Liquid

We're in a series called Essence at SGC. We had an amazing time at today's gathering. I absolutely love moments when the energy is high and the spirit is very present. Sometimes I just want to stay. Today was one of those days for me. Ironic, eh? ...since the message was 'go.' Did you like Bruce Lee's commentary (below) on 1 Corinthians 9:19-23? "Be liquid, my friend!"

Jesus healed many different ways in the gospels. In fact, when we read about his healing miracles to the blind we see that Jesus sometimes touches the blind eyes. One time he spit on a man's eyes. Another time he spit on the ground and put mud on the eyes. Then there are times when he simply makes a statement, "Your faith has made you whole." And what about those other times when the text simply says he healed them with no explanation? I wonder what he did. There doesn't seem to be any cohesive pattern here. We're told Jesus spoke what he heard the Father say and do what he saw the Father do. Liquid. He flowed with his dad.

Wherever people are is where God's people are to be. Wherever people are sorting out life, there is often an empty seat for me and for you to be the gospel. But we can't sit in that seat if we don't leave our comfort zone. And we won't have any credibility unless we love and do the gospel with sincerity. There's no one method, just be sure to carry it wherever he leads you. "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some."

New Blog Address

Hey Friends,

I have a new address for this blog. It is www.edgarcabello.com. Make a note if you are subscribing via blog reader like bloglines or google reader or some other. Thanks for checking in.

I already knew that!

It finally dawned on me after the message at SGC yesterday that I have daddy issues. John Wilson asked us a question. "Who is Jesus to you?" In other words, how would you describe the way that Jesus has revealed himself in your life? Let me just give a layman's definition of revelation: A revelation is discovering (really discovering) what you already know. Call it a Eureka moment!

My dad was a great man. I have known that ever since I can remember. However I did not always appreciate that as a teenager. You could say I was prodigal in the sense I would spare no kind of expense to ensure all my sensibilities and resources were directed at making my life more convenient and comfortable. Before I knew better and before I knew how valuable he was, he was gone. My 56 year old dad died.

I was 22, just married and very immature, still quite prodigal and now fatherless. I understand more tragic things can happen to much younger children, but my dad was gone and I was pretty confused. Around this time I began a sincere journey to connect with God and find myself. What I began to discover were the traits I had come to know in my dad, only they were coming alive in me through my relationship with Jesus. He was revealing God to me as a father, and a resource of security and peace. That's what great dads possess and release....security and peace.

My dad, the Rev. Z.R. Cabello, Jr., has been gone for more than half of my life, but I continue to benefit from his nurture and wisdom that I took for granted. Because of his life and faithfulness, I now recognize the father heart of God as I parent my own children. His love for me is strong and reliable, just like my dad's...only he will never leave. But, I already knew that.

1 Corinthians 4:15 Ten thousand people may teach you about Christ, but I am your only father. You became my children when I told you about Christ Jesus...The Apostle Paul

In My Belfry

These are things I am thinking about...aka 'bats flying around in my belfry.'

1. Travel by train. I would love to take a long trip one day by rail... maybe a short trip for starters. Have you ever done this? My brother just took Amtrak out to the Grand Canyon in Arizona with his family for spring break. It's a two-day trip one way, but I bet the scenery is amazing. I can't wait to hear about it.

2. Marriage. For the last two months SGC has been keying in on strengthening marriage relationships. I think intentionally working on one's marriage isn't just smart but absolutely necessary for continued growth. I approach marriage counseling way differently now than I used to. It is so important for people to go into a lifelong relationship with eyes wide open and a heart to serve one's mate unconditionally. Servanthood is the great equalizer.

3. Family. I didn't spend much time growing up with my extended family. They lived in south Texas and California and I didn't. We're just now beginning to reconnect through Facebook & Twitter and it feels really good. I think I am getting kind of sentimental in my old age. My cousins, Alex and Noe Flores have threatened to come into town for the USC game. That will be awesome if they can make it happen. I really want to get to know my cousins and their children better. Some people think social networking is a waste of time, and it certainly can be. But for me it is making reconnection with loved ones and old friends amazingly easy. That's it for now.