Twenty Eighteen Gone BYE!

January

What a year! 2018! Another family storm set course for our direction just at the start.

I took a leap of faith…. I was tired of not growing.

You know the more I think about this the more I think the one thing I’m quitting at is to do better. I feel like I’m quitting at the potential that I know I have in me is built for more.

February

God took me on some nice retreats!!! He know I needed it because I was entering a fragile season.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll discover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhymes of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30 The Message Translation

March

The Unknown Stage… “Being in an unknown stage of life is very difficult but one thing I know to do is trust God!” God take the wheel. Drive. Lead. Guide. Propel. I am trying to provoke you with my faith, even if the mustard seed type moved a mountain. I know you can do even more. Not knowing is where I stand. All knowing is who You are. I trust You got the rest, especially what lies within.

April

I wish I could find the thing that speaks right to my mind right away.
I am looking at books, more scriptures, inspirational quotes and devotionals… click out, still the same grapple.

I mean I am a Christian but can I be honest …
Sometimes I find that I can’t find it even in the Word.
I don’t know where to go or where to turn.
I know the Word of God brings deliverance.
There is no buts in that.

Just a mind that gets cluttered and cannot even find rest in the written clear way if that makes any sense!!!

May

A delight to know.
I wont forget this Word.
Even when I don’t see it.
When adversity strikes and shakes the soul.
Jesus will bring me to a complete calmness,
Just as He did to calm the raging sea.
We all are surrounded by it at one point or another.
He will bring it to a complete calmness.
A total victory already won.

June

I guess I am going to have to walk in step with God that no matter where I find myself He is holding me so tight–through every thing and every day.  Good –bad –ugly –frustrated –chaos –busyness –overloads!!!

As long as my path is blazed by God I know I am always going to be happy.
Even in the busiest moments I must say that I know that He has a grip on my life.
I am going to keep on trusting Him on that.

July

I am more than a conqueror!
That’s everything that I am!
That’s everything that He tells me!
That’s what I got to focus on!
To believe the best about myself!
Not the negatives that people want to push on me.
Try saying some life in the “correction”
But the focus for me cannot, will not and shall not be everything that I am not!!!!
My focus will be everything that I am through Christ who strengthens me!!!

August

Today I got my first seed for “Rise Above Adversity!” My second book release. I waited all day for this book to come in yesterday from Amazon—finally to see it live! So I ordered this special copy for myself intended to keep it.

When the book arrives last night and I examine it, the book is smaller than Rebuilt. I said, “Wow, it’s beautiful but I can’t sell this for $20!!!” And my husband said “Don’t worry —yes you can. It is not about the size of the book but the content that is in it.” So I asked our administrator too (lol) and he said “It’s fine, people will buy it but if you feel like to change it then whatever.”

I am walking around with the book and when we got to a second church to preach as a guest in New Jersey, a man begged me for MY BOOK!!! I’m like, “NO! This is my copy.” He said “I am not leaving without that book I need it!” I said “Okay fine …” I hand him the book and he gave me folded money. He was super happy. I just threw it in my bag. A few minutes later I look and I am like this is a $20 bill but I come to see it is $50!!!!! The Spirit told me, “Don’t put a price on that book! It is a seed!” Glory to Jesus

September

It’s been nice, real nice to be in these days. In the sacrifice I can see God’s supernatural. I had been through such a series of downfall after downfall. In the professional area, in ministry, relationships, emotions, my health and any attempt at trying to progress.

I can see today why this occurred. It’s one thing to preach and another to live through that preaching. So many sleepless nights have passed, tears unseen and cries unheard. God kept His eyes on me the whole time.

God never sends the promise while we are strong. He sends them when we have been weakened like CRAZY! So that way when we come to see the impossible we have no doubt but to declare how He does things in unprecedented ways!

October

I had left early yesterday to arrive as a guest on the show TBN Salsa that is going across 140 countries! Wow… OK–Be anxious for NOTHING! Try that in the midst of dead stop traffic…red lights all around!!!! I cannot even express to you how much everyone in my car was on overdrive! LOL

Obviously I was late –extremely late.  So much so that they had to change the order of speakers.  I was supposed to go first and be ready to deliver.  What circumstances that were set before me.  It always seems to happen that in someway or another I end up last.  Only God.

November

Dear Christina,
I met you at the conference in Charlottesville; I started reading your book the same day that you tossed it on my lap as you were speaking at the conference on Elizabeth in the Bible. I read it in two days. I wept, I stood up, I curled up with it in my bed, I lifted my voice to the Lord, I personally understand every word and gut wrenching sentiment of your book.  I have survived the unthinkable as well, even death at my door.  I found myself in every page.  Your words Christina, ring our mercy and strength.  I thank you for your book.  Love and prayers…

December

Never in my life have I been so completely spent. Never could I have prepared enough for the steps leading up to this moment. Never could I have thought that these things would rip apart my heart and sanity at the expense of achieving happiness for others…. EVEN THEN…. it wasn’t enough. For I could never please everyone. I could anticipate that truth. I was focused on the two. I was focused on the goal. Gladly stated, I would say we successfully achieved just that.

They wed.
And it was epic.
It was the wedding of the century.
Winter Wonderland was accomplished.
The vision was carried out.
Everyone was undeniably blown away in some form or another.
So I decided.
I lived, loved and laughed in my own way.

Today I stated, as I led the morning prayer for MUI Prayer hearing as I woke yes, as congested and committed: AGAINST ALL ODDS!

I made it!
We made it!
I am not gonna quit.
Especially for what and who I love. ♥️

2018 is now gone bye. 2019 will be where the impossible becomes POSSIBLE! Happy New Year to my family, friends and community of believers both online and in the ministry. We could never have done this much in silos. The connection has been a lifeline.

With love,

Christina

About Christina

Blessings to all that are viewing this. My name is Christina Cruz-Mendez. I am a Senior Pastor at Mission United International Church in Yonkers, NY working along side my husband Juan A. Mendez Jr. Senior Pastor, currently residing in Canton, Georgia. We have been together for 29 years with 2 children that God has blessed us with. Makes us the family of four - "JusChrist4". I have been a Christian and active in ministry for about 22 years now. Through all the rocky and smooth roads in life I am eternally grateful that God has brought me this far in life to share with the world what He is doing in me, through me and for me. View all posts by Christina

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