"How long, Oh Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you "Violence" but you do not save?" (Habakkuk 1.2)

Todays word from pastor Paulo César Sampaio

Matter of fact, millions of people suffer on a daily-basis... and call for help, and cry out, and do all kinds of things - but even so are not listened! Why is that so?

1. Lord actually sees all of us, regardless of places, situations, etc.;
2. The point is: there is a 'time' for Him to act;
3. We are always in a hurry and want things to be "fast-made".

Well, we should not fight against Him - not at all! We will never, ever win! Yet, we should all be humble and humbly wait for the time the Lord might act towards us! He wants to act now - today is the day! It all depend on our faith and on the good-willing of God Himself.


We all need help at a certain (or many!) point of our lives! When in troubles, we should not be shy to wave a flag with a sign: "Help wanted". God is love and it (love) may come from many different directions... We never know! We find helpers today. Tomorrow, we might be equally helpers! Help someone in need today - today.

Todays prayer
Father, help me help others, for I know that I shall need help from them someday. Fill my heart with joy and love and willing to help people in need. In Jesus name. Amen.

Paulo César Sampaio - pastor
Skype: pcesarsampaio
MSN: pc_sampaio@hotmail.com
pcsampaio@timbrasil.blackberry.com

Who is the brazilian?

A recent research carried out by the brazilian government came to the following data:

* Monthly rate per capita: USD 418,00 a month.
* Population: 49% men and 51% women.
* Children per couple: 2
* 40% do not live in the city where they were born.
* 62,9% are economically active i.e. they work.
* 3,2 persons compose a family in Brazil.
* 22% of population have a computer at home.
* 17% have access to Internet.
* 93% have television at home.
* 74,5% have telephone at home.
* 84% have running water at home.
* 71% have eletric power at home.
* 87,5% have garbage collected at home on daily basis.

Well, it is not "that bad"...- a brazilian would say. A visitor from US, Europe or Japan should - on the contrary - possibly say: "That's a disaster for a country which plans to be included in the first world"! Brazil lacks a whole lot! Yeah - nobody can deny it!! But, anyway, it used to be worse - believe me! We have a lot to do...

All we need is: good willing to do the right thing + respected politicians who "feel" the need to change + a lot of work, a lot of work! Maybe, within the next 500 years... things might be better... What!? That's too long time to get better!? NO, it is not! Europe, for example, has - hum, more than 2007 years...

Paulo Cesar Sampaio - pastor and student of Journalism.
Skype: pcesarsampaio
MSN: pc_sampaio@hotmail.com

What have we done so far!?

Photo: beach in Fortaleza - Brazil

August is coming to an end! Within short time, we shall enter the "ber-monthes" (Sep-Oct-Nov-Dec)!

Has any project come to reality so far? No!? Why not!? Well, please mark:

1. I had no project or whatsoever - so far!;
2. I tried my best but could not get it...;
3. Lula, president of Brazil (or Bush!) is the sole guilty-soul for all wrongdoings...;
4. I do not know; what are you talking about!!!???
5. Only God knows it...

In fact, He knows all things! The point is that, for many people, the "guilty" is the other; not oneself - not "us"! So what!? What to do?

1. Think, think hard - project yourself for tomorrow;
2. Do - not only 'think', but do really do something;
3. Do not expect much from others... They may not come at the proper time...;
4. Put your faith on Him (Jesus Christ). He changed lives of billions so far!;
5. Wake up! Get up to reality!

Today is a good day. Tomorrow will be better. The "possible things" you should do now. The "impossible" things are God's specialty - ever, for ever.

Yours in His love,

Paulo Cesar Sampaio
Skype: pcesarsampaio
MSN: pc_sampaio@hotmail.com

Political Scandals in Brazil - as usual!

Amazing 'disgrace' - what a bad thing we should all admit! In Brazil, it seems that political scandals do not come to an end! Renan Calheiros, president of National Congress is about to be kicked off because he was caught in a scandal.

Calheiros had his personal accounts paid by a lobbyist. The latter used to give money to a journalist with whom Calheiros had a baby-girl of 3 years old. On behalf of Calheiros, the lobbyist used to give money to the journalist on a monthly basis.

Matter of fact, Calheiros has not been someone to be trusted in - not at all! We all know about his political past... The worse of all is that the man does not want to be moved away from the presidency of Congress - by no means! He insists on being the president! The country is stopped! What to do! Okay: let the federal force gunmen 'fire him' - or, at least, move him away... Please!

Scandals are abundant in Brazil since Mr. Lula took over in 2003! For sure, we had other scandals before, but not almost on a weekly-basis - no, not at all! The press has been playing extremely important role for the true development of the country - by naming the problems and, on some occasions, appointing the solutions.

Amazing 'grace' - Brazil should be, at the moment we might have better politicians at the wheel...

Paulo César Sampaio - pastor and student of journalism
Skype: pcesarsampaio
MSN: pc_sampaio@hotmail.com

"Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear..." (Matthew 6.25a).

Todays Word from Pr. P.C.Sampaio
Today we see some magazines at stands proposing-suggesting a more simple life! Well - that is good" For a long time, magazines, newspapers, etc., have been preaching that he who can buy more, he who can consume more, should be all happier... for evermore! It seems that people (ok: just some!) have awaken up to reality! To have more is not - by no means - a warranty for happiness. Not at all!

Look at picture above! Can you see some extra-ordinary things! No!? Are you sure!? Ok: indeed, that simple way of living is a first-step to happiness! In other words: family is the first environment from where happiness should burst out - come out. I do not know your family background... Yet, I can say that your family is responsible (50%) for who you are!

How is that!? Simple: if you have a nice-and-friendly family, chances are that you might grow up bearing a solid base-foundation. You might be a mature person, ready to face adversity and conquer it all... On the other hand, if you have too many problems in your own living-room, chances are that you might grow up as imature - a person full of anxiety, hatred, etc. But, do not be so sad! There is a way out of the caos. Yes - there is, indeed...

Religion, the true religion manifested in the person of Jesus Christ. He said: I am the truth, and the way and the life. Have you been lost lately? Have you been wandering around with no place to go? Have you been in doubt about what to do in your life? Millions have been facing the same thing. No big news! But you should not worry too much! Not at all! Deliver your life to Him (Jesus Christ) and He will take care of you... Hey, hey - a warning: do not ever think that you should not do your part in the deal, buddy! You should search, you should seek, you should see the chances that God has been daily giving you... and, most of the times, you keep your eyes blind - blind - blind! Come on: wake up to reality! Open up your eyes!

Prayer of today:
Father, I thank you for all the chances that you have been giving to me. Open up my eyes to see - to see! I have been longing for a meaningful life and I do know that I can only find a full and rich life in You!. In Jesus name. Amem.

May God bless you today and ever!

Paulo Cesar Sampaio
Skype: pcesarsampaio
MSN pc_sampaio@hotmail.com

"(...) the only thing that counts is faith expressing through love" (Galatians 5.6b).

Todays word from pastor Paulo César Sampaio
Matter of fact, millions of believers world-wide think that faith is enough to conquer all odds!

Well, faith is actually a vital element of transformation, of restoration, of communion among brethren.

Yet, it must be equally said that faith ought to be transformed into something "touchable" - that is to say: faith ought to be in love, in deeds; not only words!

Next time you see someone saying to accomplish things, etc., simply ask him (her) a question: have you done, done something to justify-confirm your said faith? Deeds, have you got any? Watch the reaction... and then get to know whether that mr. or ms. has actually been behaving like a true christian.

Todays prayer
Father, help me transfom my said faith in deeds of love. Help me to conquer all odds with my deeds of love - in faith. I am not able to do it all by myself. But, father, I do know that you are able to do all things for me. That my life be an expression of both: faith and deeds, in Jesus name. Amen.

Paulo César Sampaio - pastor
Skype: pcesarsampaio
MSN: pc_sampaio@hotmail.com

NATURE - YOURS TO ENJOY AND TREAT

He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgement" (Pv. 12.11)

Today, we hear all over that nature has been suffering from the wrong doings of mankind. Pollution, devastation, lack of carefulness, overheating, etc.

All this has been simply and terribly caused by all of us! Nobody is exemption to the rule! Nobody! In all we do, in all we think, it might have some ecological effect! That’s for sure!

Some think that matters of nature should not worry us that much! Some think that the problems nature faces today are "something" for the future generations! Well, the "dude" does not understand that – in future, his descendants will still be here – on earth!, suffering the consequences...

The word of God says that "he who works his land will have abundant food". As far back as we can remember, the planet earth is big enough to feed everyone. Where is the problem, then!? Well, it is in you, in me, in us! We should take more care of our land, of our city, of our country and planet! This is a question of life – today and ever!

Let us not be like "he who chases fantasies...". Let us all be intelligent. The earth will "thank" us. So our children and grandchildren...

Veritas et Vita

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