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Vallivue grad has focus on God

Vicente Cruz

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Tabitha Keily
tkeily@idahopress.com
Monday, July 13th, 2009

Vicente Cruz, Vallivue High School

CALDWELL — A graduate of Vallivue High School, Vicente Cruz looks to God to guide him through life.

An active student, Cruz participated in various sports and was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He plans to become a pastor after attending Portland Bible College.

The Cruz file

Age: 18

GPA: 3.0

Family: Mother (Anna Cruz), father (Octavio Cruz Jr.), older brother (Octavio Cruz III) and younger sister (Alicia Ludivina Cruz).

Activities: Youth group

Hobbies: Sports

Future plans: Graduate from Portland Bible College with a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministries and bring God glory while raising a loving family.

- Please see the STAT Sheet in Caldwell and Nampa for more information about good kids. The STAT Sheet can be found at local businesses, Nampa and Caldwell schools, the Idaho Press-Tribune and city halls.

Who are your role models?

Mother, father and Grandma Ludivina

What is it about your role models that helps you be successful?

They have showed me the value in the things we take for granted everyday and have showed me that the most important thing in this life is to have a relationship with the Lord.

Why do you think you are a "kid you should know"? What makes you stand out in the crowd?

I believe I'm a kid you should know because I am always trying to have the Lord's light shine through me in everything I do. This helps me stand out because I see the blessings in everyday trials and tribulations instead of getting upset over them.

When people first meet you, what do you think their impression is of you?

That I have a good sense of humor and I'm very outgoing.

Once they get to know you, does that impression change?

Not really because I'm myself all the time and I don't change as my company does.

How would your friends describe you?

That I'm a funny, outgoing, weird and faithful guy.

Have you always been the way you are today?

Yes, I can never remember me being a quiet or shy kid.

Have you had any challenges to overcome?

Yes, everyday there are challenges I have to overcome no matter how big or small those challenges are. Some take a battle to overcome but when you have the Lord on your side those battles become a battle that can be won.

What advice would you give to kids your age about achieving goals?

Don't ever let a mistake or a hard time in your life bring you down. A mistake can be a huge lesson learned while a hard time in life can be a blessing in disguise. So keep pushing forward and never stop taking steps toward your goal even if you have a few speed bumps to go over.

What advice have you been given that really made a difference? 

A teacher once told me, "Don't look at a reward when you make a decision in life but look to see if your decision will bring God glory. Even if no one is around to appreciate your decision, because God is always watching and has a greater reward for you in the end."

What do you like to do in your free time when you are not in school?

Playing basketball, hanging out with family, and staying involved in the church.

Comments:

“Mr. Cruz...I applaud you for seeing that it is not what others think of you that matter, not your teachers, or your friends, or some atheist, but GOD Almighty. Don't let anyone, not man, woman or child slow you down. There is a reason that you feel called to this. Saving souls is never a waste of time. I know several people that would not be here right now if it were not for my pastor and his family, being used of God. It is never a waste. We cannot change men that do not understand, we can only pray to God, because He brings men to repentance.
wowsers - 11:37 PM, Sunday July 26, 2009
“I would ask God's not real a couple questions. You wrote "Then you can start thinking about all the inconsistency's (sic) in the Bible, and the failed prophecies, and the problem of Evil." First - would you care to specifically list any the inconsistencies? Second - would you care to specifically list any of the failed prophecies? Third - would you care to be specific when you talk about "the problem of Evil"? General statements like these you made without specifics are not helpful to the debate, other than perhaps defining areas for debate, but the statements in and of themselves are little more than unsupported assertions. As for the problem of Evil - how do you know there is evil without an absolute standard to say what is good and what is evil. Where would such a standard come from? Certainly not the evolutionary process. What possible evolutionary reason would there be for us to develop standards of good and evil? Anxiously awaiting a response.
Larry Nielsen - 11:30 AM, Friday July 17, 2009
“It is not so much about who you believe in, but what you do for the advancement of the human race that counts. In the final analysis the most revered among us are those who stand for civil-rights irrespective of their political or religious points of view.
Claudio Beagarie - 10:54 AM, Thursday July 16, 2009
“This is my son you are writing this to and I respect your opinion, it is yours. To be honest with you serving GOD has brought alot of peace and joy into our lives. Life has not been perfect in any way believe me. We live in a world that we are not to fall in love with because our reward is in eternity in heaven.This world is full of imperfections. Your belief being one of them, that is my opinion respect it as i do yours.2Peter chapter2 1-3 speaks of the evil you have fallen for. My heart goes out to you, unless you change your beliefs and heart you are going to suffer eternally. My son will never understand why atheist do not believe in GOD. He was born to spread the gospel. You need to do yourself a favor and ask GOD for forgiveness and ask him to touch your heart, all sin is forgiveable. When he does if you truly permit this then you too will praise his name. John 3 17-18 says "For GOD did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of GOD'S one and only son." Your worry should not be on my sons future or any imaginary friend? Just as you took time to write your comments to my son you should take time to redo your research for your own good. My prayers are with you and with Gods grace you shall find the truth. I will sign my name for I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Octavio Cruz Jr. saved as of July 17,2007.
Octavio Cruz Jr - 11:24 AM, Wednesday July 15, 2009
“Woah kid! Since you dedicate so much of your life to this god character I expect you might not like hearing from people who disagree. But I worry when I see a bright young kid full of potential throw it all away to advocate for an imaginary friend. I understand how comforting it can be to feel like there is someone watching over you. Someone that everyone is accountable to. Someone making sure things are happening the way they should. But seriously, wishing and hoping don't make it so. Think about the choices you are making long and hard before you throw away your talents and energy. Do yourself a favor, google the arguments about the existence of god yourself. Look at all the info from both sides and then make your mind up. But do the research yourself! Don't let some pastor do the work for you. First Cause, the Anthropic Principle, and the Ontological Argument are good starts. Then you can start thinking about all the inconsistency's in the Bible, and the failed prophecies, and the problem of Evil. If after examining all of that you still want to go to Bible College, well, at least you'll understand why we atheist's don't believe.
God's Not Real - 9:41 PM, Monday July 13, 2009


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