cherylmendoza

So what are you trying to say?

I heard something the other day and I thought, “so what are you trying to say?”

It’s happened a couple of times during a preach, just a quick comment about a character or story in the bible. It may go something like, “you’ve probably never heard of this,” and they name an obscure character or bible story. When I hear a comment like that, it just strikes me funny, and not in the “ha ha” way. Maybe they say it that way because what they really want to say, “you would know it if you read your bible,” might not be received so well.

Now don’t get me wrong, because for longer than I care to admit, I would probably be like, “yep never heard of that guy.” That definitely changed when I picked up my bible and just started reading through it. I wasn’t doing anything special like following a study, reading the bible in a year, or doing it with a group of people. I was just reading and underlining things that jumped out at me. In turn, I found that I liked it! Reading the bible is like having a conversation with God. It’s a long, and slightly confusing conversation at times, but a conversation where I slowly know Him better. Most of the time, it’s also helped me know me better too.

After pondering it, I wondered if the answer to my question really mattered? Why? Well, whatever the reason the comment was made, it seemed like a missed opportunity. A teachable moment if you will. I know, those are what we think belong to children, but we adults have them too.

So I wondered, what if instead of tossing off a comment that may or may not be useful, why not see this as a teachable moment? Wouldn’t this be the perfect time to encourage your listeners to read for themselves what God has placed in His book? Instead of just assuming they’ve never heard of the character or story, ask IF it’s new to them? If it is, that is the perfect time to invite them to go home and read through the passage themselves. To take some time and ponder what the words say and the context of when they were written. To make space for the Holy Spirit to take the words on the page, and the message from the pulpit to speak into our every day lives.

So if you hear a comment like that in a preach, sermon, teaching (whatever you happen to call it) just remember the opportunity you have before you. If the story or character IS new to you, check it out more! Read the passage in different translations, check out a commentary and talk about it with a friend. The stories are old, but we are told that “there is nothing new under the sun.” So in these stories and the people who lived them out, we have the opportunity to see a reflection of our own lives.

October 5, 2024 0

Faith: Strap in!

The last time I visited Disneyland, I had a moment of panic on the Tower of Terror ride. I had the seatbelt on, and had pulled the yellow rope, but I still didn’t feel secure. Unlike other rides, I had nothing to brace myself against if the seatbelt failed. So before we started, I lifted my whole body, putting as much of my full weight as I could against the belt to confirm it would hold. Which is pretty silly since the force I could exert just sitting there was only a fraction of what would happen when the ride was actually operating! It did help me feel a bit better, but not much. It wasn’t until that first drop, when the belt was tested to it’s max and held, did I finally relax and enjoy the ride.

Today, when I was reading about faith, that’s what God brought to mind. You can trust in God, but until it’s tested, you can’t call it faith. I pray that God would remind you of the journey you have already walked with Him, and that remembrance would strengthen your own faith as you continue on that journey.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

September 6, 2024 0

Gettin’ back to workin’ it out!

I am feeling a sense of renewal today. I feel like I’ve just finished a good rest. Maybe I needed time to rest, be quiet and listen? Time to hear that still small voice and work to align my heart with what I’ve heard.

Or maybe I was sleep walking? Going through the motions, getting things done, and wrestling with God. Trying to shut out that still small voice, and trying to get Him to align with my plan.

….“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14

I love this verse because it always reminds me of the movie “Shawn of the Dead.” I know, not high art, but It was through this movie that God gave me a perspective of a life I could easily fall into.

We humans are all at risk of sleep walking. It’s hard to sleep though a whole life, but maybe there are periods of time that just seem to slip through our fingers. Periods of time we waste just going through the motions. I believe my time has been a bit of both. Time to seek and see what is next on the horizon, while wrestling against what I already know. Time to get back to the writing that helps me “work out” my salvation, and hopefully encourages others along the way.

August 4, 2024 1

Prepared to do good…..

There is an annual event in the valley called Kids Day. It is an fundraiser for Valley Children’s hospital. We are blessed in the central valley to have an exceptional children’s hospital, that gives amazing care. So every year on Kid’s Day, the Fresno Bee sells a special edition newspaper, and hundreds of people stand at intersections selling them for a a couple bucks. It is such a well received fundraiser, that many people give more than the asking price. As I was getting ready for work, they mentioned it on the news, so I checked my purse to make sure I had a few dollars ready for my paper. I left the house this morning, prepared to do good. As I got into the car, I put the money on the seat beside me so I would be ready.

While driving I decided to try out my new earpiece that my husband purchased for me, I put it on and was talking to him in an instant. I drove and shared a running commentary of the detour that had been set up the day before and the utility problem they had been working on. By the time I had hung up with him only a few minutes had passed, and I was approaching the high school where I would turn right, to get to the freeway. It was then I was somewhat surprised by the person standing on the corner? I realized that there was a woman selling a Kid’s Day paper. As soon as I saw her I knew what she was doing, but in the few short minutes that it took to get from my house to the high school, I realized that my mind had been distracted from Kid’s Day back to normal life. What had been at the top of my mind when I left home had been displaced in a few short minutes.

As I slowed to make the turn, I rolled down the window and handed her the money I had on the seat next to me. As I continued driving, I thought about how easy it was for me to forget about “doing good”. It made me think, what if I hadn’t checked to make sure I had a couple of dollars before leaving home would I have gotten a paper? If I hadn’t had the money out on my seat, would I have had time to dig in my purse, possibly holding up traffic,to get my paper? I am not sure. They only sell it on the street in the morning. If I had waited until lunchtime, I would have been out of luck.

How many of us find ourselves in the same position? We want to do good, but when the opportunity presents itself, we aren’t prepared to respond. Along the way, we’ve become distracted by other things. I thought back in my own life, on the many times I wasn’t able to respond to a need because I wasn’t prepared. The checkbook wasn’t balanced, bills were due or I had spent too much on other things. I get distracted along the way, and take my eyes off of being a good steward with God’s money. I know He owns it all, but in all honesty, most of the time I act like it’s all mine!

It has been a prayer of mine for a while now, that I become better with God’s money. Sometimes I am on track, but most of the time I am just trying to get back to where I should be. Today was a good day though, not only because of the newspaper. I was made aware of a need, and I was able to help. It felt good, but even more than that, it dawned on me that it was an answer to prayer. You see, this weekend I’d bit the bullet and worked on bills. What needed to be paid then, what could wait for the next paycheck, the whole rotten business. It felt good to get it done, but the unexpected benefit was that when the need arose, I knew that I could help in a small way.

Near the end of the work day I heard a verse: James 3:13, “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.” I thought the verse spoke to what happened during the day, it makes me want to seek “wisdom from above” and understanding I believe only God can give. I am thankful for the lessons of today, and thankful for the opportunity that came with it. It gives me hope that I am starting to understand a little, and that each day I can be prepared to do good!

March 15, 2024 0

Just a simple question….

I love Three Kings Day! While I have a list full of tasks I need to get done, I couldn’t end this day without a post about the Wise Men. I’ve been thinking about those guys for years! It’s become one of my favorite parts of the Bible, the retelling of the wise men’s visit to the baby Jesus.

This post though, began with a conversation with some ladies about our church. We were talking about what we could do to better serve God, the women of our church and the community. As we talked I was excited about the possibilities! It wasn’t because of what our little group could do, but because of the wise men. You see, I always think about the gifts that God gives to the church when I think about the wise men.

Who were these men? They have been called kings, wise men or magi, and how you refer to them may depend on your own cultural background. What I do know is that they were blessed with wealth and knowledge, and they used them both. They knew the prophecy and when they saw the star, they traveled with gifts to honor a king. Whether they realized it or not, God used these men as a conduit to care for the needs of Jesus and his earthly family. Who knew that some gold would come in handy when you’re fleeing in the opposite direction of your home to a foreign country? Well God did!

What does the new year hold for our church and community? While we don’t know, we can be confident that God does! I believe that just like He provided for Joseph, Mary and Jesus, He’s provided for the work He’s already planned.

As I was thinking about the wise men, I was also reminded of a man named Bezalel. So when God wanted to have a place to be in the midst of His people, He told Moses to make a tabernacle. This wasn’t just any old tent though, the specifications were precise and everything about it was spelled out to Moses by God.

“You shall make an altar on which to burn incense; you shall make it of acacia wood. A cubit shall be its length, and a cubit its breadth. It shall be square, and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and around its sides and its horns. And you shall make a molding of gold around it. And you shall make two golden rings for it. Under its molding on two opposite sides of it you shall make them, and they shall be holders for poles with which to carry it. You shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. And you shall put it in front of the veil that is above the ark of the testimony, in front of the mercy seat that is above the testimony, where I will meet with you.” Exodus 30:1-6

This was just for an altar! God specified the way to build each aspect of the tabernacle, all the way down to the priests undergarments! What makes us think that His plans for our new year are any different? I wonder if Moses started freaking out a little when he realized all the work, craftsmanship and skill that would go into this space? This is where God reassures Moses that he’s already taken care of that.

The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent, the table and its utensils, and the pure lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin and its stand, and the finely worked garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.” Exodus 31:1-11

God had gifted this man to lead, and others to do the work He’d already planned. We’re each given gifts, blessings or abilities that when used, we bring glory to God in the congregation and the community.

“Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

I think of the gifts He has given me, and how I am using them. Or at times, not using them. I also think of the church and how the gifts people have been given show up every day on campus and in the community. I always wonder though, what gifts are still there yet unused? How do we ignite the church and empower each of us to use all the gifts God has provided?

My prayer is that we would all ask the ourselves a simple question. What experiences, abilities, blessings has God given me that combined with the Holy Spirit will equal the good deeds God’s already planned for His glory? By God’s grace may we all find our answer.

January 6, 2024 0

Which way, Wisdom or Folly?

We are reading through the book of Proverbs at church, and I caught by this interchange of Lady Wisdom and the Woman of Folly. Sounds like one of those old fashion radio shows or an episode of Sherlock Holmes.

What really caught my attention was the question that both of the women asked.

Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!’ To him who lacks understanding she says….. Proverbs 9:4 and 9:16.

At this point, both Lady Wisdom and the Woman of Folly are asking the exact same question. So I wondered, how do you tell them apart? How do you know if you’re following either wisdom or folly, if they sound so much alike?

It always becomes clearer down the road, as wisdom and folly will take very different paths, but many times that’s way too late. By that time, folly leads us into places we shouldn’t be, with experiences we should never have had. So, how can we tell the difference between these two from the beginning? How can we make sure we don’t take one step down the path of folly?

The verses surrounding each question go on to give information as to who these women are, and what their reputations may tell us about them. Lady Wisdom prepares a banquet and invites you in and encourages you to live a life of meaning. The Woman of Folly, entices with whispers of a good time and secrets. It seems that we should know the Woman of Folly is up to no good, right? It’s easy as I sit here to compare and contrast wisdom and folly, but this isn’t the movies where there’s an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other. I still wondered, how can I tell the difference?

Before the Woman of Folly has her chance to ask the question it says:

Calling to those who pass by, who are making their paths straight….. Proverbs 9: 15.

So all those men walking on the straight path or just passing by, have no intention of visiting Folly. She entices them though to turn into her house. That really may be our most strong indication of who she is, because as you turn to her you turn away from God.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.

And it hit me (or I should say He hit me) that it’s not wisdom and folly I need to focus on, but my Heavenly Father! Without seeking Him first, there will be no way I can tell wisdom and folly apart. Seeking Him is what keeps us all on the right path. It’s the path He sets before us and that path ONLY leads to wisdom!

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. James 3:17

July 14, 2023 0

What is worth?

So here I am in the dark and I do not fight it

I embrace it

Embrace the fear, sadness and weakness of this moment

I want to leave it behind

Get up and strive

Do things that will cover the anxiety and doubt of this moment

But I don’t

I want to be angry

Anger feels powerful

When I am angry I don’t feel the rejection

That steals my breath away

Instead I resolve to breathe deep and honor the rejection

I embrace the hurt

I revel in the weakness, as hard as it is

It is almost overwhelming, and brings me to my knees

It is on my knees where I again find strength

In Your presence, the darkness flees

I am nothing without You

I am a daughter

I AM’s daughter

April 26, 2023 0

A hand along the way…..

I saw a Facebook post tonight and it reminded me of something I’d been pondering lately. The post spoke about this series, “The Chosen,” and how they portrayed the Bible story of the woman who’d been bleeding for 12 years. Not only has she been physically ill, but because of the bleeding, she would have been considered unclean under the law. Since she was unclean, that would’ve put actual physical barriers between her and other people. No one could touch her or anything she had touched because that would make them unclean too. Over the years she had gone to many doctors and none had made her any better, only worse. By the time her path crosses Jesus’, she’s been sick for years, she’s broke and desperate. She’s at the end of her rope and thinks, believes, knows that Jesus is her only answer for healing. She goes to touch the hem of his robe and miraculously is healed! This is one of my favorite stories as the details paint a beautiful picture of how Jesus relates to the woman.

It was a tweet though that gave me a different perspective. Someone had wondered about this woman and who would have been the first people after Jesus to speak to her? Could it be the women who followed along with Jesus? We have details of multiple women traveling with Him and the disciples during this time. How would these women have responded to a woman, who because of her sickness, was considered unclean? I imagined they watched with the rest of the crowd, transfixed as Jesus asked “who touched me?” They saw as a woman came before Jesus, seeing fear in her face as she told her story. They then saw Him gently call her daughter, and proclaim her whole!

As sisters in Christ, we should be walking with each other, ready to come along side and hold out a hand to lift up and encourage. As daughters, we should be ready to do that with anyone that God brings our way. In this story it was a woman who was unclean, for us it may be a woman who’s just made the wrong choices for too long a season. The mercy shown in an outstretched hand may just be what she needs to finally leave that season, and seek something good. I watched “The Chosen” and could barely wait for the story line to reach this scene. I quietly sobbed as I watched the show portray the story. While I might have tweaked it a bit, I was so touched by how it was portrayed. It confirmed something to me that I had been feeling since the tweet I’d read weeks earlier. That’s the kind of woman I want to be! Ready and willing to listen, love and be of service to the women God brings along my path!

As women, they probably heard and sympathized as they knew what their own monthly bleeding meant and how it affected their lives. I wonder though, did they pause before approaching her as she was technically unclean? Was there a barrier in their minds, knowing what the law stated? They may have paused in their actions, but I like to think that the care Jesus showed this woman, gave them the freedom to know what to do next! That in the next moment when Jesus was called off to heal a young girl, they stepped forward and kneeled down next to this new sister in faith. I can imagine they would have been making plans to get her fresh clothes, asking who her family was, and talking excitedly about her restoration to the community and home. I was struck by the scene as I imagined it, and knew this is how it should be!

March 20, 2023 1

Lent: Recipe to remember….

So yesterday I joined my small group for a Fat Tuesday menu of gumbo, rice and king cake. It was delicious, and since my friend Paige cooked, it was quite authentic. I love traditions! And since Fat Tuesday is over, that means it’s Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. I love this season and try to use it as a time of focus. Each year it’s had a little different look, but this year I’m really trying to get back in that writing habit. I’ve had a hard time writing in the past few years for many reasons, but to tell you the truth, the biggest problem has been me! So I am going back to the beginning, and that strange recipe that God has given me to make communication easier. Strangely enough, it just comes down to three little words, wrestling, writing and encourage!

The WWE acronym had me cracking up this morning since wrestling is the first step in the process. Typically it’s something that comes to my attention, and I then wrestle with God to process, learn and maybe find some wisdom for my life. I then write about the process in the hopes it would encourage someone else like it’s encouraged me. I am not a bible scholar, and I am not here to tell you how to live. I just hope what I say might make you think and start your own wrestling with God.

So today, I felt like I had a directional adjustment! Priorities were put back in place and how to use the time of Lent became a little clearer. I was reminded of who I am and Whose I am in this world. And while I was thankful for the clarity, I was even more thankful for the extremely funny way it was communicated!

February 23, 2023 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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