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Sowing love…..

Today I was teaching a Sunday School class for Pre-K and Kindergarten kids. Love the images alliteration there. We had the Good Samaritan as a story and were emphasizing to the kids that Jesus wants us to love everybody. Our verse to remember today? Love one another, John 13:34. In this day and age of isolationism and categorizing each other, it was fun to use the simple illustration of the Good Samaritan loving another person. Not one of his own kind, not a friend, but just another human being.

As I read the story beforehand to prepare my own understanding, I was struck by a word used in the bible. It was despised. That wasn’t the description of the thieves, or the actions of the two men who passed by. It was an adjective used to describe the Samaritan. This was the word to describe what would turn out to be the good guy in our story. Continue reading “Sowing love…..” →

March 6, 2017 0

Points to ponder..Marco Rubio speech

So this is not what was on my agenda for the morning, but I had to sit and quickly get it out. I was doing my normal morning check of Yahoo to see if there was anything interesting going on, and I saw a Washington Post article that caught my attention.

“Marco Rubio just gave a really important speech – but almost no one paid attention”

Now that headline coming from the Washington Post was enough to get me to read the article. Even better than that though, they posted the video of the speech. After reading the article, I watched the speech in its entirety and I would encourage everyone to watch it also. I am glad I watched, as I took away two important things to consider.

First, it is about how we are going down a rabbit hole, my words not his, of not being able to have civilized debate on the issues. He sees that as a problem, and on that point I agree wholeheartedly. It is about eight minutes long, but really worth your time. And while I have had this type of opinion for a while now, I am glad that I am not the only one thinking….what the heck? I think you can disagree with this man on everything, but can agree that we have to communicate and try to understand each other, even when we hold different views. Especially when we hold different views!

Now I did say that there were two important points, and this is the second one. I did read the article from the Post, and while the author agreed with what the Senator said about the state of debate in our country, he also seemed to cast aspersions on the Senator himself. Just reminding us that he is a politician, and you know? That Rubio was saying this maybe not from his heart, but because it would serve his “long-term best interests”. After I read the article, I watched the video itself, and agreed that it contained important thoughts. So I decided that I would post it, but did not necessarily want to post the article with it. So I Googled the speech, and that is when I really came to my second point. I saw more headlines about the speech, but these had a different take.

“The Marco Rubio knockdown of Elizabeth Warren no liberal media outlet will cover”

Each side took the same speech, saw it through their own beliefs and gave it a little spin. How can the same words have such different reactions? What does it show me? Well, it says to me that when we hear the news, we only get part of the information. From both sides. So do your due diligence. Before you get all hot and bothered by someone’s remarks, go to the source. Find the video, document or whatever! If you can’t do that, then hold back that little bit in your brain that acknowledges that you might be wrong. That you might not have been given the whole picture. Maybe that will even help us with understanding each other.

So I would encourage you to listen to the speech. To not worry about who is saying it, why he is saying it, and where he is saying it. To take his remarks, on their own merit. I know this is hard. After you listen, consider his remarks and see how you feel just about the words said. Make up your mind as to whether they make sense or not, and if you can take some wisdom out of them. After that, you may go back to agreeing or disagreeing with him, as is your pleasure.

*I did not post a link on purpose. If you are interested in seeing the video just Google Marco Rubio speech and you will find it.

February 10, 2017 0

Once a foreigner…..

I have been sick for the past two weeks, and have found it hard to sit and write for extended periods of time. So for some reason, this previous blog post popped into my head, and I decided to share it today. I am hoping the coughing ends soon, but I think this blog post helps me remember who God wants me to be in these very noisy days.

During the week, I sat down with my husband and watched a PBS special on “Italian Americans”. Being one myself, I was interested to watch the story of the Italian immigrants who started to come to this county in the late 1800’s. Those who came to America faced prejudice, racism and a hard life in the midst of the industrial revolution. They came though, for a better life! While it was a hard road, they travelled it with their families, community and their faith. I totally enjoyed the program, but I was not really encouraged by it until Saturday. That was when I took some time to study for our Sunday lesson.

As I read through the story of the ten lepers that Jesus heals, I was struck by the one who came back to thank him. He was a Samaritan, a foreigner. In the Bible account, he is the only one who comes back and gives praise to God. It is interesting that the author of the story points out the difference of his nationality. I believe that may speak to the prejudice in Jesus’ own time. It is the same prejudice that affected my forefathers, and the same prejudice I see affecting people today. It was in that connection, that I heard the quiet whisper of encouragement.

What was so encouraging about seeing that prejudice has not gone away? Well it was Jesus example. Instead of bypassing those who were different, He chose to heal and forgive. He did not pay attention to the prejudice of the day whether it was based on race, nationality, sin, religion or class. Jesus looked past all these things to the actual person. It was exciting, even liberating. For me, it showed a freedom to ignore the classifications that society puts on people. The freedom to treat everyone as if they were just like me, because they are, even if they don’t seem like it. That is the freedom that Jesus gives us. To accept the foreigner as if he were family.

And yes….that is the manifest for my Great Grandfather when he came to this country in 1898.

January 30, 2017 3

Good News, Great Joy, All People!

So to make a long story short, I have a bit of a new purpose statement for this new year. It really kind of came to me a little before Christmas, and it seemed to make an impression for multiple reasons. I actually could not get away from it because it is a bible verse that is part of the traditional Christmas story. Wow…this short story seems to be getting longer by the minute!

But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people”. Luke 2:10

I was looking for a verse to make some wall art, and this one popped onto my radar. I knew it would be awesome, so I would use “Glad Tidings, Great Joy” on a picture. It is actually one of my favorite verses out of the Christmas story, because of a church production that I was in many moons ago. One of the children said the line, like sixteen times, over the two weeks that the show ran. “I bring you glad tidings of great joy!” Every time he said that part, we laughed. The way he emphasized the words was so …joyful! To this day, the memory still makes me happy.

This time though, I was struck by a different note in the verse. It was the end that seemed to jump off the page and stick in my mind. I totally remember the “glad tidings and great joy” part, but I didn’t remember hearing the “all people”? At that point, I was thinking that something important was missing from my project. The “all people” was not something that I felt could be left off the photo.

Why? Well maybe it was a reaction to this whole year of anger, fear, with so much talking and not enough loving. In this past year of election noise, I wondered if that proclamation of “good news” was clearly heard? Did I see “great joy” when I looked in the mirror? Or in the church pews? And were “all people” able to hear and see those things? We may have thought so, but in watching and listening, I really wasn’t so sure?

Continue reading “Good News, Great Joy, All People!” →

January 11, 2017 1

Lost on SR155

So it is Saturday, and that means my hubby wants to practice with his new camera. The thing about that is, he always wants me to go with him. He was disappointed this morning, since I had an appointment at 9:00 and that means any day trip wouldn’t start till after 10:00. We are kind of a get up at the crack of dawn and miss the traffic kind of travelers, so waiting till that late in the morning was hard for him. I think I made it up to him though, as I got us a bit lost which gave us a bit more of an adventure.

We were supposed to be heading to the Tule Elk State Nature Reserve, but I got it mixed up and we ended up at the Kern National Wildlife Refuge.

The place where we wound up was closed, can you imagine? It was only open for the duck hunters, which is not the kind of shooting we do. We made a note to come back, especially when a big hawk flew over us moving from a tree to a telephone pole. It was amazing!

So I attached a few pictures. Since I had steered us wrong, I knew I had to make it up to him. So I told him he could drive, and he did. We wound up going into the foothills on SR155. We saw blue sky, the small town (?) of Woody, beautiful green valleys and cowboys. It was a wonderful day. We now know a great route to drive for some beautiful scenery and two places that we will visit in the future. More places to explore, and more pictures to take.

December 18, 2016 4

Christmas traditions….

So I was a little sad on Sunday night. My hubby’s cousin is a music pastor, and they were having the last performance of their annual Christmas program. It brought back memories of previous years, and the annual tradition of Round the Table Carol Sing.

That was the name of the Christmas program at our previous church. It was a huge undertaking of music, drama, sets, and a whole lot of Burnt Almond Cake. There was a contemporary story, that was mixed in with a retelling of the story of Jesus birth. What I remember most about Carol Sing was the reaction of those who came to watch. They were always amazed by all of the surrounding sets, lighting and costumes. It was pretty over the top! I was privileged to be a part of it for a couple of years. Nothing special, just a part of the choir, except for that one year when I played a Santa Baby. My hubby still enjoys that hazy memory. It was such a wonderful experience. Why? Well, to be a part of something that brought so much joy to people was exciting. It was something that I could not do alone, but with God and a whole group of people, amazing things happen.

So as I was putting silverware on tables at the Lemoore Christmas Community dinner, I teared up a little. I was just feeling a little homesick. Nostalgic. Well since I am not a pretty crier, I quickly got myself under control and got back to work. I was an Elf after all, and nobody likes a sad elf. So my duties for the evening would be to help facilitate the craft and presents at a couple of tables. Greet the families and just help to ensure that they were having a good time. After I gave my new friends a general idea of what would happen during the evening; dinner/presents/raffles/pictures, we just started having a fun together. Talking, laughing and teasing each other. The kids enjoyed making their ornament and who doesn’t love some cake after dinner.

I made some extra special friends at one table. I had some bells that I had put on ribbons a couple of years ago, and they had been hanging on my tree each year. Before I left home, I had grabbed them and put them on my wrist. There is nothing better than walking around jingling, much to my hubby’s dismay. Anyway, at one point during the evening, one of the girls said she liked them. So I took them off, separated the strings and gave one to each girl. I was very happy that I had three, how perfect was that! I now have friends for life.

The organizers made sure that those who attended were lavished with care, food, pictures and then there was more. They were shocked, then excited and then they were delighted by each new surprise. At one table a fifteen year old young sat with his family. He was a happy guy. Those were his words, not mine. He seemed truly impressed by everyone’s generosity and gave me a big hug before they left. I have never met him before and may never see him again, but I will remember the look in his eyes for the rest of my life. Their table did not open the presents they were given, so I told him that I hoped the present would be good. I stood with his mom as they pulled tickets for the raffle, hoping she would win that gift card to Payless. Funny how excited you can get for someone else when you are not in the raffle yourself.

One of the boys at the other table was excited. He whispered that he had peeked into the package and the present inside was good. Then I was excited too! We laughed together, and I was so relieved that he was going to like what he received.

As the night ended I could not believe what an amazing time I’d had. It was then That I remembered Carol Sing. It was that same type of feeling. The one that comes when so many people come together and do a great work, that none of them could have done alone. When they let generosity, hope and grace flow from God through them. So many presents, so much food, so much time and so many people! Those who organized this event not only provided a meal and presents, they gave those who attended a night where they were treated as honored guests.

And as for me? Next year, no more tears. I am excited to say that I have a new Christmas tradition.

December 14, 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

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

Not to be silent

My son called to check on me this past Tuesday. He wanted to see how my writin
g was going and how I was feeling. We are a lot alike, so he knows how mental I can get.

He was frustrated, and it was over a Facebook post with someone that he restects. He said that they had a “discussion” and he had gotten irritated. He said that he was glad that the post was taken down, but he was frustrated with himself. So he was thinking about just deleting his account for a while, which I think is a good idea. It is hard. I am his mom and know about the potential I see in him, but I also know of the demons he fights.

So I asked him about his voice? You see, I started to write about my own voice the other day. Not the one I sing with, as it is nothing to write home about. It is the one that is heard by what I communicate with my life. I was unable to finish the thoughts, but I decided to share with him what I started to write.

We all have a voice. It is the things we think and feel. It is our views, the things we consider important and our character. Our voice comes through the words we speak, what we may write and how we act. Some people have a voice that reaches millions, but most of us have a much smaller circle where we are heard. My son has some good verbal skills. He is a pretty good talker, and because of that, I encourage him to use his words wisely. He has yet to fully adopt this advice, but I am hoping that he will one day.

Each of our voices are important, but there are times where I believe that my voice was silent. When I was young, I was afraid to ask questions, to give answers or just in general talk to those in authority. It made going to school very hard. I told my son the story of not wanting to sneeze in class when I was in fifth grade. Why? Well my teacher would say “God bless you”, and he would expect you to say “thank you”. I can remember sitting there, trying so hard not to sneeze. It was supposed to be all very pleasant, but because of his authority over me, it was breathtakingly scary. I shared a few other anecdotes to give him a better picture, but they are much more embarrassing, so I will keep those between us.

I told him that even now, I have to fight to put my voice out there. That my intent is to use my voice as a means to glorify God, and to the gifts He has given me to encourage people.

Since encouragement comes through my words I am working hard, not to be silent. A fact to which my husband and boys can attest. I told my son that his voice is important too. That there is someone, that he hasn’t met yet, that will need to hear what he has to say. That he should not let things that are not important silence that voice. Through my life there have been times that I have been made silent by fear. I suggested to him that because of anger, he may effectively silence himself.

Why is it so important?

We are a world that has a lot of problems, but I believe there is a God who can transform. I told my son that when he talks with people with differing views, the point is not to get them to change their minds, it is to make them think. To spur them to seek wisdom from God, not to just win the argument.

He thanked me and we got off the phone, and I was pleased with the conversation. The last thing I asked him was to really think about what I had said, and even consider the effect his voice could have on his community. I listed the problems we had discussed, and reminded him that there is a way for these problems to disappear. It takes people loving God and then loving our neighbor as ourselves. In his community, it can start with him. In mine, it can start with me. And even though I write in a blog that effectively, anyone around the world can read. My real sphere of influence is right here in my own community. This is where my voice can be heard best, and those around me get to see if I truly live according to my words.

September 15, 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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