A Pinch of Salt and a Little Light: Transgenderism

Transgenderism has been a topic heavily covered by much brighter Christians than I. There was nothing that I could add to the subject until the other day. My family and I were shopping at the local Toys R Us. She was picking out some items for the little girl we hoped to welcome into the world later that week, while I was on daddy-duty following around my son as he ran into the motorized car aisle excitedly yelling, "Beep! Beep! Beep!" (I write this while sitting across from my sleeping wife in the Labor & Delivery room - baby Elena is not here yet)

There were a mixture of jeeps, SUVs and convertibles to pick from - some for boys others for girls. When we first entered the aisle, he ran straight to a pink SUV. I opened the door for him and he climbed right in, and began hitting the horn and turning the wheel. A couple of minutes later, he was off to another car (a boy's car this time) and then to another (a girl's car). I didn't and don't care one bit that he was playing in a girl's car. More importantly, he only cared that it was a BEEP!

After some time, I whisked him away to look around the rest of the store. By popular demand we were back in the car aisle 10 minutes later. He immediately ran over to the car he first entered, the pink SUV. But something went through my head this time. It was because there were other people in the aisle - what would they think if they saw me letting my son play with a girl's car? I let the thought go for a minute but it crept back in.

I began to ponder, if someone comments or asks why my son is in a girl's car - what would the Christian response, especially in light of the transgender movement? We cannot deny that certain parents would see this behavior in their own children and question their sexuality. Maybe it wasn't just liking girly cars for their boy; maybe their boy likes putting on pink dresses and playing with dolls. The parents then wrongly conclude that he must be identifying as a female and instead of correcting, teaching and redirecting their son or daughter, they ultimately encourage the behavior.

Back to my predicament, what would be my response? Let's assume the question is direct, "Sir, it looks like your son may actually be identifying as a girl. Do you see how he is attracted to girl's cars. You have a special little one there, encourage this behavior though it might be uncomfortable."

My Christian response: "Thank you, I appreciate your concern. My family and I are actually Christians, we believe that gender is a gift from God. He made my son a boy and my wife and I plan to honor God by raising our son to be a man. We will teach him about His Creator and how he should strive to live out the roles, enjoy the rights and fulfill the responsibilities he will have as a man. I know our culture and the news place so much emphasis on transgenderism, but I encourage you to read about the God of the bible and learn about His ways. More importantly, I hope you learn about His Son, Jesus (The conversation can go anywhere from here - hopefully to the gospel. Remember, law first, then the good news ;-). 


How would you respond to such a question? Let me know what you think in the comments.


Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

ACTS: (S)upplication

Welcome to the final installment of a four part series on the ACTS prayer model. We have made our way through Adoration, Confession and Thanksgiving. Today we will discuss Supplication.

Supplication means to plead humbly. Christians have been granted an amazing blessing and privilege which is seldom used to its potential - you can have an audience with the King. The Creator of the universe has so condescended to His beloved people that His ear is available to you at all times. Not only is He passively interested in hearing from you, but His very nature and character desires to have communion with His children. In His word, Almighty God calls you to come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). He cares about you and wants you to lay your troubles at His feet (Philippians 4:6). Prayer is so important to God that Jesus instructed us on how to go about praying (Matthew 6:9-13).

Supplication connotes the idea of entreating the assistance of one who has the power to answer. We are encouraged to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) with all prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:18). God also wants us also to know that He answers prayers (Matthew 21:22). 


What should you supplications be about?


Good question: for yourself (Matthew 26:41), other saints (James 5:16), your enemies (Luke 6:27-28), our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

What pitfalls should I watch out for?

Another good question. Be careful of praying for prayer's sake - don't be a hypocrite (Matthew 6:5-8).

Supplication follows the trajectory the previous parts of the ACTS model and is the logical extension of someone's communication with their Creator. If you have worshiped, confessed your sins and thoroughly thanked Him, the believer can plead that God be glorified and that His (perfect) will be done. Anything touched upon during the time of confession can be petitioned for. The Father, through His Holy Spirit out of honor for Christ can and will transform and conform a believer into the image of His Son. Time spent in thanksgiving highlights some of the most important areas of a Christian's life, plead for those things during your time of supplication.

There are endless topics that relate to prayer and praying, but I hope that this series has been helpful to you and that God will use it to encourage you to pray more.

Until next time, yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

ACTS: (T)hanksgiving

Welcome to Part Three of a four part series on the ACTS prayer model. So far we have discussed Adoration (worship) and Confession, today we will be taking a look at Thanksgiving.

Adoration of God causes the Christian to rightfully see themselves as fallen before His perfect ways. Confession of sin follows; scripture says "a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). What then? Does the believer confess their sin and remain in guilt? This would be the case if it were not for the good news of the Gospel. If Christ had not been raised from the dead our faith would be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14). But our Great, gracious God, in His mercy and grace sent Jesus at the right time (Galatians 4:4). Jesus came to save sinners, so rejoice and thank your God for the gift of salvation.

This understanding of redemption should anchor the Christian's gratitude. Sure you can thank Him for your daily bread and for keeping you safe but, He does these same things for unbelievers. We have a greater, deeper reason for giving thanks. You can (and should) thank Him even for the hard things He allows. James tells us to count it joy when we meet various trials (James 1:2-3) because these tests will help produce steadfastness.

Thank Him, thank Him; for every breath, for the morning cup of coffee, for your job. For your boss, your Pastor, and for your fellow brothers and sister in the Lord. Thank Him because we are dependent, we need Him and He sustains us.

Thank God, thank Him often. Praise Him saints!



Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

ACTS: (C)onfession

We are now in Part Two of a four part series on the ACTS prayer model. Yesterday we discussed Adoration, today we will take a look at Confession.

Adoration or worship of God during prayer wells great admiration in the believer's heart. It leads us to contemplate the greatness of the Almighty. Extolling His attributes and characteristics though inevitably causes the believer to consider one's own heart. When compared to to the holiness of God, the believer along with Paul knows that we are the chief of sinners. Confession during prayer admits to God that we do not come close to keeping the command: "You shall be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16). This right understanding allows one to rightly declare to God, "Nothing in my hands I bring, only to the cross I cling."

As with Adoration, the believer's maturity and understanding of their God drives confession. The one with greater knowledge will weep and lament the most. My encouragement is to grow, understand the cesspool in which He found you and tell Him how evil your flesh still is. But don't stay there, as wretched as we are we know the good news. Let your mourning be turned to joy, tomorrow we will take a look at Thanksgiving.


So tell me friends:

Do you have a right understanding of your depravity?


Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

ACTS: (A)doration

Since recently attending Sermon Audio's Foundations Conference in my hometown, New York City; I have been praying more. Godly, faithful men, preached on the centrality of prayer and the proclamation of the word. At some point, one of the speakers mentioned using the ACTS model of prayer; Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. I had probably heard of this model before, but God used their teaching to invigorate my prayer life. ACTS stands for: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.

The ACTS model is not specifically found in the bible, nor should it be the only way in which a believer communicates with God, but it is a good guide for a believer to use during prayer. 

Adoration is worship. Worship involves the glorification and exaltation of God, this is achieved in the mind through contemplation upon God. Proper worship of God results from knowledge. One can proclaim His character, attributes and works to Him in prayer. A new Christian may only know God as Savior (1 John 4:14), they are still in awe that a holy, righteous God would die to redeem an undeserving rebel such as them-self. A more mature Christian will have a deeper understanding and relationship with God, they will acknowledge Him as Creator (Gen 1:1), as Judge (Hebrews 9:27), Healer (1 Peter 2:24).

Many of my prayers begin with, "Heavenly Father, Creator God, Maker of heaven and earth. You are holy, perfect and just." Bible studies, reading and devotions will expose the believer to more and more of God. Overtime, your adoration will grow deeper as you learn more about your King.


Do you use a system or guide to organize your prayer time?

What attributes or characteristics of God do you enjoy proclaiming to Him in prayer?

Let me know in the comments below.


Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

B - Believing Heart

A Believing heart is one of the ingredients which James tells us is important when going through trials. James 1:6-8:

6 But let him ask in faith,with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man,unstable in all his ways.

Double-minded in verse 8 means two souled. A person with two mindsets, two affections, lacks a believing heart. This person needs needs to repent of their doubt and wholly trust in God.

Possessing a believing heart allows a Christian to endure trials because he understands that God is sovereign and will lovingly allow a believer's faith to be tested in order to be conformed into the image of His Son, Jesus.


Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

A - Antinomianism

Ascribing to a school of thought can lead adherents to fall into ditches. This is generally due to an over emphasis of a specific angle in someone's worldview. Opposition to this over emphasis can have the same effect in the other direction, thus falling into another ditch.

In Christian theology antinomianism represents such a ditch. The word comes from two Koine (street) Greek words, anti (against) and nomos (law). This wrong bent in Christian thinking can be derived from such verses as Romans 10:4 - For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

This wrong thinking is easily corrected and centered by verses such as 1 John 5:3 - For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

A Christian is saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Forgiven of sins and free to obey God's law out of a cheerful, submissive heart. Let's stay centered.


Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

Does Limiting Access to Abortion Kill Women? Part Deux

Does Limiting Access to Abortion Kill Women? Part Deux

The resounding answer is YES! Denying access to abortion services results in the preventable death of mothers-to-be whom desire to-not-be. In 1971, Roe v. Wade cleared the way for abortion on demand and removed the dangers associated with back-alley and D.I.Y. attempts to end the unborn baby's life.

Abortion is the bullet in the chamber when other pregnancy prevention methods fail. Tweet this.

Abortion is the bullet in the chamber when other pregnancy prevention methods fail. The availability of abortion on-demand allows women from every walk of life to press the proverbial ‘reset’ button on their lives. Careers are protected, finances unaffected, lifestyles remain untethered and the other desires of the heart can be met.

If abortion is so beneficial to women, why the contention? Why is there a pro-life, pro-choice debate raging on?

People have moles and warts removed every day, yet pro-life groups don’t rally outside dermatology clinics. The question that needs to then be answered is, what is it? What is the unborn? Is the unborn human at 20 weeks or only after an 8 inch trip down the birth canal? If the fetus is simply a bundle of cells, then abortion is no more a moral issue than clipping a nail; but if the unborn is intrinsically human, then abortion is murder.

Pro-life advocates can cite science and intuition as proof that the unborn are human, this is good and right - the Christian on the other hand, relies on Scripture. Since God has spoken, what has He said about the unborn?

Psalm 139:13-16

13 For you formed my inward parts;

   you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

   my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

   intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

   the days that were formed for me,

   when as yet there was none of them.

Luke 1:41-44

41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

Scripture is unequivocally clear, it is a baby in the womb. Sure it's size, level of development, environment and level of dependence are different than ours; but when do those factors justify the taking of innocent life? Babies in the womb are; distinct, innocent, whole, human beings.

In Exodus 20:13, God’s word teaches us: You shall not murder. Murder is a sin which becomes more high-handed when we understand that humans are made in God’s image: We bear His character, we are a special creation of God unlike any other creature.

The Psalmist tells us: Behold, children are a heritage of the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. - Psalm 127:3

Fine you say, abortion is murder - Clearly we make an exception for instances of rape or incest. No, we don’t, it’s important to go back to the main question, what is it? We do not hand down a death sentence to a child because of their father’s crimes. Even when pro-death advocates cite the life of the mother as a reason to have abortion available, they are wrong. Abortion is the murder of an innocent being. If the baby dies in an attempt to save the mother, we mourn the loss of the baby, but it’s death isn’t an abortion.

What now?

Whether you’ve had an abortion what a wicked acts it was or you once support “a woman’s right to choose,” or even if you’ve sinned in another way; there is good news and bad news. First, the bad: God’s wrath abides upon sinners. God is holy (set apart) and righteous. He hates unrighteousness which is sin. The God of the bible punishes sinners for eternity in hell. The good news is; that same God loves to save and forgive sinners. If you had sinned in anyway, please repent of your sins and obey Jesus Christ for salvation.

Does limiting access to abortion kill women? Yes, but abortion kills babies.

Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

The Gospel is Preached: LaGuardia Community College!

20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:20-21

During a Public Speaking course at LaGuardia Community College (City University of New York) in the Fall of 2013, the Lord gave me the opportunity to preach the gospel to my 30 classmates. I wish that their reactions could have been filmed because many exclaimed, "I have never heard this before!" My fellow students were amazed with the presentation, asking me, "Where do you go to church?"

How many repented and believed the gospel unto salvation? I don't know, either a seed was planted or the ground was watered. The word of the Lord does not come back to Him void, let us hope, many of those present, will one day be saved.

Blessed be the Lord God, the eternal Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

God bless.

Does Limiting Access to Abortion Kill Women? Part 1

In NYC, riding the subway exposes one to protesters, demonstrators, artists and is often a stage for musicians, leaflet-ting and Christian open-air preaching. This mostly happens in busy hubs, where a larger amount of people are likely to see the display.

My commute home sometimes has me grabbing a connecting train at Atlantic Avenue and the transfer involves a set of stairs and a long corridor. Trudging the corridor after a long day at work last week, I was met with screams in the distance. Approaching the commotion, a woman was lying face-up on the ground, her lower half covered in blood. I found out that another woman who was standing nearby was the source of the screams, she continued,“Limiting abortion rights kills women! We need to support a woman's right to choose!”

Shocked, I hurried past and went down the stairs to the train platform. I felt grieved, it seemed so incredulous that there are  people willing to put on such a charade. While waiting for my train, a verse from Romans chapter 1 kept coming to mind; (v.28) And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

Fallen man has a debased, sinful mind Abortion, then, is a logical end for the idolatry of self and sexual freedom. Ending the life of an innocent, whole, human being is something that ought not to be done, it is wickedness, it is murder. Even more wicked, is the attempt to justify the act by arguing that denying women access to abortion will lead some to die in their attempt to abort illegally. You can’t make this stuff up, logic and common sense has fled these pro-you-can-murder-your-child-in-the-womb (it is good to be descriptive) advocates. I hurt for these women, primarily because of their blood-guiltiness before God, but also because they have been lied to. Who, on a whim, conspires to soak oneself in fake blood (let us hope) and act as a fool for hundreds of people? These young women needed training and coaxing to lead them to this point. Indoctrination in the culture of death resulted in last week’s “show” in the subway.

There is a silver lining to all of this. As Christians, we can and should respond to this. Sadly, though, most believers aren’t prepared to give a reasoned defense for the hope that lies within. In fact, many more cannot defend the life issue.

Our God calls us to be salt and light.  We would love for Roe v. Wade to be overturned and for the world to truly believe that abortion is wrong, but behavior modification is not the gospel. We don’t want people to behave better and yet die and be sent to hell- a Christian’s hope should be for spiritual rebirth. We want people to get saved! The conversion of sinners will result in behavior and mindset change because those people, now in Christ, are new creatures with a heart of flesh and the freedom to serve the Living God.

I plan to delve deeper into evangelism methods and pro-life arguments in upcoming posts. In the meantime, may we seek to glorify God by equipping ourselves and discipling others in these issues.

Do you feel trepidation when discussing these issues with others? Or is it something you feel comfortable with?

Do you know your church’s stance on the life issue? Does your church equip you defend the sanctity of life?

God bless.