Conversations with Ray Martinez

This is one of those amazing stories in my life while growing up in Fort Collins, CO.  My first venture into the water by myself, resulted in me almost drowning. Join me in hearing my near death experience at age 7, when someone out of nowhere rescued me.  Was it an angel?  How did my cousin, Linda Jean, hear me yell for help, when no one else could hear me?

It’s important that we recognize who our source of power comes from, not only for us to know, but also how to serve Him and how to serve others. As a police officer, if I don’t recognize the authority that I have, how can I protect the people?  I do this in “the name of the law”. In England, the Bobby’s used to enforce the law in the “name of the Queen”. We as Christians do things “in the nam...

King Jehoshaphat was faced with a huge dilemma in his reign.  War was declared against Israel by the armies of the Moebites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites. There were messengers that told the king about the troops that were on the move to attack. This was considered a vast army from Edom and they were not far away. Naturally, Jehoshaphat was terrified by the news. I love what Sir Winsto...

We are taught that living spiritually will draw you away from desiring sinful activity.  Evidently, the two war with each other; spiritual and fleshly.  Certainly, we know what many of the obvious fleshly desires are... However, being spiritual entails that, from deep within, we have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. What is important about...

Paul felt it necessary to stir Timothy up and guard him against the possibility of unchristian dereliction of duty as to bold confession of Christ. we shouldn’t be ashamed because He has equipped us, and in fact, he instructs us not to be ashamed, but to share in sufferings. God gave Timothy  (and us) everything needed to accomplish the job.  He empowers us before He ever expects from us...

Paul was keenly interested in the life and ministry of Timothy, and he wanted to make sure that Timothy used the gift he was given effectively, for the glory of God.  It’s not that Paul thought Timothy’s faith was weak or dying out, but that he wanted Timothy to experience the fullness of God’s gift. The gifts we receive from the Lord through the filling of the Holy Spirit are not given to us...

What does Paul mean when he says that he wants us “to understand what really matters?  He also says that he runs with purpose in every step.  Otherwise, his preaching may disqualify him.  He compares this to the athlete that is in training…be useful and purposeful, otherwise you can’t win the race. Why?  so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ’s return. Paul...

In this passage, Paul has a special place in his heart for the people.  Do you have a special place for others? We know God has a special favor for us…he has a fondness, and a thoughtful place in his majesticness for each one of us. Compassion requires caring for others by sharing and doing special favors for others…be a blessing to them. When you are blessed, bless others. If you are not bei...

I had the opportunity to interview Dylan, from Las Vegas, NM, about his quest to find the right college for him.  Little do we know, this really is a journey for many students who trying to find the right fit.  Dylan shares his ideas, struggles, and thoughtful concepts on how to find away to get on the right path to higher education.

This is one of many family stories of my cousins and I growing up.  This particular story was with his brothers on a mini-bike in Cheyenne, WY, on a unlicensed mini-bike and the police saw them.  The chase was on!  Short stories to laugh about.

If you ever had trouble completing a big project such as painting a house, writing a novel, or earning a diploma, the thought of the Heavenly Father beginning a good work in you and completing it is an awesome one. Reflect on the commitment it takes to go through the ups and downs of completing the work. You have accepted Jesus as your Savior. Now, the Father is determined to accomplish His will i...

Uncle Reuben passed away on May 2, 2021, but not without leaving a legacy of success, humor, and family traditions. I'm sharing my personal perspective of my Uncle Reuben and what he left us to remember and learn from.  I think all of us will have some takeaways in this special podcast edition.  We salute you, Uncle Reuben for serving your Country during the Korean War, serving  you...

There is a difference between the two books of God (God’s volume of self-revelations…verse 7 introduces us to Volume Two of God’s revelation—“the law of the Lord.”  Both volumes glorify God and inspire the worship of thoughtful persons. His Word reveals Him as the One who enters into covenant relationship with His people. God’s work reveal His knowledge and power but His Word reveals His love...

We are discussing the "cause" that God wants us to pursue.  I'll break it down to the Passion, Pursuit, and Purpose of God's cause. Ultimately, nothing can stop God’s cause.  Herod, Bar-Jesus both tried but failed miserably. But here are a couple of people that were called to the "cause"; "...the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called the...

This is a story about three Kings that needed Godly direction.  There is a clear delineation between their worldly decisions versus a Godly decision in this reading.  I offer nine takeaways for this reading that will help you stay focused, and you can't do this without a melody in your heart; it brings God's presence into our lives.

This remarkable narrative takes the reader into the tent of Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, and to the meetings he had with his general staff. It turned out that his plans were known to the king of Israel and his staff. Ben-Hadad suspected a spy, and he was right. The spy was Elisha, who had never left Israel.  In this podcast, I'll share with your 9 take aways that we get from this story. &nbsp...

In this podcast, Elisha helps a widow that is concerned about her sons being taken into slavery because of their debt, which was allowed under the laws of Moses.  The widow only has a flask of oil left, which doesn't have any value.  Through God's direction, Elisha has the women borrow jars from everyone, and tells her to fill them up with her flask...this was an endless flow until all of the jars...

Elijah and Elisha were great friends.  Elijah was also a mentor to Elisha, and they walked in harmony along with God.  In this episode, Elijah went to the different schools of the prophets to give them his last exhortations and blessing before he is taken up in a whirlwind. God says he will never leave us or forsake us, even though these two guys were going different directions, God was...

Jesus takes the time to teach the disciples how to fish in this episode. When Jesus called out to them and asked, have caught any fish?  They replied, “No”.  This was in His way or style of making them tell their case. Jesus wanted to better prepare them for what was coming… all Jesus has ever asked us to do is for us to bring the bread and fish. Jesus didn’t ask us to feed the 5,000. In...

Everyone knows what a horrific tragedy occurred at the King Soopers in Boulder where a lone gunman killed 10 people.  One of those killed was a  Boulder Police Officer who entered the store in an attempt to take the gunman down. This podcast is about Elevations Credit Union (ECU) who stepped-up to the plate within 24 hours to arrange a fundraiser for the victims and their families. &nbsp...

There is an unimaginable price Jesus paid for us.  The suffering, stress, and weeping he went through.  Then the physical abuse that lead to the cross.  You’re going to realize that Jesus was committed and steadfast in completing the mission that God wanted him to do, regardless of the pain and suffering. Charles Spurgeon urged, “Keep your eye simply on Him.” When we do, we don’t se...

When asked what my motto was, I said, "visions are real."  Being a visionary person is incredibly important.  Otherwise, our imagination is limited and the creative side of our brain grows dormant.  What does a blind person see?  We learn about this in today's podcast.

We continue with our series of short stories in the bible that need explaining.  This is part 2 of Naaman being healed from our last week's study.  We discover this week that Gehazi, Elisha's servant, steels the gifts from Naaman that were intended for Elisha; the very gifts he refused to receive.  Gehazi is caught and punished and his family suffers too.  We learn how our ego,...

Naaman was the commanding chief of the King's army and loved by the King.  He was sent to see Elisha because of his leprosy.  Naaman becomes indignant because Elisha wouldn't personally see him to cast healing over him.  He was sent to the Jordan to wash 7 times.  Naaman left angry and stomped away.  This story expresses the need for humility and humbling ourselves before...

We are starting a series about the meaning of stories in the bible.  This particular story is about how Elisha caused a lost ax head in the Jordan river to float.  His prophet friend that lost the ax head while working, prayed to Elisha to help him find it...he was distressed because they were poor and he borrowed the ax.  We are learning about casting and what Elisha did to retriev...