Category Archives: Family

November 27, 2018

Dear Family

By Christina

Dear Family,

A big week has arrived for us and we have been experiencing big issues at the same time. The best thing that we have that is bigger than all of that is a big God that we all serve.

This is the moment where we get to all live that out and put it into practice.

Over the course of weeks and months this has been such a trying time for us all. We lost life. We lost family. We lost love and some of us even lost hope.

However, we also can say that others have gained life, gained family, gained love and some gaining more hope.

In the midst of transitional heights such as this –we experience a lot of raw emotions. This is okay. This is normal but we can’t stay in this place at all. All this is passing. Even this time may cause us to say and do things we never thought that we would do before. What do we do now? How do we embrace such great transitions? Just thinking about that as we are still healing and helping is some kind of anguish. It is never that easy for any one of us.

A pillar of our family was tragically stripped from us. Another pillar was tragically struck with illness. Others have transitioned away into their next season as this is a normal thing we embrace. Others are moving out or moving away. Some are wretched tears and others are with great celebrating. We cried, yelled, screamed, laughed, hugged…. Nevertheless, we have also said things that we probably should not have or done things we should not have. Much of what we regret but we cannot take back.

I am sorry for the things I said and done.

We can all attest to that. What can I say?  This is not going to be an easy season especially approaching the holidays.  In these next four days, perhaps we can do all that we can in the midst of our past, our pain, our purpose or any other priorities and make two people a HUGE priority this week and that is Cassandra and Matthew.

Let us love on them. Embrace them. Celebrate them. Encourage them. And help them as much as we could—but what I think they want to see more than anything else. Is that we do that together—in LOVE as a family.  A real family. Pushing aside all of our personal feelings, opinions, convictions and beliefs and work to do ONE THING ONLY THIS WEEK.

As my dear friend would always shout from the pulpit –“It’s not about you!”

It is really not.

It is about the LOVE of God and the love that He wants us to demonstrate more so even now. With all these moving parts.

I love you.

I really do.

Moreover, I hate that the enemy is using this for fuel to try and separate.  WE SHOULD KNOW BETTER!

LAY ASIDE YOUR SELF!!!! AND focus on the two that God is telling us to focus on in this moment.  We cannot give the enemy a foothold –because he is making it a stronghold and we know those are hard to tear down. Here is a recipe that I will say has been given to us.

Start with love. Start with hope. Let us follow the golden rule of Romans 12:12 and overcome this thing. It is our nature to act up –yes even as Christians! However, it is the Holy Spirits nature in us to make us press right through the natural into the supernatural and put on some SUPER LOVE.

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
Colossians 3:14 NKJV

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, WEAR LOVE. It’s your basic, all- purpose garment. NEVER BE WITHOUT IT.
Colossians 3:14 MSG

As I think about this precious moment of my only daughter walking down that aisle I am in such an unexplainable state. I leave those thoughts with God. But one thing we will remember is that garment she is wearing. The beautiful white gown on this bride. Symbolic of a pure love. That is the garment God wants us to put on. Just like that and that we never take this specific gown off, not for a moment.

We conquer. We rise above. We find a way.

With love,

Christina

4 Comments | posted in Celebration, Encouragement, Faith, Family, Healing, Hope, Love, Loved Letters, Relationships, Restoration, Transition, Trust

April 2, 2018

Always Remembering Tony Mendez

By Christina

April 2, 2017 will always be an unforgettable day for us as the late Pastor Tony Mendez went with the Lord. Our brother! A son. A husband and amazing dad. A Mendez backbone! A pillar! A pioneer for our family! A powerful Pastor and father of the faith to many. We will never forget how powerfully God used you to plant such depth in the hearts of many.

But to us, we hold so dearly and intimately. I will miss my big bear hug that almost broke my glasses and neck every time– YOU GIANT!!!! LOL.

We all miss that in every way. Your laughter and life. God’s got you and is holding us tightly. I listened first to your beautiful wife minister LIFE today when she was feeling the grave inside. I then stood in the presence with my husband, your beloved brother minister on the resurrected power of Christ out of that grave!

Some of the greatest people come out of that grave! Jesus paved the way! Death could not hold You down. For just when the enemy thought this would perhaps stop the gospel this only ADVANCED IT! We continue to run the race together, fight together, love together, minister together and grow in grace together! Our family is stronger than ever now. Anthony … We will ALWAYS have you in every step and moment knowing you are only waiting for us! We love you forever!!!! You would be so proud just as I am of these pillars of faith! ♥️🙏🏽🙌🏽

I cannot wait until my new book is released RISE ABOVE ADVERSITY! It is a special piece dedicated to our family. It means a lot to me as I know the Spirit of God prompted me to share when all we could do is learn to rise above our greatest adversity.

To God Be The Glory!!!

Forever in our hearts.

F O R E V E R.

2 Comments | posted in Family, Love

December 3, 2016

Cassiandra

By Christina

Maybe I didn’t know what to do.
Maybe I didn’t know where to go.
Maybe I was too young and unmarried.
Maybe I didn’t complete my education.
Maybe the goals I set didn’t really pan out.

But one thing I know, is that when you were born you changed my world. I stared at you so much as love flooded my heart. You were so beautiful just like you are even now.
I didn’t know anything but what I had experienced as a child and I only hoped I could make it right and do good.

But that didn’t happen did it.
I made mistakes. And not just like a little but MANY.
Some were HUGE mistakes and I needed God in my life to fix it!!!
Even then, I still found myself making mistakes and it frustrated me even more.

Then I remembered His grace. None of us are perfect, no not one. We need a Savior. Someone to stand in the gap for us. And He gladly took on that position and made us WHOLE.

I remember in 2000, I petitioned to God after dropping you off at the bus stop. I treated you HORRIBLY because we were running late, and it was so not your fault. What you don’t know is that I came back home, crashed to the floor and cried profusely, deeply as my soul was in anguish. The same way it is now when I STILL make mistakes. And I am so sorry for all of that. Any hurt, frustration, disappointment or the like that I cause from being so imperfect.

Why can’t I be that perfect parent God—

He said, “BECAUSE YOU CANT BE ME! I am the perfect Parent.”

“They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭14:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

So I will love you with a flawed love but God will love us with a perfect love. I can’t ever promise you that I will be perfect, but I can promise you this… I will always seek Him for US knowing He will make all things new and all things right.

So in 2000 I sought Him for that guidance and it truly helped me tremendously for what I did daily changed to the most minimal incidents of ill behavior. I thank God for His Spirit and that He took it all away. May the presence of God pull you in that same place He took me then in 2000… and to where He takes me now.

All things work together and I know that is with ardent prayer. There can be no other way. So let’s pray.

May you always realize how much you impact my world which is why I hold your words and actions so powerfully because of the PLACE YOU HOLD in my heart and in my hands. That is why you were named that as a vessel to speak only life….  it means Prophetess.

I love you Cassiandra…..you will always be my baby girl.

mom

img_1294

3 Comments | posted in Family, Healing, Hope, Love, Peace, Prayer, Relationships, Restoration, Salvation

November 17, 2016

I Will Remain

By Christina

img_2878There is a word that stands out here– R E M A I N 💭

***Continue to exist, especially after other similar or related people or things have ceased to exist.***

Synonyms: continue to exist, endure, last, abide, carry on, persist, stay, stay around, prevail, survive, live on more; stay in the place that one has been occupying.

Synonyms: stay, stay behind, stay put, wait, wait around, be left, hang on; informal hang around; continue to possess a particular quality or fulfill a particular role.

Synonyms: continue to be, stay, keep, persist in being, carry on being!

I remember a few years back when I wanted to leave New York so bad, I went on the most extreme 21 day fastings that I had never embarked on before. I literally ate nothing but a one-time liquid to hold me through the work day but prevailed in a consistent pace of consecration and separation every single day.

I wanted God to speak to me and loudly at that! I waited for His voice. I expected His voice. I searched for His voice.

The days were passing and I heard NOTHING! As I approached the last day of the fast I think I felt to myself a little disheartened.

On that day, my previous puppy Biscuit had a procedure. In pain he cried through the night. My husband woke to tell me, go take care of him. I yielded and went to the living room, put Biscuit on the couch with me and prayed for him and continued until I drifted off.

I went in a trance praying until I could hear myself talking to God as if I was standing in front of Him. I said, “God I want to move to Florida. Can you just let me know about this.” I was in some agony really pestering about this. I heard a SHOUT. Almost like scolding me saying, “STAYYYYYYYYYY!”

I was shaking on the couch and couldn’t leave this trance. Still eyes shut, I kept moving and walked downstairs to discuss with my pastor. I shared about my petition again and then the pastor stood in an upright position and said, “There will be 13 people leaving but you I said STAYYYYYYYYY!”

The voice was so loud it really shook me from the trance. I cried. The next day I shared it with my husband and told him about the vision. I told him that the Lord spoke to me twice and said to stay.

My husband responded, “Yeah I knew that and so my prayer was that God would speak to you!” That day we both cried. That day we learned even more that our walk with God was never about what we wanted or about our feelings.

Most importantly, it was to stay where God placed us. As much as we wanted to book it truly was not what God wanted for us.

And so I reflect on the word remain. And the first definition that follows that word…

“Continue to exist, especially after other similar or related people or things have ceased to exist.”

I want to exist in a way that I can be bountiful, fruitful and faithful. I want to be in the very presence of God and in the purpose that He assigned for me.

I want to remain. I will stay. I will sit. Even if I am kicking and screaming. As long as I continue to remain in Him I know I’m going to bear much fruit. Apart from Him I can do nothing. So as much as it seemed like a wonderful idea to leave when everyone else left to Florida and other places of residence, it was the purpose of God for us to learn how to remain.

Each time you conquer a step there will always be another challenge waiting for you.

It’s along road. Let us travel on the one where He shouted out the uncompromised Word that shook our own personal world so that we will shake the world around us.

Remain in Him.

1 Comment | posted in Encouragement, Faith, Family, Inspiration