cherylmendoza

Joy….or what math means to me

So I woke up Sunday morning in a very bad mood. I think it started with the dream I had right before waking up? I had dreamt a lot, but the part I remember most was when my head was chopped off. Horrible, huh? So as I laid there, I tried to think of why I would dream something like that? I mean, I kind of use that analogy a lot. You know the one, “sticking my neck out.” Was it a premonition for the day?

I did not waste too much time though as I had to get to church. My hubby knew I was not OK as soon as I got up, but because I didn’t know what was wrong, he didn’t know how to help. So I got ready and went to church. I was there to help some students put on the bible skit for the preschool class. There is a script with a narrator, and then a couple more act out what is going on in the story. So as the youth were doing a quick run through, we started to have a little fun. One of the girls was hungry, and at one point in the story the people are hungry. When she had to deliver her line, we all started laughing as she emphasized her great hunger. She went a little overboard, but that is what made it fun.

So as we waited for the kids to finish their circle time, we quietly chatted offstage. They asked me what I was doing, because I was attending to some last minute props. Part of our story was of God providing manna in the wilderness for the Children of Israel. I was taking some white tissue paper and tearing it into small pieces. It was perfect, as I stood there one of the students asked “what is it?” I then said…..exactly! I love God’s sense of humor! We stood there and I was able to tell her about manna. How the word means “what is it,” that God provided this never before seen substance to feed His people, and how once they reached the promised land it was gone. We were all talking, laughing and learning together. That immediately reversed my mood. I still wasn’t sure what was wrong with me, but serving with those students had given me something to counteract my grumpiness. It wouldn’t be long before God showed me exactly what that “something” was.

It was then that I walked into service and got an earful about JOY. Oh that was it. Joy! That is what I felt with those students, and that is what conquered my foul mood while I was with them. I was not feeling joyful, and that was not a good place to be. Why? Well, it was something Pastor said that made me take notice. He called JOY a safeguard. It was then I remembered my math.

Holy Spirit + Me = peace, love, JOY, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.

I never liked math until God started using it to help me understand Him. If JOY was not a part of what I was feeling, then I knew that something was wrong with my math. If I did not have that JOY, I could definitely say that the Spirit was not in the equation. So what would hinder the Spirit?

On went the brakes! I had a problem and I needed to find an answer fast! So I looked to where I knew my blessing would come from, and it did not take God long to show me what was the problem. Right then and there I took care of it with Him. Suffice it to say, it was my own pride that had to be dealt with. Again!! By the time service was out, I was ready to have a different kind of day. I not only talked about it with God, but also with my husband. God gave him to me to help keep me honest. By the time I was done JOY was again in the forefront of my mind, a little more pride had been overcome and my head was still firmly attached.

December 1, 2016 1

Thankful for the alley….

On this day before Thanksgiving my hubby and I went over to China Alley. This is the area of Hanford, where there was a Chinese community when the town was founded. I took a few pictures, and enjoyed wondering about the generations that had called it home.

There is some very traditional architecture and lots of red! I took a couple of pictures of the doors….they are so interesting. The hardware seemed so old…I wondered if they had an old skeleton key to open the doors.

A few of the buildings had offices and were still in use today. I could close my eyes and imagine what a bustling area this must have been in the past. Why am I thinking about this little Chinese enclave on Thanksgiving eve? Well, I guess it comes down to the fact that every place has a story. And the story of any town, is made up from the stories of its people.

In this little alley were people, who were working hard to make a good life for themselves and their families. I think of these people and I know they are like me.

I know they are like all of us. We find so many ways to separate ourselves from each other, but this alley reminds me that we are more alike than not.

I can just imagine that many years ago, there was a little Chinese woman who thought too much, was a bit of a dreamer and procrastinated so that dinner was late to the table. She loved her husband, children and cat, but forgot to do things they needed sometimes. They loved her back, even though they did not understand her all of the time. The only difference between us was that she would have worn a lot of red. Me? Not so much.

November 24, 2016 0

I am NOT…..

I AM. God’s name. I’ve always thought it was kind of a weird name, I mean really…. I AM. Well of course you are…right?

It wasn’t until this week, when I was doing a script for our preK class, that I got a better idea of what it meant for me. So as I was reading about Moses a sentence jumped out at me. I’d read it before, but today I really HEARD it. d2ca09d8868423819bd7b85d27b29d6e

It wasn’t something God said, but it was what Moses responded that caught my attention. God had just told Moses that he was going to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt. Great news right? Moses then starts arguing with God, telling him all the reasons why he was the wrong man for the job. Moses asks, “who am I?” And in that question, I found a different way to look at God’s name.
God is the I AM. You can put anything you need after that statement, and it works. I AM holy. I AM truth. I AM wise. I AM peace. I AM joy. I AM provision. Whatever we need, the great I AM is always the answer. The I AM statement about God is always true, but like Moses, for me it doesn’t work so well. As a matter of fact, even at my best, there is always an asterisk.

I am encouraging.* Except when I am tired, have given it all out already and haven’t sought out my own encouragement from God.

I am patient.* Except when I’ve done all the calculations in my brain already, made a decision and have to wait for others to make theirs.

I am generous.* Only after God has to remind me that He’s got my back, and the resources at my disposal are truly to share.

I am a good listener.* Except when I have to listen too long. Ugh!

These are things that I strive to be and some are even my gifts. So it should be easier for me….right? Well that is a definite NO! God is all those things and more! He is anything we need, perfectly every single time! He fulfills the purpose of His name….I AM.

November 16, 2016 1

Election Fog….

images So it is the day after the election. For us here in Central California, it is a foggy day. Now when I first moved to Lemoore, people warned me about the fog, but I didn’t really listen. I mean, I grew up in San Jose, where fog would roll in from the Santa Cruz mountains. How much worse could it be? Well, it is like night and day! The Tule fog in the valley can be truly dangerous. After being in both types of fog, it seems to me that the fog here goes all the way to the ground. Driving in it is awful because you can only see so much in front of you, and then you cannot even see the lines to get a good bearing as to where you are. And at nighttime? Well to tell you the truth, after the Christmas in 2005 when the fog rolled in while I was shopping, and then I could not find my car in the parking lot? I don’t really drive in the fog at night.

Today though was not a horrible fog day. It was patchy, and did not go all the way down to the ground. As I walked though, it was interesting to look ahead and see how the fog distorted what was ahead of me. Now I walk the same way pretty much every day, so I know what is to come, even before seeing it.

The barber shop is always open, people are stopping by the ATM at the bank, there is a clock in town that has the wrong time and kids are on their way to school. There is so much that I expect to see when I walk, and even in the fog, I know it will be there.

So as I was walking, I thought that the fog was a good analogy for the near future. We know some of what to expect, but there are some details that are a little hazy the farther we look ahead. In the distance we can see things moving, but we don’t necessarily see the details or how it may all fit together.

We don’t have the whole picture.

That may make some of us uncomfortable, and others downright scared. Then there are others that think they know what is ahead. They will travel under the assumption that things will be just how they expect. They may or may not be surprised by what they find.

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For me, I am optimistic. Is it because my candidate won? No. It is because I have used the only power that I have in politics. And that my friends, was my vote. I did what I was supposed to do in the election process, and I cast my vote in the best way I knew how. In that sense, I am content, but my job is not done.

Today is another day where I have the opportunity to live like I say I believe. This is really where I think we have the most impact on our communities, the country and the world.

So today is really just another day. No better or worse than yesterday. Today is a day where I am going to try and continue to live out who God made me to be.

I want to love God, and love my neighbor more than myself. To seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly.

November 9, 2016 1

Choose to Influence

influence-graphic-300x169 “10 Historical Records That Tell Another Side of Bible Stories”, was the name of the article that showed up in my Yahoo news feed this morning. The article went through ten Bible stories, and matched them with some historical accounts that were written by non-biblical sources. The one that caught my eye was the story of Esther, and the historical account of the man most likely that was her husband, King Xerxes I of Persia.

What do you wish? Whatever it is, I will give it to you, even if it is half of my kingdom!” Esther 7:2 NLT

When Esther goes in to see the king, she is greeted warmly and he is delighted to see her. How do we know? Well, it is because he says that he will “give her anything up to half of the kingdom.” So I think we can safely assume that he was glad she was there. As her story goes, she asks him to a banquet, where there will be a guest list of three. Her intention is to use her influence to save her people. After the banquet, she invites him to another with the same three attendees, the king, herself and her enemy Haman.

When she had shown care, kindness and hospitality to not only her husband but her enemy also, the king asks her again “What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” Talk about influence! It was then our story comes to its conclusion. Queen Esther unmasks Haman’s cruel plot to kill all of the Jews and the King is outraged. Long story short, Haman is executed and the Jewish people are safe.

As I read the story, I thought about the position of influence God had given her, and how she used it for good. My morning thoughts did not stop there though. The King’s statement sounded familiar, like I had heard it somewhere else. I looked and confirmed that there is another record in the bible where another person had said pretty much the same thing. Where influence was used, but the outcome was markedly different.

“Ask me for anything you like,” the king vowed, “even half of my kingdom, and I will give it to you!” Mark 6:23 NLT

Now these words were spoken by King Herod. He too was at a banquet, but this one was very different from the one Esther had given. There were many people attending, and that included Queen Herodias and her daughter. It is written that at this banquet, the daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod. When she was done, Herod told her to make her request known.

Again, another woman, another banquet, another King with ultimate power. What would she use this great moment to ask for? The power of influence right then is staggering. He was surrounded by people that would be a witness to whatever she asks, and they would then be looking to Herod to grant that request. There was only one problem. Someone else had influence over this young woman, her mother Herodias. She went and asked her mother what should she request? Herodias’ fatal answer meant death for John the Baptist.

I know most of us may never have that kind of history making influence, but that does not let us off the hook. While our circles of influence may seem small, how we use it can still have far reaching effects. So it is important to ask, how do I use my influence?

This morning as I think of the continuing message series about mercy I am hearing at church, I know that influence is part of that equation. Where do I have influence? How can I use my influence to show God’s mercy to someone else? Maybe even more important, will I use my influence for my own promotion or will I use it for someone else’s benefit?

We all have influence in various circles in our lives, through work, church, family and friends. Sometimes we may have a little, and at other times much more, but I believe that one thing is true. God does not give me influence to squander only on myself, but to help those around me. And while I may not feel that I have much, I do know that the right thing for me is to advocate for those who may have even less. Small amount or not, I believe God gives each of us just the right amount. All it has to be is enough, for “such a time as this”.

October 26, 2016 0

Acknowledging loss

I am always amazed by the way life ends. Today, a mother lost a son. In her grief, she will drop everything. Her world has narrowed down to a small point of focus. As a mom, I hurt with her. I can feel some of her pain. I shed tears and know that in the back of my mind that it could have been my son. It could have been any of our sons.

As I sit here though, in the first few minutes of shock, I hear birds singing and the hum of our pool filter. Outside are cars, a dog barking and the faraway engine of a plane. The sounds of people going through their normal routine as the work day is winding down. I always wonder….why doesn’t time stop? How can life still go on so normally, when so much pain has been unleashed? When a precious life is no more.

I know. This happens every day, all over the world. There is loss, and there is grief. And yes, that loss and that grief deserves that same kind of respect, but it is something that the world gives to no man.

So today I grieve with my friend, for her beautiful son. And if no one else will or can, I an going to take this moment to stop and to pray. To put aside my normal life and acknowledge the great loss that is not only hers, but all of ours.

October 12, 2016 2

My Rock

20150330-p3301911-e1428356430678-1240x785 So this weekend I went to the Pinnacles National Park with my hubby and his parents. We were all in their RV and it was wonderful. It is fall, so the park has a total “old west” look to it, which some people may not find the most attractive, but I thought it was gorgeous. The Pinnacles is known for its rock walls, talus caves and California Condors.

The first day that we hiked, we got to the set of caves on the trail and I had to say some quick prayers before I entered. I do not like being closed in or confined, whether it is clothes, under water, airplanes and even caves. I was with my hubby though and I could not hold him back, and to tell you the truth I did not want to hold myself back. So we went into the cave and I did OK, till we finally got to a point where the outside light was no longer visible. It was then that I caught my breath for a moment. To me, this was the place of most danger. The place where I could not get out quickly if I needed too. I mean really? They had just issued an earthquake advisory for Southern California a few days before, and while I was not in the south, we were directly on the San Andreas Fault line. I am a lifelong Californian and we do not typically get advisories like that, so there must be something to it. Right?

Well in the middle of the cave, these thoughts flash through my head quickly. So after hpnm0110 another quick prayer, I turned on my light and followed my hubby. In retrospect, the length of the cave was very short, so I was able to easily get through. So you would think on day two I wouldn’t have any problem with the cave? Think again.

The hike we took the next day was even longer, and took us from one side of the park to the other. It was a wonderful walk enjoying the quiet and the calm of the chaparral. When we reached the cave on this trail, I felt pretty good. I figured that if I could survive the first caves, I could survive this one. I am sure that I said a quick prayer going in, but in looking back it was not enough. We got to the inside of the cave, and it became dark again so we put our headlamps on. I was doing Ok, but we came to a point where the further we got the more uncomfortable I became. It was then we reached a spot where we would could not walk through any more. We had to literally get on hands and knees to climb up a boulder about six feet up, then crawl through an opening that was probably 4 feet wide. Now that is a good amount of room, but to a chicken, any smaller spaces seem very disconcerting. It was at this point that my fear again reared its ugly head. The words were on my lips to tell my hubby that I wanted to turn around, but I couldn’t.

So I started crawling up to the spot where he was sitting, waiting for me. The higher I got, the better I felt. I was cracking up, because I am sure that everyone could hear me. As with each rock I touched I reminded God that He is my “rock” and my “shelter”. Before I knew it, I was through the caves and out on the other side. At that point, my fear seemed a bit silly.

The payoff? Well the other side of the trail was my favorite part of the whole weekend. It was beautiful! There was a “courtyard” on the other side of the caves, surrounded by towering rocks. After such a long hot walk, it was cool, refreshing and awe inspiring. I thought as we continued to walk, that I could have missed it all if I had turned back. I thought about what I wouldn’t have been a part of, if I had let that momentary fear change my direction.

14572759_10209832544864192_8318213139520730873_n I was really encouraged by my experience at the park. I read the bible and the stories of people are very much alive to me. They help me see what God has done in the past, and how He is able to work in a person’s life. To have a more personal reminder though, is even better. It helps me push through that moment of fear and find the courage to keep going. It reminds me that even in the darkest moment, when the problem is all encompassing, an answer may shine through just a step or two away.

October 5, 2016 1

Enjoying the joy!

So today I was thinking, I haven’t written in my blog in a couple of days. How can I be a writer if I don’t write? Since my blog is typically the things that I see God teaching me, I was kinda stressed that I did not have anything to write about. Is He ignoring me? Am I ignoring Him? I then took a good look at my week and calmed down.

I have been working on a children’s story that I wrote about eight years ago, so I really haven’t been idle, but it is hard though when there is no feedback. When I write in the blog, I at least feel like I accomplish something when I hit the post button. Editing a story, is much less satisfying. I am telling you, every day is a battle in my own brain.

This evening though, I felt that my mind is in a better pla 63419-keep-calm-and-love-cooking ce. How do I know? Well it has to do with some of the other things I have been doing this week. I have been doing some deep cleaning in my kitchen, tap dancing and cooking. Why are these things important? Well if I am not writing, I feel guilty. When I feel guilty, I start getting fearful, I doubt and have a hard time being productive in anything I am doing. This week though, I tried to find some balance. The balance that I need between writing, taking care of my family, working on my own insecurities and trying to be who I think God wants me to be. I am not sure if I got the balance right this week, but I feel like I made a better attempt.

It then hit me that God had been speaking to me this week, I just needed all of the pieces to come together to see it. He gave me a vision of what my life can look like, when I am not living in the land of doubt and fear. When I choose to live like I say I believe, and trust Him. From the outside it may not look really different, but to the inside of me, it is like night and day.

But make everyone rejoice who puts his trust in you. Keep them shouting for joy because you are defending them. Fill all who love you with your happiness. Psalm 51:11 NLT

September 26, 2016 1

A bigger circle…

new-member-to-circle-image-white-background-34649901 I wound up helping in a pre-K/Kindergarten Sunday school class this weekend. I was not teaching the lesson, but was just helping to wrangle kids into their places and have some fun while they learned. It was pretty funny though, because where has God taught me the most? It has been from serving in this classroom. What does that say about my maturity? I don’t really think I want to know, but I am glad He uses this room to speak to me.

So as we gathered the kids for circle time, we began to run out of room. It was then I said, “let’s make our circle bigger, so that we can let more friends in”. As we continued to adjust kids in the circle, I was thanking God for those words. They are a lesson to me, and a prayer for those kids.

I can close my eyes and picture that circle of kids. Hands that are holding their friends, releasing and letting go. Bodies that shift, for more room, to let another friend enter and then hands are clasped again. We have a pretty diverse makeup of students in the class, and to see them let go of hands to let others join in, seemed like a small glimpse into heaven. I am thankful that He uses the kids in that room to speak to me!

September 20, 2016 0

Cheryl Mendoza

How He speaks to me…..Or… can't He just call my cell when He wants to talk?

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