Blessed to be part of an amazing, wonderful,beautiful and did I mention amazing community :)
Blessed :D
My Baptism Experience
Stephen asks me, “Hey Jose, you ready?” Anxiously, I answer, “Uh.. yeah”
So many thoughts are racing in my head. I constantly ask myself “Am I going to do this? Am I ready?” My heart’s racing. It feels like my heart is beating over 1000 beats per minute. Stephen tells me ”Hey Jose c’mon.”
It’s my turn to get baptized. I’m walking towards the pool and I’m getting emotional because God has changed my life drastically. From being a lost Punk rock kid to a child of God. I make my way towards the pool, climbing over the small and shaky ladder and out of nowhere I eat it. I slip into water and I hear Justin laughing as well as the crowd. I’m embarrassed but I told the audience and Justin, “That doesn’t count!” I’m soaking wet, but that did not stop me to get baptized. Justin leads me to the middle of the pool and I kneel. Justin is asking me questions, as I hear his questions, my eyes are closed and I’m having a bit of a flashback of my life. Seeing how far I, Jose Pacheco have come spiritually.
Repeatedly, I quietly tell myself, “R.I.P Jose Pacheco, Adios amigo, R.I.P Jose Pacheco. I’m leaving this old life. This is for you God, and I’m ready.” Justin baptizes me and I’m up and out of the water, again I lose my balance and I hear the crowd laugh again. I’m getting out of the pool and I feel energized and happy that God did this. It was euphoric.
Jose posted this on his Facebook page the next day:
A new day
A new man
A new Jose
A new creation
To God be the Glory!
:)
Today is the DAY!
Today is the day, I, Jose will be baptized… again.
Today May second of 2012 marks my two year anniversary of my first baptism.
The first time I got baptized, I strongly believe that I did it for the title to become a Christian “Officially” meaning I wanted to be baptized to become a Christian. I had the mentality of, ” I’m getting baptized so I can be a Christian!”
I never fully grasped to what baptism meant at that time.
My first baptism was nice, but ever since then I’ve been living for myself.
I’ve been stagnant in my relationship with God. I’ve been luke warm.
I’ve been living a life that does not please God.
After this past Easter, the Easter’s message at my church convicted me.
Now, today, actually tonight, I am going to put my old life to death.
I want to put my sin to death.
Tonight’s baptism, I am ready to be buried with Christ.
Lately, God has been putting amazing and beautiful people in my life. Ever since sharing my testimony to my church, my life has become a roller coaster. The ride has been a blast. I’m still enjoying it!
I’ve been developing real and authentic friendships and relationships with people from my church.
For example, This past Sunday after church service, I and a couple of my friends went to our friend’s condo and the night consisted a beautiful prayer circle, accountability, worship, and yummy pancakes ( Thank You Kendra) and they had Nutella! Oh, I was in heaven. The fellowship in that condo was unbelievable. I was on cloud nine. It was so beautiful, worshiping with friends and talking about God was euphoric, definitely, a utopian experience.
I remembered eating pancakes and talking to my friend Kendra in the kitchen and while I was in the kitchen, I heard the “Desert Song” being played in the background, quickly I went to the living room because the “Desert Song” is seriously my jam. Yes, I said jam. As soon as I walked towards the living room I saw and heard my friends singing and worshiping God simultaneously. Hearing everyone sing, ” I will bring praise, I will bring praise, No weapon formed against me shall remain.” was beautiful. I was in awe.
I am so comfortable with the people God has put in my life. Thanks to God these group of friends are changing my life constantly, encouraging, and motivating me to be real with them. It’s such a blessing. God is so good. Thank you Jesus!
Literally, a year ago, I did not have many church friends maybe a couple, four friends and now I am so content with the blessings God has provided. I don’t have a lot of friends at church but I am content with the people who are in my life.
These friends are not my church friends; in fact, they are my friends.
jamestherocketman asked: hey sorry i never got back to you sooner but thanks alot :)
Hey man no problem!
you are welcome.
Praying that you have a good day!
God bless
Expose
“Are you ready? I’m about to go on!Jose stop shaking!” Anxiously, I said to myself waiting for Delon and Josh to finish their performance.
The sounds of the tambourine and guitar stop. “Thank you” says Delon and Josh to the audience. “It’s time” says Tori. She hands me the light blue tapped “number 1” microphone. It’s time. Now or never. I’m walking towards the stage behind Meagan, who made a couple of announcements. “Just stay there Meagan. Keep talking.” I said to myself. Meagan leaves and IT’S TIME! Time to face the music. I’m about to speak in front of 200 people I think. The crowd is yelling and clapping. “Hello my names Jose and tonight I will be sharing a short story about a specific time in my life where I questioned God,my faith, and me.” I said to the audience. My microphone stand is low. I feel like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. I believe Tori came up and raised the stand a little higher for me. The light is glaring at me. I can’t see anyone. I continue with my short story. I’m shaking. My paper is shaking like a little earthquake. Loudly, I declared, “I’m done with Satan. Screw you Satan… I will not be buried alive, I refuse to sink and I’m coming out of this pit!” I look at the audience with confidence. I’m almost done.
“Christ, God defines me. I’m a child of God not a child of darkness. I closed my eyes and said, “and knowing that I felt and feel free,strong, weightless, and loved. By my friend, my master, my light, my love, my savior, and by my father again.”
I look at the glaring light, quickly I look at the audience and I’m comfortable.
“God loves us a lot. He loves the crap out of us, Literally.” The crowd starts laughing and I know I said something right. “Ignore those negative voices that say you’re not worthy, you’re not beautiful, you suck because those aren’t from God. God thinks you are all that and a bag of chips!” again, the crowd laughs. “Tell those negative thoughts to go back to hell because that’s where they belong!” courageously, I said.
The audience claps and shouts. “Screw Satan! and thank you.” I finished. I’m done. I’m walking towards my seat and Kory hugs me, bear hug style.I see people all around standing, clapping, shouting with love. Andrew comes up to me and gives me a hug and I hear the sound of claps and shouts even louder.I thank God, I praise God, that I’m home..HOME because of God. God deserves the credit here.
God took me out of a self destructive pit. I tried doing it by myself but I can’t. God can and he will. Give him a chance you will not regret it.
It was definitely one of the scariest, nerve-wrecking, and honest moments of my life but I don’t regret sharing my story to my church, to my Co+op community and to my home.
That night I witnessed a community of young adults with great talent and love for God. I am blessed to be part of this. I am blessed for having amazing brothers and sisters in Christ. It was such a blessing.
To God be the Glory!
Am I ready?
Okay this Wednesday night will be probably one of the biggest nights of my life. This Wednesday I will be taking part of CO+OP’s open mic night. To be honest, I’m ready to be real with others. Lately,God has been pushing me to share and confess something so personal to my church.What do I have to lose right? Maybe some friends but I’m not thinking negative. God will provide :)
It’s the time to share who I am. I’m not doing this so I can get praise, or high fives. I’m not “known” at my church. At times I feel like an outsider in the CO+OP community, maybe because I’m too shy or reserved but I’m not going to let that STOP me from sharing of what God has done for my life. Heck no. God is the only one who deserves the credit. I feel like a little kid craving for his favorite veggie burger, wanting it so desperately because of the juicy flavor. This Wednesday night is the flavor for me. I want to share so bad!
I feel fearless. I’m ready to share, regardless of what anyone might say or think.
I’m here to embrace God’s love and light.
I don’t know if people are going to get something out of this but I just want people to know that I am nowhere close being perfect. I’m still a sinner. I struggle on a daily bases with temptation and sin.
I’m human but I will die to myself everyday for my King.
Am I ready?
Yes.
