What’s the intention?

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

“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!

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

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!”.

© Copyright Danny Maldoando, 2012

To move forward, you have to STOP

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

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”

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© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2012

Warning signs

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

by DP

“I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him. But since my people refuse to return to me, they will return to Egypt and will be forced to serve Assyria.” – Hosea 11:4-5

“Hey folks you might have realized that we have gone out of the line for takeoff. We have received a warning sign here on the cockpit and we need to check it out and be sure it is safe for us to continue.” – moments later – “Folks, thank again for your patience. We have a hydraulics problem that we cannot fix ourselves so we will need to head back to the gate so our mechanics can take a look at it and we will let you know how much time it will take to fix. Thanks for your patience.” These were the words from the captain on the flight I was on. Immediately the guy that was sitting on my side said audibly, “Nooo”, and I looked at him and said, “Hey man be cool, better late than dead”. And no, he did not say another word.

I’m grateful for the captain of the plane. He saw the warning sign and took action immediately. No second guessing it, no bargaining and no playing games. He alerted us and put our safety as his highest priority. He did what was needed to be done, even when we might not understand it, be inconvenienced by it or did not like it. He might as well saved all of our lives. I also realized something else: I had complete trust and confidence on the pilot, even when I had not seen him face to face. I did not had any concerns when I got on the plane nor did I ask for his credentials or license. I just trusted.

This made me think about lots of things and reflect in my own life. How many times have I received a warning sign in my emotions, my finances, my health, my relationships and have not paid attention, and received the consequences of it? How many times have I ignored those warnings because I thought I knew better? Furthermore how many times have I complained like the passenger I told before, ignoring that by doing so there was much more at stake?

What about you? Have you done the same? Have you complained by he “delays” and “detours” you are faced with every day, and you ignore that these might be warning signs that something is not right? These might be situations that are meant for your preservation and not your destruction.

I heard once from a doctor that said, “pain is good, it tells you that something in your body needs attention”. God has many ways to catch our attention, and he permits or does it, because he loves us. These might be issues you need to pay attention to. Tending to them might seem as a delay to your apparent progress, but it will ensure that you get to your destination as it was intended. Ignoring them, and not trusting, could be catastrophic for you and your loved ones. You are much important to Him, to be neglected. You are too important to him to ignore the warning signs along your path.

As I trusted the captain, (since I still don’t know how to fly an aircraft), so should you trust our Lord and Savior that knows what is best for our lives. He loves us so much that he will do whatever is necessary to draw us to himself. By doing so, His mercy is extended to us and His love sometimes is revealed, through warning signs.

© 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

Follow the harvesters

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech. – Ruth 2:3

Ruth was in Bethlehem as she came from Moab following Noemi, after her sons (one of them Ruth’s husband) and her husband had died. This was a new culture and a new setting for Ruth, so she was not used to the traditions nor the ways of this new place. In this particular scene, she is helping her mother in law to find food in a land in which she has no family nor she is not known, or so she thought. So she asked for permission to go after the harvesters and pick up what they had left. Harvesting is the process of gathering mature crops from the fields, so these harvesters were experienced. They were after the big crops. Ruth took all that was left by the professionals. After inquiring about her performance, Boaz met her that day and he instructed her to follow the young women closely and what part of field they harvested. He told her to learn the craft from those that had mastered it. She had to watch and learn.

In order to gain knowledge you need to follow those that had done it before you. This is not new, but some of us just don’t like to be seen as followers or that we just don’t know something that everyone else appears to know. It might also be a hidden truth about ourselves that we just have not acknowledged yet, that we still have some pride in us. In order to grow, you have to know. But the matter of the fact remains, that in order to master a craft, you have to follow those that have been great before you. There is an art to be learned in every craft. I am equating a harvester to someone that has experience in our area of interest or has achieved results in the area you are trying to master. Don’t mind the small things. We get so involved in the small things that we miss the big harvest. Ask questions, be watchful and learn. These are those that had “done it” before. These are people that have earned the right to be heard. The contrary is also true. Never follow someone that has not walked the talk. Would you follow financial advice from someone that is broke? Will you get marriage advise from someone that neglects his or her family? As Jeff Henserson said: “Because the people that you listen to, are a preview of the future you”, in other words, you will become what you and who you listen to. If you like what you see, keep listening. If you don’t, walk away, find a good harvester.

I remember that I thought I knew and mastered public speaking. My particular job requires that I convey and articulate ideas and concepts that need to be fully understood before action is taken. As I was taking a series of trainings over the course of several months on the subject, I fully realized how little I knew and how much I still had to learn. I learned simple things as posture, tone, and even pauses. Things that I thought were not that important as was the message, when in fact there were. They actually made my message all the more clear and engaged the audience in ways I never thought it could. I followed the harvesters and still do today.

If you are humble enough to admit that you do not know it all, you will be humble enough to learn everyday. It is good to be trendy and to create new ways to do things. But experience is paramount. It will change the way you perceive life and you will help you go further faster, because you learned to follow the harvesters.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Inside out

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Danny Maldonado

There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. Job 1:1

What a great introduction! The credentials of Job preceded him. Blameless – a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil, a combination of devotion and practical living. Can we be called blameless and of complete integrity? The thought of it makes me wonder. You see, I know myself. I know what I think and I know with what I struggle. When I approach this subject, I do it with caution. I want to be called by God and by men, blameless.

But how do I achieve it? The story tells us that Job feared God. He had a devotion that was known to The Creator. The hidden life developed day after day when nobody was watching, the inside life. In Samuel 16:7, when Samuel was looking to anoint a new king, God told him “…People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart,” so don’t look at the outward appearance. It clear stated, that for God, was is not seen is more important than what is.

But, what is seen is also important. If you read carefully in the verse from 1 Samuel, it clearly states that, ”…People judge by outward appearance…” That means that everyone around you will judge by what they see, it’s just human nature. Think of it as a shirt. In order to know who made it, what is made of and what size it is, you have to look at the label inside. If it fits, it will look nice and represent you well on the outside. What will people see in the interior label of our life? Is your life reflecting what you claim is your label? The interesting part of this is that when we take care of our devotional life, our inside life, and we guard our heart, the outside will take care of itself.

We all want to be blameless and it is not too late for that. God is the God of new beginnings. He has made everything new for us when Jesus died in the cross for our sins, changing us from the inside out. It is a process that we cannot do alone. No matter how much we try, in order to be called blameless by God, we need to seek Him and surrender our lives to Him.

Only then will the world around you will see the transformation that begun, from the inside out.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

For a higher purpose

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Danny Maldonado

by DP

“They were delighted when they heard why he had come, and they promised to give him money. So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.” – Mark 14:11

We all know this story. The man Jesus had entrusted the finances, was the very one that turned against him. Sadly, it happens very often. It is that sense of unbelief, grief and even emptiness that floods our entire inner being. I am talking about the moment you realize that those you had trusted and confided, have turned their backs on you. You thought you knew someone, and then they reveal their true value. The unbelief and sadness fills your soul because you have realized that the unthinkable has happened, you have been betrayed.

Jesus knew this very well. He had poured out his entire strength and energy to help and uplift one of his own. But the one that betrayed him, also fulfilled a higher purpose in Jesus life. Without the betrayer, we wouldn’t have the cross. And without the cross, there would not be salvation. Pain brought upon a blessing.

You might be going through a similar situation. A spouse, a family member, a co-worker, a business partner or a friend, someone in whom you had poured out your trust into, but has done or said something that has hurt you deeply. These are moments that pound inside of you with pain, sadness, and a sense of emptiness. You might be questioning, why this injustice? And it is only natural to feel that way, but Jesus clearly stated, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” And it is through Him that we can do the same. In these words he affirmed that we would undoubtedly experience, trails. But he also cemented, that through Him, we would be victors in spite of it.

Jesus went even further to say, “Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” So if you dwell in the pain, you will never move forward and you will become stagnant and consume yourself. Look at the trial as the step that will thrust you further in life and will help you grow more and more; the betrayal will be transformed into a blessing. The pain will birth new life in you, and you in turn will experience a new sense of purpose and your heart will be free and you will rise to new heights.

We are reminded in Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” So this moment in your story might have come to you not to break you but to make you. This moment has come for a higher purpose.

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.

Manna

Posted on July 23, 2011 by Danny Maldonado

by DP

When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground. The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was. And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat. – Exodus 16:14-15

Manna, it is a well know word. We all have heard the term in many contexts. We have often used it to scold someone into working harder, or to do more, because “the money will not come as manna from the skies”, we say. It brings a mental picture of a flaky substance that is bread-like, which was provided to the children of Israel in the dessert. God had provided it so they could be sustained every day, outside their tents. This event was completely new to them. There was no point of reference that could help them compare what they were experiencing in that moment. They where accustomed to the delicacies of Egypt, not what they had found on the ground. And so the most natural expression was, “Manna”, which means “What is it?”.

Along with this new and unknown substance, came a new set of instructions that needed to be followed. A new substance and new instructions; Manna. And without watering down the incredible lessons intertwined in this text, consider “manna” as everything in your life that is new and represent the possibilities for your life. The crossroads that we all face and that challenge our intellect, our emotions and way of life.

We often find ourselves in the same situation. New events, new set of rules, new ways of doing and interpreting things, and we catch ourselves saying more often than we would admit; Manna, what is it? You are pulled between choices. You are puzzled as to what to do, and the only thing that mutters from your lips is, Manna, what is it?

Decide today to step outside the tent of your current situation. Walk towards the provision and the supply of the present to enjoy the blessings of the future. It might seem unknown to you, a way that could even be unorthodox, but in the end it will be amazing and fulfilling. Manna is not a myth, it’s not an empty expression. It represents new things, possibilities. Don’t be afraid of stepping into the unknown. You might still say, what is it? And it will be ok. If you pick up the manna that is before you, the experience and the transformation you will have, will be worth it. Manna will no longer be the unknown, it will be the embodiment of BREATHING expectantly, LIVING confidently and MOVING Boldly, Manna.

“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, 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

BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE boldly

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