12/26/05

Mighty Men Monday


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.

Mighty Men Ministry Monday Nights @ Turning Point Ministry.

Contact Ruben Sanchez (713)621-1498

Monday night meetings from 7:00pm to 8:30pm @ 5005 W. 34th.

Little Cuzn

Little cuzn strikes a poze with the shiny bow in her hair at


A Multi Media Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
Lali's party

Somebody Cares Outreach


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
Everyone was helping to get everything setup!

Primrose del Sol


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.

Pastor Doug was on site to share an inspiration for these senior citizens who had evacuated from the New Orleans area and were getting their new life together.

The Somebody Cares Outreach involved volunteers from Kansas and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Prayer...


Prayer...
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
One of the blessings of corporate worship... Corporate Prayer!

12/25/05

Sean!


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
Sean [2nd born son] is a December baby and always seems to be in the vicinity of one Christmas Celebration or another during his birthday season.

12/23/05

Joel & Soria


More original Turning Pointers!
Another testimony... Soria was an original Turning Pointer. In the traditional sense of relationships, Joel pursued first, then Soria... bottom line... 2 wonderful children in their 7 years of marriage! Now working with Teen Challenge in Tennessee. Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
Joel & Soraida

Soria & Daughter


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
Soraida - Teen Challenge / Chatanooga

Randy - A Deum


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
Randy Flynn - original Turning Pointer



rmaxt

Debbie & daughter


Debbie & daughter
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.

Pastor Doug @ The Cave


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
Pastor Doug @ Friday Night Live

O the weather...


O the weather...
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
Outside is frightful!

these holiday shoppers looked rather stunned by the Houston weather & traffic

San Jose Volunteers!


San Jose Volunteers!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
Somebody Cares is blessed by Gilbert & Paula's visit this week. They helped in several outreaches and took a day trip to KatRita Territory. Paula & Gilbert came to work w/Somebody Cares during Christmas outreaches

12/3/05

Good News Camp - New Orleans

Good News Camp, New Orleans
city park

-rmaxt

9/28/05

xtr-hospital


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
Succesful removal of ACL. Praying for infection to cease.

Thanks for believing with us.

A Picture Share!

Succesful removal of ACL. Praying for infection to cease.
Thanks for believing with us.

A Picture Share!

Erik is gonna have to let the doc take another peek in his low knee... not his high knee.

A Picture Share!

Kentaro Homma from Japan. Going back tomorrow. What a hard worker.
Looks pretty good in his cowboy hat!
he is a famous actor and has starred in Christian films.

9/24/05

On the other side of Rita

What a wonder! The orchestration of God's handiwork in the last week has been no less than Phenomenal! As I watch the news reports on all the local channels, and national weather channels, I am amazed how God has been merciful to Houston.

Yesterday as I co-labored with members of a team from Japan, we loaded food donated by Rock City Church in Baltimore from a warehouse managed by a Pastor & his wife from Australia into a van donated from a New York ministry to deliver to a hotel in Conroe full of evacuees from Katrina(Louisiana) & Rita(Houston) I marveled at God's Goodness! When we arrived in Conroe, I chatted for a while with a number of the pilgrims and heard gratitude from them all. A young Red Cross Volunteer from San Bernardino, CA had staged a relief triage in the lobby of the Ramada Hotel and voiced a plea on KSBJ Radio for food. Another person in New Waverly donated the gasoline for the 1-ton gas guzzling van. One man at the hotel succumbed to the emotional tension and sobbed that he had not slept for 3 days and his family were experiencing medical problams, but he was touched with gratitude by the compassion of the Somebody Cares network and the willingness to share with so many people in need.

To God be the Glory! Now we are positioning for relief efforts and the most expressed need is the request for non-perishable food-stuffs. Please send any relief supplies to the Somebody Cares warehouse in Houston. PLEASE, NO CLOTHES at this time. We have hundreds of pallets of clothes that are taking up valuable floor space that has been donated in 2 warehouses. If anyone has an extra propane tank for a forklift, we could use 2 spare tanks to be able to refill and continue working after running out as we load and arrange these warehouses.

Financial contributions can be made to Somebody Cares online at http://www.somebodycares.org to facilitate efforts in all ministry and relief staging areas across the country and internationally {as we did in Indonesia after the tsunami}.

Thanks for following this ministry, and please pray for our family as we extend into new areas of our ministry and partner with Somebody Cares. I will tell more of that amazing story later...

Giga-Bendiciones!

Max & Dahlia

9/22/05

Re: LABI Rita Relief Efforts

Monte,
if you have prior notice of people traveling to SA today, I have 40000 lb of honey wheat bread. (size of bolillos) you are welcome to send someone to pick up @ 4501 South Pinemont #114 (off clay rd) on their way to LABI. You can try to call me @ 713,927,3800 or SMS at same number.

pray that God will allow us to be a resource for those who endure Rita.

giga bendiciones,
Max
www.SomebodyCares.org
--- Original Message ---
From: "Monte Madsen" <president@labitx.org>
Sent: Thu 9/22/2005 9:22 am
To:
Subject: LABI Rita Relief Efforts

Good morning!

LABI is preparing for another group of people fleeing the onslaught of yet
another huge hurricane. We will be expecting approximately 50 people from 5
of our Gulf Latin churches in the greater Houston area to be arriving today
filling our dorms to capacity. Thank God that we have the means to help in
this time of need. Thanks to so many of you who have given and the Gulf
Latin District who is supporting this effort. We are also thankful for the
success of our building program over the last two years that has made the
30% extra room possible for the New Orleans and Houston evacuees. These
circumstances are also giving us a good picture of what LABI will look like
filled to capacity with students! With your prayers of faith combined with
ours, we believe that we are not only going to survive these circumstances,
but thrive. So, lift up a prayer for these good people. This has been a
living object lesson for our students of what ministry to people is all
about. We love and appreciate you.

In His Service,

Monte Madsen, President
Latin American Bible Institute
10822 FM 1560 San Antonio, TX 78254
Phone: 210-688-3101 Fax: 210-688-3104
President@labitx.org

9/19/05

KSBJ @ Astroworld


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
Toby Mac sang @ KSBJ's Cards for Katrina Concert at Astroworld. It was the last concert held there!

-treopix

9/16/05

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
Erik is going into surgery. :-)

9/8/05

One Week

It's wonderful how things always seem to work out. It's almost as if... God has a plan.

Big Rig truckers are doubling up their loads to bring along supplies to be delivered to the Gulf Coast recovery efforts.

Please pray for all the workers as they try to keep hope alive in the hearts of these families who have lost everything.

Tomorrow will be Erik's ACL surgery. Dunno anyone actually reads to the end of these postings, but if you get a chance... pray for him.

Giga-Bendiciones

9/6/05

It's almost as if . . .

. . . God has a plan!
For weeks I have anticipated something impactful in my life to occur because that is the way that I know God does things.

I have been a Project Assistant for the Urban Youth Development Program of 4-H since Feb 2003. As my contract drew to a close Aug. 31, 2005 I was facing a time of decision. The only problem with that was deciding what to decide upon!! In my whole life, I have only sought employment on two occasions: 1) In 1973 I worked for Montgomery Wards for 3 months during the Christmas Rush assembling bicycles instead of flipping burgers for my parents in our family run Orange Julius. Not an easy job... I had to read the instructions! Then in the '80s I sought employment in San Antonio as a machinist after the oil crunch. Other than those times, work has always sought me out.

On September 1, I drove by the Somebody Cares office and saw the beehive of activity of volunteers in relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina Survivors. Opting to stay for a while, I left around 6 hours later. Sept 2 was another 14 hours, and with the opportunities to expand operations to the 'Pinemont Palace', Sept 3 was again a full Saturday of relief efforts. Yesterday's Labor Day holiday was another display of God's Sovereignty as we received and distributed gift cards, 1000 cots, clothes & water. Last night, God showed off with another miracle as he provided resources for another full day of card distribution. Regardless of the size of the organization, God has seen fit to provide the resources for recovery & relief to several thousand people in less than a week.

If you would donate, please make contributions online or mail to the Somebody Cares office. Info is available at http://www.somebodycares.org

... gonna take another short nap! God Bless You!

9/4/05

Somebody Cares!



Young and Old alike stood in long lines outside, only to come inside for more long lines... but we took opportunity to share and rejoice in testimonies of how God has been merciful in delivering and providing!

Prayerfully consider donating online {CLICK HERE} for these relief efforts

Hurricane Katrina Relief


PLEASE FORWARD THIS POST TO ALL WHO WOULD LIKE TO HELP! Thanks!!!

For those of you who would like to volunteer your time or resources to help those who survived the loss of all they own and are now living with little or nothing as a result of this devastation, come to http://www.somebodycares.org and click on the link to Hurricane Katrina Relief.

Things that we are needing on a daily basis:
* Gift Card from Wal-Mart where they can buy gas, food & clothes
* Gas Cards they can use to go to other cities where housing and jobs may be available
* Bottled water
* Toiletry Kits for women and men
* Socks & Undergarments [new ones please!!] for all ages (clothes are being distributed through churches)
* School supplies

Understand that this ordeal will continue for months, possibly even years for some of these families. Please ask God to direct you where you could be involved in serving them and being a tangible expression of God's Love.

You can donate to Somebody Cares at our new Relief Location:
4501 S. Pinemont, Suite 114. (@ Clay Road) or online at www.somebodycares.org
YMCA's & KSBJ are also accepting donations for Somebody Cares.

Thanks for helping!

Max 713.927.3800 katrinarelief@rmaxtorres.com

9/1/05

Soaring Prices in time of Crisis!


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.

Stretching a dollar.


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.

In the morning gas was $2.51/gallon for regular, by 2pm, it had switched to $2.95!!! Obvious need for good mechanics with ingenious carbeuration skills.

8/31/05

The Nap Tube


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.

It turns out that Erik had more of a nap than he expected. Worked for good though. Dr. Small said the pictures were very clear... coz Erik was still and snoring all thirty minutes of the MRI.

Erik goes into The Tube!


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
We hope it's not the ACL

8/30/05

Richard Cantu for HISD School Board


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.

Our friend Richard is running for a School Board position for Houston Independent School District. He will work diligently for our community.

8/27/05

starving piggy


maybe it's time to start feeding the piggy...

The Pickle Jar

---contributed---
The pickle jar as far back as I can remember sat on the floor beside the dresser in my parents' bedroom. When he got his pockets and toss his coins into the jar.
 
As a small boy I was always fascinated at the sounds the coins made as they were dropped into the jar. They landed with a merry jingle when the jar was almost empty. Then the tones gradually muted to a dull thud as the jar was filled.
 
I used to squat on the floor in front of the jar and admire the copper and silver circles that glinted like a pirate's treasure when the sun poured through the bedroom window. When the jar was filled, Dad would sit at the kitchen table and roll the coins before taking them to the bank.
 
Taking the coins to the bank was always a big production. Stacked neatly in a small cardboard box, the coins were placed between Dad and me on the seat of his old truck.
 
Each and every time, as we drove to the bank, Dad would look at me hopefully. "Those coins are going to keep you out of the textile mill, son.  You're going to do better than me. This old mill town's not going to hold you back."
 
Also, each and every time, as he slid the box of rolled coins across the counter at the bank toward the cashier, he would grin proudly. "These are for my son's college fund. He'll never work at the mill all his life like me."
 
We would always celebrate each deposit by stopping for an ice cream cone. I always got chocolate. Dad always got vanilla. When the clerk at the ice cream parlor handed Dad his change, he would show me the few coins nestled in his palm. "When we get home, we'll start filling the jar again." He always let me drop the first coins into the empty jar. As they rattled around with a brief, happy jingle, we grinned at each other. "You'll get to college on pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters,"he said. "But you'll get there. I'll see to that."
 
The years passed, and I finished college and took a job in another town.  Once, while visiting my parents, I used the phone in their bedroom, and noticed that the pickle jar was gone. It had served its purpose and had been removed.
 
A lump rose in my throat as I stared at the spot beside the dresser where the jar had always stood. My dad was a man of few words, and never lectured me on the values of determination, perseverance, and faith.
 
The pickle jar had taught me all these virtues far more eloquently than the most flowery of words could have done. When I married, I told my wife Susan about the significant part the lowly pickle jar had played in my life as a boy. In my mind, it defined, more than anything else, how much my dad had loved me.
 
No matter how rough things got at home, Dad continued to doggedly drop his coins into the jar. Even the summer when Dad got laid off from the mill, and Mama had to serve dried beans several times a week, not a single dime was taken from the jar.
 
To the contrary, as Dad looked across the table at me, pouring catsup over my beans to make them more palatable, he became more determined than ever to make a way out for me. "When you finish college, Son," he told me, his eyes glistening, "You'll never have to eat beans again - unless you want to."
 
The first Christmas after our daughter Jessica was born, we spent the holiday with my parents. After dinner, Mom and Dad sat next to each other on the sofa, taking turns cuddling their first grandchild. Jessica began to whimper softly, and Susan took her from Dad's arms.
 
"She probably needs to be changed," she said, carrying the baby into my parents' bedroom to diaper her. When Susan came back into the living room, there was a strange mist in her eyes.
 
She handed Jessica back to Dad before taking my hand and leading me into the room. "Look," she said softly, her eyes directing me to a spot on the floor beside the dresser. To my amazement, there, as if it had never been removed, stood the old pickle jar, the bottom already covered with coins. I walked over to the pickle jar, dug down into my pocket, and pulled out a fistful of coins. With a gamut of emotions choking me, I dropped the coins into the jar. I looked up and saw that Dad, carrying Jessica, had slipped quietly into the room. Our eyes locked, and I knew he was feeling the same emotions I felt. Neither one of us could speak.
 
This truly touched my heart. I know it has yours as well. Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings.
 
Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life, for better or for worse.
 
God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way.  Look for God in others.
 
The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or touched - they must be felt with the heart ~ Helen Keller
 
  - Happy moments, praise God.
  - Difficult moments, seek God.
  - Quiet moments, worship God. 
  - Painful moments, trust God. 
  - Every moment, thank God.
 
A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart..........

8/19/05

T-Bar-M Nite


Well... coming to the end of a wonderful day in the Guadalupe River hill country. Around 40 students from a fantastic school off I-59 have gathered out here for an intense leadership development opportunity. I hope to bring pictures and expressions of the wonderful times these children are having as they are stretched into new levels of their lives.

Say good night Max... Good Night Max!

7/30/05

A New Apple in the Woodlands!


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.

The Buzz of Apple Excitement!


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.

FREE TICKETS!!!

This would have been a good attempt at crowd control, but...
Handout #1
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
When I got this, I thought it would be my 'ticket' for my free shirt... but no!!

A look to the back...


a semblance of order

Fortunately, everyone was in a good mood.
2 the Front of the line
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
When the line formed, i wasn't too far from the front. YEAH!!

Cuando, Cuando, Cuando... Open, Open, Open!


Apple Woodlands
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
Grand Opening of the New Woodlands Apple Store

The last(first) time I stood in line at a store before it opened, was to pre-order the ps2 for my kids for Christmas time. Had never done that before, and I have to say there was a sense of community in the 'gamers' that were there. We had a good time.... it's different this time. I thought I would find more in common with all these 'Mac Heads'. Maybe the prob is that 95% of them are from 'up nawth', not 'Nawf Side.' There was a definite line at Best Buy that night, and we even wrote up a list to be able to relax a little. Here, it's just a loose gathering... all tense... no friendly greetings... and I'm getting nervous... what if i get pushed to the side in the feeding frenzy and don't get one of the 'First 1000 Customer' t-shirts!!!!

At least I have my wife's permission to be here....

....gotta go ... they're mobbing!!!

Come on guyz! Open up!


Getting old just standing here!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.


"I was only 20 when I got here!" he complained... not really... but they started lining up before 8:30am for the 10am opening... For the new Apple Store in the Woodlands. Look at the next picture... pretty good when you just have to put your logo outside, and NO LETTERING. Bright Apple... Nuf Said!

7/29/05

Downtown Houston


Whizzing by downtown H-Town
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.

Indonesia!

This morning, I also heard from some of our friends in Indonesia. That is a wonderful place to see amazing things happening. More on that story later...

Warrior gone to rest...

Tonight around 8pm, San Antonio time, my uncle Billy went to be with our Heavenly Chief. His time on this world was a journey into life and service. The part of Uncle Billy that fascinates me is the committment he had to those of the First Nations. He took the message of God's truth to reservations in America's midwest. That was the most fruitful part of his life. When I shared with him that God has also opened doors for me to be in relationship with native ministries, his eyes teared up and he squinted so hard. I can just imagine that he remembered the lives that were impacted as he walked with them on their journey. He smiled and remarked, "That's Great!" We will miss Billy, but his body has gone into rest, and pain for him is no more. Rejoice in the hands of the Great Spirit.

7/28/05

Important: Recall Notice!

Regardless of make or year, all units known as "human being" are being recalled by the Manufacturer. This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named "Adam" and "Eve" resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect is technically termed, "Serious Internal Non-morality," but more commonly known as "SIN."

Some of the symptoms of the SIN defect:
(a) Loss of direction
(b) Lack of peace and joy
(c) Depression
(d) Foul vocal emissions
(e) Selfishness
(f) Ingratitude
(g) Fearfulness
(h) Rebellion
(i) Jealousy

The Manufacturer is providing factory authorized repair service free of charge to correct the SIN defect. The Repair Technician, Jesus Christ, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs.

To repeat, there is no fee required. The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

Once connected please upload the burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Christ, into the heart component of the human unit.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Christ will replace it with:
(a) Love
(b) Joy
(c) Peace
(d) Kindness
(e) Goodness
(f) Faithfurness
(g) Gentleness
(h) Patience
(i) Self-control

Please see the operating manual, HOLY BIBLE, for further details on the use of these fixes.

As an added upgrade, the Manufacturer has made available to all repaired units a facility enabling direct monitoring and assistance from the resident Maintenance Technician, the HOLY SPIRIT. Repaired units need only make Him welcome and He will take up residence on the premises.

WARNING: Continuing to operate a human unit without corrections voids Manufacturer's warranty, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list, and will ultimately result in the human unit being incinerated.

Thank you for your immediate attention, and please assist by notifying others of this important recall notice!

-JOHN 3:16 & 17!!!

BIBLE: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth!!!

Hand picked by God!

When I heard Ernest S.'s message, it was an exciting moment. The choir that he is working with has been invited to participate in filming a Christmas Musical tonight (7/28/05), then.... I got a call from Gabe S. who is involved in youth development across the country with the U.S. Army, and he had entered into dialog with the pastor of one of America's largest congregations and has been challenged to lead the youth of that congregation and city into a NEW DAY of growth and excitement!!!

Wow!! When we sat with Rose G. yesterday, she even said that she believes this year to be a time of new beginnings for she and her husband.

This keeps getting better and better! I don't know what situation you are looking at in your day, or week, but it's a great day to be alive! With all the 'sin sabores' [distasteful events] of life, it is good to be alive to see the transformation of peoples hearts and lives.

Write a comment of the good things that are happening in your life! I know many others will be encouraged.

hasta later,
Max

7/23/05

Posting update

In the midst of the Dog Days of summer, we have to find some way to keep cool. How bout some ideas!?

Waiting for your input in the comments:

7/12/05

Double Rainbow-Double Promise


Double Rainbow
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.


Just shot the rainbow, but noticed later the double rainbow.

7/1/05

Fahrenheit Fotos


Tahoe Trip 019
Originally uploaded by Farenhiet.
btw, did I mention he had some wonderful fotos?

Fahrenheit Fotos


Tahoe Trip 021
Originally uploaded by Farenhiet.
My nephew went with some friends to Tahoe, and I am so glad they took their cameras! Take a look at this group of fotos (well over a hundred) and prepare for a visual banquet with great artistic flair & some humor for dessert!

6/25/05

Bayshore Christian Ministries Intern Team Building




rmaxtorres' BCM ICL Training 2005 photosetrmaxtorres' BCM ICL Training 2005 photoset



6/21/05

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
BCM Retreat

6/13/05

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.

A Picture Share!


A Picture Share!
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
East .palo.Alto.Starbucks

6/10/05

Menchaca-Romero... Un equipo formidable

Escuela Ministerial

Region de Este

Houston, TX

--

6/6/05

Cooperacion


Cooperacion
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
Cooperation



Giga-Bendiciones,



Max

http://rmaxtorres.com

6/4/05

S.O.S. Summer Camp Site


Rocky Creek Park, Lake Somerville
Originally uploaded by rmaxt.
SOS Ministry summer camp

5/31/05


An emotional moment with these two veterans of the gospel. Posted by Hello


That smile is as wide as a country mile! Grandpa was glad to be around his family on this holiday. Posted by Hello


Bobby rolls up with Grandpa Posted by Hello