Is the gift of healing still for today? If so, I need your prayers!

• Is the Gift of Healing Still for Today?

   This message was initially designed to be sent solely to a select group of people (friends and family), many of whom inquire regularly about my health. Most of them (Thank God) wished me well and said they would pray for me, and a few have even asked me to cite the specific ailments so they could focus their prayers more directly on those maladies. Many of them actually suggested to me that I should make this message public and get even more people to pray for you!

   There are so many folks out there who are in worse shape than me, and I'm always praying for their needs. Seldom do I ask for anything for myself, having dedicated my life to serve others. Suddenly the Holy Spirit brought the following scripture to remembrance, James 4:2-3:  "2 ...You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

   Well, I never pray for money, nor seldom for any material things to indulge in (toys, video games, hobbies, etc., as if I could still do any playing); nor do I focus or seldom ask for any physical healing, especially when I know what Paul meant concerning grace after he asked the Lord to remove the thorn in his side: 

   9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong, (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). 

   This is so true, as we can see many, many miracles happening to other people through whom God used, acknowledging that they did not come do to any special talent we may have, which could never have impacted the person other than through the power of God. Ergo, God receives the glory rather than us, the vessel He used to perform His miracles. Yet, we are reminded that through prayer and sharing our burdens with each other is still a practical duty the church and its members often often ignore. We see this in the word of God in James 5:15-17:
    "and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months…(James 5:15-17).

   First of all, there are millions of people throughout the world that are in worse physical pain than me. I recognize this and always include those who the Holy Spirit brings to mind for their healing in my prayers. 
   Secondly, pain always accompanies 'old age' regardless of how well a person takes care of themselves throughout their life. Ask any football players how the constant banging into each other leaves damage that comes to haunt them after retirement, even though they may be in their early 30's.
    Many also tell me that pain and suffering is mostly attributable to emotional issues in their lives (this coming from many of my holistic friends) and that those 'psychological' problems must be addressed before healing can ensue. [This subject matter deserves another full discussion unto itself.]
   Lastly, I believe God allows many of us to experience the "Job Syndrome (afflictions that God allows Satan to inflict to test our faith resolve). 

   I believe I am experiencing all of the above to one degree or another for the reasons cited. 
   Nevertheless, being a person who believes that regardless of the source of pain, or whatever medical solutions I have at my disposal, why should I leave God out of my ailment equation? Therefore, I am sending this list of specific maladies in this prayer request for healing:

(1) Although my scheduled bunion surgery has been delayed until I finished other tests to determine if I can go under anesthesia, this pain is constant and makes it almost impossible to walk;

(2) My Sleep Apnea problem is manageable (once painkillers wear off I awake regardless) and it causes irregular sleep patterns that contribute to complete and total exhaustion throughout the day;

(3) My sciatica problem is constant and not even pain killers are helping. The symptoms, in addition to constant pain to my left side (buttocks, thighs, calves and ankles) is physically and emotionally perplexing;

(4) Degenerative Arthritis of both knees and ankles is constant, which makes walking almost unbearable, much less lifting myself from chair and couch. My inability to get the slightest degree of exercise makes weight management nearly impossible;

(5) My Spinal Stenosis problem is probably the most painful. It includes severe pain to my spine from the neck down to my tail bone. It usually takes about a half hour to get out of bed in the morning (or in the middle of the night due to sleep irregularity) with such excruciating agony that require pain killers (hydrocod/apap 10mg) at least 20 to 30 minutes to kick in once I wake up.

   This problem (along with the sciatica) is the most painful and causes me the most grief. I can't sit in front of my computer for more than an hour before shooting pains kick in and force me to lay down. I can't lay down for more than an hour and have to get up to move around to relieve pain, unless I medicate myself to sleep, which usually lasts no more than 3 hours.

   The exciting thing about these two symptoms combined is the unexpected shooting pains that I experience (mostly to muscles located below the waist) almost every 15 minutes, jolts that come out of nowhere and almost knock me down. Sometimes I feel like there is someone out there with a little Joe Ortiz doll and jamming knitting needles into it at their discretion. 

(6) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome has increased (mostly in my right hand) the last couple of months (never paid much attention to it in the past), which makes typing extremely painful. This problem has obviously impacted my writing for those who have seen a decrease in my blogging ventures.

(7) My eyesight seems to be diminishing each passing day. The Myasthenia gravis condition (which has caused my left eye to almost close shut) also contributes to unexpected moments of complete exhaustion exhaustion throughout the day. Although my doctor has increased the dosage to a prescription medicine (pyridostigmine) to counter this ailment, I have some good days and some bad days with my vision. If the weather temperature gets over 70% (which also causes complete exhaustion), my eye almost closes shut. This, in addition to cataracts in both eyes.

   Overall, I'm either in constant pain or medicated to the point I can't function in a manner I have been accustom to in the recent past, or even lucid enough to write my messages in a clear, coherent and comprehensive fashion to do justice to the word of God. More importantly (and possibly damaging to my spirit) are the many occasions of despondency which I fight constantly on a moment by moment basis, knowing full well that it comes from diabolical attacks. But, I'm not a quitter and plan to die fighting this!
   As we can see how troubled society is nowadays, and that so many need words of encouragement and insights to God's will, I am determined to continue the 'good fight' and contribute as much as I can to be a force for good, and hopefully to do the best that I can with the tools I've been given.

   God's word obviously is my only saving grace at this point in my ministerial journey. It gives me the confidence and assurance that I need to know I am still in a right relationship with the Holy Spirit, who always brings to remembrance the word of God to fit whatever occasion, and/or whatever issues that confront me and/or I'm dealing with as best as I can.    More importantly, whether the source of my afflictions come from the reasons mentioned above (old age, punishment for past peccadilloes or the "Job Syndrome," I need to address this dilemma in the most spiritual manner that I can.

   I'm constantly  reminded by Paul's words (which bears repeating) cited in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, when he asked God to remove the thorn the devil was buffeting him with. Like many of us whom God has called out for a specific ministry, we often believe we are more "special" in the eyes of God, than others, possibly fooling ourselves to believe we have been chosen for a special work above other people. 
   Who truly knows?

   But, like Paul, who was also known for more than his share of arrogance and boasting in God, regardless, moved forward and approached God in thus manner:

⁷ To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

I thank you ahead of time for keeping me in your prayers, and pray that God's will (not mine) may be done!

I'm in His peace!

For more information concerning his books, blogs and websites, please click on Joe Ortiz

Old School Homeboys!

Old School Homeboys!

The Start Of Mexican American Gangs In Los Angeles!

The Start of Mexican American Gangs!

The Zoot Suit Riots!

The Zoot Suit Riots!

No One is Immune from God's Justice, not even Tom Brady!

GOD CANNOT FORGIVE A SIN UNTIL THE SINNER CONFESSES THE SIN!

Regarding Tom Brady’s pecadillo (deflating footballs) it obviously is not as dark nor as sinful an act as beating your wife or girlfriend. However, the severity of Brady’s deceitfulness (claiming innocence and his unwillingness to cooperate during the investigation) is more about committing such a minor act that goes to the heart of the issue.

That was Nixon’s major sin; not committing Watergate, but it’s cover-up. That was Bill Clinton’s sin; not the lascivious act with Monica Lewinsky, but the cover-up. The same thing with Alex Rodriguez taking PEDS; it’s the cover-up. Therefore, my message to Tom is to bow down admit his guilt and beg for forgiveness. Remember, God can’t forgive sins if the sinner does not admit them. This edict has been with us since the beginning of time:

Job 24:13,15,17 (NIV) “There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths… The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he thinks, ‘No eye will see me,’ and he keeps his face concealed… For all of them, deep darkness is their morning; they make friends with the terrors of darkness.”

Isa 29:15-16 (NIV) Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!… Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing?”

Isa 28:15 (NIV) You boast, “… for we have made a lie our refuge, and falsehood our hiding place.”

Ps 139:7,11-12 (NIV) Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me…” the night will shine like day….

Jer 23:24 (NIV) “Can anyone hide in the secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.

Jer 16:17 (NIV) “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.”

Light As Judgment

The same light that makes plants grow hardens clay. The light is the same, but the response is completely different.

John 3:19-21 (Phi) “This is the judgment: that light has entered the world, and men have preferred darkness to light because their deeds were evil. Everybody who does wrong hates the light and keeps away from it, for fear his deeds may be exposed. But everybody who is living by the truth will come to the light to make it plain that all he has done has been done through God.”

Secrets Are Temporary, You Can Count On The Light

Mat 10:26-27 (NIV) “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.”

Mark 4:22 (Jer) “For there is nothing hidden but it must be disclosed, nothing kept secret except to be brought to light.”

The Light Illuminates What?

Ps 90:8 (NIV) You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

Job 12:22 (NIV) He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.

Job 28:11 (NIV) [God] … brings hidden things to light.

Dan 2:22 (NIV) He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.

1 Cor 4:5b (Phi) He will bring into the light of day all that at present is hidden in darkness, and he will expose the secret motives of men’s hearts.

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Thanksgiving Game between NFL Cowboys and Eagles Could Become the 1st Chicano Quarterback Bowl

                                     Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles

                           Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Double Header football games have become a lasting tradition on Thanksgiving Day, usually one of the games includes the Detroit Lions and the other includes America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys. Most wives can be found in the kitchen getting the old bird ready for the center table while the guys are huddled around the new large screen television slurping Budweiser beer to wash down the onion dip and potato chips.

This coming Thanksgiving Day features not just two NFL games but three! The NFL holiday triple-header begins with an early Thanksgiving Day game beginning Thursday, November 27, 2014 at 12:30 PM ET on CBS that pits the Detroit Lions against the Buffalo Bills. The Dallas Cowboys will host the Philadelphia Eagles at 4:30 p.m. ET, airing on Fox, followed by the prime-time game on Thanksgiving night with the Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers beginning at 8:30 PM ET on NBC. 

NFL die hard fans will be looking at the latter two games due to playoff implications; however, many Latinos (especially Mexican American fans), will have their eyes glued to the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, not just to see who will take the 1st place lead in the NFC East (Eagles and Cowboys are currently tied for first place, followed by the Giants and the Redskins), but to see who will win the first ever “Chicano Quarterback" battle between the Philadelphia Eagles' Mark Sanchez and the Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo”

While there have been other Mexican American quarterback standouts going backs as far as the sixties through the nineties (Joe Kapp, Tom Flores, Jim Plunkett and Jeff Garcia) this will be the first time you will see two Chicano quarterbacks going head to head on a major Holiday event that will be seen by most American television viewers. Mark Sanchez and Tony Romo are never in the discussion when speaking about legendary quarterbacks, a la Brady, Manning, Brees or Rodgers. But both have proven to be successful in an arena where Latino quarterbacks are considered a rarity. But they do have great credentials.

Romo is a third-generation Mexican American. His grandfather, Ramiro Romo Sr., emigrated from Múzquiz, Coahuila, Mexico to San Antonio, Texas as an adolescent before settling in Racine, Wis., where he met his wife. According to Wikipedia, Romo was born in San Diego, California while his father Ramiro Romo, Jr. was serving in the United States Navy, and his mother, Joan (Jakubowski) Romo, was a store clerk.[2] His family returned to their home in Burlington, Wisconsin.[3] Romo played baseball as a child and was selected to the Little League All-Star team.[4]

Romo started as quarterback for the Burlington High School Demons beginning as a junior (1996 season). In the 1997 season, Romo and the Demons finished with a 3–6 record, though he earned several honors, including the All-Racine County football team and Wisconsin Football Coaches Association All-State first team honors. Romo also was a starter on the BHS varsity basketball team and also played golf and tennis. Romo graduated from Burlington High in 1998.[5]

Romo attended Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois, where he played for the NCAA Division I-AA Eastern Illinois Panthers football team. As a sophomore in 2000, he ranked second inDivision I-AA in passing efficiency, completing 164 of 278 (59%) passes for 2,583 yards and 27 touchdowns. After the season, he was honored as an All-America honorable mention, an All-Ohio Valley Conference member, and the OVC Player of the Year. As a junior, he led Division I-AA in passing efficiency, completing 138-of-207 passes for 2,068 yards and 21 touchdowns.[6]

On December 19, 2002 Romo was the first player in Eastern Illinois and Ohio Valley Conference history to win the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the top Division I-AA football player. He finished his career holding school and conference records with 85 touchdown passes. Not selected in the 2003 NFL Draft, Romo signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys.

Sanchez was born in Long Beach, California. He is a third generation Mexican American, whose parents were both Mexican American. Raised in he Whittier-Pico Rivera area as a youth, his parents moved to Orange county and raised him under strict rules and training. His father (Nick Sanchez Sr). trained Mark during sessions in their backyard or at the park.[3]Mark, who was attending Santa Margarita High School, joined the football team. During his firstpass attempt as a sophomore, Mark threw a 55-yard touchdown.[3]

Prior to his junior year of high school, Mark transferred to Mission Viejo,[6] where Johnson, who was recognized as a "quarterback guru", having trained professionals like Carson Palmer, was head coach. Under Johnson's tutelage, Mark felt he would have a better opportunity to become a better player.[3] Johnson tutored Mark on the complexities of the position and in two seasons with the team, Mark led the Diablos to a 27–1 record culminating with the California Interscholastic Federation Division II championship in 2004.[3]

Mark was named football player of the year by several major college recruiting services and was considered the top quarterback in the nation upon the conclusion of his high school football career in 2005.[7] In July 2004, Mark announced his commitment to the University of Southern California.[8 At USC, Sanchez was relegated as the backup quarterback during his first three years though he rose to prominence due to his brief appearances on the field in 2007 due to injuries suffered by starting quarterback John David Booty. Sanchez also became popular within the community due to his Mexican-American heritage. Named the starter in 2008, Sanchez led USC to a 12–1 record and won the Rose Bowl against Penn State for which Sanchez was awarded the Most Valuable Player award for his performance on offense.

Although USC coach Pete Carroll and many scouts considered him too inexperienced, Sanchez announced his intention to enter the 2009 NFL Draft. He was selected by the Jets after they traded up with the Cleveland Browns, and was named the starting quarterback prior to the start of the season. Despite a sub par performance, Sanchez led the Jets to the AFC Championship Game, a losing effort to the Indianapolis Colts, becoming the fourth rookie quarterback in NFL history to win his first playoff game and the second to win two playoff games.

 Sanchez had great success after being drafted in the first round by the New York Jets in 2009. He became the fourth rookie quarterback in NFL history to win his first post-season contest, and the second to do so on the road.[60] The others were Shaun King ('99 Bucs), Ben Roethlisberger ('04 Steelers), and Joe Flacco ('08 Ravens).[60] On January 17, 2010, Sanchez, with the help of fellow rookie Shonn Greene, defeated the heavily favored San Diego Chargers 17–14 to attain the Jets' third AFC Championship appearance in franchise history.[61] Sanchez became only the second rookie quarterback to win two consecutive playoff games, behind Joe Flacco.[62] In a rematch of their regular season meeting with the Colts, Sanchez performed well in the first half however, the offense succumbed to the Colts' defense in the second half and the Jets gave up an 11-point lead, losing 30–17.[63] Sanchez was named to Sporting News' All-Rookie team for his performance during the season.

While both Sanchez and Romo have distinguished themselves in the past, their recent struggles have been the subject of much scorn and ridicule by nay saying critics and haughty NFL pundits. Romo, in particular, has been highly criticized for winning only one playoff game for the Cowboys since 2010, and finishing 8 and 8 the last three seasons. However, this year, Romo has energized the Cowboys into first place in the NFC East. Sanchez,who has replaced starting quarterback Nick Foles for the last four games (winning three out of four), was out all of last year due to an injury while playing for the Jets. He was traded last year to the Eagles and studied their system while recuperating from his injuries. 

Nevertheless, both Romo and Sanchez’ careers appear to be on the rise again, after most pundits had virtually written off the two Chicano quarterbacks. However, this particular Thanksgiving Day showcase could catapult one of them to new heights, increasing their team's conference lead and paving the road toward a more successful season. 

After the game, many of those less than enthusiastic pundits maybe eating a little crow along with their turkey, this Thanksgiving; but nationwide, Latinos from the East Coast through Texas and all the way through the Southwest and to the Mexican border, will be rooting for either Sanchez or Romo to win the first ever "Chicano Bowl." 

Who knows? Thursday's winner may go onto win enough games to make it to the “Super Bowl” on February 1st, as well as break those negative naysayers' Pinatas for many years to come.

~~~~

       

Joe Ortiz. He is a veteran journalist with over 40 years experience as a radio and television talk show host, radio news reporter, newspaper columnist and blogger.

The Coachella Valley, California native has the distinction of being the first Mexican American in the US to host an English-language talk show on a commercial radio station, beginning in 1971 on KABC-AM in the city of Los Angeles.

He is currently a journalist and free-lance writer for numerous media throughout the nation. He manages several blogs as well as writes on a variety of issues including business, community and public leaders, authors, sports and entertainment personalities, theology and many other significant topics.

Eva Longoria’s “Food Chains” Documentary is about Human Rights Issues

Eva Longoria’s “Food Chains” Documentary is about Human Rights Issues:

When a documentary creates “ahaa” moments in the audience’s minds, is a film that needs to be seen by everyone.  Food Chains is such a documentary.  Set to premiere nationwide in more than 20 cities on November 21st & 28th (list of theaters below) the film features such notables as Eva Longoria, Kennedy family members, Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), Eve Ensler (The Vagina Monologues), Dolores Huertaand others who lend their support to bring focus to the issue of earning a fair wage for the persons who put the food on our table.