Christina Speaks

Good morning friends. I pray you all had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. I enjoyed being with my family.  Because I always try to be transparent with you, I will go ahead and let you know that I’ve been struggling a bit. It’s not because of anything specific, but I’ve been dealing with depression that I didn’t even recognize until a few days ago. For those of you who have dealt with that, you know that it can sneak up on you. As a Christ-follower it can be difficult because I haven’t stopped believing or trusting in God. I still hold on to His promises, which makes it hard to understand why I feel this way. However, I do know something inside of me is just off-balance.  That’s a little hard for me to admit because I have always been a pretty balanced person. I always like to be in a position to help others. However, I am prone to the same struggles as everyone else. This has been a particularly draining year, and I need to take quiet time for God to do maintenance in my lif

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you are not responsible for everyone’s health and happiness.  I had to give myself that talk yesterday. As a firstborn, I think it’s pretty typical to feel the responsibility of taking care of everyone. But here’s the thing, the Savior named in the Bible is Jesus Christ. Immanuel. Not Christina Custodio, and not you. “Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.” -‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:14‬ We are not responsible for that person's happiness. We are not able to save that person. We are not called to sacrifice our own lives to make that person more comfortable. We are also not called to go broke to give the ”best” gifts (someone needed to be reminded of that today). I, like many of you, want to do good for others, and of course for family. However, there comes a point when we must place boundaries in our lives. Most of us know what those are, but are not always comfortable puttin

I don’t know how you feel during this holiday season, but I have struggled with the fact that it just doesn’t feel like Christmas. I’ve decorated, I’ve bought the gifts, I’ve made the cookies. I still feel like something is missing. I feel like I am waiting for something. I feel there’s got to be more. I know God has plans for me. I wonder if I am heading in the right direction, or have I stopped in the wrong place?  Do you ever feel like that? I can’t help but think of Mary riding on a donkey, ready to give birth, not knowing how she would reach her destination without having that baby prematurely. I mean, what a bumpy ride it must have been! Certainly not as smooth as my minivan.  I wonder if when she arrived, finding her only option for shelter was a barn if she had a meltdown. I wonder if she sat in that barn, surrounded by the stench of animals, the discomfort of scratchy hay, and a really stressed out Joseph, thinking, “This cannot be right! They said I am pregnant with a King! T

Last night was the first time in almost 800 years that we could see the "Star of Bethlehem.” Of course, it was… It's 2020! Not much is surprising anymore. However, I find it incredible that the time it appeared was the week of Christmas. Especially considering Jesus was not technically born in December. I believe this celestial presence could be 2020’s version of a rainbow. It’s God’s promise that He is who He says He is, and will do what He says He will do. Deuteronomy 31:8 says“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” God knew what 2020 was going to be like. He came before us. Isn’t it just like our Creator to send some symbol of hope to remind us that a long time ago, He sent his Son to be with us on this earth? Immanuel. “God with us.” Jesus left a heavenly throne and chose to be with us here on earth. I don’t know about you, but I still need a reminder once in a while th

The wise men were going to meet the most important person in history.  It may have been the most monumental thing they would do in their whole lives, yet they didn’t have all the information. They knew who they were looking for, but not all of the details on how they would find Him. They followed a star. What’s interesting is, they were called ”wise men.” I’m sure they earned that title because they were known to be wise. However, their wisdom did not come through having all of the answers, but trusting the One who did.   We can learn a big lesson from those men we know a little about. “After this interview, the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold,

  Friends, we have entered another season of togetherness. This is a season when historically, friends and families come together. Though this year our togetherness may be experienced from behind a computer screen or 6 feet away, we will come together. When together, it is not uncommon for challenging discussions to arise along with tempers. So how do you deal with people when you know you are right and they are wrong (or something like that)? It’s not worth severing a relationship or hurting feelings to prove we are right. Let them have the “win.” Truths are revealed eventually anyway. How nice would it be to not have inflicted or receive any emotional wounds over something that in the grand scheme of things didn’t matter once the truth was revealed? This goes for the family of humans we belong to as well.  Whether we like it or not, this world, this country, our individual cities, are like families. Families are made up of various personalities, some of which can conflict with the ot

“We don’t need to try to control the work God is doing in other people’s lives  -Bob Goff I can’t help but think of my mother’s words when I was a kid and so intent on tattling about something my brothers were doing instead of taking care of the things I was doing wrong. She would say, “Worry about yourself.” She didn’t mean that I should be selfish and only focus on myself. She meant, that I should handle my own issues before spending time pointing out someone else’s.  Jesus said it in Luke‬ ‭6:42. “How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First, get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” ‭‭‬ ‭ ‭‭ I have in the past, and still struggle with this at times. I think maybe it makes us feel better about ourselves if we can point out how someone is “worse” than we are.  “Well, at least I didn’t do ____ like they did

Yesterday I heard a song on the radio that talked about how God has already won the victory. I started thinking about that, and how lately I’ve seen so many people, hanging their heads, living in defeat. I thought about how fearful and negative so many of us are these days. Why? If we believe what God’s word says, why are we worried about the future?  In the past, I’ve been stuck on things that are going wrong. It can be so overwhelming at times, and really difficult to see what God could possibly be doing in the midst of it all, but it’s all about perspective, trust, and what we choose to focus on.  We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but what we do know is that the victory is won. When Jesus died on the cross for us, He won it all for us. Because of what He did, there is no condemnation for those who live in Him. What Satan intends for evil, God can turn into good. Let’s stop focusing on what is going wrong. Let’s look up and live in victory. I love the idea of living in victory!

  Yesterday was my birthday.  It was one of the most joyful birthdays I’ve had. I didn’t get a ton of presents. I didn’t have a huge party. I worked most of the day, but I also spent the day in gratitude. I didn’t focus on the things I wish I had. I focused on the love of my family and friends who took the time to share meaningful messages with me. I am grateful to be able to give and receive love. That’s what matters. I am rich in love. Thank you to all as he took the time to make me feel special with your words.  As I focus on gratitude, I’d like to share some quotes I found that put it into perspective. “At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Anonymous “Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” – Amy Collette “Gratitud

Today is my birthday! I can hardly believe I’ve reached an age I thought was old so many years ago. I am grateful to be here, though I also long for Heaven. As I consider the last 47 years, many things have changed, but the one thing that hasn’t is that I’ve always desired to make a significant contribution to the world. The evil one tells me often that I can’t make a difference, my words can’t change anything, but my Creator tells me something different. He created me for a purpose. He will make all things work for my good and His glory. So, I choose to believe Him. Nothing I do here is out of selfish ambition, or a belief that I have anything more to offer than anyone else. I am here because I want to help people find or renew faith, to open their hearts to love, to see hope around every corner, and to know, individually and together we can change the world.  I’ve realized that I’ve been trying to take this task on alone, not wanting to burden anyone, but I can’t do it alone.  So tod

The other day I saw a post that said God has a purpose for our pain.  I took time to think about that. I believe many people have taken that statement and twisted it into something that often hurts more than helps. Maybe you’ve heard “It was God’s will” after a horrible tragedy or loss. Maybe someone has said, “He must have done it for a reason,” or maybe “God is obviously trying to teach you something through this.” I may have even been the one to say it at some point. Well, I firmly believe that God has no desire for any of us to suffer or go through any kind of pain. Pain and suffering were not in His original plan, but He does allow it and can redeem it. I feel a more accurate statement could be that God can “repurpose” our pain. We repurpose all kinds of things. Broken furniture, outdated clothes, metal, glass, just about anything you can possibly think of can be used again for good or a helpful purpose… including our pain.  It often takes time to heal before we are able to turn t

T he other day I heard a beautiful prayer. As I listened to the words, I felt completely one with the intention of the prayer. How I have such a desire to be an instrument of peace. I hope you do too. Please take time to read this prayer and make it your own. Peace Prayer of Saint Francis Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. Lord let it be so with each of us.

This morning I would like to give you a gift. Yesterday, I was “struck” with a great deal of hope. Has that ever happened to you? All of a sudden your eyes are opened and you feel overwhelmed with hope? Mine was a renewed sense of hope for our world and our country.  We have dealt with various struggles over this past year that were new to us. I’ll be perfectly transparent with you. . . I have had moments of despair. Just moments though, because as quick as they came, I was reminded that God has never and will never leave us. I believe with my whole heart that He goes before us each day. I believe He has a plan and that each of us has a place in it, if we choose to accept it. We’re going to be okay. Things may not be as we have desired, but we will be okay. There have been times this year I have lost hope in myself, but I’ve had various people, even some of you, who believed in me so much, that it’s helped me find it again. If no one has encouraged you in a way that has given you such

  Every morning I come here doing my best to encourage you, sharing various things God is teaching me. It’s always interesting when I find myself struggling with the very things I encourage others through. For the last couple of weeks I have been paralyzed by anxiety. Not the kind of paralysis that is noticeable to others, but that which continues to affect my days and nights. There are many things I have found myself avoiding because they overwhelmed me. Decisions to be made I secretly hope make themselves.  Taking time to find the root of the problem, I realize I haven’t been talking to God. Well, I mean, I do talk to Him. I petition Him daily with requests for friends and family, anything that someone asks me to pray for, as well as words of thanks, but I haven’t entrusted everything to Him. I’ve been holding my breath, hoping it will all magically resolve itself, and haven’t bothered to have a real conversation with the One who knows my every thought and need. I haven’t taken time

You may be going through something today that is more difficult than you could ever imagine it would be. My guess is someone at some point has told you that God doesn’t give you any more than you can handle. Well, dear friend, that’s just not true. When someone says that, we tend to feel that we must be defective, because we feel we can’t do it. The truth is, we can’t handle it alone. God does allow difficult things to happen, but that’s why He sent His Son. That is why He has given us access to His Holy Spirit. THAT is how we deal with difficult things... with and through Him. He also sends earthly helpers along the way, which is why it’s important to ask for help. If you don’t know Him, let today be the day you call on Him. He changes everything. “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” -‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Oh my goodness! Seeking the approval of other humans has been messing us up since the beginning of time.  It starts when we are very young. If we don’t get what we need, it can be something we seek excessively. It can carry over into adulthood, presenting as very unhealthy habits.  Sometimes we get ourselves in trouble because we’ve tried to impress others. Maybe it’s more house than we can afford, a less than authentic social media profile, gossiping about someone, doing something we’d never do if others weren’t watching... the list goes on and on.  How would we live if no one was watching? We should be living for an audience of one. “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” -‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do you ever feel like nothing you are doing is making a difference, and you feel like giving up? You’ve put everything you’ve got, into a project, a relationship, your children, a dream...and it feels pointless? Though in my head I know it’s not my responsibility to change the world or even just one person, my heart tells me something different. Sometimes, it’s not the world, but a member of my family, or a close friend.  Thinking about what I just said, I realize I’ve often made it about me. It’s not about me! God has put specific tasks in front of each one of us. It’s our job to be obedient, doing what He has asked us to do. God is the one with the responsibility of changing hearts. I do not need to carry that burden, and either do you. I must assume that behind the scenes, He is working things out. He is changing hearts. He is working it all for good. Believing that and trusting Him, takes the pressure off. Our biggest job here, is to love each other. Yeah, there is a lot involved i