Posts Tagged ‘Christianity’

As we head into the New Year I would like to thank all of those who read my blog post, and cheer me on along the way. I began blogging two years ago, and I wasn’t sure if I’d like it, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised.

I started this blog to let friends know what God is doing through our ministry on the border. My hope was to promote what we were doing, and to encourage friends to pray for us. I thought this would mostly be through people I already knew. I’ve been amazed as I’ve met new people through this blog that pray for and encourage us.

I would like to thank all that visit my blog, and especially those that pray for us and seek to encourage us along the way. You are a huge blessing to me and my family!

Here are some of the other blog sites from writers that have inspired me in 2012. I’ve listed a link to their blog, and their name if I know it. I greatly appreciate all of you!

There are many others that have spurred me on, and I wish I could list you all. Thanks so much!

Dave & Dawn at San Diego Harbor

Wishing You A Happy New Year!

Here’s a wonderful promise for you in 2013. It’s found in Isaiah 61:2,3 from the Message Bible. This passage describes our vision for ministry on the border.

“God sent me to announce the year of his grace—a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies—and to comfort all who mourn, To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.”

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

The Border Crossing into Tijuana, Mexico

The frequent bad news about the border is a reminder of the need for the transforming power of Christ. Only the gospel gives us lasting and real hope.

I just read a good article written in the Miami Herald on Monday about Tijuana, and how it’s becoming a safer place. I always welcome good news about positive change in TJ. The title of the article is, In Revived Tijuana, a new calm delights – and mystifies.

It appears one of the reasons there is peace in Tijuana is because one of the gangs has gained control of the city. The article cites experts who speculate, “they say the calm is because Mexico’s most powerful crime group has seized control of Tijuana’s key drug-trafficking corridor and now enforces the peace.” So it’s good there is more peace, but unfortunate that the gang problem still exists.

Our prayer is that the Prince of Peace will bring true peace to this land. Many Americans come to Tijuana for the prostitutes, abortions, gambling and other vices. There are some major strongholds in this city. Even when peace comes it doesn’t bring with it a transformed people. Only God can do that.

I’ve been touched by Chris Tomlin’s song, God of This City. My prayer is that greater things are yet to come for the San Diego – Tijuana border. Pray with me that it will happen soon!

Check out the song on YouTube here–

And greater things are still to be done in this great bi-national city of San Diego-Tijuana!

In HIs Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Our friend, Stephen Phelan leading Harbor Mid-City in communion a great Christian practice where we remember Christ death until He returns

Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Forty days before we celebrate Christ’s resurrection at Easter. I remember as a young boy practicing Lent. I would give up candy, or something that I normally enjoyed. It’s a good practice to deny ourselves at least on occasion. I think the problem was that I didn’t really understand why I was giving something up during the Lenten season.

I grew up in the Catholic church, and although there was a time I felt bitter towards the church, because I believed there were some essential truths that I missed. For instance, I really didn’t learn much about grace, and that it’s by grace through faith that we come to Christ. Yet, as I’ve grown older I’ve come to realize that there are many things that I gained.

I practiced many of the traditions when I was young, but the meaning was lost on me. Now I’ve come to appreciate the good things that I learned in the church while I was growing up.

One of the things I learned is the Bible stories. This was brought home to me when I was studying the Bible with a friend from Japan. We were studying about Moses, and they asked me, “Who’s Moses?” I explained who he was. Then it hit me that most people in Mexico are Catholic, so they know many of the Bible stories.

It is interesting to me to see that many Protestants today are rediscovering some of the good wholesome things that the Catholic church practices. The forty days of Lent are similar to Jesus fasting for forty days in the desert. He was tempted after he fasted for forty days. Many of the disciplines practiced in the Catholic church are healthy. Disciplines like, solitude, guided prayer, even the practice of Lent can be helpful to our Christian faith.

One of my friends from our church, Bill Petro, who calls himself the friendly neighborhood historian has some helpful info on Mardi Gras and lent that I’m sure you would find interesting. You can read more here…

Dave & Dawn Diaso

I just read another helpful article on Lent by Dr. Chuck DeGroat. He wrote, “As people addicted to comfort and convenience, we’re often unaware of how we live to feel good about ourselves, to gain a bit of affirmation, to exert influence, to maximize our own pleasure, to satisfy our immediate needs.  Lent invites us to intentionally frustrate ourselves, to engage in a season of deprivation, which actually makes us more aware of the depth of our dependence on any number of things – a substance, our reputation, control, achievement, being right, being comfortable, being secure.” You can find the whole article including some helpful resources on practicing Lent here…

I hope and pray that we might all grow in our Christian disciplines as we seek to follow Christ.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org