The Mystery In The Castle

I'd heard about an old castle that sits along the shoreline of Laguna Beach CA. Wanting a little weekend adventure...we headed down the coast in search of it. It was a little tricky to find, nestled below the cliffs. We followed a trail hidden between two large beach homes.

As we rounded the corner and walked toward the tide pools we spotted it. A very narrow, tall castle right at the edge of the cliff. To my delight the heavy metal door at the back was open.

I wanted to explore and see what was at the top of the old wooden spiral staircase. I went inside trying to coax my hubby to come too, (he's claustrophobic & wasn't too excited.)

 He hung back as I quickly rounded the first flight of stairs, only to hear voices echoing below me, "You can't go up there...that's our home!" I heard my hubby say, "Ya right!" as he proceeded to follow me. "NO, REALLY...that IS our home!!" they shot back. I stopped, reluctant to head down...wanting to make a break for it up to the top and act like I never heard them. But I didn't. Disappointed and a little angry that my adventure was halted, I slowly walked down and out of the dark stairwell. Two young teenagers, a blonde girl and boy, nicely dressed, (with their standard Orange County expensive name brand clothing on) were waiting for us. I said, "What's up there? That's really your home? Is it one small little room at top or something?" I couldn't believe anyone could live in that narrow space at the top.

They laughed and said, "NO, DUMMY"...(okay, they didn't really say dummy but I thought their tone reflected it)...it's a staircase that leads up to the top of the cliff and our home's up there," pointing to a large white house overlooking the cliff.  A little flustered at being laughed at and feeling dumb for having gone up there, I was happy to hear my husband say, with a bit of an attitude, "Well why don't you lock it then?" The girl said, "Because it only locks from the inside." With that we headed to the tide pools. Walking away to their chuckling behind us.

Well that was it...they had set me off. I started with, "Spoiled little rich kids!" and then proceeded with my best English accent "That's our home! You're not allowed up there PEASANTS!" My hubby laughed. We continued to explore the beautiful beach and I calmed down. Later, we headed back toward the castle to where we'd left our things on the beach when my hubby told me that a man who was now standing out in front of the door as we walked by said, "They'll find out what's up there when they get sued!" 

Oh no he didn't! That set me off again as I walked faster, but then caught myself for a moment and decided to pray for them to find Jesus Christ and that they'd allow Him into their hearts. Believe me it wasn't easy! By the time we'd reached the wall overlooking our things I'd started back up with my English accent comments again. A few minutes later, my hubby said, "Shhhh, the lady next to you is with them." There was an entire beach & she came and sat next to me?

Notice "Barbara" in the background getting ready to sit by me.

Yes...there it was, I was getting reprimanded for judging, talking about them and my attitude. Heavenly Father sat that lady right down next to me. I had an appointment with MYSELF! I needed to be shown that things are not always as they appear and that my poor, sometimes judgmental attitude was still lingering inside of me waiting to pop out.

Well I struck up a conversation with "Barbara," asking her about the castle. I nervously laughed as I told her that I just wanted to go exploring and had no idea it was private property. She was so nice and friendly. She told me all about the history. It had been built in 1926 as a way to get down to the beach from the dangerous cliffs. Bette Midler had once owned the house. They get a big tax break because it's a historic landmark. Her brother married the lady who owns the house. She told me about herself, her kids and mentioned her brother was an atheist.

So there it was...PRAYER for the lost. I had said a quick prayer for him in my anger, but he needed more. He didn't need me to respond in judgement...he needed love. In my pride and anger I needed to get over myself and show more of Christ in me to others. I needed to work on responding in loving kindness instead of reacting. I thought I'd become so good at this until...the castle. Sometimes when our old nature rises up, it's a reminder of the things you need to lay at the Lord's feet. Asking Jesus to take it out of you and allowing Him to help you change.    

Barbara and I sat talking for a very long time. She gave me so much interesting information and history on the castle and the home at the top of the hill. Much more than anything I would have found by reaching the top of the castle stairway.

The adventure I'd been seeking was more than what I'd hoped for. I stumbled, but was able to get up, brush myself off, learn, embrace, pray and remember not to see things through my own limited viewpoint. I need to remember to pray for God's widsom to see things through HIS eyes and not my own.
 
We are all a work in progress. We need the loving kindness of Jesus Christ throughout our day, to guide us into ALL TRUTH so that we can be effective and go out and do HIS WILL and not our own.

1 Corinthians 15:58

1 Corinthians 16:13

God Wants You To Know

Just rest in Me. Do you not perceive it? I am doing a new thing in you. Let go of the things that are troubling you and rest in Me. I am the Alpha & the Omega. The Beginning and the End. You will find rest for your soul as you seek Me. Return to your First Love. What you are lacking is time with Me. Allow Me to renew your mind body and spirit. If I care for the birds of the air, feed them and take care of their needs, how much more will I care for you.

Rest in Me. Find your strength in Me. I will never leave you nor forsake you. I'm guiding you to a chosen land filled with milk and honey. You will be safe and secure as you seek to do My will first; then all else will fall into place. Be diligent where I have placed you, for in due time you will receive your reward.

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Revelation 22:13-14

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matthew 6:26

"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 11:29-30

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

" The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—" Exodus 3:7

"Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:24

I LOVE YOU MORE!

photo & story by lisa petrarca

While on vacation at the beach, sitting in the motor home early one the morning, I heard a a nearby camper yell out, "I love you more!" to her family members as they were leaving. It made me smile. My kid's grandma Dianne always said the exact same thing to them at the end of a visit or a phone conversation, "I love you more!"

I began to think about our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ's love for us. It is always more! More than we can imagine. More than we can take in at one time. More than we deserve. More than enough to satisfy our emptiness, loneliness, hurt, anger, addictions, sin and brokenness.

Are you seeking His love each day? Are you spending time in the morning allowing God's love to fill the gaping holes in your life?

Pray and ask for your Savior's help. Ask God to show you His love. Ask Him to help you before the temptations, before the breakdowns, before the anger. Ask Him to help you "put on the whole armor of God." (Ephesians 6:11-17.) He wants to show you how His love will conquer all you're dealing with, whatever it may be...it's not too big for the Creator of the Universe. Start today by seeking to gain a relationship with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


Be filled with the overflowing love that He has for you...HE LOVES YOU MORE!!!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:9-11

My favorite song...

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

When Anger Strikes

story by: Lisa Petrarca

 

Yesterday I had an incident happen where I felt my “old” self rising up. The person that I thought I’d finally gotten under control over the years. To feel those old feelings get stirred up…anger, pride and a head full of vicious, hurtful words of attack, were surprising. My “old” ways and methods used to let people know “Don’t even THINK about messing with me or my family! You have no idea what you’re up against!” 

That was years ago...years of perfecting a tool of defense to keep others at a distance. But I’ve grown. I’ve changed. Since allowing Christ into my heart, I realized that I’m not alone. He is with me in all my struggles and battles. He began to soften and change my heart. As I started my day reading the Bible and praying, a noticeable change began to happen. It was slow, but obvious, the more I stayed in God’s word daily. I began to see people through Christ’s eyes and not my own. I actually began to pray each day to see others through HIS eyes. It’s amazing how faithful the Lord is to answer! Bitter, angry people who used to set me off, I started to have compassion for them as I saw their actions as that of a hurt, insecure, lost, broken child. WOW…it was a whole new concept! I actually felt bad for them. Instead of responding to their anger, I started responding with love and kindness. Love conquers all! It diffuses situations, people and the enemy.

Now, imagine my surprise to find myself falling back into my old ways. I was faced with a choice, I could respond with anger and harsh, stabbing words in return or I could pray and ask for God’s wisdom. I had a choice! I could take a moment and make the right decision rather than just react. I decided to ask for prayer from an online friend, who quickly asked me, “What would Jesus do?” At the moment, I wanted to take things into my own hands. I didn’t want to respond in a Christ-like way. I didn’t want to respond with love…I was mad! I had the perfect things all prepared to, “let them have it” right back and then some. But I chose to wait, pray, read some scriptures and listen to praise music. I needed help. I was battling my “old” self and that’s not easy! It’s easier to give in and justify my actions. I can always find reasons why I did, said or acted in a certain way. But God wants to change us, heal us, help us. He wants to give us wisdom, peace, comfort and love. So then we in turn can be an example and blessing to others. Learning to show Jesus through our actions; allowing His love to pour out onto others.

I’m happy to report to you that I was able to do what God wanted me to do. The conversation started out with a little bit of my old self trying to creep in, but as the conversation continued I remained calm and was able to diffuse the situation.  I responded in love, even coming up with an idea to help everyone involved get closer and work towards a common goal. The Lord faithfully stepped in because I took the time to ask for His help. He gave me the peace and wisdom to make things better instead of worse.

Today, if you find yourself in a battle, take a minute before you react. Go spend some time with the Lord alone. He will fill you up with wisdom, strength, and direction. You don’t have to react the way you used to. You have a choice…choose to change. God has BIG plans for you. Allow Him to help you grow!

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

“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 89:1

“ For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.” Isaiah 54:10

     

What Happened to the Child Inside of You?

story & picture by: lisa petrarca

Do you ever think back to that little child inside of you? The days when you had no cares. The days were long, filled with neighborhood games; street ball, hide-n-seek, catching butterflies, frogs and lizards. The endless hours spent at the lake or beach...swimming and enjoying each day.

I often long for the days when I was carefree, pain free and took the time to enjoy each and every moment of the day. At what point did I lose my child-like joy?

At what age did you leave that happy, sweet child behind and become a busy, worried, stressed out adult? When did you stop finding joy in the simple pleasures of life? You somehow lost your inner child to responsibility, over-commitment, work and daily life struggles. But your Heavenly Father still sees you as a child. He wants you to have child-like joy and trust. The burdens you carry are to be given to Him each and every morning, continually laying them at His feet throughout the day.

You are not meant to do this alone. He is your Father. He expects and wants you to lean on Him, look to Him and ask Him for help so you can look at your day through His eyes. Even with all of your responsibilities, He can still fill you with child-like joy and a peace beyond understanding. The Lord's view is full of wisdom and love. There is nothing you face or come up against that is too hard, impossible or beyond God's ability to help you. Go to Him in prayer today as His little child. Ask to see situations in your life through His eyes and not your own. He will take you, His child, into His loving, caring embrace, which surpasses all understanding and show you how to have child-like faith, peace and joy again. Trust your Father in Heaven...HE LOVES YOU! 

“How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the arm that is feeble! What advice you have offered to one without wisdom! And what great insight you have displayed!" Job 26:2-3

"Does God listen to their cry when distress comes upon them? Will they find delight in the Almighty? Will they call on God at all times? I will teach you about the power of God; the ways of the Almighty I will not conceal." Job 27:9-11

" The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:1-4

Finding Lost Treasure

The man slowly scanned back and forth across the sand. Large gray headphones covering his ears as he intently listened, waiting to hear the noise signaling he'd found a buried treasure.

I've recently noticed a rise in the amount of people with metal detectors at the beach and parks. These high tech devices enable it's owner to detect any traces of metal (coins, jewelery, gold, silver etc) that may be buried or hidden.

You may often daydream about winning the lottery, finding lost treasure or hitting the jackpot in Las Vegas; but you don't realize that you have a treasure at your disposal that's worth more than gold. It can give you wisdom beyond education. It can give you comfort when you feel inconsolable. It can give you peace when you're lost in discontent. It can give you hope when you've lost faith. It can give you a relationship that will never let you down or disappoint you.

This treasure is in your home, waiting for you to find it's true worth and value; waiting for you to stop seeking worldly riches and seek first something far more valuable. Open up your Bible each day and read all that God has for you. There is a true treasure in store for you.Your life will be transformed as you develop a relationship with your Savior Jesus Christ. You will find true peace, wisdom and happiness; A treasure worth more than gold, silver, diamonds or rubies. Open up your hidden treasure today and discover God's riches.

"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." Psalm 19:7-11

"You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them." Psalm 89:9 

"And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18-19

" Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near." Isaiah 55:6