SUGAR 3 - MINDA ??

It's been about two weeks since we closed out our fast, and 3 weeks since my ever increasing cravings began.  At the end of our fast, it went pretty well, it took me a while, ok like a day, to incorporate meats and sweets back into my diet.  That next day, after my dinner I was doing alright, but like 10 minutes later, I got this hankering, a longing, a deep desire for something oh so yummy... I began looking through the cupboards, and the fridge, then I opened the freezer, and as I moved things around, I found a box of Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake bars.

Just looking at the box took me back to days gone past when as a young girl I would get so excited that Mom picked some up for us or if on a Sunday, she or Dad would give us the special treat of letting us get one of them or an Orange Creamsicle from the corner store next to our church after services, to enjoy on the ride home.  Flooded with fond memories I go and reach for the box, and begin to wonder, when did these get here, I know I didn't buy them, did Priscy?... hmm no matter, I have my Shortcake bar and I am going to enjoy it!  So I opened it up and began to eat, and this my dear friends was just further proof that I am indeed addicted to sugar, God help me.  The ice cream bar was a bit well overly-frozen... it had that kind of aroma that one knows.. this is not the freshest of bars. I suppose that unlike a Twinkie with the shelf life of like 100 years, Shortcake bars, are much shorter than that.  However, my desire for sugar and all things sweet, overcame my doubts of the bar's freshness.

I took a big bite of the bar and as I suspected, it WAS overly-frozen and didn't taste as delectable as I had imagined or remembered. I took a step back and held onto the bar and looked at it and thought, "How could it be?? You look so good, remind me once more of your deliciousness" So I took another bite, still not the flavor I was going for, maybe the third bite has it.. nope not there either.   My fellow sugar addicts, it was just like that, that I succumbed to sugar, and lost the battle, with what was a somewhat stale or frostbitten strawberry shortcake bar.  I convinced myself that in eating that little bit that was left, I was not being wasteful, do not believe the hype! It was not good, and at the end did not satisfy and so off I went and ate a handful of Oreos, Dutch Sugar cookies with a nice glass of MILK... Do not let this happen to you my friends, learn from one who is slowly but surely overcoming the horrid grip that Sugar has.

 So my fellow recovering sugar addicts, while these past few weeks have been a challenge and as this commentary on just 1 day after my fast shows you anything is that, yes if I have a reason or a purpose to say NO, I will, I can and I have. However, it I have seen that for some reason, if I am not intentional, I will and I have succumbed to the savory goodness of all things sweet. Be it the shortcake bar that Sunday or the triple servings of cake tastings at the fellowship dinner this past Sunday, or even the fact that I had a Raspberry Creamy Cheese cake goodness type of dessert for lunch on Monday, when I was trying to see if I could reserve my dessert eating to just the weekends and holidays... UGH..

Tell me how your journey to Freedom is going... remember that maybe you as I have had a set back, or two or three.. we are called to be free!
And though I lost this one, or two battles the war is not over, and I know that in the end VICTORY shall indeed be MINE!

Sugar Addicts Unite!

Hello I'm Minda, and I'm Addicted to SUGAR!
I know that they say that most Americans are, but I have confirmed it and if I was a doctor or a nutritionist, I would certify it... and in my medical folder it would read: Minda is an Addict!
The Good Book says to not tell one hand of the other hand's doing, but I feel that this has been a growing time for me, as a fast should be. I have been fasting now for 3 weeks eating fruits and veggies and whole grains, I have gotten fairly used to the diet, and one's creativity really begins to flow after the first week, for the sake of not being bored with simply mashed potatoes every night. Or is that the point.. since you don't think of your meals.. you can concentrate on God, yeah.. He is still working on me! Progress is being made HALLELUYAH!!  

This time has been one of great reflection and I have seen the Lord move in great and mighty ways, and even in clarity and boldness in Him. It has been awesome!  However, considering the fact that I have not really had any processed sugars for the last three weeks, I have found myself these last few days eyeing every form of processed sugar you can imagine....ahhh JELLY! ohhh POP TARTS!!! Give me those BROWNIES! And right now I will be honest, I desire some Cake A la MODE!
I shall refrain from such things, until I am finished with my commitment unto the Lord, but it made me realize how addicted I am.  I mean, my naturalist told me I was, but I will be honest, I thought, she must tell that to everyone.  I humored her however and purchased these Sugar Control pills, that suppress your desire for sweets, those suckers really do work, I did not even think of sweets!

However I have not taken any of the pills during my fast, because isn't fasting about you using your own will power to have your spirit discipline your body?  So it is that as I am not taking them.. I realize I AM ADDICTED! and so I come to this place of a new epiphany... wherein recognizing that I have a serious addiction is the first step to being liberated, I ask you to join me as I ask for DELIVERANCE!!   Yes, I will always know that sweets are delectable, and that chocolate is good whether it melts in your mouth or in your hand, and if you have a Kit Kat or a Twix, while they are designed for sharing, not doing so is always appealing.   But I also recognize that too much of a sugary thing can cause health problems and we are to be good stewards over these earthly vessels we have been given... and while I long to see my Saviour, I also know that there is a great deal of work that He would have me do here on earth.

For we can have a taste, and not need  more. That soda, malta, kool-aid, sunny d, tang, or fanta be an occasional drink and not the norm. I know that we can have our fruit in forms other than pie, cookies or shakes!!!  I know we can do this!  So, will any fellow Sugar Addicts Unite, as we defeat a common foe.. that seems oh so friendly, but in so many ways tries and has controlled our lives!

Join me as Sugar Addicts Unite 

to be weaned from Sugar.  

His Love Perfected in us

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 

¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

JOHN 3:16-17

Earlier today I was reading the above passage, and taking time to reflect and dig deep as I read it. I paused for a moment as I read verse 16, John 3:16, such a well known verse, by both the believer and non-believer alike. As I read it, my eyes drew near to the words 'so loved', "For God SO LOVED the world..."  and I began to wonder, How exactly is the love that the Father has towards and for us?

A prayer almost spontaneously began, for the Father to allow me to know all the more His love. 

This took me to other parts of the Word and I began to Read 1 John 3 & 4.  I have read these verses time after time, but today I read them with new eyes... and while it was known information, it spoke to me in a clearer way.

In chapter 3 we see that Christ laid his life down for us, for his great love for us... and so in turn he calls us to love one another, and it is this love that has us pass from death to LIFE.  Thus, without Love we remain in death.  LOVE is Active and produces LIFE!

Therefore LOVE is a Verb, so we are to love with actions & in Truth!

When we move on to chapter 4, we see that This very Love comes from God, and if one knows Love, then we know God, for God is LOVE.  

God=Love!

And he sent His son as a sign of that Love.  And because God loves us, we ought to love one another... what an inference!  It is by us walking out and exhibiting this Love for one another that we can see that God LIVES IN US and His love is made complete, or perfected within us.

But God is perfect & complete, as is His love, so then, how can it be MADE COMPLETE or PERFECT? perchance it means that because within us, imperfect us, we hold back or rather not give room for His love to fully exhibit itself, BUT GOD still loves us, imperfect us, quite perfectly, and it just shows all the more how perfect is His love!

And the Word goes on to say that we know & rely [depend] on the love God has for us, WHY? 

Because God is love, who ever lives in Love, lives in God & God in Him,

and it is in this way that HIS love is COMPLETED in us! 

And then I read on to verse 18, this was like AHHH, that had me going leaps and bounds... 

1 John 4:18

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

Which took me to 

*2 Timothy 1: 7

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid [spirit of fear], 

but gives us power, love and self-discipline"

*Romans 8:15

"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; 

rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. 

And by him we cry, “Abba,Father.” "

for the Lord is Love and has given us LOVE... and not fear, therefore fear not!! he has given us LOVE, POWER & SELF DISCIPLINE. What a package, comes with His love, so much so, that He calls us His Children, upon the receipt of His love!  How amazing is His love! Let us bask in it for a moment....

ah...

As I read 1 John 4:18 again we see that the Word says, Fear has to do with Punishment, however this takes us back to John 3:17 we see that:

 "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, 

but to save the world through him."

So this fear that we are speaking of here, could not come from the Lord...this was speaking to my heart so loudly and clearly... Sin = Death, this is the punishment for our sin, But we are redeemed by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, for he took upon Him our sins, every single one, and the punishment of our sins that is, DEATH, when He, Christ died on the Cross. So upon receiving Christ I am set free from the slavery of sin and therefore slavery of fear of the punishment to come, but in turn, I have been given the Spirit of LOVE! Love = Life

If you live in fear, in whatever form it takes, from a lil here or a lil there, or heck a lot a bit in other areas... we know by the Word, that God's who is LOVE, shared with us His LOVE, which Pushes away, out of our minds, hearts and very lives, any and all fear.

let His love be perfected in you... let his love grow, and push out all fear.. so that His love may be perfected in you!

Help me expound on this.. what are your thoughts

Be Blessed, 

Minda

Je suis americaine

Et Vous?

That is the length of Priscy's French. Sorry girl, had to put it out there. She makes me laugh so hard because she says it in her best Julia Childs impersonation, and sounds a little like Robbin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire.  (both of which are not French either) Laugh, it is quite funny.

To her defense she only picked up a little bit of it, in my attempts to learn a new language, so I would play Learn Basic French tapes at night, and I guess, that phrase went on repeat in her head.  So now and forever more she will be able to tell our brethren in France that she is American! Which is a good thing that she knows at least a little something as she has a desire to go to France and learn some of their cooking and baking techniques first hand.  Oh to be able to taste fresh baked made from scratch still warm croissants... ahhhh but you have to make sure you say it with just the right amount of saliva in your mouth and the depth or raspiness in the back of your throat. CROISSANT go ahead try it.. it's always as if there is a W adjacent to that R in the word, croissant... YUM DELICIOSO

Ok this is not good.. it is 12pm and I am now thinking about breakfast again, and I just ate! But wait... I don't have any CROISSANTS.  oh NO!!!  I only have some oatmeal. Alas my breakfast will have to be that of but one of an Oatmeal Smoothie. That doesn't sound as YUMMY as CROISSANTS... hmmm

All in due time, all in due time.

As you can guess one of mine and Priscy's, do you have any favorite words or phrases from other languages (clean ones por favor)??

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

A Fast that at times seems to go Slow

Hello Everyone! 
On Sunday, May 3rd our church started at 21 day fast, we all got to choose the type of fast, as long as it was for the 21 days, some decided to fast from 6-3pm others 6-6pm a few decided to cut out sweets and even TV, it's similar to a Lenten period, where you are sacrificing something, for a spiritual purpose.   We know that the Word says that we should grow accustomed to fasting and praying, and fasting is called a private discipline that can bring about public rewards.  If you read the Bible, you would see that most of the major characters fasted.  


For the past few weeks I have been excitedly awaiting this fast.  I will admit, that along with the sensation that a great breakthrough was oncoming, I was also thinking, a Daniel Fast..."I GOT THIS!" (yes, a la George Lopez).  For those of you who are unaware a Daniel fast is one where you don't eat, meat, sweets, breads/pasta & dairy. So while you can eat, you are limited to primarily Fruit and Veggies, think organic Vegan. 


So, it has been that for the past 3 days of the fast, the Lord has been using this time to well.. strip me of my pride, and today show me that I, yes I need to De-Throne King Stomach!  You see, along with my "I GOT THIS!" attitude, I am also a grazer... yes I eat all day. I LOVE TO EAT. HUNGRY and I are not bedfellows, close kin, nor should we live in the same zip code. If I have ever given you a ride, you will see a pink basket in my back seat with an assortment of snacks, that I am usually willing to share!


Today i will admit I had to look up the word Fast, because it was painfully clear that today was day 3 of 21. THREE....TWENTY-ONE... THRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. And the Fast, as much as I tried to stay chipper and keep my eye on the prize it was difficult around dinner time. Why today? Why so soon? Well, you see today we (the Sanchez fam that is), knocked down one of the kitchen walls along with removing most of the appliances, namely the oven and the stove.  Normally I would have no problem with take out for a few days, but not today, when I am limited and after my 2nd oatmeal smoothie.  


So off we went to Wendy's where I got myself a Baked Potatoe and a Side Garden Salad YUM! plus a few things for the other folks at home. Just to realize when I get home that they did not give me MY salad. Papi & Mami had their Caesar Salads, but my Garden Salad, was NOT there, I repeat NOT THERE! Can I be honest with you? I think I will, (well I'm fasting aren't I, I think it's the only becoming thing to do), I almost cried I think I felt a tear formulating.


Foolishness right!??! I KNOW! Well it was not that I thought I was going to starve or that I could not figure something out at home, in our half kitchen with no appliances and a broken wall, but I really felt like saying OH YOU STINKY FILTHY DEVIL!!!! and shed a lil tear.. 'cause I was really wanting that salad. No I did not cry, nor did the tear shed, I, just after a few minutes, drove right back to the Wendy's and told them of the lil mistake, and the attendant after looking at me as if I was LYING or TRULY MISTAKEN (reprende al diablo), gave me MY salad. ALLELUYAH!


The whole experience made me realize how much food dominates me, be de-throned king stomach, de-throned I say!  Yes, I know we need food to survive, but I know I need God all the more. And it made me think...do we get anxious and quickly saddened when we don't get our serving of Jesus throughout the day? Do we long for the day to be alone with Him as some long for Chocolate or Ice Cream, or even a big o' bowl of Pasta, a slice of pizza or a chuleta frita? 


Earlier today the Fast went quite Slow, and now I would like to stay at this pace, so that I may be able to enjoy every moment of it to the fullest, even the ones that present themselves to be challenging, as it is through struggle that we see progress...growth, and I am awaiting, excitedly so, my breakthrough! So king stomach move aside, Day 4, in Jesus' name I will victoriously reach my 21 days, Kitchen or no Kitchen! Fast or Slow.. I do know the difference! 


Be Blessed, 
Minda
"If there is no struggle, there is no progress." ~ Frederick Douglass




PS
Below is the Etymology of the verb Fast, if you are interested:

fast (v.) 

O.E. fæstan "to fast" (as a religious duty), from P.Gmc. *fastejan (cf. O.Fris. festia, O.H.G. fasten, O.N. fasta), from the same root as fast (adj.). The original meaning was "hold firmly," and the sense evolution is via "firm control of oneself," to "holding to observance" (cf. Goth. fastan "to keep, observe," also "to fast"). Presumably the whole group is a Gmc. translation of M.L. observare "to fast." Related: Fasted; fasting

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