Happy Birthday

Today I am honoring a very special young man who has wisdom beyond his age. A man who walks in dignity, strength, courage and grace. He stands confidently in front of hundreds to lead them in worship as though he is standing there alone before God. Then the next day sit and chat with a troubled 4th grader who is expelled from school, he doesn’t ask him what he did wrong, he doesn’t tell him what he should do, no he asks him who his favorite super hero is and then shows up the next morning with that action figure gift wrapped and gives it to him. When he was 12 he saw an old man in a wheelchair moving slowly towards an uphill road and without thinking twice gets behind him and pushes him up that long road. When he reaches the top and the old man thanks him, he continues to push him to his destination. Where most kids would have laughed or just kept going, he takes matters into his own hands and does something about it. I have witnessed this young man’s generosity for the past 20 years, and to this day he never ceases to amaze me. If I had to list every cool thing about him I would be here all week.  Not once in this young man’s life has he ever given me heartache or disappointment. I know he isn’t perfect, because no one but God is perfect, but he has been perfect for me, his Mom. So, today I want to say Happy Birthday to this great guy, my young prince, my beautiful young man. God gave me more than I could ever ask or imagine in you. I’m proud of you son. Nothing is impossible for you my dear! I love you my son!

Because of you…

Today I have been blessed with beautiful gifts and have heard beautiful words and wishes. I never thought that on Mothers Day I would hear from so many children calling me Mom. But what a blessing to hear all the love and appreciation coming my way. I am so thankful to all of you who have allowed me to be a part of your lives. In this overwhelming feeling of gratitude I cannot  accept it without sharing this with my family. Because of their patience and love for people, and willingness to share their lives with all of you, I would like to thank them for accepting and embracing this vision that God has given to me and for releasing me to walk in it.

I need to thank the man in my life, my husband who is with me every step of the way. Who continues to encourage me and support me. Thanks Babe for your inspiration and love. Te amo siempre..

Thank you my children for being so awesome and for making motherhood such a blessing to me.

Mother’s Day

The word Mother isn’t just a name but an act. Some of us had little training, some learned from the best of Moms, and some of us just learn as we go. Either way Motherhood is a walk, a very selfless walk. Being a mother is more than the title, it’s more than setting rules and enforcing them, it’s more than cooking, cleaning and doing laundry. It’s a presence of unconditional love, acceptance, and encouragement. An influence to learn, to grow and to win! It’s a feeling of warmth, comfort and of safety. It takes skill, patience, gentleness and love, lots and lots of love…  Sometimes we shine and other times we fall, but live and learn I always say, just keep walking my dear Moms, keep walking I love you all Happy Mother’s Day!

 

arrest those thoughts…

Proverbs 4;23 tells us; Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. This proverb can be applied to any one of our struggles in life. They say “You can take the person out of poverty but you can’t take the poverty out of the person”.  This is what I have learned regarding poverty, “If you take the poverty mentality out of the person, then you have taken them out of poverty and their life will soon show it”.

Guard your heart..

If a man offered you $200 to purchase a very valuable necklace that you already marked down to $400, hike the price to its value of $800. If the man insists you sell it for cheaper, stick to your price, don’t lower your price for fear you may not have another offer.  In the end if he truly wants it because he recognizes the value and beauty of it, he will pay $800. Trust me, when he takes that necklace home, he will treat it like an $800 piece of jewelry because he paid a high price for it, and will take very good care of it. Had he have purchased it for the $200, he would have treated it as jewelry that it was, low in price and low in value.

Relationships are the same, in the kind of treatment we receive from people is related to how we sell ourselves. If we sell ourselves cheaply, people will treat us cheaply. We are the ones who decide if we will have a sense of personal self- worth that no one can bargain with.

Ladies, if you claim with your mouth that you belong to Jesus, THE King of Kings, then have it written on your hearts, to be proven with your actions.

Gentlemen, same goes for you, if that woman’s lips claim she belongs to the King, and turns her back on Him, and throws herself at you? Then, who would she be willing to throw herself at, when she belongs to you, you better run son…..

Where do you stand?

Joshua 1;3 tells me, every place that the sole of my foot treads upon, belongs to me. So, where I stand, I own, I will not be intimidated or afraid. Where ever I am, whatever I am facing, I will not be moved, I will not be defeated. Because, I own this place, this place in which I stand! OWN YOUR GROUND, DOMINATE YOUR WORLD!

Can you handle the truth?

Constructive criticism, is something we all need. But the question is, can we handle the truth? Every mature Parent/Manager/Leader should ask for it from their children/employees/disciples.  A confident leader who is certain that he is putting his whole heart into the mission, will want to know how they are doing. A self-centered, insecure Leader/Manager/Parent, wont want to know. In fact they may not even finish reading this post. This could be the root of the problem, of decrease in enthusiasm, lack of cooperation and low performance. If you want to be your best, ask for the constructive criticism. Ask them; “How do I hinder you?” “How can I be a better leader to you?” “What do you need from me to help you succeed?” If you ask these questions, be prepared, you may not be doing as great a job leading as you thought you were. The good news is, now that you have outwardly expressed concern for them ,you are on the right track, and  they are already gaining enthusiasm. Just knowing and feeling that they matter, will cause the performance level to increase! Health and happy Children/Employees/Disciples will do their best, and in the end we all win!

What are you multiplying?

If you teach on patience and love, but behave with harsh abrasiveness and anger. Guess which will impact your kids the most? That’s right, your behavior! So, your children will talk like you and model your behavior. You don’t multiply what you say, you multiply what you ARE.

you choose…

When you get to a crossroad of emotions and you are not sure how to react to a painful situation. Make a choice to give the other person the benefit of the doubt, believe the best in them, and recognize who they are in your life and how much you love them. Then respond, with an open mind to hear what they have to say. Many people feel that when they face a possible offense or betrayal, that they have no choice but to assume the worst and then go off. But at some point you do have a choice, if you can choose to counter attack, then you can choose to call the brother up and respond in a respectful manner. Just because the other person has lowered themselves from living a respectful life, doesn’t mean you are required to follow. Be your own person, don’t be controlled and ruled by your emotions. Think first and come up with ways where you come out winning and still be an example to the other person.

What do you think?

Your life will always go in the direction of your most dominant thought. You cannot harbor negative thoughts and live a positive life!  Pastor Sergio