Is It Time To Get Out Of GOD'S Way?

Have you ever had a situation arise where you found yourself upset and wanting things to be different? Well I had that happen on my Birthday. An unexpected issue arose before we were set to leave for my Birthday dream trip which had me very stressed. I almost didn't want to go. In the middle of it all I found myself alone in my car...I broke down. I began to sob and pray. I asked The LORD, (well more like begged and pleaded with HIM) to fix and completely heal the situation. 

I left on my trip and continued to pray about it. I read my Scriptures on the plane and wrote in my journal, trying to come to terms with what to do. Then JESUS filled me with Peace to just leave it alone and enjoy my trip. There was truly nothing I could do except give it to GOD. When we arrived home very late last night, I had a change of heart. This morning, after reading my Scriptures and Praying, I asked The LORD, "Please give me YOUR Words, Wisdom and Guidance on what to say and how to handle what YOU'VE placed in front of me...all of YOU and none of me. In JESUS' Name, Amen. I went downstairs and was flooded with words, tears, stories of my past mistakes and GOD'S Mercy, Love, Forgiveness, Grace, and Healing. So I continued to share how JESUS made the impossible possible. I listened. I prayed. I hugged. I allowed JESUS to show up and move hearts. 

Friends, I always talk about "no coincidences", but I need to remember that it also applies to areas that may not be ideal. There are lessons to learn, things to lay down, situations that The LORD is teaching to trust in HIM, call on HIM; allowing JESUS to move mountains of impossible. I may need to get out of HIS way, remembering that GOD is bigger than anything I face. 

So let me ask you, are you struggling with something? Are difficulties showing up out of no where? Join me in asking The LORD, "What do you want me to learn and how do you want to use me in this situation? Give me YOUR Wisdom to see, say and act the way YOU want me to, in JESUS' Name, Amen. I'm thankful for this bigger picture. I can often shrink GOD's plans down to my minimal understanding of what HE'S trying to do!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts."~Isaiah 55:8-9

Jump on the #ThankfulTrain...what are you thankful for?

When Your Mistake Costs Much

So I was watching football after church today because duh...isn't that what everyone does during the most amazing season of the year? Anyways, while waiting for my Packers game I had the Eagles vs. the Lions game on. The Eagles were undefeated and on their way to yet another win when all of a sudden the Eagles running back fumbled the ball and the Lions recovered it. The cameraman continued to flash over to the running back whose error cost the Eagles their first loss 23-24. 

The running back was sitting alone and visibly upset at the magnitude of his error. Again and again, the camera went back to focus on him. I felt so bad for the guy, he was so distraught over his fumble. Finally he put on his helmet with a dark visor attached to keep the camera off him. 

This visual reminded me how we often react to our life mistakes. We sit alone too long, mulling over again and again, mentally beating ourselves up. 

Today I'm thankful for the knowledge that while I'm not perfect and mess up often, I don't have to carry the weight on my shoulders, hiding behind a dark mask of shame and guilt. I'm thankful for a relationship with JESUS CHRIST that allows me to be forgiven, forgive myself, as well as others. 

Friends, if you've been carrying a burden for too long, it's time to let it go. Don't sit alone and hide. GOD's got big plans for you and it doesn't include moping around and looking behind. The past is past. Ask The LORD for forgiveness; lay it down and don't pick it back up. Keep your eyes on JESUS, ask HIM to take away your sins, forgive you, and come into your heart and life, making all things new. HE already paid the price, accept HIS forgiveness, the free gift HE gave to you upon the cross, rising on the 3rd day to newness of life. You've been called for more. Let the Light of CHRIST shine into the darkness. Let it go!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."~2 Corinthians 5:17

Jump on the Thankful Train...what are you thankful for?

Bring It To The Light!

So yesterday I had a plan for my day today. I was going to spend the day cleaning and writing (forcing myself to stay in -no adventures- and get some things accomplished). But it's weird, I've just had this sadness that's creeped in from nowhere that I can't shake, so I'm just laying here in bed with zero accomplished. It seems like whenever I'm determined to dig deeper, get closer in my walk with The LORD, do what HE'S calling me to do...the enemy fills me with all kinds of depressing thoughts.

So today I'm determined to push past these lies and negative thoughts, setting my mind on Truth and Praying that whatever this sadness/hurt thing is that's pouring over me goes away, in JESUS' Name. This Christian walk is never smooth, it's a day in and day out steadfastness in seeking my SAVIOR. So here's the truth...as a Christian, I still struggle. I'm not perfect. But I can look to The ONE who is. I can sit at HIS Feet in all my messiness and let HIM Heal me. Because when I say, "Have YOUR way in me JESUS," there's always going to be some ugliness deep in there that comes to the surface...things that need to be brought to The Light of CHRIST. 

Today I'm thankful for the reminder...the negative thoughts and feelings are not Truth. They are just *feelings*. So when I take them to The LORD in Faith, asking for HIS Wisdom, I'm throwing them into The LIGHT of HIS Love and Truth. 

"But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says:

“Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light.”~Ephesians 5:13-14

Come Out Of The Shadows!

Sometimes, when you've been walking in the shadows of your past, it's time to stop looking back and turn your gaze towards the LIGHT. You are not your mistakes. You are not your short-comings. You are not your failures. You are not your weaknesses. You are not a disappointment. You *are* a brand new creation in CHRIST JESUS. Let go. Look to HIM. You've been set free from the chains of bondage. Lift your head weary friend...turn towards the TRUTH of who you truly *are*...a beautiful, loved, restored, renewed, forgiven, redeemed child of GOD!

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."~2 Corinthians 3:18 

"Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."~2 Peter:1:1-4

ARE YOU EVER SATISFIED?

Are you ever satisfied? I ask this question first to myself and then to you. When you're blessed with something you've been hoping and praying for…is it enough? Do you find yourself chasing and hoping for the next thing on your wish list? Are you a victim of consumerism? 

Human nature is stated very clearly in the Bible found in Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon (son of King David and considered one of the wisest men to ever live besides Jesus.) He chased after worldly things, attaining it all, only to say it was, "grasping for the wind." He mentions it over and over again...no less than nine times. Accumulation. More stuff. Never enough. We rent storages to hold things that we will probably never use again and yet we keep it. MINE. I speak to me first!

"GRASPING FOR THE WIND."

The true chasing you should be doing each day is chasing after the Lord's heart. JESUS. HIS will. Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you towards the things that you truly need. Jesus said, "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—" John 14:16 More time praying. More time reading the Scriptures. More time sharing the unconditional love of Christ. Where's your heart? I ask myself first and then you. The Lord has blessed each one of us with so much materialistically and continues to do so. But the true question is…do you care where others will be spending eternity? 

As you seek Jesus and He fills you up…this should start to become a priority, if you truly let Him transform you into HIS image; removing the things that so easily trap and entangle you. Look around, wherever you are…is there someone you can pray for? You have so many opportunities placed in front of you each day. At work, praying quietly at your desk for the people in your office to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, in the store, in the gym, in the movie theatre…so many opportunities to pray for people. The Bible plainly states that the ONLY WAY to the Father is through His Son, Jesus Christ. All paths do not lead to Heaven. Jesus is the only way to the Father. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6

Where's your heart? I ask myself and then you. Are you too busy trying to devise a plan to get more things? It's all, "grasping for the wind." It will not bring you true happiness or fill the empty void in your soul. 

Don't get me wrong…we all need provisions now and for the future, but what I'm talking about is the never ending excess that consumes our thoughts and time…more…more…more. Maybe it's time to pray for the things the Lord wants for your life. As a "Christ"ian you should care more about the Lord's will than your own…"grasping for the wind." There are too many people who need a Savior, Jesus Christ; too many people who are struggling with pain, addiction, loneliness, and heartache. Do you care? Step up and seek more of the Lord's will and less of yours. In this you will find true happiness for all that you've been searching for. I speak to me first, then you. Trust Him with ALL of you. Allow Him to use you mightily each day and watch the burdens begin to fall away. Jesus is "the way, the truth and the life". What was Christ doing here on earth? He came to save. He was here to bring the lost, hurting , misled and broken people back to the loving embrace of their Heavenly Father. Stop "grasping for the wind," and cling to Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of your faith.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

A Prayer For You...

Lord, I know You have a good plan for my life and a purpose, but some days I feel overwhelmed. I face many challenges throughout my day and I sometimes feel a small root of bitterness attempting to form. On these days I need more of You and less of me. Help me to see things through Your eyes Lord and not my own. Please give me Your peace, patience, love and comfort during difficulties. Lord, You are always on the scene...help me to seek You; to reach for Your outstretched hand. Let me walk close to You on life's journey. I know that if You've brought me here...You are working.

Please help me to have less of me and more of You. Let the words of my mouth speak Your loving words of kindness. Let my life be Yours to use always...even in the storms. Let me be found worthy to do Your work; to walk where You're leading me, in blind faith. For if we know exactly what's in store for us...it isn't faith at all.
" Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:11
"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." Hebrews 11:3

Lord, help me to remember that my current view/perception of the situation in front of me has nothing to do with the true reality of what You are doing.
" And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Strengthen me Lord and build me up. Let me walk closer to You. Let me be Your hands and feet. Protect me from the lies of the enemy, as he attempts to fill me with thoughts of defeat.
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4

Lord, Thank You for always filling me with the truth and light of Your Holy Word. Jesus came to show us by example how to overcome the temptations of the enemy and it's always with Your powerful Word and Prayer. He conquered the enemy on the cross, defeating the bondage of sin and death. Help me to remember to seek You and Your Word when I feel discouraged and defeated. Thank You for reminding me...in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:31-39

Do You Feel Like Your Drowning?

Photo & Story by: Lisa Petrarca

Do you ever find yourself paddling along through life, everything seems to be going nicely, no problems or troubles and then...WHAM...all of a sudden a huge wave comes crashing down on you? It pushes you under, you begin to flip, spin and roll to the bottom. You become disoriented unable to figure out which way to swim. All of a sudden you look for the light. You instinctively know that is the way to safety and the air you so desperately need. 

Frantically you paddle, relief sweeping over you as the light becomes brighter and you release the last bit of air left in your lungs. You know that once you reach the surface, you'll be filled up with new, clean air and safe once again.

Our everyday lives can often feel like we're being hit by a wave and forced under. Do you sometimes find yourself gasping for air as you try to overcome stress, worry, grief, heartache and disappointment?

You need to remember to "swim" toward the light. Don't continue to get tossed, hit, and held down by your troubles. Seek a relationship with Jesus Christ, "the Light." Let Him renew you with His life giving Spirit. Allow yourself to be brought into the safety of His embrace. Allow Him to carry you safely to the shore. He can fill you with a peace beyond your circumstances and give you renewed hope. Ask for help today. If you feel as though you're drowning...PRAY. Tell the Lord what you're feeling and ask for help to get through it. Allow Him into your everyday life. He is only a prayer away. Call out to your Savior...He will help you overcome it. Run towards His Light and allow Jesus Christ to fill your emptiness.  Find everything you've been searching for in Him.

"Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them." Psalm 89:9

^{~JESUS CALMS THE WAVES~ 
"}And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" Mark 4:35-41

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Push Ahead

Some days we feel as though everything is stacked against us. We wonder how and if things will ever change. We cannot see a light at the end of the tunnel. But you need to realize that God is walking right beside you. When it's too dark to see in front of you, but something keeps telling you to push on...it's God letting you know that he knows the way and you can trust him to guide you out of the darkness.
PUSH AHEAD
By: Lisa Petrarca

Your courage and strength is your crowning glory
They can never take away your personal story
You and God determine your destination
Push ahead, without hesitation

Try as they might to break your spirit
Your heart and faith will keep you in it
Believe in yourself and your path will be clear
Push ahead, your dreams are so near

Fear and doubt will creep inside
You sometimes want to just run and hide
You’re scared of failure and all it entails
Push ahead, and you will not derail

The road ahead seems long and tough
The twists and turns sometimes seem too rough
Your goals are worth the struggle ahead
Push ahead, your hopes and dreams are worth the tread

Reach high above and look toward the sky
It sometimes takes just one more try
Your steps are sure and your way is clear
Push ahead, and you’ll overcome your greatest fear

Perseverance is what it will take to shape and mold
You alone will decide what your future will hold
All your dreams inside are about to unfold
Push ahead, the story of your life has yet to be told