Dear friends, I have written you once before about the life of a man who I call my great uncle, who paved the way for many doors of opportunity for me. I know that God has me on a journey, and I am not sure where it will end, but the ending of my great uncle "Hermano Pablo" was unfortunate as he had an accident that caused his death on Thursday afternoon. His reward he has laid up in heaven. His life was lived in honor of God, and Uncle Paul lived in such a way that many would be brought to Christ. I see in him that he would not consider himself greater than others, but rather a servant who simply said "yes, Lord" and watched the Lord take him on an adventure that he couldn't have imagined in his wildest dreams. His beloved wife Linda writes about the journey in two separate books, one most recent in my mind is "My life with Hermano Pablo," where she is open and vulnerable about the struggles that they went through in their faith throughout the years. Although in years where I may have few material posessions, I consider myself one of the wealthiest women because of the family that I have. My grandmother celebrates her 95th birthday on April 1st, and I hope to be present with her. She, like her brother-in-law Paul, has fought and lived a life worth following. I pray to be even half of the woman of God that my grandmother and uncle Paul are.
Thank you Heavenly Father for your mercy and guidance to one such as I! You are faithful!
Love to you all.
_________________________________________________________________
AG.org News & Information
Paul Finkenbinder, "Hermano Pablo," passes away
Fri, 27 Jan 2012 - 2:49 PM CST
Paul Edwin Finkenbinder, known throughout Latin America as "Hermano Pablo," passed away earlier this morning, Friday, January 27, 2012, in Irvine, California. He was 90.
On Wednesday, January 25, Finkenbinder celebrated his 70th anniversary with the love of his life, Linda, and with friends and family.
Finkenbinder, an AG minister, was born to missionary parents in Puerto Rico in September 1921. The missionary atmosphere of his home set the foundation for his life in ministry. He felt called by God to become a minister in 1938, at 17 years old. He married his wife, Linda, at age 20.
Their ministry began on a Spanish mission to New Mexico in 1942. The Finkenbinders and their son, Paul Jr., traveled to El Salvador as missionaries in 1943. For the first 13 years in El Salvador, Hermano Pablo taught in Bible schools, ministered in churches, directed youth outreaches and made himself available in many different areas of need all over the country.
Finkenbinder has preached in the towns and cities of Latin America for the past 70 years and thousands have accepted Christ as a result of his teaching.
In 1955, he began his first radio program, and in 1960, he produced prime-time Bible dramas for television that were reported to be the first regularly-scheduled Christian television broadcast outside of the United States. Since that time he had utilized mass evangelism - radio, television, print, crusades and special events.
In 1964 Finkenbinder returned to the United States and established Hermano Pablo, Inc. in Costa Mesa, California. Finkenbinder was best known for his radio and television program, "A message to the Conscience," which began that year. The program is now broadcast more than 6,400 times each day in 33 countries. Finkenbinder and his board of directors ensured the future of the "A Message to the Conscience" program by choosing his successor in 1996.
"Multiplied millions have been blessed by Paul's life and ministry," says Dr. George O. Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God. "His voice lives on through Hermano Pablo ministries even though now his presence is with Jesus."
As soon as they are finalized, funeral arrangements will be posted at caringbridge.org/visit/hermanopablo.
Authors: Becca Dickson
Copyright ©2006 The General Council of the Assemblies of God, 1445 North Boonville Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802-1894
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Devotion
I have been on an adventure that I have told a few of you about in which I am reading through the Bible from beginning to end. It is a new way of discovering the riches of God, rather than reading in different places. I just finished reading the book of Esther.
Esther has always been one of my favorite books. She was an ordinary girl about whom God had extraordinary plans and through whom Yahwah delivered his people Israel. She was taken from her simple peasant home right into the arms of the king of Babylon, and God caused great favor to be on her. She could have covered her head in shame because the youthfulness of her virginity was taken away from her, but instead she embraced the opportunity as God's will and became a refreshing joy in the harem of young virgins.
Behold the greatness and good love of our wonderful Maker who gave her wisdom beyond her youthfulness. She could have told all, but she heeded the wisdom of her uncle Mordecai and did not reveal her people. It took great courage for her to obey the king's command. She was also respectful and submissive to her uncle Mordecai, and although she feared her own death, she took strength in the embrace of her heavenly Abba and walked into the king's chambers uninvited awaiting her certain execution.
When she saw that the king was pleased to receive her, she did not become hasty in pleading for her people nor did she demand in anger for the king to deliver her, but took time to adore her king and pour blessing on his head. Once she had secured his favor, once she had found that he was certain about giving her anything she requested, then she took the opportune time to plead for her life and that of her family.
Such wisdom and courage who can find!! Queen Esther (the young maiden Haddassah) is still celebrated to this day among the Israelites in exile who were rescued by God's great hand through the queen. Every 12th month on the 15th day, they remember how God had mercy on them through her and they celebrate by giving of gifts to the poor and to their neighbors. This holiday is called Purim.
I am thankful for the favored people of Israel. Without their deliverance, would any one of us be delivered? Yet through this people has arisen the Son of God Most High and He was delivered into the hands of men unto death, but God rose him again! I believe that through Israel is my inheritance and have heard my loving Abba say my name. He knows me, and has put his banner over me (a Gentile no less).
In the Bible it says that God has chosen a people who were not a people. How magnificent is His name in all the earth, and Blessed is the King of Israel who has become Lord of my heart over all the earth!
ALthough Israel was God's chosen people, through the Messiah grace and forgiveness has been extended to any people group. I recognize who Israel is, AND I also recognize who I am.
Thank you Jesus Christ for saving me. I am devoted to you.
Love you friends.
Esther has always been one of my favorite books. She was an ordinary girl about whom God had extraordinary plans and through whom Yahwah delivered his people Israel. She was taken from her simple peasant home right into the arms of the king of Babylon, and God caused great favor to be on her. She could have covered her head in shame because the youthfulness of her virginity was taken away from her, but instead she embraced the opportunity as God's will and became a refreshing joy in the harem of young virgins.
Behold the greatness and good love of our wonderful Maker who gave her wisdom beyond her youthfulness. She could have told all, but she heeded the wisdom of her uncle Mordecai and did not reveal her people. It took great courage for her to obey the king's command. She was also respectful and submissive to her uncle Mordecai, and although she feared her own death, she took strength in the embrace of her heavenly Abba and walked into the king's chambers uninvited awaiting her certain execution.
When she saw that the king was pleased to receive her, she did not become hasty in pleading for her people nor did she demand in anger for the king to deliver her, but took time to adore her king and pour blessing on his head. Once she had secured his favor, once she had found that he was certain about giving her anything she requested, then she took the opportune time to plead for her life and that of her family.
Such wisdom and courage who can find!! Queen Esther (the young maiden Haddassah) is still celebrated to this day among the Israelites in exile who were rescued by God's great hand through the queen. Every 12th month on the 15th day, they remember how God had mercy on them through her and they celebrate by giving of gifts to the poor and to their neighbors. This holiday is called Purim.
I am thankful for the favored people of Israel. Without their deliverance, would any one of us be delivered? Yet through this people has arisen the Son of God Most High and He was delivered into the hands of men unto death, but God rose him again! I believe that through Israel is my inheritance and have heard my loving Abba say my name. He knows me, and has put his banner over me (a Gentile no less).
In the Bible it says that God has chosen a people who were not a people. How magnificent is His name in all the earth, and Blessed is the King of Israel who has become Lord of my heart over all the earth!
ALthough Israel was God's chosen people, through the Messiah grace and forgiveness has been extended to any people group. I recognize who Israel is, AND I also recognize who I am.
Thank you Jesus Christ for saving me. I am devoted to you.
Love you friends.
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