2007 has just begun!

“Thus far has the Lord helped us” (1Samuel 7.12).

Frankly speaking, we, brazilians, think that God is also brazilian! Therefore, all things must (should) go well because – after all!, God is a brazilian – just like us! That’s a big and obvious mistake!

The point is that, at the end, things go wrong and we must find someone to be guilty, someone to be punished, someone to be “executed” because, for God’s sake!, someone did it all wrong! – not me, not you, not us, for sure!

Read this: “ Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14.28). The problem is that this command of Jesus has not actually been obeyed to its entirety-completeness. People usually think that going to church(es); saying some prayers; doing some “spiritual exercises”… things might go well! Well, that’s not true at all! Life is not that easy – buddy!

Church-going is important; saying prayers is important; doing some – ok, say – “spiritual exercises” might help, but some action(s), some action(s) will do it all, will transform it all, will perform miracles just in front of you or inside of you! We should do the “possible things”. Let the Lord do the impossible ones…

You might still be recalling things of past 2006! Well, forget them! Take care of you now – in 2007 and open your eyes (spiritual, mainly!) to 2008! Remember: mistakes of 2006 must, must not be repeated in 2007, 2008, 2009! Do not be so stupid to make the same mistakes again and again! Ok, make NEW mistakes but NOT the same old ones… please!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1.9).

May God help you all to have a blessed 2007!

What's happening to the old beautiful Rio de Janeiro - Brazil?

Picture: Ernesto Carrico/ O DIA

First of all: lack of authotity, this is first and main problem! No police force enough to combat so many bandits - all over! Worse of all: many policemen are somewhat involved in the bandit force(s)... and this can only turn things even more difficult to the "real" police. Last week of Dec-06, lots of buses were burned - people were inside! and got to be killed, too. A complete disaster! This is civil war going on in Brazil and government fake(s) to see and take care of...

Why the turmoil(s) from bandits all over? Mainly because the police has been trying to "control" them at penitenciaries plus avoiding them from trading drugs in the mountains (ghettos) that surround Rio de Janeiro.

Now, after lots of attacks from criminals; buses burned up; tourists robbed even at the airport (!), the crisis installed all over Rio de Janeiro. The elected governor, Mr. Cabral, decided to request the National Security Forces - a group of about 600 men, destined to land at Rio in order to help the local state police to "clean up" things... Well, let's see it, buddy! I myself do not believe this will solve the issue, but something should be done... today, now!

Veritas et Vita