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Cornerstone Communications
Turkey
August 15, 2005

Dear Friends & Family,

Greetings from Istanbul, Turkey! I just arrived here 3 days ago, and we have just finished auditions for the new cast. Well, here we go again! Istanbul is warmer than Mexico City, but not as hot as Dallas, thankfully, as no one has air-conditioning here. It's a delight to be back in Turkey for my fourth time. May the Lord give us many souls this trip!

Mexico Wrap Up

After last week's amazing miracles in Mexico, I was able to take a few days, and speak to Pastors Sergio and Enrique about a performance next year. They have been so pleased with the 1500 saved last week, that they have asked me to return next year, so I have had to squeeze next year's calendar to make room for them! I spent a little time resting after a hectic 2 weeks there.

God shows his power through an earthquake and other efrfects in Mexico's production of "The Judgment Seat" last week.

ORDINATION!

I left Mexico City on Wednesday, and flew into Dallas on Wednesday evening, just in time to go to the midweek service at my church, Covenant Church. I had found out a week earlier that the apostolic leadership of the church would ordain me. I thought since I'd be there such a short time, that it would be a private ceremony. I was surprised to hear that I would be ordained in the actual service! I was so blessed, and even though I had resolved not to cry (I had to be cool, you know!) , I still cried like a baby! I was so blessed to have over 30 friends come just especially for the Ordination Service. A very special thanks to everyone who came and participated, via Internet, or through your prayers. I'm still waiting for pictures, so I'll have some in next week's newsletter. God bless you!

Now THIS is a theatre! The Mexico City Teatro des Bellas Artes, a truly beautiful theatre serves as the nation's national theatre. Someday, Lord....

The Art of Living

As I have been going about my hectic pace, racing from one nation to another, I have noticed that people around the world are missing out on an all-important part of living….. Living. Have we forgotten how to live? Sure, we're busy at work, desperately trying to provide for our families, that we might ….. Live? What is "living" about anyway, and how do we do it?

We first must come to the Lord, because He is, after all, the Lifegiver. There is no life outside of Him. When we come to Jesus Christ, we learn how to live not just physically, but spiritually as well. However, most people don't know how to live. They simply exist.

Finally arriving into Istanbul, I'm met by hundreds of beautiful Turkish flags waving proudly in the wind.

Living begins with a phrase I learned from a Christian motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, "Having an Attitude of Gratitude". When we learn how to be grateful for every moment of life, we begin to experience life in a whole new way. I thank the Lord when I wake up in the morning that I can get up out of bed on my own, that I can walk to the kitchen or bathroom on my own, and that I have a bed and roof over my head.

We become "alive" to the everyday things around us. We become aware of those things that we often forget about or take for granted. Look around a room. What do you see? Notice every color… how rich the color, how textured the surface, how creative the design, and thank the Lord that you CAN see it! What would life be like without sight?

I like to stop as I walk outside and ponder a plant, a tree... the sky. How beautiful flowers are! How fragrant a garden! How breathtaking a tree! When we realize that our Heavenly Father is the architect behind each and every plant, I marvel. I have learned the first step to living: To Be Thankful.

Young men like this don traditional dress and hawk the country's leading drink, Chai (hot tea). They're favorites with the tourists!

Any time you think that life isn't going right; you need to re-Align your thought processes. So often we compare ourselves to those around us, and begin to murmur that we don't have enough. To compare ourselves to anyone else is a sign that we're not thankful. We aren't thanking God for His provision; we'd rather covet for more. God has blessed you to have exactly what you need for this season. He provides just enough to meet your needs, and just enough to keep you trusting in Him.

Keep your mind stayed on what He has blessed you with, and not on what you don't have. It's the beginning of "Having an Attitude of Gratitude", and the first step to living. Don't just exist. Begin enjoying life today! Thank the Lord by making a list of everything He's giving you. You'll never be able to write down every blessing He's provided you, because you'll be so overwhelmed with gratitude. You'll find yourself overflowing with joy for all He's done. And man, That's Living!

Rab Seni Bereketlesin!

That's Turkish for "God Bless You!" Well, another production, another opportunity to bring many souls to Jesus Christ! Thank you, my friend, for your prayers and your financial blessings to Cornerstone to make this upcoming production possible. Take care, and drop me a note sometime. I'd love to hear from you!

For the Kingdom,
Richard Montez