Blog - Lifegate Church Denton

The Diagnosis

media@mylifegate.org (Tom Silva) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 15:05:19 +0000

Sometimes we get very content in just living our lives, working our jobs and getting by. Never giving tomorrow another thought, planning what we might want to buy for our house, that new sofa. that flat screen or maybe even a new house. Then suddenly the enemy rears his ugly head and we become entrenched in warfare.

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed."
Isaiah 53:5 NIV

July 28, 2011, Denton, Texas

Sometimes we get very content in just living our lives, working our jobs and getting by. Never giving tomorrow another thought, planning what we might want to buy for our house, that new sofa. that flat screen or maybe even a new house. Then suddenly the enemy rears his ugly head and we become entrenched in warfare. You see that's exactly what has happend to Sarah and I. Yesterday all was fine, tomorrow a new battle begins. We met with my doctor today, who informed us that I have a tumor. Scary yes, devastating, possibly, end of my hope, no! You see I have FAITH, one simple word that means I am His and He is mine. I claim the healing, only my Lord can give, for I am His son. I know He will heal me, in fact it's already begun. I wanted to share with all of you to never give up for He is Our Rock. Without Him we are helpless, without Him we are lost, without Him there is no hope. Obstacles are what we see when we take our eyes off God. Please pray for my family, bad news is never easy, but there is Hope and a lot of Faith for you see, I HAVE JESUS! The surgery is tomorrow, the healing is today! Get Ready For A Miracle"

The Rest Of The Story...
TO BE CONTINUED

Tom Silva, Chaplain

Warrior2Warrior

"It takes little to do much."

The Dash

media@mylifegate.org (Tom Silva) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 15:04:53 +0000

" Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

Present Day-North Texas

A few days ago as I was visiting with a pastor friend of mine, our discussion turned to things God has shown us on our journey through life. As we were discussing things about our lives we turned our attention to the times we had visited friends and aquaintences at the cemetary. How sad it is we both thought how this final place of rest was also a place of unfulfilled dreams, promises and unfinished plans. Lives of those interred there summed up with a date of birth and a date of death, attached together by a simple dash. That dash representing their lives with only our Heavenly Father and their families knowing what type of life that dash represented. As I thought about my dash I could not help but ask myself, have I done all I could for others, has my life here impacted others, have I made a difference? Do I truly reflect My God? Do people I meet see Jesus in me and my life? Have I been the example God intended me to be when he laid out the plans for my life? You see our legacy lies not in why and where we lived, but in how we lived. How we raised our children, how we served others and more importantly how we have honored God, not with what we say, but with what we do. You see God knows the plans he made for you, but the choice to follow his plans is up to us.

The rest of the story...
As I think about life and choices, I think about all the things I could have have done differently. All the struggles I have endured, the hardships, yet they pale in comparison to what Jesus did for me and for you. He gave his all so that we have a choice on how to live our dash. Don't waste time wondering about what could be, instead do something with what time you have, make a difference with the choice God has given you. You do matter, because you are his!

Tom Silva, Chaplain

Warrior2Warrior

"It takes little to do much."

The Orphanage

media@mylifegate.org (Tom Silva) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 15:02:54 +0000

"We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."
1 John 4 : 19-21 NIV

1969-Christmas-Da Nang, South Viet Nam

Whenever we found an injured Viet Namese child, whom we suspected had no immediate family, we would treat them and take them to an orphanage in Da Nang. Each trip we made I was touched and saddened by the extent of injuries to some of these children. They seemed so sad and confused, this was a war none of them asked for, nor wanted, yet here they were a victim of man's aggression. I thought it would be a great idea if we could give them something special to cheer them up, something they would always remember. I shared my idea with others in my battalion and suddenly the idea for Christams for these kids began to take shape. I wrote letters to churches in my hometown in Oklahoma and asked them to send toys for the orphans. My buddies did the same and within weeks we were flooded with toys of every shape, size and form. You see in the midst of war, God made a way for this to happen. Boxes and boxes of toys came and soon we had enough to fill our jeep ambulance with toys, enough for every child. From the Army we acquired , ice cream, cookies, apples and pound cake. Lord, forgive me, we probably should have asked, but the Lord provided what we needed. When everything was assembled we contacted the orphanage and a German hospital ship where we also took patients to docked in Da Nang harbor, they provided some much needed medical supplies. Yes we asked and they generously provided. In fact they asked if they could be included in the party for the orphans. In December, we assembled our crew, the toys and headed to the orphanage. We gave those kids the party of their lives. The look on these kids faces was priceless. it was truly one of the most rewarding and Blessed Christmasses I ever experienced. That is outside being with my Family at this most Blessed Holiday.

Although I did not know God at the time, nor His love, He knew me, His son and allowed me the honor of showing his other children how loving a Father He is. I cannot describe in words the feeling I experienced that day, I can only tell you this. My Father, loved us enough to send His only Son to die for us, to give us our place in heaven, if we so choose. Have you ever had a great idea to help others and acted on it? Were you Blessed? If you did and were, thank God!

The Rest of The Story...

I left South Viet Nam in February 1970. I got a chance to visit the orphanage many times before I left and was blessed on every visit. I was told by some Army friends and fellow warriors that in 1970, the Viet Cong attacked the orphanage, killing most if not all of the children. I have not been able to confirm this, so my hope is that it is only a rumor.

Tom Silva, Chaplain

Warrior2Warrior

"It takes little to do much."

The First Patrol

tfsilva@verizon.net (Tom Silva) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:58:47 +0000

The day was pretty routine; the platoon had made the sweep of the grid we were assigned to cover, no ambushes, no enemy fire. It was quiet, too quiet. The LT passed the word that we would bed down for the night. To our south and the west was a tree line. To the north, just more flat land covered with rice paddies and to the east, a road.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him"
James 1:12 NIV

1969-February-Somewhere in South Viet Nam

The day was pretty routine; the platoon had made the sweep of the grid we were assigned to cover, no ambushes, no enemy fire. It was quiet, too quiet. The LT passed the word that we would bed down for the night. To our south and the west was a tree line. To the north, just more flat land covered with rice paddies and to the east, a road. We were told we would run small patrols out of this position but for now rest was at the top of our priority list. We were supposed to dig a foxhole and bed down in it for the night. I quickly realized, the deeper you dug, the harder it got and the more tired you became, so I took the easy way out and dug a shallow hole deep enough for me to lay in, but not to sit up or stand in. My new digs were perfect, I could lay down and be comfortable, but this was not an ideal fighting hole. I did make a mound for a pillow though, out of dirt, so at least I would be comfortable. As I drifted off to sleep, I could hear the distant explosions and occasional gun fire, but nothing close to us. I looked up in the sky, the beauty of the night sky was incredible. Stars were so bright, you could almost reach out and touch them. It was so hard to believe I was in a combat zone. For just a moment, I was on a campout with my local Boy Scout Troop in Oklahoma, just hanging with my friends.

Just as I was closing my eyes, I was jarred back into reality with the whooshing sound of an RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade) being fired at us as one of my Marines yelled "Incoming!". Not good. Suddenly, I realized my laziness could cost me my life; my hole wasn't deep enough. The LT yelled for all of us to stay put and keep our heads down. At the same time this was happening, we were being pinned down by sniper fire. I could literally feel the heat from the rounds as they passed within inches of my face as the enemy gunman fan fired our area. "Stay Down Doc!", the LT was yelling at me, I'm calling in Arty, (artillery) on our position. "Incoming, Incoming!" Suddenly, the treeline to our south was lit up by a bright yellow flaming color, debris flying everywhere. The sniper quit firing, but the arty continued. I could barely hear myself think. I would like to say, I did not know fear, but I can't, I was scared. I knew I was going to die. I remembered what the Gideon had told me as I boarded the bus for the flight here and I began to pray. I asked God to save me and I promised Him, that if He would spare my life, I would do whatever He wanted, whenever He asked.

If you make a promise to someone, sometimes they forget; Our Father never forgets and I speak from experience when I say, He will hold you to your promise. Don't promise Him something and expect never to pay your debt. He kept his promise to us when He sent His only Son to die for our sins. He gave us His best and expects the same from us. Are you giving your best or are you digging your foxhole just deep enough to get by?

The rest of the story...
We survived the night; God answered my prayer. He spared me, for then and for now. Yes, I have kept my promise to Him and each day that He gives me, I give him. That was part of the deal, part of His plan for my life.

Tom Silva, Chaplain

Warrior2Warrior

"It takes little to do much."

The Gideon

tfsilva@verizon.net (Tom Silva) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 06:00:00 +0000

''Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth"
2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

January 1969-Oakland, California, The Day Before War

The uncertainty of what was about to unfold, the future I had looked forward to, and yet, dreaded, was now here. The bus was beginning to fill for our short ride to the plane, our ride to War. The fear of the unknown was beginning to gnaw at my soul. What was to become of me, would this be my last memories of this world, my last vision of these United States. Would I never have the opportunity to see my friends and family again? All these questions were racing through my mind. When, out of nowhere, a little old man stopped me and handed me a small Bible. He began telling me how he would be praying for me and asking God to bring me home safely. My first reaction was to tell him to leave me alone, but suddenly, I found myself reaching for this small, but precious gift, from a stranger I did not know. He never told me his name, where he was from, nor did he ask for any money. He just wanted me to have this gift, the Word Of God, to take with me on my journey into uncertainty. The smile on his face, his experience in this harsh world etched in the lines of his face, I have never forgotten. Yet the gentleness of his words and the fact he was willing to pray for me, a person he hadn't really even met was just beyond anything I had ever seen in my short life. I boarded the bus and sat down, the bus began to pull away and as I looked back there he was, waving good bye.

The rest of the story...
I carried that little Gideon's Bible with me throughout my entire tour of duty in Viet Nam. As for the little old man, I never saw him again, but someday we shall meet again and I will thank him for the Love, Prayer and for the gift he gave me so many years ago as I left for war. His enthusiasm and Love of God inspired me to dedicate what time I have left to share God's Heart and Love with others, yes I too, am now a Gideon. Are you sharing?

Tom Silva, Chaplain

Warrior2Warrior

"It takes little to do much."

The Point Man

tfsilva@verizon.net (Tom Silva) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 01:44:35 +0000

The quietness of the night was suddenly shattered by the distinct popping sound of an AK-47. Just minutes before a jeep carrying what we called the 'Rat Patrol' had stopped for a few minutes to talk with our road guards. Their job was to keep the MSR Military Supply Route clear.

1969-Somewhere in South Viet Nam
The quietness of the night was suddenly shattered by the distinct popping sound of an AK-47. Just minutes before a jeep carrying what we called the 'Rat Patrol' had stopped for a few minutes to talk with our road guards. Their job was to keep the MSR Military Supply Route clear. The enemy would use the night cover to plant land mines (IED's) on and along the road to disrupt military traffic on the road. Usually the 'Rat Patrol' had Marines assigned to it; this night was different, though. The Gunny Sargeant, acting as the gunner, was none other than the Gunny who ran our chow hall back in the rear. He had always wanted to make the ride and tonight was his last chance to make it happen before he went back to the world. My concentration on the firing was suddenly interrupted when I heard "Corpsman Up"! As I grabbed my gear and my Unit One ( Medical Bag), I told my squad leader, I would run point. I grabbed the staff and with my weapon at the ready, I led our small group out of the compound. The adrenaline was pumping through my body and death was not in my plans for this night... you see I'm young, I'm going to live forever. Alongside the road we trudged, walking along the edge of the road in a ravine to conceal our approach to the area where the firefight was unraveling. I rounded a corner, feeling my way along the trail with the staff, checking for wires or booby traps. Suddenly I stopped, to my left was a boy, probably not more the 15 years of age, his AK-47 pointed directly at my head. My heart had stopped as he and I stared into each others' eyes for just a second. Suddenly, I was pushed aside by the Marine behind me who opened fire on the young man. It was over before I took my next breath, yet it seems like it lasted forever.

For years I wondered what would have happened had the young boy not hesitated but then the answer lies here in this blog. You see God spared me for this time. As I write this story with the words He gives me, I know He spared me for a time such as this. One of you reading this needs to, most want to, but one, yes, one of you has to. This is all explained in the 91st Psalm, "The Soldiers Psalm", when God promises those who are His, long life. Though thousands may fall around us, he spares us. Why me? Because before I took my first breath, I was His, my path already defined. Just like your path has been defined for you, are you following the path He has planned for you or have you changed course? If you feel He hasn't been there when you needed Him, look up... those outstretched hands you see are His. He has been waiting for you, His child. You see His Kingdom is yours for the asking, the choice is yours. Don't wait too long! Life is over before you know it.

The rest of the story...
Gunny went home that day, but not back to the world he was expecting. The young boy, he lost his life too. Me, I carry their stories and for the record, that was my last time walking point.

Tom Silva, Chaplain

Warrior2Warrior

"It takes little to do much."

The Warrior's Story

tfsilva@verizon.net (Tom Silva) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:35:42 +0000

The Operation had been going on for a couple of weeks, I guess, I mean who was really keeping track of time. It was HOT, everywhere we walked, sat or just stood, sweat would just pour off our bodies.

1969-Somewhere in South Viet Nam

The Operation had been going on for a couple of weeks, I guess, I mean who was really keeping track of time. It was HOT, everywhere we walked, sat or just stood, sweat would just pour off our bodies. Last temperature check 135 degrees in the shade. The LT had just passed the word that we could rest for a few. Since the focus of this operation was to clear a field of fire, just about everything standing had been leveled. Ahead and to the left I noticed a tree, the limbs hung low sort of like our own American Weeping Willow. I slowly walked toward the tree, heat was almost overwhelming and stifiling.

I finally crawled under the safety of the shade and for a second, my heart stopped. There leaning against the trunk of the tree was a North Viet Namese soldier, his helmet at his side, a pencil in his hand and what looked like the beginning of a letter started, but not completed. You see he had died trying to pencil his final thoughts to his family. Suddenly the quiet was broken when another Marine who had followed me under the shade of the tree had suddenly crawled to where I was, wondering where I was going, he to stopped in silence. I told him we needed to go, to leave the warrior as we found him. My Marine friend blurted out, "Doc, it's just a gook, we'll just push him out of the way so we can have the shade!"

It did not dawn on me at the time since I did not know the safety of Jesus, that God never intended us to be alone. I wonder now if that warrior from my past knew Jesus. Chances are the answer is NO. God instructed us to love Him above all others and then to love one another. You see, there is safety in numbers, when you have Jesus, you are in the safety of his shade tree. Your safety is ensured, for you have everything you need. Today, as I reflect on this story of the warrior, I wonder about his family, about his final moments on this earth and it saddens me to think what could have been, had it not been for war. Our days are numbered, let's not waste time thinking, let's spend time doing. The harvest is here and the workers are few. What are you doing to change the face of this world?

The rest of the story...
We left the warrior, as we found him and went elsewhere to seek shade!

Tom Silva, Chaplain

Warrior 2 Warrior

"It takes little to do much."

Spiritual Warfare: The Battle You Don't See

elafuente@mylifegate.org (Pastor Eddie) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:58:23 +0000

Over the course of the last few weeks, I have encountered people from my circle of influence that have been going through very intense situations at home in their professional life.

The intensity has been constant and the fruit that it has produced is anger, frustration, fear, defeat and confusion. In my home as well, we have seen this intensity and fruit manifest. Why? Here are my thoughts.

We are dealing with unseen forces, bent on our demise. The battle isn't with your spouse, your children or even your boss at work, it is against a spiritual being that seeks to steal, kill and destroy you (cue dramatic music). The truth is, we have an enemy and it isn't the one that you see in the mirror, or the one that lies next to you and night, or the one that you work for, although it may seem that way. The intense situations that you and I are dealing with or will encounter in the future are being manipulated by various demonic spirits that want you defeated and imprisoned.

Scripture tells us that, "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." (ESV 2 Corinthians 10:3-4)

We live each day engaged in a battle, whether you believe that or not. Each day, we live in the flesh: get up, get dressed, go to work, etc. Each day we wage war. However, the war that we are engaged in, whether we believe it or not, is not waged in the things that we do in the flesh, it is waged in the spiritual realm, a realm that we cannot visibly see. The realm of the spirit that manifests in the realm of the flesh.

Years ago, I counseled with a person who was deeply depressed and having various marital problems; they were in bondage to pornography and addictive behaviors and wanted to be set free. This person stated that there seemed to be a battle they were involved in and they were getting their "tail kicked in"! The also stated that, "Sometimes things were good, however those "sometimes" often gave way to the bad and the ugly."

We set a time to meet and counsel and the battle this person was experiencing really ramped up, the intensity and arguments got so bad in their home that their spouse was about to leave with the kids and go and stay with family. We get to the counseling session and this person begins to describe what is happening. They truly loved their spouse and children, but sensed they were losing them both each and every day. Over the next few hours, through prayer and discussion, we began to see a pattern of how the war was being lost. It was then that we began to apply the truth of God's Word to their life and to discern that the bondage that they were in where do to unhealed hurts, un-forgiveness, disobedience, etc.

These areas opened a door for unseen demonic forces to invade this persons life and wreak havoc in their family. Yet, once we addressed those areas with the truth of God's Word ("divine power"), we were able "to destroy strongholds." The resulting experience was true freedom and release. I gained a greater revelation of the spiritual battle that we are all engaged in. I got to witness a family on the brink of total destruction, healed, restored and set free! I eventually got to counsel with the spouse and then both together and they are doing incredible to this day.

They still, from time to time, encounter warfare that comes against their marriage and family, however, they know the battle is won and by faith appropriate that victory and wage a good warfare.

What battle are you currently engaged in? What is the center of your frustration, anger, etc.? Please know and understand that the battle is won in the spiritual realm. You have a God in Heaven that has supplied you with ultimate weapon, His Word, and the Ultimate Champion, Jesus, to destroy every enemy that has come and is coming against you, your marriage, your family, your work place... and on and on. When you allow God's Word to penetrate the areas of your life where you are struggling and allow your mind to be renewed, you will begin to experience victory in the battle.

Most importantly, when you surrender your life to Jesus Christ, you learn to appropriate by faith that the war has already been won in the spirit, through His death and resurrection, and that what you are experiencing is a defeated enemy hoping to deceive you into giving up that victory.

Spiritual Warfare is the battle that you don't see, however it is also the battle that has already been won! Let's obtain that victory!

Devotional Day 21: Build

media@mylifegate.org (Pastor Eddie) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 11:00:00 +0000

God put us here to help build His Kingdom, not to sit in judgment of His other children. That's not in our job description; it's in Jesus’ and He says that the plumb line of how we are treated, will be how we treat others. Would we want someone thinking judgmental thoughts about us? Do we want Jesus judging us for our judging others?

Solemn Assembly Devotional Day 21: Build

Matthew 7:1-5 Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. ² For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. ³ Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' while the log is in your own eye? ⁵You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye.

Reflection and Prayer:

Pray and ask God to help you see people through Jesus’ eyes. Pray that you will have compassion on those that are around you and that you will find yourself in a position of intercession instead of the position of judgement.

Devotional Day 20: Equip

media@mylifegate.org (Pastor Eddie) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Each follower of Jesus must spend time reading and studying the Word of God individually. Church services, Sunday school, and Bible study are all great to attend; however, they are intended as a corporate experience among the believers. The private study of God’s Word coupled with prayer will yield personal results and will equip you for your destiny in God.

Solemn Assembly Devotional Day 20: Equip

Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

The best way to grow spiritually after hearing a message is to check it against the scriptures. Though man is errant, God’s Word is not.

It is not enough to say that you believe everything the Bible says, if you do not even know what it says. Personal time with the Lord and reading His Word is an essential part of a disciple’s life. God’s Word should always be on our hearts and in our mouths.

Reflection and Prayer:

Pray that God develops in you the character to receive the message of Jesus through God’s Word. Pray for ways to grow in your personal time with Lord and for His Word to grow in your heart and be in your mouth.