Chris Wills

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Date: Thursday, April 27, 2006
United 93

Just got out of a special screening of United 93 and felt compelled to write more than I have been in a very long time. What an incredibly powerful film! I don't know about everyone else who was there, but at least in my case, while my mouth was silent as I left the theatre, my heart was stirring and was anything but silent.

The other day, I mistakenly called the film Flight 93. Though I quickly corrected myself, I realize tonight why that was a greater mistake than I at first realized. The film is not about an airline flight that crashed...it is about an event in our nations history that united 40 people on a plane in courage and also united an entire nation.

May we work to build that unity not just amongst Americans, but amongst the people of the world. Let us never forget the lessons learned on 9.11.01 And I pray that the Lord comfort the hearts of those who lost a loved one on that day, may He be with our President and our leaders, and may He bless our great nation!

Universal Pictures' United 93

Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2006
My Favorite Pic Of The Week

With all of these crazy ads touting the "Save Roe" slogan, this has got to be the best picture I've seen in a while. The picture is courtesy of FoxNews.com and illustrates just how ridiculous those who promote a culture of death really are. Even the woman who used the alias Roe and fought to make abortion legal is now pro-life and fighting to get Roe v. Wade overturned!

Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Christianity in the Media

In my last blog, I talked to you a little about a person I greatly admire, Fr. Albert Cutie. One of the themes he is always touting is the importance of using the media to get out the Good News. Whether it be through books, newspapers, magazines, radio, television, the net, or blogs...we need to use everything at our disposal to let people know about the truths that you and I know about. In recent years, we've had The Passion of the Christ and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe on the big screen, Touched By An Angel on the small screen, and many other movies, television shows, radio programs, books, magazines, and newspapers that have been somewhat successful. But as is typical of Hollywood and the big players in the media, they somehow tend to miss the point and ruin a very good thing with something that is clearly not what we want. And after all, it is us they need to make happy! Most recently NBC decided that they were going to get on the religion bandwagon and bring a clerical figure onto primetime in a show they're calling The Book of Daniel. One would think, with a title like that and an Episcopalian minister as the main character, and even Jesus making appearances on screen, that the show couldn't go wrong. Well, it did! Mainly because NBC is taking the wrong approach to it. You can't just take the elements that make a show like Desperate Housewives popular and plop a religious figure in the middle of it and expect for the show to work. That's not what viewers are looking for. Not that we don't enjoy getting a little desperate on Wisteria Lane from time to time, but approaching a religious show from the same premise leads is nothing but a train wreck waiting to happen. Then again, maybe we're to blame. NBC also gave us a warm hearted show hosted by Christian singer Amy Grant this summer, Three Wishes and we did very little if anything to support it. Now I'm not going to sit here and tell all of you to boycott NBC and to not watch The Book of Daniel, because that would be kind of silly. I rarely make statements like that, unlike others, so when I do, it means it's serious! But I will encourage you to watch the show to make up your own mind and see for yourself why I believe that NBC's The Book of Daniel is a book that's better kept closed! And perhaps when you do, you'll realize how very important it is that we do support Christianity in the media, so that someday Hollywood will get it right!

Date: Tuesday, January 3, 2006

Real Life, Real Love in 2006

Amongst the few great people I look up to in my life is the king of multi-tasking, Fr. Albert Cutie. He somehow manages to run two radio stations (Radio Peace and Radio Paz), write 6 newspaper columns a week, host a weekly television show (Hablando Claro Con El Padre Alberto which in English is Straight Talk with Fr. Albert), be pastor of a parish that is very rapidly growing (St. Frances de Salles on Miami Beach), and now he's written a book! The book is titled Real Life, Real Love: 7 Paths To A Strong & Lasting Relationship. It's definitely something that people need to hear about, and hopefully will embrace in the new year. Can you imagine if everyone lived out the principles of real love in their lives, how great their lives would be...not to mention how much better our world would be!?!!! After all, that four letter word L-O-V-E is exactly what Jesus Christ came to teach us all about. So I'm delighted that a person I highly admire who has devoted his life to the priesthood of Jesus Christ is getting his message out there in his book so that hopefully all of us will share love with one another and find the path to a strong and lasting relationship, especially with God! Pax!

Date: Friday, December 30, 2005

Last BLOG of '05

This will be my last blog...for this year at least! Looking back on the year, I'd have to say that I've definitely had a truly blessed year and I hope that '06 brings all of us many more blessings! Undoubtedly I have to say that the one event that most impacted me and will continue to do so, was the death of Pope John Paul II. People often ask who my hero is, and as Jesus Christ is, I know I can never be like Jesus because He was God. But if there's one man who I believe I can truly aspire to become like, it's JPII. Not because I want to be Pope (those of you who know me well know I have other world leadership aspirations...lol), but because we can all hope to be as wise, compassionate, and faith-filled as JPII. So as we move into the new year, I pray that all of us will be inspired by the example of Pope John Paul II and that we will strive not to be great, but to bring great things into this world as he did! Catch you all next year! Pax! God Bless!

Date: Friday, December 23, 2005

Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town!

Mery Christmas Eve Eve! Hahaha! Or should I say Hohoho!?!!!

Anyhow...I'm definitely feeling in the spirit of Christmas today even though I'm doing all of my shopping tomorrow! I know I know...you don't have to tell me. Every year, I tell myself that I am not going to leave my Christmas shopping 'till the last minute, but it seems that every year I procrastinate even longer! Maybe next year I'll get started earlier, but for this year, someone told me something funny, make sure you don't leave your shopping until the last minute...because I sure don't want you in my way! LOL

As much as I do love Christmas, it's also a bitter sweet holiday for me. A very good friend of mine, Fr. Jose P. Nickse passed away on Christmas Eve three years ago. So this is not only a time for me to spend with my family and friends that are still here living, but also to remember those who loved me so dearly and believed in me so very much like Fr. Nickse.

So for all of you, I hope and pray that you, your family, and your friends have a truly merry and blessed Christmas and that you take time to remember your loved ones who are celebrating from on high! Pax! God Bless!

Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2005

My Favorite Christmas Music

What would Christmas be like without music!?! Well...I can't really imagine life without music to begin with, but especially around Christmas time, there's something about hearing a classic carol that just gets you into the spirit. This morning on Morning Encounters we asked you what your favorite Christmas song is, but I completely forgot to tell you what my favorite song is! LOL There's sooo many to choose from, but if there's one song that will always put me in the spirit of Christmas it's Joy To The World! Just because that's precisely how I feel at that time of year, and it's what the season is really all about...the joy of the truth that God became flesh and Jesus Christ was born into our world! And probably one of my favorite versions of the song has to be by Jump 5 off their first Christmas CD released a couple of years back, All The Joy In the World. Right now, I'm listening to their new Christmas CD non-stop, Rock This Christmas. Some of the songs on there like the title track Rock This Christmas and If The Snow Doesn't Fall might just be put up there as some of my favorite Christmas songs. In fact, Christmas music is so uplifting, that sometimes I'll even play them in the middle of the year. I used to scratch my head when I saw those crazy Christmas in July celebrations, but I can definitely understand why they do it...what a joy it would be if we all kept the spirit of Christmas with us all year long! Pax! God Bless!

Date: Friday, December 9, 2005

The Chronicles Have Begun

Today thousands of Americans will take the journey through a magical wardrobe into the magical world of Narnia...will you be one of them? I've been able to enter Narnia twice so far and have been left in awe each time. A world that has 'till now been left to the imagination of the readers of C.S. Lewis' timless and classic novels, finally comes to life in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. The four children who lead you through the wardrobe, Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter were played by incredibly talented child actors who truly make you feel the laughter, sorrow, and glory of the story. Combined with the breathtaking visuals and truly realistic characters that were created by the creative minds at Disney and director Adam Adamson, the land of Narnia is populated will all of the right elements that will draw you in. But beware, because once you experience the magic of Narnia, you may never see this world the same way again!

Date: Sunday, November 27, 2005

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season

Today begins a new Season of Advent and a new calendar year for the Roman Catholic Church. It means that we're once again getting ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. But that has an even larger significance this year, when after too many years of political correctness, a number of companies are finally listening to the voice of the majority of Americans and bringing back the true meaning of the season...Jesus. We're not celebrating the holiday season around a holiday tree...it's CHRISTMAS around the CHRISTMAS TREE! By no means is the work that needs to be done over...there are still plenty of companies out there that are playing the political correct game, but we have to applaud stores like Wal-Mart for doing the right thing and at the same time make sure that we never forget what Christmas is truly all about...the presents! LOL In all seriousness though, lets all make this Advent a time to get read to receive the best present...JESUS!

Date: Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Is the Harry Potter Franchise Evil?

YES!
Well...that's not really how I feel, but what many Christians will tell you. Why? Some people say that because the books deal with magic and have evil characters within the pages of its books that are also portrayed on screen in its films, that it must be the work of the devil. To these people I say...get a life! We all grew up with fantasies of our own. I genuinely feel sorry for those who lacked the imagination to pretend to be a superhero or a wizard like Harry Potter. It's part of child development, and my childhood simply would have been empty had it not been filled with the characters that were figments of my imagination. For the first time in a very long time, children are picking up books and nourishing their minds rather than sitting in front of a TV screen and playing video games all day. That parents need to be mindful of what their kids read and watch...YES! Is Harry Potter suitable for everyone...NO! Some of the more recent books and films have pretty vivid imagery that can be frightening to some children, and parents need to use common sense when considering whether or not their child should be reading the books and watching the films. Though I am not a huge fan, I can tell you that at the core of the story is the struggle between good and evil, which is something that we must all understand and be ready to face in our own lives. And with kids growing up alongside Harry Potter, let's be thankful that they're imitating a character who is fighting against evil, even if it is with magic!

Date: Monday, November 14, 2005

Our Second Annual Sharathon!

We just finished celebrating one year of Morning Encounters with the God Squad and here we are kicking off our second annual pledge drive, Sharathon 2005! Looking back on what we've been able to accomplish in what is a relatively short time, I am simply amazed, but it's also a big reminder that none of it would be possible without the generous financial support of those whom our ministry has touched. I pray that tremendous generosity pour out upon the ministry of the God Squad this week and that the Lord might grant us the wisdom to know how best to administrate those funds entrusted to us, so that every penny be used for the work of the Lord! Pax! God Bless!

Date: Wednesday, November 9, 2005

One year of Morning Encounters!

I have been working for Pax Catholic Communications practically since I got out of High School, but when we started up our morning show Morning Encounters with the God Squad back in November '04, I had no idea that a year later I would have had so many wonderful experiences and that I would have met so many incredibly awesome people through my work for the show. To know that we have the opportunity to broadcast such a great show every week on the air waves of South Florida is undoubtedly a true blessing. Yet, I'm just the host. The show simply would not be possible without the efforts of so many people who dedicate their time and talent to our ministry on the air waves. So I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at Radio Peace, our General Director Fr. Albert Cutie, our Chief Operating Officer Isaul Gonzalez, our Programming Director Scott Kaldhal, our Operations Director Gonzalo Penagos, our Administrator Ivette Acosta, our Director of Public Relations and Special Events Anna Cecilia Chong, my producer with tremendous talent Jose Garcia, Michael Cuesta who is the man behind all our graphics, Danny Daze who created the God Squad Theme Music, all of our God Squad Members and God Squad Agents, and most importantly...ALL OF YOU! Thanks to everyone who offered us their support and prayers over the past year and for continuing to do so as we kick off a brand new year of Morning Encounters! Pax! God Bless!

Date: Monday, October 10, 2005

Give The Woman A Chance

I am somewhat disappointed in many on who say they are part of right winged politics in our great nation. President George W. Bush nominated Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court last Monday and just a week after that she has been attacked from every angle, and mostly by people on the right. This is quite troubling to me. Everyone seems to be questioning why President Bush nominated this woman who has never been a judge to the highest court of our land, and the answer seems to be simple enough. He knows her, knows the way she thinks, and knows her very moral fiber. When we are facing the plight of judicial activism in this nation, what better decision can our President make than choosing Harriet Miers, rather than choosing another candidate and risking that he or she may change their judicial philosophy once on the bench. I applaud President Bush for his two choices for the Supreme Court and echo his call for our Congressmen to give Miers a fair up or down vote!

Date: Thursday, September 29, 2005

One More On Our Side

At last there is a new hope for the Supreme Court sitting on the bench! Earlier today the Senate approve John Roberts as the Supreme Court Chief Justice and he was sworn in by President George W. Bush who also nominated him. With so many judges across this nation being activist judges and legislating from the bench, we need as many judges on the highest court in the land who will stick to the role of a judge as outlined by the Constitution...interpret the law NOT make laws from the bench based on your own personal views.

One of the big issues in question here is legalized abortion in a country that promotes life and liberty for all it's citizens. The infamous Supreme Court Case Roe v. Wade based it's ruling that legalized abortion on a 'right to privacy' that is not mentioned anywhere in the Constitution. This was probably the biggest and worst use of judicial activism in our nation's history. Yet today we can be hopeful that a fair and just man like John Roberts will be sitting on the court and takes us one step closer to possibly having Roe v. Wade overturned and to keeping justice in our courts!

Date: Wednesday, September 22, 2005

One Nation Under God

This case that came out of a California court last week where a judge declared the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional because it contains the phrase "one nation under God" is political correctness at it's worst! Are we or aren't we one nation under God? The majority of this nation (and world for that matter) believes in God, so in a land ruled by democracy, why is the phrase "one nation under God" all of a sudden a problem? This is really worrisome to me. And what's worse is that in getting ready for this morning's show, I made some phone calls to Cali. to find out what people are saying about it over there, and I actually came across a priest who said this was no big deal and that he has a problem with children pledging allegiance to a nation every day in school. We already can't teach our kids about faith in school because it's 'unconstitutional.' Are we now coming to the point where we can no longer teach them our American traditions and why we are a nation proud of our flag and what it stands for? I surely hope not and at least on my end will do everything in my power to ensure that the people I elect stand firm on the FACT that we ARE one nation under God!

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IS STANDS,
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE,
WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

Date: Wednesday, September 14, 2005

My Interview with CeCe Winans

Today on Morning Encounters we debut a new segment called "Ask the Artist" where we sit down with a singer/actor and ask them the questions that you send us by e-mail. I was very excited to have CeCe Winans be the first artist I interviewed and really enjoyed my conversation with her. She's a great woman and is involved with some great projects to make our world a better place. I am eagerly looking forward to interviewing many other great artists like CeCe in the future as we work to help you encounter God in the music and artists you love!

Date: Friday, September 2, 2005

Hurricane Katrina: America's New Challenge

The events that have unraveled in Louisiana this week after Hurricane Katrina impacted the Gulf Coast have left all of us speechless. Yes some people have chosen to take this terrible event and politicize it. This is not the time to play political games! Our fellow Americans need our help right now, and all of our thoughts and efforts should be on doing everything possible to meet the immense need that must be met. Let's pray for everyone affected by this storm, and that we might come together as a nation and one human family to help our brothers and sisters in need!

Date: Monday, August 22, 2005

So Long Miguel

As many of you already know, one of our God Squad Members, Miguel Fernandez is leaving Miami this week to study at Franciscan University in Ohio. We are going to miss Miguel's presence here at God Squad Communications and most importantly his friendship. But he will remain a part of our ministry as much as time and distance will permit him to. You can still contact Miguel any time you like by e-mailing him at MiguelFernandez@EncounterwithGod.com or by visiting his profile here on our site! We don't say goodbye, rather we say so long Miguel and thanks for everything you've done for all of us and may God be with you as you enter this new chapter of your life!

Date: Thursday, August 18, 2005

The Pope Arrives at World Youth Day XX

The events of World Youth Day so far have been truly amazing, but it almost seems like no matter how hard the WYD organizers and volunteers tried to make every event big, nothing could outshine the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI in Colonge today! I cannot explain in words the excitement that poured out onto the streets in front of the Cologne Cathedral as he waved to the youth that came to meet him there for his first ever WYD, but I can tell you that I felt it too! There were many that doubted whether or not this Pope could reach the youth with the message of the Church like JPII did, but those people were clearly wrong if the way the youth of the world greeted him today is any indication. And they continue shouting out his name..."Benedictus!."

Date: Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Gearing Up For World Youth Day 2005

If there's one event that everything this year has been leading up to, it's my pilgrimage to Cologne, Germany for World Youth Day. I leave tomorrow and have sooo much left to get done, but I know that no matter how well prepared or poorly prepared I am, nothing can prepare me for the experiences that await me at my second WYD.

What I am most looking forward to is the opportunity to see our new Pope Benedict XVI
I was able to experience my first WYD with our beloved Pope JPII and am hoping that Benedict connects with the youth on as deep a level as John Paul did.

I ask that all of you keep me and everyone making the pilgrimage to WYD in your prayers! Pax! God Bless!

Date: Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Reaching For The Stars

Last week I got a little worried when I got my text alert on my cell that NASA had grounded the Space Shuttle Discovery AGAIN! After 2 1/2 years of no space shuttle launches, this was very disheartening. But as I watched the shuttle lift off this morning, my hope was restored!

Space has always fascinated me! In today's day and age, no one can deny that space exploration has taken us quite far as a human family, and I can only imagine where it may take us in the future. The whole universe was created by God, and our voyage to explore it is part of our quest for knowledge. I firmly believe that the more knowledge we acquire, the more evident God's presence is. So, that's why I say we can never lose that thirst for knowledge, that desire to seek out the unknown, and never cease reaching for the stars!

Pax! God Bless!

Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2005

Best Friends Day

Did you know that there was actually a day to celebrate your friends!?! Well...today is that day!

So I want to take this opportunity to thank all of my friends and everyone who I have been blessed to know these past 23 years and to all those who may come into my life in the future and touch me in some special way!

But most especially, I want to dedicate this blog entry to my best friend and brother, Miguel Fernandez whom I cannot thank in words for everything he has done for me since God placed him into my life.

I hope and pray that all of you have someone that special in your lives that you can count as your best friend to celebrate today...Best Friends Day!

Pax! God Bless!

Date: Sunday, May 29, 2005

Being Fools For Christ

Today we recorded our very first 'Did You Get The Message?' segment at St. Agatha Catholic Church with our newest God Squad Member, Carlos Jordan. As we're going through the process of editing the segment to air on Morning Encounters this Wednesday, I'm thinking about how too often people take our faith way too seriously and forget that we can make jokes and have fun in our lives just like everyone else! I'm not saying we should all be laughing all the time because I recognize there's a time to be serious too, but if we took just a little more time to be what I call a fool for Christ, maybe just maybe we might reach those people that feel we're too serious for them. I mean think about it...don't you think Jesus must have laughed and made jokes with the apostles? I do! And I actually believe that God has a tremendous sense of humor...so we should too! Thanks Carlos for helping us to laugh a little today and here's to everyone out there who is a fool for Christ!

Pax! God Bless!

Date: Sunday, May 8, 2005

A Mother's Relationship With Her Child

Every year we take one day to honor those special women in our lives to whom we owe our very lives.

This past Wednesday on Morning Encounters with the God Squad we took some time to talk about how mothers and parents in general can be better parents by raising the children to better understand the dangers of harmful substances like alcohol and drugs.

The statistics aren't very reassuring when it comes to this topic, with less and less parents acknowledging the fact that this is a serious problem and because of that attitude, less and less parents are talking to their kids about the dangers of alcohol and drug use.

I firmly believe that communication is key to all relationships and I hope that mothers, fathers, and families everywhere come to understand how important it truly is. Parents who have the right attitudes and talk to their children will help pass those same attitudes on to them and ensure that the generations to come will also pass those same positive attitudes on to their children.

Happy Mother's day mom and thank you for talking to me and passing along the right attitudes which made me who I am today! Pax! God Bless!

Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Standing Against Dangerous Decisions

It's always amazed me that society always seems to sell us young people short. But what really worries me is that some actually fall for these lies they try to sell us.

We don't need alcohol, we don't need drugs, we don't need anything but each other and God to have an awesome time as we celebrate the youth we've been given.

I invite all of you to consider something. Look up pictures and video from the last couple of World Youth Days. Here are genuine young Christians from around the globe proving my very point.

Still, society as a whole seems to miss that. What I hope though as many Juniors and Seniors go to their proms, is that they don't miss out on their opportunity to stand against destructive decisions and become truly constructive Christians!

Pax! God Bless!

Date: Tuesday, April 19, 2005

HABEMUS PAPAM!

I feel sooo blessed to be alive today!

I was born in '82, so the only Pope I have ever known was JPII, but today we have all been witness to history, as our new Pope is elected.

And isn't it funny how over and over again, live proves that things happen according to God's plan. Who would have known when World Youth Day 2005 was being planned in Cologne, Germany that our next Pope would be able to celebrate his first WYD in his native country!?!

I don't know about the rest of you, but it almost seemed like time itself sopped for just a moment as the window above St. Peter's Square opened and we hear the words "Habemus Papam!" and then we saw Pope Benedict XVI emerge and open his arms, as if offering us all his love at that very moment.

I continue to pray for our Church, as we begin to take these first steps of a new Papacy, and continue on our journey together as brothers and sisters in Christ with a new pastor to guide us through it...Pope Benedict XVI!

Date: Monday, April 18, 2005

Waiting for a new Pope

I often call the world we live in a microwave world in which anything and everything is available instantly.

So it's understandable that people are a little uneasy as we wait to see white smoke pour out of the chimney atop the Vatican.

But it really does deliver quite a profound life lesson. We like to control each and every aspect of our lives and want things to happen when we want them to. But the reality of life is that everything is in God's hands and we will happen in His time, not ours...just as our next Pope will be elected according to His will and when He ordains.

So for now, we wait in faith and hope...

Date: Saturday, April 2, 2005

Remembering Pope John Paul II

I cry tears of sadness and joy upon hearing that Pope John Paul II has completed his mission and life here on earth.

I consider myself truly blessed, as I had the opportunity of seeing the Pope at the last World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada.

It is in that way that I will forever remember our Holy Father, as I hope everyone around the world will have that image imprinted in their mind. What I saw was a Pope who had kept with him a young heart and spirit.

I pray that I may never forget that and that I may always live according to that message that he left us all with at the last World Youth Day, that we all must live to be salt of the earth and light of the world!

DO NOT BE AFRAID - Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005)

Pax! God Bless!

Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2005

Being An Incredible Catholic

This morning's edition of Morning Encounters with the God Squad on Radio Peace was one that made me take an introspective look at myself and my own life.

After the show, I began to think that maybe being an Incredible person doesn't mean that we really have to change anything about who we are, bt become who God meant us to be. Basically, that God made us all incredible, but somehow we drift away from that throughout the course of our lives.

So I guess that this morning's show reminded me, as I hope it did you, that we all just have to get back to the basics and reach that full potential God planted in us when we were born.

Date: Sunday, March 27, 2005

Easter Sunday 2005

This Easter Tridium has been unlike any other in years past.

I'd have to say the most impacting day was Good Friday, seeing "The Passion: Recut" and then walking over 5 miles as I joined the parishioners from St. Timothy in the Stations of the Cross.

The Terri Schiavo case put many things into perspective for me and many others over the past few days. It has me very worried about the moral ethical backbone of America, but reflecting this morning, I truly believe that God will triumph over all of this and that whether now or later, Terri will have a very special place in Heaven.

All of you out there are in my prayers and I hope and pray that all of you will take some time during this Easter season to contemplate on what Jesus' resurrection means in your own life.

PAX!

Date: Sunday, March 20, 2005

Helping you encounter God through my blog!

In an effort to share with all of you as often as possible what's in my heart, I've decided to begin posting blog entries here on my page.

I hope all of you will enjoy reading what I will pour out onto this page. Above all, I hope to be able to put into written words how I truly encounter God in my every day life, and in turn help you to see that you too can encounter Him in yours!

Pax! God Bless!