Ronny Santiago
Minister
Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, even controversial, but always informative.
|
|
|
The Coat Hanger
October 23, 2007
This joke is pretty funny but so true. God never lets us down and he is always on time.
The Coat Hanger
A pastor was at church when she received a phone call that her daughter was very sick with a fever. She left church and stopped by the pharmacy to get some medication. She got back to her car and found that she had locked her keys in the car. She didn't know what to do, so she called home and told the baby sitter what had happened. The baby sitter told her that the fever was getting worse. She said, "You might find a coat hanger and use that to open the door."
The pastor looked around and found an old rusty coat hanger that had been left on the ground, possibly by someone else who at some time had locked their keys in their car. She looked at the hanger and said, "I don't know how to use this." She bowed her head and asked God to send her help. Within five minutes a beat up old motorcycle pulled up, with a dirty, greasy, bearded man who was wearing an old biker skull rag on his head.
The pastor thought, "This is what you sent to help me?" But, she was desperate, so she was also very thankful. The man got off of his cycle and asked if he could help. She said, "Yes, my daughter is very sick. I stopped to get her some medication and I locked my keys in my car. I must get home to her. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?" He said, "Sure." He walked over to the car, and in less than a minute the car was open. She hugged the man and through her tears she said, "Thank You So Much! You are a very nice man."
The man replied, "Lady, I am not a nice man. I just got out of prison today. I was in prison for car theft and have only been out for about an hour." The pastor hugged the man again and with sobbing tears cried out loud, "Oh, Thank you God! You even sent me a Professional!"
Congratulations Kelly Pavlick and
October 7, 2007
AND THE NEW MIDDLE WEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE OF THE WOOOORRRLD, KELLY "THE GHOST" PAVLICK!!!!
There are a lot of good things happening in our community and I think that it is the result of many Godly people praying for what is going on in our town. I believe in Youngstown and I believe that it will come back. Thank God that we have a Godly Mayor who fears God and who I know prays for this community. You ask yourself what good is happening in this community?
1. Last weekend Kelly Pavlick put us on the map once again when he won the middleweight championship from Jermain Taylor in Atlantic City, NJ. The fight was shown nationally on HBO and Youngstown, Ohio got some good press. Once again congratulations Kelly.
2. We learned this past week that GM will be getting not one new car project but two (Alpha and Aviao) when the Cobalt goes out of production in a couple of years. "Thank God" because many jobs in this community are associated with GM
3. Also, it seems as though Forum Health (North Side Hospital) got itself out of financial problems by selling some of it services. Another big employer within our community.
4. Did you hear about the Cybertech company located in Youngstown that is doing a lot of "exporting" of software to many countries worldwide? Software that is being developed right here in our community.
5. Finally, Youngstown will be getting a new children’s hospital in the former Beeghly medical park. They will have many specialists available so that the children in this community will no longer have to travel to Akron, Cleveland or Pittsburg to see a physician. I see this community rebounding and there are a lot of great things going on here.
Thank You Jesus!!!! Be blessed all Ronny.
Draw Close to him Always
July 31, 2007
Just yesterday as I sat at home recovering from strep. I happen to be channel surfing and I stopped, "of all places " on the Ophra Winfrey Show. I must admit I am not a fan but I did stop because a story she was running caught my eye. It was a story of two young people who fell in love and wanted to get married..."not that big a deal right?" Well these two where special, they both had Downs Syndrome. The story was rather touching and in the end the young couple did marry. This story reminded me of when my wife and I where expecting our first child.
This should be an enjoyable, happy time in your life right? Well let me tell you it was painful. My wife works at local hospital in the x - ray dept. She and a friend decided that they would do an Ultrasound to take a peak at the baby. They saw a few things. The baby was breached,"which is not that big of a deal because the baby can be breached right up to the point of delivery and then reposition it's self right before birth." They also found that the ventricles in the babies brain where dilated. This is associated with hydrocephalus (water in the brain) which is often linked to Downs Syndrome.
This single event lead to several visits to Neonatologist even right to the date o birth. My wife seemed to be handling everything well but I could tell it was really troubling her too. The Neonatologist was very encouraging but he didn't want to make any guarantees. I spent many nights on my knees praying for my wife and my unborn child, praying like never before. On May 31st 2001 our son was born healthy. While I know that I could have loved my child no matter what, I knew God did something if for no other reason than to draw me closer to him and to teach me to depend on him more.
"You see," at that time I was frustrated because there was nothing I could do to make things right so I simply had to wait and depend on God. It is in those difficult times in life that we find ourselves drawn closer to God. However, we should always put our trust and faith in him knowing that he is in control of all things. Despite our circumstances or how bad things may appear God will see us trough. Be Blessed, Ronny
My Umbrella ella ella ella, eh eh eh
June 9, 2007
Recently I was asked to come and share my thoughts about Hip Hop music at a local church. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend so I thought I would come on my blog to share a little with you. Those who know me know that I hold special place in my heart when in comes to this topic.
What's playing on your iPod?
First let me start by saying I have never thought that all secular music is bad. I also think that a lot of what is supposed to be Christian music is nothing but “ Christian Entertainment.” Christian Entertainment: Music that has been deemed "Contemporary gospel” is not always what I consider Christian music. Gospel music is up lifting and the sole purpose of it should be to worship the Lord and it should beckon the listener to do so. But too much of today's Christian Rock, Hip-hop or Rap is about the artist. Too frequently I hear a Christian songs with no reference to God or Christ or anything that tends to minister to the listener. I consider that "Christian Entertainment." Is there anything wrong with it? Nahh but its not truly good "Christian Music?" In fact it isn’t any different than some of their secular counterparts. Don't get me wrong, I am all for gospel music of all types of genre “but please give me some word.”
What's wrong?
Not all-Secular music is bad: There are some songs that are clean and wholesome. Often they tell stories that touch the listener. Maybe it is just a good song. But what IS wrong with Popular music? Sex!!!! You would be hard pressed to find a secular song that is not about sex. I was painting my home office this past week and I turned to a local radio station and all I heard was “Audio Porn” and beeped out four letter words “you know the ones.”
Choices
As with all things that were God's idea, Satan has tried to take what is good and destroy it. In my opinion Satan is attacking Christian music as well. So what am I saying here? Choose your music wisely. You can go to itunes and sample most songs to get an idea what they are like or you can go to Lyric Café to view the lyrics to songs you are most interested in. Most Christian bookstores allow you to listen to a CD before you purchase them. Take advantage of those opportunities. Happy Listening, Ronny
Hello all I want to welcome you to my new blog. Look for interesting topics sometimes funny sometimes serious sometimes controversial but always informative. Within the next few days look for my first topic.
Be blessed,
Ronny Santiago
|
|
|
