Blog

The Rooster's Crow

Julio Nieves — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

This past Holy week I was asked to do a piece in our Maundy Thursday service from the perspective of Peter during the time when he denied Jesus Christ. I performed a five minute monolouge on Peter's experience. In this monologue I portrayed Peter almost as a crazy man who is haunted by the sounds of the rooster crowing. After claiming that he would not deny Jesus he did 3 times. And now he just can not stop the haunting sounds of the rooster's crow. We just celebrated Holy week and during this time we meditate and celebrate the beauty of God's great love, yet how often do we still deny Him. Do we hear that rooster crow? Maybe we should listen to see if we hear the crow of the rooster when we sin against Him, when we turn our backs, when we do not stand up for our believes? Sometimes it might be though when we slip but we push hard and persevere and one day as we reach eternity we'll never have to hear that rooster crow again! With Love and Grace! J

Lost Sheep

Julio Nieves — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Have you ever felt like a lost sheep... or just lost in anything that you do? I was so encouraged the other night at youth group as we continue to share on this new year and new beginnings. I think many of us can look back to the past and see that our lives at times have felt as if we were lost in this giant planet. We start to feel so insignificant and as if we were all alone. Our heavenly father lets us know that we are not alone, we might feel insignificant but he reminds us over and over when we stray that he will leave that he (Luke 15:1-7) leaves the ninety-nine in the open country and goes after the lost sheep until he finds it? That's the love of our heavenly father... when are we going to start noticing how amazing our creator is? When will we shout the praises found in Psalm 139:14.

Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Let us celebrate and rejoice in a father who has created us fearfully and wonderfully, loves us and looks after his flock. That no matter how many steps we may take awe from him it takes one to return.

May you continue to experience God's love and grace.

Julio

New Shoes!

Julio Nieves — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Well it's no secret Christmas is over. All the convenient stores are putting away their Christmas stuff and place their focus on the next holiday. One thing I love about the holidays is seeing people using their new toys and gifts that they received during the holidays, a new outfit, a dress, or my favorite... new sneakers. There is something about new sneakers that make your feet almost glow. Not only are they the most comfortable thing (because your old ones are so worn out) but the newness of the white laces, the shinny new color the mud has not touched, the clean smell that doesn't stink up the room! Growing up poor the only times you ever got new sneakers were at the end of summer right before school and sometimes during the holidays, so whenever you went back to school you felt like a fresh new start... Now let's look at the new year? Are you starting with a fresh new start? Do you feel refreshed, revived , and ready to run the distance, or are you the old shoes, feeling tired, worn out, and like you're carrying a load you just can't handle anymore.

Why do we continue to do what we know we shouldn't or carry loads that are not ours to carry.

This year let's be refreshed by Christ. Let's start out by seeking the knowledge of Him and His love. Let's walk around as if we were shinny and new like a fresh pair of shoes because Christ has revived us, and let's do it together. May the peace and love of Christ be with you...

With love

Julio and the Level 6 Crew

Birthday Party

Tim Joyce — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Have you ever had a birthday party where the guests bring each other gifts, but have nothing for you? As we celebrate Christ's birthday let us not forget it is his birthday, not ours, and think about how we can give a gift to Jesus.A great gift would be to follow Jesus in advice in Luke 9:23 "Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. " thinking of it, it would be awkward to not receive a gift on my own birthday... I know I want to give Jesus a gift this Christmas!

CHRIStmas!

Julio Nieves — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Celebrating Christ's Christmas!

I recently did our youth group lesson on Christ's Christmas and the more I think about it the more it challenges me. See we always talk about "keeping Christ in Christmas" or the good ole' saying "Jesus is the reason for the season" but is he? When we look at Matthew 2:1-12 the Magi, journeyed and searched to worship the King and bring HIM gifts. So if we re keeping Christ in christmas or making this His season... then have you searched hard for Him lately? What gift of worship have you provided for our king? Did I share God's love with someone who needed it today or did I just pass through to make sure to get to my destination on time? Am I too busy with my shopping list even if it is for other people... Did I get Jesus a gift?

In love and grace

Julio

The beginning of yet another web cite!

Julio Nieves — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:41:05 GMT

This is crazy... OLIVET UMC stepping into the 21st century! We just launched our church's web cite and now re-doing the youth's web cite, greatness!!! I would just like your help in aiding me through this all with updates, reminders, and ideas on how we can have a kick-butt web cite which will direct people and help them out to get to know us better.