By Verónica Martínez-Gallegos Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí We are living in times where anxiety is acutely present in our daily lives. And I am not talking about anxiety as a mental illness, but as a preoccupation with the worries of daily life that robs us of peace. Especially in these times of …
By Patty Villarreal Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí ‘“…that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed …
By Anna Rodriquez Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí “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). In addressing political and social challenges, demonstrating boldness serves as a measured stance against …
By: Eva Martínez Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love… Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave …
By: Verónica Martínez-Gallegos Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí Transitions are significant changes or events that move you from your comfort zone to a place where you must begin anew in unfamiliar territory. Life presents us with moments when, in order to move forward, we must leave behind what we know, for example: a …
By: Gabriela Sanchez Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí As Christian leaders in our respective ministries and personal lives, we are bound to encounter new paths full of uncertainty, face long-lasting challenges, and lead others during difficult seasons in life. In these turbulent moments, we may attempt to rely on our own strength and …
Por Carolyn Porterfield Please click here to read in English Algunas historias del Evangelio son memorables, como la de Jesús alimentando a los cinco mil en Juan 6:1-15. Inicialmente, pensé que su punto principal era que Jesús alimentaba a la gente hambrienta por compasión. Sin embargo, una mirada más profunda revela una lección de liderazgo …
By Carolyn Porterfield Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí Some Gospel stories are memorable, like Jesus feeding the five thousand in John 6:1-15. Initially, I thought its main point was Jesus feeding the hungry out of compassion. However, a deeper look reveals a leadership lesson valuable for personal growth. This story exemplifies leadership development. …
Por Patty Villarreal Please click here to read in English Durante esta temporada, la gente cristiana celebra la vida, muerte y resurrección del Señor Jesucristo. Mi iglesia sigue el calendario litúrgico cristiano. Así, durante el Domingo de Ramos, los niños y niñas marchan de un lado a otro de los pasillos del santuario agitando hojas …
By Patty Villarreal Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí During this season, Christians celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. My church follows the liturgical Christian calendar. Thus, during Palm Sunday, the children march up and down the sanctuary aisles waving fronds of palms commemorating the victorious entrance of Jesus …
By Marcela Ordaz Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí This year I celebrate my 44th birthday with the certainty that I would not exchange the energy of my 20s for the wisdom and determination of my 40s. Every decade shapes and strengthens us, and today more than ever, I know that women are called …
By Ana Castellano Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí During the month of February in many countries Valentine’s Day, also known as the day of love and friendship, is celebrated. While it is true that this month offers us the opportunity to celebrate those we love and thank them for their presence in our …
By Nora O. Lozano Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí As I kept reflecting on the beginning of a New Year and the opportunities that are ahead of us for the next 11 months, I learned about the recent plane crash that happened close to the Washington D.C. Reagan Airport where 67 people were …
By Verónica Martínez-Gallegos Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí Every year, we have the opportunity for a new beginning. We hear this trite phrase at the beginning of each year, although in reality, we have a new beginning with the dawn of every new day. However, we tend to think we can only start …
By: Margarita Garcia Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí Have you ever wondered if you are doing the will of God for your life? Or asked, what does God want me to do in this season of my life? I have. In fact, I spend a good amount of time thinking about this. What …
By: Norvi Mayfield, Verónica Rodríguez Navarro, and Nora O. Lozano Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí Graduations are such glorious and celebratory events. Those who believe and support education, at any level, hold in their hearts the hope that all the students will graduate, and that as they close an educational cycle, they will …
By: Anna Rodriquez Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí “You need to be a teacher.” My mother would strongly suggest after observing my passion to help people. However, after listening to her, I would not entertain the thought of becoming a teacher. Now, if my grandmother were the one who said I needed to …
By: Becky Klein Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí How quickly summer flies! Where did it go? It was only yesterday that school let out and students and parents were anticipating some family vacation time; more play time for the kids; summer camps and sleep overs, and many other planned summer activities. And undoubtedly, …
By: Verónica Martínez-Gallegos Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí What happens when you say yes to God? What I have heard in response to this question is, “What am I going to do if I say yes to God?” I remember this phrase as if it were written in my mind and heart since …
By Adalia Gutiérrez-Lee Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí When celebrating Father’s Day some days ago, I once again remembered this famous phrase from my father, Rolando Gutiérrez-Cortés. I am sure that I am not the only one who remembers my dad saying “Don’t go back even to gain momentum.” Many other people also …
By: Nora O. Lozano Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí At the beginning of this month, we had a wonderful gathering at the CLLI North Carolina. Veronica Martínez-Gallegos, CLLI NC coordinator, hosted a brunch for members of the three different CLLI North Carolina cohorts (2012-15, 2016-2018, and 2022-2024). CLLI graduates, and former and current …
By Carolyn Porterfield Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí The word “trust” evokes memories from my childhood. I had a terrible habit of lying. “Did you practice the piano today?” “Oh, yes!” What I failed to reveal was that the practice time was about five minutes, not the required thirty. I will skip other …
By: Marcela Ordaz Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí Hello dear CLLI community and beyond! We are excited to share with you a glimpse of the incredible journey of renewal we have undertaken at the Christian Latina Leadership Institute. CLLI Rebranding Almost two decades ago, we took our initial steps as an organization using …
By: Margarita Garcia Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 As we celebrated Valentine’s Day last week, I was reminded of my ring’s story. When my husband and I celebrated our 10th anniversary, he gifted me …
By: Gabriela Sánchez Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí One of the aspects of our lives that takes up a significant portion of our time is: work. It is no secret that our work demands much from us, and at times, we even face situations that are beyond our control. Sudden reorganizational changes in …
By: Patty Villarreal Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí As we near the end of 2023, many of us have already been looking at 2024. Some are already operating in a 2024 mode with scheduled meetings and upcoming travels throughout the year. Many of us want Christmas to last all year long!! Is this …
By: Veronica Martinez-Gallegos Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí We just celebrated Thanksgiving in the United States of America. This is a celebration that is part of the history of this country. Our Thanksgiving tradition originates from the first English immigrants who shared with the Native Americans a fall harvest feast and gave thanks …
By: Christina Rodriguez Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí I was in my thirties, and I remember introducing myself to other women at the CLLI training and retreat years ago. As the years passed, I would introduce myself differently each time. I evolved into different leadership roles, titles, and whatever ministry endeavor I was …
By Anna Rodriquez Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí This season I have been thinking much about life and what brings us life. The context of my thoughts, to a certain extent, has been the relentless and challenging heat in Texas. Last month, on a hot sunny summer morning, I came inside from working …
By: Carolyn Porterfield Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí Who doesn’t love a good celebration? The birth of a child. A quinceañera. A wedding. Graduations. Birthdays. Anniversaries. Holidays. We need times of celebration. Today, I celebrate the Christian Latina Leadership Institute because it is a place focused on Latinas and Latinas-at-heart who love God …
By: Veronica Martinez-Gallegos Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí For many years I wondered if my wounds were good for something. Out of curiosity, I asked myself, how? Where? When did my wounds begin? As I processed my thoughts, along with the concept of the “wounded healer,” introduced by the Catholic priest Henri Nouwen, …
By: Nora O. Lozano Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí As an organization that supports and promotes Christian women in leadership and in ministry, recently, the CLLI, as other organizations with similar goals, was questioned about its beliefs. The events that happened at the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) regarding women in ministry, prompted …
By:Adalia Gutierrez Lee Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí The basic needs of a human being go so unnoticed that sometimes we ignore them, or we do not even think about them as what they are—essential needs: eating, sleeping, having someone to take care of us, to love us, and educate us as children. …
By Verónica Rodríguez Navarro Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí Due to the Holy Week observances, during this month we have heard much about the women who were around Jesus. Talking about them gives us the opportunity to identify ourselves with them, and also to find useful practical knowledge for our lives. In Mark …
By: Brenda Rincones, Mayra Rodríguez, Norvi Mayfield, and Nora O. Lozano Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí For more than thirty years, I (Nora) have been fascinated with the biblical story about the woman sick with chronic bleeding. I have written about it in different publications, and I often refer to it in my …
By: Jana Atkinson-Morga Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí In this month when we celebrate love, if you were to stop people on the street and ask them for a definition, I bet you would hear a great assortment of answers. It is exciting that I have been asked to write about love. Now, …
By: Marcela Ordaz Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí Almost everyone makes new year’s resolutions. As a new beginning, it is a time to evaluate life, and set specific goals or resolutions that will help us reach our objectives in this new year. Normally, the most popular resolutions are weight loss, eating healthy, traveling, …
By: Carolyn Porterfield, Monica Salinas, and Nora O. Lozano Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí The first chapter of Luke describes two fascinating narratives that traditionally have been recognized as the stories of “The Annunciation” and “The Visitation.” In the first one, the angel Gabriel appears to Mary to give her the news that …
By: Carolyn Porterfield Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. Passwords have become an integral part of our lives. They are designed to grant access and provide protection. We are encouraged to create “strong” passwords that are at least eight to ten characters and contain a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special …
By Alicia Zorzoli Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. Years ago, I held a position in a Christian organization that required traveling to different parts of the world. Right after my induction, I bought a very large suitcase for those trips. That humongous suitcase accompanied me during all those years, holding everything I considered …
By: Nora O. Lozano and CLLI Monterrey graduates Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. Often when I describe the CLLI trainings, I use the word transformation. Graduations are special occasions to hear about this transformation that the students experience. I want to invite you to revisit with me what happened at the …
By Ruth Mendoza Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. Fear. Doubt. Uncertainty. With the appalling events that have occurred recently and the shortage of educators across the nation, going back to school seems dreadful this year. I have taught for twenty years and each year has presented its own challenges. The thought …
By Anyra Cano Para leer la version en español haga clic aquí. In the fall of 2015, Rosy Garcia traveled more than 400 miles to attend her first CLLI class in Monterrey. As she started her training, a great dream and hope grew in her heart. She quickly shared her dream with Dr. Nora O. …
By: Claudia Cano Para leer la version en español haga clic aquí. My experience on Saturday, August 3, 2019, changed my life profoundly. At the beginning of the week, I lost my mom to cancer, and by the week’s end, I was a victim of the horrific mass shooting event where 23 people were killed, …
By Becky Klein Para leer la version en español haga clic aquí. “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants” Deuteronomy 32:2. Spring is full of symbolism and meaning for all people who follow God and His teachings. The spring months are …
By: Margarita Garcia Para leer la version en español haga clic aquí. In the small town where I grew up there was a man who was mentally challenged that was well loved by the community. He walked down the streets in the neighborhood selling snacks. He would scream aloud, “snaaaaacks for sale, chips, candy, popcorn, …
By Marcela Ordaz Para leer la version en español haga clic aquí. It’s been a long road to arrive where you are. Do not minimize your journey and your story. We are in this together. The union and organization of women, such as raising our voices will always make a difference. On March 8, 1857, …
Eva Martínez Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. Psalm 122:8-9 (KJV) In my job as a psychologist I work with people with intellectual disabilities. When the pandemic hit, we suddenly …
By Nora O. Lozano Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí Yes, Happy New Year in February! But before I invite you to celebrate this New Year, I would like to invite you to another celebration. Let’s celebrate together that as of the publishing of this blog, we complete three years of consecutive monthly publications. …
By Sofía Rodríguez Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. The beginning of a new year offers an opportunity to reflect on the past and dream about the future, in light of God’s promises. I have been a Christian almost all my life, and for most of it I have served in the ministry. As …
By Alicia Zorzoli Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. I’m an early riser. And I love it. I have to confess that I was not originally like this. I used to love to sleep late. But you can guess after 53 years of being married to “The Original” something about him would stick on …
By Nora O. Lozano Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. Some of my most important possessions are my plants. I love them! Even with my limited knowledge about plants, I always try my best to take good care of them. I inherited this love for plants from my mother. On special occasions, …
By Anyra Cano Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. El Paso, Texas, is “home” to me. It is where I was born and raised; it is where Jesus became my Lord and Savior; where I received my ministerial calling; started ministry; and where I have my earliest and fondest memories. It is …
By Ruth Mendoza Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. Do you get to wear jeans on Fridays? I look forward to Fridays, not because it indicates that the weekend has arrived, but because I get to wear jeans to work. This is quite the treat because Lord knows, I am not the …
Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. In the U.S., we just celebrated the country’s 245th birthday on July 4th. This is one of my favorite holidays. It is so natural and easy to get caught up in the fireworks, barbecues, and family vacations during this time. In the last several years I have …
By Verónica Martínez-Gallegos Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. In today’s world, perhaps we have witnessed injustice towards a vulnerable person. Perhaps an innocent child, an elderly woman, or a person belonging to an ethnic minority group. How do you feel when you see these injustices towards vulnerable people? Helpless, frustrated, fearful, …
By Patty Villarreal Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul” 3 John 1:2 (ESV) Merriam-Webster defines balance as “an aesthetically pleasing integration of elements.” Isn’t that a great definition …
By Marcela Ordaz Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. “Show me a life hack that you randomly saw one day, that is now an unconscious standard practice in your life.” This phrase challenged me for many days. It comes from a viral TikTok video where thousands of people shared hacks of all kinds, …
By Carolyn Porterfield Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. Six months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution seemed all but lost. General George Washington didn’t have enough troops and some of them were ending their time of service. Resources were scarce. The winter weather was brutal. The …
By Elizabeth Tamez Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. I remember the day I received my first 2020 Christmas card. You won’t believe who it was from – Ryan Reynolds – yes, the Hollywood actor! I enjoyed sharing the card with my friends. And yes, they were envious and wondered how I …
Por Nora O. Lozano Traducido por Alicia Zorzoli Please click here to read in English. Al comenzar este nuevo año, y cuando miro hacia atrás al año anterior, puedo proclamar con seguridad: “¡Hasta aquí nos ayudó el SEÑOR!” (1 Samuel 7:12). El primer comentario que quiero ofrecer en cuanto a esto tiene que ver con …
By Nora O. Lozano Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. As we start a new year, and as I look back at the previous year, I can definitely proclaim: “Thus far the Lord has helped us (I Samuel 7:12)”! The first comment that I want to offer regarding this is related to the …
By Verónica Martínez-Gallegos Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. It is hard to believe that approximately eight months ago COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. Suddenly our daily lives were greatly affected. Everything appears to indicate that we are close to having a vaccine that will help us gradually return to a …
By Raquel Contreras Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. Similar to the biblical times, in today’s Latino culture, the name of “Maria” or Mary, is very common. Many times, we immediately identify the name with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with other women in the present. Many names of Latinas are …
By Becky Klein Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. The word “leadership” is used often, referring to many different people and circumstances. We refer to leadership when we read about courageous acts of our military in the Middle East. We speak of leadership when watching our visionary NASA astronauts work hard to …
By Oluwatofunmi Odulate Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. “I am not a leader.” If I had a penny for every time that I have said that in my life, I would be very wealthy. This is because I had this distorted idea of what leadership meant. Some of the myths of …
By Zoricelis Dávila Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. The concept of leadership has been studied from multiple perspectives and approaches. Its definition can be complex because it is constantly evolving and being updated to tailor it according to the circumstance at hand. Studies have focused on leadership styles, personal traits, and …
Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. By Patty Villarreal It is summer on the northern hemisphere! In my corner of the world, usually families are on vacation or children are spending the day at grandma’s house while parents work. However, this summer season is very unusual due to the collective experience of …
By Nora Silva Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. Like most New Years, the beginning of this year gave us new resolutions, new goals, and new plans. The year even had a nice ring to it, 2020, like 2020 Vision! We all have fresh starts and exciting objectives for the year. Things …
By Carolyn Porterfield Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. In 2011, the organization for which I worked joined with Buckner International to build a house for a family in Peñitas, Texas. What was interesting about this build was that the team was comprised entirely of women. In full disclosure, I seriously doubted …
By Alicia Zorzoli Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. I write this while I am, like almost everyone else, locked up trying to avoid the spread of this virus that is changing our planet. The list of precautions to avoid infection seems to be increasing with each passing day. Yesterday my husband went out …
By Anyra Cano Para leer en español haga clic aquí. For more than 20 years, my mother was a preschool teacher. She loved teaching, she especially enjoyed watching her students play in the drama station. She would watch the children act out what they observed at home. She could learn much about a child’s family …
By Margarita Garcia Para leer en español haga clic aquí. Has anyone come up to you asking about your “word” for the year? You’re probably thinking, “What do you mean ‘your word’? I have goals and dreams, but a ‘word’?” Yes. Many people have what they call their “word” for the year. In the past …
By Nora O. Lozano Para leer en español haga clic aquí. It is a new year, and there is much to celebrate, be thankful for, and hope for. To start, I want to celebrate the CLLI blog’s first anniversary. Thanks to the good work of all the monthly writers, the editorial committee, the translators, as …
By Adalia Gutiérrez Lee Para leer en Español haga clic aquí. I never thought that at my age it would be so difficult to talk about my sisters; not because I don’t have something to say, but because I have too many things that I could tell you. I had two sisters and both of …
By Nora Silva Para leer en Español haga clic aqui I have always considered myself a girl’s girl. That’s because I value the women in my life and have recognized how deeply I was, and continue to be, influenced by women. I think about many of the women who have helped exemplified that influence for …
By Zoricelis Davila Para leer en Español haga clic aqui Recently I read a post on social media that said, “talking to your best friend is sometimes all the therapy you need.” I have to admit that as a therapist I know the therapeutic value of going to counseling to address issues that can only …
By Jana Atkinson Para leer la version en español, haga clic aquí. I was raised as the middle child in a big group of daughters. Needless to say, sisterhood is one of the very first thingsthat I ever understood, and something I have always loved. Due to differing circumstances, a few of my sisters are …
By Roz García Para leer la version en español, haga clic aquí. “I know where you live! At the house where there are always people eating at the table!” They were my first outings as an adolescent, I was about 12 years old. I was excited to hear that the boy I flirted with knew …
By Monica Salinas Para leer la version en español, haga clic aquí. Can you imagine eleven girls between the ages of five and seventeen eating together at a round table? Anyone would think that it is a children’s birthday party, but no, that was the daily dynamic at the Salinas home. I am number ten …
By Becky Klein Para leer la version en español el clic aquí. What is sisterhood, anyway? In my experience it has been the blessing to have one or more women who share a common bond; who share confidences without assigning judgement and without violating trust; and whom provide hope and solace when encountering times of …
By Raquel Contreras Para leer la version en español, haga clic aquí. As a Latina, one of the things that I enjoy the most about visiting friends or family in their homes is feeling so welcomed and free to stay over and talk for hours. The after-dinner fellowship in our gatherings is a tradition that …
By Patty Villarreal, LMSW Para leer la version en español, haga clic aquí. The word strength conjures up images of power and confidence. God provides people, women and men, who cross our path with strength which maximizes our God-given potential. Power and confidence give us courage to pursue an action towards our dream. As women …
By Alicia Zorzoli March 2019 Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. I don’t have a sister. I have two brothers whom I love with all my heart, but I would have loved to have a sister. I would have loved someone to play and argue with, someone to share my secrets, dreams, and clothes. I …
By Anyra Cano Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. Eighteen years ago, my life was in a slimy pit of mud and mire. I had experienced a season of both emotional and physical trauma. I was longing for a community to help me out of the pain I found myself in. God was good …
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