Back to School… Back to Normal?

It’s time for children to go back to school… Does that mean back to normal? Not necessarily. Life as we knew it is no longer the reality. Summer of 2021 represents probably one of the most special summers we’ve had in a long time. Why? Because after surviving the global Pandemic, riots across America, and massive world uncertainty, we realized how important it is to be with our family. Back to the basics—the family unit!

Now that most workers across the globe had a taste of working from home, many workers do not want to go back to the office. The main reason found from surveys is the flexibility and the time gained from not traveling back and forth to the office. For many people, their priorities changed. Instead of focusing solely on their careers, some workers—especially parents of young children—shifted their priority to raising their children. In fact, home schooling increased significantly in America after the Pandemic. The National Home Education Research Institute shows an increase from 2.5 million children home schooled in Spring 2019 to 4.5 to 5 million children home schooled in Spring of 2021. According to their research, “The homeschool population had been growing at an estimated 2% to 8% per annum over the past several years, but it grew drastically from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021.”

Most importantly, after seeing the number of people who died due to the pandemic, many of us also realized that our days on earth are counted. We simply do not know how many more days we have to live. Therefore, we must live our lives as if today was our last day on this planet.

So what do you do when you know your days are numbered? You make each day count! Instead of focusing on all the negative reasons of why we’re not going back to “normal,” let’s focus on what to do to make our days count going forward:

Tell the people you love that you love them! Even if we think they already know. Why do we think that it’s awkward to tell them? Human beings need to hear and be reminded that they are loved. The words “I love you” are powerful and they penetrate the heart. They bring hope.

Spend quality time with those you love. Time is our most valuable possession, and nothing tells another person that you care than spending quality time with them. Set aside time with those you love.

Serve others. Again, when we spend our time serving others in whatever capacity you are able to do based on your talents and skills, we are telling others that they matter to us.

Spend time with God, your Father. Being a Christian is not a religion. It’s having a relationship with God, the Father, Jesus, God’s Son, and the Holy Spirit—the revealer God gave us to communicate with Him. Don’t be afraid to pursue a love relationship with your creator. He is right there waiting for you to reach out so He can pour out His love on you and bring you blessings.

As summer comes to an end and we enter the new season, I encourage you to be aware of your days and make the best of each one.

Honoring Our Dads

This month I want to honor our dads since we celebrate Father’s Day in June. Summer is upon us and it’s a time to get together with family. This year will be a special year to gather since many people haven’t met with family in over a year due to the Pandemic. To honor dads, I thought it would be a great idea to send you off on a mission so you can answer this question: What do you know about your grandfather, great grandfather, or your great-great grandfather? I only know a little bit about my grandfathers and nothing about the previous generations. In the next few weeks, I encourage you to learn something about all of them. You will be amazed at what you will find out.

When I started writing my first book fifteen years ago and told my dad about it, he told me for the first time that my grandpa was also an author and that he had published about fifteen books in Nicaragua! I never knew that until then. And just a few weeks ago I found out that my mother’s ancestors (both paternal and maternal) went to Nicaragua from Andalucia, Spain. I didn’t know that either.

I never had grandfathers because my mom’s dad passed away when she was born so my mom never had a dad. My father’s dad passed away when I was born so I never met him either. Now that my husband is a grandfather, I see how much I missed as a child from never having grandfathers in my life. But I’m glad I’ve had my dad.

If your dad is no longer with you, I encourage you to honor his memory and do something this month that he would have enjoyed doing with you. If you still have your dad, reach out and spend quality time with him this month. If your dad lives far away and it’s not possible to see each other in person, then maybe you can meet virtually as we have been doing. The point is to reach out intentionally and to appreciate your dad.

My dad is now 94 and he lives in Nicaragua with my mom, so I don’t see him often, but we talk almost every day and right now I’m helping him publish his first book! It is a collection of paintings, some of which he’s painted in the last year, and thoughts that he likes from various authors. My dad is a composer and an attorney, and he has been successful at both the artistic side as well as in his profession. He just recently took on painting! I am proud of my dad!

Lastly, if you’ve never had a father or if your dad has been absent in your life, you have your heavenly Father who will always love you and be there for you…He is the “Father to the fatherless…” (Psalm 68:5).

To all of you who are fathers, thank you for all your hard work. Thank you for loving your family and for working hard to get ahead so your children can have bigger opportunities and a better future.

Happy Father’s Day!

Easter Message

Each year during Easter weekend, I read a portion of the book, The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel. I read specifically Chapter 11 “The Medical Evidence” where pages 194 through 200 describe exactly how Jesus died on the cross by crucifixion. In his book, the author, a journalist who described himself as a skeptic, set out in a journey to prove the evidence for Jesus. In this chapter, he focuses on the physical evidence of the death of Jesus on the cross.

Although I never doubted that Jesus died on the cross and that He indeed rose again from the dead, many people don’t believe the “story.” If you have any kind of doubt about the death and resurrection of Jesus, I urge you to read this book. I read these pages of the book each year to remind me of the horrible death and torture, along with humiliation, that Jesus endured—for me!

Although I will never ever be able to repay Jesus for what He did for me, I am willing to share Him with the world. It is the least I can do to thank Him for the amazing gift of salvation. I have the “free ticket to eternity with Him in heaven”! And I want you to have it too. It’s actually very simple. I’ll leave you with three scriptures: Isaiah 53 describes what He went through on the cross, John 3:16-17 tells us about the gift of love from God to us, and Romans 10:8-13 tells us how easy it is to accept the free gift of salvation.

Isaiah 53 The Crucifixion

Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? 2 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.

3 He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!

5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. 7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.

8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. 9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. 10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.

11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. 12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

John 3:16-17 The Gift of Love

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

Romans 10: 8-13 Salvation is for Everyone

8 Salvation that comes from trusting Christ—which is the message we preach—is already within easy reach. In fact, the Scriptures say, “The message is close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.”

9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Happy Easter! Jesus is risen and is real!

Rain Brings Life

On gloomy days, it’s hard to remember that rain brings life. Each year at the end of the winter and beginning of spring, I watch my backyard in awe as I see all the trees and grass and plants start to grow miniature little buds that represent new life. In the winter, everything appears dead, but nature only goes to sleep and holds life inside of it until the right time, everything wakes up. Spring is the time to bloom and grow again!

Without the rain none of that would happen. There is no life without water from the sky. Rain brings life and with it comes new hope, new beginnings, new growth. In our lives, we can experience a winter season where everything seems to go dark and gloom surrounds us. But it is during those times that God works in our hearts to prepare us for the spring. In order for rain to come, the clouds have to form in the sky which in turn cover the light from the sun. Similarly, when we allow God to work in our hearts during our darkest times, we ready ourselves to receive the growth and new beginnings that come with the sunlight and after the rain.

Below are scriptures that remind us of God’s promises about the rain:

Leviticus 26:4 I will send you the seasonal rains. The land will then yield its crops, and the trees of the field will produce their fruit.

Deuteronomy 11:14 …then he will send the rains in their proper seasons—the early and late rains—so you can bring in your harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil.

If you are going through a tough season in your life, share it with a friend and open you heart to God’s healing. I will leave you with a friendship poem from my book The Friendship Book: Because You Matter to Me:

Friends know when you hurt.

Open up and let them in.

They will help you heal.

Your Perspective Changes When You Find Your Purpose

Your perspective changes when you see a situation through different lenses. I was looking at my beautiful backyard through the sliding door to the deck and suddenly noticed there were a conglomeration of little fingerprints. I immediately thought to go get the window cleaner and get rid of them. Then I stopped to think about it and decided to leave them there for a while longer… You see, I could either think the window was completely dirty and let it bother me or I could cherish the thought that my two-year-old grandson was at our house and left his little fingerprints on my window… Wow! What a change of perspective when I saw it through the eyes of loving grandma.

Today is my dad’s 94th birthday and I wish I could be with him to give him a special hug, but he is 3,000 miles away in Nicaragua. This morning I thought to myself, will I make it to 94? How will I feel physically? I already don’t enjoy seeing my body getting old and hate the thought of being that old. But on the other hand, what a blessing it has been to have my dad all these years. So, I can either think that aging is a bad thing or I can be thankful for each day that I’m alive and hope that I make it to my 90’s as healthy as my dad has been. My perspective on aging changed.

This week I was feeling overwhelmed with the volume of work I had to complete and found myself not wanting to work so much. On one hand, I know I need to keep my life in balance so work doesn’t overtake my life. But on the other hand, how wonderful that God has sent me so much work in a time when so many people don’t have jobs! Once again, my perspective changed.

In all these situations what helped me change perspectives is that I found my purpose in life. It is crucial for you to find your purpose in life because it is the fire that encourages you to help others. Purpose is what gives you the passion to work hard, love others sincerely, and be intentional about everything you do in your life. When you find your purpose, your perspective changes completely on how you look at every aspect of your life.

If you want to find your purpose, my book, The Fire Within: Connect Your Gifts with Your Calling can help you. Don’t give up asking God why you are here and He will reveal it to you!

My Word for 2021 is HOPE

My word for 2021 is HOPE. We are living in troubled times where confusion, uncertainty, and chaos has become the normal. The New Year typically brings new expectations, excitement, and most importantly, a renewed sense of hope. A hope that this year “things will be better.” This year “I hope to get this or that done.” This year “I’ll get my dream job” and this year I will “travel to my dream places” and so on.

But I don’t hope for any of those things... My hope is not in a man nor woman, a president, a country, or a government. My hope is solely in God, my Father. He has rescued me from a deadly earthquake when I was six years old, protected me through a two-year revolution when I was 12-13 years old, gave my family favor during exile in Dominican Republic, protected my family again from a destructive hurricane when I was still 13, and gave us the opportunity to come to America—the land of opportunity and hope!

America is still the land of opportunity. But sadly, I don’t consider America to be the land of hope anymore… I am witnessing the same violence, terrorism, and lack of peace as my country of origin, Nicaragua. Things that “only happen in those countries” are now happening right here in our backyard. Therefore, I choose to put my trust and hope in the Lord.

Do you want to help the poor? Feed them and clothe them. But also bring them the Gospel of truth where true hope is found.

Do you want to help a person suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts? Give them love, a listening ear, and share the Good News of the Gospel which is their only hope to live in freedom.

Do you want to help the sick? Pray for them, spend time with them, and bring them hope by sharing about the healing power of God’s forgiveness. Spiritual healing is eternal. Physical healing is temporary.

Hope sustains us to get through tribulations. Faith in God gives us freedom. Believing in the true message of Salvation reconciles us with our Father. Prayer gets us closer to God and allows us to experience Him. Love God and love others.

Therefore, for 2021, I hope for unity, restoration, reconciliation, forgiveness, honesty, truthfulness, healing, and peace among the people. I encourage you to put your hope in Jesus—the only ONE who gave His life so you can have eternal life.

This month, since I’m sharing about HOPE, I thought it would be appropriate to share about one of my favorite nonprofit organizations that helps the poor around the world: HOPE International.

HOPE International’s mission is to invest in the dreams of the world’s underserved communities as we proclaim and live the Gospel. HOPE works in 16 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. We provide discipleship, training, savings services, and loans for underserved men and women, equipping them to better provide for their families and grow in all areas of life. Beyond material change, we long to see God transform lives holistically—through spiritual, personal, and social change.

I went on a sight trip with HOPE International to the Dominican Republic and I saw first-hand how they help the poorest of the poor to start their own small business while, at the same time, teaching them business practices and bringing the real HOPE by introducing them to God.

I will leave you with one of the poems I wrote in The Friendship Book:

Believe in your friends.

Pray for your friends.

Love your friends.

Hope with your friends.

That is what friendship is about.

Top 10 Lessons Learned in 2020

Top 10 Lessons Learned in 2020. As we entered the new decade—2020—we were looking forward to new adventures in our lives, new jobs, new places to visit around the world, celebrating big accomplishments and special birthdays with our loved ones. But all our dreams and plans for 2020 were shuttered in a matter of days. We now have a choice to make: We feel sorry for ourselves pondering on everything we lost this year. Or we choose to see the positive experiences and lessons learned throughout this year as we lived through the COVID-19 Pandemic, the riots in many of our cities, and an unforgettable presidential election process.

Let’s choose to see the positive and reflect on everything we learned this year. Below are the top 10 lessons learned in 2020:

Resiliency. One of the biggest lessons we learned is to be resilient. Businesses had to change the old way of doing things from one day to the next. Employees had to learn to work from home with the pets and children around and without having the proper equipment or office setup. As we continue to live through the Pandemic, we are now more prepared to pivot on a moment’s notice. If something doesn’t work out, that’s ok, we move to the next option. This new or polished skill of resiliency will serve us well for the rest of our lives.

Creativity. We had to become more creative at everything we do on a daily basis—from how we buy groceries to how we stock food in our houses—especially how to creatively buy more toilet paper! Event planners created new ways to do their conferences using various systems. Speakers had to adapt to whatever system the event planners had to offer and attendees had to learn to “unmute.”

Compassion. As we observed how the world changed around us and how much suffering people were facing, most of us felt compassion for strangers. This global Pandemic opened our eyes to the see the entire world as one humanity. This virus attacked everyone and is not respecter of persons regardless of background, age, political views, religion, or culture. Yes, there are specific groups of people who are more vulnerable to dying but the virus doesn’t know that. It attacked wherever there was an open door to move into.

Empathy. We became more empathetic for people who are more vulnerable to the virus or if they live with a person who is at higher risk. We empathized with parents of young children who had to work while trying to help their children with schoolwork.

Resourceful. Companies took their retired computers from the closets and put them to work again. These systems may not be the fastest, but they worked okay for employees to be able to continue serving customers from home. At the personal level, many people made masks not only for their own families but gave them away to others in need.

Technology. Everyone had to up their game using technology. People who refused to use technology now were forced to do their banking on their phones, call their grandchildren on FaceTime, Google Duo, WhatsApp, or Zoom. Businesses that were waiting on the edges to upgrade systems or use new technologies were forced to invest in technology now or be out of business completely. Digital payments are now the new way of paying each other or purchasing goods. Also, because of technology, several vaccines are coming out in a record time to help humanity fight and end this Pandemic.

Generosity. Even though nonprofit organizations that help people were not able to meet in person to raise funds, they used creativity, technology, and resourcefulness to attract donors to their causes. People became more generous in the effort to help other human beings in need.

Efficiency. Businesses became more efficient in their processes. What before took twenty steps to complete, now may only take ten steps. Unnecessary steps and approvals had to be removed from the process in order to expedite service to customers and simply to survive as a business. Business leaders had to trust their employees and empower them with more authority to complete tasks while still complying with regulations that apply to their industries.

Prioritize. We learned to prioritize our activities based on importance and risk exposure. We chose to continue some commitments and drop the less important ones. What’s most important in our lives surfaced to the top of the list. All the other superficial activities went by the wayside.

Faith. Most importantly, this year was a time to seek God—for some people for the first time in their lives. Despite the terrible circumstances we all went through this year, God has always been there waiting for us to ask for help and to invite Him into our lives. Faith is what sustains us through tribulations.

So, you see, in the midst of a global Pandemic we can come out ahead. Yes, we lost a lot and some of us lost loved ones to the disease which is the highest price to pay. Yet we can still move forward and learn lessons that will carry us through the rest of our lives. From all the lessons we learned listed above, the most important to remember is faith. I will leave you with this Scripture that sums it all up:

John 16:33 (KJV)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Do You Know the Truth?

Do You Know the Truth? Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks. It’s also a day when we eat a LOT of food, right? Well, today I decided to spend extra time in prayer thanking God. I also decided to eat a LOT of spiritual food—the Word of God. Here is the formula God revealed to me during my study:

Jesus = Truth = Freedom

You want to know the foundation for this incredible formula? Let me take you through the promises I read today from the Bible (NLT):

John 8:12 Jesus told the people, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

John 8:31-32, 34 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free… What do you mean ‘set free’? Jesus replied, I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave of sin.”

John 14:1-6 “Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know where I am going and how to get there.” “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We haven’t any idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one can come to the Father except through me.”

John 9:4 All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end.

So here is my personal prayer today:

Jesus, I know you. Therefore, I know the Father who is my God, the one who sent you. Therefore, I know the truth and the truth sets me free from sin. And when everything is ready where you are in your Father’s house, you will come and get me and I will always be where you are, in heaven, with you for eternity. In the meantime, I must quickly carry out the tasks assigned to me by the Father, because there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end. You are the light of the world. You light my world and show me the way until you return.

Amen

I encourage you to spend extra time today feasting in the Word of God! The Word is the true food that will satisfy your spirit. When everything looks dark and hopeless… Jesus is alive! He will restore your spirit and fill you with His love.

Thanksgiving Amid Uncertainty and a Global Pandemic

Thanksgiving Amid Uncertainty and a Global Pandemic. 2020 will go in the history books as “the year to pause and reflect” among other descriptors. Many of us who are used to run on the treadmill of life with no rest were forced to abruptly stop. Some of us were literally thrown off the treadmill and we were not ready for the impact. Others found themselves slowing down to a complete stop. Yet others experienced the treadmill speeding up to the point of unsustainable speeds.

Who are you in this picture? How has the COVID-19 Pandemic affected your personal and professional life? Most importantly, how has the Pandemic affected your spiritual life? Depending on your circumstances described above, if you found yourself suddenly on the floor, hurt, and disoriented because you either lost your job or someone you love died from the virus, did you ask others for help? Did you go to God for help and comfort?

If you found yourself “slowly slowing down,” your business deals consistently going away and not booking new business while, at the same time, your kids’ school closed and now you have to play teacher. Did you pivot your business? Have you found new ways to bring income to your home? How are you coping mentally? How are your children doing with the “distance learning” or “in-person learning” during this time?

Lastly, if you are in the third category and your treadmill of life sped up to an unsustainable pace (like doctors and nurses treating COVID-19 patients or bankers doing Paycheck Protection Program loans), were you able to slow down eventually? Or did your body give in, you let go of the handles and flew off the treadmill? Were you able to establish boundaries to say, “No more, I cannot handle any more.”?

My personal experience was a mixture of slowing down to zero traveling and, on the other hand, increased work to stay on top of the community banking industry. All my in-person speaking engagements were rescheduled from the spring and summer to now the fall. But God provided more consulting work when speaking was non-existent back in May. Overall, I have had some balanced days and some completely crazy days. But the best blessing throughout these past months is that my husband and I spend quality time at least once a week with our grandson. This is priceless and I thank God for this privilege daily.

Your responses to the questions above will vary based on your unique circumstances and your personal relationship with God. However, regardless of your situation, the entire world experienced the effects of the 2020 Pandemic in more than one way. Another way this year will go into history is as “the year that everything happened” and will never be forgotten. But you can prevail and continue life with God’s help.

The big question I ask myself and I ask you is: In the midst of uncertainty and during this Pandemic, have you used the additional time you’ve had to reflect on your relationship with God? Have you stopped to thank God despite the circumstances?

Thanking God during tribulation seems absolutely absurd and goes against our human nature. However, that’s exactly what we must do to obtain the grace, equipping, wisdom, and strength to get through adversity. When we thank God regardless of the circumstances we’re living through, He listens to us and He provides everything we need to get us through.

I encourage you to push through, believe in God, ask Him to help you through this tribulation and He will. Ask Him for wisdom and discernment as to what to do next, how to handle your children’s education, and to give you strength for each day. My hope is that this Pandemic has brought you closer to God and that your spiritual life will flourish because of this tribulation… I will leave you with these promises from the Scriptures:

John 16:33 (KJV)

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Psalm 116:1 (NLT)

I love the Lord, because He has heard My voice and my supplications.

Psalm 116:17 (NLT)

I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord.

Philippians 4:11 (NLT)

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I Will Vote and I Will Pray…

I Will Vote and I Will Pray. This is the last weekend we have to research and make our final decision as to who to vote for on Election Day 2020 or you may already be decided. I LOVE America and I want what’s best for our country and for all of us. Therefore, I will exercise my right to vote. But then, regardless of who the new leader is for the next four years, I will pray for the President of the United States of America. Because that’s what the Bible tells us to do.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NLT)

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

It pains me to hear of how many relationships have been broken because of differences of political opinions or worldviews. We are walking on eggshells trying not to offend others. We keep looking for the answer to our problems—individually, as a country, and as a world—when the answer is right in front of us. God tells us to LOVE one another. We can only find unity in God. There is no other way. He is the only equalizer of human beings because He created each of us in His image. It’s so simple when we look at it from God’s perspective.

Genesis 1:27 (NLT)

So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

Matthew 32:36-40 (NLT)

“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Because of the extreme uncertainty that surrounds us these days due to the ongoing Pandemic, elections, economy, natural disasters, and civil unrest, I was experiencing anxiety during these times. But then I made a decision… I decided to trust God. I will vote and then leave it all in God’s hands. He knows why things happen and He WILL take care of me and of all of us who choose to put their trust in Him. I don’t depend on a man or woman, or a country, or a system. I depend on God alone!

Romans 8:28 (NLT)

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Therefore, I choose to put my trust in God who is my only source for everything I need. I encourage you to read the entire Psalm 91 and will leave you today with the last verses:

Psalm 91:14-16 (NLT)

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”

Exercise your right to vote on November 3rd, thank God that you have that right, and then trust God with your life.

God bless you and may God bless our beautiful country of America!

Give God Your First Minutes… Instead of Your Leftovers

Give God Your First Minutes… Instead of Your Leftovers. My “new normal” now consists of one day a week with my grandson, spending daily devotions morning time with God and extended time on Saturdays, and reading my Bible more often than ever. I want to read the Bible even more and I’ll continue to increase my time in the Word and in God’s presence, learning about God and getting to know Him personally. I’m also learning to experience God on a daily basis and in a more intimate way. Spending quality time with God and having the extra bonus time with my husband and grandson (21-months as of the time of this writing) is the biggest blessing that resulted from this Pandemic. I LOVE my new normal!

I typically read two books at the same time: one on leadership development and one on spiritual development. One of the books I’m currently reading, Soul Care in African American Practice, by Barbara Peacock, mentions a prayer practice called ACTS which stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. You start by worshiping God, then you confess your sins and ask Him for forgiveness, you then move to thank Him for everything He’s done in your life, and you conclude with asking all your prayer requests.

I am starting to use this practice to stay focused on God and not allow my mind to wonder during my sacred time with my creator. Barbara also encourages us to “give God your attention, He will give you direction.” Right now, we need His divine direction and wisdom more than ever. In a time of such uncertainty, He knows the way. We don’t.

There are many ways to connect with God and we each need to find the best way that works for us. God will connect with us in any way we prefer because He’s adaptable and omniscient. Prayer, Scripture, Worship are all avenues to connecting with God. How do you connect with God?

Before the Pandemic started, I had decided to spend more time with God, alone. Even if I give him a few minutes—sometimes I only have ONE minute. But I always kneel before Him each morning before I start my day, consistently. Simply to love Him, worship Him, thank Him for one more day of good health, and to ask Him for my list of people who need prayer.

Every time, without exception, when I give of my time to God—even if it’s only one minute—He multiplies my time and I get everything done. You see, our number one excuse to not pray is our lack of time. But if we give God our “first minutes” of each day, He will ensure we get the rest done. Whenever I decide to “pray later” and wait until I get to bed, I’m too tired and it simply doesn’t happen. I cannot allow myself to give God my leftovers anymore…

I encourage you to give God your first minutes and not the leftovers. He will reward you beyond what you can imagine! I will leave you with these powerful Scriptures:

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Author Interview - The Fire Within Book

Regina Barr, founder of Women at the Top (WATT), interviewed Marcia Malzahn on April 19, 2016 about her recently published book, The Fire Within - Connect Your Gifts with Your Calling. Click on the link below to listen to the interview.

People in America Need God Too

People in America Need God Too. We may often think that because we live in America, considered by many the strongest country in the world, that we, as individuals, cannot show a sign of weakness. We somehow believe that we should be strong enough to withstand the trials from life that come our way, alone. But we’re wrong. Hardship comes to all of us—the weak and the strong—at some point in our lives. Why? Simply because we live in this world where evil is real and bad things do happen to good and bad people alike, no exceptions.

For decades, Americans have supported the mission fields in distant lands like Africa, Asia, and Latin America forgetting that we, in the United States of America, need God too. In 1999, I left my banking career to work for a church for five years. I thought I would remain in ministry for the rest of my working life. But God had other plans. He called me back to the business world, this time to start a bank. When I left the church, I told the senior pastor, my boss, “Just as God calls people to distant lands to be the light and that is their mission field, God has called me to the business world in America—that is my mission field where God needs me so I can minister to the business people.” And that’s the reason why I left my executive banking job, almost five years ago, to pursue my calling: to help working people be successful in every area of their lives, and that includes their spiritual life. So, in a way, I’m back in ministry. This time in the right mission field and with all of you, the working people in America.

But my assignment is not only to share the Good News of the Gospel with all of you but also to pray for you. I currently have business colleagues and friends who are hurting. Some have asked me to pray for a job, others are fighting cancer, while others are going through a painful divorce. Some are suffering because their kids have gone the wrong way and yet others have broken relationships. And I’m not exempt from pain either, I have lived with migraines for over 30 years and lately I’ve been very worried about my parents living in Nicaragua during these times of political instability. I have also survived an earthquake in Nicaragua when I was six years old, lived through the revolution for two years before fleeing Nicaragua, arrived to the Dominican Republic as a refugee and two months later, Hurricane David devastated the island. I was only thirteen! I then moved to the United States when I was nineteen years old and came here alone. But God was with me through each life experience and I owe it all to Him.

Business people, working people, ALL people in America need God too! If you need prayer in any area of your life, send me a private message and I will be happy to pray for you. But I’m just a messenger to the business world and God deserves all the credit, not me at all! So, I want to leave you with a Scripture from Paul to the church of Corinth:

1 Corinthians 3:6 (NLT) “My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who made it grow.”

Freedom and the Bridge to Eternity

Freedom and the Bridge to Eternity. Freedom is one of the core values we hold dear to our heart as humans, regardless of where we’re from. In America, the Founding Fathers made sure the right to freedom was in the Constitution as the First Amendment. Freedom has been one of the cornerstones of the foundation of the United States.

There are many types of freedoms and several ways you can look at freedom.

Freedom from Debt. Being debt free is one of my biggest goals in life as it is for many. But there is one debt we all have that will never be paid off which is the debt to love others. The Bible says in Romans 13:8 (NLT) to “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.”

Freedom to Assemble. In America, we value the freedom to gather peacefully to celebrate or demonstrate in support of others. Unfortunately, lately we have witnessed the riots and looting that started with peaceful protests and the rioters infiltrated the protests ending with cities and businesses burnt down The behavior of few always affects the majority and impacts the level of freedom we can enjoy.

Freedom of Speech. Once again, Americans value the freedom of speech. But lately, that freedom has taken a turn into insulting others in public and imposing some people’s beliefs unto others. These behaviors and situations take us back to the Scripture above. The Bible tells us to not be in debt of any kind except for your obligation to love one another—that’s the key. The only thing we owe to others is to love them which is exactly the opposite of what’s going on in America right now.

Freedom of Religion. One main reason the original people who fled to America came for was precisely to obtain freedom of religion… But that religion was Christianity. Therefore, this country was founded in Christian principles based on the Bible. These days other religions are being imposed upon Christians and we are losing the freedom to practice Christianity, which is the founding religion of America. When foreigners come to a new country, they should not impose their own religion in the hosting country. The same way, when immigrants go to another country, they must learn the language of that country and not impose their language on the people who were born in that country.

But there is the most important freedom to have—Freedom of Spirit. The only way to obtain true freedom is through Jesus Christ. He gives us the gift of freedom from sin and ultimately, freedom from death. Jesus came to earth in human form so He could experience death just like us. But He rose from the dead and that’s how He beat death once and for all. When we know the truth of salvation, we obtain the gift of true freedom.

You can be the wealthiest individual on earth, have zero debt, have freedom of speech, be free to gather, and possess all the other freedoms. But you are not truly free because you are a slave to sin and you have not accepted the gift of salvation which gives you the ticket to freedom in eternity.

On the other hand, you can be in a physical jail, chained to the ground, like Paul was, and be completely free. Why? Because you know that if the worst thing that could happen to you—which is death—happens, you know where you’re going. You know you’re going to be free and spend eternity with God in heaven. How do you know that? Because when you accept Jesus in your heart as your Lord and Savior, you receive Him.

Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:8-10 tell us to:

Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

The Bridge to Eternity

The Bible tells us that Jesus is the only way to the Father and that no one goes to the Father if it not through Him. In John 14:6, Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” It cannot be clearer!

If you want to be truly free in your life, say “yes” to Jesus. The invitation is open for you but it won’t be forever as there will be a time of reconciliation with the things of God. The time is now short. Don’t miss your cue and accept Jesus’ invitation to be free of sin forever, to be truly free!

The gateway to heaven for each person is Jesus and those of us who have accepted his gif of salvation have the responsibility to tell everyone. It’s our primary job as Christians and we are commanded to do so! Building bridges means building relationships with others so we can show them “The Bridge.” So we can show them the way to eternity by personally introducing them to Jesus.

I leave you with Matthew 28:18-20: Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Someone Told Me… and I Believed!

This week I listened to a podcast interview from The Master’s Program for Women. Nadya Dickson, Director, interviewed Dr. Barbara Peacock, minister, speaker, and author, and asked her to share her testimony. When Dr. Peacock was asked the question, “How did you come to Christ?” She responded, “Someone told me that God loves me… and I believed them.” Her testimony stayed with me and I’m writing to you today to ask you this question: Has someone ever told you that God loves you? If not, I’m telling you today. God LOVES YOU so so much that He gave His only Son Jesus to die for you on the cross so you can have eternal life.

There are two key action verbs here: “Told” and “Believed.” Someone must tell you about the message of salvation. Someone has to share with you that Jesus died on the cross because He loves you so much. You must be “told” about this beautiful story of love. The second action verb is that you must believe the story. You have to make a decision to believe the message of love. You must choose to believe that God loves you and accept the gift of salvation.

Why is it so hard for people to tell the story and for others to believe this amazing story? Fear and faith. Those who have been told and believed are afraid to share the story from fear of rejection. But the Bible reminds us that when people reject the message, they’re not rejecting you. They’re rejecting Jesus. “For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the God of all our ancestors—who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him.” (Acts 3:13)

Here is the simple message from Romans 10:9-11 that we must tell others:

For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, ad it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed.”

Those who have been told and choose not to believe is because they lack the faith to believe. Faith is also a gift we must obtain first in order to accept the gift of salvation. In the same Chapter, Paul tells us “But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again). “In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach—is already within easy rich.” (vs. 6-8).

If someone has told you the message of salvation, believe!

If you believed that God loves you so much and accepted Jesus in your heart, I encourage you to tell someone so they can believe too!

Do you want to see ALL your loved ones again in heaven and live with them together with God for eternity? This is the only way. Tell them God loves them and believe God loves you!

The Focus Radio - "Leadership Tips for Women"

Liz Uram, founder of The Focus Radio, interviewed Marcia Malzahn on July 20, 2015 on the topic of "Leadership Tips for Women." Click on the link below to listen to the interview.

http://thefocusradio.com/leadership-tips-for-women/

Forgiveness

In recent days with all the violence and unjust acts that have happened around us, it is easy (and normal) to react with anger and a sense of outrage. But it’s not healthy—physically nor spiritually—to fill our hearts with anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness. God tells us clearly time and again that we must forgive those who hurt us. We must love and forgive our enemies! Wow, that’s very hard to do. But it is possible when we have the love of God in our hearts… In fact, I think that’s the only way we’re able to make that huge step to forgive those who purposely inflict pain in our lives.

Here are several scriptures that instruct us to forgive others and how to do it. Let me start with Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT):

Teaching about Love for Enemies

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

This is a direct and clear message to love our enemies—not with human love but with Godly love. In addition, we are instructed to pray for those who persecute us! For as hard as this is to understand and do, let’s reflect on this action. When we pray for those who persecute and hate us, we allow God to work in their hearts, sometimes to the point that they change and they no longer persecute us. When pray, God listens—even if we don’t see the results right away. God always hears our sincere prayers.

Remember what Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” We may never understand this truth fully as long as we are living our earthly lives. This is a spiritual revelation we must accept in our hearts.

Next, let’s examine what the Bible tells us about anger and bitterness in Ephesians 4:29-32:

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Once again, the act of forgiveness is a huge part of our daily lives as believers. Simply put, if we don’t forgive those who offend us, God won’t forgive our own sins!

God commands us to not only listen to the things of God but to also act on what we learn. In James 1:19-22 we are told:

Listening and Doing

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.”

In 1 Peter 3:8-12, we have a final reminder:

All Christians

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
Turn away from evil and do good.

Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.”

You may say, this is all great but it’s all easier said than done. You are correct. But as I shared at the beginning of the blog, we can only do this with the love of God in our hearts which we obtain by accepting Jesus into our hearts as our Lord and Savior. That’s how simple it is in the end…

God's Work in Progress - Radio Show with Marcia Malzahn

Interview with Marcia Malzahn by Jeff Pelletier from God's Work in Progress Radio Show "Coming to a New Better Land" with Marcia Malzahn on July 5, 2016. Click on the link here to listen to the interview: http://godsworkinprogress.org/multimedia-archive/coming-to-a-new-and-better-land/

Interview with Larry Julian by Jeff Pelletier from God's Work in Progress Radio Show based on Larry's book "God is my CEO" and Marcia Malzahn's appearance on April 13, 2015. Click on the link here to listen to the interview: http://godsworkinprogress.org/multimedia-archive/god-is-my-ceo/ 

Give Your Burdens to the Lord

Psalm 55:22 tells us to “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Do you feel your heart burdened these days with everything going on? I do. Last night, I was praying to God in anguish to help us, to heal our nation, to forgive us, to protect us, to end the virus, to end this violence, to end the hatred… The list was endless, and my heart was heavy.

It is difficult to sit back and “watch the movie of life unfold” while not judging everyone’s acts. But the Bible also tells us clearly in Matthew 7:1-5 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 4:5 we read, “So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.”

So these days as we observe others commit violent crimes, I encourage you to look inside your own heart and ask yourself: What am I doing in my life that is not pleasing to God? What can I do as an act of love to help others? Striving to live a holy life on a daily basis is easier said than done. But once again, the Word of God reminds us in Hebrews 12:14-15 to, “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”

Based on the current events happening all around us, our human tendency is to immediately judge. But the Bible tells us to not do that. Instead, give ALL your burdens to the Lord so He can take care of everything. Every single act by every single person will be judged in due time but by God not by us. We will get our turn to be judged and that’s when everything we have done—good and bad—will be tried by fire to see what stands in the end.

I will leave you today with the message from John 3:18-21, “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

Today I encourage you to examine your own heart and not judge others. Let God do the judging and give all your burdens to God.