The morning that started it all

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Danny Maldonado

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As he opened his eyes in the morning, he knew that what would happen next would be recorded in history. Getting dressed today had a new meaning. As He carefully grabbed his garments and clothed himself He glanced at his sandals and put them on. The steps He was about to take had a new direction. So He sat on his cot, meditating, praying, longing. His heart revved up more than normal as this day marked a point of no return. The beginning of everything and the fulfillment of a plan that was devised the moment it all had gone wrong, and He was ready.

What would start outwardly today to the world, He had prepared for all of his life. Today, his first step echoed in heaven as it marked the time in which the quest to destroy evil forever had begun. His footsteps reverb far beyond time and space, and it all was starting today. Inside, a tsunami was gaining strength and with insurmountable violence it was moving ashore, and yet He was calm. Today, He would start this journey towards the Jordan River, the same way He would end it, on his way to Golgotha; alone. No one else could walk these paths for Him.

Just as many other days, no one suspected anything when they saw him walking. He looked at familiar faces, loving them as He had done all along, but knowing that this journey today was different. As his footsteps pierced the silence of heaven, God stood up and looked down, smiling and tearful all at the same time. His Son would embark in the most significant journey of all. He was eager to pronounce those unforgettable words, that a proud Father would say. “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”

That day, a dent in the universe began and it was finished at calvary for you and for me three and a half years later. It transformed the entire human race thereafter. Jesus never left more than twenty-five miles away from his home, but He reached the entire world with his words. Just as Jesus walked decidedly towards his destiny, you and I need to decide to walk in the direction of our purpose.

What is stoping you? What is it that you fear? You know deep down inside, that the reason you are here is bigger than the circumstances that you are facing today. So take courage and take that first step. Outwardly, it might seem as a normal day, but perhaps you might also have a tsunami building inside of you and it is moving with great force towards the shore. Every step you take is echoing in the realms of heaven, because you decided to walk in the direction of your calling. This could be the morning that will start it all.

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 God of the valley

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Danny Maldonado

Wicklow Mountains Valley And Clouds

Then the man of God went to the king of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says: The Arameans have said, ‘The Lord is a god of the hills and not of the plains.’ So I will defeat this vast army for you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” 1 Kings 20:28

There is something about mountaintops that energizes us. We see it all the time in movies, television and advertisements. They symbolize a place of strength, success or achievement. We have this mental picture that translates into our soul and emotions that if we are to be somewhere, the mountaintop or the high ground is the place to be; literally or figuratively. A big sale, a milestone conquered, a new job, good news, the highlight of the day, the week, the month or the year. These are the times when we want to high five everyone, shout out and jump. We feel good, we are at a high point, and if it depended on us, we would stay there everyday. Anything else that comes our way just doesn’t seem right. But the truth is that we all experience the low points in our lives, and it is not a matter of “if” they’ll happen, but “when”.

And it is understandable that when we see the high points in someone else’s life, we think that they have it all figured out. We see their lives as a continual mountaintop journey. We jump to the conclusion that there is an advantage that we do not have and therefore they are in the high points, and we are in the valley. The Arameans thought the same about the children of Israel. Israel, in their eyes was successful just because they had the high ground in the battlefield and because of that, in their eyes God was a god of high places, a god of the hills. Clearly, they thought that they would make the war fair and advantageous for them, if they fought it in the valley. If you want to win a battle, it clearly doesn’t hurt to have a high point with an advantage view of the entire landscape. But the battles in the valleys are inevitable.

Many times we are so consumed with everyday struggles that when we find ourselves alone, we question where is God. It is possible that you are facing right now a circumstance that makes you feel lost and you might even think that this battle is a never-ending valley; that God is not there with you. But just as the king in this story was told, God is also the God of the valleys. In the moments when we think all is lost and that all of the odds are against us and that the valley we are in seems to blur the horizon and the mountaintop is nowhere to be seen, God tells us, “Then you will know that I am the Lord.”

He is in the valley of your struggle with poor health. He is in the valley of your financial challenges. He is in the valley of a broken heart. He is in the valley of unemployment. He is in the valley of an uncertain future. He is in the valley of broken dreams. He is in the valley of family distress. He is in the valley of loneliness. He is in the valley of shadow and death, and He is loudly saying that not in the mountaintop, but in these valley’s “…you will know that I am the Lord.”

In order to get to the mountaintop, you have to go through the valley. The good news is that God is the God of the mountaintop, but He also is the God of the valleys.

Spiritual promotions

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Danny Maldonado

“Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces.
Sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions.” —Matthew Henry

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

The place we were

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

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We all remember what we were doing and where we were when important events in our lifetime have occurred. Those events in one way or the other shaped our opinions, our feelings or even our lives. We hear about stories of life change, for better or worse in events, public or private that shape us in a certain way.

So was that day our savior was born. I am amazed that the greatest story of all, the greatest moment in history was reserved to be witnessed by the most undeserving people according to men. They were ceremonially unclean because they often had to touch dead animals, and were cast as unworthy by the religious leaders of the time. Shepherds were the first to witness the born baby Jesus. That morning everything was different. That morning the Creator of the universe choose unsuspected men to witness the most expected sight of all.

Can you imagine? How incredible this sight must have been. They probably had seen many baby’s in their lifetimes, but this one was certainly matchless. The Redeemer of all things had just been born, and even when their own personal circumstances might have not changed in that moment, their hearts and lives I am certain, did.

When has the birth of a child be announced to men by angels in the middle of the night. I think of theses things and I get all teared up. How did these shepherds felt? How did the Angels themselves feet? Of all places and people, God himself choose to reveal his Son first to the meek and the simple, not a sign of meekness, but one of mightiness. I am lost for words as the story of Jesus unfolds and is described for us in the pages of the Bible. A simple event, that transcends understanding. The meaning to mankind was yet to be revealed.

How would every angle of the story be? I would like to sit down and hear each of the shepherds perspective and hear the from them how this experience branded their hearts. What about Joseph, and certainly Mary? How did the kings of middle east feel once they presented their offerings to the King of Kings? That must have been a sight in itself! The experience changed the destiny of who they were and what they were doing.

I do remember the day, the moment and the circumstances I was when I heard the greatest story of all. But unlike the shepherds, I had an advantage, I heard the complete story because it had already been fulfilled. Jesus had been born, dead on a cross and risen from the grave for my sins. The story of the birth was the beginning of the tipping point in history, yours and mine. I remember where I was and what I did. That day, as I offered my heart to the Redeemer of all things, I was also born to a new life; I was forgiven.

The shepherds saw the most amazing sight and knew it was different. Right there it was announced the purpose of the birth of this baby, to redeem the world from sin. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”. When I heard the most amazing story of all my life was different. You can do the same today, and I can assure you that you will remember forever the place, the day and circumstances you were, this day.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2012
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.

How’s your buffer?

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

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No, it’s not a mistake what you are seeing, I posted it for a purpose. I use a service called Buffer that basically helps me add tweets on the go, add ideas or simply share links and post them at the moment or queue them for a future date. It is very helpful, especially if you want to maintain yourself organized and at the same time not to be a social media pest. You schedule the times and frequency that your posts will appear. I usually have weeks or even months in advance of what I have to share; it’s a great app.

Recently something happened without me knowing it and it took me by surprise. I received the reminder you see above, stating in amazement “Oh no, it looks like you buffer is empty!”. This made me think quite a bit about myself and about many others like me. This was not an event that just happened. this was the outward expression of something that had been happening long time ago; my buffer was empty. Isn’t it true about me and you, that we walk through life as if we had unlimited emotional and spiritual supply that we forget to replenish ourselves? We live at times, a margin-less life. We have no buffer, we are always playing catch-up and that is a very dangerous place to be. When we run on empty all sorts of things can happen.

I realized this in a very vulnerable moment that made me realize that there was something missing in me. I expressed myself in a way that was not appropriate. After the fact, I realized that I had left my emotional supply to dry up. If we were to talk face to face, I would explain every detail and you would agree with me that I had all the right to feel the way I felt and to and say what I said. But the reality is that my buffer was empty and my reaction proved it. I am grateful for one thing I did right: I reached out and asked for advice. This was a good and made me put everything into the right perspective.

What is missing in you? Is the everyday busyness taking the best out of you? Are you walking in life feeling emotionally tired? Who are you reaching out to? Are you asking the right questions and to the right people? People that you know will say what is right, not what you want to hear. Replenish your soul, and body, so you will have enough to lean on for those vulnerable moments that will find you at some point. You owe it to yourself, and to those close to you.

So, how’s your buffer?

Let your feelings catch up later

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

Have you ever had one of those days? The ones that start with a “no” and even when it has not ended yet, you think that it will end the same way? They are very interesting days to say the least. I had one not so long ago, and those that know me well, know that the word “No,” does not resonate well with me.

Every time I am confronted with this I react in a many ways, the most persistent one is me being more resolved, sometimes a synonym in my language, to be more stubborn. What drives this in me? Why do I react this way? Often times I get confused when any opposing situation comes my way. How should I react? What should I say? Should I try harder or let it go? Should I take a different route or state my case more vigorously? What do you do when your daughter or son gets home and says, “I didn’t make the team,” or “I failed the test I studied so hard for”. Or your spouse comes and tells you, “the banker said, that our application was denied”. Day’s, weeks, months or even years of No’s, can definitely become very unsettling and discouraging.

Recently I read a phrase that said: “Trust God completely and let your feelings catch up later”. This is so true. We tend to react on the basis of what we feel and comprehend with our natural senses. That’s the way God created us so we could perceive the world around us. But Paul tells us in the letter to the corinthians a new paradigm; walk by faith and not by sight; believing not by seeing is the key. It’s hard sometimes, because we have conditioned ourselves to regard as true only those things we can prove, see or touch. We often sustain these arguments by statements, like “I have to be a good steward,” “it is a good example to be an example”, and many more. And yes, these statements are true and I don’t mean or imply to minimize the importance of them, all the contrary, but what I am saying is that we should have the kind of faith that amazes God. Wholehearted faith in God’s word for us.

Every promise, every word, every direction his word gives us is true, dependable and strong, regardless of where we are or what we are facing. I know, I have no idea what you are going through, and it’s true, no one can process the events in your life the same way you do. But what I can say is that I have experienced the days, the weeks the months and even the years of “No’s” in my life. And it is in those moments that the only sustainable, dependable place for me and my family has been God’s word and promises.

Call me childish or even ignorant if you will, but we have decided to have the kind of faith that would amaze even God. Believing in those things we cannot see and trusting that everything that has been created, even our own senses, will catch up later. I encourage you to do the same. It’s ok to acknowledge that you are not there yet. But get up and admit it to Him and ask in prayer for greater faith, that’s the first step to greatness.

His promises are true, His word is real so we have decide to walk by faith and let our feelings catch up later. You can do the same.

“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, 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.

Who are You?

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

“Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.”

Ruth and Naomi, both widowed, alone, with no stability, security or sense of purpose, went to Judah looking for bread. Naomi was so depressed that she even made herself called Mara, which meant bitterness. Ruth, who went with her, was also troubled by all of the situations she had been through. Yes, they had every human reason to feel bitter, discouraged, alone, unfulfilled, empty and unworthy. But then came Boaz. As the story unfolds, Boaz provided and restored them completely. He made Ruth, previously a foreigner, his wife.

Who are you?, he asked. She did not say, I am a widow; I am a beggar, eating scraps from your fields. She did not allow her circumstances give identity to her. She did not allow her situation take control of her mindset and take root in her heart. She did not allow outside influences determine who she was, she plainly answered, “I am your servant”.

You need to know who you are. Your circumstances do not dictate your identity. Your moods, your emotions, your finances, don’t determine who you are. As Naomi, you may be going through extremely difficult times, that may even change the way you regard yourself. Regrets and discouragement can overtake you, but when you realize that you are a servant of the most High God, not a foreigner, He will restore you, He will bless you, He will keep you and bring you under His wing. He will make you stand tall and shine upon your face, and will give you favor and grace and strength.

The realization that you and I are His, determine our identity, and no matter what pans out around us, He will be our El Shaddai, the God that is more than enough. When we seek Him, when we worship Him in the middle of our trials, He will lift us and he will guide us, and he will bless us until it overflows. The circumstances only affirm that we are His. Who are you? Jesus answered that question when he came and gave himself for our sins and restored everything.

So the question remains, Who are you? Jesus already answered that, You are His. Stand up and receive what is yours!

“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, 2006
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.

A fortified tower

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. – Proverbs 18:10

It was a nerve-wracking drive home. My wife was on the phone with our son and the visibility was almost none. Torrential rain and impeding wind. A less than a 5 minute drive, but it seemed to us much longer. On the way, what really got to me off the tornado alarm; it created an even more pronounced sense of urgency to get home. It was pretty scary. While on our 5 minute-look-like-5-hour drive, were alternated prayers and phone calls. As I parked the car in the garage and rushed into our home and into the laundry room, I could not ignore that this was a new experience for me. Our kids already had a stash of fruit bars, water and they also had the two dogs in with them. Oh, did I mention that the home we are in now doesn’t have a basement?

Then and there I was overcome with a sense of powerlessness. The ones I love the most were all crammed in this small space, as the siren was blasting off. We muttered a prayer and tried to remain calm as we waited and waited and waited. That was the hard part. This was a small place, made in essence of wood. How strong could it be against a tornado? It made me feel extremely vulnerable. As it is my personality, I wanted to do something, but we had done everything we could think of doing. After half an hour, everything started to come back to normal and we lurked out of our “safe” place.

How many times you have been in the middle of a situation that you can’t do anything about? How many times it has dawn on you that you have arrived to the end of your options? A situation that is completely new to you and it has impressed you in a way you don’t know how to react. You might be facing a decisive juncture in your life you never thought you would be in. Furthermore, you know that where you are standing in life today might not even have a chance of surviving what is coming your way.

Let me remind you that The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. And it is in His name the we find cover, safety and refuge. His endless prowess begin when the end of your options appear. Call unto Him, in the midst of where you are right now, run to Him. Don’t look at your options, look at his power. Wind might blow and everything around you might stumble fall. You will be safe, because you choose not to rely on your own strength.

Run and take refuge in the Lord who is your fortified tower.

“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 to share it? Just add your comment below on “Leave a Reply”, share it on Facebook, Twitter, or by email using any of the buttons next to “Share this:”

© 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.

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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