Tag Archives: English

What’s the intention?

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“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven” – Matthew 6:1

Have you seen public figures do charity work and deeds just to be seen? This is a broad generalization and I know that it is does not describe everyone, but we see politicians, celebrities, executives and yes even clergy, appear in front of cameras of photo shoots supporting a cause, just to be seen. We are moved to admire them, not because of the good they are doing, but because sometimes we cannot reconcile seeing someone of their position, doing something “so honorable”. It just doesn’t click somehow and yet it attracts us.

Truth is that there is something more profound happening in us. We often want to be admired as those we are watching, are. We like the attention, the adulation and the admiration. We want to become a role model, but for what? When I read what Jesus said in Matthew 6:1, it made me examine myself. I am guilty of doing many times exactly what Jesus is saying not to do. What were my intentions? Do I really want to do good because I want to worship the Lord with my life or because I silently want the worship of people? Have you been there? Have you tried to use your platform, position or influence to further your cause and not that of the ONE that gave you the position you have?

It takes a lot of profound thinking and introspection to realize that our well meant deeds, sometimes were not birthed from the most pure intentions. And it is obvious that many of us don’t have the public platform that others have and we might dismiss this by saying, “Well, I’m just a simple individual, that does not describe me”. But in reality it does, and you know it. We can do things nobody knows about, all good deeds, but secretly we expect the admiration of those that benefit from our action or our words. Things like, Why did you forgive? To be politically correct, or to genuinely mend a relationship? Check your social media posts. What are they saying? Why are you saying them? Are they truly an expression of a grateful heart or an attempt to further your own agenda, business or status? Are they a false pose of your true intentions? I know these are strong words, but they are necessary.

The reason Jesus brought it up was because he saw it. He knew all to well that we are so impatient and we want immediate gratification so we hide behind actions that we believe will accelerate it. When we open the door for adulation or self serving, we open the door to an empty room. A room that will fill our ego but empty our hearts. The writer of Proverbs said it well; “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”, and guarding our hearts from self serving intentions, will definitely be rewarded in due time. It is a matter of trust.

I want God’s blessings in the life of those I love and in mine also. Rewards of men can and will dissipate easily. So I pray that my intentions are pure and that I can be found worthy of his goodness and mercy in my lifetime. I pray that I can guard my heart and I pray, that your prayer will be the same. Because life is a flicker and it is too precious to be spent in the empty room of false intentions. Don’t be afraid to ask yourself the next time, What’s the intention? Guard your heart, make your life count. It will not always be easy, but you will see how the door of an immeasurable life will open before you.

“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.

What a ride!

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Today marks the date when we decided to put action to our faith, legs to our dreams. We instilled life to what was being birthed inside our hearts. Exactly one year we embarked into this new adventure of a complete relocation. It just seems like it happened yesterday, and yet a year has passed. I remember how I felt. A new home, a new church, a new everything. Adrenaline was the fuel that kept me going every day, or so I thought. It’s been a year where everything was on the line. A year where every breath we took, was taken with profound expectation. The expectation that the next moment would be better, greater and bigger. This has been a year where our confidence in the ONE that called us to be HIS, has grown in ways unimaginably to our natural minds. It has been a year where our actions have been bold, moving out of our comfort zones like we never thought.

It all started with a promise and a sense of urgency. A promise of better possibilities for those that we love the most, our son and our daughter. It started 5 years before, when Alex was nine and Amy was eight. We understood that even when we’ve had success in our professional lives, our real success is enjoyed when it is seen in our home. For us, success is a life full of God’s grace and mercy. A life that exudes HIS goodness and that delves into his wisdom. A sense of urgency that time is precious and our children cannot be gambled with.

Time and space will not be enough to pen down all that has happened this year. Even when I almost lost my life in the process, I can say without a doubt that HE has been with us every step. We have not walked alone. Has it been worth it? You bet. He has been faithful even when we haven’t. Matt Redman wrote a song called “Never Once”, that I heard when we moved. It describes how I felt and how I feel today, not because of what has happened this year, but because it is a reminder that on every step we have ever taken, even when those steps have lead us to dark places, HE has been there always. The same is true for you today.

So if you think you are alone, think again. He has been there every step, even when you are going through turmoil and uncertainty. Don’t be afraid, just take the next step, HE is there with you.

As for me, when I look back I wouldn’t change anything. God is faithful. It’s been a great year, and it is just the beginning, all I can say is, “What a ride!”.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

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© Copyright Danny Maldoando, 2012

The courage to choose

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“I choose not to care, it’s my decision. If I had not said a word about it, no one will notice. My secret is safe. Maybe me not caring is not a big deal. Perhaps why am I so preoccupied? I am sure that they don’t care that I don’t care. Anyway, it is his or her problem. I didn’t make the mistakes, they did, and do you want to know something? I have enough problems myself to get involved with someone else’s issues. One other thing, they are not asking for help and I should respect that, right? why should I be so concerned to help them? I mean, I can see that the path that they are going will not end well, but they can figure it out by themselves, I did. Anyway, its to much of a hassle and as I said before, I got things in my plate also.”

You and I have found ourselves having internal conversations like these at some point in our lives. Many of us will not even admit to having them, but the fact remains that we have all struggled with this in one way or the other. And we choose. We choose to stand still and do nothing and keep on our merry way. Life will be unchanged for us and we will not be inconvenienced with a pause of our busy lives. Its all great, for us life remains uninterrupted.

Or we can choose to act. We can act at the expense of being inconvenienced and rejected. We can act being almost certain that we will not be thanked or recognized at the moment. But we act with the expectation of the promise of a life changed. We act on the expectation of a disaster averted, and when we do, the feeling of relief is unexplainable. And it doesn’t take much from our part. Sometimes it is like moving the lever to change the tracks of a train to avert a colission. We have all seen it in the movies, when someone makes this effort to move that lever so the train can change from one track to another. It seems to be a very big effort at the beginning, but when it is done, the relief is so visible, that for those that made the effort, it was worth it. In many of the cases no one on the train even notices, but their lives have been spared from disaster. Lives directed into the correct track, and it is just awesome.

This reminds me of Matthew 9:36. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”. Jesus saw the crowds he had to act. He saw their condition and decided to do something. And he knew he was going to be rejected. He knew that his effort would not be recognized at the moment or even thanked. His secret ambition was the promise of changed lives, disaster averted and redeemed souls. And he chose. And it cost him. but for that reason my life and yours were changed. He made the effort to move us into the track that would change everything.

What about you? Have you had these internal struggles. To act or not to act? Sometimes it only takes a small effort from our part and almost all the time it will not cost us our life. The effort will be just a nudge, a word, a smile, a conversation, an invitation, a handshake. But we must choose to do so. I promise you that the feeling is amazing. You will see the train changing lanes, but more importantly how your own life has changed, because you had the courage to choose.

“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.

Forgive others

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“If we would read the secret history of our enemies, we would find in each man’s life sorrow and suffering, enough to disarm all hostility” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive – Matthew 6:14

To finish well

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What will you story say at the end? Is your story worth saying? I make myself these questions everyday. Is it because of how I see myself in the story? Do I have an “ordinary” life and reading about all of the other extraordinary ones, creates an angst in my chest of, not being “there” or having “it” (whatever any of those mean). I think about the end, a lot. I think of how my actions today will impact the lasting memory of my likeness in the minds and hearts of those I love. Will my life reflect greatness? Will my actions exude my highest and most noble thinking? I hope so. In fact, I pray so. What will my story say to those that will remain? What is my story saying now? This really gets to me.

Recently I attended a mens group called Seven, that met for seven weeks at seven in the morning on Fridays. We explored the seven questions that rattle the minds of most men. Great conversations and even better community. The theme that really got to me was that of leaving a legacy; finishing well. How will I be remembered? How will my wife, my son and my daughter be impacted in the days, the months and the years to come? What will my grandchildren say about me? More importantly, what will God say about me?

I am a big fan of movies that depict true stories. I feel attracted to them when I can relate to many of those to whom it happened to. But if you are like me, what really stirs my heart are the endings. The underdog finishing on top, or the dejected changing his or her ways, or the stories of how the human resilience conquers the most difficult situations; epic endings. Maybe I feel attracted to them because I wonder if my story will be memorialized as those that have made it to film, not because of fame or fortune, but because of the inspiration it can bring to generations to come. Will my story inspire someone else to achieve the impossible? Will my life change the course of someone else’s story? Can I make a difference for the world to see? Will my story be epic? Have you made yourself these questions, or is it only me?For some of us, when we look at our present life we recognize that by our standards, we are not living an epic tale. And we question our existence, over and over again. I don’t know the answers to any of the questions I have made and are still making to myself. But I know they will be answered in due time.

So I have resolved that until those answers come, when I’m faced with impossibilities, I will continue to believe that all things are possible. When i feel discouraged, I will continue to inspire and be inspired. When I’m talked down and demeaned by others, I will continue to think like an eagle when everyone else around me is not. When handed the worst, I will continue to expect the best. When all seems at a lost and at a dead end, I will continue to trust that God has a plan for my life and for those I have been entrusted with. A bigger, greater, brighter, stronger and more wonderful plan than what I can possibly imagine. When faced with small minded people that want to water down my existence, I will continue to dream BIG because I serve an unmeasurable God. When wronged by someone I consider a friend, I will continue to believe in friendship, because it is the face of kindness in the world. When there is no clear path, I will continue to live my life based on the possibilities, because living by fact alone ignores any faith and greatness. If times are scarce, I will continue to give even when all is taken from me. If shunned by the world, I will continue to love. If I fall, I will brush off the dirt, clean my wounds and get up every time. When faced with injustice, I will continue to fight for those that cannot fight for themselves. If I’m left as forgotten, I will continue to remember those in need even when nobody else acknowledges me. And by doing all of this, I trust, I hope and I pray that I will be able to answer many of my questions and dilemmas. Maybe you should do the same.

I long for the day when I bow before the Almighty and lay my crown at his feet and say, “Lord, I made it. There were times when I thought I’d fail, but I made it”. That day, that glorious day, I will know that I finished well.

“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

Saying “No”, creates capacity

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How hard it is sometimes! Saying this dreaded word for the new writer, the starting preacher, the rising businessman or the aspiring entertainer is difficult. For the seasoned ones it’s also hard. The two letter word, NO. When we say to ourselves, “This will make all of the difference”, saying no in our minds, means to stop any progress or even kill our dreams. It is difficult to say no at times. not because we are afraid, but because we struggle with the idea that an opportunity can be slipping from our hands and we might not see it again.

In reality accepting everything that comes our way, is a reflection of how much we value ourselves to the eyes of the world. Learning to saying no might be just what you really need to be good at in order to become precisely what you have always dreamt of becoming. Let me be clear, I am not suggesting that you pose as a negative person. All the contrary, your personal skills are very important to develop. What i’m suggesting is that you become a more selective individual. Learning to say no to good opportunities opens your capacity to accept the better ones. Many times we struggle with this, I do too, but it is especially hard when you are starting out any new endeavor. There is always learning curve for every line of business, craft or calling, but if we step back and carefully study those that have excelled in the arena we pursue, you will find that there is a “selectiveness” (if that is even a word) to what they do. It creates the capacity for them to continue doing what they do best. This in turn actually makes them even more appealing to those around them and in there sphere of influence.

So how do we master to say no to good opportunities for the better ones? Every situation is different, but I have experienced that when I have a clear understanding of what is important for my family and me on the long run, it is much easier to say no. This leads me to where I suggest you should start: with the end in mind. I know it is difficult for many to look beyond today, but it is possible. Recently I had the opportunity to discuss further about the legacy we construct with our lives. Regardless if we admit it or not, we all are constructing something, but how we construct makes a big difference. I used an illustration to explain this: Picture a well organized garage with boxes clearly marked. Two adults suddenly approach you. They are well dressed and appear to be well groomed and educated. These are your children. On another scene the same garage but in complete disarray. Garbage is all over and the two adults that approach you are disheveled and clearly disoriented. The time is two weeks after you have died, and this is your legacy to the world. Which will you choose? This brings me this principle: What you choose today will directly reflect on how you will end tomorrow. Everything is connected.

Having a clear perspective, will help you say “NO” to those opportunities that might be good, but not great. It will help you discern what will impact your legacy. You might start by asking yourself a lot of questions like these.

  • What are my values? What is it that moves me?
  • Where is my family and I headed in life?
  • Saying yes to this opportunity, will it mean that my time and resources will be compromised beyond my capacity? Who will be robbed of my time?
  • Will my family be impacted by saying yes? Can this be done by someone else?
  • What are the options?

Another tool I use is a decision matrix. This is a process of assigning values to the factors more important to me for any set of options I might have. After adding them up, the greater the total, the most “logical” the answer. You can request a template here.

Learning to say “NO”, should be an action you want to master, because it will determine your success or failure. We all struggle with this, I still do, but Im getting better every day. And sometimes the most “logical” option might not be the one you end up pursuing, but it will be the one that brings you and those you love, the greatest peace. Saying no will lead you to greater capacity and greater purpose. You will be able to construct your life, immensely, beautifully and purposefully for the generations to come.

Learn to master that two letter word, because saying No, creates capacity.

“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

To move forward, you have to STOP

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Life is formulated by dreams and you have a big one. Every time you think about it you get goosebumps. You have all of these plans in your heart and a smile comes to your face when you think about the possibilities. I personally think that’s a good thing.

And then things don’t go as planned. Interruptions, roadblocks and disappointments occur that seem to take the life out of you. It is frustrating, especially when you are a big dreamer. Ever wonder how to pass that point in life where you think you are at the max of your capacity? Its like if someone or something has put a limit or a lid on your life. You know, that moment when you feel stuck professionally and personally? Some in their 40’s and 50’s would refer to it as the midlife crisis, but those in the 20’s and 30’s would say its just depression, bad breaks or simply bad luck. Well, no matter how you might call it, it happens to all of us. We long for meaning, achievement and advancement and everything we do seems to tell us, “That’s it, you got you your capacity level”. Life seems to stop, pause and a sense of emptiness starts to overwhelm us. This is the moment when you might say to yourself, “you have to try harder,” or on the contrary, “face it, it’s not worth it”. I know, confusing conversations and even contradictory ones, that are looking for a reason why things didn’t worked out. These are the conversations you have with yourself in the car, the shower, the beach or the backyard. It is where you talk to God, (well sometimes you are just complaining to Him!) And you ask the question. Why?

I have learned by my own experiences that many of these feelings come from an exhausted body, mind and spirit and nothing more. You feel that you cannot go on, and at the same time you cannot stop. Exhaustion takes over, exhaustion is the boss of you.

So I would suggest to do one thing: Just STOP.

  • Stop what you are doing and take time to eat well, exercise and rest.
    • Many of our emotional and physical exhaustion comes from bad nutrition, poor exercise and little to no rest. We tend to treat a physical problem as a spiritual one when in reality we are so engulfed in “the project” or “the dream” that we neglect the most important ingredient of it; Our body. Take care of yourself, you’ll thank yourself later.
  • Take uninterrupted time to think where you are and where you want to be.
    • Our daily activities can overwhelm us and sometimes we forget why we are doing what we are doing in the first place. A refresher is always healthy for the soul and mind. It has the capacity to create new energy and drive. Quiet time to reflect where we are, those steps that worked and those that didn’t, is important to regroup and refocus. Time to write uninterrupted is a good exercise that will energize your soul and mind. Think frequently.
  • Open your heart and ears to new ideas and learn from them.
    • Sometimes our heart is in the right place but our strategy is not. We need fresh eyes and perspective to learn from those around us and probably to tweak a little our approach. Someone that brings new ideas to the table should always be welcomed. Maybe one word or concept can change everything. Open your heart always.
  • Pray and prepare yourself.
    • Prayer is crucial. After considering all things, pray and prepare. There is nothing more important than to ask for guidance and vision when you have a big dream. After all it will consume most part of your time and resources and it will affect everyone that is around you. Being certain that you are pursuing God’s dream for your life is the most important part of your life. You don’t want to find yourself at the end of your life acknowledging that you chased the wrong path. Look for new resources. Pray and prepare consistently.

Take time to consider this. You might just be exhausted. To move forward, you have to STOP. “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

Immensely, beautifully and purposefully

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“This must be a magnificent Temple because our God is greater than all other gods” – 2 Chronicles 2:5

It was King David who decided to build the temple of God. History reveals that God would not allow it because he was man of war and had shed blood. It was his son Solomon to whom it was given the task of constructing the sanctuary. The plans for all construction, including materials, had been provided by David his father under the explicit direction of God. Solomon would build a temple to remember.

The temple would be immense, beautiful and with purpose. These three characteristics that made this temple be unforgettable, its immensity, its beauty and its purpose, were characteristics that stood out in plain sight. The immensity of the temple meant that the man who contemplated it, remembered his smallness and inspired reverence. Seeing the beauty of the temple, created admiration and was conducive to worship and the temple’s purpose was clearly defined: God would forever dwell in it and his eyes and his heart would always be there. This structure would represent much more for generations to come. Solomon would build more than a temple more, it was a witness that would transcend time.

We all build something, wether we recognize it or not. But very often we settle to build what represents to us the less resistance, regardless of the consequences. We do not measure the implications of what we do. We think that the resources entrusted to us are unimportant. We fail to understand that everything we do is connected and that there are many who depend on the decisions we make today.

How do you handle your finances? What are the goals that you have for your life? What you build with your life, is it immense? Do it declare the greatness of the God whom you serve and proclaim that is Lord of your life? When people look at how you behave and relate, Does your behavior exude greatness and the loftiness of God? When the product of your hand is revealed to the world, does it demonstrates the beauty of God who created all things? What you build in your family, your job, Does it reveal the purpose of God in your life? What do people associate your name with? With the immense, with the beautiful and the purpose of a full life?

I know first hand that these are not easy questions to answer. But I firmly believe that it is time for these questions to be a catalyst to thrust you into a new direction. To give you a new sense of inspiration and help you understand that you were created for much more in life than just to exist. David states that were crowned with glory and honor. Let us live at the level for which we were created.

Build immensely, beautifully and purposefully.

“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.