Check it, let’s be realistic: We are only seeing the beginning of this corrupted economy.

- Last week 516,000 applied for unemployment (CNN).

- “This is just the beginning, huge layoffs are coming” Mayor Daley.

- Germany is in recession (they are the biggest economy in Europe).

- 2,700 homes are being taking away from homeowners everyday (CNN).

- The number of unemployed people increased by 6,03,000 to 10.1 million in October.

I am not trying to be negative here, but I just want to remind you that we must get back to the basics of Christianity. In Psalm 37:16-17 we find that:

16 Better the little that the righteous have

       than the wealth of many wicked;

 17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,

       but the LORD upholds the righteous.

But, what is the “little”? I think that in this topic I would apply it to none other than Christ himself. Born in a manger, mistreated, cursed, abandoned by his own and Father for our sins. Modern day death penalty does not even come close to his death. He was treated as a “simple” man with little worth. But yet His resurrection proves his dominion overall (including death itself). And I think His message of repentance and love is of greater worth then whatsoever we can find or be anxious of in this world. And this worth is what is known as “faith”, a gift that is not of our own but given by Christ. And this faith is what strengthens us to walk through these rough world economic times. Furthermore, it proves true what the Bible says about the material/flesh-like aspects that we produce in this world: though they are necessary and at times enjoyable for a while, they will all vanish. But Christ will NEVER vanish and nor will His followers.

How deep the Father’s love for us…………………………..Amj 

Redemption by Johnny Cash………………………………….F#m

Isaiah 53:10-12 

 Beautiful Jesus by Kristian Stanfill……………………….Fmj

Happy day by Tim Hughes…………………………………….Cmj 

Psalm 95

Sing, sing, sing by Tomlin…………………………..D#mj

Jesus saves by Hughes……………………………….Bbmj

When I survey the wondrous Cross…………………Bbmj

Mistery by Charlie Hall…………………………………Amj 

Check out Brad’s (drummer) input on Colossians 2:2-8

You must be grounded in Christ and walk according to his word so that when temptations or doubts arise you are strong in faith. These temptations or doubts can stem from lack of faith but we are assured that we can know and understand all things through “God’s mystery, which is Christ”

A practical example is when we as Christians are asked about our faith, that we do not stray from the truth but say and do what we know, through Christ, is right.

      Acts 6:8-12: 8And Stephen, full of grace and^(A) power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.9Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10But^(B) they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.                       This morning I was reminded of the benefits that come in having a likeness of Jesus, as I read on how Stephen was so full grace and power; and how these two combined signify a fullness of God’s Spirit in the life of a sinner operating to testify Christ’s: dominion, love and righteousness. Ya, that is what Stephen was doing and that lead him to persecution BUT his enemies “could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking”.  I think this is a good goal for us to have as we minister: to be full of Christ so that people cannot withstand but to join or leave. 

Enough said, Echo groups this semester have been loaded with Christ centered teachings leading those who have attended to multiply/increase their amazement of the Father’s love, revealed in Christ. And most certainly have also sowed a growth as a community of believers that have felt free to express their struggles and necessities, all in return to receive loving encouragement and support.

Currently, one lesson that has been speaking to my heart is the pastoral positive reinforcement voiced through the apostle Paul to the church in Ephesus, which he has assisted in planting. In Chapter 3:14-19, he makes sure to communicate how much he holds them dearly, by stating that he prays for them and does so specifically with one request: “that Christ may dwell in their hearts”. His desire is that they “may be filled with the fullness of God” and states that this request only occurs through “strength with power through his Spirit” so that again: “Christ may dwell in their hearts”. This is clearly a picture of the Trinity: Father, Son and Spirit, specifying that all three are in a mission to lead us to comprehend “the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you/we may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Overall, being filled with the Spirit is being loaded with Christ, which means one is full of the Father. 

Ya I got to enjoy a nice weekend with my novia (girlfriend) and we got to celebrate our 3rd dating year anniversary @ Hendersonville and Asheville N.C and yes it was nice and affordable. But most importantly it was a great opportunity to spend some time together being that we are 4-5 hrs. apart. I must say it’s never easy to say goodbye to her, every time I see her I get caught up thinking that I will have to say goodbye sooner or later and that can easily defeat the purpose of us meeting. But any who, here is a list of things we got to do:                                                                                          

1. Visit Carl Sandburg’s house 

2. Hike around the village of Flat Rock

3. Watch the World Series and see Rays get beat by the Phillies in game 3 @ a local bar in downtown Hendersonville , where there were only two Hispanics (including myself).

4. Travel around Asheville at night, where there were musicians playing on every corner, even under the highway bridge.

5. Lastly, I got to eat at one of my favorite restaurants in Gastonia, RJ Gators, their food is amazing (specially their Chicken Chino Cubano). 

Man, I’ve been busy and will continue to be busy. But the good news is that this: weekend I’ll get to spend some time with my princesa Jessica, will attend State Radio concert with Brad (our drummer) and finally will be attending Dan & Jen’s wedding. On the other hand, work is got me busy, yes that’s the word of the day bu-sy. But once I get a hang of my new role at work I think I’ll be ok….Mean while I hope to win my next fantasy game, b/c I’m on 3 losing streak.

Redemption by Johnny Cash…………..……..F#m

Clinging to the Cross by Tim Hughes…………Gm

Wedding dress by Derek Webb………………Bbm

This weekend Derek and Miranda were absent as they attended a Desiring God Conference in Minneapolis. And as a result Justin stepped up to the plate and shared with us an amazing message about the love of Christ towards us sinners. I believe we were all greatly encouraged by the message Justin brought and think I can speak on behalf of the leadership team and express how excited we are to see other leaders arise and begin to take their role on the mission of Harmony. In the mean time, lets keep praying for Christ to add the missing band members so that we can multiply the resounding Christ center melody across the city of Greenville. And finally, I can’t wait to hear all the great teachings our pastor learned from the conference.