Edwin E De La Cruz

Resized Self

2011-12-30T16:38:00.000-08:00

The title, first and foremost, is credited to Pastor Tullian Tchividjian. While on my vacation, I've been reading his book, Jesus+Nothing=Everything. When I read the section titled Resized Self, I was stirred up like I have never been before. This post will be more sharing what I read, and hopefully, challenging to you.

'' If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are from above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.'' (Col. 3: 1-3)

The gospel liberates us to be okay with not being okay.. Because the gospel, we have nothing to prove or protect. We can stop pretending. The gospel frees us from trying to impress people, to prove ourselves to people, to make people think we're something we're not...The gospel grants us the strength to admit we're weak and needy and restless--knowing that Christ's finished work has proven to be all the strength and fulfillment and peace we could ever want, and more...The gospel frees us from the urge to self-gain, to push ourselves forward for our own purposes and agenda and self-esteem. When you understand that your significance and identity, and purpose and direction are all anchored in Christ, you don't have to win--you're free to lose. And nothing in this broken world can beat a person who isn't afraid to lose!...Since Jesus is our strength, our weaknesses don't threaten our sense of worth or value....Christians avoid the gospel on a daily basis--because that's exactly what sin is....The gospel erases us, in that sense, which is why we avoid it. But that erasing of self is the key to our freedom. The gospel doesn't take you deeper into yourself; the gospel takes you away from yourself. The gospel frees us to realize that, while we matter, WE'RE NOT THE POINT...The gospel causes us to look up and out, away from ourselves. It turns our gaze upward to God and outward to others, both to those inside the church and to those outside it. The gospel causes us to LOVE GOD and to LOVE OTHERS, which of course is how Jesus summed up the entirely of the law....Many of us think of good works in terms of personal piety, internal devotion, and spiritual disciplines: praying, reading the Bible, going to church, and so on. And while these are all important aspects of Christian living, it's interesting that when James makes his strong point (in James 2:14-26) about faith without works being dead, the works he describes are not works of priviate spirituality but of public service....In fact, real spiritual growth happens as we look up to Christ and what he did, out to our neighbors and what they need, NOT in to ourselves and how we're doing. Our natural tendecy is to focus on ourselves-- on our obedience (or lack thereof), on our performance (good or bad), on our holiness--instead of on Christ and his obedience, his performance, and his holiness for us....IN THE GOSPEL, GOD COMES AFTER US BECAUSE WE NEED HIM, NOT BECAUSE HE NEEDS US.....Returning to the gospel is a return to reality. Reminded of the gospel, we're reminded that sin enslaves us by making us big; the gospel frees by making us small. Our self-esteem culutre would have us believe that the bigger we become, the freer we'll be. But the gospel turns that on its head. We begin to decrease; Christ begins to increase. The world says the more independent you become, the freer and stronger you'll be; the gospel says the more dependent on God you become, the freer and stronger you'll be. (pp. 120-123, emphasis mine)

I will share what I wrote down in my book; ''I can't remember the last time I was stirred up by the Gospel like I just was. Thank you Jesus''

Love God, Love People, Enjoy Jesus

Edwin

Thanksgiving

2011-11-22T21:09:00.000-08:00

Posting a blog a couple days before Thanksgiving. So much has been going on around. Seriously when I stop and think of everything that is happening and what is to come, I GET OVERWHELMED! But that's awesome, it shows that it is not me doing the work, but God who is! I am always amazed at why God has chosen a wicked, horrible failure like me to carry out a small role in HIS BIG STORY. I mean seriously, let's be real and blunt, I suck and fall short so many times, but God still works in and through me. (crazy!) God knows that I am going to fail him more than I expect myself to, but this is the same God who sees the potential in me that I don't see. A question I feel we all struggle, including myself, with is, "Who am I?" I don't want to sound like I've completely mastered this, but I know that my identity lies hidden in Christ. (cliche I know, but it's so true) Once we realized this what's next? Well the next question we will struggle with is "Why am I here?" Can I be completely honest with you...... I've been struggling a ton with trying to figure this one out, no lie! I had been wrestling, and still continue to, with this question. After reading, studying, and following a series taught on this passage by one of my favorite Bible teaching pastors, Britt Merrick, I have found answers to the two questions I brought up. Ephesians 1: 4-11 (NLT):

4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. ⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. ⁶ So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.⁷ He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. ⁸ He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

⁹ God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. ¹⁰ And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. ¹¹ Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

What I have got out of this is two things: 1) We are chosen, forgiven, adopted, loved by God because of His love! Not our good works, our looks, personality, achievements, etc. When we realize how loved we are by Him, then we will accomplish much. With that said, moving on to number 2) Finding your identity & joy in Christ allows you to enjoy people more but need them less; in a healthy freeing way. (Britt Merrick) Let's be real, there are people I could be around with all the time, and then there are those that I could see less and I would be pleased. But the point is, my feelings or emotions should not be decided or dictated by who I am around. Francis Chan put it clearly in his book Crazy Love, "how much would our way we treat people change if we would see them all as Christ and treat them like it?" (paraphrased by me) I've come to learn to be more INTENTIONAL (a word that is bouncing in my head a lot these days) when I am around everyone. It's been tough to carry it out, but I am striving each day to get better at it. Ok I said two points, but I have one more, a bonus! 3) Our identity should come from looking UPWARD! Two false ways to get your identity is to look Inward (looking at your self, your accomplishments, etc) and/or to look Outward (who you're around, what you have, COMPARING to others, etc). We need to look upward to what God has done for us through Christ living a perfect, blameless life that we couldn't live. When we grasp that, it is only that, The Cross and Christ dying on it for us, that will radically change us from the inside out. Continue to seek Jesus, for the pleasure of God.

LOVE GOD. LOVE PEOPLE. ENJOY JESUS.

Ahem.....

2011-10-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

So it's been a minute. A lot has happened since the last blog update. Too much to try to and spill it out. But here's a skinny:

1) I am still in Greensboro.

2) serving at a local church under a couple ministries, learning a lot.

3) helping out with a soccer developing program, 705 Soccer.

4) CONNECTING with people in the area.

Current books I am reading: Through My Eyes-TimTebow; The Ragamuffin Gospel- Brennan Manning; Reverberation-Jonathan Leeman. I will try to update once every week or other week. Blessings to all.

If You Will, You Can Make Me Clean

2010-12-01T03:49:00.000-08:00

"And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will, be clean." And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean." Mark 1:40-42

Currently I'm going through the Missio Christi series by Britt Merrick, yes I know the same guy I keep bringing up, but if you get around me for long enough I'll begin to share something I've read or watched on a message he gave and next thing you know, you too will be seeing how God is using his circumstance to speak truth. This past Sunday, the sermon at my home church was titled A THANKSGIVING LESSON FROM JESUS, taught from Luke 17:11-19, the focus on this was on how only one of the ten lepers Jesus cleansed returned to give him thanks. Well I want to take it back a little bit and talk about how lepers were seen in that time. Leviticus 13:45-46 is the law that was given on how people with leprosy were to be dealt with. I suggest you read it.....pretty harsh stuff! Looking bad intentionally, if in public, yell 'unclean' making all people runaway from you, in other words seen as a monster. Imagine if you were a parent right now, came down with this disease, and the priest ordered that you be removed from your daily life, meaning, no longer could you be with the spouse you love, had children with, and on top of that, won't be able to TOUCH them. I mean, the first part is pretty cruel, but being removed from your family in an instant, unimaginable! Lepers had this sense of worthlessness and despair, they lived with a mark of disgrace. If you say something to someone long enough they will start to believe it. Jewish rabbis only made things worse. They refused, and made it illegal, to touch or even acknowledge (saluting, waving, say 'hi'). You were taught to remain at least 150ft away. Now if that's not enough, some Jewish rabbis went to the point that if they saw a leper they would throw stones at them. On the way to Jerusalem he (Jesus) was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance." (Luke 17:11-12) They asked for mercy from Jesus, showing that they knew Jesus had power, but not sure if Jesus was willing to grant them mercy. How many people in our family, work, team, etc. are unsure if Jesus would cleanse and forgive them? Jesus responds with compassion. Now what we see in the story of the one leper is something unexpected, he demonstrates boldness to come to Jesus! He pushes the crowd, not following the acceptable culture stigmas, and grabs on to Jesus. Move with pity (that gut-wrenching feeling) is saying Jesus was moved within His inner-being, COMPASSION, not pity. (Heb. 4:15) That feeling we get when we see someone dear and close to us go through suffering in the most way that you suffer with that person. That is what I believe is one of the few feelings we can experience to come near to that feeling Jesus felt. He stretched out his hand and cleansed the leper. Our God is a God who suffers with us (Psalm 34:14), not only that, but Jesus suffered for us! He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. He felt the real weight of horror and sin. Jesus touched the untouchable! He totally disregarded the Old Testament law (Lev. 13:45-46) not in a way of opposing it, but showing that He had his priorities right! He wasn't a Pharisee or a Hypocrite. Are we willing to suffer with those who are suffering?
We're called to proclaim and demonstrate the Gospel. In this story we see that demonstration of the Gospel through Jesus, and if we go back, "And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons." (v.39) We see a balanced proclamation and demonstration. Through Jesus' death and resurrection we reverse some order of things in this world, the clean are finally able to make the unclean clean! WHO ARE WE CONFRONTED WITH THAT WE ARE RUNNING AWAY FROM, OR WORSE, THROWING STONES AT? Philippians 2:3 says : Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant(more important) than yourselves(emphasis added by me). It's pretty tough to do this in a culture of comparisons. "Consider others more important than ourselves? Who does that?" This is radical! Finally I want you to read Matthew 25:31-46, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me."(v. 40) God connects to the suffering and poor people, we are called to reach out, GO to them. Unfortunately, I'm convicted of this, "helping" out has become a fashionable thing. "Text to such and such number to donate $10" But one thing that is not fashionable is to go to where there is need and TOUCH those who need to feel the love of our God. Jesus wasn't afraid and ashamed to touch the untouchable, and one last thing, Jesus changed the world!

The Advance of the Gospel

2010-11-19T07:47:00.000-08:00

I've been studying Philippians for about 6 weeks now, and I can say that nothing but good has come out of it. Britt Merrick (Reality Church-Carpenteria) has really challenged and encouraged me. Why I titled this "The Advance of the Gospel"? Well quick background, Paul wrote this letter from house imprisonment in Rome. If you didn't know this, Paul always wanted to go to Rome to go teach, start theological centers, and plant churches. It didn't quite work out like that, Paul arrived and was arrested. Not really the planned scenario! Regardless, God allowed this to happen because He had a purpose behind all this. "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel." (Phil. 1:12) Here is a prime example on how suffering in life can bring joy to us, simply because through those moments Jesus becomes more beautiful and we cling to Him more tightly. Britt Merrick said,"Joylessness is when we lose something that we were holding on to more tightly than Jesus." I can testify that to be true in my life recently. God allows us to put our treasure in jars of clay (2 Cor. 4:7-18) to show us His ultimate dominion over everything. Friends have come and gone in my journey and honestly, I tried to hold on to them as much as I could to the point where I was being bothered for reasons that were confusing and not clear to me, and that brought nothing but joylessness. As I mature in my walk I've come to a realization that there is only one person that we can trust at all times and as cliche as it sounds it's so true, and that is Jesus. Steven Furtick could not have painted it any clearer, "I've put my trust in a few, select friends, and speaking firsthand, they failed me and I suffered, but by that happening, I drew nearer to Jesus" (paraphrased by me). I have to totally agree with him on that, I sometimes pour out too much to people that I should not. Since I started to meet with a pastor who disciples me, one thing I have learned quickly from Chris is that whatever we plan, or hope for, we ALWAYS have to factor in human depravity. I can't blame people I've put trust in, they're human, as am I. Through this we have to practice the discipline of forgiveness (that could be another post!). My prayer is that we put to death all the idolatry (taking something that is good and placing it in the place of God) and that Jesus becomes bigger, bigger, and bigger to where everything else around becomes smaller, and ultimately revolves around Jesus.

"I'm excited what could happen in my life and your life if Jesus became our ultimate treasure."-Steven Furtick

I AM is the Author, I'm only the writer.

2010-10-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

Father,

I cherish you. Where would I be if You had not answered when I called You to rescue me?

Recently I have been challenged by a simple question that was brought up at a conference I attended on October 8. The question is: Are you able to preach the Gospel to yourself? I will share a little of what has been coming to mind over the last week on what this question has brought to my mind. I am an over-thinker as some of you may know, I like to view at a situation/scenario in every single possible way before deciding or taking an action to move on. This has it's pros and cons. I continue to look at where God is working at in my life, things He has invited me to join and be a part of. Recently these things have begun to pick up in opportunities to expose myself, show who I am, and what I vision to be molded into. But as this has picked up the pace, I have sort of been distributing a lot of energy, focus, and time into these things and have left my Source of nourishment. This week Britt Merrick said in his sermon, The Big Picture of Philippians, "You are not loved by God because you are valuable, You are valuable because you are loved by God." When I heard this, whew, took a lot of my shoulders, and drew me back to where my first love began, Jesus Christ. Ironically, as he continued, he said, "There is nothing in me that makes God love me....we are loved by according to who He is; so we don't have to perform to be loved by Him." This is so encouraging and convicting in one, sort of how pain and joy go together in the economy of God. Sometimes convicting statements to us are the ones that inspire us and make us question our motives for the things we are doing. I want to do what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:31: "...I die everyday!" When was the last time I wept for remembrance of how I have been saved from hell? Stunned at the fact that God has picked me? Have I been working myself to death because I don't believe The Gospel is truly enough? And have I been a student of God's word? This is where I will leave it, be encouraged, the weight of the church is on the shoulders of Christ. I want to be a man who preaches the Gospel, even if nobody every knows my name. I want Jesus Christ to take center stage of my life and to show off what He can do. Sometimes I am ashamed of my love and want for You, I am too easily distracted, and I want to want You more. Lord, work these things in my life. I conclude by asking you to pray for boldness in my life:

"and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6:19-20)

Peace and Grace,

Edwin

Fincastle......

2010-07-19T22:04:00.000-07:00

Fincastle you ask. Well as I type up this blog, I am sitting at a desk at the Holiday Inn Express in Tourtville,VA thinking and typing this up. I'm going to somewhat type of what all has occurred in my world. I will do something different, I will start with where I am and work backwards to as far as I can remember. Take a deep breath and proceed......

http://prayfordaisy.com/

I want you all to really read this paragraph and meditate on it. I don't care if you read on after this and finish this post, but I'd like to share something that has been laid heavy on my heart. Pastor Britt Merrick of Reality Church (http://realitycarpinteria.com/) is going through a very tough time, that I cannot imagine what he is suffering. His 6 year old daughter, Daisy, just got done going through a 7-month treatment of chemo and radiation. They thought the cancer was cured, but just last week, another tumor was detected. You guys can keep up, but more importantly pray for Merrick and his family, for that is our responsibility (James 5:16). I couldn't help but to get really emotional on watching his sermon, pictures, and blog entries on what his little precious girl is going through. I can't imagine how I would feel if I had to see my little sister was going through so much pain and suffering physically.....

So after finally settling down with the idea that this summer was not going to be filled with soccer camp adventures and stories; the Charlotte Eagles called me on a Thursday afternoon. They needed someone who could represent the team at a soccer clinic near Roanoke,Va. I would show up and the kids would think that I am a 'professional' player. Boy was I flattered to hear that. Well so far it has been amazing, I am working with the 6-year old kids, and they are just way too cool! We are done with two days of the clinic and will conclude later this evening. On this short trip I have been reminded of a gift God has given me that I have kind of put on the shelf and let it get dusty, soccer. I love this game so much, but with all the things going on, I have sort of stopped playing, but after this week, I'm determined to get more touches on the ball.

This part of the update I will dedicate it to weddings. I have had quite a few number of friends get married and make a lifelong commitment. I've been blessed to be part of a couple of them, and it's so awesome to see how God just brings two people together and demonstrates us how he loves us through marriage by reminding us of how we are His bride, and greater love we will never see apart from that. I hope the best for all my friends who have gotten/or will get married this time of the year.

Let's proceed, Lawndale Youth Ministry, or as we call it, Fusion!

I don't know where to start, these kids have encouraged me to continue working in this group because I am seeing fruit being produced. Many youth groups in the American church today are pretty much like any other social group; cliques amongst them. But God has really been working among our Youth pastor, parents, and volunteers to set a great example for these kids to live up to. I got to help out at the annual summer retreat, Consumed 2010, at Myrtle Beach from July 5-9, alongside George Robinson (Professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) and the Justin Tesenair Band. Awesome week of camp; we had amazing worship time by the band and George sharing The Story with us. I wish you guys could see the maturity some of these kids have in their walk with God. I am very proud of them.

First week of June, I got to go up with our youth choir (Won Generation) to work at an inner city apartment complex in Baltimore, MD. It was a great way to kick off the summer. The choir sang at two churches: Infinity Church and Northpoint Baptist Church. They were amazing. A highlight of the trip was that they were able (after serious discussion, insisting, and praying) to sing out at the Inner Harbor, really nice part of the city. We got the corner for lunch time, while hundreds of people were walking by on their lunch break. I personally was approached by people curious to know what we were doing and opened the door to share about our loving God. We also did a sports camp, a way we outreached to the apartment complex. It was a lot of fun. It was nice to see how our group interacted with all the kids and love on them.

Final detail I will be sharing is, the rest of the summer I've got the chance to spend it at home and work at a camp. It's been really good just being home and spending time with la famila. As I have left home it's not so easy to spend a whole lot of time with them. I've come to learn that sometimes it's not about the quantity, but the quality. I will be followed by journalists here in the next few weeks because they curious to see what it is like to live in the life of a Hispanic here in the States. I pray and ask you to to join me, that this is not about me, that through this profile I can share with Moore county who it really should be about. Paul wrote, "Just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of may, that they might be saved.", and that right there is my definition of success. Not who I know, or where I have been, or will go, or perhaps how much money I may one day make. But that in my life people don't see what I have done, but what Christ has done in me.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

Much love all and be blessed.

Update from Edwin's life....

2009-09-25T06:57:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I last posted something one here....wow December of 2008, it has been. Well let me make a quick run and catch you up on my life to present day; had an awesome summer full of great stories. I coached camps with the Charlotte Eagles, went on a summer retreat with Lawndale Baptist Youth Group, and topped it off with going to Boston with a good friend of mine to visit his family (well we saw Beckham play, went to Fenway (Red Sox v Tigers, game with the brawl, 3 homeruns over the green monster, and we were on the big screen for a total of 8 seconds), and topped it off with touring the Capitol Building and The White House on the way back in D.C.), and oh yeah, I forgot to mention how the summer began: HILLSONG UNITED concert with some friends in Nashville, TN. I was an incredible night of worship, great way to begin the summer for God. It was my second time seeing them and all there music is just top-of-the-line...quality. Semester began, school's keeping me busy, so looking forward to getting done with school, a year and a half left (hopefully) maybe two. Excited to see how God is moving on UNCG's campus and at our college ministry at Lawndale Baptist. Start coaching with a soccer academy on Oct. 6, looking forward and very excited about that, big step in my life coming up soon, Oct. 18 I will be taking a obedience step in baptism. God is working all around in my life, and I hope to be following His will, not mine. This may be a few months away, but Jan. 2-5 2010, I have registered to be at Passion Conference. (http://www.268generation.com/passion2010/) It's going to be awesome, what I'm really looking forward to is one of the speakers is John Piper, I have been reading a lot of his books, wow so ready; Hillsong United playing, and yes that will be the THIRD time I will be seeing them, and so excited like if it was my first time; also David Crowder will be playing, Chris Tomlin, Fee Band....wow, can we say Heaven on earth! Well I have to say this is what's all been going on in my life, it may not be a lot, but that's just the skinny version. I ask that you pray for my walk with our Lord, and that I walk with and focus on Him. Hope to update this again in the near future. Be blessed.

In Him,
Edwin

O Holy Night

2008-12-15T00:27:00.000-08:00

Wow, it's crazy to believe that this semester has come to an end..... although I should finish my final paper and be studying for chemistry.... well I'll get back to that in a second. Tonight was pretty amazing, the church I attend had their Christmas concert/play, very heart-touching. There was a group of, I would say, toddlers that acted out the "Birth Scene" and it was just really joyful to see these kids on stage. The heartbeat of Christmas was definitely felt among the church. Really put me back into the holiday spirit. Can't wait to go home and see my family, get some good home-cooked meals and straight up chill! Got some good news, hopefully God-willing, that I may be getting to go to Cali. for a couple of days/week(s). (fingers crossed) My uncle offered me an opportunity, hope it all works out. There's this one quote that has been stuck in my head lately, it's from a discipleship training I took in high school, my partner Clay Gibbons wrote this in his speech we each gave to our families at our celebration dinner, he was referring to our journal entries and what they meant... "As I opened my journal, I would just start pouring out my heart like David did in his Psalms...." tonight I asked myself, have I been doing the same? Or have I just been pouring out what I want and keeping other things 'covered'? Tonight I just want to open up and let God know what's going on in my life and what's bothering me, even though He knows, we still have to confess. I've been doing this bible study lately called "Lord, Change My Attitude" and I have to admit, it has been changing me a lot, opening the eyes of my heart more and more. Well I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and New Year's, which I will be spending at Encounter 08, we'll be receiving the New Year by praying... now is that now cool?

Well until next blog entry, God Bless

Edwin

Your voice is a melody to my ears

2008-09-10T21:31:00.001-07:00

Check this video out, amazing guitar playing, and wonderful voice! Enjoy.

Almost a year....

2008-09-10T21:21:00.000-07:00

It has been almost a year since I created/updated this blog.... few things that happened over the year:

Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru.)
Charlotte Eagles Away soccer camps (Knoxville, TN; Boston, MA; Mooresville, NC; Dallas, TX)
Andrea (little toddler sister) turned big 3!
A lot of networking

Just a brief review of my past year. I'll try and keep this updated as much as possible.

peace

2007-10-19T15:46:00.000-07:00

The I Heart Revolution..... trailers, check'em out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdYV-ykM2Dk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1CbCYEn4lg

1st Blog Oct. 19, 07

2007-10-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

Hey how's everyone?

Well this is my first blog up.... I really don't know what to write about. Well, let me see, yeah I just got done looking at http://www.iheartrevolution.com/ and it's an amazing page. You guys need to check it out. Hillsong United is just so awesome! School is going pretty good, freshmen year of college is what I expected. Well I hope this entry finds every one doing well. God bless everyone.