Never Promised Tomorrow...

In a conversation with some friends lately I was confronted with the importance and urgency of praying, and sharing Christ with my non-christian friends. It reminded me of a skit that moved me at Hume talking about this so I'm going to do my best to write this like a playscript from memory so bear with me!

[Rich walks into scene disoriented where there's an Angel standing]

Rich: Man! What happened?? The last thing I remember was that squirrel running out and Kyle grabbing the wheel yelling "Get the squirrel! 10 points!" [chuckles] But where am I??

[looks around and notices angel]

Rich: Excuse me miss, where am I??

Angel: This is the gate of heaven.

Rich: [excited] What? Awesome! It's time to be with Jesus and barbecue and celebrate! No more pain just joy and barbecue! I bet they really know how to cook in heaven!

[Enter Kyle]

Kyle: Bro!!! That was awesome, you were like "we're not gonna get the squirrel" but I was like "we're gonna get the squirrel" and we swerved and we were totally gonna get the squirrel but then you were like "Ahhh!" and the car was like "Skurrrr!!" and we were like....

[Kyle looks around confused]

Kyle: Hey, where are we??

Rich: Dude, you'll never guess this is the gate to heaven!

Kyle: Wow! Really??

Rich: Yeah, and you see that lady over there?

Kyle: Uh- huh

Rich: That's an Angel!

Kyle: Whoa! That's sweet! So she can probably fly around and stuff and be like "I'm an Angel," and play harps and all kinds of cool stuff!

Rich: Yeah, totally. Here's the best part we get to walk on streets of gold, and never hurt, and best of all... barbecue!!

Kyle: Wait, what kind of barbecue are we talking about here??

Rich: Better than you can imagine.

Kyle: Like Cheeseburgers, bacon dogs, corn on the cob??

Rich: Yep, not to mention Carne asada, baked beans, and beef ribs.

Kyle: Oh! All smothered in...

Together: Louisiana sweet and spicy BBQ sauce!!!

Kyle: [excited] What are we waiting for?! Let's go!

[Friends start to walk into heaven but are stopped by the Angel]

Angel: Hold on before you go any further I must see if your name is in this book.

Kyle: Wow, that's a big book. Never saw that in no library.

Rich: I remember hearing about this book, it's the book of Life. Everybody's name who's in it gets to go to heaven. [walks over to angel] My name is Rich Ferreira, that's two r's kinda like ferrari.

Angel: [points] okay just head over there.

[Kyle walks up to Angel]

Kyle: My name is Kyle Kirshner. Make sure to check under K's kirshner starts with a "K". [Angel looks saddened] Or maybe try Ace... A lot of people call me Ace.

Angel: [still looking saddened] Okay, go ahead and head that way. [points in opposite direction]

Kyle: Okay cool. I'll head this way and you head that way and I'll meet you on the other side of the gate.

Rich: No wait, that way doesn't go around, bro. You have to come around this way. I thought you knew...

Kyle: Knew what?? What are you talking about??

Rich: You can't go that way. [nervously] You know, you have to believe in Jesus as your savior. You knew, remember we went to youth group that one time... I saw you! You were listening to the pastor you looked like you got it.

Kyle: Yeah he made some cool points about being a nice person. But you never told me I had to believe in Jesus. Why didn't you tell me?!

Rich: I just thought you knew.

Kyle: [Angry] I thought you were my friend! How could you not tell me about the most important thing I would ever need to know?! And now it's too late!

Rich: I'm sorry. I just thought... I... I don't know what to say.

Kyle: [frustrated with tears in his eyes] Well there's not too much left to say, See ya Rich.

Rich: [through the tears] Bye, Kyle.

[End Skit]

After hearing this skit my friend Tim got up and told his story; He had a friend that he felt God was urging him, when they were talking, to tell him about Jesus. He refused because he didn't want to make their friendship awkward and he just didn't feel ready to share that with his long time friend. Less than a week later his friend died. He says to this day he's haunted by that ignored conviction to share the Gospel with his friend that he'll never get an opportunity for a second chance at.

I've had three of my friends murdered, four shot at, three held up at gun point, and several others having close calls in the military in the past couple of years. With this kind of track record I know better than most that you, or those close to you may not have tomorrow. Yet, I still don't live with the urgency of spreading the news of a Kingdom that's good, and a Kingdom that's near. Let this be our wake up call.

United We Stand??

With the election process happening as we speak one phrase that we always say in America pops into my mind, “United we Stand”. That’s an interesting statement especially at a time where many of the candidates are sending back-handed comments in competitor’s direction. It leaves the American people in quite a predicament, if my candidate loses how can I support my other option that my choice openly bashed?? Let me help answer that… You can’t!!

Now, even though a person may think their ideas our better and may disagree with their views there’s a graceful way to bow out on competition or arguments. For example, when Rudy Guliani announced his retraction from election he stated from the beginning he felt that if he was not to be elected, Senator McCain would be who he supported. This allows a voter who liked Guliani to support McCain without feeling like a traitor, or being left bitter with the choices that our out there. On the other hand, Obama and Clinton have drawn the battle lines so thick I see it hard for supporters for the loser to switch alliances easily.

This brings me to my true point, how are actions showing that as Christians we are united?? Forget the denomination controversies, theological debates, and any other doctrinal non-essential issues. I’m talking on a one-on-one Christian to Christian level!

John 13:34-35 says: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you’re my disciples, if you love one another.”


This seems like such a simple command to follow and yet time and time again we argue, complain, and gossip about trivial things with others. The bible is pretty adamant about resolving differences with others (Philippians 4:2-4, Mt 5:23-24, Mt 18:21-35). The reason this is imperative is because these differences have been known to create tension, cause division, stop growth and even dissolve churches! Now I understand, and have used myself, the fact that the situation may be severe enough that reconciliation is hard. In comparison, though, Jesus stated this command moments before telling Peter he would deny him three times; moreover, this was hours before being betrayed by Judas, and crucified by the world he came to save.

With this new perspective on what love may require, we should be compelled to spread this unyielding love to all around us. Unity in Christianity allows people to grow through each other, link ideas for greater impact, and provide a strong front for world change. If politicians can see the importance of unity with their worldly perspectives, then how much more should we who share in the redeeming love of Christ!

My 6 Month Whirlwind

Well one can easily say looking at this picture that my life has been turned upside down since I've left the comforts of my desert dwelling. In the past six months I have found a new job, a new home, a new group of local friends, and a new vision for my future! I'm working at Sparkletts Water Company as a delivery driver in the La Jolla area of SD. I've also become real close with my fellow companions that also made this exodus from the desert. Mainly because we all have the primary focus of assisting, in any way, start a church in the San Diego/Chula Vista area.

It's amazing that I've already been down here for half of a year! I didn't even realize it until I received a renewal notice for our apartment lease, that blew me away! In that time frame I've seen 13 people move down, 4 preview church services ran, 14 servant evangelism projects executed, 11 churches visited, and a slew of other things that I can't even remember that have occured! We have also found a home base for our church without a home place. Although, we have finally rented some office space for our church we haven't locked down a location for the worship services. At least for the next 6 months starting February 24th the services will be ran at theatre #7 (how convenient) in the AMC theater in Otay Ranch/Chula Vista.

As all these drastic changes have happened in my world, they've also brought about some revelations about what my purpose and goals are for 7 SD and my future at large. I've recently realized that servant evangelism is something that brings fulfillment to my life and have seen the need for that to continue endlessly in the world at large. So without giving away too much of my future plans I would ask you to pray continuously for 7 San Diego, the lost in our area, and for me and my future goals as well! Look forward to telling you all about the next set of changes that will be just around the corner!