Don't Use Band-Aids

Felipe was working in his wood shop and moving a wooden bar, got a splinter in his hand, immediately he took it out and put a band-aid, because it was what he always did. However a few days later his hand began to hurt, he went to the doctor and immediately underwent surgery for the infection caused by that little splinter. Felipe never imagined that something that started out so simple, could get so complicated. Just as Felipe had a serious complication for trusting a simple band-aid to fix a serious problem, also you should avoid using band-aids to treat life splinters. Seek help from God, when you have problems and let Him guide you, to fix it. To God the problems are not small or big, are problems that must be solved with Divine Wisdom and not with Human bandages.

Don't Doubt It

The lack of faith makes you doubt when you face problems: About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here! ” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:25-31 NLT

What You Sow

Yesterday I got a letter from my daughter, who deeply touched my heart, because in the letter she was thanking me for the time I dedicated to her and the way I had formed and educated her. I recognize that in the formative years there were difficult times for the two of us, but now I know that tears were part of the process. Today after a long trip and seeing my daughter prepared for life, I thank God, because in the moments when my strengths failed me and I did not know what to do or what to tell my daughter, I sought God's direction, rather than following my own instincts and thoughts. With the wisdom and love of God, we can educate our children. If we sow the love of God in our children, when they become adults, we will reap families that are examples of God's love.

Blooming In The Desert

Sara's dream was to get married and have a family. She married, but soon divorced, without children. Additionally, he had health problems and the Doctors determined that she could not have children. She spent years alone, single and with no possibility of being a mother, but never lost hope of having a family and  she constantly asked God in prayer, for a family. About to lose hope, she received a phonecall informing her that the adoption papers had finally been approved and they had a little girl for her. And then, Sara had the opportunity to be a mother. Many times we may be living in a desert and we see everything dry and lifeless. But the moment we least expect it, God blesses us and makes us bloom in the desert. Just believe and wait in faith, for God's perfect timing.

If You Fell, Get Up.

If you fell, get up: When my son was learning to walk, he fell frequently and although we were always close, could not always keep him from falling. Sometimes he fell and cried and other times he didn't. However, he always felt safe in the knowledge that we were at his side to help him. Similarly, we as adults walk through life and we stumble and fall when facing adversity. Sometimes we hurt and cry and sometimes not. Our heavenly Father cares and protects us, but does not always prevent us to stumble and fall, because we might need to learn a lesson. However, He has promised to always be with us, to lift us up and heal our wounds. You can live in peace and confidence, because if you fall, God will be there to help you up again.

What Do You Have At Hand?

Use what you have at hand because that is enough for God to change your situation: As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. “Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children! Matthew 14:13-21 NLT

The Group Effect

Have you felt the group effect?: The group effect is a force that can be positive or negative. A good group helps heal and enhance positive relationships, restores lives and strengthens the character of the people in it. But a bad group has a negative effect that hurts people because the group makes people act in a way that undermines their character and leads them to destroy family and personal relationships. This negative group effect takes its members to do bad things they never thought they could do, regardless of the risks involved. The issue is not to participate in a group, but to know which group is right and good for you. If you want to belong to the best group, join the group of those who follow Jesus. He will heal and restore your life and your relationships, will form your character and will give purpose to your life. Think about it, your current, future and eternal success, will depends on your decision.

Looking Without Seeing. Hearing Without Listening.

Your see when you look and listen when you hear?: Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds.  As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them.  Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.  But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died.  Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants.  Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!  Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?” He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.  To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.  That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.’ “But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.  I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it. “Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds:  The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.  The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.  But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.  The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.  The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Matthew 13:1-23 NLT

How Do You Treat Your Children?

How do you treat your children?: Some parents were frustrated because they had been wanting to change the behavior of their son, who was very aggressive towards them and the people around him. They didn't know what to do because their son was increasingly rebellious. One day, reading the Bible passage that says that we should treat others as we'd like them to treat us, they decided to change the way they educated their child. Instead of changing their child by scolding, they'd try to change his behavior, giving the example of the teachings of Jesus, treating the child as they wanted the child to treat them. A few months later the change was very positive. If you want your children to change, follow the golden rule. Your example is worth more than words.

Are You Afraid?

Carmen was afraid of toads, because as a child her mother punished her, putting her in a closet and when she let her out, the first thing he saw was a toad jumping  onto her and from that moment she was afraid of them. Fears can be very diverse. We can be afraid of animals, objects, pictures, places, circumstances and feelings or emotions. We have all been afraid at some point. But it is not healthy to have "permanent fears". The Lord said to Joshua: Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Seek God and He will heal all your fears. Remember that if God is for us, who can ever be against us?

It Is Up To You

Once I was told the story of a chef who was missing an ingredient for a recipe, but such was his desire to make that special dish, that he compensated the lack of that ingredient, mixing some ingredients he did have, achieving an awesome result with a new flavor for that special dish.

God has given you very special talents and skills. But nobody has been given "all" the talents and skills. However, you need to succeed even though you may lack some "ingredients". If you really want to successfully achieve your goals, use what you have and make something new that no one else can do, because it's your own "mix" and that includes making alliances with those who have what you lack.

The message is that your life will be, what you make of it. What you to accomplish with the talents and abilities God has given you, it's up to you! What you achieve in the midst of the circumstances around you, depends on your desire to achieve it. No excuses. God wants to see what you do with what He gave you. He always supports you, but that does not mean that He will do things for you. But He will support you in what you do. Your heavenly Father will give you instructions, train you, guide you and support you. But you have to do it!

The Power Of Trust

I heard a firefighter say that the secret of a rescue operation is the fact that people should trust them. Because to save those people they need to go through areas that are seemingly dangerous, but firefighters for their expertise and equipment, know that's the only way to get out of there, alive. If people who are in danger do not trust them, the rescue may fail. With God is the same. If we do not trust Him to pass through the trials of life, we may fail. God knows the way to save our lives, but we lose that opportunity for not trusting Him. However, there is still time. If today you are in the fire and do not see the way out, ask God to help you and... Trust Him!

Love vs Religion

Do you criticize and judge people who do not meet religious standards? Never put religion over love, because love is the ultimate law of God. That's why Hosea said 700 years before Christ: I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings. Later in Jesus' times, someone criticized the disciples for not following a religious practice and Jesus replied: You would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices. So: Love is more important than any tradition.

God's Tool

God created you in His own image and likeness, giving you unique skills and talents to make you excel and succeed in life. Therefore, the creation of man is the Masterpiece of God. However, you are responsible for determining what skills and talents God gave you, to develop and use them in your life and in this world, because that's the formula for success. Remember that God gave you your skills and talents, because He wants you to be a tool of blessing in His Hands.

Do Good

We can receive helping information by various means, to teach us positive principles and values, to live in the world, doing good. But also, we may receive information that defiles us with negative values and principles that lead us to believe, it's okay to do wrong. This is a problem that is doing great harm to the world in which we live. When a person does not recognize that is doing wrong to self or others, never seeks help. However, when that person recognizes that is doing wrong, seeks help and then begins to heal. So, it is very important to convey the love our neighbor message and do to others whatever we would like them to do to us, as Jesus taught us by example and commanded us to teach others. We can begin, asking God to show us if what we do is good, from His perspective of Love.

Communication Power

@philcooke says: Communication power is in telling stories and not in providing information. We learned that from Jesus.

Identity

@philcooke says: Who you are, how you look,what you do, what you say and how people perceive you attitudes, is communication that builds your identity.

Strategy

@philcooke says: When you are thinking about Communication Strategy, remember that now people can talk to you.

The Clutter

@philcooke says: To break through the clutter you need a unique identity and two way communications.

How To Share

@philcooke says: It's not enough to share a great message, how to share it makes the difference.

Influence

@soniagonzaleza says: To influence, you need to effectively impact the lives of people.

Warmth

@soniagonzaleza explains the "warmth" effect: In human relationships is easier to melt ice with heat than to break it by force.

Impact

@soniagonzaleza says: Effect is the life change impact you produce.

The Effect

@ Soniagonzaleza says: Beyond the technique you use, the question is: Did you produce any effect?

Here WeAre

We are in the 1st Congress of Comunicadores USA.