About Danny Maldonado

I love to inspire people to Breathe expectantly, to Live confidently and to Move boldly. I love coffee. Husband and father. Hungry for God's presence and awed by His unfailing and undeserved Love for me! Did I say that I love coffee?

A view from the bottom

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Danny Maldonado

When life hits us with a storm of problems, the first thing that usually gets impaired is our view. We usually only see the immediate, the here and now, the critical issue that needs attention. Problems are all we see; it is in most cases our first reaction. We get immersed in the situation and our view becomes focused on that particular item. Health, finances, relationships, whatever it is that is hitting close to home, takes center stage and it seems to come to us with a vengeance. We look around and the only thing we see is a hopeless bottom.

Isn’t it curious that we can one day be at the top of our game and seem that we can conquer the world and then suddenly, we are thrown to our knees begging for help because we can’t see a way to even conquer ourselves? Life is hard. For some, it’s harder than most and we cannot understand why, or even make sense of it many times. It is in these moments where an uninvited guest usually knocks at our door and without hesitation strolls in. Regret mines our mind and accuses us continually. “Why did you say that?” or “Why did you do that? If you hadn’t gone there, or If you hadn’t bought that everything would have been different.” That list can go on and on. Regret points us even further down to the bottom, whispering to us that this is a permanent place for us and that we blew it.

But the bottom even as hard as it might be, has another vantage point, UP. You see, being at the bottom is sometimes a good place to be to look from. Everything looks different, you see life from a different perspective. You appreciate life in a deeper more profound way. We can decide to continue to roam and resign ourselves to live in the low places, or we can scout the bottom for a step to move up. King David penned it best in Psalm 121; “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” A beautiful view from the bottom.

The bottom is a reminder for us to look up. To raise our voices and focus our view to higher, greater, bigger places. I know that the feeling at the bottom is sometimes a constant angst, despair. A place of loneliness and shame. But it also can be if you decide, a place of hope and new vision. When our inner eyes look up, our outer circumstances will follow suit. A place of despair can become a place of hope. A place of tears can become a place of joy. A place of sickness can become a place of healing. A place at the bottom can become a place to look up.

A place at the bottom can be a vantage point. A place to look up to our Heavenly father, that in the midst of your current circumstances is waiting for you to look to him. You might not know your next step, and even thinking of taking one is frighting because you fear it will make your stay at the bottom permanent. But the great thing to remember is that He created the heavens and the earth and knows and created every path imaginable on your trek up the mountain. And if there is none, he will make one.

No more tears, no more regrets. Lift your eyes towards the mountains and take the next step. Your Heavenly father awaits. And you have the best view right now, a view from the bottom.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2014
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible: Today’s New International Version. 2005. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Fifteen years – AGAIN!

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Danny Maldonado

It’s been fifteen years-AGAIN! Yep, I have two teenagers! And it seems like just a few days have past. I still remember as if it was just a moment ago. Those big cheeks came out from her mothers womb (yes, I was in the OR) and her small wet face that was presented to me that day. And her eyes looked at me; I was immediately captivated, drawn. I took her in my arms (I knew now what to do!) And I kissed her forehead and said, ”God bless you my daughter, welcome to life!”. And as she was taken back to the nursery I realized I was a father of a daughter!

That was fifteen years ago today. I am proud of her, and I can’t wait to see what God will do in and through her. Fifteen years, it seems a lot, but it’s so little time. Life is a flicker and you should embrace every moment and those around you.

Happy birthday Amy! I love you with all my heart, and that will never change. You know it very well; You and I were born the same day, you were born to life and I was born to the adventure of being a father of a daughter. And I wouldn’t change that for anything.

Destiny vs history

Posted on May 4, 2014 by Danny Maldonado

Your destiny is bigger, brighter and stronger than your history. Change your story. – Danny Maldonado

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Untapped Potential

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Danny Maldonado

I’m honored to have Michael Q. Pink as a guest writer. I have been following Michael’s teachings, and used his resources for many years now. His insights around the principles for business and life found in the Bible are simply amazing. Michael is a best selling author, teacher and speaker, and has written over a dozen books including The Bible Incorporated, Selling Among Wolves, and the Rainforest Strategy, among others. Visit and bookmark Michael’s blog where you will find a plethora of resources to help you achieve your God given potential in your business and in your life. Here’s the link: www.michaelpink.com

Here’s Michael’s post, enjoy!
___________________________

Shoots. Green lines in a field. There’s a verse in the Bible that says, “Much food (increase) is in the fallow ground of the poor and for lack of justice, there is waste.” Proverbs 13:23

That is an incredibly good promise and it comes with instruction! You see, we all have fallow ground in our lives (untapped potential). That’s territory or potential that has laid dormant, unplanted and gotten hard and covered up with weeds. It might be your ability to write or create or build. It might be that business idea God gave you years ago, or that book idea that’s been rattling around in your head for years.

The problem often is, that we talk about those ideas, those gifts and talents, but all too often we let them lay fallow (undeveloped, underutilized) and we wonder why finances are tight! But you can do something about that. You can start working your field now. Expose the roots of neglect and lesser activities (weeds) to the sun. Prepare the soil to receive the seed of a great idea wrapped in effort. Sharpen your skills. Hone your abilities. Update your knowledge.

You can become an expert in any field compared to almost anyone if you will read a few books a year on the subject. You want to prepare your field to begin producing a harvest? Assess your field. Inform yourself. Locate resources that can help you. Then, begin to work at it.

But perhaps you say, you have no fields laying fallow. You have nothing in your life that can produce abundance. You have left no stone unturned. I say to you… Let God be true and every man a liar (Romans 3:4) The Scripture says there is MUCH FOOD in the fallow ground of the poor. It’s there. You just don’t see it. Or more likely, you see it all the time, but don’t believe it. Others have told you, ”It’s a bad idea, don’t quit your day job.” Maybe you don’t see or believe the potential. Maybe you’re afraid.

It’s time to look at that ground, that ability, that book idea, that business idea and start to prepare it for planting. If it has lain fallow all these years, you can’t just throw seed on it and expect a good harvest. The weeds and stones will choke it out. But you can start working on it, preparing for it, studying on it, testing it, refining it, honing it. If it’s a book, you can write the first chapter, or maybe just the table of contents. If it’s a business idea, you can write the business plan to give you clarity.

As you begin to prepare the field to plant your seed, the idea will rise up big in you and get clearer. Faith will arise. Confidence will grow and before you know it, you will be working that fallow ground and experiencing your first harvest. There is much more to say on this so please visit my blog (http://www.michaelpink.com/two-hindrances-success/) where I discuss two great hindrances that may hinder most people from ever getting started.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”
“Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

G.O.S.P.E.L.

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Danny Maldonado

This explains itself. Enjoy!

Out in the water

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Danny Maldonado

Recently Joel Thomas, Lead Pastor of Northpoint Community Church, shared in a series titled, Choose to lose the following quotes: “Jesus doesn’t hang out in boats, he’s out there in the water” and “”How”, usually follows obedience” @joelt_. These expressions resonated with me. Joel was speaking about the account in Matthew when Peter walked on water. You may or may not believe the story, but in spite of that, there are many principles we can use in our daily lives.

One of them is revealed right where the event itself took place; out in the water. It is our nature to gravitate towards those environments or experiences that we feel comfortable with. Invariably, these choices give us a false sense of control. As amazing the story is, so is the principle I gleaned from Joel’s quotes: In order to achieve the impossible, we need to do the uncomfortable. Sometimes we have to walk out of the place we know into a place we don’t. Just as Peter dared to step out of what he knew was safe (the boat) and moved into a place he knew was not (the water), we need at times to move from the safe to the daring. And it is very uncomfortable, and sometimes scary.

But what is the alternative? What is the story you want to tell? How will you know how far, high or deep you can go if you stay safe? Probably our biggest hesitation lies in the fact that we don’t know if this next step we are taking is misguided. It could also be that we are unsure we have all the facts, making it easier for us to step back and wait. I subscribe to the idea of making good decisions with enough information, but there are times in life that we just have to move boldly towards our calling. This might be that time.

And just as the story has many principles, any daring step will also bring new challenges and new unknowns. But think of this: No one before or after Peter has ever walked on water. What is it you feel called to do that is uncomfortable? Could this be the moment that could define the rest of your life? There may be many things you don’t know how to do, but remember that “how, usually follows obedience”.

If you hear Jesus telling you, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”, and “Come” then take that step, because Jesus doesn’t hang out in boats, he’s out there in the water.

You can watch Joel’s message here.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Want this inspiration of coffee by email every morning? Enter your e-mail to subscribe at the top right of this page under the box for “Subscribe”. Like this writing and want share it? Just add your comment below on “Leave a Reply” or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or by email using any of the buttons next to “Share this:”

© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2014
Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Don’t Quit!

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Danny Maldonado

There’s a scene from the movie Facing the Giants, in which coach Grant Taylor tells Brock Kelley to do the death crawl with a teammate on his back. The kicker is that he had to do it blindfolded, and the only direction he would received was the voice of the coach, not the sight of his eyes. It is a very inspiring scene. It represents life in many ways, yours and mine. We go through life many times crawling, because that’s the only way we can advance. And we also we find ourselves crawling blindfolded with extra weight over us. A perfect combination for a quitter.

We have all had these seasons in our lives. Moments that make us question everything. Times when our sight is clouded, blindfolded, and we have no direction whatsoever. Times in which we have an extra weight on our backs that pushes us down, reviving the idea of quitting every second. It’s in moments like these that I appreciate the coach Taylor’s of the world. Those that push us harder and inspire us to continue to move forward, even when we can’t see where we are going. That voice that leads us to the end zone, and helps us realize that we can do more, be more, achieve more. That voice that will not accept a no for an answer, and will expect the best of us, no matter what.

We need those voices. We all need from time to time; a firm voice that will acknowledge the pain, the struggle, but in spite of that will inspire and push you to the end zone. Just when Brock says, “its hard”, coach Taylor responds, “I know its hard, but you can do it”. And louder and louder he shouted on, “Don’t quit, Don’t Quit, your very best!”.

The same I tell you today. Don’t Quit. I know its hard, I know you can’t see anything in the horizon, but trust the voice, even if it is your own, that tells you; Don’t quit! Don’t quit on your family, it might be hard, but you have to give your very best! Don’t quit on your passion, I know its frustrating some times, but you have to give your very best!, Don’t quit on your children; there are many disappointments, but they are full of potential and they deserve your very best. Don’t quit on your God, He is the ultimate voice that leads you to the end zone, that pushes you further, beyond your limits, because He knows you can do more.

You can be a coach Taylor to the Brock Kelley’s in your life. Or maybe you feel like Brock, and just want to give up. I know, I’ve been both. Just follow the voice, push hard. If you do I promise you one thing; You will get to the end zone and everyone, even yourself, will be amazed of what you will achieved.

So above all, DON’T QUIT!

Enjoy the clip!

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”
Want this inspiration of coffee by email every morning? Enter your e-mail to subscribe at the top right of this page under the box for “Subscribe”. Like this writing and want share it? Just add your comment below on “Leave a Reply” or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or by email using any of the buttons next to “Share this:”

© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2014
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible: Today’s New International Version. 2005. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

¡No te Rindas!

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Danny Maldonado

Hay una escena de la película Facing the Giants (Enfrentando a los Gigantes), en la que el entrenador Grant Taylor le dice a Brock Kelley que haga el gateo mortal con un compañero del equipo en sus espaldas. El detalle es que tenía que hacerlo con los ojos vendados, y la única dirección que recibiría sería la voz del entrenador, no lo que sus ojos pudieran ver. Es una escena muy inspiradora. Representa la vida de muchas maneras, la tuya y la mía. Vamos por la vida muchas veces arrastrándonos, porque esa es la única manera en que podemos avanzar. Y también nos encontramos con los ojos vendados, gateando a ciegas con un peso excesivo sobre nosotros. Una combinación perfecta para rendirnos.

Todos hemos tenido esas temporadas en nuestras vidas. Momentos cuando lo cuestionamos todo. Momentos en que nuestra vista está nublada, está vendada y no tenemos ninguna dirección. Momentos en los que tenemos un exceso de peso sobre nuestras espaldas que nos empuja hacia abajo, contemplando a cada segundo la idea de rendirnos. En momentos como estos es cuando aprecio a los entrenadores Taylor del mundo. Aquellos que nos alientan y nos inspiran a seguir adelante, aun cuando no podemos ver hacia dónde vamos. Esa voz que nos dirige hacia la meta final, y nos ayuda a darnos cuenta de que podemos hacer más, ser más, lograr más. Esa voz que no aceptará un no por respuesta y que esperará lo mejor de nosotros, no importando las circunstancias.

Necesitamos esas voces. De vez en cuando todos necesitamos una voz firme que reconozca el dolor, la lucha, pero a pesar de ello, que nos inspire y nos aliente a llegar a la meta final. Justo cuando Brock dice, “es difícil,” el entrenador Taylor responde: “Sé que es difícil, pero puedes hacerlo.” Y gritando más y más fuerte dice, “No te rindas, No te rindas, tú puedes lograrlo!”

Lo mismo te digo hoy. No te rindas. Sé que es difícil, sé que no puedes ver nada en el horizonte, pero confía en la voz, aunque sea la tuya propia, que dice: ¡No te rindas! No renuncies a tu familia; puede ser difícil pero tienes que dar lo mejor de ti! No renuncies a tu pasión; sé que algunas veces podría ser frustrante pero tienes que dar lo mejor de ti. No renuncies a tus hijos; hay muchas decepciones pero tus hijos están llenos de potencial y merecen lo mejor de ti. No renuncies a tu Dios, Él es la voz principal que te llevará a la meta final, que te alentará a ir más lejos, más allá de tus límites, porque Él sabe que puedes hacer mucho más.

Tú podrías ser el entrenador Taylor para los Brock Kelley que hay en tu vida. O tal vez te sientas como un Brock que solo quiere darse por vencido. Lo sé, he sido ambas cosas. Sólo tienes que seguir la voz, esforzarte más. Si lo haces te prometo una cosa; llegarás a la meta y todos, incluso tú mismo, se sorprenderán de lo que habrás logrado.

Así que, por encima de todo, NO TE RINDAS!

¡Disfruta esta corta escena!

“RESPIRA con expectación, VIVE con confianza y MUÉVETE con valentía”

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© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2014
LA SANTA BIBLIA, NUEVA VERSION INTERNACIONAL ®, NVI ® Derechos de Autor © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Bíblica, Inc. ™ Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados en todo el mundo.

BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE boldly

A compilation of thoughts and ideas to inspire you to achieve your God given potential

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