Because You Are Strong

B Trans4med Video

2012-12-31T22:33:00.001-08:00

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Pressing On!

2012-12-26T16:20:00.000-08:00

These are former and current YPG members.

As you can see they work at different

departments at the church.

Some of them, according to their faith, will move

on and work on the altar one day.

The others will continue growing and developing in order to

advance God's Kingdom through their talent.

How about you?

Can God count on you somehow?

Will He find in you the dedication and

devotion to invest in His work?

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

B Trans4med

2012-12-24T11:40:00.003-08:00

She is just about to turn 14 but used to have several boyfriends at a time, be a cutter, a bully, when she'd actually get in fights with other girls and come home all bruised, and extremely rebellious at home.

Now this is the new Karina today, a Front-Liner at the YPG Laredo, TX.

Be Trans4med at the Youth Power Group!

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Distractions: Conclusion

2012-12-11T08:56:00.001-08:00

By now I believe some of you are bragging about the fact that you were capable of noticing the gorilla on last post's video.

And maybe others are feeling exactly as I felt when I first watched it, DUMB.

'How on earth I missed the gorilla?' - that is the question echoing in the minds of some of us right now.

Well, I've gotta say that if you saw the gorilla you actually did get DISTRACTED.

The DIRECTION given by the narrator right at the beginning was pretty obvious:

'How many times the white team passes the rubber band ball around?'

Forget about the company's idea behind the commercial.

Let's look into it from different perspective.

If you were told to count how many times the ball was passed around them you missed the gorilla, meaning that you were FULLY FOCUSED on the task given to you.

If you saw the gorilla them you MISSED the target.

There are many 'gorillas' around you right now.

Media, 'friends', love life, family, fashion, sports, internet, social networks, Hollywood, video games, drugs, music, etc...

Which of these 'gorillas' are getting you distracted the most?

Remember, he is a black-belt gorilla, who takes different forms and shapes.

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Distractions

2012-12-07T07:49:00.000-08:00

I'd like you to go to a quite place, close the door after

you and watch this video carefully. Do as it says.

After that I'd like also that you leave your comments below

as I will comment on this video in the next post.

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Porn stars - the new standard of quality?

2012-11-28T14:57:00.000-08:00

I just came across what must be the most biased manipulative article based on recent "research" that I have ever seen. The research was done by what is known as a scholarly journal of over 100 women involved in the pornography industry, who are compared to the same amount of women who are not. It based its claims on what the women had to say about their feelings and opinions about various aspects of their lives. The conclusion of this journal was that these "actresses" have a better quality of life than the ordinary woman not involved in pornography.

One question was to rate their level of self-esteem. Porn stars seem to love themselves and think very highly of themselves in comparison to the rank and file of other women. They claimed to have happier lives because they earn well, they get more sleep (less work to earn a paycheck, I suppose) and have frequent sexual encounters. Duh.

The journal came up with this study to debunk what they consider to be a myth that women in this industry are damaged individuals and victims of childhood abuse. Their goal is to tout a new, revolutionary concept that this kind of career is actually healthier and better for you. Porn stars damaged? Why, no! They are the new standard of quality! And because these women say they're happy, therefore they are happy - why would a porn star lie?

After 26 years of counseling and caring for families, couples and women, in particular, from all over the world, I can categorically say that this supposed research is baloney. Not only that, but it was done purposefully to encourage more degradation to women, to marriage and indirectly to everyone.

Why would they say then, that they are so much happier and content with their lives? Women who have been deeply wounded and deprived of a loving home as they grew up can easily fall into this trap of seeking out affection through promiscuity. If they are surrounded by enough people to praise and glorify what they do, they can easily fool themselves into believing that this is what they really wanted all along, that this is their way of self expression. They desperately want to be happy and valued, so if it's offered them through money and the adoration of others, no matter what the motive, they'll take it.

A woman in our Rahab group in England was once a prostitute for very high-end clients in London. She told me about the money, the jewelry, the clothes, cars, expensive gifts, hotels and restaurants that she would frequent, and how she and the others in her brothel boasted about their great lives, compared to those pitiful ignorant wives of the clients that they entertained.

"But you know," she confessed, "None of us were really happy. Everyone felt lonely and disgusted with themselves, and that's why so many turned to drugs and drinking to deal with the emptiness. No one was a true friend. We hated ourselves, so how could we care about anybody else? All that big talk about how happy we were and how much freer and luckier we were was just talk to hide our real feelings. I'd see some of them break down and fall into suicidal depression, but others just kept up the act and got tougher and meaner. When I finally left that life, no one cared and in fact they were glad to have me out of the way..."

This is the reality that I have seen with the women I've known caught up in this kind of life, from strippers to prostitutes to even "actresses" of this nature. And what do actresses do best? They pretend to be what they're not. Good actresses in theater and film can leave their character behind when they go home, but the poor women involved in this industry often cling to a fantasy life, pretending to be happy to mask their emptiness. They've found a way to make a comfortable living off of being damaged.

One young man I counseled was convinced that the girls he saw on those illicit videos really liked what they were doing. No, I told him. You are participating in abuse, in degradation, each time you watch this. Don't believe their smiles or their boldness - it's an act to cover their shame. If you pretend you're not ashamed, does that make the shame go away? These girls hope it's true, and keep trying to drown it out.

God created us to enjoy - not just confine ourselves to, but enjoy - purity, respect, and love for His ways. The fact that there are so many unhappy women who are not in the porn industry doesn't mean that they are living the way that God intended, otherwise they would be much happier. Women, men, anyone who lives in the power and presence of God finds far more happiness, success and fulfillment than those who don't. The world, even with all of its problems and evil, becomes a brighter, more joyful place because you are always in His light. Romantic relationships are intensely more pleasurable because they are based on honor, sacrifice, faithfulness and commitment, and they grow and develop as years go by. Children grow in strength and wisdom because they witness a stable, loving home where both mom and dad are present every day of their lives.

So we have a strange phenomenon. Women who have brainwashed themselves into believing they enjoy being paid to be abused and objectified, while others who choose a conventional life dislike themselves and feel unfulfilled. What this says to me is that the entire world has drifted so far from God's original plan, that it's time for a radical overhaul.

Evelyn Higginbotham - thehappymisfit.blogspot.com

Lesson of the Day: "How to destroy mankind?"

2012-11-13T08:49:00.000-08:00

There is a fable that speaks of three apprentices demons that came to earth to finish their apprenticeship.

They spoke with Satan, the prince of demons, about their plans to try and ruin mankind.

The first said: "I will tell them that there is no God." Satan said - "That will not fool them, because they know there is a God."

The second said: "I will tell them that there is no hell." Satan replied - "You will not fool anyone this way; they already know there is a hell for the sinner."

The third said: "I will tell them not rush." - "Go," Satan said - "and you ruin them by the thousands."

The most dangerous illusion of all is that there is plenty of time. The most dangerous day in the life of a man is when he learns the word 'tomorrow'.

There are things we cannot postpone. Beware, for your tomorrow may be too late for God's today.

Bp Jadson Santos

Destroying his Works...

2012-11-10T15:44:00.000-08:00

Offbeat vigil aftermath:

But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 1 Jn 3:8

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Offbeat Vigil Prep - Day III

2012-11-02T13:30:00.001-07:00

Folks, this is it. Today is the day. I haven't much to say. Nevertheless, one thing must be said:

And this is me from tonight onwards...

... a spiritual ALIEN.

What about you? Where will be tonight at 10PM?

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Offbeat Vigil Prep - Day II

2012-10-31T16:15:00.000-07:00

Here are another 7 synonyms for OFFBEAT:

OFFBEAT:

peculiar, odd, outlandish, out of the ordinary, alternative, zany, quirky.

Peculiar:  STRANGE or ODD; UNUSUAL

Odd: DIFFERENT from what is usual or expected; STRANGE

Outlandish: looking or sounding BIZARRE or UNFAMILIAR

Out of Ordinary: unusual, exceptional, remarkable, extraordinary,unexpected, surprising

Alternative:  of or relating to behavior that is considered UNCONVENTIONAL and is often seen as a challenge to traditional norms

Zany: amusingly UNCONVENTIONAL and IDIOSYNCRATIC

Quirky: characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits

The Apostle Peter said:

"Dear friends, I urge you, as ALIENS and STRANGERS in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." - 1 Pt 2:11

Be prepared for this Friday. Be an odd youth.

Luke Castro
YPG National Coordinator

Offbeat Vigil Prep - Day I

2012-10-30T07:33:00.001-07:00

OFFBEAT: unconventional, unorthodox, unusual, outré, strange, bizarre, weird. (excerpted from the Apple Dictionary).

I'd like you to carefully read the meaning of each word below and prepare for this Friday's vigil. After all...

WE WEREN'T MEANT TO FOLLOW THE CROWD - RM 12:2

unconventional: not BASED on or CONFORMING to what is generally done or believed.

unorthodox: CONTRARY to what is usual, traditional, or accepted; not orthodox.

unusual: remarkable or interesting because DIFFERENT from or BETTER than others.

outré: UNUSUAL and startling.

strange: UNUSUAL or surprising in a way that is unsettling or HARD to UNDERSTAND.

bizarre: very STRANGE or UNUSUAL, esp. so as to cause interest or amusement.

weird: suggesting something SUPERNATURAL; uncanny.

These are the traits of true Christians. These are labels given to them by the conventional youths of this world, youths who dress similar, speak the same lingo and behave the same way, regardless to their trends.

The youth of God should be considered an ALIEN by the natural youths. If a young man or woman of God behaves or lives in accordance to this world than they are natural, ordinary, common human beings.

I'll uncover 7 more definitions to the word OFFBEAT. Stay tuned.

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Southern Math

2012-10-24T14:57:00.002-07:00

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

B Trans4med!

2012-10-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

And the transformation continues in a YPG near you...

'Marvelous' Ways of Communication...

2012-10-16T08:12:00.000-07:00

FROM PRESIDENT TO THE DIRECTOR

On Friday, at 5 pm, the comet Halley will be passing through this area. This is an event that occurs every 78 years. So please, join the staff in the factory courtyard, all wearing safety helmet while I explain the phenomenon. If it rains, we will not see the rare spectacle to the naked eye.

FROM DIRECTOR TO THE MANAGER

At the request of the President, on Friday at 5 pm, the comet Halley will appear over the factory. If it rains, please join the staff, all wearing helmets, and send them to the cafeteria, where the rare phenomenon will take place, which occurs every 78 years to the naked eye.

FROM THE MANAGER TO THE SUPERVISOR

At the invitation of our dear President, the scientist Halley, 78 years old, will appear naked in the factory, using helmet only, when he will explain the phenomenon of the rain to the security guards in the courtyard.

FROM THE SUPERVISOR TO THE BOSS

Everybody naked, next Friday, at 5pm, as the company’s head honcho, Mr. Halley, will be there to show the rare movie Dancing in the Rain. If starts raining, which occurs every 78 years, for security reasons put on your helmet.

Important Notice to All:

This Friday, the president will celebrate 78 years of age. The party will be at 5PM in the courtyard of the factory. Bill Halley and his Comets will be there. Everyone should be naked and wearing helmets. The show will roll even if it rains, because the band is a PHENOMENON!

*Excerpted and translated from Bishop Renato Cardoso's blog

Monkeys, Our Cousins. REALLY?!

2012-10-09T09:58:00.000-07:00

Do you really think God intended you to come out of this?

Don't copy the behavior or customs of this world,

but let God transform you into a new person

by CHANGING the WAY you THINK.

Romans 12:2

Want to praise God? Use your BRAIN.

The use of INTELLIGENT faith is an act of worship.

Stupidity and ignorance insult the God who created you.

Bp Renato Cardoso

Read the verse and quote above and THINK.

If you only knew how powerful your brain is...

(actually, thinking is the only thing that

differentiate us from the primate pictured above)

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

P.S.: THIS BLOG IS RESTRICTED TO THE NEGLIGENT OF SPIRIT.

2012-10-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

This week's headlines:

(Lesbian movie)

The devil and his servants are busy.

How about you, God's servant?

If your blood doesn't boil hot in your veins after

reading these articles, you are a LIVING DEAD.

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Time 2 Pray

2012-09-28T07:46:00.001-07:00

I got up early one morning,

And rushed right into the day;

I had so much to accomplish,

I didn’t have time to pray.

Troubles just tumbled about me,

And heavier came each task.

"Why doesn’t God help me?" I wondered.

He answered, "You didn’t ask."

I tried to come into God’s presence;

I used all my keys at the lock.

God gently and lovingly chided,

"Why, child, you didn’t knock."

I wanted to see joy and beauty,

But the day toiled on gray and bleak.

I wondered why God didn’t show me.

He said, "You didn’t seek."

I woke up early this morning,

And paused before entering the day.

I had so much to accomplish

That I had to take time to pray.

Damien Jackson

YPG Leader, NY

YPG: 21 Days of Daniel

2012-09-25T07:50:00.002-07:00

David Cobo - Austin, TX

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

YPG: 21 Days of Daniel

2012-09-21T08:49:00.001-07:00

Edson Fernandes - YPG Boston MA

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Real Talk - Doing God's Work

2012-09-19T14:21:00.002-07:00

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

B Trans4med!

2012-09-14T16:41:00.003-07:00

And the changes continue...

Enrique Cazares

Crystal Coba

Horestes Linares

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

B Trans4med!

2012-09-11T09:27:00.001-07:00

... and the transformation continues at the YPG.

Andrea Martinez

Jaime Orozco

Because You Are Strong! - 1 Jn 2:14

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

The Power Within

2012-09-09T06:36:00.000-07:00

There is a story of a black boy who was sitting down at the porch of his house, observing a man standing by the square right across the street, selling balloons, inflated with helium.

He became intrigued with the man's attitude as he would release only blue, red, white, colored balloons and see them go all the way up in to the skies, but never the black ones. He thought the man was racist.

He decided to cross the street and inquire from the man why he wouldn't release the black balloons.

"Sir, why do you only let go of the other colors but never the black ones?"

The man then did let go of one of the black balloons and showed the young boy that it'd go up too.

Then he told the boy, "It doesn't matter what color the balloon is. What makes it go up is what's inside."

LESSON:

The day you realize that what makes the difference is not how much money you have in your bank account, how many friends you have, the handsome/beautiful boyfriend/girlfriend you have beside you, nor your academic level, BUT THE SPIRIT YOU CARRY INSIDE YOU, the Spirit of God, then you'll succeed in life.

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Get Bolder!!!

2012-09-04T15:01:00.000-07:00

Before reading this post you've got to watch the video I posted in the last blog, otherwise you won't understand the message.

Well, I believe what those who watched that video thought exactly the same thing I did, how those people are so devoted to their idols.

Obsession, devotion, boldness, indifference to what others think. These are the words that come to mind.

People, specially young, who dare to assume and confess their devotion to idols, soccer clubs, book's characters, singers and celebs in general.

Why is it that when it comes to standing up for what we believe, for the faith we confess, we COWARD?

Go figure...

Anyways, I'm not going to dwell in the territory of the shy and weak but of the bold and courageous.

Let's talk about Elijah. Read the verse below:

Then Elijah said to the people, "I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men." 1 Kings 18:22

He said that at the top of Mount Carmel. It was a challenge for him. The Israelites were trying to serve two gods at the same time. As we already know, that is IMPOSSIBLE.

So, before he said that he asked them this question:

"How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." 1 Kings 18:21

See, Elijah was calling people for a decision, to stop wavering between two thoughts.

He faced 450 prophets of Baal (prophets of the devil, literally), plus the multitude of people who were standing there.

He wasn't scared. He didn't deny his faith. HE was the only prophet of the Lord left. That didn't intimidate him. He wasn't a wimp, a coward. He was bold, determined, courageous, audacious. The Spirit of the Lord moved within him, the Spirit of LIFE. Sometimes I hear youths telling me that they have the Holy Spirit but they fail to stand their ground when their faith is challenged in school, at work, at home and in the streets. They draw back. They retreat.

When I came to the church, and eventually to the YPG, I told God that I wanted to be way more used by Him than when I was in the devil's hands like a puppet. I told Him I wanted to cause havoc in the devil's kingdom.

This has been my mission since. And I'm glad that the payback time is now, by working with young people, as my youth was wasted in the world up to my late teens (I came to church at the age of 19).

So friends, fellow soldiers, UNTIL WHEN WILL FALTER BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS?

If the Lord is your God then FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator

Would You Chicken Out?

2012-08-31T14:28:00.000-07:00

Watch this video attentively.

I will talk about it in our next blog post.

Luke Castro

YPG National Coordinator