A Tribute To An Old Friend

My life had taken a downward spiral after years of drugs and alcohol. I was at the point in my life where I didn't know which way to turn. I was confused about life, its meaning and most importantly… our purpose. Why am I still here? I've been spared for a reason, unlike several of my friends. But there was one…one whom after our high school graduation. I wouldn't see again until I was forty years of age. That friend-- Pastor Joe Olvera.

I'd heard that Joe, a childhood friend whom I'd grown close too had found the Lord-- during a time in which I realized that I'd made such a mess of my life.

At a young age, I knew the Lord to an extent. Now that I'm older, I reflect on decisions that were made-- ones that would draw me into a life style of darkness. Now I realize… God puts people in our paths for a reason.

There were a lot of things that I didn't understand when God was coming into my life-- A loved ones illness, words they said shortly before their passing. Things began to happen, that I couldn't quite figure out. To this day, I truly feel that it was the Holy Spirit that led me to visit that old friend whom I hadn't seen for some time. We talked about life. He comforted me. An old friendship was rekindled. I wasn't surprised to find that he and the church (Lifeline Ministry based in Fullerton, CA) had been interceding (praying) for me. I finally realized that God's decisions are best. Mathew 11: verses 29-30 says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and you will find rest upon your souls for my yoke is easy and burden is light."

The beginning wasn't easy. I'd fell back to drugs and alcohol on several occasions. Romans 5: verses 5-6 says, "And the hope does not maketh ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." But Pastor Joe was always there to help lift me up. He was at my side, a dear friend --and that brother in Christ that I certainly needed.

This tribute is to the man that God put into my path. He would eventually enable me to better understand the ways of God. I was under Pastor Joe's guidance for a few years. At which time, I was delivered from my addiction to drugs and alcohol. And later, becoming a Pastor with the Four Square Gospel Church.
It is imperative to call upon the Holy Spirit to intercede in prayer for any individual whom the Lord puts in your heart-- just as Pastor Joe and Lifeline Ministry.

Pastor Armando Leon
"Trust in JESUS!