It has been a week since Mother's Day. The cards have been sent and received, the dinners have been enjoyed, the presents have been presented. And now we are back looking ahead to the next holiday.
Last year around this time, I was trying to make the most of my time with my grandma. Taking the time to visit her at the nursing home and bringing her some of her favorite treats and a bouquet of flowers, which she loved! She would always say, "I don't want flowers when I'm dead, bring them to me now so I can enjoy them!" Well, I made sure she enjoyed them every chance she could.
It will be seven months, in about a couple of weeks, since my grandma passed away. In honor of my grandma and her memory, I wish to tell you about a compelling experience she had many years ago. As I was reflecting and thinking about her, I remember something that happened to my Grandma which reminded me about her deep trust and faith in God.
We used to live on a boulevard named Augusta Blvd. from 1968 until about 1980. It was a wonderful boulevard, but as you may or may not know, there are no commercial properties or buses allowed on boulevards. It was a strictly residential street. If we wanted to go buy groceries, for example, we usually walked about a mile or so to go to the nearest grocery store or, for that matter, any store. My grandma and I would take our little grocery cart and make the walk from Augusta Blvd. to Chicago Ave. I would always go with her in order to help her bring the groceries back and also to translate and interpret for her, since she did not speak any English.
On this particular day, she decided to go on her own and pick up a few things while I was still in school. She didn't take the cart because she was only going to buy a few small things and wasn't planning on making any type of large purchases. Well, her intentions were good, but somehow the illusion and convenience of the grocery cart in the store gave her the impression that there were only a few items still in the cart. To her surprise and dismay, she managed to check out several bags of groceries! And now she had a problem! She had already paid for them, how could she put it all back? She decided to face her punishment and somehow brave the heaviness of the bags all the way back home.
At first, it wasn't so bad, but after a couple of blocks, she realized this wasn't going to be easy at all! She tried several methods: from carrying a few bags ahead and then coming back for the rest to walking and stopping. She kept this up for a very short time and finally succumbed to the fact that this would take her all day and would drain her physically. She stood on the sidewalk and clamored to God a simple, but desperate prayer! It went something like this: "Lord, please send me someone that can help me! I don't care who it is! Just send someone! I cannot carry these bags any longer! I need help!" In defeat and despair she cried out to the Lord! Perhaps she didn't think anything was going to happen, but she must have figured she had nothing to lose!
Almost immediately after crying out, a jalopy of a car pulled over to the curb and a jolly African-American gentleman stepped out of the car smiling! And without saying a word, opened the trunk, picked up the grocery bags and put them in. He then opened up the passenger door and help my grandma in. She said that at first she was a little bit scared, but that somehow her initial fear quickly faded and she got in. She gave the address to the gentleman in Spanish, not knowing if he understood her or not, and off they sped.
She doesn't know how, but the man drove straight to our residence and stopped the car in front of our building, let her off the car, opened the trunk and put the grocery bags on the sidewalk! He then went back to the driver's side and got in and sped off! All the time with a great big smile and a sort of kindness on his face! She never saw or heard from this man ever again. Upon coming home, she begins telling me the story of her grocery adventure and she could not stop thanking God for His provision!
To this day, we still don't know who it was or whether God sent an angel in disguise or simply touched the heart of a stranger who may have caught a glimpse of my grandma's dilemma and was moved to compassion! We don't know! Is it possible that it could have been an angel? Probably. I don't see why not. Here was a child of God in need with no options available. From the strange, yet wonderful order of events, I'm thinking more yes than no. : )
What I do know is that when my grandma prayed, God listened......and answered! : )
In memory of my grandma...
DARIA ESPINOZA
Dec. 10, 1908 - Oct. 25, 2008
James Lopez
5/17/2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
A NEW GOVERNMENT
Here we are once again facing another change of government. Inauguration 2009 will be history after this and our nation will be starting out with a new President and a new Presidential Cabinet. While many are seeing this as a new precedent in American history, which in many ways it is, I’m just wondering if four or more years from now we will look back and see that it has become something else, something much deeper than what most people are able to see at this time.
The entire festivities will be represented by a “pot-luck” of religions throughout the week. Leading the line up is openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson; Pastor Rick Warren (While he is representing the Christian community, there are many controversial issues with Pastor Rick that I don’t have time right now to cover them.); the first woman president of the Islamic Society of North America, Ingrid Mattson, who will say a prayer at the Inaugural Prayer Service; along with a representation of Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish clergy. While this is not something new in presidential inaugurations, this inauguration has brought things to another level. As we see this event unfold before our eyes, I wonder if many of us Christians, or “so-called Christians”, will realize what all this means.
My personal perspective, and you don’t have to like it or agree with it, is that there is more than what we can see visually with our eyes. I believe that there is a more sinister movement taking place, not only in this time, but in the times to come. I can imagine in a few years from now, this will seem like child’s play.
Some verses in Revelation chapter 13 come to mind.
1: and he stood upon the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast (A One World Leader or Anti-Christ) coming up out of the sea (people; humanity), having ten horns, and seven heads, and on his horns ten diadems (kingdoms, nations & rulers), and upon his heads names of blasphemy.
2: And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion (a representation of former world empires): and the dragon (Satan) gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority.
3: And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast;
4: and they worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, “Who is like unto the beast? And who is able to war with him?” [emphasis mine]
Please don’t get me wrong! I am NOT saying that Barack Obama is the Anti-Christ (although some might think so…). What I am saying is that we will be seeing more and more events being more inclusive to all religions with the excuse of “religious tolerance” or “religious inclusion” at the front. While that all sounds very nice, it’s not reality. All religions cannot intermingle with each other because each one is contrary to each other! The moment you clump them into one, you no longer have ‘religions’, you will have only ONE!
There will come a time when all the people of the earth will see these things as normal. They will see it as a good thing. Finally peace is going to be a reality! How can this be, you might ask. Can humanity be that ignorant? Yes! Humanity will be so blinded by the so-called hope of peace, that they will not see who and what is going on! Verse 3 tells us that “the whole earth wondered after the beast”. In other words, they will be in awe and wonder at how their beloved world leader miraculously recovered from a mortal wound! They will then worship both, the Anti-Christ and Satan, declaring their allegiance to them!
Inauguration 2009 is simply a step in that direction. As future presidents come into the picture, I believe we will see more and more of this type of festivities and representations of world religions. While I am a history buff myself, and I am seeing history in the making with the election of the first African-American president, I fear that the future for most people here on earth will not be a good one!
May we as believers of Christ become more energetic and motivated to bring those that are to be saved into the loving arms of Christ!
Rev. 22:17 - And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him who gives ear, say, Come. And let him who is in need come; and let everyone desiring it take of the water of life freely.
James B. Lopez
1/19/2009
The entire festivities will be represented by a “pot-luck” of religions throughout the week. Leading the line up is openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson; Pastor Rick Warren (While he is representing the Christian community, there are many controversial issues with Pastor Rick that I don’t have time right now to cover them.); the first woman president of the Islamic Society of North America, Ingrid Mattson, who will say a prayer at the Inaugural Prayer Service; along with a representation of Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish clergy. While this is not something new in presidential inaugurations, this inauguration has brought things to another level. As we see this event unfold before our eyes, I wonder if many of us Christians, or “so-called Christians”, will realize what all this means.
My personal perspective, and you don’t have to like it or agree with it, is that there is more than what we can see visually with our eyes. I believe that there is a more sinister movement taking place, not only in this time, but in the times to come. I can imagine in a few years from now, this will seem like child’s play.
Some verses in Revelation chapter 13 come to mind.
1: and he stood upon the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast (A One World Leader or Anti-Christ) coming up out of the sea (people; humanity), having ten horns, and seven heads, and on his horns ten diadems (kingdoms, nations & rulers), and upon his heads names of blasphemy.
2: And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion (a representation of former world empires): and the dragon (Satan) gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority.
3: And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast;
4: and they worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, “Who is like unto the beast? And who is able to war with him?” [emphasis mine]
Please don’t get me wrong! I am NOT saying that Barack Obama is the Anti-Christ (although some might think so…). What I am saying is that we will be seeing more and more events being more inclusive to all religions with the excuse of “religious tolerance” or “religious inclusion” at the front. While that all sounds very nice, it’s not reality. All religions cannot intermingle with each other because each one is contrary to each other! The moment you clump them into one, you no longer have ‘religions’, you will have only ONE!
There will come a time when all the people of the earth will see these things as normal. They will see it as a good thing. Finally peace is going to be a reality! How can this be, you might ask. Can humanity be that ignorant? Yes! Humanity will be so blinded by the so-called hope of peace, that they will not see who and what is going on! Verse 3 tells us that “the whole earth wondered after the beast”. In other words, they will be in awe and wonder at how their beloved world leader miraculously recovered from a mortal wound! They will then worship both, the Anti-Christ and Satan, declaring their allegiance to them!
Inauguration 2009 is simply a step in that direction. As future presidents come into the picture, I believe we will see more and more of this type of festivities and representations of world religions. While I am a history buff myself, and I am seeing history in the making with the election of the first African-American president, I fear that the future for most people here on earth will not be a good one!
May we as believers of Christ become more energetic and motivated to bring those that are to be saved into the loving arms of Christ!
Rev. 22:17 - And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him who gives ear, say, Come. And let him who is in need come; and let everyone desiring it take of the water of life freely.
James B. Lopez
1/19/2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
DEATH: AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER
On Friday, January 2, 2009, just two days into the New Year, Jett Travolta, son of re-known actor John Travolta and re-known actress Kelly Preston, died at the family vacation home in Freeport, Bahamas. Jett had been chronically ill for some years now suffering from what is known as Kawasaki Syndrome, a rare inflammatory, autoimmune disorder found mostly in children, for which a cause is still unclear. Jett Travolta became ill when he was only 2 years old. His death was ruled as death by "seizure", possibly due to his illness. It was first believed that he might have hit his head in the bathtub upon going into the seizure, but there was no sign of head trauma found.
Such a tragedy as has occurred to the Travolta-Preston family is a very heartbreaking one, to say the least. As a father, I can relate to how they must feel during such a difficult time as this. Travolta and Preston are no exception as evident by their interviews and statements. "We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief. We will cherish the time we had with him for the rest of our lives," Travolta and Preston said in their first public statement since Jett's death. In another interview, Preston said that she blamed his illness on household cleaners and fertilizers, and said that a detoxification program based on teachings from the Church of Scientology helped improve his health, according to People Magazine.
As some of you may or may not know, the Church of Scientology, established in 1945 by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, has attracted many celebrity followers, and among its more famed member is Travolta, who has long been one of Hollywood's biggest names.
Their web site gives the following definition of the Scientology belief: Scientology is the studying and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life. The Scientology religion comprises a body of knowledge extending from certain fundamental truths.
1. Man is an immortal, spiritual being. His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime. (Here's my favorite!)His capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized - and those capabilities can be realized. (Hmmm! That's kind of contradicting, isn't it???)He is able to not only solve his own problems, accomplish his goals and gain lasting happiness, but also achieve new, higher states of awareness and ability. (But wait, there's more!!)
2. In Scientology no one is asked to accept anything as belief or on faith. That which is true for you is what you have observed to be true. An individual discovers for himself that Scientology works by personally applying its principles and observing or experiencing results.
3. Through Scientology, people all over the world are achieving the long-sought goal of true spiritual release and freedom.
Well, with that being said, I'm just wondering how true to heart Travolta and Preston are really taking their religion. It seems to me that they were a really close family, by the photos I have seen online. The two of them with their two children, and now being left with only their 8 year old daughter. I can see the deepness of the love Travolta and Preston had for their children just pouring out of the photos. According to Scientology, man is able to "solve his own problems, accomplish his goals and gain everlasting happiness". Somehow I don't believe that this is a problem they could have solved. You see, death is an equal opportunity provider. No matter who you are, death will come knocking at your door, be sure of that! The question is, when will death come? And when death comes, where will I go?
Three months ago, my grandmother passed away in a small hospital room, with only four of us there with her. No reporters, no cameras, no magazine interviews. Just another old person that reached the end of her years. She was 99 years old, it was to be expected. On the other end, we have a young boy of 16 years of age, taken before the prime of his life. Son of two famous celebrities. With lots of reporters, cameras and magazine interviews. Upon interviewing Travolta's two family attorneys and asking them how Travolta was doing, they answered: "John is distraught. He is trying to understand and reconcile this. He is seeking an explanation so that this makes sense to him." Of course he should be distraught! Who wouldn't be! I know I was when my grandmother died, as was the rest of my family. The only difference being that when my grandmother opened her eyes again, it was in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! What death provided for her was life, and life eternal! Unlike Travolta, I did not need to understand what was going on. I was not seeking any explanation so that it made sense to me. I already had my answers! The truth of God's Word! Yes! We will become immortal, but only through the blood of Christ!
Death is an equal opportunity provider. Whether you're young or old, big or small, rich or poor, famous or not, death will provide a place for you! The question is, where will death "provide" a place for YOU?!
James B. Lopez
01/05/2009
Quotes provided by: Yahoo!News & Scientific American online
Scientology info provided by: Church of Scientology web site
Such a tragedy as has occurred to the Travolta-Preston family is a very heartbreaking one, to say the least. As a father, I can relate to how they must feel during such a difficult time as this. Travolta and Preston are no exception as evident by their interviews and statements. "We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief. We will cherish the time we had with him for the rest of our lives," Travolta and Preston said in their first public statement since Jett's death. In another interview, Preston said that she blamed his illness on household cleaners and fertilizers, and said that a detoxification program based on teachings from the Church of Scientology helped improve his health, according to People Magazine.
As some of you may or may not know, the Church of Scientology, established in 1945 by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, has attracted many celebrity followers, and among its more famed member is Travolta, who has long been one of Hollywood's biggest names.
Their web site gives the following definition of the Scientology belief: Scientology is the studying and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life. The Scientology religion comprises a body of knowledge extending from certain fundamental truths.
1. Man is an immortal, spiritual being. His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime. (Here's my favorite!)His capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized - and those capabilities can be realized. (Hmmm! That's kind of contradicting, isn't it???)He is able to not only solve his own problems, accomplish his goals and gain lasting happiness, but also achieve new, higher states of awareness and ability. (But wait, there's more!!)
2. In Scientology no one is asked to accept anything as belief or on faith. That which is true for you is what you have observed to be true. An individual discovers for himself that Scientology works by personally applying its principles and observing or experiencing results.
3. Through Scientology, people all over the world are achieving the long-sought goal of true spiritual release and freedom.
Well, with that being said, I'm just wondering how true to heart Travolta and Preston are really taking their religion. It seems to me that they were a really close family, by the photos I have seen online. The two of them with their two children, and now being left with only their 8 year old daughter. I can see the deepness of the love Travolta and Preston had for their children just pouring out of the photos. According to Scientology, man is able to "solve his own problems, accomplish his goals and gain everlasting happiness". Somehow I don't believe that this is a problem they could have solved. You see, death is an equal opportunity provider. No matter who you are, death will come knocking at your door, be sure of that! The question is, when will death come? And when death comes, where will I go?
Three months ago, my grandmother passed away in a small hospital room, with only four of us there with her. No reporters, no cameras, no magazine interviews. Just another old person that reached the end of her years. She was 99 years old, it was to be expected. On the other end, we have a young boy of 16 years of age, taken before the prime of his life. Son of two famous celebrities. With lots of reporters, cameras and magazine interviews. Upon interviewing Travolta's two family attorneys and asking them how Travolta was doing, they answered: "John is distraught. He is trying to understand and reconcile this. He is seeking an explanation so that this makes sense to him." Of course he should be distraught! Who wouldn't be! I know I was when my grandmother died, as was the rest of my family. The only difference being that when my grandmother opened her eyes again, it was in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! What death provided for her was life, and life eternal! Unlike Travolta, I did not need to understand what was going on. I was not seeking any explanation so that it made sense to me. I already had my answers! The truth of God's Word! Yes! We will become immortal, but only through the blood of Christ!
Death is an equal opportunity provider. Whether you're young or old, big or small, rich or poor, famous or not, death will provide a place for you! The question is, where will death "provide" a place for YOU?!
James B. Lopez
01/05/2009
Quotes provided by: Yahoo!News & Scientific American online
Scientology info provided by: Church of Scientology web site
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)