Been thinking today what nationality Jesus is. When we enter the gates will he say, ” bienvenidos? or “come on in ya”ll.  Its funny but we all filter everything through race, culture and nationality. We are so racist and we don’t even know it. The things we say, the jokes we make, the actions that come out not wanting too. That’s crazy! Last Sunday’s sermon was awesome and I gotta say Travis is the first dude(pastor) whom I have met that could be mexican, puerto rican, cuban, african american, jamaican all in one day. Thats cool. I try my best to be who I am no matter what. Yeah I am proud of my heritage but in the end I am every culture, race and nationality.  I think too many people play the card but ain’t real. We joke to hide the insecurity, to be the fake samaritan, and be the blond shephard. Lets keep it real with each other. Gonna step on some toes now!! But seriously we have been called to be more than this. You are all my brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, friends and aquaintances. In my eyes we are all the same, just different seasonings. LOL. Until we grasp that virtue, this world will be the same. History will repeat itself again and again. And Christ won’t return for his church quite yet. So next time you wanna brush someone off because of where they come from, think, do and treat them as Jesus would. That can probably be the first step in making Miami a better place, don’t you think? Just random thoughts. Good night Miami.

1peter 2:11 says that we are strangers and aliens in this world…hmmm

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By this summer my arm will be sporting this work of art. Its meaning? The Ocean represents being in foreign territory  and the ups and downs of life, the waves represent my new home Miami, the person in the water represents God, the boat he holds is my destiny, the sound of the waves is what I hear everynight and what led me here, the Koi fish represent Reina, myself and Diego…

“On his robe and thigh was written this title: King of kings and Lord of lords.” – Revelation 19:16…”thanks Trav”

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1.Gladiator 2. August Rush 3. Braveheart 4. Motorcycle Diaries 5. Crash 6. Juno 7. Count of Monte Cristo 8. Cinderella Man 9. The Notebook

10. Almost famous 11. The Doors 12. Babel 13. Rockstar 14. Ray 15. American Gangster

What are yours?

Yesterday someone asked, “why is it when you try to do things the right way things go wrong? And everyone else doesn’t care and yet it seems things go great for them?” Thats a tough question, and I think its one that haunts many. Even us as believers. As far as I can remember as a musician I have always protected my ears and hearing. I always saw my ears as my bread and butter. My ears are going to get me out of the ghetto. But in order to get there, I have to protect myself. So i always wore ear plugs at concert events or even when I performed. And one day it happened. I developed and was diagnosed with a case of tinnitus. A ringing in the ears. Mine sounds like a tiny little ocean in my head. Just even sharing this is a little tough to me. Its the thing many musicians would fear and I did everything to protect myself to avoid getting it…and yes I got it. For about 5 to 6 months I was devastated by it, I lost alot of weight, I wasn’t eating and I was always depressed. Why and how would this happen to me? Seems like everyone else doesn’t care and they’re fine and here I am…For  some time I questioned God in all of  this.  Why did he not protect his own children? It probably sounds silly and all, but if it wasn’t for that situation I would not be here in South Florida. If it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t have changed my prospective on doing all for Christ. I would often think, what if I never got this? Who knows where I’d be. Bottom line this is all part of his perfect plan. “All things work for good, to those who love the Lord.” Yeah I have faith this will all pass, when? I guess when God feels its time.  There are many things we may not understand right now, but I tell you God is a just God and in the end he can work anything out! He see’s all and knows all. When this happened many thought It was over for me. They told me I can’t do music anymore. I won’t be able to do the things I wanted to and dreamed of…wait and see is all I can say. If he led me here due to all these other circumstances I’m sure he knows what he is doing.  Would he really place something in-front of your path that would prevent you from going to him…I doubt that! Its easier said than done and everyone has they’re own battle, but in the end we can rest assure God is infront and behind all the madness. As long As I am still here I will do everything to impact the world, as long as I am still here I will change the world through music, arts, film, and words. The Day God decides my life has come to a close, is the day I stop trying to Change the world. If he did it with Joseph, Job, Moses,..the list can go on, why not us as well. He can turn anything around.  Every night I pray over my son Diego who I love and cherish, but he’s God’s gift to Reina and I, and I just want him to be in Gods will always, not mine. We’re just here to make sure he is raised the best we can, follow in Gods ways ane the rest is out of our hands. So be  encouraged today, tomorrow and forever because what seems to be the end is only the beginning my friend.

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life pointe 

So the design for my tatoo is finished. I think its going to be pretty painful and expensive. I am also waiting to see If i get on the show. “Miami Ink” that is. Who wants to see it? Who would like to donate to the cause? hahaha

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On tuesday It was all over the news that actor Heath Ledger Died. It was crazy and sad all together. I was in my kitchen thinking, this guys was only 28yrs old, I’m 28! He was on his way on becoming a high class actor. Not that he wasn’t already, but I’m talking Denzel, Pacino, status. I wondered like I always do, did he think he’d be around for a long time? Did he plan this? Speculation danced around the media of a possible suicide, accidental overdose etc. Regardless of the “how”, Ledger is gone. There is nothing he can do anymore here on Earth. His time ended. Rather then sit here and debate on his fate, what more of ours. We walk around thinking we are going to live forever. We walk around thinking nothing  will ever happen to me. My life is perfect and it will stay that way. Nobody can promise any of that. My hope and trust is in God and him alone.  This morning I read a Friends blog on myspace, check it out here. It made me think alot too. If you knew you only had 24 hours to live how would you live today? What would you do? what would you say? So now that you know you probably have a little more the 24 years to live what will you do now? We were created to do great things and I we have to start walking down that path towards greatness, regardless of how long of time we have. Its not in our time but in Gods.

On Tuesday night the Santoyo’s and the Martinez went over to flagship cinemas. Not for service, but to see the movie Cloverfield. It was really good and I must admit it surpassed my expectations. There was only one problem, I could not sit through the movie without my mind working double time. As we sat there and watched the movie I kept thinking how I can mark the music industry. How can I make an impact on the film Industry, how can I become a better motivator both at Life Pointe and at home as a father, leader, husband and friend. How can I get this book idea going. Before you know it the movie was finished and I thought it was great. Imagine if I would’ve payed attention to the whole thing. I have a passion for Jesus, people and the arts and it consumes me everytime I Sit down and try to relax. I want to use my life to the max. This morning Trav shared an insight to another vision and I’m like, “dang”, lets it do it!!!! There’s a price to being a follower of Christ and a dreamer, and its pay off is amazing! I love my wife and son so much for being part of that madness. To think this is just the beginning….”dang”.

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life pointe

What it is? What does it mean? What did Oasis mean by it? Did they really know what they were singing about? The lyrics are amazing. We all hit a crossroad of uncertainty, a wall, a wonderwall. We try to draw up our own conclusions on our future. “Could he be the one to save me? There are many things I would like to say to you…but I don’t know how”…Will we make it through another day. I know tons of people going through some hardships and obstacles right now, but we can rest assure that our strength and Hope is in Christ always. A wonderwall may very well be a blank wall and canvas ready to be filled, with colors of life, hope and change and life beyond this world. Or you can leave it blank, walk away and wonder forever. When we dwell on the past or things we can not control, we are paralyzed and can’t move forward. Shake it off, hold your head up and march. I’m right there with yah.

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life pointe

Here’s some footage from this past summer when the band visited Florida…Enjoy.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHDVKVar2Yo&rel=1]

This Sunday was really cool, we opened the morning “in the name of Love” courtesy of U2. Worship was great, it seemed like everyone in that room connected. Big things are happening in the LPC community and I think everyone is catching on. We are learning what it is to truly worship and not be afraid. Disconnecting from our self and making it all about God is not an easy thing, but when we do it amazing things happen. My friend Jobo and her family were in town from Chicago and they totally enjoyed their morning with us. Thanks to the amazing team we have here at Life Pointe Church that makes everyone feel so welcome. I can’t wait for next Sunday. The current is strong right now and its getting even stronger. Hang on cause it is going to be an amazing ride. If you wanna get plugged in the arts let me know. Drop me and email. I will be shooting a film in the next week or so, if you are interested on sitting in as an extra or a part please let me know. That’s all I gotta say about that. Stay connected, encouraged, excited and motivated to change the world.
paz
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life pointe church

Today we got up and decided to take Diego to the zoo for the first time, and hang out with my Mom and Dad who are here for a few weeks. We had an amazing time, Diego was feeding the animals and he also pulled a huge hog by its ears. This kid ain’t afraid of anything. After 4 hours of animal watching and walking forever we journeyed back to the car, then it happened. My mom was carrying Diego and tripped over something on the ground, everything happened in slow motion, kind of like the Matrix.  All I remember seeing is Diego smacking his head on the concrete and my Mom desperately doing what she could to break his fall. With torn knees and peeled elbows she looked up at me as I reached for Diego. I picked him up and panicked. I looked around for help and no one was there, I looked for the closest exit and there wasn’t one. We were literally at the end of the zoo and the only way out was going back the way we came in. Yeah, 4hours ago. I looked down at my son in my arms and I all I could see was this huge bump on his forehead. I thought the worst and lost my cool. All I kept thinking was we need to get Diego to the hospital now. I wish I could tell you I was the strong tower in all of this, but sure wasn’t. I was screaming in the top of my lungs, “I need some help right now!!!”, I need to get outta here!!”. Out of no where this lady appeared who happened to be a  nurse  and reassured to us Diego’s bump looked ok. He landing on the left-side of his forehead and the front forehead is the strongest part of his skull. Eventually I had to just chill so Diego could chill. Luckily there was an entrance for a train that circles the park only feet from the accident. They immediately called it in and had a paramedic meet us at the gate and not only cleaned my Mom’s wounds and iced Diegos bruise, but drove us straight to the door of our vehicle.. Emotions are going crazy, my mom was hurt physically and emotionally, Reina…well imagine, my Dad was worried but kept it cool the whole time.  In the midst of all of the this Diego kept trying to just get some sleep. Worried about his bump I kept trying to wake him up, but he just wanted to sleep…go figure…
We drove and drove until we finally got to the emergency room. Talk about the right people at the right time. The Dr.’s and nurses were freakn amazing at Baptist childrens hospital. They took us right in and started working on Diego. The Dr. walked in and said, “that’s a beautiful bruise! It looks good”..WHAT????…but just to be safe they decided to get a cat scan of Diego’s skull and brain. Lets not forget that Diego is only 8months and his skull is not the strongest. We had to wait for Diego to take a nap so they could properly take Kodak’s of his brain. After about 2 hours Diego finally fell asleep and he was ready for the radiant room. When he walked out of his room, the whole emergency room got quiet and their smiles did alot, at least for me they did! We walked down the hall with Diego and dang did I feel so sick. My heart was beating so fast and I was hold’n in the tears. Once in the room only one of us could stay so I decided to stay.  As I stood there with this weird vest around me I totally  broke down, for real. To see my little guy strapped in this bed…It was a terrible feeling. Is he ok? Will they find something wrong? With tears in my eyes and totally broken All i could say was “God you have a plan in everything, Diego is our gift from you, may your will be done”, and please forgive my human side, cause it forgets how great you are in times like these”…After all was said and done, the Dr. came in with the news that Diego was good to go. His skull was in tact, and his brain was better than ever. His bump was just that, swollen tissue and bruised skin. “yeah it might get purple tomorrow, but it will clear up. We drove back home and had an amazing dinner with Mom, Pops. Reina Diego and Alex at Marios. It was cool to talk about it, cry about-it and even laugh to some degree. Not in a comic way of course. Life happens, and there are things that are just out of our control. But God is in the midst of it all. My mother is 63 years old, and somehow Gods hands and her Mother touch broke that fall. That is a miracle. How did he turn to only hit his forehead and not the back of his head? or his mouth and nose? his eyes? . I can’t Imagine how God felt the day Jesus was nailed to that cross…his only son.  I know this blog is probably the longest I have ever written, but talk about a test of faith today!!!! Misfortunes make Giants, mishaps have stories, bumps and scars give hope and life!!! Again and again and again. When God has a plan, there is NOTHING that can shake that plan. I am encouraged by what God is doing in us as a family, and in those around us. Like Mother Theresa once said, “God will never give us something we can’t handle, I just wish he didn’t trust us so much”:) The Joy of the Lord is our strength!

Be well,

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