marco paz.

[marcopaz-blog]

all doubts and depression born of guilt and separation push your boat aho from the shore but like a lighthouse beacon his heart is always seeking and then He comes a-knocking at your door amid the problems and the pain of ambition and sordid gain this grinding of the face of the poor He will lift up the lowly the humble and not slowly and then He comes a-knocking at your door when He comes knocking at your door we'll understand what this all meant when He comes knocking at your door you won't be disappointed amid the conflict and confusion of winning and then losing brother against terror for oil He was heaven sent even for our president and then He comes a-knocking at your door amid the fears and frustrations tumults and tribulations of all of the whys and wherefores it'll all flee as the night vanishes with morning light and then He comes a-knocking at your door from Yonder Shines the Infant Light, released 12 December 2005 Written by Bill Mallonee for CyBrenJoJosh (BMI) ©2005

[marcopaz-blog]

Now, some people think the Bible is a book of rules, telling you what you should and shouldn't do. The Bible certainly does have some rules in it. They show you how life works best. But the Bible isn't mainly about you and what you should be doing. It's about God and what he has done. Other people think the Bible is a book of heroes, showing you people you should copy. The Bible does have some heroes in it, but (as you'll soon find out) most of the people in the Bible aren't heroes at all. They make some big mistakes (sometimes on purpose), they get afraid and run away. At times, they're downright mean. No, the Bible isn't a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It's an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It's a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne-everything-to rescues the ones he loves. It's like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life!

Sally Lloyd Jones, from her book, Jesus Storybook Bible

[marcopaz-blog]

What would things look like if Satan really took control of a city? Over half a century ago, Presbyterian minister Donald Grey Barnhouse offered his own scenario in his weekly sermon that was also broadcast nationwide on CBS radio. Barnhouse speculated that if Satan took over Philadelphia (the city where Barnhouse pastored), all of the bars would be closed, pornography banished, and pristine streets would be filled with tidy pedestrians who smiled at eachother. There would be no swearing. The children would say, “Yes, sir” and “No ma’am,” and the churches would be full every Sunday…where Christ is not preached.

Michael Horton, from his book, Christless Christanity

[marcopaz-blog]

In John 13 the point was that, if an individual Christian does not show love toward other true Christians, the world has a right to judge that he is not a Christian. [In John 17:21] Jesus is stating something else which is much more cutting, much more profound:  We cannot expect the world to believe the Father sent the Son, that Jesus' claims are true, and that Christianity is true, unless the world sees some reality of the oneness of true Christians.

Francis Schaeffer

[marcopaz-blog]

‎"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."-Jesus. All who come to Jesus will find relief from their weariness, including the dirtiest sinner and the most heavenly of saints. it isn't dependent on mood or circumstance, he remains constant while others change. it doesn't matter where you are or where you've been, all who go to Jesus will find rescue and rest.

[stevegobs]

[marcopaz-blog]

stevegobs.tumblr.com

[marcopaz-blog]

this picture has sadly become the anthem of my generation.

it angers me to see many of you believe its lie, because life isn't about you becoming more awesome, in fact by posting stupid things like this makes you less awesome. we've lost what it means to cultivate and value responibility and comittment, both men and women. that's why you're still single and wonder why there aren't any "good" men and women around. life is not about you, if you are a christian, take up your cross and follow Jesus at whatever cost. it's not easy, it's damn difficult, but following Jesus is better and more rewarding than following a fool named Barney.

(end of rant/preaching at myself)

[marcopaz-blog]

There are three basic roles or functions that a Christian minister has: preaching, pastoring/counseling and leading. No one is gifted or equally gifted in all three areas and yet we must do them all... [but] The greatest factor for long-term effectiveness of a Christian minister is… godliness. A) You may not have a strong public speaking gift; but if you are very godly, your wisdom, love and courage will mean that you will be interesting. B) You may not have strong pastoral or counseling gifts (e.g. you may be very shy or introverted, etc.); but if you are very godly, your wisdom, love and courage will mean that you will comfort and guide people. C) You may not have very strong leadership gifts (e.g. you may be disorganized or very cautious by nature); but if you are very godly, your wisdom, love and courage will mean that people will respect and follow you.

Timothy Keller, Church Planter Manual p.63

[mumfordandsonsblog]

Mumford & Sons perform stunning new song “Ghosts That We Knew,” with beautiful fiddle solo by Ross Holmes, live at Montreal’s Bell Centre on October 27, 2011.

Potential lyrics from this video (they’ve already changed since the previous performance):

You saw my pain washed out in the rain Broken glass saw the blood run from my veins But you saw no fault, no cracks in my heart And you knelt beside my hope torn apart 

But the ghosts that we knew will flicker from view And we’ll live a long life

So give me hope in the darkness and I will see the light ‘cause, oh, they gave me such a fright But I will hold you as long as you like Just promise we will be alright. 

So lead me back, turned down from that place And close my eyes to my recent disgrace ‘cause you know my call and will share my all And our children come and they will hear me [?]

So give me hope in the darkness and I will see the light ‘cause, oh, they gave me such a fright But I will hold you as long as you like Just promise we will be alright. 

And hold me still, bury my heart on the [coals?] And hold me still, bury my heart on the [coals?]

 So give me hope in the darkness and I will see the light ‘cause, oh, they gave me such a fright And I will hold on as long as you like Just promise we will be alright 

The ghosts that we knew will flicker from view And we’ll live a long life

The ghosts that we knew will flicker from view And we’ll live a long life

[marcopaz-blog]

--

[marcopaz-blog]

Psalm 39:4-7 NASB

"LORD, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am. "Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah. "Surely every man walks about as a phantom; Surely they make an uproar for nothing; He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them. "And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.

[marcopaz-blog]

rethinking trial and suffering.

one of the biggest mistakes, we (myself included) have done to our family in Christ is telling them, the way of fixing our trials is is do more "christian" activities (read our bible more, pray, etc) or pull ourselves up by our own might or loving ourselves more. the only way we can count it all joy when trials come,is seeing the Lord as a merciful and loving father who brings trials to help us. ultimately, let us look to Jesus, who took all of my guilt and wrath, rose again on the third day, thus giving me hope that nothing shall ever seperate me from his love and one day will return and restore all the brokeness in my life and this world. trials are sent to help those who Jesus calls beloved, become more like Him and less like our sinful, broken selves.

[marcopaz-blog]

when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: "I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!

martin luther

[marcopaz-blog]

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:8-11 NASB.

[marcopaz-blog]

if you are a child of the living God, this is true for you, today, tomorrow and forevermore:

Romans 8:34-35, 37 NASB

who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

[marcopaz-blog]

Ephesians 6:23-24 NASB

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.

[marcopaz-blog]

my family lives in a different state, if you dont know to make of this, we will not relate.