The Apostles creed

"Our Father" - God wants us to approach Him as "Daddy" (Aramaic: Abba). 
He wants to take care of us and protect us. God desires intimacy. 
Remember, He has infinite love and grace. 
God wants us to be secure in His family as adopted children and heirs.


"Who Art in Heaven" -- Look up to God. Obey Him and Love Him and Trust Him. 
He is all-powerful and can deal with all our problems, even the big ones. But He loves us so much that He doesn't stay up there.

"Hallowed be Thy Name" -- Holy, holy, holy. Approach God with awe and wonder. Save the word "awesome" for God. Live a life that honors Him.


"Thy Kingdom Come" - "Take this job and love it!"  Working on behalf of God's kingdom is the ultimate joy.  Bloom where you're planted. Do everything as unto the Lord. Find your gifts and use them.
Be open to God's leading each day.

"Thy Will Be Done" - God is the potter; we are the clay. God keeps us spinning on His potter's wheel, shaping and reshaping us as He bathes our lives in tears to make us more Christ-like so He can use us for His will. Surrender daily. Keep your clay moist through daily prayer.


"On Earth as it is in Heaven" -- Thy will be done - not my will be done!


"Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread" - Trust! God will provide for our needs. His eye is on the sparrow and I know He cares for me.


"Forgive Us Our Debts as We Forgive Our Debtors" -- Forgiveness = Surrender. Don't carry your own backpack - surrender it to Him. 
Revealing the feeling is the beginning of healing. 
Act as if you have forgiven and the feeling will follow. 
In our weakness, God sends His strength and peace..
"Lead Us Not Into Temptation" - Watch for unrecognized temptation. 
Pray, so you won't fall. We are tempted every day. 
It deepens our walk and strengthens our faith - but be careful of spiritual blindness. Open my eyes, Lord, to my blind spots - use honest friends and family
"Deliver Us From Evil" -- The evil One, satan. 
We are saved from death to life. 
Jesus is more powerful than Satan - God is greater!


"For Thine Is the Kingdom (obedience), and the Power (confidence) and the Glory (joy), Forever" -- This is our Father's world. 
Everything we have is His. He is the ruler!

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

Almighty Father

Almighty Father, grant me to greet the coming day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon your holy will. 
Guide me with your wisdom, in every hour of the day reveal your spirit to me.
 Bless my dealings with all who encircle me. 
Teach me to treat all that comes to throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm assurance that your will governs all.
In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. 
In unpredictably events, let me not forget that all are sent by you. 
Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. 
Give me strength to bear the exhaustion of the coming day with all that it shall bring. 
Direct my will, teach me to pray, and be humble to others and you. 
 Amen.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

A Small White Envelope

It’s just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. 
No name, no identification, no inscription.
It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so.
It all began because my husband hated Christmas – oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it: overspending; the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma; the gifts given in desperation because you couldn’t think of anything else.
Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for him. The inspiration came in an unusual way.
Our son, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended. 
And shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church. 
These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. 
As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler’s ears.
It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. 
We took every weight class. 
And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn’t acknowledge defeat.
My husband, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, “I wish just one of them could have won,” he said. “They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them.”
He loved kids – all kids – and he knew them, having coached little league, football, baseball and lacrosse.
That’s when the idea for his present came.
That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church.
On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling my husband what I had done and that this was his gift from me.
His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years.
For each Christmas, I followed the tradition – one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and one.
The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas.
It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.
As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn’t end there.
You see, we lost my husband last year due to dreaded cancer.
When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up.
But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more.
Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad.
The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyes anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope.
my husband's spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

Lord, My Cross is too heavy

Just remember, God never send us a cross that our shoulders cannot carry it… Please read till the end.
Fr. Tomas

We all carry our own crosses in life….

Sometimes it seems so heavy

It is easier to complaint!

And choose what seems to be convenient

Always looking for the easiest way out!

Very soon we get tire of it and keep complaining!

We think, we can cheat and go choose to our convenience

Unfortunately, sometimes we choose wrongly

If your cross is too heavy, don’t complaint! Your Heavenly Father is always at your side, always!!

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

Take away this Disappointment

Dear God, I pray for my brothers and sisters and others in my circle of family and friends who are struggling with challenges...
When they're disappointed that You haven't answered their prayers or haven't seemed to make any move to change things yet, forgive their impatience.
Help them to live like the prophets of old, who were patient even when they had to suffer, and who didn't quit though they must have felt like it sometimes.
Help these I'm praying for not to quit either. (James 5:10–11a)
Help them to trust You and believe that You care, that You haven't forgotten them—and You won't! When trouble comes their way, when they're facing tests and challenges, help them be willing to thank You in all circumstances, difficult as that is. (Nahum 1:7a; Isaiah 49:15b; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesians 5:20)
Help them to love You with all their hearts, souls, and minds, for You cause all things to work together for our good when we love You and are called according to Your purpose. 
Help them realize that somehow You're fitting them into Your plans. 
Help their love for You to be as steadfast and unchanging as Your love for them. (Matthew 22:37; Romans 8:28, 38–39)
May they never question Your love, knowing it was settled once and forever at the cross. (1 John 4:10)
In Jesus' name, amen.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

We Give Your Thanks ! ! !

Our Father in Heaven,
We give thanks for the pleasure
Of gathering together for this occasion.
We give thanks for this food
Prepared by loving hands.
We give thanks for life,
The freedom to enjoy it all
And all other blessings.
As we partake of this food,
We pray for health and strength
To carry on and try to live as You would have us.
This we ask in the name of Christ,
Our Heavenly Father.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

God, Creator of Heaven and Earth

You have cared for the earth, and have filled it with your riches. 
Abundance flows in your steppes, through the pastures and wilderness. You provide for our land, softening it with showers, bathing it in light, and blessing it with growth.

The hills sing with joy; the meadows are covered with flocks; the fields deck themselves with wheat; and together they glorify your name!

On this occasion of our Thanksgiving, we as a nation take rest from our labors to consider your many blessings. 
We thank you for our freedoms, and for the opportunity to contribute our skills, our attributes and our values toward the good of society.

We thank you for the mixture of our cultures, blending us into one people under God. 
Help us to be a light unto other nations, and to further the cause of freedom and justice all over the world.

We remember those who are less fortunate than we. 
We lift up in prayer the victims of poverty and racism, and all those who suffer from forms of political and economic oppression. 
Let the word that goes forth from our mouths speak of your peace, and let us proclaim our hope in Christ as Savior of all humankind.

We pray that you will bless all those who gather here, as we have come to experience your presence among us. 
Give us your guidance, O God, and empower us for your work. 
For we claim nothing for ourselves, but return all honor and glory unto you, and offer our thanks and praise. Amen.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

What is Prayer?

Prayer is God’s activity in our lives.
 Prayer is simple communication with our Father, the same way we talk to our best friend. 
Prayer is carefully cultivated understanding, as well as spontaneous and “inexpressible groaning” (Romans 8:26).
Give thanks
"IN EVERY THING GIVE THANKS" 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18
Gratitude works like a vaccine: it keeps you from getting infected with a spirit of ‘grumpiness’. 
It’s the antitoxin that counteracts the poisonous effects of ingratitude.
Have you noticed that we live in a thankless society? 
Paul said, '... in the last days... people will be... ungrateful... l' (2 Timothy 3:1). 
This generation lacks godly principles; they've learned to pray neither at home nor in school. 
Because they’ve witnessed the fall of high-profile church leaders, they're concluded that ‘religion’ doesn't work.
But thanklessness is a problem among Christians too.
We ask God for things, then when we get them, we complain about having to take care of them! Ever do that?
If you want to know God’s will, listen: '... in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God...for you' (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ).
We’re supposed to demonstrate thankfulness!
Paul says, '... with thanksgiving let your requests be made known... ' (Philippians 4:6). 
Why?
Because thanksgiving moves them through God’s approval process. 
It also demonstrates that you’re mature enough to handle whatever He sends. 
After all, why would He send more, if you don’t appreciate what you already have?
Sometimes thanksgiving is a sacrifice.
 It’s easy to give thanks when you feel good. It’s when you don’t that it becomes a sacrifice. 
David said, 'I will offer... the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and... call on the... Lord' (Psalm 116:17 ). 
Notice: he called on God only after he’d offered the sacrifice of thanksgiving.
Your flesh will always find reasons to be dissatisfied. 
Your spirit will always search for reasons to be thankful. So today - be thankful!

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

I asked God to take away my habit.

God said, No.

It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.


I asked God to grant me patience.


God said, No. 
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.

God said, No.

I give you blessings;
Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.


God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from
worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.


I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.


I asked God for all things
that I might enjoy life.

God said, No.
I will give you life,
so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...
Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

In this time...

Dear God,

In this time of great tragedy, we give thanks for the courage within our leaders to recognize the difference between the anger in their minds, the wisdom of their hearts and the courage to act wisely in their choices.
May each leader have the strength to act for the good of all people, in all nations and our collective future as a global family.
Through this prayer we claim that peace, democracy and human life are stronger and more enduring than the buildings that symbolize them. We breathe life into their existence from the dust of hate that is transformed by our soil.
For these blessings in our lives, we give thanks,
Amen.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

HOW MUCH DOES APRAYER WEIGH

Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store.  
She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. 
She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work. 
They had seven children and they needed food.
John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store. 
Visualizing the family needs, she said: "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can." 
John told her he could not give her credit, as she did not have a charge account at his store.
Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family.
The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?" Louise replied, "Yes sir."
"Okay" he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries."
Louise hesitated a moment with a bowed head. 
Then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. 
She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.
The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scale went down and stayed down. 
The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it."  
The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales.
The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. 
The grocer stood there in utter disgust.
Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. 
It was not a grocery list. 
It was instead a prayer which said: 
"Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands." 
The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store.  
The customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said, "It was worth every penny of it."
 It was sometime later that the grocer discovered the scales were broken; therefore, only God knows how much a prayer weighs.- 
AUTHOR UNKNOWN -

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

Facts of Life 2

If you are ill you may say, "I did not want to be sick," if you are poor, "I did not want to be poor," or if you are unloved, "I did not want to be lonely."
Yet for your own reasons you began to believe in illness more than health, in poverty more than abundance, in loneliness rather than affection.
It seems that we are never happy with ourselves.
God created us free and equal but at the same time, He want us to take charge of our lives:
Take responsibility for ALL that is now in your life.
Yes, ALL. 
That does mean that you take responsibility for what would seem to be negative or bad things in your life. 
Perhaps it would be helpful to list all of the current situations in your life.
Once you have your life's list, evaluate those items that you would like to change.
Even if you feel that a situation is discouraging, take the time to list what you want your life to be. Try to create this list using action words and keeping a positive focus.
Each morning review your list and then go throughout your day knowing that you are creating your reality. Be aware of your personality.
Be truthful with yourself. Refrain from judging either yourself or others.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

The Facts of Life:

1: At least 5 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.
2: At least 15 people in this world love you, in some way.
3: The only reason anyone would ever hate you, is because they want to be just like you.
4: A smile from you, can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
5: Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
6: You mean the world to someone.
7: Without you, someone may not be living.
8: You are special and unique, in your own way.
9: Someone that you don't know even exists, loves you.
10: When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

11: When you think the world has turned it's back on you, take a
look, you most likely turned your back on the world.

12: When you think you have no chance at getting what you want, you
probably won't get it, but if you believe in yourself, you
probably sooner or later will get it.
13: Always remember complements you received, forget about the rude remarks.
14: Always tell someone how you feel about them, you will feel much
better when they know.

15: If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that
they are great. Send this letter to people you care about, you'll
brighten up someone's day, and might change their perspective on life,
for the better!
~Author Unknown But To God~

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

Heaven and hell ?

A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said,
 'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'

The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.
In the middle of the room was a large round table.
In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly.
They appeared to be famished.
They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. 
But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell.
They went to the next room and opened the door. 
It was exactly the same as the first one.
There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water.
The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. 
The holy man said, 'I don't understand.
 'It is simple,' said the Lord. 
'It requires but one skill.
You see, they have learned to feed each other. The greedy think only of themselves.'

When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

MY OATH TO YOU...

When you are sad.....I will dry your tears.
When you are scared.....I will comfort your fears.
When you are worried.....I will give you hope.
When you are confused.....I will help you cope.
And when you are lost....And can't see the light, I shall be your beacon....Shining ever so bright.
This is my oath.....I pledge till the end.
Why you may ask?....Because you're my friend.
Signed: GOD

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/

Help me God

Heavenly Father,
on windswept beaches
your saints of old
held their hands up to you
in wonder and amazement felt your power through the roar
of wind and surf and exposed to the elements
felt an oneness with the One
who had created all things.
This world does not often allow us
such intimacy with you, Father
we are crowded out by circumstances of our own choosing
seeking fellowship with each other
rather than with you.
Forgive our unwillingness
to follow in the footsteps of your saints
to meet you in the solitude of your creation
Forgive our unwillingness
to get our feet wet.

Descubriendo el Siglo 21

Discovering 21century

Fr Tomás Del Valle-Reyes

P. O. BOX 1170

New York, NY 10018

(212) 244 4778

www.descubriendoelsiglo21.com/