Tag Archives: Persistence

“If you can?”

Posted on by
2

IMG_2731“It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

If you can? That was the question/response Jesus gave to the father of the boy that had a tormenting spirit. This got me thinking. How broken was his spirit to question his beliefs? I have to admit, at times I have mustered the same expression of this father, “Lord I believe, please help my unbelief”. His situation was so dire and so persistent, that he was not looking for a complete fix, just a respite. His expectations of life as he knew it, had come down to survival, to merely exist. He was not expecting God´s best and instead he lowered God to his human level. Life was hard and his son was suffering. “But if you can do anything”. It was an expression of desperation from a father that needed and pleaded for help.

I know the feeling, not of a tormenting spirit, but the angst and despair of feeling helpless and without a door to go. Any light will do, any sign of help will suffice, any handout would be great. Any move that would appease the pain will be welcomed. Dreams, potential and yes, even hope are a distant idea because reality has set in. And it is hard. It crushes your spirit and it breaks your heart. We try everything, anything, even the failed shallow attempt of hands that fall short of becoming the solution to our needs because its inconvenient or too much trouble.

The shorthanded help of people just won’t do it. Our human spirit is reduced to accept less, and it’s hard. The turmoil, the tension, the despair that is felt is so persistent that any expectation of things getting better are low to non-existent. And we reach to the “people that can help”, and sometimes we just get what we have always gotten; failed attempts and a weary tired hurt heart. It seems like the places we go and doors we knock, are pathways to empty rooms and dry hopes. Those around don’t understand the pain or don’t even seem to be prepared to help. And in our desperation we lower our lives to mere existential fixes, we become addicts of the immediate. Have you felt this way?

In the words of Martin Luther to his contemporary Erasmus, “Your thoughts of God are too human”. Our thoughts of Almighty God, all powerful Lord, need to raise to the place where they are to be. Only Jesus. He is the only one that can help the soul and turn all things around. We shouldn’t let the fallen world make our image of God, a fallen one.

He is asking us this question again today, “If I can?”, like if he was stating, “Are you kidding me? Do you know who you are talking to? Do you understand the power and the might you are facing this very moment? I created you, I know your most inner thoughts and everything about you. And I love you, as no one you can think of, loves you. I understand your pain, I see your suffering, and I cry at your persistent angst. But I am God and I am here to make all things new. Many have tried to help you, but have fallen short. I want you to know that I want you to come directly to me. Your source, your God, your I CAN!”

“I can solve your pain, I will wipe your tears, I can do and have done all things new. I will change your mourning into dancing”.

“If you can? You ask. I say, if you believe, anything and everything is possible.’’ Jesus.

“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, 2015

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.

Don’t Quit!

Posted on by
2

There’s a scene from the movie Facing the Giants, in which coach Grant Taylor tells Brock Kelley to do the death crawl with a teammate on his back. The kicker is that he had to do it blindfolded, and the only direction he would received was the voice of the coach, not the sight of his eyes. It is a very inspiring scene. It represents life in many ways, yours and mine. We go through life many times crawling, because that’s the only way we can advance. And we also we find ourselves crawling blindfolded with extra weight over us. A perfect combination for a quitter.

We have all had these seasons in our lives. Moments that make us question everything. Times when our sight is clouded, blindfolded, and we have no direction whatsoever. Times in which we have an extra weight on our backs that pushes us down, reviving the idea of quitting every second. It’s in moments like these that I appreciate the coach Taylor’s of the world. Those that push us harder and inspire us to continue to move forward, even when we can’t see where we are going. That voice that leads us to the end zone, and helps us realize that we can do more, be more, achieve more. That voice that will not accept a no for an answer, and will expect the best of us, no matter what.

We need those voices. We all need from time to time; a firm voice that will acknowledge the pain, the struggle, but in spite of that will inspire and push you to the end zone. Just when Brock says, “its hard”, coach Taylor responds, “I know its hard, but you can do it”. And louder and louder he shouted on, “Don’t quit, Don’t Quit, your very best!”.

The same I tell you today. Don’t Quit. I know its hard, I know you can’t see anything in the horizon, but trust the voice, even if it is your own, that tells you; Don’t quit! Don’t quit on your family, it might be hard, but you have to give your very best! Don’t quit on your passion, I know its frustrating some times, but you have to give your very best!, Don’t quit on your children; there are many disappointments, but they are full of potential and they deserve your very best. Don’t quit on your God, He is the ultimate voice that leads you to the end zone, that pushes you further, beyond your limits, because He knows you can do more.

You can be a coach Taylor to the Brock Kelley’s in your life. Or maybe you feel like Brock, and just want to give up. I know, I’ve been both. Just follow the voice, push hard. If you do I promise you one thing; You will get to the end zone and everyone, even yourself, will be amazed of what you will achieved.

So above all, DON’T QUIT!

Enjoy the clip!

“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, 2014
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.

Sometimes it takes a fight

Posted on by
Reply

by DP

When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city. – Joshua 6:20

We are often faced every day with many challenges in or work, our relationships and our dreams. We have this idea that if something is meant to be, it will just happen. I could agree in part with that assumption, without ruling out that there could be always some resistance.

The children of Israel knew that very well. They were promised the land of Canaan which flowed with milk and honey. A land that was the representation of a better life and a brighter future. One would think that after being in the desert for forty years that a respite would come. But upon entering the land, they were confronted with their first challenge, Jericho. They might of thought that as it happened to Jericho, where they just had to march to bring down the walls, every other encounter would be the same. But no, they fought thirty-nine battles in order to conquer their promised land. A new land, a foreign land in which they encountered giants, crossed rivers, and many obstacles they had to overcome.

Such is our life. We might have this preconceived idea that everything will be smooth, and that there will be no disturbance in our path if something is meant to be. And it is true, sometimes it happens that way, and it feels good. But the reality is that sometimes it takes a fight to get your promise. Some of them will be more easily won, but others will be fierce and difficult battles. Encounters that will leave scars and marks in the heart and in the soul. We have to understand that there is a part that must be done by us, as the preacher in Ecclesiastes wrote, ”Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom…”. Things might not come down as you envisioned or thought they would, but we learn, we grow and we obtain experience that will prepare us for our next assignment.

Jesus knew that all to well. He fought for you and me, to give the most high of the sacrifices, his life. It scarred his body, but he won. And because he won, we are victors and not victims. We should not feel sad or discouraged when we find resistance and trouble in our way. I can assure you that character and experience is building up in you. You are being prepared for a higher purpose. Maybe this present trouble, this problem, this resistance, is the event that will unlock the gifts and talents that have been hidden in you. This could be the moment you have been building up for in order to live in your promised land.

So shake off those defeat and demeaning thoughts, and press on. Be prepared, strategize and consult, it is not the time to sit down and wander and have a pity party, it is time of walking and fighting. There’s a reward waiting, there is a brighter and bigger future in sight. And as the children of Israel experienced, it will take a lot of effort, not to mention time, but it will be worth it.

Your blessing is coming, your promise is near, but sometimes it takes a fight.

“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 INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

One more battle

Posted on by
Reply

by DP

“So give me the hill country that the Lord promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the Lord is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the Lord said.” So Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave Hebron to him as his portion of land. Joshua 14:12-13

It took 45 years for him to receive his promised land, and God made good on his promise. It is so amazing to see that a man at his eighty-five years, when the time seemed to be a time of rest and a time of slowing down, he chose to fight a last battle; he chose to conquer and drive the descendents of Anak out of their own land. And these where not usual people.

Can you imagine, this man at his eighty-five years of age, entering the land and ordering them to leave. What went through their minds? They might have said, “Who is this little old man? Who does he think he is? Let’s just crush him and show him who we are.” The peculiar characteristic of these inhabitants of Hebron, was their might and their height; they were giants. But this was not new to Caleb, because forty-five years earlier his report back to Moses and the people of Israel was, “they are bread for us, do not fear.” That spirit was still in Caleb, the spirit of a conqueror, a dreamer and a giant defeater. That day he had seen what he wanted.

It may take years of work and preparation but the promise God has made to you, will come to pass. Probably you thought of a different timeframe, but it will come at the precise moment that it will be needed. Caleb, waited for many years and in order to live his dream he fought another battle. And the story says that the land rested from war, because what God gives, brings peace. So time had passed and the reward season was up. He walked in the land of giants, and when you walk among giants, your life will never be the same.

Stand up, another battle might still be ahead. But be of good cheer, because if God promised it, it will come to pass, and there will be no might, height, wall or threat that will keep you from your promise. So when the fight is over and the dust settles your name will be known to have lived in the land of the giants. And it will only take, one more battle.

“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.

Will you flee?

Posted on by
Reply

by DP

But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” Nehemiah 6:11

Nehemiah was in the midst of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, when he was interrupted five times with messages from Sanballat Geshem Tobias for him to stop. He answered each time in the same way, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” (v. 3). They even invented stories and sent them in writing saying that the intention of Nehemiah, was not merely to rebuild the city, but that he planned a revolt and would proclaim himself king (v. 6-7). Nothing further from reality.

The story tells us that Nehemiah did not stop the work he was doing, and that even when he answered, his answer was short and fast as at other times – “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart,” ( v. 8 ) – He did not enter into arguments, no explanations offered. Was direct and did not wander from what he had been called. He acknowledged that he was in a difficult moment, but could discern that if he paid attention to the distractions of his present, its future would be affected. Nehemiah, decided he would not flee. He would not let fear dictate his actions, he would not take refuge in a safe place when a great work was in progress. He would not allow fear to mark his destiny and be remembered that way. (v. 13) He also acknowledged he was doing a great work, and could not attend to other things or allow fear to deflect him.

What is distracting you today? Is it the fear of the unknown that dictates how you respond to distractions? Does your financial situation paralyze you and drive you to refuge to “your safe place?” To make decisions based on fear? Or perhaps it is a disease that you’ve been struggling for a while and you want to give up. You question often, what will happen to your children? Scripture tells us that Nehemiah recognized that the distraction was just that, a distraction, and would not allow fear to define him, or arrest him, or controls him.

Today, recognize your way, acknowledge that you are doing a great work with your children, your job, your family, your neighbors and you will not be heeding the distractions. Remember that when you’re in the midst of a great work, the distractions will not cease. But you will not let fear define who you are. You are doing a great work and you can’t stop. Look at the wall and continue to build. Do not be dismayed.

Fear does not define you. Ignore the distractions. Do as the prophet did, more than a question he made a declaration. Being a man or a woman like you, will you flee? Definitely never!

“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, 2008