charles-ed-aguilar - Tumblr blog

[charles-ed-aguilar]

[charles-ed-aguilar]

In the face of life’s many challenges – wars, climate, economic instability, public and personal health issues, and the rapid pace of our children’s growth and decision-making – it’s natural to feel fear and anxiety. However, we have two powerful tools to navigate these turbulent times: hope and resilience.

Hope and Resilience

Hope is closely tied to faith and is referred to in Hebrews 11:1 as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” It is a profound trust in God’s promises, even when our circumstances seem bleak.

Resilience, on the other hand, is our capacity to withstand adversity, bounce back from difficulties, and keep moving forward, more robust and wiser than before (James 1:2-4).

It is essential to sustain hope and resilience to improve our social well-being. Romans 5:1-6 emphasizes that cultivating resilience helps us develop strength of character, which in turn strengthens our confident hope of salvation. We can be certain that this hope will not disappoint us because God loves us. God has bestowed the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with love.

Cultivating Hope and Resilience

Stay Connected to God: Maintaining a constant connection with God through prayer and regular Bible study is crucial. James 1:5-6 encourages us to ask God for wisdom, promising He will give generously without reproach. Philippians 4:6-7 teaches us to present our requests to God through prayer and thanksgiving, assuring us of His peace that surpasses all understanding.

Face Fear and Anxiety with Faith: The verses found in 1 Corinthians 3:6-10 provide a unique perspective on how to deal with fear and anxiety. These verses remind us that we can plant and water, but God provides the growth. This realization helps to relieve the pressure we often feel to control everything and reminds us that God is ultimately in control. We can more easily navigate life’s challenges by fostering this sense of resilience.

Serve Others: Serving others removes our focus from our problems and aligns us with Christ’s teachings (Mark 10:45). By serving others, we follow Christ’s example and cultivate a hopeful and resilient spirit.

Find Joy in Everyday Life: Finding joy in the simple things of life, such as nature, family, or a good book, can help us maintain hope. Romans 15:13 reminds us that the God of hope fills us with all joy and peace as we trust Him.

Cultivating hope and resilience is a journey that requires conscious effort, consistent faith, and reliance on God. It’s important to remember that no matter what challenges you may face, your hope lies in the unchanging character of God. As you cultivate these qualities, you will find yourself more equipped to handle the trials that come your way, emerging as a stronger and more steadfast individual in your faith and contributing to your community’s well-being.

Dear God,

We approach You today with humble hearts, grateful for Your boundless love and mercy. We are thankful for the strength and resilience You provide us, even when faced with life’s most arduous challenges.

Please help us always to have faith in Your promises, to take pleasure in serving others, and to obtain wisdom and understanding through prayer and Your Word every day. Help us to confront fear and anxiety with faith, knowing that You are in control.

May we experience joy every moment, recognizing Your presence in all things. And as we navigate through challenges, may our resilience grow, anchored deeply in the hope we have in You.

We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pishshapmishko.

Pastor Charles Ed II Aguilar, President

[charles-ed-aguilar]

Summer Reading

As a local church pastor and church planter for over ten years, I eagerly anticipated the summer season as it gave me more opportunities to connect with the community I serve.

Summer is a great season for embarking on road trips with church members, hiking, camping, canoeing, fishing, and photography expeditions. I also relish attending community gatherings like block parties, barbecues, and basketball games, which are always amazing.

But, as much as I enjoy these gatherings, some conversations turn into gossip sessions and political banter. I love Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote:

“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”

To keep my conversations interesting and avoid gossip and political banter, I make it a point to read at least five books every summer. This way, I always have enough talking points to keep my conversations exciting and engaging. 

I classify my readings into three categories: 1. Biblical

2. Church/Ministry

3. Management/Leadership. 

Reading these books during the summer months gave me enough ideas to keep my conversations with the people I meet absorbing. 

I remember my summer calendar was packed with invitations for outdoor adventures! From fishing and canoeing to kayaking and mushroom picking, thrilling 4x4 quad rides, intense basketball games, block parties, and community bbq!

My ministerial directors (Pastor Wayne Culmore, Pastor Ern Brake, and Pastor Wesley Torres) were skeptical at some point. They questioned my summer monthly reports, but I explained that I focused on connecting with people and making meaningful memories. They appreciated my approach, and I couldn’t be happier with how those summer months turned out. Last summer, I was occupied reading AdCom/Board minutes and other documents from the previous administration. I was trying to understand how the previous presidents led. As a result, I was unable to read any books. However, this summer, I am committed to reading these five books:

[charles-ed-aguilar]

President’s First Year-in-Review

It’s been a year since I was voted president of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference in May 2022, and what a year it has been!

I’m excited to share all the highlights and challenges I’ve encountered during my first year in office.

As part of my leadership accountability to the Executive Committee of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference, I’ve developed a document called the President’s Report that I present at every meeting (four times a year).

However, I’ve decided to mix things up for last Sunday’s Executive Committee Meeting and present a first-year highlight report instead. Click here to view the report.

[charles-ed-aguilar]

Last night, my family had the incredible opportunity to witness the #northernlights, also known as the #auroraborealis borealis! The natural #lightshow was intense (7.5), and we only drove 20 minutes away from #Saskatoon! It was indeed a breathtaking display of nature's beauty. I love the #canadian #Prairies! I am so happy my family got to experience this amazing natural light show! Did you know that the northern lights hold great #cultural and #spiritual significance for #Indigenous Peoples? #ExploreSask #ExploreCanada #ShotOniPhone #silhouette @tourismsask @tourism.canada https://www.instagram.com/p/CqN0rKerd1a/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[charles-ed-aguilar]

The Challenges of Serving Small Churches & Districts in the Canadian Prairies

Note: I shared this thought at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada's (Canadian Union) Executive Board Year-End Meeting in November 2022.

++++

The Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference has the largest territory of any conference in the world. The conference covers a total area of 3,392,023 square kilometres. This covers the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan and the territory of Nunavut.

To give you an idea of how big this conference is, all of the countries that Canadians love to visit in the winter can easily fit inside the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference: Mexico Guatemala Honduras El Salvador Nicaragua Costa Rica Panama Columbia

The irony is that we have less than 4,200 members and are one of the smaller conferences in the North American Division.

On May 1, 2022, I started my job at the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference.

The first thing I did was get information about the conference. I studied the data and planned to meet with the leaders of half of the 41 congregations by October 2022. As of this writing, I have met with the leaders of 28 congregations.

When I looked at the church data for the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference on eAdventist, I saw that more than 73 percent of our congregations fall into the "small church" category, which means they have less than 100 members.

I asked Cathy from the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada (SDACC) for information about the church in Canada. The information she gave me was fascinating.

63% of the congregations in Canada fall into the "small church" category.

But we can be sure that if we count how many people attend church, the number of small churches will be higher (versus membership in the books).

So, it's safe to assume that 70–75 percent of Adventist churches in Canada are small churches with fewer than 100 attending members.

And yet, since 2010, I've noticed that the church in general, tend to celebrate large churches and great numbers.

I have read official Adventist publications that laud big numbers on baptisms. And I praise God for the job being accomplished in other regions of the world.

However, what does it say to conferences and regions that do not have 800 baptisms annually? When the church glorifies and celebrates high numbers in official publications, what message does it convey?

Another example: the North American Division (NAD) hosts a summit for only LARGE conference presidents. Yes, I confirmed with the NAD that there is no leadership summit for SMALL conference presidents.

At the last General Conference (GC) Session in St. Louis, the GC even had guests on stage who were among the 2,000 individuals baptized!

Over two thousand people!

Wow!

While seated at the GC session in St. Louis, I thought, "Two thousand people is equivalent to the population of Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan, where our church has fewer than twenty people!"

So, I decided that in my first quarter as an administrator for the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference, I would prioritize listening and learning from local elders, leaders, and pastors.

Weyburn Seventh-day Adventist Church, Saskatchewan

After receiving excellent feedback from small-church leaders and district pastors, I've learned that most small-church members prefer a pastor who is loving over a visionary leader who seeks to transform the church.

If these small congregations had the option, they would prefer a compassionate shepherd to a visionary leader.

A NAD article I read struck me as patronizing and patriarchal. The author concludes (the NAD took the story down, so I can't link to the source) that the lack of growth among small churches is because their members are unhealthy and constantly at odds with one another and that it would be better for the administration to close these churches and plant new ones.

I can't picture myself telling Grandma Mazier that! She and the other twenty Adventists in Dauphin and Winnipegosis are faithful Adventists who love and support the church's mission! They are overjoyed that the conference chose a caring pastor for them instead of a visionary one.

This is almost the opposite of several books on "church growth" written by NAD experts and "gurus" who stress vision, objectives, and goals!

Most books about "church growth" were written by pastors/administrators who led churches with more than 60 active members but not from churches with less than 20 active members in towns of less than 2,000 people.

This is a big challenge and paradigm shift for how to serve and minister to smaller congregations and communities effectively.

Let me share with you some of the things I've learned over the past eight months, and I pray that God will show us how to deal with this challenge.

First, I believe most pastors are called into ministry because they want to serve God and help people. But real challenges come with serving in small churches and districts.

Here are some of the challenges my pastors of small churches shared with me:

Low Tithes and Offerings The most common challenge facing small churches is a lack of financial resources. With few members and often inadequate giving, it can be challenging to afford a full-time pastor, let alone balance local church budgets.

Not only do small church pastors have to deal with low tithes and offerings, but they also often don't have access to the same resources as their counterparts in larger churches in the cities. This can make it challenging to lead and equip their congregations effectively.

One small-church pastor wanted to apply for ADRA funding to help Ukrainian refugees in his community. However, his small church couldn’t even come up with the local contributions required in the application template.

Lack of Leaders In addition to financial struggles, small churches often lack the workforce to function fully. With only a handful of active members, finding enough people to fill the essential roles for a church to run smoothly can be challenging.

One church I visited had only ten active members.

Another church I engaged in didn't even have a clerk and a treasurer. So, the pastor did it all.

Jadedness Amongst Membership Small churches are not immune to the problem of cynicism and apathy that plagues many small congregations. Many members of small churches have become jaded and lost sight of what it means to be part of a community of faith. Why?

Pastors rarely serve in their district or church for three years.

One church showed me a wall of pastors with years of service under their portraits. They pointed out how long the pastors stayed in their community before transferring to a larger church or conference.

One church shared with me that when their new pastor arrived, he emphasized that the only way to grow the church was through small group ministry. “I guess that was his thesis for his MDiv or DMin….” And this local church leader told me… “Pastor Charles, we have been a small church for more than ten years… we are already doing small group meetings every Sabbath.”

Pastor Burnout Small churches can be much work with a minimal payoff, and pastors are often burned out from all the demands placed on them.

I have met with one pastor who told me that the administration put so much pressure on him to increase the tithe and offerings and bring more baptisms. He also commented that the administration provides books, strategies, and resources (from the NAD) that don't make sense to small churches and only add to the guilt he already is bearing for not providing tangible results in the monthly pastoral report.

Because of the pressure to perform and deliver results, small church pastors get discouraged.

I sat with one pastor who mentioned that it was too easy for him to get bogged down by all he felt he must do and all he thought he was lacking. He sees the potential for his church/district but can't seem to get things moving in the right direction.

As a result, discouragement sets in, making it difficult to maintain motivation.

Limited Vision Many small churches I have engaged in lack vision for the community—not just among their members but also among their leaders.

A pastor shared with me that he found it challenging to create momentum and keep everyone moving in the same direction without a clear sense of direction. He also pointed out that it was tough to lead a small church to think of a vision when the average age of the church members and leaders is 65+. One suggested solution was to hire a “Bible worker.”

Large Church over Small Church This is related to point number 3. Some pastors enter into ministry with a heart for serving in small communities but long for the big city or a large congregation. The small-church members notice this.

Our universities (Burman, Andrews, Walla Walla, etc.) have not prepared our graduates to serve and love smaller churches and small communities. The grass always looks greener on the other side.

Another pastor shared with me (at his exit interview) the reason why he applied to a larger conference and a larger church is because he wants to experience tangible results on evangelism and church growth. He is tired of serving small church districts that don't provide the results he wants to experience.

My pastors and local leaders have taught me these six challenges over the past eight months.

So, how do you solve these six challenges?

"I don't know" is the honest answer.

Yes, I know how to deal with these problems. And I have the solutions.

But how can I say that my ideas and solutions are better than those of my pastors, who work with the people every day?

I haven't been in pastoral ministry for more than ten years, and even though I was a very successful church-planter and pastor of small churches and helped them grow, I am no longer in touch with reality.

It would be arrogant of me to say and insist that just because my ideas and methods from ten years ago worked in Vancouver and Northern British Columbia, these ideas and approaches will work in St. Wahlberg, Saskatchewan or The Pas, Manitoba.

For now, I can only take refuge in Romans 8:26-27. God knows how hard it is for small churches and their pastors to do their jobs. God knows that even though our spirits are willing, our bodies are weak. But the Spirit intercedes for us, even for the unspoken needs of small churches and pastors of small churches.

I will continue to listen and seek the Holy Spirit.

[charles-ed-aguilar]

El Roi: The God Who Sees Me

My only sister underwent a life-changing 5-hours surgery yesterday and is now recovering. Throughout the years, I have always seen her as resilient and tough.

However, yesterday, when my brother and I prayed for her, I could sense that she was very scared.

This morning, I decided that instead of reading my morning devotional, I would write one. For her.

We are familiar with several of God's names, such as Elohim, Abba, Jehovah Jireh, and Yahweh. However, one name in the Bible appears only once: El Roi.

El Roi, which translates to “God who Sees Me,” is found in Genesis chapter 16 when Hagar, an Egyptian servant of Sarah, the wife of Abraham, ran away because she was mistreated by her mistress and encountered an angel of the Lord at a spring in the wilderness.

This experience moved Hagar to exclaim, “you are El Roi!” – for she believed that He was the one who took notice and saw her plight even in her extreme isolation (Genesis 16:13).

El Roi is about more than just being seen. It means that God truly understands our suffering and joys and loves us despite our imperfections. God is aware and actively engages with us in our despair and struggles like a loving parent or friend.

Here are five ways this name speaks to us today:

• El Roi reminds us that God always sees through our circumstances, regardless of how hard things may seem.  

• El Roi encourages us to be vulnerable with Him and trust in Him enough to lean on His promises even when logic fails to explain why life works out the way it does.

• He allows us to show gratitude for all the good things we have going on by setting aside time for reflection upon all his blessings bestowed upon us daily.

• When we feel lost among current events or complex medical and relational crises, El Roi still calls us so that we may find hope again, even amidst our bitter pain and sorrows. 

• Lastly, He also gives assurance that despite any mistakes made throughout life’s journey, His grace will never cease for those who seek His love through faithfulness.  

Today, El Roi’s name gives us solace and strength. Even when we face times of uncertainty or pain—whether physical or emotional—we can remember that God is watching over us and will intervene with His grace.

Dear God, my El Roi, thank You for always being there for me, even in my darkest hours. I pray You will give me the courage to keep fighting through tough times, knowing that Your eyes are watching over me despite all my weaknesses. Amen!

[charles-ed-aguilar]

Sabbath: A Crucial Bridge

The Sabbath is the crucial bridge that connects the Ten Commandments. The fourth commandment refers to the first three commandments and the God who rests (Exodus. 20:3–7). 

At the same time, the Sabbath commandment looks forward to the last six commandments that concern the neighbour (Exodus 20:12–17); rest alongside the neighbour.

Sabbath as a Practice of Inclusion  When we keep Sabbath, we practice inclusion by recognizing that everyone needs rest. It is a day for us to cease our work and reflect on what is most important in life. Keeping Sabbath also teaches us to be good stewards of our resources. We can't work 24/7 without burning out eventually. By taking a day of rest, we acknowledge that we are not in control; God is ultimately in charge.

Sabbath as a Practice of Justice & Advocacy In a society that values productivity above all else, taking a day off can feel like an act of resistance. When we keep Sabbath, we refuse to believe that our worth is based on what we do or how much we produce. We are saying that there is more to life than what we do for a living. Everyone deserves a day of rest, regardless of their economic status. By keeping Sabbath, we are standing up for justice for all workers, including those who are paid hourly and don't have the luxury of taking days off.

Sabbath as a Practice of Transformation  The practice of the Sabbath can be Transformative for both individuals and communities. For individuals, it can be a time to disconnect from the busyness of life and connect with God and loved ones. It can be an opportunity to reflect on what is truly important and let go of what is not serving us anymore. For communities, Sabbath can be a time to come together and experience a genuine connection with one another. When we take time to rest and reflect together, we create space for transformation to happen. 

The Sabbath is a crucial bridge connecting God, self, neighbour, and community. It is a practice of inclusion, justice, advocacy and transformation that has the power to change us individually and collectively.

Jesus & the Sabbath

Jesus came among us as one who keeps Sabbath. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Jesus offers an alternative to the burdensome tax system of the Roman imperial imposition and the overly-codified religion: Come to me and find rest!  Jesus becomes the embodiment of Sabbath rest for those who are no longer defined or committed to the system of productivity.

[charles-ed-aguilar]

President's Report: September 2022

Click here to download the report.

[charles-ed-aguilar]

God Is at Work

God Is at Work

Work is a good thing. It is something that God has designed us to do. When we work, we participate in what God is doing in the world. We are being creative like God is creative.

In Genesis, we see that after creating the world and everything in it, "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). But the work of creation didn't stop there! Throughout the Bible, we see God described as a gardener, constantly tending the world God has made and imagineering new ways to make it more beautiful (Isaiah 40:28, Psalm 104:24).

However, too often, we view work as a necessary evil. We see it as something we must do to make money so we can live modestly and support our families. But work doesn't have to be just about making money. It can be about so much more than that.

When we view work as an opportunity to serve God and others, it takes on a whole new meaning. Like when we view our work as contributing to God's plan to redeem the world. 

In 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, Paul likens Christians to builders working on a foundation laid by Jesus himself. Our task is to build upon that foundation so that others may also find refuge in Jesus. 

Similarly, in Ephesians 2:10, we are told that we are God's handiwork, created in Jesus to do good works, which He has prepared in advance for us to do. So, even our everyday tasks can take on new meaning when we see them as part of God's greater plan for redemption.

When viewed like that, suddenly, our jobs are not just about punching the clock and collecting a paycheck. Work becomes an opportunity to glorify God and God's character (1 John 4:8). 

Work becomes a chance for us to create beauty in the world and bring hope to those struggling (Micah 6:8). 

Work becomes a way for us to build relationships and share the love of Jesus with others (Matthew 25:31-46).

The business of being God's people means living out our faith at work. It means seeing our work as a calling from God and an opportunity to serve God and others. Viewing our work through this lens can transform even the most mundane tasks into opportunities for ministry and service!

If you'd like to learn more about doing God's work in the world, I encourage you to explore the resources below and find the ones that speak to you the most. And remember, no matter your occupation, you can use it as an opportunity to serve God and others!

Steps to Christ: Chapter 9

Soul Purpose Inc: The Practical Guide to Living Your Faith at Work

Doing God's Business: Meaning & Motivation for the Marketplace

God Is at Work

Great Commission: The Emerging Role of Business in Missions

The Other Six Days: Vocation, Work and Ministry in Biblical Perspective

Faith at Work

[charles-ed-aguilar]

Today, September 30th, is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a federal statutory holiday for acknowledgment and remembrance of the harm done to the self-esteem and well-being of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children by Canada's residential school system.

The purpose of the Canadian residential school system was to make First Nations children like Europeans in every way by isolating them from the rest of Canadian society. The final residential school was shut down in 1996 in Saskatchewan, but the intergenerational trauma caused by this brutal system persists to this day.

Physical, sexual, and psychological abuse was pervasive in these schools. Children as young as four were forcibly removed from their homes and families to attend boarding schools, which were hundreds of kilometres away.

They were prohibited from speaking their native tongue or practicing their culture, and couldn’t worship according to their spirituality. They were often given new Christian names, or even just numbers and told their parents were savages who would never see them again.

Numerous youngsters never made it home.

They died due to disease, malnutrition, and abuse.

Others fled, only to freeze to death or be devoured by animals. Some committed suicide.

Others, nonetheless, vanished without a trace.

Reminders of the atrocities they endured, their bodies rest in unmarked graves across the country.

We must work together to achieve justice for past harms and ensure equality for all people in Canada.

Truth and Reconciliation Day is a time for us to remember the terrible things that were done in the name of "Christianity and civilization" and to recommit to being a nation that values every human life, regardless of race, religion, or creed, as well as to reflect on our histories, accept responsibility for past wrongs, examine our privileges, and commit to change.

It requires us to listen to one another with humility, an open mind, and no preconceived notions. As individuals, we must also collaborate with others to build bridges of understanding between communities to advance collectively along the path to reconciliation.

We have made strides since the era of residential schools, but there is still much work to be done to heal the deep wounds caused by this cruel system.

Let us remember Luke 19:40 “I tell you, if [the crowds] were silent, the stones would shout out.” and Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” and use them as a guide as we continue on this journey towards truth & reconciliation.

[charles-ed-aguilar]

Theme for ManSask Conference Camp Meeting 2023

Go! Make Disciples! 

Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and behold, I am always with you, until the end of the age." 

What does it mean to go and make disciples for Jesus in today's world?

In our upcoming Camp Meeting, several guest speakers will address this question.

However, one crucial component of what a disciple looks like is Love. Jesus said in John 13:35, "All men will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another." 

When we love others, it demonstrates that we are Jesus' disciples.

I hope that as we prepare for Camp Meeting 2023, we will reflect on what it means to be Jesus' disciples and how we can make disciples in our homes, employment, schools, and communities. For God's glory, let us seek God's direction in our efforts to become more effective disciples. 

Let us pray: Dear God, we thank you for the gift of discipleship. Help us to love others well and to share the gospel with boldness with those who have not yet encountered Your love. We seek opportunities to make disciples for the sake of Your kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Pishshapmishko.

[charles-ed-aguilar]

Forgiveness + Grace

When my daughter came home from Maxwell Adventist School (a boarding school in Kenya) back in 2020, she was excited to introduce Hamilton (The Musical) to us and finally convinced the rest of my family to watch it.

I ignored it since I was very occupied with ADRA work then. However, that changed in 2021 when they convinced me to watch the musical.

I was really drawn to the song "It's Quiet Up Town," in which Alexander Hamilton mourns the death of his son, a tragedy for which he bears responsibility and begs for divine forgiveness.

(I always contemplate songs' spiritual significance when driving long distances. It keeps me awake, especially since I don't drink coffee).

I went to YouTube to check if anyone did a cover for this song, and sure enough, Kelly Clarkson did a cover!

In Clarkson's version, however, she rearranges the music. She changes some of the lyrics so that it becomes a story about unnamed parents grieving the loss of an unnamed son. 

The lyrics are essentially unchanged.

However, Clarkson's version of the song is moving. The way she sang these lines from the lyrics reminds us that forgiveness and grace are incredibly powerful! 

"There are moments that the words don't reach / There's a grace too powerful to name / We push away what we can never understand / We push away the unimaginable /Forgiveness, can you imagine?"

These lines speak to the power of grace and forgiveness.

It is something that we cannot imagine, but it is real and available to us through Jesus. Clarkson sings this line with such emotion and power that it is impossible not to be affected by it. 

Throughout Jesus' ministry, He emphasized the importance of forgiving others and showing grace. 

He taught that we should forgive others as God has forgiven us (Matthew 6:12). He also demonstrated the importance of grace through His own actions, such as when He restored an adulterous woman (John 8:1-11) or when He reinstated Peter after he denied Him three times (John 21:15-19).

Forgiveness and grace are two of the most difficult things we can do, but they are also the most powerful things we can do. 

Why is it so hard to forgive and be gracious?

We may believe the person who hurt us does not deserve our forgiveness and grace. Sometimes, we may even think forgiving them constitutes condoning their behaviour.

However, when we forgive others and show others grace, we allow God's love and peace to flow into our lives, allowing us to heal and move forward.

And that is an unimaginably powerful gift.

The grace of Christ in the soul is developing traits of character that are the opposite of selfishness—traits that will refine, ennoble, and enrich life. – Ellen G. White, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, Page 82

[charles-ed-aguilar]

I passed by these beautiful and majestic #storm #clouds on my way back to #Saskatoon from #Weyburn, #Saskatchewan! One of the storm clouds looks like it was forming into a #tornado 🌪! Even had a #beautiful #lightning show! Saskatchewan is indeed the #Land of the #Living #Skies! #nofiltersneeded (at Wilcox, Saskatchewan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgqRdODMBWC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[charles-ed-aguilar]

The Plight of Vulnerable People

Abraham, the father of our Judeo-Christian faith and a "hero of faith" (Hebrews 11:8), sells his own wife for personal gain.

As a result of her sex abuse, his income and personal fortune increase.

He uses convenient half-truths to trap her in a situation from which she has no escape.

This is essentially human trafficking in its purest form.

Sarai has no say in the matter. She is both a human trafficking victim and an illegal immigrant. In Genesis 20, Abraham goes into the realm of Abimelech, King of the Philistines, and does the same thing.

Abraham's story is one of strangers in a foreign land: with no security, no connections, and no freedom to conduct business.

It's a recurring theme among illegal immigrants, vulnerable peoples and refugees.

In Uganda, I interviewed refugee women and girls who were having transactional sex over simple items such as sanitary pads. Allow that thought to permeate your minds today.

Earlier this week, I met with Pastor James (Hill Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church), and his church not only raised close to $10,000 for a single mother (Ukrainian refugee), but they are also networking to help her find work that pays at least $20/hour! This is how we should treat refugees, vulnerable people and illegal immigrants: we show compassion and love!

The plight of refugees, illegal immigrants and vulnerable peoples' stories and journeys to better places are eerily similar to Abraham and Sarah—all they want is safety, sustenance, and a means of subsistence. They cause no harm to the people on whose land they have trespassed and choose to settle.

[charles-ed-aguilar]

Christ, Our Hope and Wholeness

I did this video for my mentor and coach, Stan Jensen, then Communications Director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada (SDACC).

This was my last major project before I left Canada to serve as a missionary for the General Conference in Uganda.

I developed the script with Stan Jensen and Mark Johnson (President of SDACC).

One of the production challenges was capturing the stories and remaining within the budget. So I worked on the storyboards and gave them to local filmmakers to capture the interviews and b-rolls.

This was a fantastic project to work on. I really enjoyed producing this-from concept to preproduction to production to post-production. Joey Aguilar worked on enhancing and cleaning up the audio interview files.

[charles-ed-aguilar]

On my way to visit Quill Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church

Watson, Saskatchewan