Author Archives: Christina

About Christina

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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.
May 26, 2016

Greater Love

By Christina

imageI think I have been taught so much, “don’t nurture the wrong things” that I may miss the things I need to naturally nurture. Time with self–always important. Time with God–that is priority. Time with church, work, family and friends. And trying to manage all that can even be exhausting. Then I open and read today:

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family.
Proverbs 27:10

I think I forsake that a lot. Especially when there are very few that do care more than I think. Today I had the opportunity mid-week to do nothing but show up. I went back to work after taking a few days off and I wish I could have rested more. Responsibilities kick in but it is nice to have an opportunity to bask in the favor from family and friends.

Thank you.
Continue reading

Leave a comment | posted in Love

May 25, 2016

Unuttered Cries

By Christina

imageI haven’t blogged in a while. My thoughts are not for writing. They vary lately from the movement, moments and travel. It has been busy with a lot to absorb.

I don’t want to neglect this gift. This avenue God gave me to tap into. I am a woman of words. But when life strikes the words are more difficult to determine. It is hard to document.

Unutterable. How do you express all of that. Loved ones hurting as illness stings the backbone members. Everything hanging on a balance beam.

Timing?

Uncertainties?

What’s next?

When? Continue reading

2 Comments   |  tags: | posted in Family, Love

May 19, 2016

Streams in the Wastelands

By Christina

imageWasteland is a land that is uncultivated or barren; it is an area that is devastated, as by flood, storm, or war. It is something, as a period of history, phase of existence, or locality, that is spiritually or intellectually barren.

Sounds so negative. Like an ugly situation.
But God!

Forget the former things;
Do not dwell on the past.
See, I AM doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (New International Version)

Other translations say desert, wilderness, dry land or in a desolate place. So God is telling us that in THAT place, He is going to make a river. In THAT place, He is going to make a path. In THAT place, He is going to make a way. And I don’t know HOW, WHERE, WHEN, OR WITH WHO but what I do know is that in THIS PLACE, He will bless me. Continue reading

Leave a comment | posted in Faith, Hope, Love

May 12, 2016

Dealing With Adversity

By Christina

image
Everyone struggles with adversity.
You are not exempt.

Would you count your trials as a sheer GIFT? Not really, but there is a reward from conquering them. We shall see…

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-4‬ ‭MSG‬‬

If my situation is challenging me, it is because I’m learning something new, rising to a higher level of understanding. Help me be grateful, even in my frustration, that life is an exciting progression of lessons.
The Language Of Letting Go, By Melody Beattie
Learning New Behaviors: May 9th Continue reading

Leave a comment | posted in Inspiration