...Get Set...

Hello All,

Somebody's mother once said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." I want to amend just one part of this. "If you have nothing to say, then say nothing!" In many ways, that has been the story of these last few weeks. Everything has been behind the scenes, waiting on phone calls, studying for messages, scouring the internet for jobs, etc. Thankfully, as of Friday night, I finally have something to report.

As mentioned in my most recent post, I asked for your prayers regarding a meeting place for the Bible study that we feel led to begin in Colton. Initially, I had believed that my families home would suffice for a good meeting place. However, due to the size of the group that has talked about coming, we knew that before we even began, we would have outgrown the place. So the hunt was on.

Thankfully, with the help of a great friend, we came into contact with the folks that run the community center in town. As of tonight, we have been given permission to occupy! They have agreed to rent a room to us, and we are thankful to have the opportunity to use their facilities.

As a result, we are beginning the Thursday Night Bible Study THIS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1st. It will begin at 7PM at the Frank Gonzalez Community Center in Colton. The building is located at 670 Colton Avenue in Colton, 92324. I am grateful to watch and participate with the Holy Spirit, as He begins a work that I pray will be a blessing to many and blossom into whatever the Father intends it to become. It seems only fitting to begin at the Beginning...We'll begin in the book of Genesis, a book (really, the entire Bible would work!) that I have a great affinity for.

Many have asked over the last several weeks about how or if they could give toward this work. This was a question that I needed to uncover myself! Last Tuesday, I received the answer. This Bible study is an outreach of Kingsfield Church. As a result, Pastor Chris gave his permission to officially exist under the umbrella of Kingsfield. If you are reading this and are one of the people that have asked, or you are wondering, checks can be made out to "Kingsfield Church" and in the memo, simply write "Colton Outreach."

Finally, as most of you know, this has been our families blogsite for the last several years. I want it to continue to be that and continue to invite any who would like to visit and see our family as it develops, to continue to do so. As a result, in the next few weeks, I will be separating this blog back toward my family and creating a separate blog for the Bible Study. I may merge the Bible Study and Bible notes page that already exists into one new blog. Eventually, perhaps an entire website will be in order, but that will come in time. For now, most of the "news" will be here until a different blogspot can be determined.

Thank you all for your prayers, your encouraging notes and you pledges of support, either financially or in the promise of your physical presence. I hope that all of you will continue to pray for this to be a special part of the fabric of Colton, as well as the Inland Empire.

Blessings...To Our Friends,
Frank Sanchez

On Your Marks...

Hello All,

I meant to blog this a little earlier in the week, but computer problems have arisen over the last day that have delayed this. Perhaps this falls under the "better late than never" labels for this blog. Nevertheless, as my good friend Kim says, "I must needs" get this to you.

As I have previously announced, I am about to begin a Bible study in the city of Colton. I have said on more than one occasion that I have no idea what to expect, but that I expect to teach the Word of God and worship Him with whoever God intends to bring our way. Tonight, September 10th, we begin the process in Spirit and even in practice. Over the course of the next several weeks, I will be meeting with family and some mentors on Thursday evenings, for the purpose of prayer and worship. We are asking the Lord several specific items. For those who read this blog, or who have been directed here through Facebook, please take some time when you can, perhaps even this evening at 7PM, and pray through this list of items with us.

One of the main items of prayer is a suitable location in Colton to meet. We have a few "feelers" out there, but are currently unsure as to a good, solid location to congregate. I had originally believed that my family's home would suffice, but have become quickly convinced that the space would be too constrictive. I am hopeful that there is a much more suitable place, and will focus my attention on that aspect next week when a good friend of mine returns from his vacation (you know who you are!!). I pray that he might be a big help in that regard.

For now, here is the current list of items that we would love you to join us in prayer over. This is by no means, exhaustive, but it gets the prayer fires stoked. I consider it a launching pad toward even more effective prayer. Feel free to disseminate this to any prayer warriors that you know, especially those who know us. We can use all the prayer we can get!

• Strength, wisdom and clarity for Frank as he attempts to follow the Lord's leading.

• The annointing of God's Spirit to rest upon Frank, as he proclaims the Word.

• The strengthening of Frank and Lela's marriage and family.

• The stirring up of hearts in Colton and surrounding areas for the Word of God.

• Strong, supportive partnerships would develop.

• The casting down of spiritual strongholds within Colton.

• Spiritual protection from the attacks of the enemy for Frank, Lela and the kids.

• A smooth adjustment for our kids as they acclimate to new pressures.

• A strategic, inexpensive location to meet on a weekly basis. Either is Colton proper or Cooley Ranch...

• Redeeming relationships in the community among Colton's Pastors.

• Opportunities to make friends and evangelize inside of the city.

• Employment and financial provision for the Sanchez family.

• A devoted team of leaders and elders would be identified.

• God would draw the hearts of those that He would like to touch.

• God's name would be magnified and lifted high, leading to unprecedented blessing.

• God's vision of what this should be would be realized.

That is it! Feel free to leave what you feel led to pray in the comments section of this blog entry. We would love to see what the Lord stirs in our friend's hearts.

Blessings...To Our Friends,
Frank Sanchez

The Great Gospel Of Jesus Christ

THE GREAT GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
by John Calvin

Without the gospel
everything is useless and vain;
we are not Christians;
all riches is poverty,
all wisdom folly before God;
strength is weakness,
and all the justice of man is under the condemnation of God.

But by the knowledge of the gospel we are made:
children of God,
brothers of Jesus Christ,
fellow townsmen with the saints,
citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven,
heirs of God with Jesus Christ, by whom
the poor are made rich,
the weak strong,
the fools wise,
the sinner justified,
the desolate comforted,
the doubting sure,
and slaves free.

It is the power of God for the salvation of all those who believe.
It follows that every good thing we could think or desire is to be found in this same Jesus Christ alone.

For, He was:
sold, to buy us back;
captive, to deliver us;
condemned, to absolve us;

made a curse for our blessing,
sin offering for our righteousness;
marred that we may be made fair;
he died for our life; so that by him
fury is made gentle,
wrath appeased,
darkness turned into light,
fear reassured,
despisal despised,
debt canceled,
labor lightened,
sadness made merry,
misfortune made fortunate,
difficulty easy,
disorder ordered,
division united,
ignominy ennobled,
rebellion subjected,
intimidation intimidated,
ambush uncovered,
assaults assailed,
force forced back,
combat combated,
war warred against,
vengeance avenged,
torment tormented,
damnation damned,
the abyss sunk into the abyss,
hell transfixed,
death dead,
mortality made immortal.

In short, mercy has swallowed up all misery, and goodness all misfortune. For all these things which were to be the weapons of the devil in his battle against us, and the sting of death to pierce us, are turned for us into exercises which we can turn to our profit.

If we are able to boast with the Apostle, saying, "O hell, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?" it is because by the Spirit of Christ promised to the elect, we live no longer, but Christ lives in us; and we are by the same Spirit seated among those who are in heaven, so that for us the world is no more, even while our conversation is in it; but we are content in all things, whether country, place, condition, clothing, meat, and all such things.

And we are
comforted in tribulation,
joyful in sorrow,
glorying under vituperation,
abounding in poverty,
warmed in our nakedness,
patient amongst evils,
living in death.

This is what we should in short seek in the whole of Scripture: truly to know Jesus Christ, and the infinite riches that are comprised in Him and are offered to us by Him from God the Father.

"Let the people of God thank Him and be faithful to proclaim His good news!"

Blessings...To Our Friends,
Frank Sanchez