Stephen De La Vega

  I’ve been a Christian for over 40 years. I’ve attended church very regularly for each of those years. I was much more than a Sunday Christian - very involved in ministry. But I was also a closet Christian. I didn’t always speak up for Jesus. I still don’t. Too often I shrink in silence. When the guys in the locker room carry on about girls, I do my own thing. When they exclaim, “Jesus Christ!,” I keep quiet. Sure, they know I’m a Christian. They even know I published some Bible studies, but when they occasionally comment about going to church or recite a Bible phrase, I clam up.   Why? Am I ashamed of Jesus?   The short answer: Yes, I am ashamed of Jesus. I’m a member of Christians Anonymous . Sometimes I prefer to sit on the sidelines and just watch instead of following through with the Great Commission that Jesus expects of us: Do what we can to help people everywhere follow Jesus, who in turn will do the same ( Matthew 28:19-20 , Acts 1:8 ). Who a...

  When I was 8 years old, I knew enough to know that someday I would “get saved.” At the time, I didn’t know how to get saved, but I knew it involved Jesus and sacrifice. Sacrifice of time, at least. But getting saved was for later, because it was summer time and I had better things to do. 3 rd grade was coming fast. Of course, 3 rd grade came and left. Then 4 th grade. Then 5 th . And, before I knew it, I found myself in high school with no intention to learn about Jesus. It wasn’t a priority and it would’ve never happened if God hadn't worked out the situations in my life so that I landed square in the face of the gospel and the decision to “get saved.”   This post offers a deeper look at Life Pursuit 4 in The Most Important Life Pursuits . Life Pursuit 4 is: Don’t delay to trust Jesus as Savior . We’ve detailed the other 3 life pursuits already. This is the final post in this series, and I write it to those who don’t yet know Jesus, and to those who do, because we...

  What would happen if the pilots of the United States Navy  Blue Angels  fail to follow the command of their Flight Leader? I will not venture a guess, but the gaze from onlookers would shift form admiration to disillusionment. Falling short of the teamwork and professionalism we expect of each pilot, the United States  Navy  and  MarineCorps  could lose credibility. Their reputation of excellence could be replaced by irreverence. Accidents do happen, but we don’t expect them from these ranking officers of the US Navy and Marine Corps who each tallied at least 1250 hours of flight experience. People across the globe have witnessed their competency as they blaze at speeds up to 700 mph during an air show and buzz as close as 18” between wings. The role of the Flight Leader is critical and it demands precision from each team member. The slightest error can be devastating. Following the direction of God as our Flight Leader should also demand excelle...