Apr 12, 2010
Posted by Eddie on Apr 12, 2010 in Random Thoughts | 0 comments
Almost two weeks ago I blogged about the opportunity of heading to the jungles of Panama to do missions work with Awe Star Ministries. Well, I am back (got a nice tan too) and eager to tell you what great things God has done (Mark 5:19). I’ll probably do so in several blog posts to really highlight in detail some of the most memorable moments. I hope you are encouraged by these stories as I am.
April 3, 2010 — Before heading to the jungles to present the Good News of love, hope and redemption through Christ to the Kuna people group we hit the city streets of Panama. We started at the entrance of a trade street named Cinco de Mayo. At first glance the road appeared like most trade streets in the city filled with locals and tourists bartering for goods, people chattering, car horns beeping through traffic, vendors competing for our business, tourists hanging out in the air conditioned fast-food restaurants and so on. Oddly though with every step we took forward the mood seem to darken; the landscape did too, as if we were walking into a different world—there was tension in the air. (more…)
Mar 29, 2010
Posted by Eddie on Mar 29, 2010 in Random Thoughts | 2 comments
Most of you know that for many years (roughly 12) I was an urban or hip-hop missionary in the concrete jungles of the city. We used rap music along with several other tools to reach a people group within the hip-hop culture. Rap music was an extremely powerful and effective (did I mention fun) tool in communicating the LOVE story of our Lord Jesus. I was able to witness thousands, if not tens of thousands of young people introduced to the redemptive passion of Christ. Many of which accepted or rededicated their lives to the Lordship of Jesus; yet many still did not. Through the thick and thin it was an honor and humbling experience that God would choose such an imperfect vessel to play an instrumental role in the lives of many in His sovereign plan for humanity. This ministry was a complete passion of mine; still is in many ways.
Several years ago I felt God leading me away from this ministry. It was a season of change. I was stubborn and at first glance it was difficult to understand or even conceive, for I have been a hip-hop missionary since my early adulthood. I noticed that I would grieve for the young people I would meet at festivals, concerts and outreaches. I saw such an unmet need in their lives and a lack of passionate youth workers. The few that were dedicated, God bless them, but most were not strategic or even relevant. Ultimately the burden became too heavy and I stepped away from hip-hop ministry to allow God to start shaping me for His new calling in my life. This journey alone is a separate blog in itself, but finally I believe I am seeing God unfold before my very eyes a new ministry, a renewed calling. (more…)
Mar 23, 2010
Posted by Eddie on Mar 23, 2010 in Essays, Random Thoughts | 0 comments
Stein’s “The Method and Message of Jesus’ Teaching” was neither an easy nor a fun read. Honestly the book really did not grab much of my attention, the subject really did not interest me any either, though there were some very interesting chapters. Jesus was obviously very intelligent and very strategic in presenting his message. I’m not sure I needed to read Stein’s book to come to this conclusion nonetheless I do see the value in studying the methodology behind Jesus’ teaching and the message he brought forth.
Robert Stein notes that the word “teacher” was frequently used in the Gospel to describe Jesus; in fact it was used some forty-five times. Rabbi, the Aramaic title, was used fourteen times. Jesus was indeed widely recognized as a Rabbi. And though he did not have any formal training Stein suggests that “his wisdom and his manner of teaching resembled that of the other rabbis” in first-century Palestine (1). For example Stein notes that Jesus “proclaimed the divine law, taught in the synagogues, gathered disciples, debated with the scribes, was asked to settle legal disputes, sat as he taught, supported his teaching with scripture, used poetic-didactic techniques to help his disciples memorize…” (2). Jesus’ approach was very rabbinic nonetheless there were some very obvious differences. He would teach in open fields and often associated with women, children, tax collectors and so on. His relationship with his disciples was another major difference. They were more so disciples than pupils as their message was not merely just words but consisted of the person of Christ. In addition to having a somewhat rabbinic approach Jesus’ teaching style also possessed similar qualities of Old Testament prophets and that of wise men. Not only was Jesus attributed the title of a prophet by his followers, and rightly so for he worked miracles, signs and claimed to possess the Spirit, but he even referred to himself as one in Mark 6:4. Jesus also refers to himself as a wise man in Matthew 12:38-42. In fact, Stein suggests that the evidence is abundantly clear as Jesus often used proverbs, parables, paradox and metaphors much like most wise men in the first-century. (more…)
Welcome to my journey. I am Eddie Cortes -- an average dude who loves God, a husband, father and the student guy at Cornerstone Church in St. Cloud, FL. Sure, I do a few other things on the side but none of which are as important... 
