Rev. Samuel Robles Jr.

Ever since I first saw this video, I loved it! It not only has a humorous tone to it, but it also has a great message (or messages depending on how deep one wants to get into it). It just really puts into reality a lot of the excuses that people have about going to church, yet it also, almost indirectly, points out how "church" can be disconnected from reality. Interesting stuff.
Overall, I found it to be a cool song and a cool video.
Enjoy!

People that are in seminary, or who have gone to seminary, know that it is very difficult, and even impossible, to read any personal books outside of what's assigned by the Professor during the semester. I recall that in the Spring semester of 2006, I started to read a lot of Justo Gonzalez in class. Justo is one of my favorite theologians! (as a matter of fact, I have a picture that I took with him in my office) He has written a ton of books outside of what was assigned to us in class. So I came across a book that caught my attention entitled, "Three Months with Revelation." Basically, it's daily studies on the book of Revelation. Well of course I knew that as much as I wanted to read the book, I wasn't going to be able to put the amount of energy into it as it deserved.
Ironically enough, not too long before that, I actually took a one-day workshop with Dr. Ron Allen. It was called, “Preaching the Book of Revelation Today: ‘Do Not Seal Up the Words of Prophecy in this Book.’” I remember after taking that workshop, that I wanted to spend more time with Revelation. There are so many powerful images that exist in the text that I never realized were there because they are hidden behind the "doom and gloom" that so often Revelation is associated with. Of course, after I saw that Justo had done a series of studies on it, I knew that I had to "dive" into Revelation. However, I was discouraged because I could not kid myself: it was in the middle of the semester!
Well, semesters passed, and graduation soon approached. Right before I graduated, I went into the seminary bookstore, purchased Justo's book, and added it to my "read after I graduate seminary" stack of books. Let me just note that I was so happy about this purchase! I went home, shared my joy with Hilda, and put it on that special area of my bookshelf, and there it stayed. Months have now passed, I now live 1,000 miles away, and the book has yet to be read. (I have read others books during this period of time instead)
Well, a couple of days ago, a friend of ours (Hi Yvette!) was sharing about how she is doing an in depth study of Revelation at a Bible Study Group that she joined, and how she is loving it. (Let me just add that this conversation happened while we were on line waiting to see a live taping of Wheel of Fortune at SeaWorld. LOL!) Immediately, Justo's book came to mind, and I relived the passion that ignited years ago during seminary to "dive in" to Revelation.
Well, all this to say that I have finally decided to start this book! There are points of reflection that require journaling. I will be journaling in a book, but I may decide to do some of my reflections on here as well. I'll make note if what I write is associated with the studies.

Wow! I wrote more than I thought. Does this count as my first reflection?

This is the title of the article I just finished reading at NBA.com.

Magic Johnson has visited churches and learning institutions speaking about HIV and AIDS, and its impact in the minority community.

This short article/interview is informative, and I encourage folks to read it.