The Power to Convert the Soul

“The power that is in the Gospel does not lie in the eloquence of the preacher, otherwise men would be the converters of souls, nor does it lie in the preacher’s learning, otherwise it would consist in the wisdom of men. We might preach until our tongues rotted, till we would exhaust our lungs and die, but never a soul would be converted unless the Holy Spirit be with the Word of God to give it the power to convert the soul.”
~C.H. Spurgeon

Remember....

A buddy of mine sent this to me. I'll let it speak for itself.

Hope it touches you the way it touched me. Thanks Kash.

See here

~Tony

(*) Life Changed

In the midst of this Mitchell Report and the steroid era that has been taking place in and among baseball's best, one can't help but wonder "What HAS been real?" I have my opinions but this really has struck a cord within me. Some of my childhood heroes and their accomplishments are now "in question" because of this symbol. It has bothered me the past few days insomuch that I have turned off or deleted from my TIVO some of the reports. The asterisk (*) is a visible sign that there was something underneath - something has happened - someone hasn't been honest. Though disturbing as it is, that's not all that is bothering me. I look at this in the mirror as we all do and see how I can learn from others mistakes. Dictionary.com states this about this symbol this a small starlike symbol (*), used in writing and printing as a reference mark or to indicate omission, doubtful matter, etc. I, along with many others in ministry, want to change the world around us but the enemy comes to "steal, kill and destroy" (Jn 10:10) and we cannot take this battle lightly. We must be real with ourselves and our God. You know the bible talks about a report. Whose report will you believe? The enemy accuses us night and day in his report. Are any of those allegations true? We must bite the bullet and fight the fight.
Believe this with me: I cannot doubt, I will not run, I must not faulter. Christ and His glory is my goal and no symbol will be put next to my name in The Book of Life.

Till all hear,
Tony
((As always, I welcome your comments))

IT IS FINISHED!

I completed my exam today and I am mentally fried. In a little over 5 hours I completed this exam and I am one step closer to accomplishing something I've been wanting to do yet haven't made time to insert into my life - my ordination. It really made me think about something. Many of us think of the scriptures as a great thing to ingest but often neglect the time to memorize. I encourage you to take some time this season - for some of us it's a little lighter on the schedule - and MAKE time to learn something from the Lord. Well, for your viewing pleasure I have partaken in a ELF project Click here to see the Cruz family get their Christmas groove on! ((thanks Ericka))
-Tony

Let it snow.

I stood today with my family in our warm home as the snow poured. I shoveled alot but still came home to warmth and my son who is running all over the place. I have just been studying the word of God, soaking up truth and have a renewed hunger and faith in God for 2008. How cool is that?! I am studying specifically for my exam tomorrow to be ordained.....look out world. :) I have been studying for a couple weeks and have so many scriptures ingrained in my head along with theology that I haven't looked at since my days in bible college. If you can, pray for me about 9:30 AM Friday morning for I will be taking a long test to upgrade my classification from 1/2 anointed to fully anointed. j/k In reality, I am honored to be a part of this fellowship and called of God. Thanks for your prayers.

Feliz Navi-Toss

A friend of mine sent me this.... I LOVE IT!! Someone got it right. It's Merry Christmas and I am proud of it. If you want, feel free to pass it along. I was glad to receive it. Thanks Dan...

Merry Tossmas!!

WE HAVE FLOWN FOR 12 SECONDS

On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made their first flight of an airplane at Kitty Hawk, NC. On their fifth attempt, the plane under the control of Orville, embarked on a 12 second flight.

Wilbur rushed to the local telegraph office and sent the following message – WE HAVE FLOWN FOR 12 SECONDS - WE WILL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!

Upon receiving the telegram, their sister Katherine went to the newspaper office, told the editor of her brother’s new flying machine, and informed him they would be home for Christmas, if he would like to set up an interview.

He told her that was nice, and he would be sure to put something in the paper regarding the boys.

On December 19th, the local paper placed the following headline on the 6th page of the paper: “WRIGHT BROTHERS HOME FOR CHRISTMAS”.

The most important story of the year – man’s first flight – and the editor missed it! I wonder if the same could be said about us when it comes to Christmas. Look all around us…

The trees are decorated, The music is festive, The Season is Right, It is Christmas, and the countdowns to how many shopping days left!

In all of our rushing around, in all of our gift buying, in all the things we have to do during this season – HAVE WE MISSED THE IDEA? – Jesus has come to earth! Whatever you do, don't miss the point this year. Jesus came for us all.


adapted from sermoncentral

Giving Thanks.

Staying for Seconds?

My family and I are wrapping up a great weekend here in Bluffton, Ohio. God has been so good to us. Allow me to retrace that last three weeks in capsule form:

We started several weeks ago at my great home church of New Covenant Assembly and there filling in the pulpit for my pastor 6 new commitments to Jesus Christ. What a great morning that was. It just never gets old when people make professions for Jesus. I pray that doesn't get old to ANY of us. Then last week we were at a wonderful church out in “Steeler Country”, Pittsburgh South Hills Assembly where I met a new found friend and pastor Jeff and Kay Stepp. They are doing a great work out there and great testimonies flowed from those services. God's people are responsive and this church was great to be a part of. Keep it up South Hills. Never stop chasing the Savior! This week we are at a church that we were last year with a great pastor friend, Terry Hunt. The past three services were building blocks and I think God is continuing to remind us Don’t just sit on the premises but stand on the promises There is so much that God is willing to teach us if we are in position to receive it. One great thing that stands out from this weekend here in Ohio is that several of the youth seem to get what God is saying through the Word. There is something stirring in their hearts. The Spirit is clearly showing me that they are on the brink of something great. I am glad to be able to be a part of that. Some think that evangelist bring the revival to them when most of the time it’s the expectancy that the congregation brings that will make the difference. My job as the evangelist is to provide a biblical spark so to speak. Truth is: Long after we are gone God is going to do something great, if you stay for seconds.

Represent

I arrived here in Ohio a few days ago and was constantly reminded where I was. There was Ohio State emblems everywhere. I mean, entire stores dedicated to this elite football program down to a sofa bearing the logo. It made me think of how faithful some are to their "teams". I can't say that I am a fan but stay in this environment long enough and I think it can get contagious. I hope that we as followers of Christ we are as diligant and passionate in our faith as we are in our teams. Trust me, I am a fan of my Eagles and even when i feel like their wings are clipped, I have to hang in there because that's want true fans do. True fans hang in there so to you I say, when things get rough, hang in there. Hang in there with your church. Hang in their in your marriage. Hang in their with your youth pastor. Hang in there because that's what Jesus did for you and me. In the long run you will benefit.

Don't Go Solo

I must say that today was a very, very sad day for me and the fans of the greatest franchise in the history of sports failed to complete the season to rival all seasons - The comback to rival all combacks. We as fans are a proud bunch and as quickly as we accept victory, we must accept this defeat. There is something to say for that in the lives of believers. Not so much to accept failure but instead to accept when single players cannot fulfill a team's vision. Three great solo performances by A-Rod, Robinson Cano and Bobby Abreu all hitting solo home runs (including in the 9th inning) but when their were base runners on they could not get it done. TEAM is important and they didn't have it this series. My hope is that you would find a good team (church family) to make an impact in this world. God is not interested in solo performances only solo committments.
~Tony

We Are In

We are officially in our new home and I am blessed. This is a beautiful home that I am very proud of. Elisha and I have prayed and God had heard. We have finally set up our offices as well so we can now function again. Praise God. Elijah also decided to walk once we moved in. He is learning fast and showing me quickly that Jesus is not going to be the only one I will be chasing. We are in Pittsburgh doing a revival. Pray for God to touch us as we minister and protect us as we travel.

Ordinary People serving an Extraordinary God

It's great to be called a believer and to GET TO follow Christ. In reading Acts 4:13, it reminds us of something interesting "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." Ordinary becomes extraordinary when you have been with Him. Peter along with many of the disciples were "unschooled" in the eyes of men but experience and the messiah was their teacher. What if we as believers allow Christ the opportunity to teach us daily of His promies? As I follow Him it just reminds me that I am an ordinary person serving an extraordinary God - how great is that. Let's all live our lives as a note of His greatness.

In Washington - In Power

I love the opportunity I have to speak into lives. I just got done speaking at a conference of young people here in Washington State and it blows my mind how God is taking this generation of students and molding them into His image. The Northwest Latin Conference was a great chance to reach students in a new state that I have ever been to. Over 100 students gathered to praise God on the "mountain of God". It was great. Over a dozen students or so called into ministry to impact this world for Jesus. God + one obedient person is always the majority no matter who stands against you. This is God's idea of true impact.

Pour Out

I was reading yesterday as I was preparing to speak on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 10 and about how Cornelius was as the message translation calls it an "outsider Gentile" and I thought how cool is it when we as "outsiders" have been let inside by the cross of Jesus. Last night I got the chance to preach and more importantly watched as some of the most enthusiastic young people praised God will ALL THAT IS WITHIN THEM. To be quite honest, they put many to shame, including me. The reality is that the moment we are full of ourselves God has no room left to fill. Pour out and Fill us was our prayer last night as we watched a dozen people (including a leader) baptized in the Holy Spirit. I have thought long and hard, how do I see God move. Event after event the answer is clear. Preach the cross. Preach the word. Nothing else will do.

The Power of God

We are in the middle of a great week of camp in Virginia. Students have really been touched by God and we have only scratched the surface. There are over 90 students some of which have no relationship with God. Many of these students have blown me away with their worship toward God reminding me that young people KNOW how to worship. Already we have had several give their hearts and are ligitimately restructuring how they see God in life. John Wesley said "Give me 100 men who want nothing but God and hate nothing but sin and I will bring God back to my generation." This is the challenge and we are seeing it unfold right in front of us. This calling on me and my family is amazing.

Camp, camps and more camps

Well, I knew it. It's been a few weeks since my last blog. I guess I will get used to trying to be more consistant on this note. However, in my defense, I have just wrapped up my third camp in 4 weeks so I am on the road with an ailing laptop. Computers are often two faced. One minute they can be your greatest friend and supporter and the next kick you in the knees and leave you without the internet. Here is the summation of the last few weeks in brief form. It's really difficult to be comprehensive after several weeks but I will try.

Nebraska Senior High Camp was our first camp of the summer. We had a record approx 350 students attend and many testimonies were there. I flew and ministered in Omaha at Omaha Community Church where Pastor Petey was great to connect with Sunday before the camp. Students were very much attentive to the Word and we had phenominal altar times. We also heard reports of students being healed in the services! How cool is that? It was great being in that district in which we made some new friends in Pastor Toby and Pastor Cory. Next was New Jersey Senior High Camp. What a great response to the altar!! I preached a series of new messages that I felt were for the NOW church and the youth were responsive. Several touched, filled and called into ministry. Pastor Fabian is a great friend. Most recent was Southern New England Senior High that I just wrapped up today with Pastor Tim Moen here in Rhode Island at Zion Bible College. 225 Students were present and so many reports of the word of God penetrating their lives. If I can say this, this never, ever gets old. Seeing young people especially make commitments to God in the day we live in is crucial. These young people were great and I love being in this district as well. Each of the district camps I have been priveledged to be in have been great. I will look to post testimonies from these camps as soon as they arrive.

I love doing camps because of the atmosphere. Students are away from the WEAPONS OF MASS DISTRACTION that plague youth ministries all across america (i.e., myspace, cell phones, etc.) and this is a great way to really get students to know God. Pray for us. We are tired but we must continue in this great and important calling. We will be heading to MA for Sunday morning to the A/G in Malden - North Shore A/G. I am tired, need sleepy.

That's all for now!

Tony

Something To Talk About

There are some things that I do not care for. MTV and veggies to name a few. However, I do care about people and helping those in need. I believe that God speaks to His people. So, I am giving this "blogging" a chance for friends and family to read what God is doing through this seemingly impactful ministry. I would like to believe that I have a hand in it but I have adopted a motto to "say what I gotta say and get out of the way" and thus far it has worked for us. Go figure. In this you will find testimonies, ministry reports, facts, life-happenings and an occasional ramble from the mind of a Latino who desires to leave the fingerprint of God everywhere he goes. Through this mode I can update and post from anywhere while it is fresh. If you want, come back from time to time hear what is happening with the Cruzez. I will do everything I can to keep this up-to-date. Thanks for your support and prayers.