We have all seen difficult situations over time turn into blessings. But unless God intervenes in a most difficult time, life can continue to be a mess that doesn't go away. Tune in this weekend to our Engaging Truth interview with Paula and her husband Hector. All that could be done for Paula when I first met her, was to pray for her. Seven past surgeries with no success and many more to come, plus difficulty getting into nursing school with her medical prognosis. But God was gracious. He heard the prayers of His people for Paula. The 15th surgery was a success. Join host Pastor David Schultz to listen to Paula and Hector's story of grace applied, as a family now with a beautiful child. And what a MESSAGE!!!

The following program is sponsored by evangelical life ministries.

Welcome to engaging truth, the manifestation of God's word and the lives of people around us. Join us each week. As we explore the impact of his message of spiritual renewal from the lesson of forgiveness forged in the crucible of divorce, to the message of salvation learned by an executioner from a condemned killer to the gift of freedom found in the rescue of victims of human trafficking. This is God's truth in action.

Good evening. This is Dave Schultz, your host for this evening's program called engaging truth. I got a couple of exciting guests this evening. Uh, we've had both them on the air before, but this is November. This is a time where we talk about Thanksgiving than to be thankful for. And I know that their hearts are full of Thanksgiving for all the blessings that have come to them. So I'm going to introduce them as Paula and Hector Flores. And, uh, Paula's been here before and Hector's been here before, but I'm gonna begin with you anyway. Welcome to engaging truth. Thanks

Pastor. How you doing?

I'm gonna, I'm gonna begin with you because of the fact that, um, some time ago we had an exciting conversation about how science has made a differe for you to be thinking about what her heart believes. Yes. Tell me

About that. Oh man. That's a great question. Uh, uh, I'm, I'm very passionate about this subject, but essentially before I met my wife, Paula, right. Um, I was a very, very, very, um, you know, a defined atheist. I didn't believe God, I didn't believe in a creator. I believed in just science. Right. And there was, for me, there was a separation between science and religion. And when I met Paula, which is one of the biggest reasons why I'm so thankful during this month, because it changed everything for me. She introduced me to a whole new world where I met, you know, you pastor and, uh, and, and, you know, um, God started creeping into my heart, right? And so then I was conflicted. I was a, a very advocate scientist that believed in space and evolution and, and everything that usually you would see as nonreligious.

But I also believed in God. So I had to find a way to let them coexist. So I did a lot of research and I try to find if there was any type of evidence that showed that you can, you can have both, right. Cause I almost wanted to just have them be two separate parts in my mind. Um, and I did come across a lot of research and a lot of scientists actually that there that do believe in and, and in God and, and Christianity and our, our advocate, Christians, but also are very, very pronounced scientists. Right. And, um, you know, that's when it opened my eyes, you know, it's like, you know, how could you not believe that this all powerful creator is that is, is, is all in our lives. Whenever you look at the sky, right? You look at our, our, our planet and yes, the plant, the plants are growing.

Um, relationships are growing. Um, you know, you can say that God is everywhere, but when you look at the sky and see how vast the, how beautiful causality is happening in our universe. And, um, it's just, it's hard not to question how it's hard not to not, it's hard not to believe that someone designed it. Right. Um, a very good example is when any scientist knows that mathematics is the base for any, anything about astrology, right? Mathematics is it's is the instrument it's, it's the paper, it's the it's, um, it's everything, right? If, if you can define it in mathematics, then you can, you can really, um, prove it. Right. So then, then I thought, well, mathematics is essentially the language that God has, has given humanity, right? Mathematics is the, the pencil that God wrote in to Def to design the universe. And that just blew my mind.

I'm like, oh my gosh, that's awesome. Because mathematics is universal. You know, it's, it's not, it's not different between English Spanish. It's the same. It's, it's, it's, uh, what, what you would call, um, a global language. Well, God's language is the only one that could be able to do that. Right. And there's some math that we know today that we still don't understand how it's working. Right. And probably never will never will. Right. And, and that just shows you that we, I don't think we, as, as humans should try to put God in its infinity and, you know, infinity into our hum human, um, mindset, cuz we won't be able to understand it just as we can't understand the complexity of some math equations. Right. Yeah. So that's, that's just, that's what, that's why, how I made the connection. Right. Um, math is equivalent to God.

God's like actual instruction manual or, or, um, you know, uh, the, the paper that he wrote on, on how everything should work. I mean, there's certain numbers like the speed of light, for example, right. That's an actual number that if you change it to slight, everything would break like everything. Our, the entire, our entire existence wouldn't work. Right. It's like, it's just crazy. It's like, that's what he literally wrote that number. Not literally, but you know, um, to me, that's how I see it. And um, it's just, I think that if we start thinking of science, um, and religion and Christianity, um, in this as one in that way, then we won't have these weird conflicts that usually people have. Right. If they feel like they believe in science, so then why not believe in God too? Right. Let

Me ask a why question about this. Yeah. Because there are people in the world and you probably know them probably read of them who know the, just what you've been saying. Mm-hmm but they fail to believe in the existence of God. Yeah,

Yeah. Yeah.

Why is that?

I, I feel that there's a can, oh, cuz there's a lot of, um, a lot of pressure from the science community that that's their identity. Right. Like when, if you're a scientist, then anyone comes at you with any religious talk then no, you're on the science group. You're on the science click. Right. Okay. Um, and, and you can't believe in both. That's just nonsense. Like if I know that if I talk to someone, one of my peers that are, are, you know, really on that, that side, they're not scientists, but they, they love science. They love mathematics. And I start talking about God, like they're gonna, they won't be able to, to relate with me. Right. So I think it's more, more of a it's it's the norm for a person that believes in science to not believe in God. Okay. And uh, I think if we can start to talk about and make it more comfortable, then those people that do internally feel that way can feel more expressive about it, you know, and, and share that. Yeah. I believe in God. And I believe in science, they both can be in the same sentence. Right. Um, and I, I think that's the reason. Yeah.

What makes you different today than you were five years

Ago? Oh man. Faz these questions are great. um, well, first of all, my wife is in my life. Right. That's a huge, huge difference. Um, you know, yeah. Uh, she, I think that's where it started for me. Um, I'm, you know, Thanksgiving, uh, for me, you know, whenever I start instigating that question of what am I thankful for? And I look back on where I was before now. Um, you know, I there's a lot of things that have happened in my life, but it all started the minute met my wife, that's where it all started. It was the beginning. It was the, the spark, the, the catalyst. Right. Um, I met my wife, then she changed my heart and then she introduced me to other people. They changed my heart even more. And then she gave me a baby, a beautiful little boy. And so I think the difference now is that my, my brain is the same. I still have the same intellectual abilities, but my heart is extremely different. Um, from five years

Ago. One last question, before we go to Paula. Yeah. Um, what are your dreams for tomorrow?

Oh, my dreams for tomorrow. My dream for tomorrow is that I get to see it, I think because I don't really have any true aspirations for myself. Um, I think again, to see it and also to, to I'm hopeful to see what my, my son is gonna do. That's what I'm pretty, I'm very excited about that. Um, because the way that life has, has gone for me, it's almost as if you know, God has, has aligned everything just for him, cuz it, I, I don't know how I deserve it. It has to be for him. He has something big coming. So that's what I'm excited for.

We're gonna pause for just a minute before we get the Paula off on this. Uh, tell you a little, little bit about, uh, this ministry that that many thousands of people are supporting and even hearing today. Let me tell you about Elm, which is evangelical life ministries. It's a group of volunteers in the Houston area who not only planned each of these broadcasts, but produced them as well. Each broadcast is centered on God's holy word in particular that saving grace of Jesus Christ. You can help us with our programming, but simply remembering to pray for us. Just pray for those people in particular, who are doing all of this, the volunteer team who love to see each broadcast sent not only to our country, but you know, today, even across the world. And so besides just praying for us, you can port what we do go to the website, which is E LM, houston.org, and find a way to support us in ministry there. Or you can just sit down and write out a check to E LM P O box 5, 6, 8, Cypress, Texas, 77, 410. And we'll receipt every gift and will be grateful. And thank you for it. Okay, Paula, you've heard your husband talk about Thanksgiving and gratefulness. Paula, how did you and I meet?

Oh, we met. What, what was that like eight years ago, nine years ago, maybe something like that. We met, um, oh, thanks to a little taco truck. You remember that? Um, my mom had a little taco stand and um, you came along, ordered some breakfast tacos and mama was looking for a place where she could worship and she saw, she said, is it a Jesus church? Is it a never forget? Yes. Is it a Jesus church? Yes. Yes. Um, and yeah. And so, so we came along, we were, we were having some struggles. Um, I was struggling with my health.

What was, what in particular was the major struggle that you were facing at that time? Because it didn't go away real

Quick, right? Yes. So, um, I was suffering with a condition, um, in my brain, um, hydrocephalus, um, where I did end up having 14 brain surgeries, um, within a certain amount of time period. And it just seemed like it was never going to end. It was just surgery after surgery, after surgery. But

The beauty of the walk, the terrible walk that you had to traverse was the fact that you had a, a monstrous prayer team behind.

I did. I did.

And that didn't happen by accident. It happened by design. The Lord said, uh, through your mom, uh, through the little taco truck , uh, go up there and take your daughter and they can help with prayers. And that's exactly what we did for all those years. What happened after the, of 14th surgery? Because I can remember that very well, but tell us about it.

Yeah. Um, so I mean, I'm so grateful, so grateful for my team over at, um, St John, the prayer team. It was, I don't know what I would've done without everybody there. Um, but yeah, so after the last surgery, um, the doctor was able to do something to where he fixed me. Um, luckily I haven't had any more surgeries. Thank God. Um, yeah, so, um, he did something called a third ventriculostomy where he was able to, um, um, help the fluid in my brain, um, get out easier without having to have any kind of device or anything like that inside of me. So, um, yeah, it was, I'm so grateful, so thankful and, and, and so blessed that my doctor was able to do that for me.

Has it ever come back to haunt you?

You know, I, I do suffer from chronic headaches because of it. Um, but you know what, there's nothing, a little prayer and a little faith can help . So it's, it's, it's been a, a, a, a rough road, but, you know, um, I've, I'm here,

I'm here. I remember very well when we had the marriage ceremony. And I remember looking at both of you as you confess to each other, your faithfulness, and I could tell in that facial expression then as I do now, that this is gonna last, this is gonna last, th th this makes a difference what they said to each other, truly miracle words from God, but other miracles have happened in your life beside that. And all of a sudden this last year, what happened as a miracle for you? Was it 20, 21 or this

Year? Yeah, this year. Yeah. This year in June. Yeah. So, um, God blessed with a beautiful baby boy. Um, and actually I was, after all the stuff I went through, I was honestly afraid that I wasn't gonna be able to have a child were scared. Um, I was terrified the doctors, you know, like I said, I hadn't had surgeries in a while, but the doctors were concerned that if I did become pregnant, I could end up having complications with my head, but here I am. And, and we have a beautiful five month old baby. You've been great. yes. So, so we're so blessed. And so a thankful,

I see many of the pictures that you send on Facebook and, um, it just reminds me that this little one, although only five months old was already in charge. Yeah. He's

He's got it going on. Yeah. He was the, he was the plan all along. Yeah. We all thought that we had to do something, but got that was his plan.

Yeah. Paula, I know that the baby is, is the greatest blessing, but I remember when I first met mom and you, these were more than difficult years that you were experiencing and, and it just, we continued to pray with you and your mom that God would in some way work his miracle in your life. I've seen over the past years, miracles happen for you and mom. Mm. You wanna talk about that a little bit?

Yeah. There's so many things that we went through. I mean, from us losing our home, um, my mom losing her businesses, um, I mean, my son not being able to afford, going to college at times, um, me having to postpone, going to college, um, not having a place to sleep at times with mom. I mean, all the whole time though, I know we had our St John family and our prayer there to help us when we needed them. So God was always there. He was always standing in front of us, behind us, beside us through the whole thing. And, and even now I know that any tough situation would go through. He'll always be there no matter what.

So from a tragedy, did triumphal call it yes. And how wonderful it is that it's Thanksgiving time now. And we know that the blessings that God has given you didn't come by accident, but by design mm-hmm because you heard the prayers of faithful people for you, as you look around the corner. Paula, what do you see?

I see so many things. Um, I'm, I'm, I'm so excited. Like my husband said to see my little boy grow. Um, I'm, I'm really excited. Um, and so happy that he has a dad that he has and excited to teach him, you know, of about God and, and also teach him about science and be able to have him have that coexistence mm-hmm , um, and grow up in a world where now people look at loving God and knowing about God as something that's not normal. You know, I mean, even at school, kids are not taught about God anymore. Um, so I, I think I, I'm super excited to see my son one day hopefully become a leader, um, and be able to guide others and two God's path.

I just, um, so amazed at what has happened to both of you, uh, over the course of time. Um, not amazed in the sense is I've never seen this happen because I have in ministry as long as I've been in it, but, but there were bridges that almost didn't have any, any, uh, um, straightness to walk across them for you. There were so many blockages along the way, but God and his Providence provided just what was necessary for both of you seeing each other. And then now of a sudden this little baby coming along and knowing that, um, his grace is enough for you, his strength would be made perfect. Even in your time of weakness. Tell me as a couple, what you would like to tell the people as a couple out there, there's some couples that are struggling. They're struggling. First of all, with just, um, the willingness to know that there is a God who can help them talk to them a little bit about the, what has transpired to help you to be committed, uh, to your faith and walk.

Yeah. Do you want, yeah, I mean, I, I, I think I I've told you this many times, um, and the main thing for me is, and throughout our relationship, many things have happened, right. It's not like, you know, it's joyful every single day. We have some bad days. We have some, yeah. We have some really bad days, some good days. Right. But what I've seen is that, um, uh, that right at the Nick of time, God gives us enough to, to, for us to be our, our, our, our God gives us enough that we need to fulfill that day. Right. So what I'm saying is that, um, lean lean on, on God and you know what, it's okay for you not to know what tomorrow's gonna bring, you know? And, and that's something that I, that I've learned is that, you know, there's times where we get anxious on, on what's gonna happen in a third, like, you know, these, these bills.

Oh my goodness. What, like, for example, we had the baby, um, how are we gonna afford? Cause she needed to stop working. And I started getting anxious about getting a job, you know, second one. And so I just said, I think I told her, you know what, I'm gonna stop. I'm gonna stop looking. Like, I will take care of it. You always does. And so I just waited and yeah, sure enough, something came along and so it's okay to lean on God, on, you know, normal things. Um, don't be anxious about tomorrow. Just enjoy today. Cuz it's, it's a, it's a present, right? It's a, it's a gift.

There was a beautiful passage. Um, in Philippians four 19 that has become kind of a, a theme passage for us here at, at St. John. And for me personally, the passage is my God will provide for all of my needs, according to the richness of his

Grace in Christ Jesus. And you've said that. Yeah. Uh, I'm just gonna put this thing aside because I know that my needs will be met. Yeah, exactly. I don't understand it and I can't predict it. Yes. But it's, it's going to take place. How about you, Paula? Yeah, I think the same thing. Um, I think a lot of times people don't take the time to it. Just hand it over and lay it all on the cross and just say, you know what? It's okay. It's okay for us to struggle. It's okay for us to have, uh, these bumps on the road. It's okay for us to have these Hills and tribulations like, um, also communication and, and, and I mean, we see it in the, by the Bible tells us how to communicate so we can always look to that as well to help us communicate, um, as a relationship. So, I mean, and you know, now, especially with younger generations, divorce is a big thing and that's definitely not something we don't even wanna talk about, but you know, definitely just, you know, it's okay. It's

It's okay. Don't worry about it. It's okay. Like just, just let it go and lean on him, you know, and never say divorce

how is, how is your new little guy gonna make a difference as you move forward? You mean you must have had some thoughts and plans on that already. Nah,

I've had, yeah. We've, we've had so many thoughts about this. Uh, Paula has, do you, do you have any that, that you have, cuz I have a lot and I wanna wanna wait. You can go ahead. Okay. Well I'll fine. I'll say,

Cause you only got two minutes yet. Okay then,

Uh, well the main thing I think is like, I think what she said is, is groundbreaking, right. Is, um, I feel like he's in a, he's a great, it's a great opportunity for him to, um, grow up in a world where God and, and science exists in the same sentence. Exactly. And so, you know, how many children have that opportunity. And so I think that he's gonna be a great leader in that aspect and he may, uh, be able to guide, you know, his fellow peers and to, you know, having that mindset and, and that's the start right to change in the next generation. You have to start with the next generation you know? Um, so it's, I think that's a maiden thing that I think you get

A comment yet.

Um, yeah, I'm just, I'm so excited. And like you said, just his little face, just looking at his little face, I already know he's gonna do something big. He looks like a grown little man. He does. So we're just really excited to see what's gonna happen in the future. Yeah.

And what will happen will be designed by what you plan to bring to him. Mm-hmm because the world's gonna throw something all together, different at him. Yeah. Like it threw its you than what the message of the gospel brings to them. So like

Space travel, that's another one, right? Like that's happening very soon. Like, you know, so I see him being an astronaut and, and so I need to talk about space now so that he was whenever he gets to that point.

Well, I wanna thank you that you have been with us. So thank you, Lynn, the listening audience for being with us and come back again with us next week. I'm engaging truth.

Good night. Thank you for listening to this broadcast of engaging truth. Be sure to join us each week at this time to help support our minister contact evangelical life ministries, post office box 5 6, 8, Cypress Texas 7 7 4 1 0. Or visit our website elm.org, or find us on Facebook evangelical life ministries. Thank you.