Brownsville, TX is an interesting place to say the least. We love it, actually. It has offered us the chance to do some things that we never have done. For example, how often in Joplin, MO can you say "Let's go to Mexico for lunch!" or "Maybe we should team up with a church from Mexico for this activity."? That's pretty neat for someone with a missionary heartbeat. Also, Brownsville's hispanic population is in the 90 percents, so it makes our Hispanic church prospect list endless. On the recreative side, we are 20 min. away from the beach. South Padre Island is a tourist attraction. Boca Chica beach is a secluded and serene paradise. We don't take this blessing of God's beauty for granted. I'm gonna take up surfing soon. One of the elders or mission organizers is going to have to help me learn. The good thing is I've been getting back into shape since we moved, dropping over 25 pounds. This will help. Since we moved here another hobby has developed. I guess I shouldn't be a Texan and not take up shooting and hunting. For someone who has only shot 8-bit computerized ducks on nintendo, it's a neat new experience, as is having my own church service, and being in charge of everything. The people couldn't be more receptive and welcoming. Their hunger for the things of God stretches us to be sharp enough to feed them the Word and have it impact their lives. God is doing some really cool stuff down here. And it's only just begun!
MT. OLIVE
We recently painted the room that we use for worship. Some liked the color, some did not. I, myself, am color blind. That’s why I didn’t pick the color. I just got the little pallets and got opinions from respectable women. What I liked about the color that was chosen, is the name—“Mt. Olive.” I thought that was perfect, since that is where Jesus prayed, and this is a house of prayer. When I see it, I think of the symbolism, that we are in a house of prayer.
Jesus did pray at the Mount of Olives. At the foot of this mount is a place called Gethsemane. We remember that name around Easter time. Why? Because Jesus prayed in this garden right before he was betrayed and arrested. What was Jesus doing right before he was to be handed over to the religious leaders and the Romans—experts in torture? Praying.
Gethsemane is a place of passionate and fervent prayer. Hebrews 5:7-9 says, “During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” He prepared himself mentally to endure the worst of deaths through the spiritual act of prayer. He did it for us. He asked God if there was any other way, than to drink this cup of suffering- not only physical pain, but also the weight of all sin, and separation from God. He prayed “not my will, but Yours be done.” We should be eternally grateful.
When we suffer or have to endure something hard, do we prepare ourselves beforehand in prayer as Jesus did? If not, then don’t you think we should turn to God first instead of trying everything else and relying on our own strength. Remember that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). Not just when you’re at this House of Prayer, but wherever you are when things get tough, follow Jesus’ example of receiving strength from above through prayer. Don’t underestimate the power of prayer (James 5:16). It sounds so simple, but Jesus is not simple. He showed us the way to deal with suffering. Grace and peace!
GREAT PICTURES AND VIDEOS OF OUR KIDS
Thanks to my wife, Emily, for setting up this page for the kids.
www.fishkids.homestead.com
Muster the courage of an underdog.
Last night my little boys were wrestling. Nathan who will be 4 years old soon, was dominating his little brother Elijah who just turned 2. So like good parents, instead of breaking them up, we got out the video camera. It was pretty funny and lasted for a good long while. We’ve edited the best parts and they are posted at
www.gregoryfish.org/wrestling.wmv.
I found the boys different attitudes to be very interesting. Nathan, clearly with the advantage—older, stronger, and smarter—was priding himself in the fact that Bubba (Elijah) was so easily beat. He really took in some hard knocks. But as Nathan celebrated and basked in his victory, Bubba would get up ready for some more. He was relentless in his pursuit. So Nathan would come over again and knock him down. We found ourselves routing for the little guy. Every time Nathan would trip and fall down, we’d tell Bubba to go get him. The times he managed to pin him, Nathan changed from a cocky victor, to a whinny victim. It was gratifying to see the underdog win for a while. Nathan’s learning that he has to pick on someone his own size. It will be fun to see them grow and become more equal matches in wrestling or whatever.
But, anyway, this all got me thinking (I know- a dangerous thing). How many times are we like Nathan. We are happy-go-lucky as we relish in the simple and far-to-easy victories, but as soon as a difficult situation comes our way, we revert to a bullied kid attitude. The school of hard knocks is life. When the world gangs up on us, we need to muster the courage of an underdog—just get up and keep going. (I’m not belittling tragedy, here. I’m talking about the little things that get us down, that really shouldn’t. We’ve been called more than conquerors in Romans 8, so why play the victim? God has enabled us to confront our problems head on, and even though we may be disadvantaged, we serve a powerful God. One plus God is always a majority. Corrie Ten Boom, who saw more hard times than we might ever see in our life, said the following, “If God sends us down stony paths, He provides strong shoes.” Whatever obstacles creep into our life, when our adversary attempts to rob our joy, we need to remember Bubba’s determination to get up and overcome and do the same. Blessings!
I started doing concerts in Spanish our church first, and then in Mexico. It's different to do a concert by myself...with no band. I try to keep it interested by playing along to tracks with videos arranged to the lyrics, and then throwing in live loops and stuff. Here's an example from the first concert:
www.gregoryfish.org/alegriaWMV.wmvI'm gonna try and do some concerts at other churches in town and across the border. It's a great opportunity and fun extension of the ministry.
Hi. This is my first post. Just trying to figure out the blog world.
Brownsville, TX is an interesting place to say the least. We love it, actually. It has offered us the chance to do some things that we never have done. For example, how often in Joplin, MO can you say "Let's go to Mexico for lunch!" or "Maybe we should team up with a church from Mexico for this activity."? That's pretty neat for someone with a missionary heartbeat. Also, Brownsville's hispanic population is in the 90 percents, so it makes our Hispanic church prospect list endless. On the recreative side, we are 20 min. away from the beach. South Padre Island is a tourist attraction. Boca Chica beach is a secluded and serene paradise. We don't take this blessing of God's beauty for granted. I'm gonna take up surfing soon. One of the elders or mission organizers is going to have to help me learn. The good thing is I've been getting back into shape since we moved, dropping over 25 pounds. This will help. Since we moved here another hobby has developed. I guess I shouldn't be a Texan and not take up shooting and hunting. For someone who has only shot 8-bit computerized ducks on nintendo, it's a neat new experience, as is having my own church service, and being in charge of everything. The people couldn't be more receptive and welcoming. Their hunger for the things of God stretches us to be sharp enough to feed them the Word and have it impact their lives. God is doing some really cool stuff down here. And it's only just begun!
