Unknown's avatar

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?

Cuatro de mayo


¡Feliz cumpleaños Sandy!

Danny Maldonado's avatarBREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE boldly

La Gran Manzana fue el escenario. El corazón le latía intensamente, ella sabía que había llegado el momento, ella sabía que esto era diferente. Sus ojos se movían de un lado a otro y cada vena en su rostro se llenó con la presión de todos sus músculos concentrados en la tarea. El dolor y la lucha llenaron la atmósfera, y en un momento, la alegría y la calma reinaron en la habitación. Fue el cuatro de mayo a las 3:00 am, cuando todo comenzó.

Ese día surgió una voz, se escuchó con fuerza como profetizando de la pasión que guiaría sus pasos por el resto de su vida. No fue entendida de ese modo al momento, como muchas otras grandes voces que han surgido, fue confundida a ser “otra” voz. Pero su voz ese día estaba ensayando para lo que sería la tarea de toda su vida; El adorar…

View original post 141 more words

May four


Happy Birthday Sandy!

Danny Maldonado's avatarBREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE boldly

The Big Apple was the setting. Her heart was beating intensely, she knew it was time, she knew this was different. Her eyes moving from side to side and every vein in her face was filled with the pressure of every muscle concentrated in the task. Pain and struggle filled the atmosphere, and in a moment, joy and calm reign the room. It was the fourth of May at 3:00 am when it all began.

That day a voice surged, and it was heard powerfully like prophesying the passion that would guide her steps for the rest of her life. It wasn’t understood that way at the time, like many other great voices that had emerged, it was confused to be “another” voice. But her voice that day was rehearsing to what would be her lifelong task; To praise the Almighty. A strong voice, a humble heart, loving hands, and…

View original post 125 more words

Get your feet wet


From June 2011…

Danny Maldonado's avatarBREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE boldly

It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge,the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho. Joshua 3:15-16

This story tells about the amazing miracle God performed for the people of Israel. Joshua had received instructions to cross the river and conquer Jericho. This undertaking was no small one. This generation was not the same one that had gone out of Egypt and seen the Red Sea divide. This moment in time, even to Joshua, was new territory. Clear instructions were given. The people…

View original post 471 more words

Moja tus pies


Conquer by doing good


We live in a transformed society. What once was regarded as the standard, today is questioned at every corner. Deals were sealed with a hand shake, today a contract is a must. A promise was regarded as the highest form of commitment, today proof is demanded before any agreement. We have been gradually shifting from the good life to the norm of “watch your back at every corner.” We distrust everyone and everything, from the government, financial institutions to religious organizations, even our own family. So we created the contracts. Yet we expect everyone else to trust us.

Broken promises have made our hearts hard. We are constantly shielding ourselves from hurt, from people that see us as a mere transaction. Men and women that love things and use people, when the opposite is what should be. It is hard. I know first hand the feeling of whom has gotten close, just to grasp as much as they can under the disguise of friendship. And it hurts. There is a crawling sensation of anger inside that if you are not alert, will overtake you and poison your entire being. And every new interaction is viewed with suspicion and distrust.

Being reminded by Paul in the book of Romans, “Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good”, is liberating. He tells us not to “feel” our way through, but to do. It is how we become a conquerors. I heard once an illustration that I actually tried myself. If you have a glass of water that is dirty and full of contaminants, and you put in under a faucet that is flowing clean water, you will see how the clean water being poured into the glass will eventually clean out the dirty water and make the contents clean. Our lives are the same. When we do good, even when it is not recognized or even reciprocated, our glasses, our lives will be clean and fruitful. We should always look for “faucets” that will pour “clean water” into our hearts.

Being a conqueror starts by conquering yourself. If you don’t manage yourself first, your enterprises will always lack something. Managing yourself creates character and builds credibility. Credibility is the ultimate currency, when your presence alone makes everything right. Your credibility can only be built over time, and it is built from the history of your words and actions. Changing the tide or the norm is not easy but it is worth every effort. We will become better, once we commit to do good.

When evil lifts its voice around us with a boastful attitude, doing good represents the single most effective way to silence its noise. You can do it, I can do it. Let’s change our sphere of influence we have been given and conquer by doing good.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Want this hot coffee of inspiration 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, 2013

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Conquistemos haciendo el bien


Vivimos en una sociedad transformada. Lo que antes se consideraba como el estándar, hoy se cuestiona en cada esquina. Los tratos se sellaban con un estrechar de manos, hoy se necesita un contrato. Una promesa se consideraba como el más alto compromiso; hoy se exige prueba para cualquier acuerdo. Gradualmente hemos ido cambiando de la buena vida a la norma de “vigila tus espaldas en cada esquina.” Desconfiamos de todos y de todo, desde el gobierno, las instituciones financieras, las organizaciones religiosas, incluso de nuestra propia familia. Es por eso que creamos contratos. Sin embargo, esperamos que todo el mundo confíe en nosotros.

Las promesas rotas han hecho que nuestros corazones se endurezcan. Constantemente nos estamos escudando del dolor, de personas que nos ven como una mera transacción. Hombres y mujeres que aman las cosas y utilizan a la gente, cuando lo opuesto es lo que debería ser. Es difícil. Sé, por experiencia, lo que se siente cuando alguien se acerca bajo el disfraz de la amistad sólo para obtener lo más que pueda. Y eso duele. Una sensación de ira interior va apoderándose de ti, que si no estás alerta, podría atrapar y envenenar todo tu ser. Y podrías ver cada nueva interacción como sospechosa y con desconfianza.

Es liberador recordar lo que Pablo escribió en el libro a los Romanos, “No dejen que el mal los venza, más bien venzan el mal haciendo el bien.” Nos dice que no hagamos las cosas por como nos “sentimos,” sino que las hagamos. Es como nos convertimos en conquistadores. Una vez escuché una ilustración que personalmente la intenté. Si tienes un vaso de agua sucia y llena de contaminantes y lo colocas bajo el grifo que fluye agua limpia, notarás cómo el agua limpia que se vierte en el vaso eventualmente limpiará el agua sucia y hará su contenido limpio. Se asemeja a nuestras vidas. Cuando hacemos bien, aun cuando no se reconozca o no sea correspondido, nuestro vaso, nuestra vida será limpia y fructífera. Siempre debemos buscar los “grifos” que viertan “agua limpia” en nuestros corazones.

Ser un(a) conquistador(a) empieza por conquistarte a ti mismo(a). Si no te manejas a ti primero, tus negocios siempre carecerán de algo. Manejarse a sí mismo crea carácter y construye credibilidad. La credibilidad es la máxima moneda, cuando con solo tu presencia, hace que todo este bien. Tu credibilidad sólo puede construirse con el pasar del tiempo, y se va edificando con la historia de tus palabras y tus acciones. Cambiar el rumbo de la marea o la norma no es fácil, pero vale la pena el esfuerzo. Mejoraremos una vez nos comprometemos a hacer el bien.

Cuando el mal levanta su voz a nuestro alrededor con una actitud jactanciosa, el hacer el bien representa la manera más eficaz para silenciar su ruido. Tú puedes lograrlo, yo puedo lograrlo. Cambiemos la esfera de influencia que se nos ha dado, y conquistemos haciendo el bien.

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

¿Quieres esta inspiración de café por correo electrónico todas las mañanas? Ingresa tu dirección de correo electrónico para suscribirte en la parte superior derecha de esta página, debajo de la casilla de “Subscribe” ¿Te gusta este escrito y deseas compartirlo? Simplemente añade tu comentario abajo en “Leave a Reply” o compártelo en Facebook, Twitter, o por correo electrónico usando cualesquiera de los botones al lado de “Share this:”

© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2013
Las citas bíblicas son tomadas de la Santa Biblia, Nueva Traducción Viviente, derechos de autor © 1996, 2004, 2007 por Tyndale House Foundation. Usado con permiso de Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. Todos los derechos reservados.

What are you waiting for?


“How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given you?” Joshua 18:3

What are you waiting for? That was basically the question Joshua made to the Israelites. They knew what they had to do and stood still, even when they were promised a better place and a bountiful land. Stillness was their answer.

Oftentimes we know exactly what we need to do and just do nothing. There are many reasons for that, but the main one is fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of not having the skills, fear of fear itself. I know, I have been there myself. But when we are all by ourselves, we know what we need to do. Furthermore, we know that action is the only option to move forward, but we choose to stay put, we choose to do nothing. Probably it is because we are comfortable where we are in life right now and making a change is inconvenient. Or maybe fear has become our master. Can you imagine that? Being controlled by a thought that extrapolates and creates mental circumstances and events that in the majority of time never happen? Fear constricts perception, thinking, and motor processes, but faith and love promote action. That is why repeatedly we find God reassuring us and telling us not to fear. “Do not fear, for I am with you” and “perfect love drives out fear”.

You might have been drawn into a situation that most likely you did not create. Or be in a position today you drifted into because of your inaction. Regardless of what or why you are where you are today, you need to take action. The best way to break a series of bad decisions is to make one good one. It sounds simplistic and obvious but when you are immersed in a streak of constant inaction, thinking of making a change, even when it’s a small one, seems an unsurmountable task. One act, that is what it takes.

Here are some suggestions of how to start making changes that I found helpful.

  • Rest: Yes, it sounds like an oxymoron, but when you are well rested your body and your mind are renewed, you think better you’re more productive, alert and more prone to move on.
  • Eat well: Take control of your diet and make small changes everyday. Drink water before eating, it will make you feel more full and therefore consume less. Ask for help to make a balanced diet and don’t be hard on yourself.
  • Exercise: Even a small walk around your neighborhood will make you feel better and alert.
  • Analyze who are your influencers: “The people that you listen to, are the preview of the future you.” Jeff Henderson. When we consider the lives of those we regard and seek their advise, we should notice the result of their lives in the area we are seeking advise on. Are they modeling well? If I am asking financial advise, are they an example to follow? In relationships? In work? If not, change your sphere.
  • Change what you are reading: If you only read news and are plugged to every media outlet, you will be informed but you will grow very little. Bad news always sells but never builds.
  • Ask for help: If you cannot make changes on your own, seek advise of others. Look for people that have different ideas than yours and pick their minds. Sometimes one word or one phrase is all that you need to start moving.

Storms in life and menacing waters may be ahead of you, that’s life. But you are not a quitter, you are courageous and you embrace the future with hope. Every obstacle is just a building block for your character. As Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor”, if you never quit and you take that first step, you will be on you way to your promised land.

You know what needs to be done, so what are you waiting for?

“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, 2013
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.

To text or not to text?


IMG_1274 - Version 2Text is a great tool. It saves time and in occasions is the best way to communicate important information when we are in a middle of a meeting or in noisy places that make it difficult to talk. Sometimes we just want to reach someone and a personal conversation is practically impossible. Our lives are full with meetings, errands, work, family and many other things that we are usually exhausted and, let’s admit it; there are days or moments that we don’t want to talk to anyone. However there is no way for a text conversation to convey any real sense of intention, mood or emotion. When you use text to communicate with someone, there is a lot lost in the process. Texting more often than not, can be misinterpreted or construed in the wrong way. Face to face conversations or even phone conversations are always better.

I am a relational kind of guy, I like to talk to people and understand them better. Texting my way with someone is not a way to develop a relationship. Don’t get me wrong, I use text but to give or get directions, ask questions or joke around with people I already know well. These “text” conversations are more relaxed because there was a previous relationship that has been developed over time. But when I meet someone new or that I am still in the process of getting a deeper understanding, I have found however that text conversations can change the mood of the relationship just because of the lack of emotions. It is basically lost in translation, so to speak.

I have also found that texting our way in life desensitizes people. We don’t feel it at the moment or even think of it that way, but we start to loose our sense of community and think of relationships like a mere transaction. When relationships matter, we need to be careful. Jesus himself stated this principle in John 15; without a relationship with HIM, we could do nothing. Relationships are everything in life. Why would we water down such an important part of our existence? The fallout of a misinterpreted text can be ugly, and I have heard of instances of even deadly. In the end almost always we have to go back and fix with a personal interaction what an impersonal text has damaged.

Here are some practical guidelines that can be used as to when or when not to use this technology. These are just some, you might find that there can be more do’s and do not’s, but for starters here are a few.

Text should be used to:

  • Encourage someone
  • Give or get directions
  • Answer a simple question or those that require just a yes or no
  • Thank someone
  • Send a reminder
  • Anything that is practical and not of a relational nature

Never use text:

  • While driving. I will admit it, I have been guilty on this one
  • For contractual conversations, it can be costly
  • For counseling; a big NO
  • To build or address relational conversations, with friends, spouses, family or significant others, Need to say more?
  • When building or ending a relationship. Man up or Woman up!
  • To chastise or correct someone. Always show grace.
  • To get even with someone. Use the high road, always.
  • Send inappropriate media.

It’s quite simple, Is it personal or transactional? Will it build or destroy? Is it honorable or dishonorable? Is it urgent or can it wait? Above all we should use common sense and caution when using text. To text or not to text?

“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, 2013
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.