One Day at a Time!

Greetings everyone!
Hope you had a delightful New Year! I feel that New Year's truly is a time of new beginnings. A time to reflect and evaluate the year past and look forward to what will come.  This year's coming, came with much excitement and anticipation. It was almost as if a part of me was expecting that at the stroke of midnight something major would occur and that at the sound of the 1st  fireworks would mark a burst, a shake or an outpouring from the Lord to prepare me for what's to come.  I believe that it did happen, though my New Year's events were quite nice, they were now particularly eventful. It was a peaceful time, praise the Lord.

The New Year also marks the start of 21 day fast for many congregations and believers, our church started this past Sunday, January the 6th on 3 Kings Day or Epiphany. It is a day when we celebrate! It marks the day when the wise men, who followed the star knowing it meant the birth of a king, the King of kings, Jesus! We too follow the light, and on this 21 day journey, we seek to draw closer to the light!  I will let you know that fasting for 21 days, regardless of the type of fast, is a challenge, especially as king-stomach grumbles and taste buds cry out for (insert favorite food here). As this happens I remind myself that I do this because the only King over my life is Christ.

A few years ago I went on an extended liquids fast, and after I started I thought I was not going to be able to do it. How can I go on, on just broths, diluted juices... I like cakes and steak!  What the Lord taught me during that time, among other things, was to take one day at a time.

 One day at a time sweet Jesus!

I arose singing one morning and it stuck with me, and I was able to persevere.  While I am not doing such a strict fast, it it still a challenge. and at times I look at the calendar and see the 3 weeks, or 21 days, the 504 hours that I am faced with. I then remind myself, I am asleep for about 1/3 of that, which brings me to 312 hours. And today I was reminded that I am on day 3, I have today to think about, the day, the moment that I am promised with, the now! So I live and fast one day at a time, not focusing on what I am or am not eating. I focus on the fact that I have been given this day, this moment, the now to draw near unto him, who came and drew near to me.

 

May you hae a blessed and favored day!

Minda

Be Glad

Hello Everyone!
Today, on my way home, I was waiting for the light, when I see that there is a huge mack truck making a tight turn in my direction, which became increasingly difficult due to the road work. There I was praying, as I see this HUGE truck coming at me, that the guy knew what he was doing as there was no place for me to go with a line of cars behind me.  At that very instance I began to sing.  Crazy right! But, in doing so, it put me at ease and I was able to keep going on my way, nerves in place.  What was I singing? My Morning Song.  You see,  I developed a little habit a few years ago and would write down in my journal a lil bit of my Morning Songs, it came about as I would arise most mornings with a song in my head.  These songs, have become my day's song, sort of like theme or background music for that day's episode of Minda Live! 

For the last few days I have been awakening to the song "You've made me glad" by Israel Houghton.  Even if I would go for a nap, like I did earlier today, arise I would with that lovely beat. No matter what had happened during the day, what struggles or thoughts tried to infiltrate, I would awaken singing "I will rejoice 'cause You've made me glad!" Just in singing these words, almost involuntarily, did indeed make me smile and put a lil pep in my step.  I found myself humming the song throughout the day, even while doing some monotonous tasks.  I noticed how much happier I had been these last few days as I've been singing of the joy of the Lord!  This reminded me of the passages in scripture when it says "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!...Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." (Philippians 4:4, 8)  It's amazing how powerful staying focused on the Lord is, it can take work but you can indeed think on such things. You can focus on His goodness and truth!

When we pray, seek the Lord and think on His goodness we are being elevated to greater heights and are reminded that no weapon formed against us shall prosper.  Not even a huge mack truck, which at this height, looks more like a Tonka toy.  Perspective is amazing, see, we have been raised up and made to sit in heavenly places with Christ Jesus our Lord, far above all principalities, power and might and dominion and every name that is named.  We are far above, FAR above all of these things, we have been given supernatural strength, vision, and a renewed mind.  If we set our eyes on things above, and would just realize that He has given us a JOY that is eternal, a LOVE that is everlasting, and a POWER that is all-mighty, how differently we would walk and go about our days.  We need to remember and celebrate with full joy and excitement that sweet, sweet salvation that we have in Christ Jesus.  We have the very God of heaven with us, we have His Holy Spirit living within us! He lives inside of us, from that very day when we said YES! Yes, Jesus I believe in You and I want You to be the Lord of my Life!  That gives us much to be excited about!  

So whether it is strife or monotony or a big ol' truck that is trying to get in your way of joy and happiness, I encourage you to do as the Word says, to think on those things which are praiseworthy & noble, focus and set your eyes on things above, to rejoice in the Lord and be GLAD!

be blessed,
Minda

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