Character Still Counts in Leaders!

Last Saturday I visited the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA. This was a special treat since it was a Father's Day gift from my oldest son Brandon! Not only was did he provide the tickets and transportation to the Library, he also bought lunch at one of my favorite restaurants in Pasadena, Lebanese Kitchen!

The Library is fabulous! Why? Because of the character of the man who it represents! He was a great American President who was gifted as a public speaker! His humour and wit was renown!

When going the operating table for an assassin attempt, he would ask the doctors: "Are you all Republicans?" The main doctor responded: "Today, Mr. President we're all Republicans"!

He told his wife as soon as he was able to see her after the assassination attempt: "Honey, I forgot to duck"!

It was his desire to put everyone at ease! Everything is going to be alright!

His public speaking would also help motivate the destruction of Communism that was represented by the Berlin Wall. For close to forty years this wall had separated a nation and its people from each other. He would speak the following at the Berlin wall: "Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

What was his character based upon? It was founded upon his belief in God. He spoke the following:

"If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under."

"Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face."

"Without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure."

"We are never defeated unless we give up on God."

"I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land. We need God's help to guide our nation through stormy seas. But we can't expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him over on the shelf in our day-to-day living."

His belief in God caused him to see the good in man since man is made in the image of God! Listen to what he spoke about man:

"I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there's purpose and worth to each and every life."

Yes, character still counts in Leaders! America needs leaders who believe in God and allow the Word of God to guide their decisions and actions!



Thank you Brandon and Rach for your sacrifice of time and finance in making this a day of remembering what really is important for Leaders! Character!

34 years TOGETHER!

Last week my wife and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary! On June 28,1975 we were married in Modesto California!

This has been the second most important decision that I have ever made (The #1 decision was decision to serve the Lord)! Not only was it an important decision but also the right one! Through the years, our lives have became knitted together, intertwined and inseparable.

How has our marriage been able to stand the test of Time? Each of us have had a great love for God! This has caused us to develop individual prayer lives which are foundational to a great marriage! Remember:

The deeper your relationship with God the richer the love for each other! Why? Because God is Love!

The wise man Solomon stated: Iron sharpeth, iron (Pro. 27:17)!

As you walk with the one who is the very essence of Love you will sharpen your love for others! Your mate will be the main individual who will receive that blessing of Your walk with Love (God)! I thank God for a wonderful wife who walks with God!

What did we do for our 34th? We spent two days with each other, and topped it off with a hot air balloon ride! The one hour ride started near the Pacific ocean at Del Mar and passed over the home of some of the world's richest people in Rancho Santa Fe! An area near San Diego! Bill Gates owns a home there along with others such as the Diet Queen Jenny Craig!

Yet I felt like the richest man in the world! I had a faithful wife by my side and a faithful God nearby!

I gazed at His creation, the sunset on the Pacific Ocean and felt His love! You too, can experience the same! Start a consistent prayer life and let His love impact your decisions!

Congradulations "09" Grads!

Sunday was wonderful as we honored the "09" Grads of Hope Center! Their testimonies were very touching and uplifting! A real blessing to all!

Three young ladies graduated from "REV" High School and one young man graduated from College!







Klarissa Contreras







Alejandra Reyes








Valeri Sartoresi








Andrew Simpson!





We honor them for their perseverance and commitment to excellence! The future is bright for them! Their and your key to a life of success is Joshua 1:8:

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

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Remember Hope Center builds Healthy Disciples! To be a Healthy Disciple you need to: Worship, Connect, Serve and Reach! This Saturday is a great time to Serve! Join one of the 7 ministry teams that are raising funds for their ministries at Sylvan Park on July 4th! How can I join? Go to hopecenteronline.com and click on "Sign Up Here" box at the bottom of the page. It will be a great time of fellowship for all!