Devotional for friends // Devocional para as amigas

  I am happy with the place where I live. In this complex of apartments, we have a basketball court, a playground, and a green space where kids can play whatever they want. They do. There, the children and adolescents often make some noise outside. Good noise. They have a safe place to be. I believe those kids are healthier than those who are inside playing video games or studying all the time. It is good to study, don’t get me wrong. But a balanced life is also important. For kids, that means time to study and time to play outside. To make friends, real friends. Where they see each other and don’t need to see them as their competitors, enemies, rivals, or different. Friendship is as important as studying. With friends, they are forming and strengthening their minds. Today, people call it mental health. I thank God that I grew up in a place and time where I could go outside, ride a bike, run around, and play with others without my parents being ...

  "Deixe-o ouvir!"   A dificuldade de ouvir É difícil para os outros explicarem para eles. (Hebreus 5:8-11; Mateus 13:13-15)   Aqueles com ouvidos que coçam Eles ouvem apenas o que lhes agrada. (2 Timóteo 4:3-4; "Não" à sã doutrina vs. 2)   Aqueles que ouvem com um coração nobre e bom O tipo de ouvinte que todos nós deveríamos ser. (Lucas 8:15; Atos 17:11) One day, I think I’ve read in a book, which one I don’t remember now, what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. For most people, this concept might be weird, filled with the Holy Spirit. But this is exactly what makes the difference between how a Christian behaves, speaks, what he/she listens, and what he/she chooses to see or watch. That is why when a new Christian starts changing the old crowd, he/she used to walk with won’t be fit anymore. It is not because the church demands, or it is a cover, or just superficial. It is the Holy Spirit changing from the...

  The death of my cousin made me think about a few things. Yes, it was a sad thing. So unexpected. It got us all by surprise, which hurt. He was such a nice, joyful, and lively guy or man. He will certainly be missed. What we have here but the present. My mom and my other cousin spoke at the funeral. Yes, we have nothing here. It makes no sense at all to get attached to things of this world when at any moment we might leave it. Our days are numbered, but we don’t know how many we were given. How are you living your days? Sometimes we take it for granted because we are young or have health and may think that we have a whole life ahead of us. But do we really? Some live their lives as if all they have to do is party. As if parties were the most important thing in the world. Fun is part of life, so are sadness, problems and relationships, and hard times. Are we going to take something from this world when we die? I am pretty sure we a...

   Not all wilderness (wildlife) is dry. They might be as well as beautiful but still full of dangers. // Nem toda natureza selvagem (vida selvagem) é árida. Elas podem ser belas e ainda assim cheias de perigos. “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well-being proceed? Why should a living man complain, a man from the punishment of his sins? Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the LORD” Lamentation 4:38-40.   I am still in the Suffering topic. Although the Bible project has been talking about it, my daily Bible reading has also been focusing in the same topic. Maybe it is something that I should think about more carefully.   I used to blame my father for most of the bad things that happened to me during my childhood and my teens. Today, I don’t think he is blameless, but he is not responsible for everything. There are my own choices and God’s plans.   As the guys from the Bi...

  1 Pedro 4: 12 - 13 The Merits of Enduring Suffering in Union with Christ by Thomas a Kempis   How blessed and meritorious is the one who loves God just as ardently and faithfully in the midst of adversity as in the midst of prosperity and peace! Blessed indeed is the one who is just as happy to go hungry and thirsty in the company of Jesus as to enjoy a sumptuous  feast with Him! Such a faithful soul is ready not only to follow Christ to the glory of the mount of the transfiguration but also to follow Him to the grim of Calvary and to the torments and shame of the cross. Such faithful disciple of Jesus proclaims his Master to be great and glorious with all his heart in all these changing circumstances, whether they are good or bad. Hence it is that Jesus declares in the Gospel, “Blessed is the one who does not  fall away from me” (Matthew 11:16). He said this because He knew  very well that adversities and tribulation...