You will discover much about a person by just listening to them. As a pastor I have learned how to work with different types of people. Some are easy going and some are difficult. Some are reliable and some are not. Rarely will you find two people that are the same. There have been times in my ministry when all I had to cling to was God's calling on my life. I have experienced dark days and joyful days. Notice that I said the word joyful. There is a big difference between happiness and joy. True joy is unquenchable.

As followers of Christ we have much to be joyful about. My joy in Christ is unwavering and unmovable. The Lord has spoken to me in a fresh new way recently and He has filled my heart with joy. My time in His Word has been rich, and my time with God's people has been joyful. I have enjoyed sweet fellowship with my brethren. When God's people are fixed on Christ we will have true joy. Dr. John MacArthur makes the following statements about happiness and joy, "Happiness is an attitude of satisfaction or delight based upon some present circumstance. Joy is a deep down confidence that all is well, no matter what the circumstance, no matter what the difficulty and no matter what the problem is."

Six years ago God called my family and I to serve in a rural community called Sandy Hook in Goochland County, Virginia. Population in Goochland County is about 20,000 and it is quite a place to live. Goochland is small town America at its very best. I love living here and I love the people and community that God has called me to serve.

What amuses me about my calling to this community is that I was born and raised in the New York City metro area and I am of Puerto Rican decent. The culture of my people and my upbringing is nothing like the culture and people of Goochland. Regardless of how different I am from the people and community I serve, God has blessed our time here in so many ways.

God has a sense of humor.

I love living in Virgina because it is a beautiful state. The geography of Virginia is very diverse. Virginians can enjoy the mountains, the beach and everything in between. Another aspect that intrigues me about this great state is that we get to enjoy all four seasons. During each season God decorates nature with beauty and majesty. His fingerprints are quite evident!

While the seasons and weather may change in my beloved Virginia, the Holy Scriptures are never changing. Its teachings are just as relevant today as they were when they were first penned thousands of years ago. Philosophies, world views, values and ideas may change from one generation to the next but the Word of God stands true for the ages.

Our sovereign Lord made the heavens and the earth by speaking them into existence. He orchestrated every event in history that His Son might be born in the fullness of time. It is because of these truths that I know that our omnipotent God is and was able to preserve His Word forever! I do not have to second guess myself as I stand behind the pulpit declaring "thus saith the Lord"! His Word is Truth from age to age. Read it, study it, live it, and share it that it might be a spring of life for you and for others!