'hungry?' Wrap Up

I would personally like to thank everyone for a great event this past Wednesday. Everyone came with a servants heart and helped feed over 400 Cal State Long Beach students.

Here are some folks I would like to thank:
Simon Bardone: Our speaker for the evening. You preach it man!
Catalyst: You guys rocked the house. The lyrics of your songs are inspiring
John, Debbie, & the rest of KCCC: Thanks for sticking around
Mark & David of Christian Students Unite: Thanks for your overall help. Love you guys!
Karla Goddu: Thank you for consistently & faithfully praying that the Lord will transform lives at CSULB.
Elliot and the rest of AACF: Thanks for helping out with the food. You guys rock!
James Davis: Thanks for helping out with clean-up.

Thanks again for everyone who helped out and was a part of the event. I received dozens of encouraging e-mails and people who were impacted form the event. Unification will create influence and I am pleased to be serving with each of you.

God Bless you guys!


--Armando
armando@csulb.net

Understanding Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

When I was a kid, my understanding of Dia de los Muertos was very slim. All I saw were people dressed up like skeletons and fancy clothes to recognize those kids and adults who has passed away. Now that I'm a little bit older, I see that this is something more than just a remeberance day for the deceased.

The origins of Dia de los Muertos stem from prehispanic Mexico. The ancestors were a regular part of the community and were well respected. The living had the ability to speak to the deceased ancestors and obeyed the guidance of a particular ancestor. The offering of human sacrifices was believed to help sustain the universe. After death, each soul was guided by a dog through several steps in order to arrive at Mictlán, the place of the dead.

Mictlán had several different areas to accommodate the dead, depending on how they died. These areas were for the following people: babies, women who had died while giving birth, warriors, victims of drowning, etc.

The dead would return to visit their family members and friends in order to help them, give them counsel, and to sometimes to rebuke them.

The Spaniards came around and change day to fit a more Catholic perspective.

It needs to be known that the origin of Dia de los Muertos has absolutely nothing to do with the death, resurrection, and/or life of Jesus Christ. I understand that we are to remember those you have passed away, but to pray to the dead and create idols is where the line has to be drawn.


A simple look into the scriptures will show that we are to pray and receive guidance from Jesus Christ and no one else.

1 Timothy 2:5-6
"For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus!"

Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord!"

We should not put our hope & trust in deceased ancestors but in the love and reality of Christ's life, death, & resurrection. He rose from the dead and defeated death. His shed blood can cleanse us of ALL sin. Forget all your arguments, repent and put your trust in Jesus Christ, and be saved from God's wrath. Read & understand the scriptures, He will never let you down!

--Armando
armando@csulb.net