Category Archives: Forgiveness

Band of brothers

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I can just imagine the dialogue between them. One said to the other, “Hey what if he can help?” “You think he could?” The other responded. “I hear that he does it all the time, it’s natural to him.” He replied. “Well, let’s do it. Call the others.” Four men that showed the world the power of friendship. Four men that would risk their own reputations and social standing in order to help their buddy. Each took one corner of the mat where their friend was, and lifted it because he was paralyzed.

When they got there, a huge crowd separated them from the miracle. There was no way through. One said to the others, “Now what? It’s impossible to go through.” One replied, “Yes, it’s impossible to go through, but not impossible to go over.” Wow! Everyone needs friends like these. There is no question of their commitment and faithfulness. There is no question that the interest of others came first.

What about you?

Will you stand still and submit to the circumstances and the obstacles or will you go beyond your duty? Which friend are you? The one that sees what needs to be done and does it, or will you close your heart and hands in the cold name of convenience? Real friends walk two, three, four miles and more to see the miracle happen. They don’t need to do it, but they want to.

Which corner will you lift? What role will you play? How strong will you lift? Are you deterred by the seemingly impossible in front of you? Do you say, in any event, I did what I could why push it further? Why go through so much inconvenience? Why bother?

Books, and stories that are worth saying and emulating are not written of those that stood still and did nothing or just did what conveniently came their way. The stories that stir our hearts and move us to actions are those in which we see those who were daring enough to break the norm. The stories of those that decided to be bold in a world of mediocrity. History remembers the deeds of those that decide that good is not good enough, but being great is a way of life.

We do not know the name of these four men that carried their friend to the presence of Jesus. Yet a story was written of what they did. This tells us that our name is not as important as what we do. They carried someone to their miracle without prevention or asking for attention to themselves. Let us do the same.

What story are you writing? Which corner are you lifting? Who are you carrying to their destiny? What are you doing for others that they cannot do for themselves? You and I can be part of a select few if choose to do so. A band of brothers that will change the world. Let’s do it!

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2013
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

Welcome home!

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He opened his eyes and woke up. It had been another restless night. His heart was aching. Was it all a dream? As he could, he hurried to his son’s room. There it was as the day before, an empty bed, and the ache became even more pronounced. Walking slowly around the room he wondered why he had left. He had given him everything he needed and had loved him everyday since the day he was born. “Why would he leave a place of love for a place of lavish life?” He asked himself. How many nights this room was a witness of the laughter and the stories, and yes, the tears. Back then this room was warm place. He laid down on the bed and cried himself to sleep, hoping that it would become a warm place again. How much he wanted a chance to mess his son’s hair again, while he was sleeping, embrace him and kiss him. After a while he opened his eyes as the sun started to raise, warming up the room where he was; but not warm enough as to erase the cold feeling of the empty space in his heart.

And as the other days went, tending to the farm, the flock and his servants maintained him distracted, which was good. But from time to time he caught himself glancing at the distance, longing, hoping. How many times had he done this and nothing? Should he just give up to the fact that his son was not coming back? But this love was so deep, so wide, that kindled this hope constantly.

As his servants where informing about the days work, he glanced to the distance once again and then and there he saw something he had not seen before. A silhouette he was very familiar with. Could it be? Could this be his son? Wiping his eyes as he was seeing a vision, he peeked out to see clearly, leaving everyone still talking. And his heart bursted, filled with love and compassion as never before. It was him! With no regard of how he would look, or what would anyone think, he ran desperately to his son, nothing else mattered, his son had returned. With tears in his eyes and trying to catch his breath, he embraced him and kissed him in a way like he would never let go again. His son was dirty, malnourished and hurt. But now he was home and everything would be ok. The one that was lost had been found.

This could be you. On the outside, a smile is always seen in your face, but in the inside you are lacking and wanting. You are hurting and you desperately want to come home. Take courage and do so, it will all be good. So go ahead, return to your father, to the one that loves you in a way that surpasses any understanding.

He has been longing for your return, and is waiting for you.

And when He gets a glimpse of you, he will run to you, embrace you and kiss you and say, Welcome home my child, Welcome home!

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. – Luke 15:20

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2012
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

The son of the judge

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by DP

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. 1 John 2:1-2 NLT

How unnerving it is to be accused of anything, specially if you are guilty of what you are being accused of. It feels like you are at the mercy of those that are surrounding you. Everything you have done is on display and you need to defend your case. It is imperative that you explain what happened because consequences will be following if you are guilty, and you know you deserve it.

The same holds true for us. We have been accused by the world, and your own sins got you trapped. It seemed good at the time to do what you did, it felt right but it payed you back wrong and now you are facing judgement. At our side is Jesus, our brother who happens to also be our lawyer. An advocate who defends our case to the Judge.

So He stands before the Judge and the first thing he does without speaking a word, is that he shows his pierced hands, he goes on to lift his garment and shows his wounded side, and then inclines himself to take off his sandals and show his tortured feet. And then an interesting development occurs; Jesus for the first time opens his mouth and says, “Father”. Wait a minute, that means that Jesus is the son of the judge! Our brother is at our side defending our case, that the wrong we have done, has been amended. Bail has been placed for us in the cross enough for any crime and fault we have ever done.

And then the judge in an unprecedented move, without even hearing the accusers arguments, stands up and says, “Your sins are forgiven” and then it is heard the resound of his gavel.

It is refreshing to know that you will win a battle or a circumstance because He, Jesus, already has paid the ransom. He already paid the bail needed to set you free. No word will be needed to be said by our a lawyer, the evidence is overwhelming, and as Peter said: “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly” because he knew that the Judge, His Father, your Father, is a just judge and would confirm that the debt has been covered.

And you will walk out in front of your accuser with a redeemed heart, confident, grateful and relieved, knowing that no fault has been found in you. And with his hand over your shoulder by your side is the son of the Judge.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2011

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.

The old story is the only story

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by DP

We all like and want new and improved, of everything. The freshness of something different always catches our attention, but I would submit to you this thought: The old story is the only story. Salomon said it in the book of Ecclesiastes, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”. But as we continue to pursue the next best thing, or keep up with the latest trend, we find ourselves in an endless race of nothingness.

We believe that if we create a trend, a movement or even a brand we are redefining how things are done. And I have to concede that things today are done different and that we have been able to create many improvements. The way we approach business, the way we raise our family, the way we even do church has changed and in many ways and in doing so, we have found many new ways of doing practically everything. But when we go deep, there is really nothing new.

That brings me to the central theme of this conversation: The old story is still, the only story. The story of forgiveness, sacrifice and empowerment that was performed at Calvary, is the only story. Today we live in an extremely visual generation, in all that we talk, express and share. There are so many choices that we can literally be overwhelmed. And what about our choices of churches, we can sit everyday and even depending on our mood, we could choose what church to watch over the internet, or even go to. But the story is still the same; He loved us in such a way, that he gave his only son for our sins, no matter what they are. And to accept this sacrifice and surrender our lives to him, is the point of the story.

You see, it really doesn’t matter the form, the style, the mood or the place, Jesus sacrifice can clean you of your sins today, if you surrender. You will be made new. He is able, He is waiting and He has done all that is necessary so you could have life, and life abundantly. The form you might be hearing the story could be different, but the essence of the story is the same. You could go around and around trying many other “stories” and still continue to feel empty and lost. This is the story: He loved you so much, that he gave it all and that is why the old story is still the only story.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright DP, 2011

Do you know your Father?

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by DP

“My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” Luke 15:31-32

Recently, some friends and I took some time to have lunch together. We gathered to talk about life and about how great things the Lord has done in our lives. It was a refreshing time.

When we were about to leave, this passage of the scripture came up. Our friend told us, “If you read carefully, you can understand that the Father had two lost sons, neither of them knew the Father”. I had never heard this portion of scripture displayed that way. One son clearly had sinned and wasted all that he was entitled to, this was known to me. But the other that stood home never enjoyed the blessings of his Father. He simple did not knew his Father. He was at the home physically, but where was his heart?

This made me think profoundly. Do I really know you Lord? Have I spent enough time to seek you, to know you, to spend time refreshing my soul with your presence? Do I enjoy your blessings and pursue my full potential in your hands? Do I seek for you to do great things in me? We are so engulfed in many things daily, and it is easy to be entertained with the busyness of life, work and even in church.

Take time to seek Him in the morning, to know Him through His word, and to feast in His presence. Do you really know your Father?

“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 DP, 2006

Dropping of the stones

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by DP

Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:10-11 NLT

She got up that day to sin and make someone else fall. But she was caught in the act and she was going to die for it. Her day was not going well. Her accusers made a mockery of her and brought her in front of a crowd gathered to hear Jesus. Her accusers were religious leaders with ample knowledge. Men that could boast of what they knew, but not of what they lived. They came with the accused, the verdict and the stones. Yet in the precise moment that all would end for her, Jesus made a simple statement: ”Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And as they realized their own lives, one by one left the scene dropping their stones.

How amazing it is to know that just as Jesus forgave this woman from her accusers, he still does the same for us every day. We should always remember that we were forgiven by his sacrifice at the cross and our acceptance in our hearts of that sacrifice by the son. We are called to accept the forgiveness for our sins, regardless of what it has been. Your forgiveness, my forgiveness, was bought on the cross by Jesus himself.

We live in a fallen world, filled with sin that haunts us at every moment. We are prone to fail, to fall and to sin. But the Grace of God overflows and restores us, time and time again. It is not that we will have a consequence free life and a license to sin badge. We will have consequences, and we are told to sin no more if we want to have a life with significance. A restored life. So even when men won’t forget our sins because they are many, He has made it clear that He does not condemn you. He is always looking for ways to draw you near to him, because he loves you. He loves you so much that he gave his life for you sins at the cross so that no one could throw a stone at you, no matter what they have been.

You might be in a difficult situation today. You might have sinned, exposed, accused, declared guilty and people are lining up with stones in hand to throw them at you. But don’t be afraid, Jesus will be at your side and confront your accusers. You will hear the clashing of the dropping of the stones and will lift your eyes and see their backs disappearing in the sun.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”