Table of Contents
This Book is dedicated to
the greatest running partner God could have ever blessed me with, my wife Eva. You personify perseverance, integrity, courage and love. Thank you for being the ideal wife, mother, partner, and friend. I cant imagine life without you.
my greatest miracles, Yvonne, Nathan and Lauren. Your smiles and joy constantly strengthen me. I live to leave something greater for you and your generation. Youre not only my children; you are the executive members of the Rodriguez Dream steering committee. Dont forget, if you ever fall, Daddys there to pick you up.
My parents, Samuel and Elizabeth. The best possible parents anyone can ever ask for. My fathers hands instilled in me a strong work ethic while my mothers wisdom guided me from day one. One of the highlights of my life was the day I found my dad kneeling down praying to the Almighty. This strong, UAW, Mack Truck, powerful man demonstrated that strength comes from above. Mom, seven times around Jericho and the walls will always come down.
My two sisters, Reina and Lydia. Your covering, love and faithfulness make me thank God daily that I am the youngest and I can always depend upon a firewall of two powerful women of God, my covering. Charlies Angels? Can I stop playing Bosley now?
Felix Posos. My tourniquet. I will celebrate with you one day in Heaven. I miss you, Pastor. David Espinoza, my Pastor, thanks for your prayers, support and covering; the Godfather. Dr. Jesse Miranda, we are your children and the heirs of the dream. Thanks for your exemplary leadership. Gilbert Velez, thanks for believing, WOW! Look what God has done. You are a true friend. Nunez, an authentic spiritual father.
The National Hispanic Christian Learning Conference and 3DBN, Americas largest Hispanic Christian Organization and a Powerful Global Network of Faith leaders, I am honored to serve you.
Nick Garza, my Third Day Brother. The Prophetic always trumps the pathetic. Thanks, my Brother!
The TEAM. Ed and Damaris, Bobby and Liz, Jose and Diana, Ferdinand, Efrain, Oscar, Joshua Perez, Marcos and Monica, Pastor Dan Delgado, Israel Pastor Jerry, Charlie Rivera, John Raymer, Sam Schneider, David Sandoval, Charlie Olmeda, Daniel Gonzalez, Raul Feliciano, Randy Thomas, Steve Perea, CCA Sacramento and The Assemblies of God Family in America and around the world.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I want to thank Raymond Garcia and the Penguin family for believing in this book and in a Newark, New Jersey, boy raised in Bethlehem, PA, who grew up with a dream. Your professionalism and commitment to excellence stand second to none. In addition, I want to thank Carlos Harrison. You prove that running partners can accomplish greater works together. Please forward the invoice for the sessions; therapy was successful.
Finally, I want to thank the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and 3DBN, along with the Third Day Worship Center Fellowship and my Assemblies of God family, thank you for permitting me to serve and provide a voice for the Hispanic American Faith Community. I stand committed to reconciling both elements of the Cross, the Vertical and Horizontal, both Righteousness and Justice, Kingdom and Society, Covenant and Community, Faith and Public Policy, Billy Graham and Martin Luther King, John 3:16 and Luke 4.
Foreword
Sam Rodriguez is a unique Christian leader. Not just anybody gets described as what happens when you put Billy Graham and Martin Luther King Jr. in a blender and put salsa on top.
The face and faith of Evangelicals in this country continues to change. Over 37 percent of our countrys Hispanic population identifies as an evangelical. Its what Sam calls the browning of the Evangelical movement. If current trends hold true, the majority of evangelical Christians in this country will be of Hispanic descent by the middle of this century. If you want to know about these changes, take a look at Sam. He is the only Christian leader I know who has not only led immigration reform rallies but has also been the commencement speaker for Liberty University. Christianity in our country will never be the same.
What supports this change and is the underlying premise of the book is that the Christian faith is both vertical and horizontal. Gods call for the Church and mission for our lives is to live in the place where personal piety and communal piety intersect. It is in this place that we see Gods miracles.
Too often, when we hear the word miracle, we think of a god who does magic tricks to get us the things that we want. If only we are good enough and follow all the right rules, God just might give us everything on our wish list. Sam through his work and his book shows us that most miracles are the everyday realities that occur when we allow the Kingdom of God to touch down to Earth through us.
Our ability to work side by side building the Kingdom, even when we disagree, shows the strength of diversity and the beauty of harmonization without homogenization. It is through learning from others that are different than ourselves that we are able to truly see ourselves.
My most recent book, The Great Awakening, is known by a different title in its international releases, Seven Ways to Change the World. Sams seven life-changing principles, if followed, will change the world. The principles are simple and painted with a prose that is accessible to all but may the reader beware. The principles that change the world may be simple, but they are never easy. Path of Miracles is a guide to faith from one of the most hopeful young Christian leaders of our time.
JIM WALLIs
Chapter 1
THE PATH OF MIRACLES
Prepare yourself: Your life is about to change.
You are about to discover the way to a life full of accomplishment, achievement, and attainment, of realization, reward, and prosperity. Of healthy and happy relationships, and lasting love. Of satisfying work and success on the job. Of building wealth and financial freedom.
Right now.
This book will show you how. I will be your guide.
Rick Warren talks about purpose and Joel Osteen talks about the end picture. Im the guy in the middle. Im the guy describing the road. Im the one here to teach you the process.
God has a marathon of miracles waiting for you to enjoy right now, in this lifetime, and the seven simple principles in this book will show you how to unlock the power within you and secure those treasures right here, right now.
Youll see your dreams come true, in ways beyond your wildest imaginationnot just fulfilled, but surpassed. This is the recipe. This is the how-to. I will show you the way. I will teach you how to have a life that is exceedingly, abundantly, above all you ever wished for. You will discover the Wow! Factor, the It!
These principles will lead you on the Path of Miracles, to find heavenly riches, rewards, goodness, and blessings here on Earth. Now.