The LLJ Blog

Lydia Lucas Lydia Lucas

Remember What God Said

A couple of months ago I attended a women’s conference that was one of those “this is a line in the sand” kind of experiences. God met me in such an unexpectedly personal and communicative way.

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Noemi Sandoval Noemi Sandoval

How Faith Impacts Me as a Business Owner

While I'd like to say that stepping into entrepreneurship was a random accident due to life’s circumstances, I firmly believe that our journey bears the hand of God! It's a journey filled with purpose, and I'm grateful to be part of a story that is both unique and unexpected.

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Ivette Valdez Ivette Valdez

Easter Sunday: Then They Remembered

They didn’t know it was Resurrection Sunday. They expected to find a dead body to anoint with the fragrances they had prepared. What’s also true is that Jesus had told them what would happen, yet in their grief, forgetfulness set in.

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Ivette Valdez Ivette Valdez

Good Friday: For Our Sake

Yes, Judas betrayed him. The chief priests plotted against him. The crowds shouted, “Crucify him!” Pilate granted their demands. The soldiers mocked his power and beat his body. But the Father had the first and final word.

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Ivette Valdez Ivette Valdez

Maundy Thursday: Jesus Knew

Jesus knew Judas had betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver. He knew Peter would deny Him three times, yet he stood up from the table, wrapped a cloth around His waist, and lovingly washed his disciple’s feet, all while resting in a deep confidence in his identity, authority, and purpose.

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Ivette Valdez Ivette Valdez

Holy Wednesday: Why This Waste?

The ones who had witnessed Jesus perform wonders didn’t have this revelation of His worth. I don’t know what Mary had seen, heard, or experienced from Jesus, but she was convinced of His worth, which led to her extravagantly offensive worship.

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Ivette Valdez Ivette Valdez

Holy Tuesday: From Heaven or of Humans?

As patient as Jesus was, in this passage, as He’s making His way to the Cross, we see His unwillingness to tolerate attacks on His identity or entertain doubts about His authority to curse figs, flip tables, and cleanse temples.

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Lydia Lucas Lydia Lucas

Choosing Not to Cheat Myself

There have been many times in my life when I would prolong my contentment and satisfaction until what I was waiting for would happen. Whether it was getting a certain job, achieving an income goal, having my own place, getting into a relationship, the list goes on and on.

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Ivette Valdez Ivette Valdez

Navigating Navidad as a Single Latina

I don’t particularly enjoy talking about singleness but once in a while, when prompted by God and after a little Holy Spirit arm-twisting, I share my journey. This is one of those times.

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Lydia Lucas Lydia Lucas

Experiencing Advent

It’s not because I don’t revere Advent. It’s not because I am not incredibly grateful for Jesus. This year, I realized it was because I was focusing on doing instead of experiencing.

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Ivette Valdez Ivette Valdez

The Storytelling Journey of Johanna Rojas Vann

Stumbling upon Johanna Rojas Vann’s debut novel, An American Immigrant was one of this past summer’s most pleasant surprises and I’ve been excited to share it with you since! Johanna draws inspiration from her mother’s border crossing story from Colombia. She infuses her storytelling with fe, familia, culture, and community most beautifully!

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Lydia Lucas Lydia Lucas

Two Books to Read this Season

Our modern world seems to be careening toward edging the natural world out as we continually build and develop on wildlands, deplete our natural resources, and get lost in technology. I am so grateful for books like these that remind us of the inner sacred connection that can be found outside.

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Lydia Lucas Lydia Lucas

Discerning What is Right for You

Recently, a friend reached out to me asking for my thoughts. She had watched a video that stated Christians absolutely should not listen to secular music of any kind and she wanted to know my take on it.

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Ariana Rivera Ariana Rivera

Pregnancy Reflections

While I have become a much more private version of myself online lately, there are delights and frustrations I have experienced in this season that someone may benefit from hearing. I hope my honesty can help an amiga feel less alone in her pregnancy experiences, serve as a heads up for future mothers-to-be, or even provide a lesson for someone that can make them an even better amiga to a pregnant person in the future. 

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Ivette Valdez Ivette Valdez

What the First Day of Seminary Means to Me

Today marks my first day of seminary and I can’t stop thinking of a specific scene. I was 10 years old, sitting on my bedroom floor when I pulled out my diary and wrote out a bucket list. I can still see it.

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