Aug
31
Aug
28
Monthly Report
This time I want to write you about the activities during the month of July. Achievements and efforts by the grace of God make the church Siguatepeque progress for the glory of the Lord.
Bible Studies in homes:
Since last year we began a series of Bible studies at two places strategy and the results were awesome: four conversions, plus the evangelization of several relatives of the sisters Orbelina López and Berta Ávila who where the host.
Now was the case for other members of the congregation want such meetings in their homes, because we have learned that there is blessing in the home who preaches the word of God: “… for there the Lord command the blessing, even life for Evermore” Psa 133:3
Therefore, the new strategy is that each family has its home in the Bible study meetings for a month. As God blessed the house of Ovededon, and the brothers seek to be blessed as well (2 Sa 6:12)
We hope to achieve the goals with this new strategy work, and strengthen the congregation. Thank you, your prayers are helping us..
In Christ,
Juan & Carol Santamaria
Aug
20
Little Orphan Annie
During the depression era in the 1930’s, “Little Orphan Annie” was a popular comic strip and radio program. Years later, it was the basis for the musical comedy “Annie.” Our children enjoyed the movie, and we even purchased the soundtrack to the movie. In the opening scene the cameras show Annie in an orphanage where the girls are forced to clean and scrub in the middle of the night. Expressing their feelings of helplessness, they sing; “It’s the hard-knock life for us. No one cares for you a smidge when you’re in an orphanage. It’s the hard-knock life.” As I was thinking about what to write; it came to me that many of us are facing that type of life—a hard-knock life. Maybe some of you have experienced what you refer to as having been through the “school of hard knocks.” When one talks of that type of experience you are generally saying you have gone through some difficult experiences in life that have instructed us. I would imagine that none of us enjoyed going through this school, but many have. Although it is a part of the human experience, it seems that it is human nature to avoid pain and difficult experiences.
What about you and I as believers in Christ. Can we learn from this school? Will it make us a stronger Christian, a better person in society, a more willing worker in the Kingdom? It is interesting to note that the psalmist wisely said, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statues” (Psalm 119:71). In the case of David, he was referring to the heartache that he felt when his good name was slandered (Psalm 119:69-70). The hurt I am certain was deep. Maybe the words spoken made him feel as though he was not doing as well as he should as the King of Israel, or as a husband or a father. Whatever the slander referred to, David realized that his circumstances could teach him to value the word of God. God’s word helps when we are confused (Psalm 32:8). When I am anxious I can turn to Isaiah 41:13. When I feel despair creeping in my life I can read Hebrews 10:35. Maybe you feel you are being persecuted for your belief; that is when you can turn and read II Corinthians 4:8-12. Perhaps you are grieving and need the comfort of Revelation 21:3-4. What problem are you facing today? Hand it over to the Lord in prayer. Then meditate on scripture and thank God for the life lessons you are about to learn. The Lord of heaven and earth is sovereign-even over the “school of hard knocks.” Remember that our afflictions are not designed to break us but to bring us to God.
Prayer Thought: Help me to rely on You and Your Word daily.
Aug
17
Aug
15
Aug
15
Member Registration
Welcome to our new website. There are additional features and news postings available for registered and logged in users. So take a moment to register HERE.
Registered User Features:
- * Hartmail
- * Hartmessage (text message updates)
- * Member Forum
- * Prayer Concern Updates
- * Youth and Children’s News
- * Member Directory
Aug
14
Aug
6
Aug
6
Pondering
Each morning Elaine and I will go to the front porch and drink our morning cup of coffee. It has been pleasant this summer sitting there and talking about the events of yesterday or the plans for the day. One of the things we enjoy about this morning ritual is watching the hummingbirds at our feeder. It is hanging three to four feet from where we sit. The hummingbirds feed for a moment then they dart away. Sometimes they become aggressive with one another and will not let one come and feed. They are truly a marvel of God’s creation. On one of my trips to El Salvador, I saw hummingbirds flying around an orange tree. It is interesting to note that it takes hummingbirds 20 hours to fly over the Gulf of Mexico. They will average between 25-30 miles per hour. It is truly remarkable that they can fly that distance.
Each morning as I look at the hummingbirds, such a small part of God’s creation, I am reminded over and over of the greatness of his work. The psalmist said; “Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds…” (Psalm 111:2-3). Did you catch that word that the psalmist used; “pondered.” When one stops to think about the many things that make up the creation by God, one is truly amazed. When one ponders that the Lord spoke all of these things into existence one finds themselves in awe of what God has done. If you stop long enough to ponder the creation and all that makes up the creation, what is your conclusion or what does it mean to you? As for me, it renews my confidence in God. It is part of the arsenal that I try to use against Satan, saying “get behind me Satan” for I have seen the power, glory and majesty of God’s creation. It also reminds me that since God has provided and cared for his creation the hummingbird, he is going to provide and care for you and me. As one ponders the hummingbird or any other part of creation it will lead to what the psalmist experienced when he said; “Praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly” (Psalms 111:1). God is a caring and compassionate God, who is worthy of our praise. I am able to praise God because I can view a part of his remarkable creation and ponder what it says to me about God. May each of us be more focused on God’s creation. May we also use that creation as a tool to help ward off the attacks of Satan, because our God is more powerful than Satan.
Prayer Thought: Lord, open my eyes to the beauty that surrounds me each and every day.
Aug
2