Category: God

Course Correct If You Need To

by Querin Ventura, posted in Encouragement, Faith, God, Hope, Life style, Quote

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

~John 16:33 (NIV)

 Many of us like to plan.  However, no matter how much you plan, sometimes things will happen in life that are out of your control.  An extreme but very real example is what’s happening right now all over the world with this pandemic.  Many of us had plans to do certain things. 

Companies had budget plans to do better this year than the last.  But then this happened.  Now we have to course correct our plan and figure out how we are going to deal with all of this.  What can we learn from what’s happening now?   

As you reflect on this verse from the word of God “…In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.”   Think about what Jesus conveyed in this message.  Thru his word, God has made us aware that difficult things will happen in life, but God also assures us that He has already overcome all of those difficult things.  Course correct if you need to, but do not give up.  God is with you.  You are not alone.  God is with us. 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

~John 16:33 (NIV)

God bless you, & with love,

Querin

God is with us

by Querin Ventura, posted in Empowerment, Encouragement, Faith, God, Gratitude, Hope, Inspiration, Quote

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?”

~Romans 8:31

Early Morning: View of NYC skyline from Donnelly Park in West New York, NJ
(pic. taken on January 11th 2020)

God is omnipotent.  And what does omnipotent mean?  It means all-powerful, almighty, invincible and supreme.  God has the power and if God is with us we know that we will conquer.  With God we will prevail.  “If God is for us, who can be against us?” What this is saying is that it doesn’t matter who is against us; with God, we will conquer.  We will prevail over this pandemic.

Trust that God is with you.  You are not alone.  God is with us and we are in this together.  Meditate in the word of God.  Develop your communication with God.  Keep growing spiritually.  Continue to look at your gratitude list every day.  We cannot understand everything that is happening right now.  We don’t know exactly how long this will last.  But what I know is that with God, we will conquer.  With God, we will prevail. 

In the meantime, let’s continue to help one another.  Just a kind word to someone who seems in distress can be a way to help.  We are so grateful for the doctors and nurses who are working round the clock during this time.  We can also do small acts of kindness with one another. 

Call your loved ones, and give them words of encouragement.  Call a friend or a family member you haven’t talked to in a while.  And unless you are a doctor, nurse, paramedic, or someone in a similar category, please don’t tell me you are too busy to call.  Acts of kindness is what makes us human.  Acts of kindness is what keeps us going.  Acts of kindness is what keeps us believing that our people, our planet will heal again.  And remember you are not alone.  We are in this together.  God is with us. 

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?”

~Romans 8:31

God bless you & with love,

Querin

Eat Well

by Querin Ventura, posted in Courage, Empowerment, Encouragement, Faith, God, Hope, Life style, Quote, Wellbeing

“Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it.  They will be yours for food.” 

~ Genesis 1:29 (NIV)

Carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, garlic, salt, olive oil

It is alleviating to know that making the right decisions in terms of our food choices contribute to our well-being.  Eating well must be a lifestyle choice to live a healthy life. 

When we eat well our body feels better.  When you eat healthy, you build a strong immune system that helps us fight disease.  People with strong immune systems barely feel the symptoms of certain viruses and even if they get sick, they get well more rapidly again because they eat nutritious dense foods. 

God created the seeds and plants for us to eat.  Eat well and take good care of yourself. And remember, we are in this together.

“Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it.  They will be yours for food.”

~Genesis 1:29 (NIV)

God bless you & with love,

Querin

A Joyful Heart

by Querin Ventura, posted in Encouragement, Faith, God, Gratitude, Hope, Inspiration

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

~Proverbs 17:22

Company managers outing – January 13, 2020
(before social distancing was activated)

It may be easier said than done…to be joyful when there is chaos going on.  But how about if finding the way to be joyful in the mist of chaos is exactly what we need to help us find healing. 

The word of God says that a joyful heart is good medicine.  There are stories and cases of people who went thru detrimental health issues and were able heal.  I have heard stories of people who were told they would never walk again only to prove those who said such thing wrong.  When they were asked how were they to overcome it, they said it was the mindset they had.  They were determined to overcome their obstacle.  They were determine to NOT be crushed by their current circumstances.  And because of that tenacity and determination, because they had a vision of themselves being well again, they prevailed. 

In this time of crisis, I think of all the things that I am grateful for.  I am grateful for my family.  I am grateful for you.  I am grateful for the love of God.  I am grateful for the love and kindness of the people.  I am grateful for the ability to write this article.  I am grateful for all the nurses and doctors who are working during this pandemic called COVID-19.  My list could go on and on. 

Being grateful helps us to have a joyful heart in the midst of chaos.  Being joyful is medicine.  Having a positive mindset will help us get thru this.  What are some things that you are joyful & grateful for?  Make your list and look at it daily.

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

~Proverbs 17:22 

God Bless you & with love,

Querin

Let Us Love One Another

by Querin Ventura, posted in Courage, Faith, God, Hope, Motivation

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

~ 1 John 4:7 King James Version (KJV)

Social Distancing at Whole Foods – March 26, 2020

Amazing things can happen when we all come together as one.  The love, the kindness, the respect, the compassion, and all of those beautiful things that exist in us as humans, flourish like spring again.  Love is the most powerful force.  God is love.  God is also omnipotent.  Together as one, united by the amazing love of God and compassion for one another, we will conquer this. 

We are all in this together.  And no matter where you are right now, you are not alone.  We are in this together.  I am rooting for you and I know you are rooting for me. 

COVID-19 may have forced us into practicing social distancing, but what it doesn’t know is that it has also unleashed our love for one another.  We are praying for one another.  We are looking out for one another.  You are not alone.    People are praying for you and for the world right now.  I am praying for you.  And we are going to overcome this in the name of Jesus. 

Love is the most powerful force. Let’s love one another, and when all of COVID-19 is a thing of the past, let’s not forget to love one another.

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

~ 1 John 4:7 King James Version (KJV)

God bless you & with love always,

Querin

Let’s Pray Together

by Querin Ventura, posted in Empowerment, Faith, God, Gratitude, Hope, Quote

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

~Matthew 18:19-20 New International Version (NIV)

Pastor Jose A. Tejada Praying to and with the people
(this picture was before social distance due to COVID-19)

I fell in love with God when I was just a little girl.  It was my Godmother who planted the seed in me.  I don’t remember exactly at what age, but I know I was very young for I still did not know how to read.  She used to take me to church with her and I could observe with the passion that the people in the church used to praise God and the name of Jesus. 

I could not read the Bible at the time, and I remember asking God to help me to learn to read so that I could read His book.  I don’t recall exactly how long it took between the time that I asked God to help me to learn how to read and the time I actually started reading, but I have a vivid memory of me being in church and being so happy because when the pastor said to open the bible in a specific chapter, I found myself reading along with the pastor and all the members of the church.  I was so happy that I could read.  I could read the word of God.  And of course, I could read anything (in Spanish at the time).

I developed a special love for God since a very early age.  And that love has never leave me.  As a little girl, I developed a communication with God.  As I grew up, I visited my Godmother less often and also church.  But the job was done.  The seed for the love of God had been planted in me and even when I might have gotten myself away from the house of God, God was watching over me.  As time passed, I found myself missing God.  Missing to reconnect with Him again.  I realized that nothing in this world could fill the emptiness I was filling. Only God could.

And to my amazement, God always found a way to remind me of his love.  Sometimes, He reminded me of his love thru a classmate in college.  She would invite me to visit her church.  At another time, it was thru a hair stylist, who told me about an event that would take place at a church near me.  I did not even realize it until I started writing this article.  But God was using people to remind me of his amazing love.  And after many bumps, and ups and down, I made the decision that I did not want to live my life without God.  I accepted Jesus as my savior and allowed God to be my guidance in my life.

I learned to talk to God about everything.  When I would feel upset or frustrated about something I would talk to God about it.  When I need help on something I talk to God about it.  When I am happy, I talk to God about it.  I talk to God daily about everything.  God is with me.    I share with Him my true feelings and emotions even though I know He knows exactly how I feel; I still try to articulate it to Him.  I also meditate on His word.  This spiritual connection with God is life to my soul.

God listens to your prayers.  God listens to you, whether you pray alone or with a group.  But something special happens when two or more people pray together for the same cause.  Let’s you and I all pray together for COVID-19 to stop spreading.  Let’s pray in the name of Jesus Christ for the healing and prompt recovery of those who are sick.  Let’s pray for all humanity, for the healing of the physical body, for the healing of the soul, for the healing of the mind, and for the healing of the spirit.  Let’s pray together.  And remember that you are not alone.  God is with you.  God is with us. 

Here is the verse again:

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

~Matthew 18:19-20 New International Version (NIV)

God bless you & with love,

Querin

Be Strong & Courageous

by Querin Ventura, posted in Courage, Empowerment, Faith, God, Hope, NYC, Quote

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

~Joshua 1:9

NYC Public Library 2020

The whole world is facing a major crisis.  A virus that started in China and was announced in the news towards the end of December of 2019 known as the Coronavirus, has by today’s date (March 24, 2020) taken over the whole world.  EVERYONE, one way or another has been affected by this virus, which has become a pandemic.  And what’s worst, we don’t know how long this is going to last. 

Because of this pandemic, people are dying everywhere.  People have to be isolated and stay in quarantine in order to help stop this virus from spreading.  People are losing their jobs.  We are living a time of uncertainty.  Yes, these are indeed difficult times, and we are all in this together.  And because of that, I started asking myself some questions:  How can I help shine a light in the middle of darkness?  How can I help my fellow humans when I have to stay physically distant from them? 

I thought about the Word of God, which is my companion and strength in the good times and the challenging times.  The Word of God has been so powerful over my life.  It has helped lift me up when I’ve felt most down.  This is why I decided that for the days to come, I will share with you a verse from the Bible every single day for the rest of the year 2020.  I will also include you in my daily prayers.  I will pray for you to stay healthy and if you are not feeling well, I will pray for your health and prompt recovery.  I will pray not just for our country but for our entire world.  This is our planet people.  We all live in it.  And we can see that there are no real frontiers.  There are no real borders. Everyone is feeling this. 

Right below is the verse again. Meditate on it.  And remember that you are not alone.   

 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

~Joshua 1:9

God Bless you & with love,

Querin

Thank you 2017! Thank you so much! 2018, WELCOME!

by Querin Ventura, posted in God, Gratitude, Inspiration

Every time I thank someone or “something,” I am really thanking God for that someone or something. What I really mean is “Thank you God for 2017.” So many beautiful and amazing things happened to me in 2017. There were some major challenges as well, but God I thank you for every single one of them, for they made me stronger and better as a person…as a human being.

Some major take away for me in 2017 were:

  • Motherhood
  • So grateful for my mom
  • Forgiving
  • Trusting God fully – His plan is better than my plan
  • Recovery
  • Prayer – this was big in 2017
  • Family re-reunion
  • Gratitude
  • Appreciation
  • Love

I have four nieces and two nephews. I love them and I love spending time with them. Unfortunately they don’t live close to me except my oldest niece – who is now a teenager. My youngest niece is seven years old. I wish I could say that having six nieces and nephews, I was already a pro taking care of infants when my baby was born. But that was not the case. I looked up on YouTube how to change a diaper and thank God for the YouTube moms who were sharing tips on how to take care of a baby. They were lifesavers. Yet within a short period of time, I did feel like a pro myself taking care of my baby.  I would say it was a combination of motherly instinct, reading about babies, and binging on YouTube on videos about babies. In 2017, I experienced for the first time being a mom. I am extremely grateful for that.

If you’ve read my previous posts, you’ll know that when I gave birth to my baby, my husband was still in The Dominican Republic awaiting his visa to come to the US. My mother, who wasn’t fully recovered from her third spinal cord surgery, was with me when my baby was born and she was a tremendous help. I am so grateful for her being there for me.  I don’t know what I would have done without her, since at the beginning I could not do much due to my C-section.  My eight weeks recovery felt like an eternity, but eventually I regained my strength, was able to walk straight up again and take on duties full force. Yet, the time my mother was with me was crucial and extremely important.  I will never forget that, and what she went thru for I know that she pushed herself to be there for me when she herself was still supposed to be resting and recovering from her spinal cord surgery. Thank you mom for being there for me in what has been, up until now, the most physically vulnerable time of my life as an adult.

It is important to forgive and to forgive from the heart. Don’t hold negative feelings towards anybody. It doesn’t do any good to you. Plus remember, God forgave us, who are we not to forgive others?

While 2017 was full of blessings, those blessings did not come without obstacles. There were days that I was worried and did not know what to do. Especially when the time to go back to work (after having my baby) was approaching. While my mother had been a tremendous help when I had my baby, she could not stay with me to take care of my baby when time to go back to work came. I started stressing and worrying about who would take care of my baby.  I turned to God for guidance and God was my guide in 2017 every step of the way.  I made the decision to take my baby to The Dominican Republic to stay with my husband.  My husband gave full unconditional love to our baby during the five months our baby was there.

Of course I was missing my baby enormously, but again I turned to God for guidance, and I wrote a letter to immigration asking them to expedite my husband’s visa hence my baby who was with him and I could all be united as a family.  My request was approved and a few months later my baby, my husband and I were all reunited.  Days before they arrived, I had signed the lease for our new apartment in my desired location. God acted right on time, no too soon, not too late.  I learned to trust God at a deeper level.  Even now, as I recount these events, I am in awe for my God.  My communication with God grew in such a way that I would communicate every single plan to Him and put it in His hands and I say, “God, if it is your will, it will be done.” I am also very grateful for the real estate young lady who helped us. She was kind. She was professional. she knew I needed a place for me and my family who was coming soon and she did everything she could to ensure we got our place. God I thank you for her.

In conclusion, 2017 was a year full of new experiences and challenges for me.  I am so grateful to God for everything. I am grateful for the power of prayer. To me Thanksgiving is not one day in the year. To me Thanksgiving is every day. I have so much to be thankful for. Every day, I live in gratitude. I have so much to be grateful for. God, I love you!

2018 I welcome you with open arms.  2017, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

God Bless you!

Querin

 

The Beauty of Solitude

by Querin Ventura, posted in Empowerment, God, Wellbeing, Women

One of the reasons I love the countryside is for the peacefulness and the quietness that can be found there. Nothing can compare with listening to the sound of real birds in the morning (not an alarm clock sound or a white noise machine). At the same time, I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work in one of the best and busiest cities in the world: New York City.

Yes, I love New York City. In 2015, as you know (if you’ve read my previous posts), I took a nice detour in my career and moved to The Dominican Republic. While I was there, I got to know my native land a little better and visited quite a few places. I reconnected with my roots.   While I was there however, I realized how much I missed New York City. Seven months later, I came back to The Big Apple.

I enjoy working in one of the busiest places in the world, yet I also love the peacefulness that is found in solitude and in quietness. How good it feels to read a book and just be still. How special it is to spend time in silence with God. It is in solitude that I come up with so many ideas and with solutions to “problems.”

When I had my baby, shortly after, I discovered that breast milk doesn’t just come out. At the beginning, I was a little stressed about not having enough supply for my demander. Colostrum, as I found out, is more precious than gold. And breast milk is absolutely the winner of the label “gold liquid.” But I remember that it was one night, a few days after my baby was born that my letdown (breast milk) really happened. It was an evening on which I was quiet, the baby was sleeping soundly, and so was my mom, who was with me in the hospital, and I was just feeling very peaceful in that moment, in solitude.

God bless you,

Querin