Valley Christian Magazine November 2011

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ReThink Church...What if Church Left the Building

JeremyCamp

A VCM Exclusive with:

Coming to McAllen

The Ever Elusive Rest.

Want it?

p. 32

p. 20

p. 40

November’11


28

Christian TorresPublisher

Henry MillerEditor

Irma d’Santiago “morett”Designer

James AlexanderDistribution

PHOTOGRAPHERS

The Studio -Jenny Hollis & Cliff Ranson

Gabriela Romero

CONTRIBUTORS

Jerrell Jobe

Milton Gonzalez

Mike Masso

Miguel Paredes

Jorge Vela

Valley Christian Magazine is a publication of Texas Chris-tian Publications (a 501c3 organization). Texas ChristianPublications reserves the right to edit, modify, revise,rewrite and reject editorial materials and assumes noresponsibility for accuracy, errors, omissions or conse-quences arising from it. All correspondence to this publi-cation becomes the property of Texas Christian Publica-tions. Texas Christian Publications shall be held harmless

-tian Publications accepts no claims made by photog-raphers, agents or contributors. Writers’ and columnists’opinions are not necessarily those of Texas Christian Pub-lications or its publishers. Advertisements appearing inTexas Christian Publications present only the viewpointof the advertisers. We assume no responsibility for ad-vertising claims made in this publication. Valley ChristianMagazine is printed in the United States. Reproduction

without the expressed written permission of the publisheris prohibited. Copyright 2011. Printed in the USA.

For Advertising contact:

956.314.0161 phone

956.688.6336 fax

To submit story ideas, events, or comments:

www.valleychristianmagazine.com

Texas Publications

c/o Valley Christian Magazine

3827 North 10th Street, 301

McAllen, TX 78501

Valley Christian Magazine is a free monthlymagazine published by

11

11- At Home With:

John Brady of TFC

18- Operation Christmas Child

26- Colonial Holiday with Covenant

Christian Academy

28- OK, Let’s Talk About...

34- VCM Interview:

Francesca Battistelli

37- Hidalgo’s Festival of Lights

40- Valley Methodist Churches

“Serving our Schools”

44- What to Read: Latest Books

Humilitas Review

46- Music: The City Harmonic

49- Events

On The Cover32- Jeremy Camp brings “We Cry

Out Tour to the RGV

NationalColumnists20- James MacDonald

38- Luis Palau

43- Greg Laurie

50- Dave Ramsey

ValleyContributors 8- Christian Torres

16- Mike Masso

22- Henry Miller

24- Jerrell Jobe

26- Milton Gonzalez

28- Jorge Vela

44- Miguel Paredes

eventsFeatures

Francesca Battistelli in McAllen

Jorge Vela on Health

Pastor John Brady

46 49

34

index

City Harmonic

Ideas are overrated. Plans are just that…

It’s when we actually put our ideas and plans into action that

they become reality.

Many of us want to help others but just don’t know what to

do or where to start. You know what happens next? Nothing. A

year goes by and we think “You know what…let’s do something

this holiday season. Let’s help someone or some ministry.”

The idea is great. The plan is great. But where do you go

from there? When nothing occurs, many times it’s because we

are thinking we must do something big. In actuality, if you start

small it can have a big and lasting impression.

What small start can you initiate today that will get you

on the path to accomplishing your ideas and plans tomorrow?

VCM decided to be very intentional in the November

-

ing others in both big and little ways. Believe me…their results are

big to those who are on the receiving end.

Operation Christmas Child (see p.18) gives you the op-

portunity to give a little boy or girl in a poor and ravaged country

a simple gift that has immeasurable impact on their life. Sergio

Sanchez directs us how to take part in this awesome global minis-

try.

SOS (Serve our Schools) Service Project (see p. 40) shows

we can help people in our community by putting our faith into

action. Susan Hellums, Border Area Mission Coordinator at First

United Methodist Church of McAllen, helps show us how to be

the “hands and feet” of Christ in our own community and offers

various opportunities for each one of us to put our own faith into

action.

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ties to help orphanages, join local ministries helping others, how to

bless a family during Christmas, but also how it is possible to serve

others, unfortunately, without loving them.

“Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than

helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians[and others]. It

also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God.

This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your

gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning

of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your

generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really

toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of

God in your lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in a passion-

ate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his

gift. No language can praise it enough!” (2 Corinthians 9: 12-15 MSG)

Intentional.

Christian Torres andhis wife, Stephanie,live in McAllen with

their 3 daughtersMadeleine (11),

Natalie (8),and Courtney (6).

They are members ofPalm Valley Church

of Mission.

Be

By Christian TorresPublisher


Pastors John Brady

and Terry Brady

(wife of 29 years)

Children: Denee (27)

John David (23)

Jordan (22)

Photos by The Studio - Mission, TX

The Family Church

2322 N. McColl Road, McAllen

(956) 682-2092

www.tfcmcallen.com

Services:Sunday: 10 a.m.and 11:40 a.m.Wednesday: 7 p.m.


YOU’VE SEEN A LOT OFCHANGES SINCE COMINGHERE

It will be 17 years here as Pastor onMarch 1. When we came here it wasChurch of the Good Shepherd. Thechurch had fallen on hard times andthere were only about 50 people left.But we felt God was calling us here.We started with that group –whenwe brought our three children I thinkwe doubled the children’s ministry.Now we run 300-400 children on Sun-day mornings along with building anew Sanctuary.

WHAT BROUGHT THECHURCH TRANSITION?

The church started in 1948 out ofa healing revival and was called Re-vival Church. In 1961 it was namedChurch of the Good Shepherd. Whenwe started changing the way wedo things and made it more casual,more acceptable for the averageperson to come in, we didn’t feelthat Church of the Good Shepherdpainted a picture of who we were.Family is huge for us and The FamilyChurch said who we were. You don’teven have to talk about the vision – itsays it all for us. We made that deci-

are very excited about it.

EVER WONDER IF YOUMADE THE RIGHT DECISION?

I would normally say yes, but in thisparticular time it was the only time inmy life that God spoke to me in anaudible voice. I’d never been led likethat before. There was never a ques-tion. Was it rough? Yes. Were theretimes I wish I wasn’t here? Yes. But weknew we were supposed to be here.

A friend in California spoke to meand asked why I wanted to leave.They were all personal reasons, nonebecause the ministry was struggling.He questioned me on it and I knewGod was speaking to me and knewwe needed to stick it out. I’m gladwe did. We’re having a blast now.

HOW DO PASTORS DEALWITH THOSE PRESSURES?

A lot don’t – I read a statistic thatsaid 1,500 pastors leave the pastor-ate every month. Only 10 percent ofpastors ever make it to retirement.They quit at one point because it’sreal hard. I think you need to knowyou’re in God’s will. If you know thatyou’ll stick it out. You also have tohave some friends around, a sup-port system that helps in those roughtimes.

HOW IS THE CHURCH CON-STRUCTION GOING?

February at the latest. It’s going todouble our capacity so that’s great.The congregation is excited. You goin for service and there’s no carpet,there’s construction all around, peo-ple are parking across the street…Our vision is building families andserving people and our congrega-tion is so cool because they reallybelieve they are called to serve thelost in a dying world. They look at it asworth going through to reach morepeople.

TELL US ABOUT YOUROUTREACH?

10 years ago we didn’t do any ofthat. We were a suit and tie church– more of a teaching type church.About six years ago I’m readingabout this church in Baton Rouge,Louisiana that we now hook up withnamed Healing Place Church withDino Rizzo. They do “servolution.”They go out and serve. As I’m read-ing that the Spirit of God just comesupon me and I’m weeping and Iknow we’re supposed to do that.

200 people in red shirts go to Nolanaand 10th in McAllen and we passedout Cokes on a very hot summerday. We told people this was a waywe could show the love of God. Peo-ple were blown away. They wantedto pay us. We said no. Starbucksstopped and brought all of our folkssomething to drink. Coca Cola cameby and said we want to help you dosomething like this in the future.

YOU EVEN WON AN AWARDRIGHT?

We were cleaning neighborhoodsthat needed help. The City of McAl-len found out and they would buyus gloves, sometimes feed us, rentthe dumpsters and they made us apart of Keep McAllen Beautiful. Thecity put us up for the state award –

the civic organization that helps themost with keeping their city beautiful.We weren’t trying – we had no idea.

THE OUTREACH IS A DIFFER-ENT APPROACH ISN’T IT?

Yeah it is. The world is a little gunshy of the church because some-

systems, we split up sometimes andwe even act ugly toward the world.I think people sometimes have this‘we don’t want any part of you’ feel-ing. We just try to demonstrate God’slove through action. That opens somany doors. We’ve seen so manymiracles happen, heard so manyneat stories and watched peopleget saved right on the spot. Peopleask us all the time ‘Why are you do-ing this?’ Serving people and helpingfamilies is our DNA, our heartbeat.

HOBBIES? When my kids were growing up they

were my hobby. Now that they’regrown up and the church has gottenbigger I love to hunt and shoot guns.It’s a stress reliever and I get a kickout of it. I’m going to try to go bow

YOU ANDTERRY DIDN’T GROWUP WITH SIMILAR SUR-ROUNDINGS RIGHT?

Well, we met at Bible School in Tul-sa. We’ve been married for 29 years.I’m from Texas but grew up in SanJose, Calif. She grew up in West Vir-ginia, about an hour from Charlestonin Clay County. She’s a hillbilly andI’m from the city and we kinda cametogether.

SO TERRY IS FROM WESTVIRGINIA AND THE CITY BOYIS THE HUNTER?

Yeah hunting’s more of a West Vir-ginia thing. I didn’t know what a gunwas in San Jose.

My dream was to have a boy wholoved sports and we’d do sportstogether. My boy didn’t like sports

and that’s how I got into it. It’s some-thing we do together.

YOUR SON IS BACK FROMIRAQ?

Sure is. He was in Iraq for a year.It was tough on the whole family,especially for mom. God gave uspeace though. We’re really proud ofhim serving his country but it’s greatto have him home. He’s a reservist.


He has one more tour, supposedlyin Afghanistan. We believe it’ll be agood experience.

I HEARD YOU TALK ABOUTA ROTTWEILER ONCE, CANYOU SHARE THAT?

We got her from the humane so-ciety terribly underweight, probably30-40 pounds, and just 8 or 9 monthsold. She had probably been beatenand the vet told us she really need-ed to gain weight.

I had killed a wild pig not muchearlier and didn’t like the meat sowe just kept cooking it and feeding itto her and she loved it. She actuallygained all the weight she neededand more and full grown ended up110 pounds. The best dog we everhad.

Now we have another Rottweiler –but only on the outside. Inside she’smore of a golden retriever.

FAVORITE SPORTS STORY?My family is from Texas – so my col-lege is the Longhorns. I was sitting inthe end zone where Vince Youngscored the winning touchdown forthe national championship againstUSC. It was one of the most incred-ible experiences of my life. I was sit-ting with a friend who was a USC fan,so it was even more awesome.

FAVORITE HUNTING STO-RY? A bunch of us went hunt-

ing for some wild pigs – Imean there was a lineof us – even a 10-year-old. There was a wholegroup of pigs and weall got ready andshot. Let’s just saynot everybody hita pig. The pigs

turned and charged us. One guywith a pistol unloaded his pistol anddidn’t hit a pig. Another guy whoclaimed to be a great hunter didn’thit a pig – and here they were all

that takes some time to load so Istepped behind somebody because

It wasn’t until later that I realized Ihad stepped behind a 10-year-oldboy. So to this day they all still laughat me. The pigs at the last minuteswerved off so nobody was injured.

I WOULD GUESS THERE’SSOME GOOD COOKING WITHALL THAT HUNTING

My wife is the cook and she makesthe best deer meat. She makes it likechicken fried steak with cream gra-vy, homemade biscuits and fried po-tatoes and man it is killer, just incred-ible. I’ve tasted a lot of deer meatand she makes the best. It’s a West

Virginia thing. We go home and gettheir deer meat and hers is better.Maybe it has something to do withthe Texas deer.

WHAT’S THE CHURCH VI-SION FOR THE NEXT 3-5YEARS

Once building is built, we get totake a little breather. But part of thevision is to reach out to the poor in agreater way. We’d like to see The LifeCenter expand, believing God for aplace we can house people who aredown and out - whether it be drugaddictions, somebody coming outof sexual slavery, abusive situation– so they can be in a place to live,have constant spiritual input and geta job eventually. They need to getout of the environment they’re in sothey can change. We really have aheartbeat for that. Where they seeno hope– we want to give themhope and tangible ways to get out.

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The Great White Throne Judgment

There is an old cliché,“There is nothing as sureas death and taxes.” Butthere is one other thing asfor sure as dying and evenone thing more for surethan taxes, Gods Judg-ment.

Hebrews 9: 27; Just as man is destined to dieonce, and after that to face Judgment.

traces their lives from birth until death andafter death their eternal Judgments. Their livesintertwine with many others who becomea part of the story of their life experience.Throughout the course of each of their livesdecisions with eternal consequences are re-vealed. As with the people within this storyevery man and woman throughout the courseof their lives must face the ultimate ques-tion, the question that we cannot escape orignore. The question of where we will spendour eternal destiny. How will we choose, lifeeternal with God or eternal Judgment in whatthe Bible calls the “Lake of Fire.” Our answer

-

nity. But either way we will face a Holy andRighteous God as Judge of our sin or Lord ofour lives. How will the people in this storychoose and even more importantly, how willyou choose? There is no decision you willmake in your life more important than whatyou choose to do with Jesus.

Then I saw a great white throne andHim who sat upon it, from whose presence

was found for them. And I saw the dead, thegreat and the small before the throne, andbooks were opened; and another bookwas opened which is the book of life; andthe dead were judged from the thingswhich were written in the books, accord-ing to their deeds. And the sea gave upthe dead which were in it, and death andHades gave up the dead which were inthem; and they were judged, every oneof them according to their deeds. Thendeath and Hades were thrown into theLake of Fire. This is the second death,the Lake of Fire. And if anyone’s namewas not found written in the Book ofLife, he was thrown into the Lake ofFire. ( Revelation 20:11–15)

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Picture an unloved child, forgotten andlonely during the holidays. There’s no-body to comfort his cries; nobody toshare in her laughter. her

It’s tough to read – tougher – to tougher see – but –they’re out there; millions of them.

Operation Shoebox is Shoebox a worldwide chil-dren’s project of Samaritan’s Purse that

hurting children know they are loved andnot forgotten.

Generous families, businesses and orga-nizations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and

-lion shoe boxes with school supplies, toys,necessity items, and notes of encourage-ment for needy for children.

The Rio Grande Valley is also participat-ing under the under direction of Sergio Sanchez.The Operation Christmas Child truck will truckbe parked at BT McAllen (2001 TrentonRoad) from Nov. 14-21. Call or text or SergioSanchez with questions at (956) 655-8876.

Last year approximately year 2,000 boxes fromthe Rio Grande Valley were donated.

“There are so many people we need tothank tothank get this going,” Sanchez said. “Amajor thankmajor you thank to SAS Shoes in Browns-ville for their for contribution their of thousands ofsturdy, quality shoe boxes this year and year

many years past. Thank you Thank toJane Smith, manager of NEWSTALK 710 KURV and BMP Radio fordonating the storage space at An-other Closetother Self Storage this year(over 3,000(over SAS empty shoe boxeswere stored there). Thank you Thank toRandy Smith at Another Closet Another SelfStorage for donating for the use of hisdelivery truck and truck thanks to BT McAl-len Pastors Trevor Carpenter Trevor and Carpenter MikeHall for donating for the use of their vans theirand campus to help collect these boxes.”

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding Operation Shoe-box:

What items can I put in a shoe-box? Toys (no military or war or related wartoys), undergarments, toiletries (no liquids or glass), or grooming items,store bought and wrapped candy(no chocolate or candy or with pea-nuts), a letter from letter your family. your

Where can I get a shoebox?If you need shoeboxes call or text or Ser-gio Sanchez at (956) 655-8876. If youwish, you can also purchase shoebox-sized reusable plastic containers (verypopular withpopular children who have littlespace to store their school their or per or -sonal items)

Can I use my own? If yes, any spe-cial wrapping instructions?Please gift wrap the lid and thebox separatelybox so it can be easilyinspected for safety and securityreasons and try to include a $7 do-nation check per check box per to box help pay forinternational shipping. If you’d like to

visit the Operation Christmas Childwebsite, make your per your box per donation boxonline and print a label to help trackyour box.your

Do you follow the same National Dropoff Dates?Yes, the delivery week for week these for boxes is November 14-21. November You canvisit BT McAllen that week from week 9a.m. to 4 p.m. or call or or text or Ser-gio at (956) 655-8876 for special forarrangements.

How can someone become adrop site?We need more drop sites in the Har-lingen and Brownsville areas. If yourbusiness, school or church or can helpthis campaign call or text or Sergio at(956) 655-8876.

Do a Little - and make a huge difference

Operation Christmas Child organizers:Mike Hall, Sergio Sanchez, Dwght Robertson

& Pastor Trevor Carpenter.


“Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land

and cultivate faithfulness . . . Rest in the LORD and

wait patiently for Him.”Psalm 37:3-7,

“I have been young and now I am old,

yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken…

his descendants will become a blessing.”

Psalm 37:25-26,

The everelusive rest.

Want it?

James MacDonald is founding and Senior Pastor at HarvestBible Chapel in northwest Chicago. James’ teacing canbeheard on Walk in the Word, a daily radio program reach-

ing more than 3 mill ion people across North America. Usedby permission of Walk in the Word, Elgin, Il l., 61023. To

subscribe to the Weekly Walk, a weekly e-devotional, visitwww.walkintheword.com.

Used by permission of Walk in the Word, Elgin, Il l., 61023.

Listen to Walk inthe Word locallyweekdays at 5:30 a.m.

By Dr. James MacDonald


Mark Southwell, CFP®

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It’s 4:18 in the morning. I’ve just wokenup, for no apparent reason.

thrumming of the fans I keep on atnight.

But when I listen closer, I can pick outthe soft breathing – and even the softerpurr-like snores every so often - of mylittle girl Camilla lying next to me asleepafter a rough day of soccer, birthdayparty 1, birthday party 2 and playing inthe neighborhood.

I look over as her chest moves up anddown in rhythm with those breaths. I

veins as her little arm loops through

ever so slightly; her assurance that Papiis with her.

A few minutes later the grip tightens.The breathing becomes a little heavierand there’s a frightened little voicecrying out “Papi.. Papi.. I’m havingbad dreams.” She’s still partially asleep

as she says this but her spirit knows I’mlistening.“It’s ok, mi hija,” I say, sliding her a littlecloser to me. “Nothing’s going to hap-pen. Papi’s here with you.”

As quickly as she woke up, she’s backasleep. Once again she knows that herPapi is with her. That everything’s goingto be ok.

I remain awake. I did not do muchjust then – held her a little tighter, toldher just a few small words. For her noweverything is ok. What power we haveas parents in our every move, our everyword.

Then I think how much more powerfulGod is. That His slightest motion cre-ates galaxies, how His infallible wordhas been passed down for thousandsof years. I remind myself that I am tinierthan the smallest molecule in His grandscheme. Yet, He loves me so much, soperfectly.

I remain awake, now in awe of a mag-

realize what is meant in Psalm 46:10 “Bestill and know that I am God.”

I need to make more time like this – I

need to know that He – not me – isGod.

As the clock gets closer to that timefor my day to begin I can smile. I’vealready started my day – and I couldn’thave done it any better.

Be still. KnowHe is God.

Henry Miller has beenin the publishing busi-ness for 25 years. Hiswork has been in morethan 150 newspapersand he has been asyndicated radio per-sonality on more than60 stations nationwide.He and his daughter-Camilla (7).attend Palm ValleyChurch, where Henry

volunteers in the Kids Church. E-mail him at: henry@valley-

christianmagazine.com

Be Still…. And Know

By Henry Miller

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I’ve made an interesting observation in thepast several months. My children may bewatching television or doing some othermindless activity. On such occasions, the mo-tivation emerges within me to help engagethem in some mind-stimulating activity or at orleast something that will cause them to exertsome physical energy.

I can say to one of my children, “Hey, youwanna do a puzzle?” The almost immediateresponse will be “no.” I can follow that upwith something like, “How about we buildsomething?” The response? “No.” I can gothrough a litany of options, “A bike ride?”“Too hot.”

You get the picture.

Of course there are some wild cards.Cheese’s always gets a thumbs up.

However, often the end result is potential dis-couragement or frustration. or

Here’s where the interestingobservation comes in.

On a given day, my children could be en-grossed

given given in

given given a movie

given day day given of some sort. I can non-

chalantly walk through walk the room, grab theyoungest child, put them on my lap, spread

-in seconds the couch is empty, the movie ismere background noise and I have kids all

pieces.

I can waltz through the room and say, “Oh...

I’ll see you guys later... I’m going for a for bike ridearound the block...” (pause)... and I havethree kids begging to go with me. Did I men-tion the heat index is index 108? Suddenly, beinghot is no longer a longer factor.

Regardless the activity, if I merely begin doingit my children join me. Interesting!

It’s like they wanted to do something moreactive and engaging, they just didn’t know it!They needed to be led. They needed to beshown.

They needed to be engaged.

I wonder if wonder much of our parenting our frustration iscaused simply because we tell them

but fail to We askthem if they want to do something, when allthey need is to be invited to join us.

Now, let’s turn the tables a bit.

How does this principle apply to ourown spirituality?How often

spirituality? spirituality? do

spirituality? spirituality? we not

spirituality? spirituality? want to do that which is

most needed to do? Perhaps engaging somespiritual practice (Scripture, Prayer, Serving,Fasting, Giving, etc)... I’ve discovered, quiteoften we’re just like our children. our

One of the keys to spiritual maturity is beingable to discern what we need and how to dosomething about it. Often, if I simply begin en-gaging a practice or discipline, or before long

be led.

Often we spend too much time fol-lowing our heart,and not enough

time leading it...If you have children:What

you you are some everyday activities you could

invite your children your to join you in – simply – forthe sake of being …?

Are there spiritual practices that you couldmodel for your for children your to engage as well?

What would it look like look to invite them to prayyou, or even or for you? for

What would it look like look to read Scripture to-gether, or even or create your own your “sock-pup-pet” reenactment of a particular passage? particular

Is there a project or person or you could haveyour childrenyour join you in serving?

For everyone:Is there

everyone: an area where you need to stop “fol-

lowing” and begin “leading” your heart?

Is there a particular spiritual practice (likemeditating on Scripture, prayer, serving, etc)that you sense God is calling you to engagein a deeper, more meaningful manner?

Looking for a good book related toteachingLookingLooking

andLooking for for

helping for for good good

your children your connectwith God through spiritual practices? There’sa great book written by a friend of mine, Val-erie Hess entitled, “Habits of a Child’s Heart:Raising Your Kids Your with the Spiritual Disciplines.”

POWERBeing

The

Led

of

ByJerrell

Jobe

Jerrell Jobe is a teaching pastor at Palm Valley Churchin Mission. He is married to Charissa and has three

children: Michah (8), Naylah (6), and Avi (4).



Colonial Holiday was birthed in asmall classroom located on thecorner of Ware and Primrose inMcAllen 15 years ago.

Envisioned by Brenda Greagrey,Colonial Holiday was a class-room project that would teach

students about the founding of our nation andthe impact the Word of God had in its establish-ment. The following couple of years would seeColonial grow from one classroom to severalmore involving teachers, students and parents.

Today Covenant Christian Academy’s ColonialHoliday has become a household name, anevent that is expected year after year. It has be-come a two-day festival beginning with a com-munity outreach. More than 500 public schoolstudents are bussed in from local and neigh-boring cities. They are given a hands-on tour asguides share the history of our great nation.

CCA undergoes a metamorphic transformationas it prepares for Colonial, truly becoming a co-lonial township.

-ment. George and Martha Washington walk upand down Main Street while a silversmith by thename of Paul Revere horseback rides around thetown. The ballroom adorned with chandeliers

while nobles dance the minuet with eleganceand grace.

As you promenade down Main Street while yousavor a turkey leg you will experience the soundsof yesterday...the hammering emerging from thecarpenter’s shoppe and the excited laughter ofchildren visiting the toy shoppe. Cotton candy,

-ma that sparks images from our youth.

Most importantly, Colonial Holiday is an oppor-tunity for us, Covenant Christian Academy, toshare Jesus with the community. He is ultimatelythe reason for the season.

Hope to see you there............Shalom, Mr. G

HolidayColonial

Festival & MarketplaceByMr.G

Saturday, Nov. 12 / 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.Covenant Christian Academy4201 N. ware Road, McAllen

General Admission: Canned Food donation

For more information call (956) 686-7886Or visit www.ccamcallen.com

(Milton is the Principal of Covenant Christian Academyand is a member of The Family Church in McAllen.)


Being overweight is something many of us joke about whenwe’re talking about ourselves. However, when it comes to talk-ing about others, it becomes merely a whisper around family,friends and even less around our congregations.

Why?

For one we feel the topic is quite cruel to bring up. We may beviewed as being judgmental or mean spirited to make some-one feel they are living in sin if they are overweight. But doesthe Bible talk to us about being overweight?

“Or didn’t you realize that your body is a sacred place, theplace of the Holy Spirit? Don’t you see that you can’t live how-ever you please, squandering what God paid such a high pricefor? The physical part of you is not some piece of property be-longing to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works.So let people see God in and through your body.” (1 Corinthi-ans 6:19, 20 MSG)

So, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Then honoringGod by taking care of our bodies is what God would want tosee us do. That doesn’t only mean to exercise. Taking care ofour bodies also includes eating well to nourish the body.

In my 20 years as a Fitness Professional I have seen more strug-gles with people controlling their food intake versus attendingtheir personal training sessions.

“...Don’t eat too much food and get fat. Drunks and gluttonswill end up on skid row, in a stupor and dressed in rags.” (Prov-erbs 23:20-21 MSG)

The Bible makes clear references to taking care of our bodiesand abstaining from gluttony but is it a sin to be overweight?

Gary Thomas, author of the book Every Body Matters writes “Sincan lead us to become overweight, but being overweight isnot, in and of itself, a sin.”

And while it may not be a sin by itself it can still lead to a less-than-full relationship with God.

Typically, someone who is overweight has some negative feel-ings attached to those extra pounds – kinda like extra baggagepsychologically with the extra baggage physically. If so, morethan likely it will affect how they interact with people and whothey interact with.

Being a Christian is a lot about connecting with people. Godblesses us to be a blessing to all the peoples of the world. Ifwe’re not comfortable with ourselves, then we may not be aseffective as God would like you to be in advancing His king-dom.

feel comfortable with ourselves and how that can effect ourtestimony and witnessing to others.

Jorge Vela is a personal trainer in McAllen, Texas.He has over 20 years of experience in the health &

you can get a boot camp started for your church.Contact Jorge at 956-451-8962 or Jorge@explosiv-

OK, Let’s talk

about...

Being

Overweight

BY JORGE VELA

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office:1520W. Dove, Ste. G - Blog 2McAllen, TX 78504


VCM Interview with Jeremy CampArt ist going ‘ful l bore’ with his cal l ing

By Henry Miller

Jeremy Camp was ready to quit.

As he looked around, all he could see or hear was Jeremy Camp this or Jeremy Camp that.

How had things spiraled to this point?

“In the midst of all that goes on with touring and being successful in the music industry, I noticed all things were Jeremy Camp,” the singer/songwriter told

from his Tennessee home. “Camp, Camp, Camp – when did this become Jeremy Camp day? It was so overwhelming.

“I asked God, whatever you want me to do, I’ll do. If you want me to be done, I’ll do it.”

Instead of quitting, however, his cries to the Lord inspired his latest album and tour. The We Cry Out Tour comes to the McAllen Convention Center on Nov. 17. Also on the card are the 2010 Dove Awards Female Vocalist of the Year Francesca Battistelli, and Adam Cappa.

Camp’s website (jeremycamp.com/about) says the Indiana native reached a point where he was tired of himself and came to some cross-roads – where decisions on which path we continue on must be made. And while it may be easy to say ‘God this is for you’, sometimes it just can be hollow words, with no conviction. Camp said he’s undoubtedly past that point.

“I wanted to give God all the glory and honor when I started. I wanted to minister from that point,” Camp said. “Now I’m back there – He deliv-ered me, He delivered us so I want to do whatever He wants me to do and go wherever He wants me to go.

“I’ve wanted to quit before – like four years ago I was ready to be done. I asked God to teach me something to take me to the next level and I felt He was asking me ‘are you relying on me or on your own circumstanc-es?’ And that helped me continue to draw closer. I’d be burned out if I wasn’t doing this for the Lord.”

Camp has earned 14 No. 1 hits on the Christian music charts dating back to his 2002 release of Stay, un-der BEC recordings, which he still is partnered with. Never before, how-ever, has Camp and his band gone into the studio together to create an album like they did with We Cry Out.

“We just said lets go in the studio and see what happens and songs where we would normally stop at, we just kept going. Why stop it, the Lord was doing something special there,” Camp said. “The song ‘Overcome’ is 8 minutes long – when’s the last time you heard an 8-minute song? We just said it’s ok, just let God.”

The end result was an 11-song We Cry Out album that leaves no doubt about where people should place themselves in a growing relationship with God. Songs like “We Cry Out,” “Jesus Saves,” “You Are the Lord”

and “King Jesus” are intentional re-minders of who God is – as Lord and Savior - and why He deserves our praise.

It even has Camp saying the tour is “rad.”

“It’s an absolute sweet night of wor-ship during the set; I’m more excited now than whatever I’ve been be-fore and it’s because it’s not mine at all,” Camp said. “I had gotten to the point where things had piled up and I was thinking ‘Why am I doing this again?’

“The good thing is that I’ve grown throughout the years and I can look back 10 years at what I was think-ing then and it helps me realize I’ve grown and matured to the point that I know what God is calling me to do and now I’m going full bore – nothing is going to get in my way.”

Camp also recently released a book entitled I Still Believe, a biography and deep look at the pain he bat-

-sa Lynn Henning died of ovarian can-cer Feb. 5, 2001, just a couple weeks short of being married four months. She was 23 years old. Camp married Adrienne Liesching in December, 2003. They have two daughters – Isa-bella Rose and Arianne Mae – and a son, Egan, who will turn 3 months old the night of the McAllen concert.

“Ten years ago I lost my wife to cancer and it changed my life for-ever,” Camp said. “The book shares


the faithfulness of God and looks at the hardest trials we go through and how they are real, so real and so painful. The pain is absolutely real. But you have to say ‘here’s my life’ and put it in God’s hands. God’s hands stretch from beginning to end, there’s no denying it.

“For me, it’s been something I’ve been wanting to write. God had a lot to teach me still though so I can share here’s what God’s done.”

So now Camp, also an ordained minister, is a singer/songwriter and author. Could acting be in his foreseeable future?

“Trust me, I’ve been hit up a ton and there’s always a chance if it’s something I believe in,” said Camp, who saw most re-

cently the blockbuster movie Courageous.

“Yeah, I was watching that and thinking,” Camp said with a chuckle, “I could do that.”

What’s the

stuffthat

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crazy?

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Don’t be surprised if someday soon youhear ahear professional superstar respond superstar tothe question “What are you going to donow?” with this answer: “I’m going to theHidalgo Festival of Lights.”

Move over Mickey, over Santa – along – withmore than 3 million Christmas lights(that’s right 3,000,000), an Ice rink, trains,trolleys and trolls (oh, wait, no trolls) alongwith choirs, dinners, more food, more en-tertainment (did we mention 3 MILLION

New Giant Ferris Wheel to get the bestview of maybe the most lit up city in allof Texas. …. And 3 gazillion lights….andyou’ve got one fantastic family event.

“I had someone get off one of the trol-leys once and said to me that this eventwas better than better Disney,” said Kay Wolf,Assistant City Manager “That Manager really mademy day.”

The 21st annual Hidalgo Festival of Lights,themed “A Tropical Christmas,” will take

place Dec. 1-31 in Hidalgo. Highlights ofthe ever-growing event include:

Illuminated Parade, 6 p.m., Dec. 1

Dinner/Concert/Trolley Tour pack-

age, Dec. 2-18 (except Dec. (except 14)

Santa Claus, Dec. 1-23 (he’s busy the busy

24th and 25th) and

And of course of the narrated trolley,

train and horse drawn wagon tours

“This is going to be the biggest one yet,”Wolf said. “This event has truly become afamily tradition. We have so many peopletell us that they come every year, thatit’s part of their family their tradition. Peoplecome to visit their friends their down here justto go to the Festival. It’s amazing.”

The Giant Ferris Wheel, which will let ridersget a literal bird’s-eye view of the lights, isone of a handful of family rides that arealso new to the month-long communityextravaganza.

Once again the Enchanted ChristmasVillage will be up and running at the Hi-dalgo Pumphouse and the Ice SkatingRink atRink Memorial Park will Park be open for the forentire month. And while you can walk,ride a trolley, train or horse or and carriagethrough the array of lights, you can also

your caryour with car beautiful Christmas music.

Look forLook the for Maxwell House Coffee andOreo Cookies display at participating H-E-B stores; Buy Maxwell House Coffee orOreo Cookies and get a free Trolley orTrain Ride at the Hidalgo Festival of Lights.

The city is looking for volunteers for –and even some more talent –

to participate in this year’s event.Call (956) 843-2286

for morefor information call (956) 843-2286

or visitorwww.hidalgotexas.com or

www.hidalgofol.com.

Trolleys, Trains & 3 million lights(BTW, did I mention 3 million lights!!) !!!

Underst

LuisPalauby

Calendars, posters, and great works of art all

feature the marvels of human life and nature.

But what if we were to look at look God’s creation al-

legorically—representing meaning deeper than deeper

just function or beauty? or The Bible uses many

facets of nature symbolically. Trees, branches,

fruit, bodies, lips, feet, and other things other become

more than we usually expect.

The art of the allegory is pervasive throughout

the Bible and therefore is important to under-

stand. Here are fourteen terms that will broaden

your understandingyour of some crucial symbols.

BODYOur bodiesOur are temporarily housing our person our -alities and souls. They are mortal containers ofthe immortal. God uses our bodies our as examplesof how all Christians are connected and howthey should interact. He calls us the “body ofChrist.” God created each of us with a uniquepersonality, background, and set of skills to per-form a unique role for him. for Yet God wants us

“body,” of which Jesus Christ is the head (seeEphesians 4:15–16).

LIPSLips symbolize communication. We must usediscretion in using our lips our for the for good of othersand for our for own our well-being. “He who guards hislips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly willcome to ruin” (Proverbs 13:3). Despite all theharm we can cause with our words our throughgossip, lies and slander, if God is involved inour lives,our our lips our can honor the honor Lord and relaywords of wisdom. More importantly, the bestthing we can do with our lips our is to praise Godand express our thankfulness our to him. In turn,our praiseour to God can lead to telling othersabout his goodness. However, since “actionsspeak louderspeak than louder words,” we must consistentlydo what we say; otherwise, we will be seen ashypocrites, not witnesses.

FEETFeet make us mobile; we’d have trouble walk-ing without them. Feet also need a brain toguide them; they only go where they’re told. Ifpeople have a good head on their shoulders, theirtheir feettheir likely won’t lead them into trouble(Proverbs 4:26). God walks beside and directsthe feet of those who want their lives their to impactthe world. Christians should not be stationarysince God enables them to do all things he callsthem to do and to go anywhere he leads themto go. Feet also denote victory—all God’s en-emies are under his under feet (1 Corinthians 15:25).

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andingAllegory

TREEThe Bible mentions two important typesof trees: the tree of life and the tree ofthe knowledge of good and evil. Godwarned Adam and Eve not to eat fromthe tree of the knowledge of life and thetree of the knowledge of good and evil.God warned Adam and Eve not to eatfrom the tree of the knowledge of goodand evil; if they did, they would die. De-ceived by Satan, they ate from it anyway,and were sent away from the Garden ofEden and the tree of life (Genesis 2:16-17;3:22-23). Their one Their act of disobedienceplunged humankind into an existence ofseparation from God. In God’s eternalkingdom, all the trees will give life to thenations (Revelation 22:2).

BRANCHIn the Old Testament, a “branch” wasa prophetic symbol of hope. The Israel-ites knew that one branch of the fam-ily tree, representing the Messiah, wouldsave them (Isaiah 11:1-5). Jesus wasthat branch. His death and resurrectionensured that people could become a“branch” on God’s family tree.

BREADGod told his people that “man doesnot live on bread alone but on everyword that comes from the mouth of theLORD” (Deuteronomy 8:3). Jesus Christused bread as a symbol of his body be-ing broken in death. Christians rememberChrist’s death by “breaking bread” (eat-ing bread) together during together church servic-es, just as Jesus commanded his disciples

(Luke 22:19). This part of a church serviceis usually called “Communion” or “the orLord’s Supper.” Taking part in Commu-

of Christ’s death until he comes again.Belief in Christ’s offering of his body is likeeating the Bread of Life, because wetake him into our very our lives (John 6:47-51).

BRIDEDid you know that the followers of JesusChrist are considered his bride? Becausethe marital relationship is so intimateand exclusive, God uses it to represent

the relationship between himself and hispeople. That is one reason why the Biblerepeatedly asserts the importance ofkeeping the marriage relationship pureand exclusive. Over and Over over in over the OldTestament, the Lord portrays himself asa lover, wooing his beloved people. Inthe New Testament, the church is calledthe “bride” of Christ. Believers are like anexpectant bride eagerly anticipates theappearance of her bridegroom. her In thebriedegroom’s absence, the bride mustwait patiently and faithfully, looking for-ward to the great celebration that willoccur whenoccur he comes for her for (see her Matthew

25:1–13).

BRIDEGROOMGod loves his people like a bridegroomloves his bride—protectively, tenderly,passionately, devotedly—as one head-over-heels in love. He desires that his peo-ple love and commit their hearts their to himalone, as a wife commits herself only toher husband.her The church, as a bride, willone day be presented to Jesus Christ, thebridegroom. God’s people are instructedto honor and honor submit to Christ, their hus their -band (Ephesians 5:23-24).

CLOUDSClouds are closely associated with God.God used a “pillar of “pillar cloud” as a visiblesymbol of this presence to lead the Isra-elites in the wilderness. Like the prophetDaniel, the apostle John saw visions ofone “like a son of man” (see Daniel 7:13;Revelation 14:14 ) seated on a cloud.Acts 1:9 tells us that Jesus disappearedinto a cloud as he ascended into heav-en. One day he will return in the clouds(Revelation 1:7)—and we will be caughtup together there together with him (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

FIRE-

propriate parallel for the awe-inspiringstrength of God. He appeared to Mosesin a burning bush (see Exodus 3:2) and to

(see Exodus 13:21). The destructive qualities of-

which doesn’t burn, by consuming for-eign elements in it, so that only the pure

gold remains. Scripture compares this pu-rifying action to the work of work God in thelives of Christians. God is working to elimi-nate impure thoughts and actions, leav-ing only the good that comes from him.

FRUITThe Bible uses the word “fruit” to describethe outward evidence of what is hap-pening internally or the or natural conse-quences of our actions. our Apples only growon trees that have the internal biologi-cal programming necessary to produceapples. In the same way, the “fruit of theSpirit” will be produced only by a per-son who has the Holy Spirit within him orher. When we let God’s Spirit control us,our livesour produce love, joy, peace, pa-tience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control (Galatians5:22-23). In the Old Testament, fruit oftenrepresents prosperity and goodness. Godpromised a fruitful land to the Israelites.Those who trust in the Lord are said to belike a thriving tree that never fails never to bearfruit, even in times of drought.

HARVESTAncient Israel was an agricultural society.

bountiful crops. Therefore, the idea of theharvest was useful in illustrating impor-tant concepts in the Bible. For example, Foractions have consequences— we consequences— reapwhat we sow (Galatians 6:7). A good har-vest starts with planting good seed. TheBible says the way of life that we followedbefore we knew Jesus Christ resulted indeath, but a life of obedience to Godproduces a “harvest of righteousness” (He-

brews 12:11).

WATERGod did a lot of amazing things with

-ter intoter blood, made water pour water out pour ofa rock, and stacked water up water on eitherside of a dry path through the sea. TheBible describes people who crave spiritu-al truth as those who “thirst for righteous for -ness” (Matthew 5:6). Jesus offered livingwater towater all those who were spirituallythirsty. The coming of the Holy Spirit ful-



Susan Hellums, Border

Area Mission Coordinator

for First United Method-

ist Church of McAllen

shared, “We are excited

to come out and serve

and work together with

the School District, Junior

League of McAllen, and

with so many Volunteers.”

ReThinking Church &

Leaving the Building.

That’s exactly what

happened during the

SOS (Serve our Schools)

service project when the

United Methodist Church-

es of the Valley decided

to get together to put

their faith in action.

Lindsy Richards, Junior

League of McAllen

Provisional Class of 2011

project Co-Chair said, Ju-

nior League is excited to

work with FUMC with this

being the beginning of

something for our com-

out-of-the-ordinary and

different.”

Volunteers showed up at

McAllen Memorial High

School ready to serve.

Some stayed at Memori-

al, others went to Navar-

ro Elementary, McAuliffe

Elementary and Travis

Middle School. While

there they did landscap-

ing, yard work, campus

clean up, painting, library

assistance, and other

service projects.

“You know, I walk by this

courtyard many a day

and it never occurred to

us that I could’ve done

something for them.”

said a parent to Susan

Hellums.

Shane Mullin, Youth Pas-

tor at FUMC said, “It was

great seeing everybody

willing to pitch in and

making some new great

connections.”

Susan shared, “We are

hoping to do it again

next year on a bigger

basis.”Re

Th

ink

Ch

urc

h…

…W

hat if C

hu

rch

L

eft th

e B

uild

in

g?

Is now the time

you say I am ready to

step up and serve?

Are you ready to put y

our faith in

action?

Here are some additional service projects th

at

are available for any anybody to ta

ke part in:

*First Fruits Thanksgiving Baskets *”In His Steps” Shoe Bank

*Christmas Share

*Food Pantry Ministry

*Support Food Bank of Rio Grande Valley

*Military Boxes for Christmas

*Collect Socks year round for immigrants who are

deported back to Mexico

Susan Hellums can be reached at:

First United Methodist Church

4200 N. McColl Rd.

McAllen, TX 78504

www.mcfirst.com

for more information on these service ministries.

Is

now

the

time


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Sometimes people get offendedbecause the Bible says that wives are tosubmit to their husbands (see Ephesians5:22). They say they don’t like this becauseit is chauvinistic, and they will not submit toanyone. But here is the problem. That veryattitude says to me that such a person willhave problems in marriage.

First, let me give you the big picture:before a word is said in the Bible aboutwives submitting to their husbands or hus-bands loving their wives as Christ loves thechurch (which is no small feat, by the way),it says that we should submit ourselves toone another in the fear of God. (see Ephe-sians 5:21).

So let’s not get upset about the factthat the Bible tells wives to submit to theirhusbands. Let’s remember the Bible alsosays that we are to submit to one another.And let’s understand the meaning of theactual word as it is being used. It is a mili-tary term that means “to rank beneath.”That doesn’t mean a husband is abdicat-ing his responsibility of leadership in thehome; it simply means that a husband ishelping his wife to bear her burdens. It alsomeans that a wife is doing the same for herhusband.

How different marriages would betoday if a husband and wife both enteredinto their marriage by asking themselves,How can I meet my spouse’s needs? How

make all the difference in the world.

Instead, so many couples start outtheir marriage with an attitude that says,“I won’t do this, and you need to. . . .” Butthat is not the way marriage works. Weare to submit to one another in the fear ofGod.

____________________

Mutual Submission And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21)


6601 N. 10th St., McAllen / (956) 631-5452www.vivalifeonline.com

Books and Music featured available at:

I have to admit my pridew a swounded when a pastor recommendeda book entitled

“You have to read this,” he said.

As I started reading the book, I couldn’thelp but wonder why he wanted me toread it – was it because I lacked humility?

Upon reading it I realized he suggested itbecause it’s just a book worthy of reading.

Author John Dickson asks and explores

it is the ability to out-perform others withtheir God-given ability or the abilities theyhave worked on over time. It could be thetitle or position that person has that getspeople to follow. Persuasion with words

-ple to action. Leading by example canbe the right thing to inspire.

Dickson argues that persuasion and ex-ample are both relational aspects ofleadership that may be the most impor-tant. To be effective in these two things adose of humility goes a long way.

Undercover Boss is a television show onCBS. A senior executive, usually the CEO,will take on some of the jobs in the com-pany as an “apprentice.” In the processhe or she experiences the challenges and

-sons come from relating with the employ-ees.

On one episode an executive for WasteManagement learned to clean port-a-potties. By stepping down from the lofty

-

more profoundly. In some instances, theother executives seem to think their fellowexecutive is crazy for doing such a thing.Humility can be a strange approach fora leader.John Dickson’s approach is both geniusand practical. He presents a historical ba-

sis for the concept of humility that showshow out of place it was in honor drivenancient societies. Humility as a desiredand honored virtue was introduced byJesus of Nazareth, who took a symbol

glory and honor. His followers understoodand learned from his example. After Dick-son convinces you that humility is vital forleadership he gives six thoughts for culti-vating humility.

If you follow basketball, you may remem-ber when the Miami Heat presented theirthree superstars, LeBron James, DwyaneWade, and Chris Bosh. These three weresupposed to bring the Heat an NBA cham-pionship. In fact, all of Miami seemed tothink they’d already won it.

As expected, even after a slow start, the

Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks crushedthe Heat, dominating them and winningthe championship four games to two.

Pride (the Miami Heat) can be ugly, butHumility (Dallas Mavericks) is beautiful. Ja-son Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki, not to mentionthe rest of the team, displayed some hu-mility as they received their trophy.

Let John Dickson’s book encourage youto put on some humility as you lead athome, at work, or wherever the Lord hasplaced you.

HUMILITAS

Is a teacher at Edinburg North andearned his Masters in Theology from Dal-las Theological Seminary. He is married toBrenda and has four children, Diego (9),

Karla and Andrea (6) and Charis (2).

Miguel ParedesReview of Humilitas by

Every Body MatterBy Gary Thomas

Few pastors or Christian writers have dared to ap-proach the subject of how proper eating and anactive lifestyle can affect how we serve God.Author Gary Thomas does just that. And hereaches all the way back to the apostle Paul,who wrote that we need to prime our bodiesto become, “an instrument for noble purposes,made holy, useful to the Master and prepared todo any good work.”

To illustrate the body/soul correlation, Thomaspresents engaging and diverse stories that in-

-leyball and reaped spiritual rewards in her mar-riage, a 300-pound pastor who realized his

obesity was eroding his ministry impact, andawoman who gained the spiritual strength tosurvive a contentious divorce by training for amarathon. In every instance, Thomas makesa direct connection between the physicalchallenge and its spiritual consequence.

Hundreds of lives depend on Jill’s willingness towarn her small, oceanside town in Nova Sco-tia of a nameless, looming disaster. But doing socould cost Jill her reputation, jeopardize the po-litical career of the man she loves, and ruin theirplans for a future together. The fate of an entirecommunity hangs in the balance as Jill wrestleswith the cost of heeding one still, small voice.


Love Powered ParentingBy Tom Holladay

Love-Powered Parenting is written out of a love for parentingand a deep desire to encourage parents.

Yes, there are experiences in parenting that can cause deephurt. Yes, there are realities in parenting that certainly willcause you to feel inept. Yet at the core of it all there is adeep gratefulness for the gift that God gives in the opportu-nity to love a child.

This book is a biblical guide to parenting. And by “biblicalguide” we mean these pages are intended to take you ona journey through what the truth of God’s Word has to sayabout parenting. The main goal is not to uncover psycho-logical truths about your child—there are many good re-sources on psychological theory; nor does it include prac-tical tips for everyday circumstances such as how to getyour kids to eat their green beans.

Here, we will explore the simple and profound principlesof God’s Word to distinguish psychological truth from er-ror, educational reality from untested theory, and we’llbe looking at these tips within the broader context ofGod’s principles for parenting.

Lost MelodyBy Lori Copeland& Virginia Smith

The beautiful piano sitting in the corner of Jill King’s apart-ment begs to be played.

For over a year, it has sat untouched, ever since a terribleaccident shattered Jill’s ambition of becoming a concertpianist. The ragged scar on her left hand is a cruel andconstant reminder of the death of her dream. But anotherdream is about to come to life—an unexpected, horrifyingdream that will present Jill with a responsibility she neverwanted. And choices she never wanted to make.

Hundreds of lives depend on Jill’s willingness to warn hersmall, oceanside town in Nova Scotia of a nameless,looming disaster. But doing so could cost Jill her reputa-tion, jeopardize the political career of the man she loves,and ruin their plans for a future together. The fate of anentire community hangs in the balance as Jill wrestleswith the cost of heeding one still, small voice.

Longing

A Bailey Flanigan Series Book

By Karen Kingsbury

Longing, book three in theBailey Flanigan Series, picksup where Learning ended.After a long and lonely si-lence from Cody Coleman,Bailey Flanigan becomescloser to her one-time Holly-wood co-star, Brandon Paul.Nights on the town in NewYork City and long talks onthe balcony of Brandon’sMalibu Beach home makeBailey dizzy with new feelingsand cause her to wonder ifher days with Cody are overforever.

‘If you hada taste ofheaven,it couldchange

your world.’

2011 Breakout Artist of the Year TheCity Harmonic barreled its way fromHamilton, Ontario, Canada ontothe music scene with IntroducingThe City Harmonic, an EP featuring“Manifesto,” which soared to No.5 on iTunes and captivated over amillion viewers on YouTube.

Top that with becoming the best-selling new artist on Billboard’s TopCurrent Digital Sales Chart (over90K downloads), and it’s enough,among life’s crazy distractions, toget your attention.

But this band—vocalist/songwriterand pianist Elias Dummer, bassist

Eric Fusilier, guitarist Aaron Powelland drummer Josh Vanderlaan—isn’t content to feed the machineor build a fan base so much asto build upon a dream. And nota dream as in a fairy tale. But THEDream.

These four guys grapple with thetension of this world, crafting it intoanthems of longing, hope, andlove—songs of light for ‘seeingthrough a glass darkly.’ The CityHarmonic makes music that makesyou reconsider what you reallybelieve... about yourself, your worldand your God.

The City Harmonic’s Octoberrelease of I Have A Dream (It FeelsLike Home) is a journey of imagi-nation, cinematic in composition,and, as is signature for the band, a

-monic’s organic, communal aes-thetic. Intelligent, deeply spiritualand intrinsically ‘real life,’ it revealsthe poetic art of The City Harmonic,a band bent on living today forthe world to come. “… if we cansomehow spark in people thatdream, something they just can’tshake, then I hope that will inspirethem to sing like every word mat-ters, to live like every day matters,and having tasted heaven, they’llget on with helping this world feelmore like home.”

“This project for us was like a jour-ney through a lot of intertwiningthings,” said Elias Dummer. “At itsheart is the overarching themeof brokenness and redemption,of light and dark, the unveiling ofsomething bigger and better thanourselves

Like a roadmap with only oneroute, to sum up the journey offaith and mystery that is I Have ADream (It Feels Like Home) wouldseemingly deprive the listener ofthe essence of the experience. Butfrom the opening notes, a deliber-ate quest unfolds. Setting the stagefor the project as a whole, with tiesto John 17, the piano-pounding

-sumer-driven society, an anthemof surrender that points toward thetension of living in this world as aChristian, while “Spark” introducesthe theme of light, hinting at itstransforming power: Could a spark



6 Casting CrownsCourageous CD: Come To The Well

of Your love light the whole

for our neighbor more than wecare for style?

“Being a Christian now is more

ago,” Elias said. “We facetragedy at every turn becauseof the way our media andculture operates. The storiesof this world have let us down.Politics have let us down. Wetry to cope with it by becomingapathetic or by hiding in theChristian bubble—some alteredversion of the American dreamwhere living for Christ leads topersonal comfort— even mis-guided Christian stories can letus down and this is the tensionof the world we live in.

“Christianity isn’t a tool toescape suffering, it’s a lens bywhich we understand it andthe means by which we livethrough it. Our culture is builton the notion that our spiritual-ity can be compartmentalizedbut, simply put, the Christianstory isn’t. We can go frommountaintop to valley in thespan of a day, and in the midstof that valley Christ calls us tolove our neighbors, our en-emies, just as if we were withthem on the mountaintop.

Apathy may be a natural resultof today’s broken world, butthe Christian story is that Christis redeeming his creation andwe have a role to play as thebody of Christ.”

Inspired by the story of Trans-

by Martin Luther King’s iconicspeech, “Mountaintop” assertsthe notion that as ambassadorshere, citizens of a Kingdom tocome, we are meant to liveand love among the ruins.

“Jesus talks about countercul-tural ways of living among theleast of these,” Elias said. “It’snot glamorous. It’s hard work.If we boil it all down to whatexists in church, ultimately, wemake being a churchgoer apoor substitute for being Jesusin our communities or even en-gaging our communities at all.

“Some of the most powerfulmoments where I recognizeGod’s presence in a real wayhave been completely outsidethe church worship context.We’ve had to grow up out ofthe default cultural Christianmindset of worship, insteadresponding to wherever yousense God, which truthfully iseverywhere.”

4 Royal Tailor: Hold Me Together CD: Black And White

2. MIKESCHAIR Someone Worth Dying For CD: A Beautiful Life

5. Third Day Trust In Jesus CD: Move

9. NewsboysSave Your Life CD: Born Again

3. Jamie Grace with Tobymac Hold Me CD: Hold Me

8. MercyMe: Move CD: The Generous Mr. Lovewell

1. Matthew West Strong Enough CD: The Story Of Your Life

7. Brandon HeathLight In Me CD: Leaving Eden

November 17

McAllen Convention Center

Info: 956-358-2755 /www.trevinoproductions.net

Sp i r i t

Fes t

2011

November 13 - 1:00 PM

Dell Diamond Stadium

3400 Palm Valley Blvd

Round Rock, TX

Third Day,

Michael W. Smith,

Trevor Morgan,

Amy Grant

and Peter Furler

Come to the Well Tour

Casting Crowns

Sanctus Real, The Afters / San Antonio, TX

December 01- 07:00 PM

We Cry Out Tour

Jeremy Camp,

Francesca Battistelliand Adam Cappa

Autumn EVENTSAutumn EVENTSEVENTSEVENTSEVENTSPlanetshakers

Word in Season Church

901 N Loop 499, HarlingenTuesday, November 8 ·

5:00pm - 9:00pmwww.Wisichurch.org

956-778-8445

Festival LightsCity of Hidalgo TexasDec 1-31

www.hidalgotexas.comCentralChristian Fall Festival, Nov 5

Faith & Family NightState Farm Arena VipersNov 26/ Game 7pm

Pre-Game Concert in the Parking Lot

Post-Game Concert in the Arena

CovenantChristianAcademy

Colonial Holiday, Nov 12

Dates and Times subject to change.


For more financial help please visit: www.daveramsey.com

Dave Ramsey is a personal money-management expert and extremely popular national

Big Down Payment?Dear Dave,Is it always a good idea to put the maximum

amount of money you can afford into

Dear David, Absolutely! Even though most people can’tpay cash up front for a home, you always want to makeas big a down payment as possible on any home you buy.Making a down payment of at least 20 percent helps youavoid private mortgage insurance, plus the whole ideais to pay that sucker off and become debt-free as fast aspossible. Also, avoid 30-year mortgage plans. Stick with a

Now, when it comes to putting money toward your downpayment, make sure you don’t touch your emergency fundof three to six months of expenses or your retirement savings.

Those things are off limits. But scrape together any otherextra cash you can, pile it up, and apply it to your down

payment. You’ll be glad you did!

sched- to now.

a Would

two, and that’sin



1300 East Jackson Avenue,McAllen, TX 78503

(Located in front of Sam’s Club)

2501 East Expressway 83Mission, Texas 78572-6697

956-682-0055

7340 North 10th StreetMcAllen Texas 78504-9581

956-992-9027

2200 South 10th streetLa Plaza Mall

McAllen, Texas 78503-5413956-631-7722

2370 North Expressway 77 -Sunrise Mall

Brownsville, Texas 78521-1223956-541-4222

4325 North Expressway 77Brownsville Tx 78520-9479

956-350-9488

1021 Dixieland RoadHarlingen, Texas 78552

956-365-3833


-

Raul “Rudy” Rodriguez

Phone: 956.380.1421 / Toll Free: 877.480.1421 / Fax: 956.380.2920 / Mobile: 956.655.5455

511 W. University / Edinburg, TX 78539 / e-mail: [email protected]

www.raulrudyrodriguezlaw.com

Valley Christian Magazine November 2011

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Transcript of Valley Christian Magazine November 2011