Every Day is a Gift

Hello everyone,
I pray you are doing well. These last few days have been interesting and have taught me a bunch.   I am like many who believe that each day comes with it's own set of lessons, and mine senses have been opened to take it all in and further appreciate all that this day, my today brings.

Every day 

Is a gift from above. 

Arise, arise I say

From that sweet slumber, 

For the sun has risen.

With outstretched hands 

I greet the day.

With blessings on my lips,

My lids begin to flutter.

The bright light 

Speak to me this hour

as I stretch and sprawl.

Every day

Is a gift from above.

I am reminded of this 

As I toss and turn

Searching through my thoughts

For the dreams I dreamt.

And soon, the comfort of my head rest

Has gone with the dark skies.

Alas a new day has come

Arise, I say arise

and...

Take in this day 

Knowing that the dreams will come

Take in this day

For it will be like no other

Take in this day

Choosing to walk in love

Take in this day 

With a smile in your heart and on your face

For every day 

Is a gift from above.

be blessed my friends, 

Minda!

A Walk in the Park on a Rainy day

Hi Friends,

Ever have one of those days where you just feel deep down inside like you have to get away from it all?  

Not that anything is wrong and you are fleeing from an issue or that you have ants in your pants, or una patita caliente as my mom would say... You just have to get away, separate yourself from it all, because even if you are at home alone, you feel the need to go somewhere and spend time in solitude... Just you and God. 

I felt that way today, I went to run some errands and felt an urgency to get them done and as I hit the road my eyes began looking for a park.  I thought, but it's kinda rainy, my hair is gonna get puffy and I'm a bit clumsy what if I trip and fall or what if there is a puddle?  But the desire to be alone with God and Walk with Him overwhelmed any and all questions. So on I went driving. 

I found a nice quiet park, open green and a lil path that I had overlooked until I saw an older woman pop out from behind the shrubbery with her dog.  I took my purse and keys and trekked on over and while my walk through that park did not take too long, my heart was content. I was walking with my Lord, sharing with Him my thoughts and desires and giving Him my heart.  

Beyond speaking to me through thoughts, I heard Him in the calm breeze and gentle song of the crickets.  He shared His love with me, and allowed me experience His sweet aroma through the fragrance of the berries and flowers that grew throughout the paths. It was not at all overwhelming, but one that delighted my senses and had me walking on what felt like clouds, elevated to a place where He, the God Almighty enveloped me with His love.  

Be blessed,
MelindaMinda

Remember His Faithfulness

Hello Everyone!
I hope you are having a great day!  I was pondering earlier on our, ok my gratefulness to the Lord.  Growing up I recall hearing the Biblical accounts of the Israelites and how they would see the great and mighty hand of the Lord and then fall back and turn their backs once things got tough, and how we were almost trained to think of how foolish they were, for not recognizing that God would see them through.  In thinking about that.. I was wondering how different are we? We get a great word from the Lord and are hyped, but when things do not happen the way or in the time that we want it, we oft begin to pout and do things our own way... to find out that if we would have just waited a bit longer.

I will like to challenge you to think upon all the blessings that you have, and the very many things that the Lord has done for you.  Begin to list them.. from this new day, to the air I have to breathe to the ability to breathe to clothes I wear to those loved ones around me. The list is indeed endless. In times of strife and struggle we forget to focus on those things, or sometimes what I have found is that through the tear filled eyes, I have much difficulty in looking to those things ahead, for greater things are yet to come and the glory that is to come far surpasses the troubles we currently are enduring.

Know that God is Faithful, He cannot fail.  While we may not understand His timing, no that he does not tarry, and His clock is not set to slow or fast, but is set just right.  We may not understand what's the best or most right response but He does, and His faithfulness is grand!  I speak to myself and to all of you out there, who are holding on to hope and keeping the faith! Remember His Faithfulness and that He does not change! He is once and for all times faithful.

Be blessed
Minda
PS.. point to ponder on: Problems are just an opportunity for God's solutions.

Hello again my Fellow Crime Fighting aficionados

Hola Amigos!

It has been a long while since we last conversed. I have been off fighting crime and uncovering all sorts of mischief and all too preoccupied to sit down and share with you my fellow crime fighters, or perhaps your just an avoider.... sorry in a silly mood, I was not watching Dick Tracy, Poirot, Matlock, or Chuck Norris -anything... I promise.. not today at least, though last night I did watch Dark Knight again (love that movie).

Ah, the fight of Good vs. Evil. Classic and timeless tale! I love how the Dark night exposes the truth of what the enemy tries to do, he is not after money, or even the lusts of this life as we oft see and picture them. And he sure enough knows that he cannot bring down the Big Guy Himself, but in longing to cause pain to God, he seeks out to kill, steal and destroy all those whom God loves... You and Me. 

Though this is the case, and the enemy is a crafty one, we mustn't forget who we have on our side. For the Lord knows the schemes of the enemy and knows when he plans on doing an attack, we simply need to be alert to hear, see, and feel the signs as they are exposed by the Light.  Be prepared, and if you aren't when it comes, get prepared and armed, with the tools at hand.  I.e. the Word, Prayer, Godly friends & encouragement, praises and worship

Know that the enemy will use any and all methods to distract you just enough to neutralize you, especially if he realizes that he cannot fully take you out of the faith, he can have you stagnant and ineffective for kingdom building and deeper God-loving.

As of late I have been noticing all the more the workings of the enemy and seeing how strongly he has been attacking and so I am determinedly joining the ranks of my brothers and sisters before me and during this time, to lift up the Body of Christ in prayer as we face these many great challenges and opportunities to expand the Kingdom of God and Believe for New Victories.  Will you join me as we fight the Good Fight!?

Until later be blessed & Live love, 

Melinda

Through the eyes of a Child!

It is resurrection Sunday, The day we commemorate not only the Passion of the Christ, but the Hope we have in His Resurrection from amongst the dead. This has long been a favorite Holy-day of mine, not just because on occasion it has landed on my birthday (4/11), but because it was during this time, when I was all but 11 years old, that I came to have the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.


Whilst, I grew up in the church, and heard the stories of Jesus and the prophets of old all my life, it was during a practice for the Easter Play, while seeing the kids act out the scenes, and learning the words to the Via Dolorosa, that it all made sense and hit me like a ton of bricks. I cried, and asked Jesus to live in my heart.

I was reminded of this when this past Good Friday I observed Brian watched the Easter Play. Brian, is all but three (3) years old, and is at that oh so curious age, he has questions about everything, this time was no different. During the play, he sat on Priscy's lap and paid attention ever so closely too all that was being portrayed as he listened to his Titi Priscy, explain to him what was occuring. He wanted to know why the soldiers came for Jesus, why did they beat Him, and why no one stopped them? His eyes widened as the soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross, and mocked Him. I wondered, is this too much for him? Does he or can he even understand all of this?

We could not turn his eyes from the scenes. He stared intently even when he gasped and covered his mouth in disbelief that the very Jesus that, he, Brian, had heard of in all of his 3 years of existence, the one that right before his eyes on stage grew from a baby to a man, died on the cross at Calvary. With tears at the brink of flowing forth, Brian received a warm embrace from Titi Priscy who told him lovingly, "Jesus died so we could live." At that moment he looked at Carmen, and with his eyes still teary, wanting to know if what his titi said was true asked her "Why did He die, Mami, why?" and she took hold of him, and explained in words that a child would understand and receive, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for the ungodly! He died for you and me and alas, do not fret, for in a few short days, Jesus Christ would Resurrect! And at ease Brian was indeed.

See, it is through that resurrection power, that we are given hope of a life eternal with Him! I am grateful to know my Jesus! Yes, He is MY Jesus! I take hold of all that He is to me, my Prince of Peace, my Strength and Refuge, My Joy and the very Lover of my Soul. I rejoice in knowing that He cares for me, and thinks of me, and loves me unlike any other ever has or will. At times, more often than not, we must be reminded of the simplicity of the Gospel and be re-introduced to it as a child, as Brian was just a few days ago. So that we too, in wonderment maybe taken aback, to then be made anew!

Happy Resurrection Sunday! May you take a moment today or even throughout this week, and see the Lord's sacrifice and offering of hope, through the eyes of a child!

Be Blessed,
Minda