Seeing through the Eyes of the Samaritan Women

Here are a few thoughts from studying part of John chapter four.

The Samaritans were a group of ethnically mixed people whom the King of Assyria brought from Babylon that settled in modern day Palestine. They procreated with the remaining Jews in the land and adopted many traditions from the Jewish religion. Ultimately the Jews that returned from captivity in Jerusalem refused to allow the Samaritans to join in the rebuilding of the temple. As you can imagine, this stirred up some serious beef. The story goes on as the pages of history dictate the bitter enmity between the two groups. The Samaritans were outcast because of their mixed origin and being treated like outsiders is an understatement. This was no gentle rebuke, the Jews were malicious and cursed them and viewed them as having no part in the resurrection. Simply, I guess the Jews will never have the Samaritans over to watch a football game and grub on some buffalo wings and pizza.

In John chapter four Jesus had a remarkable conversation with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well after stopping to rest and drink water. Instead of quenching His own thirst He ends up quenching hers. Initially Jesus engages her in conversation by asking for a drink. After a brief dialog He exhorts that if she only knew who He was and what He offers, she would be asking Him for water. The tables turn and she does. Many commentators believe she did so sarcastically or with a taunting tone. At that point, with some serious swag, Jesus goes for the juggler and demands that she gets her husband. (more…)

What it do?! My name is…

What it do! My name is Clark Kent, the Clark Kent. I am a reporter covering the landscape of our culture mostly during your typical nine to five when I am not at Starbucks. By night I am a superhero fighting crime and keeping the cities in the sun shine state of Florida safe. But, shhhhh… don’t tell anyone, not anyone. Well, okay… you can tell your neighbor.

Despite the shell shocking resemblance and the “S” on my chest, your neighbor is right, I am not Superman. Sorry to disappoint. In fact, if my chubby cheeks are not an indication of how fit I am, let me reassure you that my superhero powers are limited to engaging the youth culture.

Welcome to my journey. I am Eddie Cortes — an average dude who loves God, a husband, father and volunteer youth worker with inspiration to be a Youth Pastor one day when I grow up.. Sure, I do a few other things on the side but none of which are as important than the aforementioned.

I am on a journey called life (you’ve heard of it, I’m sure). My hope is to honor God in all that I do, though, I often find myself stumbling and falling short of HIS glory but HIS grace is forever sufficient. I’d like to bring you along this journey as I blog about life, God, youth work and random things, probably lots of random things and hope to get your take on it all.

Mi Familia

I had the privilege to marry the most beautiful heart-warming soul in the world. Not to mention she is physically a HOT tamale, an incredible mother and I believe she’s smarter than me too. But don’t tell Darlene I said that. She also inspires me daily in so many undefined ways. Like a rose peddle, she’s… I should stop now; really I should, before this bio becomes a poem.

As if Darlene’s love wasn’t enough she also made me a daddy several years back when she gave birth to our daughter, Lyilah. What an incredible privilege to father a child! Her curiosity and wonder of an unknown world around her reminds me of a creation woven by a creator worthy of worship.

I pray GOD molds and shape me to the man worthy to be called husband and father.

Random Things About Me

• I am a huge fan of Hip-Hop music, in fact there was a time where I rocked out concerts and spoke at youth events across the US. My group and I released two national projects with EMI Gospel. We also recorded a few music videos that garnered airtime on Steelroots, BET, etc. Can you guess what group I was a part of?
• I enjoy all types of gadgets, computers and technologies. I actually work for Campus Crusade for Christ as the IT Help guy. I love all things Google.
• I’m a HUGE Yankees fan. Can you say WORLD CHAMPIONS!
• I’m trying to be a blogger… but still figuring this thing out.
• I’m also an entrepreneur owning a small business, HolyCulture.net & HolyCultureDownload.com. I could tell you all about it but would rather you click on the links