead! “Therefore, does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man takes it from me, but I lay it down for myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:17-19). Easter, the day of Resurrection, is a reminder of God’s triumphant victory over sin and death out of love for you and me.
The Ancient of Days remains Alive Forevermore!
Rejoice!
Sam
Important Note: Jesus died ONCE for ALL the sins of MANKIND.
“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; ….For by one offering he has perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:12, 14).

Growing up if we broke something, did, or didn’t do something, we normally didn’t say a word. Unlike on TV, no one went around claiming it was his fault. There were never two or three people fighting each other claiming they were at fault for something. Shoo, if someone says, “oh, it’s my fault” most others will say, “You bet it is.” It may be real on TV, but not in our neighborhoods.
Once, during jury duty, a young black guy was on trial with about three charges against him. Most jurors wanted to listen to the facts/evidences available. One, elderly black woman however, said all black guys taken to court were automatically guilty! Ultimately, he was declared Not Guilty! His lawyer went berserk.
“Not guilty” are words we like hearing, especially if falsely accused. We live in a fallen & broken world. Regardless how innocent we may be, we’re guilty of sin within us. We’re all born into sin; can’t get away from it. In fact, Romans 3:10 says, “There is none righteous, no, not one.”
In the excellent movie, The Shack Mack is asked to choose one of his two children and condemn him/her to hell. Finding it impossible to do so, and due to his love for them, he chooses to go in their stead. That’s how God dealt with us. Finding it impossible to send us to hell, He decided to die in our place. That’s what Jesus did for us. Seeing the effects of sin all around and desiring to be reunited with His bride (all believers), God the Father asked, “Who will go?” Jesus answered, “Behold, send me, I will go” (Isaiah 6:8).
The Righteous God died for all unrighteous men and women (all humanity). Our guilt was transferred to Him while we took His innocence. We trade our lies for His Truth. He became our sin sacrifice. His death gave us eternal life. Just as when younger you and I might still keep quiet and not admit our guilt. However, it’s time to ‘fess up.” Those who refuse accepting His loving sacrifice, choose instead to bear the weight of their sins. In despising it, they are in essence, saying, “We don’t need you;” we prefer instead, to endure hell over heaven.
It’d be great to hear, “Not Guilty!”
God Bless,
Sam

Peter Frampton sang, Baby I Love Your Way and the Spinners sang Could It Be I’m Falling in Love? Like thousands of others, they’re great love songs. I once heard an illustration of a guy in love who told his girl something like this:
“Nothing can keep me away from you. No river can keep me from getting near you. I’ll cross the widest ocean to see your sweet face I’ll scale the highest mountain to hear your voice… but I’ll see you in two days cause it’s raining tonight.”
So much for true love!
God looked down from His throne room and saw a huge gulf between Himself and mankind. It was a vast space covered in sin disallowing for fellowship with His most prized possession.
He stooped from holiness to mankind. From riches and glory, to poorness and gory, He climbed high upon a hill to proclaim His love to the world (And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to me-John 12:32). He didn’t get down on one knee and ask, “Will you marry me?” That would’ve been too easy. With nailed feet and out-stretched arms spiked to a cross, He yelled, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
Instead, through love and sacrifice, He laid down His life for you and me. He conquered sin closing forever the gulf separating Him from His beloved. Your name is there…Desiree, Roger, Tony, Nancy, Shamika, Deb, Steve, Joey, Tray, Lauren, etc.
An old song says…
I’ll shout it from the mountain top I want my world to know The Lord of love has come to me I want to pass it on.
(Pass It On-It Only Takes a Spark)
God Bless,
Sam

Tour a beautiful home, check out the curves on an exotic car, hold one-of-a-kind diamond jewelry, taste a scrumptious meal, and people will react with one word: Awesome! No doubt, some things may be difficult to describe or worthy of one-word adjectives. However, this overused word isn’t used correctly.
The term was coined for one purpose: to describe God.
Awesome, describes an indescribable God, an incomparable God, a being above all beings, it measures an immeasurable grace. Awesome begins to identify the limitless characteristics of the only loving God.
When Someone lays His life for yours, when that Someone is Jesus and He takes your place on the cross, when He took the nails for you, when He took your guilt and exchanged it for His innocence, when He took the weight of your sins and traded it for His sinless life, you can begin to see His Awesomeness. It’s much more valuable than a car which can take you nowhere in the horrors of hell. It’s worth more than an expensive watch in a doomed eternity. How wonderful will your clothing be, or the senseless toys you dropped your money on where there’s no escape? Do you think anything will matter there? No, it won’t.
Only One Person made a way into the afterlife including hell. Only One Person made a way out of it and took the captives out (Ephesians 4:8). Only Jesus, the Eternal God, gets to wear the attire with the label AWESOME for all to see. Only His crown of thorns, rusted 5” nails and disfigured body perfectly describes absolute beauty and love fit for the King of kings.
God Bless,
Blessed Good Friday
Sam