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Cornerstone Communications
Mexico
September 13, 2007

Newsletter Contents

1. Greetings
2. VIDEO
3. Teaching for September "The Power of Love"
4. Text from the Video
5. Closing

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Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings from Mexico City, Mexico! I arrived here a few days ago, and already we are hard at work on the current production. We’re taking an aim at the youth with this production of “Jose El Sonador”, or “Joseph the Dreamer”. The weather is moderate and beautiful. Mexico City is 9,000 feet above sea level, so it’s never hot. Lovely!

Here is a short video report of all that the Lord did in Croatia last month. I hope you enjoy it!

VIDEO MESSAGE

SEPTEMBER TEACHING

The Power of Love

“I want to be more like Jesus!” This is a common phrase I hear all over the world. Yet, as we should be changing to be more like Jesus, I’m surprised to see that we’re not acting like Him. Instead, we’re complaining and murmuring more than ever. So, how do we become more like Jesus?

In John 14:12, Jesus said, “…. Greater works than these shall you do, because I go to be with My Father in heaven.” We know that He loves us. We know that we should do greater things than Jesus. Yet, we don’t. Why? I think the reason is that we believe that in our heads, but not in our hearts. So many of us have tons of scripture floating around in our heads, why, we can even quote lots of verses! However, we don’t put them into practice in our daily lives.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. We don’t have to learn more scripture, or fast more, or pray more (although those things certainly wouldn’t hurt your spiritual life either) . No, we need to grasp God’s love for us. You see, my friend, God IS love. Okay, I can see you rolling your eyes at me right now. However, it’s because you know that in your head, but not in your heart! If you did, you wouldn’t be living in such fear and stress on a daily basis!

As you realize that He is love, you can start to put that love to work. It’s like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it gets. The more you walk in love; the more fear begins to disappear. I John 4 says, “There is no fear in love, because perfect love casts out all fear.” You say, “Well, I know God loves me.” Of course, who doesn’t? I’m talking about developing enough faith in your heart to be secure in it.

Once you have developed that kind of faith of God’s love for you, you’ll walk in a whole new boldness! Does that mean it’s something you feel? No. Many Christians are looking for some warm, fuzzy feelings. No, it’s more of a fact than a feeling. He is love!

How do you develop that love? Communication. That’s always the first part of any relationship in the first place. What was the first covenant God instituted? Marriage. Why? Because it’s a TYPE of what our relationship should be with Jesus. For my spouse, I should want to provide for, live for, die for. It’s daily communication with your loved one, intimacy regularly, and submission constantly. That’s what a real relationship should be like with your spouse, and even more so with Jesus.

When you get up in the morning, just start speaking to Him. And not in some weird medieval dialect… “Almighty One whomst thou hast cometh into my lifeth….” Just be real with Him! Speak to Him the way you would speak to your friend.

As you speak to Him, keep Him ever before you. Ask Him, “What would you do in this situation?” As you drive, as you prepare breakfast, as you work, as you speak to friends. You’ll find yourself reacting a lot differently than in the past, because you’re more aware of His presence than ever before. You’ll no longer tell those “off color” jokes. You’ll no longer “stretch the truth”. He's now a part of every moment of your life!

No, you're not going to experience His presence overnight, but it can happen instantaneously, because you’re making that decision right now. And as you start living it moment by moment, you’ll find yourself changing over a period of time. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you can determine to love even the most unlovable. It's Jesus' love flowing through you, because He's with you.

I have this saying, “Healed people heal people. Hurt people hurt people.” It speaks volumes, because it gives you perspective where people are coming from. So, when someone hurts you, and you think about this saying, it helps you not take offense, but rather respond as Christ would, and love him or her, and try to see past their hurt.

The more you believe in God’s love for you, the more you’ll be able to walk in it. And the more you practice God’s love, the more you’ll appear to be like Jesus! What a wonderful way to live life, looking through the eyes of Jesus!

TEXT FROM THE VIDEO

After finishing our outreach in Russia, I spent a few days in Crimea, by the Black Sea, with pastors Yuri and Victoria Feodorovichi in Sevastopol, and friends and pastors Valentin and Tatiana Sviontek in Odessa. It was a wonderful time.

I flew on to Kiev, then to Vienna, Austria, finally arriving in Zagreb. Croatia is beautiful, and I was grateful to be back. I would be working with Pastor Milosh Komanovic from Sisak, to present a new production.

I went to work organizing production meetings, but also spending time in prayer with the leadership. Because we would be using many of the same actors from Cakovec, the work was easier this second time around. The actors went through their lines quickly.

We wasted no time in promotions. Summer is a busy time, and so we have to get the attention of the public, not just to present a show, but to reach them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As usual, I was interviewed for the production, this time for radio. I don’t normally like the attention, but it does give me a great opportunity to invite those who are listening.

In no time at all, it was time to take the sets from Cakovec to Sisak. Because we had already built the sets earlier, we had the sets ready to go. I had spent a lot of money over the summer, so this was a welcomed relief. The actors were also a blessing to come and help me load the truck.

Upon arrival at the theatre, the workers went to prayer. We don’t begin anything without prayer. We started putting the sets up, beginning with the stairs to heaven. Because we had done the show, the workers also had a good idea of what to do, so I didn’t have to work so hard. Alan and Alexander would be our lighting and sound guys for our production, and they were setting their cables.

Who could believe I had just arrived one week earlier. Now, here we were. It was opening night. I have one last meeting, and pray with my actors. The audience begins to arrive. The promotions had worked, and we had full houses for the performances.

And again, the curtain opened, and the audience was surprised. The sets were beautiful. The actors were anointed and ready to perform, and the audience listened with great attentiveness.

We were careful to make the show as real as possible, as the characters represent very real situations in life. The actors did their roles exceptionally well, and the audience was moved by what they were watching.

The Lord has a wonderful way of using someone like me to coordinate actors, teach them roles, and to help them to accomplish something they’ve never done. However, it’s more than that. It’s an opportunity to help them realize that they have something to offer the Kingom of God. And the audience is always blessed by what they see.

After the show, we had the altar call each night. And again, the people responded. Praise the Lord for the new souls in the Kingdom of God! I take my customary bow, and encourage the audience to continue to reach souls for the Kingdom of God.

After the show, Pastor Toma insisted that I take a few days off and rest, and sent me to Split to stay with some of his friends. Croatia is so beautiful, that I enjoyed just watching all the scenery.

Upon arriving in Split, I was struck at how well preserved it is, considering how many years old it is. The buildings and landscape are meticulous, and I just enjoyed walking around taking in the sights. Split is by the Adriatic Sea, and the views are just mesmorizing. Just take a look at how beautiful, yet serene Split is.

My host was an excited Christian named Zoran, and Eric Mahoney is a worker in Split. Both were great to give me a quick tour of not just the city, but the ancient city of Solin.

Solin was once the capital city of Dalmatia, a city where the apostle Paul had once visited. Here you see the portico to the villa of Dicletian, the emporer of Rome. In Solin, you can still see ornate sarcophoguses from the 1st to 3rd century. It is amazingly well preserved.

Split and Solin are truly a step back into time, and the city is meticulously preserved, and even small symbols remind us, such as these Roman Guards, that Split and Solin once ruled this area of the world.

My host and friend, Zoran was a blessing. An even more amazing blessing was when I was able to meet his cousin, and lead him to Jesus Christ! What an unexpected blessing!

For me, I was back to work, preparing for an upcoming outreach for the city of Murshko Sdredishtye. This would be a first for me, as I normally only do large scale productions.

My friend, Vlado Hoblaj, had been hard at work coordinating Christian bands, and other musicians. We had set up in the town square, and all the people strolling would stop and listen. During the outreach, I was able to speak to the people who had come, and to share a short word from the Lord with them.

We would present three different skits, through the course of the afternoon, and the people were really entertained, and more importantly, ministered to. What a fitting way to end my last day in Croatia.

Finally, I said goodbye to all of my friends, and flew on my miracle flight to Paris, and then on to the U.S.A. I had a few problems with delayed flights, but I was able to land in Houston, and then fly on to Mexico City, Mexico, just in time to begin auditions for our new show.

CLOSING

Dios Te Bendiga!

That’s Spanish for “God Bless You!” It’s been a busy summer, but I praise the Lord for the opportunity to serve Him. Thank you for your prayers for me and for my ministry. I’m so thrilled about all of the new souls now in the Kingdom because of this summer’s productions in Russia and Croatia. I credit them to YOU, because you have made it all possible by your generosity. I praise the Lord for you, and I’m praying for you, that the Lord would do great things in your life. Take care, dear friend.

For the Kingdom,
Richard Montez