Birthday Party

So Tracy and I decided to threw a birthday party for our old neighbors who turned 17, they are twins named Sarah and Kara and they are seniors in High School.  Tracy and I found out they didn't have a birthday party so we had one for them at our house.  We care about these girls so much and we were so blessed to make them feel special that day.  We had some great conversations.  

Cecil

Leading leaders

So I was invited to speak to a group of Bible study leaders recently.  This was very new for me because I have led Bible studies and have shared at congregations and with men's groups but never "leading leaders" per say.  I felt the Holy Spirit wanted me to talk about what He has been speaking to me regarding discipleship and equipping those we are leading so they can lead others and multiply and reproduce other disciples.  So I shared this with the men, many of whom were about 15 years older than I, some were twice my age.  There were definitely times that I could tell I was "ruffling up feathers" and making many of the men feel uncomfortable as I was challenging them to a deeper level of discipleship and leading.  Nonetheless, at the end I felt like the men had some good topics to think about and I prayed that the Holy Spirit would taking the topics we discussed and do a work in their life.  I also realized that if I really walk in the ways of Jesus I would be attracting sinners to myself, and offending religious people.  When I don't get that kind of response...then I should be concerned.

Cecil

Late night Knock...

So it was earlier this week that I, Cecil, was in bed doing some admin work on the internet when I heard the doorbell at 12:30 a.m.  I thought to myself, "who in the world is ringing the freaken doorbell at this hour."  So I go downstairs and I look through the peep hole but I don't recognize who it is, so consequently I don't answer the door.  Then I hear the young lady ring the next door nieghbor's doorbell and ask them to use their phone, the neighbor says no and slams the door in her face.  I step outside with my phone and let this young lady use it.  It turns out she was supposed to hang out with some friends down the street but was disconnected from the group and she ended up walking the streets for about 45 minutes looking for her friends.  Tracy and I realized that she needed a ride home so we asked our good friend who lives right next door to come over and watch the kids while we dropped her off.  Turns out she was 16 years old and she went to BHS, she lived in an apartment with her dad and his girlfriend.  On the way home we told her we felt like the Lord had placed her in our path for a reason and we prayed for her before she got out of our car.  When we asked her why she came to our house out of all the apartments around us, she simply said because she saw some lights on.  Tracy and I knew that the Lord was the one who guided her to our house...we were so grateful that He did.

Cecil

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

Tracy and I cannot thank all of you enough for praying, giving and participating in the Adonai Sends the Rami event.  This would not have been possible without you!!!  So grateful to Jesus for the auction items that have been given, the services that were provided, those who asked businesses for donation, the set up crew, those who helped during the auction, and those who came and participated in the auction.  Also we are thankful to our home church LBC for allowing us to use their facilities.  It was so good to see all of you.  Thank you, thank you thank you!!!  If you are reading this Tracy and I want you to know that we are grateful the Lord has placed you in our life!!!  Thank you for praying and for giving of yourself...we are overwhelmed by your love!

The Ramos Family

Phone Call Out of the Blue

So out of no where I decided to call friend who has been in my life for many years.  I didn't know that this individual recently has been going to worship with other Christians and has been recently seeking and exploring the whole concept of God.  I was thrilled when I heard that.  Several weeks later we were able to have a conversation and I had a chance to hear his heart with regards to his future and the family that he desired.  I had the privilege to share how I have been incredibly blessed with an amazing woman who loves the Lord and who is a wonderful mom, great wife, and my best friend.  I shared the reason for that is that our marriage and friendship is based on Jesus.  I explained how I do not see my wife the way the world tells me to see her but I try to see her the way the Lord wants me to see her, and when I do that, it quickly brings me to tears because I realize how great the love of Jesus is by giving me such a gracious woman.  I asked if he had a Bible and he mentioned that he didn't.  Soon after we had that conversation I was able to give him a Bible.  I am very excited to see what Jesus does in this man's life.  I love and care about him deeply...grateful that he's been in my life.

Cecil

So this is Sam.  I met Sam this past summer and we had a very interesting conversation.  It was during the end of July when we had the MB Mission short term mission SOAR team with us in Vancouver.  So the day before we were at a water park on Granville Island.  We passed out a ton of balloons, juice and had a huge game of soccer.  Then this day we went to one of the neighbourhood parks, and lo and behold the park was virtually empty!  We showed up with around 75 balloons and a ton of juice boxes, water bottles and face paint.  Then, here comes along Sam.  I began having a discussion with him and he wanted to know what we were doing and why were were doing it.  He ended up telling us he is a Hindu Priest, and then he started bashing Christianity...such a wonderful way to start a relationship ;-)  
In all honesty it was great to have our friends with us from our home church in Bakersfield to be part of this discussion.  After a vibrant discussion Sarah, who was one of the leaders, looked at Sam and say before you leave I would like to pray for you right now.  After she prayed Sam looked at us and said..."did you feel that, I felt something."  Such a great time to be there at that park even though only a small number of people were there I felt so honored to meet Sam. He told us exactly where he lived and a few days later I went with Zach and Dylan and we dropped off a Bible at his front door because no one was home.

Cecil

Sick Judah

So this morning out little man Judah has become more sick. At this point all of the family is ill except me.  Last night Tracy was in the boys room laying down with Solas, and Solas was crying because he felt so ill so Tracy was consoling him, and at that time Judah became quick and began vomiting in the bed next to them. I was so thankful to The Lord that Tracy was right there and awake to attend to Judah.  This morning I was looking at Judah and laying hands on him and praying over him that Jesus would draw near to him and bring healing to his body.  I love my boys with a my heart, but times like these truly remind me of their mortality. It reminds me that this is not ultimately our home, and that these bodies will not last forever. Many times when I tick my boys in at night I lay my hands on them and thank Jesus for the day He gave me with my boys, and if he gives me another day with them I will praise Him, and if he takes them home-as difficult as that may be-I will praise.

Cecil

Rhyson's devotion

When I was living in Abbotsford I met an extraordinary young man by the name of Rhyson.  I met him around the Fall of 2012 and I ran into him again at Red Robin.  I went home for Christmas then we ran into each other again.  He shared about his marital struggle and as he was vulnerable I felt the Lord compel me to connect with him on a more constant basis.  Even though I was living an hour away in Vancouver we began a relationship wherein I had the honor of driving to Abbotsford once every two weeks to meet with him at Denny's.  It was a time in Rhyson's life where he desperately needed someone to listen, pray with, and offer counsel and encouragement.  Ironically, it was a time in my life that I was yearning for a friend and in Rhyson I found a strong brother in Christ who had a resolve to fight for his marriage like I have never experienced in my life.   It was truly my honour to see him every two weeks.  I was privileged for the late nights he would call me when he was feeling that the weight of the world was on his shoulders and he needed someone to pray over the phone with and offer counsel.  When scripture talks about "loving your wife like Christ loved the church" the man who comes to mind is Rhyson.  There were a few times where I was wondering if I was on the correct path as a father and husband and I would talk to Rhyson, to which he would respond to me with words and counsel that was richly rooted in scripture.  I thank the Lord that He put him in my life.

Cecil