Just do it!

As she passed me the tea, she said " you know what I realize? I don't need another conference as we sit here at one. " she chuckled and proceeded. " I know what to do, I just need to do it." I wanted to pretend that I didn't hear what she said, but it hit me in the inter most part of my heart.

My friend was right, and we don't need another *conference, another workshop, read another book, read another blog. We know what we need to do the problem is doing it. Now, I am not implying that those things aren't beneficial to our walk. The truth is if nothing else were to exist, the bible is all we need. It is packed with so much application for life and how we should live.

The disciples didn't have conferences, retreats or books on how to follow Jesus. They didn't read blogs on how to cast out demons. They didn't spend to much time planning out their next events. They just went out in prayer and did!

I can read articles and books on how to become a good runner, but if I never strap the shoes on and go out there, I will never know. So often we spend so much time preparing or we don't feel equipped enough that we fail to do anything at all. Experience will always out weigh text book! I never earned my degree in college, I just wasn't the school type. I worked my way up in the company in a position that most need a degree for. I attended leadership classes, trainings on how to be a great manager and how to lead the team. They were great but over the years in my managing I learned more in the every day interactions than in the class rooms. I learned so much by going out there and getting dirty if you will.

There were times that I was afraid of fail, to step out and try something different. This caused me to step out of my comfort zone many of times. Today as a stay at home mom, my days are not comfortable. I am still afraid of failing but I cannot find peace in the regret of not trying. God has called me to be a wife to my husband, a mom to my children and a care taker to my grandma. Is it to much, sometimes? Yes it is. Am I tired most of the time? Yes I am.

But here is the thing. God has called me for a purpose. He has ordained this time in my life and because of that He has equipped me. So instead of me starting in the books, blogs, workshops etc. on how to fulfill my calling, God wants me to step out of the boat and do my calling. We will never fulfill what God has for us if, we spend to much time in the classroom and not in the field. Its plain and simple.

Better yet, imagine yourself as a construction worker. You are out on the field going to build this building. You have a ton of tools to help you build this building that will used for a school. So what do you do? Do you show up sit around and wait for the tools to build this school? No way, you need to get in there pick them up and start the labor. Are there mistakes along the way? Sure, I watch HGTV enough to tell you that there is ALWAYS a problem.. BUT there is always a work around to achieve the end product. Now imagine if you never picked up that tool? Imagine if that school was never built. One of those children could be our future president, one of those children could be the person who discovers a cure for cancer.

If I sacrifice my calling as a mom to my child, because I am afraid of failing, or better yet lazy? Who knows what blessing they will miss out on. Are you being called for something? Perhaps you need to step out of the boat and put your faith into action. Stop reading about how to Fill in the blank and just go out there and do..With prayer of course!

*Disclaimer- I am in no way implying that conferences, retreats, books, blogs are not good or helpful. But if you are not applying what you are learning to your walk and putting your faith into action, then it is a just a waste of time and money..

Walking through the wilderness

Has God ever taken you to a place where you thought to yourself, " Lord I'm not sure why im here, couldn't there have been an easier way?" This could possibly be true, however it is these labor trips that produce faith.

You can be sure that if the Lord takes you through the wilderness, He will also be your tour guide. We see this with Moses when he led the people out of Egypt, God took them the long wilderness way. Bible tells us that God knew going the "shorter" or "easy" way would not fulfill His purpose for these people, sending them back to Egypt immediately.

Now although we walk through the wilderness sometimes, you have to know we are not alone. God is still directing and leading day and night, we see that in Exodus.

"And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people. (Exodus 13:21, 22 NKJV)"

We can learn so much about walking through the wilderness from these people. The problem with these people that left with Moses, was that they never reached the promise land. Why? Because they lacked faith, complained and didn't trust Gods plan.

It's not a matter if you will be taken through the wilderness, but when. Even Jesus went to the wilderness. In the book of John, it tells us that after He was baptized, He went into the wilderness for 40 days to pray and tempted by the enemy.

How will you walk? Will you complain? Or will you pray? I hope you pray. I hope you trust in Gods plan and purpose for a wilderness walk.

God is love

God is love and love is all you need!

Todays blog is simple. We are so good with making things so complicated sometimes.

"And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and Godin him."

1 John 4:16

Let us do everything in God and love!

Friends Guest Blog Week-"Waiting" Brenda

Brenda and I met at work, we went from co-worker to good friends quickly. Today she talks about "waiting". Along side her for the waiting process of a child, I was amazed at her ability to be content, still find joy and never complained about her circumstances. She ministered to me in so many ways and is a blessing in my life!



Monica, left a message on my VM asking to be a guest on her blog and I thought, “Really? Me? I called her back and she gave me more details. She asked me to share on “waiting”. I want to share some times in my life when I waited for a miracle recovery for a friend, my loving husband and my beautiful baby boy.

Have you ever wondered why God doesn’t answer some prayers? I’ll admit it, I have and I have to constantly remind myself that I have to pray that His will be done, and not mine. Whether I was praying for a cure for a sick friend, a husband, or starting a new family; I had to patiently wait on God, I trust that He loves me and wants the best for me.

I was early in my walk with the Lord when I found out my best friend Claudia had cervical cancer. She was scared, but I told her everything will be okay….we’ll get through this together. I prayed that He let her live and help the doctors get his horrible cancer out of her body. I waited to hear the great news that everything was okay and we’d go back to doing girl things, but that day never came. Within months I saw a beautiful, full of life woman deteriorate to skin and bone. I waited, but that prayer was never answered, well at least not in a way that I could understand in this lifetime. Claudia died at the young age of 30. I do have peace in my heart to know that she is in His presence and no longer suffering. Little side note, if you have not had your yearly exam, please do. Claudia’s cancer could have been detected at an earlier stage and maybe still be around if she would have been consistent with her yearly exams.

There was another time in my life when I felt that I had waited for eternity…..meeting my handsome hubby. Coming from a Mexican family that believes that I should have been married with kids by age 25….I had long passed that deadline at 29….I had been through many broken hearts and was tired of trying to make relationships work. Friends were married and having children and I was always the third wheel. I asked, “when is it going to be my turn?” I had accepted the fact that I might be single for the rest of my life (I know what you’re thinking, I’m being dramatic!!) but that’s truly how I felt. Thank goodness for his perfect timing…. three weeks shy of my 30th birthday I said yes to a blind date and hello to my future husband Dan. I look back to my mid twenties and I clearly see how I wasn’t ready to be married to anyone. Thank you Lord for your bigger plan!!



Dan and I were married exactly 3 years later on the day we met. During our dating years we talked about how many kids we wanted, their names, and our desire to one day adopt a baby….you know that fun stuff you talk about when you know its a serious relationship. Little did we know we would be waiting for a while before our little family was formed? In five years we went through failed fertility treatments, an adoption that wasn’t meant to be. There were definitely times when I would break down and ask why do we have to wait? This is when my sister Mon would lend an ear, let me cry and allow me to realize that He only wants the best for his children. On May 18th 2010…my son’s birth mom gave us the greatest gift in the entire world…..our son Tyler. He’s been with us since he was 5 days old and I LOVE hearing the word, “mama”. I have a feeling that there is another little person out there, “waiting” for us to adopt him/her. I’m excited and nervous to start our journey on a second adoption!!

Whether you’re praying for a new house, new job or new life…..Please don’t lose hope, be patient and wait…..or maybe He is waiting for you :)

Friends Guest Blog Week- "Faith" Jackie

Jackie and I met two years ago at my first CCM retreat. I do not only consider her a mentor but a great friend. Her passion to train up the next generation of ladies blesses my heart. I cannot thank her enough for her wisdom, guidance and accountability and time that she has invested in my walk!



If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13

In my walk with the Lord, over the last 20yrs, I have had to experience different situations and obstacles where my faith has been tested and built up. I have learned to surrender my marriage to the Lord and trust that He would build it up. I‘ve taken steps of faith in homeschooling, for the last 14yrs. I have trusted the Lord with daughters, as they themselves have faced some difficulties in their own personal lives. I’ve also witnessed the Lord provide for numerous financial needs. And, I have experienced the Lord heal my body during a near death situation, when I delivered my last daughter.
Today, I can look back on my life and see Gods faithfulness in my life. Its what makes me confident in the Lord when I share about Him or in the times I come in to His presences during prayer. When I read in Genesis, in the beginning God was. I believe, with all my heart, that God is today the same God He was in the beginning. He is the same God who created the heavens and the earth. The God who met with Moses and did miracles before his people. The God who asked Noah to build an ark in the middle of a desert. The God who asked Abraham to leave his home for an unknown land and who gave him a son in his old age. The God who heard the cries of Hannah and blessed her with a son. The God who used a young shepherd boy to kill a giant, win wars, and become a king. The God who called twelve ordinary men to walk along aside His son and later be used to further the gospel.
Early in my walk with the Lord my faith wavered and it was during a women’s bible study we were asked to memorize Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Over and over I would read this scripture and wonder, am I pleasing God? Do I have faith in God like these men and women I read about in Hebrews 11? Over time God began to reveal Himself to me in ways I had never experienced before. He began to remind me of His character and greatness from the beginning of time and His faithfulness to me. As I looked over my lifetime even before I met the Lord, God had his hand upon me. It is because he allows me to experience His presence in my life that I can say my faith daily increases, as I watch life around me. As I watch my husband being used by the Lord. By watching my daughters grow up, serving and learning to depend on the Lord. As I will soon celebrate my youngest daughters 11th birthday, which I will be thanking the Lord for, for allowing me to be alive to witness another year of life for both of us.

Do I have faith as a mustard seed to be able to move mountains? No, but I am learning each day of His faithfulness. God doesn’t ask us to walk by faith because of what He shows us, but to be obedient to what He asks of us. He desires our obedience as we learn daily to trust in Him. Our God is faithful and each day as I seek Him He confirms He is faithful which increases my faith daily. My faith is stronger today because I have learned to obey Him before asking the Lord why or how, trying to figure out my future or controlling it. God has asked me to walk by faith and serve Him with a reverent fear. If I should become weary in my faith I will remember His faithfulness, which will allow me to continue to press on.

Its a marathon not a race part 1

Definitions:

Race- The act of running, contest of speed, A raid or strong current of water flowing through a narrow channel
Marathon- Long distance race, an endurance contest


Today I was doing some research on training for a half marathon and I realized that I am training wrong. You see training for a 5k and training for a marathon is totally different. I have been running like it is a race and after about the fourth mile I start to burn out and my legs start to feel weak!

The way to train for a long run or marathon is to start off slow, maintain a steady pace and occasionally walking if needed. As I ran today differently, I began to see the parallel to the race of faith or our walk with Jesus. Sometimes we forget that we are in a marathon and we run like we are in a race.

As I mentioned above it is suggested in your first marathon that you take little walk breaks, this is help to recover and give you that short rest that you need to continue running. This was surprising to me because I had put the pressure not to walk at all and that is a problem. Sometimes Jesus wants us to slow down or walk if you will, but we have these expectations of what we should or need to do and we run ahead of Him.

I remember my first 5k when the gun went off the adrenaline kicked in and I was gone. I was not maintaining my usual pace and I was hurting by the time I got to mile 2. Thank God I was running with a friend that pushed me because I would have probably stop running. I have seen this happen so many times. Think about a time when you have attended a retreat. you come back on a spiritual high and you come home with 1001 things that you need to do. You have these expectations on what it is like to be Holy and before long you are burnt out! Sometimes its OK to walk, to wait on Jesus remember its not a race it is a marathon.

Running a short race puts a all or nothing mentality. It is go big and go fast or go home! This is dangerous mentality if you are running a long race. Building endurance and keeping a steady pace is crucial to finishing a marathon and I will talk about that tomorrow! Part two to follow!!!

Running to win,
Moni

Soccer with Jesus & Childlike faith

There is something about having an infant and toddler that allows me to understand two things: One the heart of Jesus, and two, childlike faith that the bible talks about.

The heart of a mother or father:

Lets talk about the heart of Jesus. Being a parent brings on a love that no one can explain. It is a love that is deeper and a bond that hits the innermost part of your heart.

The love that I have for my children is a unconditional love that no matter what they do wrong I will never abandon them. I will always believe in them, take care of them and because I love them I have to also discipline them. I hurt when they hurt, I take that back I hurt MORE when they hurt.

I always have their best interest at hand and I am their strongest advocate! I will never lead them down a beaten path and I promise to protect them. BUT I will also let them fall when they need to so, Jesus can pick them up. I will allow them to make tough choices so that they can receive the blessings that God has in store for them. And no matter how hard it will be, I am going to have to let fail so they can learn.

When I examine my heart and love for my kids, I understand God’s heart. Because I am His and He is mine. He loves me more and knows me more because He created me. I cannot even fathom that!

‘For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And [that] my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, [And] skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When [as yet there were] none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!’

Psalm 139:13-17

Childlike faith

You hear the old cliche “ oh to be a baby again to only have to worry about eating, sleeping and pooping.” I thought about that for a second. And truth be told, I doubt that Caleb worries about anything!

He is in total surrender to his mother. He doesn't worry about his next meal, because he knows that I will be nursing him soon. He doesn't worry about a dirty diaper because as soon as I smell it, its gone. He doesn't worry about what he will wear because as long as he is not cold or hot he is happy. He has total trust and faith in me that I am going to take care of him because I love him and show him that. A picture of total trust in the Father.

Noah, my prophet, preacher, worshiper and everything else in between. He plays with Jesus. Yup some have imaginary friends but my son plays with Jesus. The other day I told him stop kicking the soccer ball in the house and he said he was playing soccer with Jesus. He said “ come on Jesus” and ran around the house kicking his ball. A few seconds later I heard “ wow you are really good at this game Jesus.” :) He once told me that Jesus was sleeping in his room and I needed to leave out a blanket. He tells me that he has Jesus in his heart. At night he laughs in his sleep and I know it is Jesus! He sings worship songs at the top of his lungs when we are shopping not caring who is listen and doesn't hesitate to sing about Jesus! His prayers are Innocent and they are from the heart.

I will close with a story of the time we were at Costco. I saw a man who was homeless sitting at a table. I got Noah's had held him tight as we passed by. I looked for the farthest table to sit at. As we ate our pizza, I couldn't help but notice Noah smiling at this man. We asked him what he was smiling about and he leaned over and whispered “ Mommy that is Jesus.” I was so convicted he saw more than a homeless man he saw Jesus.

This is the childlike faith that Jesus talks about! I want to totally trust God like Caleb and play soccer with Jesus! And have the eyes of a child that sees Jesus in everything.

"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."

Matthew 10:15

-Mon

Choose Faith!

For many years I struggled with anxiety and it wasn’t until I hit a wall of depression that I had to make a choice... Faith or Fear? Continue to run or by faith break down that wall! I chose Faith. With Gods help I grabbed that depression and anxiety by the horns and took it down. It was a process and it didn't happen over night.

Like many strongholds it took work, commitment and a whole lot of faith and trust. What is holding you back.. What are the strongholds that are keeping you from living? And I mean really living, not just walking around with a pulse.

Are you ready to to choose faith or are you going to give into your fears? The fear that it could never change. I lived with anxiety for nine years, and there were times when I thought that it could never change. When I allowed myself to think that it could never be different and that I wasn't important enough to. Don’t believe this lie, because it can.

Friends I tell you from experience that it can be different. Life can be better, you can be better. Are you at a wall? Own it, Choose it, Believe it and Do it.... Choose Faith!


“So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done.”

Matthew 21:21

Impossible Past brings A Possible Future

The other day I had a revelation.. The only way this baby is coming out is through labor.. Yeah I know right? I cannot go through labor again! I had a moment of fear, again.. Yup I said again, maybe perhaps I am weak sauce but I am sometimes fearful.. So I prayed and asked the Lord to give me peace that would surpass my understanding....

I had a dream.. Not like Martin Luther King, just a simple dream, cuzz I am not that big time. I was standing in front a few thousand people giving a presentation. I cant remember what I was presenting but I remember I was kinda nervous. When I woke up I prayed like I usually do thanking the Lord for waking me up and He reminded me of a time in my life when I was fearful.

It was early in my career... I was working on a project with a team and we were to give a presentation to the whole LA market at a all employee meeting. It was going to be at the Cerritos performing Arts center. So I showed up to work our table and pass out these cool text messaging cheat sheets. It was well before text messaging blew up.. This was a good 8 years ago... Anyhow, when I got there, they informed me that our presenter did not feel well and was not able to present, as we stood there I all of sudden felt 6 pair of eyes looking at me.. Ok really? I am the rookie here... But they convinced me that since I worked heavily on the project I was the best one to present the 20 page slide. True or not.. I tend to believe not! They just did not want to do it, anyhow I was the sucker!

Ok seriously who wants to hear a presentation about the network and texting capability and our vision for our group when everyone only cared about the raffles and give aways. It was going to be a tough crowd to begin with! I was going in cold, no notes, no slides and the first time seeing them would be when I went on stage. I remember pacing in the back and a Area Manager coming over to me and perhaps I looked pale or maybe my pacing drew her in. She said “lil mon, relax and pray and you will do fine.”

I said a quick two minute prayer and I felt a little better. “How many people you think is out there I asked her? ummm about 2000 and then I felt a rush of anxiety, and I was up... I stepped on stage preparing for the worse and you know what? It really wasn't so bad.. There was so many lights hitting the stage that I couldn't see not one person, all I saw was the light.

It made me realize this... sometimes we are called to something that seems so big and impossible. We build ourselves up worrying for nothing. When it comes down to it, it really isn't that bad and the Lord shows us the light. We think that we are not equipped enough and He puts us in a situation to remind us that He prepared us for such the time. He shows us time and time again that He got us through ( you fill in the blank) and He will be faithful to get us through again....

Hey listen God test Abraham many times to produce faith before He asked him to sacrifice his son. You think that Abraham would have went if he didn't remember what God had did for him before? No way..

Things seem impossible? Then remember your past to be confident about what you can overcome in the future...

Love you guys!
Mon