As I was driving home from work, I stopped at a traffic light. I saw a vagabond on the side of the road. The man looked hungry and I had an orange, a can of almonds, and some water. Without hesitation, I grabbed the bag and waited until I was next to him. He looked up and rapidly grabbed the bag thanking me. The second stop light came on. I looked behind the mirror and the vagabond was drinking the water and eating the nuts. Right then, I decided to go to Subway and buy him a combo. I was thinking to myself what an opportunity to show the church of Christ. Not because I wanted God's favor. But because my heart felt compassion for the man. Nobody knew what I was doing. Just me and God. Thereafter, I went back and I had to park my car and walked across the main street. As I approached the place where He was standing, I noticed a police car. I approached the patrol car. Suddenly, the officer inside the vehicle shout what do you want in an rather abruptly and despot voice. I said to the police officer that if it was OK for the vagabond to eat the food I bought for him. To my surprise, the officer replied NO. I was taken back for the way he was addressing me. I asked Why not? The officer replied because I am taking him in. Then, I said are you going to feed him later? The officer abruptly said NO. Thereon, the officer asked me to leave in a tone of OTHERWISE.
I was absolutely taking back from the situation but calm and peaceful inside knowing that God was with me. Next, I felt like speaking the truth to the police officer. These words came out of my mouth: Have some conscious!. I could hear the vagabond saying thank you in the background.Then, I turned around and started walking back.
As I walked back to my car, few things came to my mind. First, I knew that behind all of this rejection was the enemy. Second, I did what it was right. Third, I was thinking this officer, that is representing the people, had no compassion in his heart. I understand he had to abide to the law but the law without compassion makes you a tyrant. Compassion is love.
Justice without love is unfair
Justice with love is fair
Life without love is obscurity
God is Love
Mr police officer from the City of Jacksonville Police Department, your justice is limited because you lack the notion of love. You are unfair. You could had let the vagabond eat his food and then take him in. Rather, you let your selfishness get the worst of you. I hope my words recon in your soul and may be reflect in the opportunity you could have next time to make a difference. The vagabond in the street needed your help not your law. One day, that could be you or your family members. I hope the light of God touches your heart and know that God already forgave you. We need justice with love. I will pray for you and the vagabond.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Saturday, February 16, 2013
WalMart's big mistake
I went to WalMart to fix my tire. I was told that it would take 1 hour and 30 minutes. It was fair enough for me since I had to check out some stuff at the store. after 2 hours, I did not receive any messages or alerts from the staff members. I went back to the tire shop in the store. To my surprise, nothing was done because the tire was beyond fixing. By this time, I had picket up 4 jugs of oil and a wireless computer keyboard for purchase. The ladies at the front desk were busy and trying to work diligently as possible. It was my turn to pay. By then, I was disappointed that nobody called me to let me know that the tire was irreparable. Inside of me, I was peaceful and I was thinking: God there must be a reason for it and I choose not being angry at anyone because of the situation. Instead, I said to myself: I spend some time with my dad. That was good enough.
Thereafter, I was leaving the store. While walking to the van, I notice that the purchase receipt shows the keyboard was 30.00 some dollars and the ringing of 3 discount coupons for the oil totaling 17.00. The total paid was 13.00. I was amazed at the price but I knew something was wrong. I looked over the ticket and I saw WalMart's big mistake. The cashier did not ring my 4 jugs of oil that totaled 72.00 dollars. Suddenly, I felt two forces battling inside my heart. One said, you had the deal of the century and run away as soon as possible. Just get in the van a leave. The second voice said that is completely wrong. Do the right thing. Like a flash of lighting, the Do Not Steal commandment jump into my head and my heart started having a conflict. I can see my couscous warning me. At the same time, it was not my fault the cashier did not ring the 4 jugs correctly. Then, another flash of reasoning stroke my brain. Do to others as you would have them do to you. That did it. Jesus wanted us to behave righteously; not just to read the Bible and never act on it. Therefore, I spoke to my dad about it. His looked said it all: You had the deal of the century. Then, I proceed to tell him that it was not the right thing. He became infuriated and insinuated not be allusive. As I looked at him, I understood that my dad did not get God at all.
I proceeded to go back into the store. The ladies still busy trying to help other customers. I waited for my turn. When my turn arrived, the lady asked me what I needed help with it. I indicated that the cashier made an error. They were surprised that I would return to fix the problem. I was thinking to my self: this lady must have family and at the end of the day she would be shore 72.00. I am sure she would have been in trouble if I did not return to fix the mistake. 20 minutes passed, 2 cashier and 2 managers were trying to figure a way to fix the error but the register machine was not cooperating. I was still calm and I knew I was doing the right thing. Then, a third upper manager came and solved the problem. by then, a multitude to people and employees were at the little reception desk tire shop. All the managers knew, it is that the tellers rang my items wrong. But then it hit me, I need to do something else. I reached for my wallet and pulled a note. I said to the employees behind the register. I just wanted you to know that I could had left with the 72.00 in my favor. But I chose to come back a do it right. The cashier that attended me said thank you for being honest. The managers were asking each other: What is he talking about what happen? The cashiers proceeded to explained that I came back to fix the problem. Everyone starring at me, I said to them: I do not want anything but because of what I have done, at least, I expect you to read this note. It felt like million eyes were looking at me. You see, I always had fear of everyone looking at me when speaking in public. By right there, I was amazed of what i was saying. There was no fear. I had only peace and joy. As I was leaving, I felt joyful that I was able to do the right thing. Now, I was facing my dad in the van. He did not say anything for the rest of the ride home. I knew then, why God allowed me to be right there. I was not afraid of what could do to me or my family. I acted with love towards others, in this case WalMart, the cashier, and possibly others. I showed my dad with action what I Christian is. If I was religious, i would had proclaim self-righteousness but instead I proclaim God. I honored God with actions and not just words.
The Note to the teller said:
Thereafter, I was leaving the store. While walking to the van, I notice that the purchase receipt shows the keyboard was 30.00 some dollars and the ringing of 3 discount coupons for the oil totaling 17.00. The total paid was 13.00. I was amazed at the price but I knew something was wrong. I looked over the ticket and I saw WalMart's big mistake. The cashier did not ring my 4 jugs of oil that totaled 72.00 dollars. Suddenly, I felt two forces battling inside my heart. One said, you had the deal of the century and run away as soon as possible. Just get in the van a leave. The second voice said that is completely wrong. Do the right thing. Like a flash of lighting, the Do Not Steal commandment jump into my head and my heart started having a conflict. I can see my couscous warning me. At the same time, it was not my fault the cashier did not ring the 4 jugs correctly. Then, another flash of reasoning stroke my brain. Do to others as you would have them do to you. That did it. Jesus wanted us to behave righteously; not just to read the Bible and never act on it. Therefore, I spoke to my dad about it. His looked said it all: You had the deal of the century. Then, I proceed to tell him that it was not the right thing. He became infuriated and insinuated not be allusive. As I looked at him, I understood that my dad did not get God at all.
I proceeded to go back into the store. The ladies still busy trying to help other customers. I waited for my turn. When my turn arrived, the lady asked me what I needed help with it. I indicated that the cashier made an error. They were surprised that I would return to fix the problem. I was thinking to my self: this lady must have family and at the end of the day she would be shore 72.00. I am sure she would have been in trouble if I did not return to fix the mistake. 20 minutes passed, 2 cashier and 2 managers were trying to figure a way to fix the error but the register machine was not cooperating. I was still calm and I knew I was doing the right thing. Then, a third upper manager came and solved the problem. by then, a multitude to people and employees were at the little reception desk tire shop. All the managers knew, it is that the tellers rang my items wrong. But then it hit me, I need to do something else. I reached for my wallet and pulled a note. I said to the employees behind the register. I just wanted you to know that I could had left with the 72.00 in my favor. But I chose to come back a do it right. The cashier that attended me said thank you for being honest. The managers were asking each other: What is he talking about what happen? The cashiers proceeded to explained that I came back to fix the problem. Everyone starring at me, I said to them: I do not want anything but because of what I have done, at least, I expect you to read this note. It felt like million eyes were looking at me. You see, I always had fear of everyone looking at me when speaking in public. By right there, I was amazed of what i was saying. There was no fear. I had only peace and joy. As I was leaving, I felt joyful that I was able to do the right thing. Now, I was facing my dad in the van. He did not say anything for the rest of the ride home. I knew then, why God allowed me to be right there. I was not afraid of what could do to me or my family. I acted with love towards others, in this case WalMart, the cashier, and possibly others. I showed my dad with action what I Christian is. If I was religious, i would had proclaim self-righteousness but instead I proclaim God. I honored God with actions and not just words.
The Note to the teller said:
Religion is Man seeking God
Christianity is God seeking Man
Therefore, when someone asks me: are you a Christian? I say yes. What denomination? None. I am following Christ the son of God. His name is Jesus ( Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous),Yeshua (ישוע), the Son of Man) from Nazareth. His two commands Love God above all things and Love your neighbor (fellow man. This includes your enemies). God seeking Man.
I go to church to listen to what God has to say. I don’t go to church to be in a club. God knows the motive behind it.
I give to the church out of the humbleness of my heart. I don’t give to see what the church is going to do with that money. God knows my motive behind it.
I read the Bible to learn and put in practice what it says. I don’t read the Bible to learn and be passive about what it says. God knows the motive behind it.
I am aware that I am a sinner and do not hide behind perfection because I will not be perfect until the Son of Man comes back to take me home.
I cannot judge you anymore because one day I will be judge by the creator.
I abide to the 10 commandment because I want to; not because I have to. This only happens when God lives in you.
I choose to love even when someone does not love me; not because I am afraid of God’s wrath but because God lives in me to pour the love to others.
I am aware that the world is against me but I am not afraid or concern because I do not care; But because God lives in me to understand that the world is a broken place. A place that can only be fix with the love that God produces inside my heart pouring to others.
Therefore, I am a Christian; not a Catholic, Protestant, Jew, Buddha, Muslim, or any other denomination. But all denominations have people that were created by God. Therefore, those same people are your neighbors, your fellow man. That is who I am; only because of Jesus of Nazareth, The Christ.
Monday, February 13, 1984
My lunch money
I was 12 years old when I encounter God for the first time. I was going to school and I encounter a beggar for the first time. I have seen beggars on the streets before in the city were I grew. But the difference, this time I was aware of personal contact. When I mean personal contact, it means I was aware of the old lady on the street. She was old and obviously disable. For sure, I'd passed her before couple times. But this time was different. My heart was filled with compassion and my sight was slowed to a tunnel vision that focus on her. I could not explained it. My mother would always provide some change for lunch. In my own child logic, the money would represent a handsome amount. That money was the only funds for my meal for the rest of the day.
As I approached the old lady, I understood two things. First, she needed help. Second, I would be able to eat later at home while she would be sleeping on the streets. Then, I reached into my pocket and pulled the 20 and gave it to the lady. I was happy that I was able to help her. I kept going and never looked back. Back then, I did not understand what happened. But today, I can assure you that God was present in the bones of that old lady. I placed that memory in the back of my mind for almost 30 years. It was not until I found God, that I was not able to understand that encounter.
Looking back, I understand that my conscious was guiding me to her. It overwhelmed my heart and prompt me to act out of love. At the time, I did not understand what love meant. I just knew love was a feeling. But love it is not just a feeling. It is an action. I understand that love has to exist in order for the world to exist. Therefore, God is love. I am astonished of the events that took place back in 1984.
God worked his wonders through my actions. As a child, I did not understand that. But God set a footprint that chiseled part of my soul, almost unconsciously. This is the first encounter that I had with God in the bones of a beggar old lady.
As I approached the old lady, I understood two things. First, she needed help. Second, I would be able to eat later at home while she would be sleeping on the streets. Then, I reached into my pocket and pulled the 20 and gave it to the lady. I was happy that I was able to help her. I kept going and never looked back. Back then, I did not understand what happened. But today, I can assure you that God was present in the bones of that old lady. I placed that memory in the back of my mind for almost 30 years. It was not until I found God, that I was not able to understand that encounter.
Looking back, I understand that my conscious was guiding me to her. It overwhelmed my heart and prompt me to act out of love. At the time, I did not understand what love meant. I just knew love was a feeling. But love it is not just a feeling. It is an action. I understand that love has to exist in order for the world to exist. Therefore, God is love. I am astonished of the events that took place back in 1984.
God worked his wonders through my actions. As a child, I did not understand that. But God set a footprint that chiseled part of my soul, almost unconsciously. This is the first encounter that I had with God in the bones of a beggar old lady.
Sunday, June 1, 1980
My first fight
It was the summer break of 1982. I was playing soccer with my friends. We all were the same age and lived for playing soccer. There were four of us and we all hang out most of the time. For sure, we ate, drank, and breath soccer every day. I do not remember for sure what happen but a fight broke out. I was involved in the altercation and I did not even know it. One of my friends hit me and I did not know why. I defended my self. My friend was well known for being a street fighter and better fighter than me. But that day, I had to defend my self. At that time, I was attending military school and I was trained to fight. I learned couple of Judo moves. While in the fight, I remember clearly this moves and applied them. Quickly, I took him down laying on his back. While on the floor, I sat on top of him and pinned his hands down to the floor. I could have down whatever I wanted with him at that point. Instead, I decided to make sure he understood i could had done whatever i wanted with him. He looked angry but could not move at all because the way I had pinned him down. I told him that I was letting go. Then, I got up and back out and went home. He stayed behind in the park with other kids. While walking to my house, My best friend and I started talking about what happened. We did not understand why the fight escalated so quickly and left one of my friends fighting me. My best friend understood that I did not like to fight with anyone. Suddenly, I felt this pain in my face and everything when black. The kid I was fighting came from behind me and punched me. Then, he took off running. Lot of the lady's and my mother came to my rescue. They saw what happened. Thereafter, I realized what happened. For the first time, I realized what the meaning of the word coward was. I was infuriated and I wanted to get even. Few days went by, my resentment started disappearing. I just wanted to start playing soccer again. But I knew the kid I fought was going to be there. Out of nowhere, I walked to the field and there he was. Everyone stopped to see what would happen. Instead of fighting, I grabbed the ball and started playing. Then everyone join into the game. The feud was over and playing time was all we care about. Looking back at this time, It made me realized that our conscious tell us what is right from wrong even when we do not know God yet. I learn compassion is the best medicine for avoiding conflicts. I learned that forgiving is more powerful that hitting someone. Therefore, people that do not know God were given a conscious to guide them in life. But some times as humans, we rather look away and go with the flow of things. But that is why Jesus came to earth, he came to teach us to listen to God and not to the flow of things or the world. Listen to what is telling you and go against your costumes. It is more important to have mercy than have costumes. The enemy will always whisper and tell you that you are better than anyone else, that is your way, pear pressure you, seek your weak spots to make you fall.
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