Can The Kingdom Come To Juarez Mexico?

Yesterday I was surfing the news and came across an article on CNN about “On the front lines of drug war.” It was really sad. On Wednesday, December 9, 2009, seventeen people were killed - gunned down in the drug war. I then watched the video footage of what is going on in Juarez. There have been 2400 murders this year in Juarez, just across the Mexican-American border from El Paso, Texas. In fact, this reporter was on patrol with the police and you could see the lights of the border crossing and El Paso.

The following quote is chilling. "Juarez is the most violent zone in the world outside of declared war zones". That is really scary. As you read this you may be asking, what does this have to do with me? I know it is bad but how does this effect me? Let me tell you. This violence has now begun to come across the border. It is happening right here in the USA. The Los Zetas drug cartel has cells all over the United States. The DEA says that this cartel is one of the most highly technologically advanced and violent cartels. They began from a group of men from the Mexican army that had been trained by the Americans at Ft. Benning in special warfare-Airborne/Green Beret types. Once they got back to Mexico about 50 men defected from the Army and became enforcers for a drug cartel. Now they have started their own cartel and the violence has increased.

If we do nothing this violence is going to spread into our cities and towns all over America.

But what can we do? Do we need a fence or tougher laws? I believe the answer to this problem can be discovered in the message of this Advent Season.

The primary message of Advent is the coming of the Kingdom. What is needed in Juarez, all of Mexico, and the United States is for the Kingdom of God to be made real. The kingdom of darkness is ruling in this region. All you have to do is watch the videos about the Los Zetas and other cartels to know of the darkness and the demonized activity.

What would happen if the Church began a united effort to pray for a true move of God in this region? What if we began to fast and pray for an end to the killing and torture? What would happen if we began to pray for God to raise up godly priests, pastors and lay evangelists to take the message that the Kingdom of God has come to Juarez?

I can tell you what would happen. We would begin to see a change. As we confront the power of Satan and his kingdom and fight for people’s lives, peoples hearts would begin to change. The only way to stop the violence is for men and women’s hearts to be changed. As Paul said, how can they know unless someone tells them?

As we continue in this Season of Advent I call us to pray and fast for Juarez and Mexico. God raise up men and women to make a difference.

Advent- The Coming of the Lord In The Eucharist

As we move further into this season of Advent we are reminded that it is a time of preparing for the "coming of the Lord."

We remember the coming of the Lord as the babe in the manager, but there is another coming of the Lord that we can prepare for.

This is the "coming of the Lord" in the Eucharist. Every time we come to the Altar to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist we receive Jesus. Jesus said in St. John that this IS my body and blood.

So as we come to the table of the Lord to receive the sacrament, let us come with a renewed sense of meeting Jesus and receiving Him.

Are We Really Proclaiming The Gospel

Now I know that this is a loaded question, but it is one that we must confront and come to terms with.

For far too long I believe the church has proclaimed an incomplete Gospel.

So what do I mean by this? Are we proclaiming the same message that Jesus proclaimed during his time here on earth? What was the message that He proclaimed? Repent for the Kingdom of God is near. He not only told us the Kingdom had come but He demonstrated that the Kingdom had come by healing people and casting out demons.

For far too long the Church has only proclaimed salvation. We have told people that they must be born again or “saved” and have left it there. Yes we have told people how to live but we have only declared part of the Gospel - an incomplete Gospel.

As we celebrate this Advent season, I believe that it is time to reclaim the “full Gospel”. That God has come to save man for his sins but also to declare the Kingdom of God has come among us in healings, miracles, signs and wonders. These were common experiences in the Book of Acts and in the life of the Pre Nicene Fathers.

Advent-The Coming of the Kingdom of God

This past Sunday was a very special day on the Church calendar. It was the first Sunday of the Season of Advent and the beginning of the new liturgical year. Happy New Year!

I believe that Advent is probably my favorite season of the church year. It is a blended season - a mixture of hope, repentance, and joy. In this season we look back at Jesus' first advent when He came as the babe in the manger. But we also look ahead to His second coming and the establishing of His kingdom in its fullness. Meanwhile, Christ comes to all who are willing to receive Him.

Over the next weeks I will post thoughts about the season of Advent. So, check back from time to time. But there is one truth that we must begin to embrace if we are to have the impact on the world around us.


That truth is that the kingdom of God has already come and it is coming. Now I know that sounds like double talk but it is not. Let me explain. When Jesus came in the first advent his kingdom came to earth. His rule and reign is already established. So as we go about doing good and sharing the Gospel in real ways, His kingdom is expanded.

There is another part of this in that when Christ comes in His second coming it will be the consummation of all things and His kingdom will be made real in its fullness.

One problem that many Christ-followers have is they are just waiting for the second coming. They are ready to escape the world. But that was not the message that Jesus taught. He wants us right in the middle of the world sharing the love of the Father with all those around. So stop just looking for an escape and begin to expand the kingdom of God through your service to others this Advent Season.