Reflection After Last Night Elections - From the perspective of a Immigrant's Church Pastor

Party vs Church - From a pastor to other pastors and leaders

Let me preface this text with this crucial declaration: I am not a republican! I am not a democrat! I am an independent voter! This week, for instance, I voted for candidates in both parties and even one independent candidate. I choose to vote for candidates accordingly to the issues at hand and the candidate story, background and character – not party affiliation! About party affiliation/support I have a different text that you may read another time. Today, above anything else, my main issue regarding government is immigration reform. As a pastor, friend and leader of churches where the majority of members are immigrants in an illegal situation, I cannot emphasize enough how crucial that is for them and, for consequence, to me! I am a US citizen so I am not directly affect by the problems that they have to deal every day but their problems, their suffering, their anguish is absolutely evident and I cannot afford, as a Christian, not to suffer with them – and fight with them for a better tomorrow! 

For those celebrating last night huge win by the Republican Party (assuming control of Senate and House) let me just remind you, as they say here, "you can kiss that Immigration Reform goodbye"! So when you are praying for those people (including your best friend, your family member, your worship leader, your deacon or that brother/sister that seats every Sunday in our churches next to you) asking for relieve, for immigration reform, for an amnesty and an opportunity to be a regular citizen, so that they can just drive safely to and from work or to and from church, remember the celebration and this result. In his last year Bush sent a project for immigration reform to the House and it was shut-down by his own party (the Republican Party). Republicans are absolutely against any immigration reform and in special any option for amnesty or path for citizenship. 

I agree 100% that president Obama did not performed accordingly to what he promised but one cannot forget that the Republican Party was in control of the House and blocked every effort that they could regarding legislation and reform (as they promised that they would do when Obama took office for his second mandate). Now that they control both Chambers there is little or no hope that any legislation that does not agrees with the GOP will not be passed (not even in the Senate) in special Immigration Reform (as was already said by the party new leader-to-be, re-elected senator Mitch McConnell-KY). Although I agree with those that say that Obama has not done enough (or nothing) for immigration reform I cannot believe that with a Republican Congress the chances of reform happening are better than before! I still have hope that the president will act on his promise to do the immigration reform now (after the election) even if he needs to use Executive Orders to get it done!

I just want to be sure that you are truthful to yourself, to your church and to your brothers and sisters. Truthful and honest to those for whom you are praying with for Immigration Reform, for those that you have your arms around, trying to console them, even kneeling down with them. So that, in that moment, you remember that what you are doing is just the opposite of your actions on this election day! What you are doing is praying for the Lord to “bless this food and make it nourishment to our bodies” meanwhile holding in your hands a double-x-burger with bacon and large fries! It does not make any sense and you are not been sincere and truly honest with those in need.

I will continue to pray for relieve for these families and continue to use this powerful tool, my vote, to make this change become a reality!

May God bless the United States and the 114th United State Congress!

PS: I wrote this article for a local newspaper that focus on Immigrants and Legislation, and requested my point of view, as a religious leader in an immigrant church. It will be published on next week issue.

A GUERRA AO TERRORISMO - GUERRA CÓSMICA OU GUERRA SANTA?

Comprei este muito bom livro " Zealot : The Life and Times of Jesus de Nazaré " do autor Reza Aslan (não sei qual a tradução do título usado na edição em português). Nunca ouvi falar sobre o autor, então decidi pesquisar um pouco mais sobre ele e encontrei esta citação bastante interessante sobre a tal "Guerra ao Terrorismo". Fez-me pensar ...

Aslan refere-se a jihad da Al-Qaeda contra o Ocidente como "uma guerra cósmica", distinta da "guerra santa", em que os grupos religiosos rivais estão envolvidos em uma batalha terrestre com objetivos materiais. "A guerra cósmica é como um drama ritual no qual os participantes atuam na terra uma batalha que acreditam realmente está acontecendo nos céus." Aslan diz que a retórica americana de "guerra ao terrorismo", esta em "dualismo cósmico" com a jihad da Al Qaeda. Aslan estabelece uma distinção entre o islamismo e o jihadismo. Islamistas têm objetivos legítimos e podem ser negociados, ao contrário de jihadistas, que sonham com um passado idealizado de um "comunitarismo religioso" sem fronteiras pan-islâmica. A receita de Aslan para vencer a guerra cósmica é não lutar, mas sim envolver as forças políticas islâmicas moderadas no processo democrático. "Em todo o Oriente Médio, sempre que os partidos islâmicos moderados foram autorizados a participar no processo político, o apoio popular para tais grupos extremistas diminuiu."

The Washington Post " Resenha: " Como ganhar uma guerra cósmica "por Reza Asla , publicada em 28 de junho de 2009 

THE WAR ON TERROR - A COSMIC WAR OR A HOLY WAR?

I bought this very good and interesting book "Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth" from author Reza Aslan. Never heard about him so I decided to research a little about the author and found this nice and intricate quote about the "War on Terrorism". Made me think...

Aslan refers to Al Qaeda's jihad against the west as "a cosmic war", distinct from holy war, in which rival religious groups are engaged in an earthly battle for material goals. "A cosmic war is like a ritual drama in which participants act out on earth a battle they believe is actually taking place in the heavens." American rhetoric of "war on terrorism", Aslan says, is in precise "cosmic dualism" to Al Qaeda's jihad. Aslan draws a distinction between Islamism and Jihadism. Islamists have legitimate goals and can be negotiated with, unlike Jihadists, who dream of an idealized past of a pan-Islamic, borderless "religious communalism". Aslan's prescription for winning the cosmic war is to not fight, but rather engage moderate Islamic political forces in the democratic process. "Throughout the Middle East, whenever moderate Islamist parties have been allowed to participate in the political process, popular support for more extremist groups has diminished." 

The Washington Post "Book Review: 'How to Win a Cosmic War' by Reza Asla, published on 28 Jun 2009.

To my boys, LUCAS and MARCOS, the bright and warm light that brings life to my been... perennial Champions and members of my Hall of Fame since the day that came to this world and begun to shine upon my life! 

HALL OF FAME
The Script ft will.i.am

Yeah you could be the greatest
You can be the best
You can be the King Kong banging on your chest

You could beat the world
You could beat the war
You could talk to God
Go banging on his door

You can throw your hands up
You can beat the clock
You can move a mountain
You can break rocks

You can be a master
Don't wait for luck
Dedicate yourself and you gonna find yourself

Standing in the hall of fame
And the world is gonna know your name
Cuz you burn with the brightest flame 
And the world's gonna know your name
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

You can go the distance
You can run the mile
You can walk straight through hell with a smile

You coud be a hero
You could get the gold
Breaking all the records they thought never could be broke

Yeah do it for your people
Do it for your pride
How you ever gonna know if you never even try

Do it for your country
Do it for your name
Cuz there gonna be a day when your

Standing in the hall of fame
And the world is gonna know your name
Cuz you burn with the brightest flame
And the world's gonna know your name
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

Be a champion
Be a champion
Be a champion
Be a champion

Be students
Be teachers
Be politicians
Be preachers

Be believers
Be leaders
Be astronauts
Be champions
Be truth seekers

Be students
Be teachers
Be politicians
Be preachers

Be believers
Be leaders
Be astronauts
Be champions

Standing in tha hall of fame
And the world is gonna know your name
Cuz you burn with the brightest flame
And the worlds gonna know your name
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

You could be the greatest
(You can be a champion)
You can be the best
(You can be a champion)
You can be the king kong banging on your chest
(You can be a champion)

You could beat the world
(You can be a champion)
You could beat the war
(You can be a champion)
You could talk to God
(You can be a champion)
Go banging on his door
(You can be a champion)

You can throw your hands up
(You can be a champion)
You can beat the clock
(You can be a champion)
You can move a mountain
(You can be a champion)
You can break rocks
(You can be a champion)

You can be a master
(You can be a champion)
Don't wait for luck
(You can be a champion)
Dedicate yourself and you gon find yourself
(You can be a champion)
Sitting in the hall of fame!

http://youtu.be/mk48xRzuNvA

The Real Story Behind Valentine's Day

This Valentine’s Day you will probably either send or receive a Valentine from someone. More than a billion are expected to be given away in the United States alone. But just like many of our holidays, there’s a lot more behind it than just cards and gifts. There’s a true life story. It’s a story that teaches us a lot about the true meaning of love, sacrifice and commitment.

In the third century, the Roman Empire was ruled by Emperor Claudius II Gothicus. He was nicknamed Claudius the Cruel because of his harsh leadership and his tendency for getting into wars and abusing his people. In fact, he was getting into so many wars during the third century that he was having a difficult time recruiting enough soldiers.

Claudius believed that recruitment for the army was down because Roman men did not want to leave their loves or families behind, so he canceled all marriages and engagements in Rome. Thousands of couples saw their hopes of matrimony dashed by the single act of a tyrant. And no one seemed interested in standing up to the emperor.

But a simple Christian priest named Valentine did come forward and stood up for love. He began to secretly marry soldiers before they went off to war, despite the emperor’s orders. In 269 AD Emperor Claudius found out about the secret ceremonies. He had Valentine thrown into prison and deemed that he would be put to death.

As Valentine was awaiting execution, he fell in love with a blind girl, who happened to be the jailer’s daughter. On the eve of his execution, with no writing instruments available, Valentine is said to have written her a sonnet in ink that he squeezed from violets. Legend has it that his words made the blind woman see again. It was a brief romance because the next day Valentine was clubbed to death by Roman executioners.

St. Valentine gave his life so that young couples could be bonded together in holy matrimony. They may have killed the man, but not his spirit. Even centuries after his death, the story of Valentine’s self-sacrificing commitment to love was legendary in Rome. Eventually he was granted Sainthood and the Catholic Church decided to create a feast in his honor. They picked February 14 as the day of celebration because of the ancient belief that birds (particularly lovebirds, but also owls and doves) began to mate on that very day.

From: Mark Merryl - Family First

Modéstia Paranaense

Esse texto eu recebi de um amigo, paranaense é claro, e achei apropriado não somente para descrever o Paraná, mas também para demonstrar o que paanaenses (por nascimento, como eu, ou adotados) pensam do Paraná!

Estava num passeio em Roma quando, ao visitar a Catedral de São Pedro fiquei abismado ao ver uma coluna de mármore com um telefone de ouro em cima. Vendo um jovem padre que passava pelo local perguntei a razão daquela ostentação.

O padre então me disse que aquele telefone estava ligado a uma linha direta com o paraíso e que se eu quisesse fazer uma ligação eu teria de pagar 100 euros. Fiquei tentado porém declinei da oferta.

Continuando a viagem pela Itália encontrei outras igrejas com o mesmo telefone de ouro na coluna de mármore. Em cada uma das ocasiões perguntei a razão da existência e a resposta era sempre a mesma: Linha direta com o paraíso ao custo de 100 euros a ligação.

Depois da Itália, chegando ao Brasil, fui para o Parana. Ao visitar a Catedral Metropolitana, no centro da cidade de Curitiba, fiquei surpreso ao ver novamente a mesma cena: uma coluna de mármore com um telefone de ouro. Sob o telefone um cartaz que dizia: LINHA DIRETA COM O PARAÍSO - PREÇO POR LIGAÇÃO = R$ 0,25 (vinte e cinco centavos).

Não me agüentei, e perguntei: "Padre eu viajei por toda a Itália e em todas as catedrais que visitei vi telefones exatamente iguais a este, mas o preço da chamada era 100 euros. Por que aqui é somente R$ 0,25 centavos?" O Padre sorriu e disse: "Meu amigo, você está no Parana. Aqui a ligação é local."

O PARAÍSO É AQUI!

Prezado Amigos

O Presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva assinou, em 15 de junho de 2010, o Decreto nº 7.214, que, entre outras medidas, estabelece princípios e diretrizes da política governamental para as comunidades brasileiras no exterior, institui as Conferências Brasileiros no Mundo" (CBM) e cria o Conselho de Representantes de Brasileiros no Exterior (CRBE).

O Decreto amplia o conjunto de ações que o Itamaraty já desenvolve para aprimorar o atendimento consular e o apoio aos cerca de 3 milhões de compatriotas que vivem fora do Brasil. O CRBE será composto por 16 emigrados brasileiros residentes no exterior e terá por objetivo colher as demandas dos brasileiros no exterior e colaborar com o Ministério da Rekalções Exteriores para o seu atendimento.

O Conselho de Representantes de Brasileiros no Exterior (CRBE) será integrado por 16 titulares e 16 suplentes. A representação será regional, com 4 representantes para cada uma das seguintes regiões geográficas: #1) Américas do Sul e Central, #2) América do Norte e Caribe, #3) Europa e #4) Ásia, África, Oriente Médio e Oceania.

Cabê a você escolher quem será seu representante junto ao Governo Brasileiro e governos internacionais em questões que sejam de interesse comuns aos brasileiros e, em especial aos imigrantes brasileiros residindo no exterior, no nosso caso específico, residentes dos Estados Undos da América e Canadá.

Gostaria de destacar que estas posições serão preenchidas com os 4 candidatos mais votados, mais 4 suplentes, e que nenhuma destas posições será remunerada. Não estarei recebendo salário, comissões ou qualquer tipo de remuneração no desempenho destas funções. Somente as despesas de viagem serão reembolsadaas pelo Governo Brasileiro quando forem necessárias a realização de viagens.

Também eslcareço que uma eventual eleição para este cargo não me impede de continuar execerndo minhas funções como pastor titular da New Hope - Igreja Batista Brasileira em Tampa (Florida).

Para votar, é obrigatório ser brasileiro, ter mais de 16 anos de idade e morar no exterior. Você poderá votar apenas uma vez e em apenas um candidato da sua região. Para votar você precisa: Nome Completo, Email, Telefone e informações sobre um destes documentos: CPF (número - suspenso ou não) ou Passaporte Brasileiro (vencido ou não).

Seu voto é feito on-line na página do Ministério Relações Exteriores especialmente preparado para estas eleições clique aqui para votar. O período reservado para votar será de 1º a 9 de Novembro de 2010.

Conto com seu voto e com sua ajuda em divulgar esta eleição e também meu nome como candidato.

BIOGRAFIA: Morador nos Estados Undios (Tampa, FL) desde Junho de 1994 com dual-citizenship (Brasil e EUA). Casado com Marcilene dos Santos, paide Lucas (18 anos) e Marcos (12 anos). Pastor New Hope - Igreja Batista Brasileira em Tampa (2007-presente), pastor fundaddor da Primeira Igreja Batista Brasileira de Tampa (1995-1999), Capelão (2005-presente). Formado em Bacharel pelo Semninário Teológico Batista do Sul do Brasil (Rio de Janeiro), Mestrado Educação pelo Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Kansas City), Bacharel Ciências Sociais pela Universidade Federal do Paraná. Membro do The National Council of La Raza, Association of Professional Chaplains, International Association of Christian Chaplains.

Lembre-se: se você não eleger seu representante alguém elegerá por você!

Qualquer dúvida ou questão, por favor, sinta-se a vontade para escrever ou ligar (813-245-4356) e terei muita alegria em ajudá-lo.

Muito obrigado! Agradeço seu voto, sua ajuda e sua confiança.