Lone Ranger in Spanish

Did you know that the Lone Ranger tv show also aired in Spanish? Pretty cool. =)

Today I'm including the Spanish translation of last week's Lone Ranger post.

Now that I'm caught up on the translations for recent posts, starting next week each post will be in both English & Spanish.

Thanks for your patience during this transition. =)

Adios amigos! =)


Sept. 9, 2011
El Llanero Solitario no estaba tan solo
 

Soy una gran admiradora del Llanero Solitario. Creo que he visto cada episodio por lo menos dos veces.
 
Probablemente hayas escuchado el dicho: “No hay cristianos llaneros solitarios”. Bueno, cualquier admirador verdadero te dirá que el Llanero Solitario en realidad no estaba solo.

Se le llamaba el llanero "solitario" porque fue el único llanero de Texas que sobrevivió a un cruel ataque de bandidos. Pero él sabía que no debía tratar de luchar solo contra la injusticia.

Tenía un compañero- Toro.
Tenía ayudantes – uno de ellos, su sobrino.
Contaba con apoyo - un banquero que cambiaba su plata por dinero en efectivo, y alguaciles y gobernadores que le daban cartas de recomendación para otros.
Sin mencionar que tenía un fiel corcel - Plata, sin el cual no podría haber cruzado la frontera o corrido en ayuda de los necesitados.

Ok, tal vez esta sea más charla sobre el Llanero Solitario de la que querías. =) Pero el principio que vemos en su historia es importante, y es algo que Dios ha enfatizado en Su Palabra.

Jesús envió a sus discípulos de dos en dos.
Pablo siempre llevó un compañero con él en sus viajes misioneros (y muchas veces ayudantes).
Los cristianos somos llamados “cuerpo” de Cristo, cada parte es necesaria para las demás.

Contrario a la opinión del mundo, necesitamos colaboración. Necesitamos ayudantes. Necesitamos apoyo. No puedo ser un show de una sola mujer. No puedes ser un show de una sola persona (o de una sola pareja de casados).

A pesar de que he escuchado esta verdad durante años, finalmente estoy comenzando a asimilarla.

Aunque va en contra de nuestro orgullo, creo que cualquier trabajo / ministerio que Dios quiere hacer a través de nosotros va a ser mejor, y vamos a estar mejor, cuando lo hacemos en colaboración con otros. Ese es el plan de Dios.

Así que creo que está bien ser un cristiano como el llanero solitario. Porque ahora sabes que el Llanero Solitario nunca cabalgaba solo. =)

"Y considerémonos unos a otros para estimularnos al amor y a las buenas obras." -Hebreos 10:24
 

Great News!

Praise the Lord for my wonderful friend, Martha, who has agreed to translate my blog posts into Spanish! I'm very excited about this opportunity to encourage even more people! Praise God for the Body of Christ working together! It's a wonderful gift. =)

So if you have any Spanish-speaking friends, feel free to send them my blog address. You can let them know that each post in English will be followed by the Spanish translation.

Also, if you have Spanish friends who don't have internet access, feel free to print a copy of the post and share it with them.

Today I'm posting the Spanish translation of September 3rd's post - "Not To Us."

Thanks for reading my blog. I pray God will continue to use it to bless many.

In Christ's love,
-Joanna


No A Nosotros

Alguna vez has tenido muy grandes deseos de lograr algo por ti mismo, sólo para poder levantarte y gritar: "¡Lo hice!"

Así me siento yo a veces. Quiero sentirme bien conmigo misma. Deseo recibir el reconocimiento de los demás.

Pero me he dado cuenta que esto es realmente una forma de idolatría. Quiero tomar el crédito por algo. Quiero que la gente me alabe.

Pero ¡sólo Dios es verdaderamente digno de alabanza! Si trato de tomar el crédito por algo, estoy negándole la gloria que merece - eso es idolatría.

No sólo no merezco ninguna gloria, tampoco puedo hacer nada que valga la pena por mi cuenta. Jesús dijo: "separados de mí nada podéis hacer." (Juan 15:5 b)

Cuando trato de hacer cosas por mi cuenta, deshonro la gloria de Dios y me robo el gozo de dejar que Cristo actúe a través de mí.

A pesar de lo mucho que me encanta ver a Jesús vivir a través de mi vida, todavía a veces me siento atraída por esta tentación de actuar por mi cuenta. ¡Tal vez por eso es que Dios me da tan a menudo las tareas que no puedo hacer en mi propia fuerza!

Cuando estoy frustrada y queriendo golpear mi cabeza contra la pared, estoy aprendiendo más bien a caer de rodillas y orar, “no lo puedo hacer, Señor. ¿Lo harás a través de mí, por favor? ¡Yo te daré todo el crédito, la alabanza y la gloria! "

"No a nosotros, oh Jehová, no a nosotros sino a tu nombre da gloria...

Pero nosotros bendeciremos al Señor, desde ahora y para siempre.
    ¡Aleluya!" - Salmo 115:1,18
.

The Lone Ranger Wasn't So Alone

I'm a big Lone Ranger fan. I think I've seen every episode at least twice.

You've probably heard the saying, "There are no Lone Ranger Christians." Well, any true fan will tell you that the Lone Ranger really wasn't alone.

He was called the "Lone" Ranger, because he was the only Texas Ranger who survived a cruel attack by outlaws. But he knew better than to try to fight injustice on his own.

He had a partner - Tonto.
He had helpers - his nephew for one.
He had support - a banker who exchanged his silver for cash, and sheriffs and governors who gave him letters of recommendation to others.
Not to mention, he had a trusty steed - Silver, without whom he never could have crisscrossed the frontier or raced to the aid of the needy.

Ok, maybe that's more Lone Ranger trivia than you wanted. =) But the principle we see in his story is important, and it's something God has emphasized in His Word.

Jesus sent His disciples out two by two.
Paul always took a partner (and often helpers) with him on his missionary journeys.
Christians are called Christ's "body," each part is necessary to the others.

Contrary to the world's opinion, we need partnership. We need helpers. We need support.
I cannot be a one-woman show. You cannot be a one-person show (or a one-married couple show).

Even though I've heard this truth for years, it's finally starting to sink in.

Though it goes against our pride, I believe that whatever work/ministry God wants to do through us will be better, and we will be better, when we do it in partnership with others. That's God's plan.

So I think it's fine to be a Lone Ranger-like Christian. Because now you know that the Lone Ranger never rode alone. =)

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." -Hebrews 10:24

Not To Us...

Do you ever desperately want to accomplish something all by yourself, just so you can stand up and shout "I did it!"

I feel like that sometimes. I want to feel good about myself. I want to receive recognition from others.

But I've realized that this is actually a form of idolatry. I want to take credit for something. I want people to praise me.

But only God is truly worthy of praise! If I try to take credit for something, I'm denying Him the glory He is due - that's idolatry.

Not only do I not deserve any glory, I cannot do anything worthwhile on my own. Jesus said, "apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5b)

When I try to do things on my own, I dishonor God's glory and I rob myself of the joy of letting Christ act through me.

As much as I love watching Jesus live through my life, sometimes I'm still drawn to this temptation of acting on my own. Maybe that's why God so often gives me assignments that I can't possibly do in my own strength!

When I'm frustrated and feel like pounding my head against the wall, I'm learning instead to fall on my knees and pray, "I can't do it Lord. Will you please do it through me? And I will give YOU all the credit, praise, and glory!"

"Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory...

It is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore.

   Praise the LORD." -Psalm 115:1,18
.

The Presence

"Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob."
-Psalm 114:7

How quickly I can forget that the Presence who created the universe, parted the Red Sea, and causes the earth to tremble, is right here, WITH ME.

"The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies."
-Psalm 118:6-7

Words fail me....

Lord, help me live in light of your Presence.

"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD."
-Psalm 89:15

Amen.

Epiphany

I've been thinking...trying to reconcile complicated life situations with God's unchanging truth. Not having much success...until suddenly the Holy Spirit turned on the light and it made sense!


If the Lord is my Shepherd and I will not lack for anything...
(Psalm 23:1)

If the Lord withholds no good thing from the upright...
(Psalm 84:11)

If my God will meet ALL my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus...
(Phil. 4:19)

If I shouldn't be surprised by painful trials...
(1 Peter 4:12)

If God works ALL things for good in my life...
(Rom. 8:28)

If ALL things are from God, and through Him and to Him...
(Rom. 11:36)


THEN - God will always give me exactly what I need in my life in order for Him to accomplish HIS eternal purposes!


...I will have the Health (or lack of it) that I need for God to accomplish His purposes.

...I will have the Finances (or lack of them) to accomplish God's purposes.

...I will have the Relationships (or lack of them) to accomplish God's purposes.

...I will have the Trouble (or lack of it) to accomplish God's purposes.

...I will have the Understanding/Kwowledge (or lack of it) to accomplish God's purposes.

on and on...


The purposes God desires to accomplish for us and through us are much bigger and broader than we usually expect. Thus, the tools He uses to accomplish His purposes are often not what we expect either.


This is so clearly illustrated in the life of Paul.

-He was beaten and put in prison - he was definitely lacking in some things, like freedom, water, food, sleep, etc. BUT he had exactly what He needed for God to accomplish His purpose of saving the jailer and his family. (Acts 16)

-He had an illness - definitely lacking in health in that moment. BUT he had the (lack of) health he needed in order to preach to the Galatians. (Gal. 4:13-14)

-He experienced a trial that made him despair of life - definitely lacking in hope and confidence. BUT he had the trouble he needed to learn dependence on God. (2 Cor. 1:8-10)

on and on...


This truth has been at work in my life all along. It just finally clicked with me. I may lack in things that are necessary and important, but I will never lack in what I need to see God's purposes accomplished.

The sovereignty of God rules over all.
He always gives us what we need, or He allows need to give us what is best.

I don't always understand God's purposes.
I don't always like the tools He uses to accomplish those purposes.

But I can rejoice in knowing that today, right now, I have all I need to see God's plan for me fulfilled.


"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." -2 Corinthians 9:8