SHOULD I TAKE THE JOB?

Recently my mom was praying for a job. She knew she wouldn't be making the kind of money she used to make at her very stressful job...but with so many recent changes in her life she was ready to find a stress free work environment. She went on several interviews, all the while asking for prayer to receive the perfect job. A job that would put her exactly where the Lord wanted her.

After several interviews, she received an offer today and a promise from many others to be offering her a position within the next few days. Now she found herself in a dilemma asking, "Do I take the job which is significantly lower pay but somewhere I'd enjoy working or hold out for another offer that might be more money?" She was feeling very stressed and overwhelmed, asking the person to please give her a little time to make a decision. The employer however couldn't promise that the position would still be available. My mom knew she needed advice, she needed to spend some time in prayer, she was worried and didn't want to make the wrong decision. She took her chances and said she needed to wait to make her decision. With that, she began asking her older kids for their input, then she went to the One who could give her the absolute perfect advice and wisdom. She spent time in prayer. Waiting for the Lord to guide her in the right direction. She knew that Heavenly Father had a plan and that wherever He guided her she would go in faith and trust. She'd learned over the years that the safest place to be is in the will of God.

After much prayer, she felt strongly that she should accept the position. She called the hiring manager back the same day and asked if they would still be interested in hiring her? He then asked her to hold on a minute. When he came back on he said, "I need to talk to you." She thought, "Oh no!" He said, "I talked to another manager and we want to offer you a dollar more an hour than we originally told you." This offer came even though my mom was calling back willing to take the lower paying offer. She was so incredibly happy! She knew she had been blessed by listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and following where she was supposed to go, trusting in God. God blessed the entire situation...my mom starts orientation tomorrow!


Today, if you find yourself in a dilemma, a position of uncertainty, a state of perpetual confusion or worry, stop what your doing, put aside how things may look from an earthly viewpoint. Take your Scriptures and go to a quiet place to read and pray. Allowing the Holy Spirit to fill you up with wisdom, direction, guidance, security and an all knowing comfort that you are being guided to the perfect place, as you trust in God. Allow the love of Jesus Christ to fill you up, restore you, and lead you into all truth. The Lord is saying to you, "I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me" Jeremiah 32:27 

"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

It's Time To Remove Your Training Wheels!

Remember when you learned how to ride a bike?

Running outside with you parents, jumping on the bike and pedaling, only to find the bike tilting toward the side, panic rising up as you realize you're about to fall. Suddenly, at just the right moment, the bike's training wheel stops you from toppling over. Feeling relief sweep over you…white knuckles loosening their grip on the handlebars, you begin to pedal faster. Gaining trust as the bike, teeter totter's, between the two back training wheels, while you remain upright.

When the time comes to finally remove the training wheels, fear creeps back in, unsure of whether you really care about becoming a "Big" boy or girl. But your parents gently coax you along, reassuring you that, "It's okay, we've got you." They run behind you, holding onto the back seat yelling, "Pedal faster!" Their secure grip, guiding, encouraging you to go on.  Before you know it, you look back and they're clapping for you, no longer holding on. You begin to wobble in doubt, maybe even falling because of fear. But you're able to get back up and try again, as your parents continue to lovingly persuade you. Eventually, you become secure in the knowledge that, you can do it!

In life, Heavenly Father is your parent. He is holding you up, and when you get too far away and fall, He picks you up, encouraging you to push on. Strengthening you with His Love. Reminding you that He is there, He is with you and you're not alone. Spend time with Him in that secret, quiet place; soaking in His Love through Scriptures and Prayer.

 Take off your training wheels. Let His Words propel you forward. Allow Him to cheer you on, as you race ahead of your circumstances, into His restoring Peace and Grace.

"If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boys father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:23-24 "He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer." Mark 9:29

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:30

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."Mark 10:27   

After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went to them, walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Mark 6:46-50

Needing Change?

 If we truly grasped the Power our Heavenly Father has given us through prayer, DIRECT COMMUNICATION with Him; we'd let go of our fears and burdens. Recognizing that we are able to be renewed; hearts, minds, body & soul. He transforms us through our prayers to Him. He hears us and see's our struggles. Prayer is our Power, the strength God has given us to lay everything down and allow His Holy & Mighty Power to change things. He loves us and hears our cries. Prayer establishes a loving, all-trusting relationship with Him.

Don't waste  an opportunity to Pray today. It may only be a simple prayer, but it speaks volumes to God. Showing that you are putting your Trust and Faith in your Heavenly Father to change all things.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it." 

Isaiah 43:18-19 

"Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, O Israel."
Isaiah 43:22

"O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, 

our salvation in time of distress." 

Isaiah 33:2

"Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care..."

Psalm 95:2-7

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I Feel So Alone

story by: lisa petrarca

When you struggle, as we all do down life's rocky road, remember the safest place to be is in the will of God. You may need to constantly remind yourself to:

"LET GO AND LET GOD!"

Our desire to be Lord over our lives is in direct conflict with our Heavenly Father's will. You were never meant to carry your burdens alone. God sent our Savior, Jesus Christ, to show us by example, to teach us how to turn to our Father during those painful, seemingly impossible times.

Jesus cried out to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was in agony and needed His Fathers strength. Be sure to read Luke 22:39-46, to get a deeper understanding of the importance of prayer in your life.

If Jesus, being perfect still needed to turn to His Father, don't you think that we should follow His example?

We are far from perfect, we're incapable of knowing the Lord's ultimate will for our lives. We have tunnel vision...blinders on. We see only our immediate circumstances. We don't see the entire picture from the Lord, our Creator's view. Put your Hope, Trust and Faith in Him today, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

"LET GO AND LET GOD!"

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalms 46:10

He's the only one who knows the plans He has for you, "plans to give you hope and a future."

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart, declares the Lord." Jeremiah 29:11

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

HOW STEEP IS YOUR MOUNTAIN?

story by: lisa petrarca

Life's mountains are steep, climbing them hard, but throughout the journey you're becoming stronger. You're being challenged, stretched, pushed to the limit as you climb each new peak. Once you reach the top, you barely catch your breath, enjoying the beauty...finding moments of peace, then it's time to move on again.

You have more mountains to climb.

Each one more challenging than the last, knowing that you have climbed difficult mountains before and made it through. You forge ahead, strong in this knowledge, you keep striving to achieve your hopes and dreams.

Your mountain of life, given to you by your Heavenly Father, equipped with his son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, enables you to achieve more than you ever dreamed possible if you rely on His strength not your own. Let go of your will and seek His. You will never see the true beauty He has for you...the top of your incredible, glorious mountain, until you allow Him to guide you on the right path. You will begin to grow progressively stronger, filled with a never ending peace even in the midst of trials, confident in the knowledge that the Lord is with you on this journey and He has equipped you with all the tools you need to handle the task before you.

"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in His paths."
Micah 4:2

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Matthew 17:20-21

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. And instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.This will be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed"
Isaiah 55:12-13

CHOICES

story by: lisa petrarca

Every morning I awaken to choices.

What should I have for breakfast? What should I wear? What route should I take to work? Should I give that homeless guy money? What do I need to get at the store?

The list of our choices are endless.

But I've learned that the most important choice is: Am I willing to make time for God today?

Am I going to free up some precious moments to spend praying & reading His words each morning?

This decision seems to affect every aspect of my entire day.

When I set aside time for the Lord, I realize I've opened the door for HIM to help me with my choices throughout the day. I am no longer alone!

MAKE THE MOST IMPORTANT CHOICE...ASK YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FOR HIS GUIDANCE. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:2-6

The Man Child

by: Lisa Petrarca

The man stumbled toward me, all of his teeth were missing except a few broken, protruding yellow nubs. He smiled and told me he was on his lunch break. He had just started a job at the theatre down the street. He asked for some coffee to help him "sober up," before he went back so that he wouldn't lose his job.

I ran in the house, grabbed a hot cup of coffee, pushed open the door, and to my surprise, heading towards me was a large group of people from church with their arms full of food.

Spotting the man, they invited him to come and eat lunch with us.

Everyone was so warm and friendly. They ate, talked, laughed and included this man in their lives.

Right before my eyes, the man suddenly became a young child. He began to cry, worrying that he would be fired from his job if he was late getting back. Everyone gathered around to hug this small, scared child. Through his sobs, he told us that he needed this job to help feed his family.

Hearing this, I scooped up the young child in my arms & ran, carrying him, running as fast as I could so he wouldn't be late.

As I woke up, I tried to make sense of this dream. It wasn't until later that day when I spotted a homeless man, hidden from immediate sight, lying between two buildings, that it hit me. Our Heavenly Father sees these hurting, broken people as His children. Children who are in need of unconditional love. When one of His children crosses your path, are you reaching out and showing the love of our Savior Jesus Christ?

In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Isaiah 63:9

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability, entirely on their own.
2 Corinthians 8:2-3

Cherokee Indian Legend

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's right of passage?

His dad takes him into the forest ~ blindfolded ~ and leaves him...alone.

He is required to sit on a stump the whole night...and not take off the blindfold until the ray of sun shines through it. He is all by himself. He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience. Each lad must come into his own manhood.

The boy was terrified-could hear all kinds of noise...Beasts were all around him. Maybe even some human would hurt him.

The wind blew the grass and earth...and it shook his stump. But he sat stoically - never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could be a man.

Finally, after a horrific night...the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold. It was then that he saw his father sitting on the stump next to him...at watch...the entire night.

We are never alone. Even when we do not know it, our Heavenly Father is protecting us...He is sitting on the stump beside us. All we have to do is reach out to Him.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" Joshua 1:9

EXERCISE WHAT?

Story by Lisa Petrarca

I’ve been planning on starting an exercise routine for the past year… well truthfully, the past three years. I complain about the way my body looks, I’m sore, achy and flabby. It’s always “Next week I’ll start for sure.” Next week comes and it gets pushed back another week. I’m too tired, busy, lazy…whatever the reason, I always find an excuse. It’s not easy to start, but no one can deny the difference in the way you look and feel once you do.

Our minds also need exercise. They get filled with all sorts of “junk”. Our thoughts can be compared to the food that we put in our body. Constantly putting bad thoughts…(you’re not smart, you always mess up, what’s the matter with me, you will never be able to quit that habit, everyone would just be better off without me, your an addict you'll never change, I’m so ugly, I’m too fat) the list is endless.

The “food” that is supposed to be nourishing our minds, is actually doing the opposite. We fill our head with so many negative thoughts there isn’t room for the positive things. Our heads become “overweight”…they need exercise. We need to trim down our bad thoughts. The exercise that’s needed starts with making time FIRST thing in the morning to feed it with positive, uplifting things. Make an appointment, add it to your day planner, outlook calendar, whatever you need to do to start your MIND EXERCISE ROUTINE.

Have the Bible set next to your bed. Before you get out of bed, reach over and start reading. When you’re done, pray to the Lord to fill you with His love, patience and peace for the day. Pray for strength to do it again tomorrow.

Like exercising this will eventually become easier the longer you do it. Before you know it your mind is being filled with healthy, nourishing food. You’re no longer focusing on your shortcomings, problems, insecurities, hang ups and addictions. Your mind is finally in shape and you are able to reach your true potential. The Lord has called you for something better. START YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE TODAY!

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.
Hosea 10:12

God Can You Hear Me?

TRUE STORY & Pictures By: Lisa Petrarca
Yesterday on a brisk, windy, sunny day we took our dog Allie to the beach. This is always a very special, joyous day for her. She is a Siberian Husky. When you own a husky you're told to never let them off their leash. They have a natural inborn instinct to run. Over the years we have slowly trained her. On our beach visits we let her off the leash. She runs a little ways, jumping, sniffing and playing and then always stops, looks back and waits for us to catch up to her.

This particular day seemed no different than others before it. We strolled along the white, long stretch of sand. The chill of the wind was stinging our faces, as Allie frolicked in the water, chasing dogs and birds. Allie stopped and waited every so often just as she had been trained.

The sun was lowering behind a low patch of fluffy, cotton white clouds, signaling an end to our day. Approaching the part of the beach that we attach Allie to her leash, she abruptly turned and began running the opposite direction. We cried out, "Allie, Allie...STOP, come back here!" She continued to run, farther and farther. Our cries soon becoming muffled, lost in the pounding crash of the waves, beating against the sand.

We continued to walk in the direction she was running. We were certain she would eventually stop, look back and dash towards us. She began to appear as though she was a mirage, to far away to tell if it was really her. I began to run, worried that she might scale the steep cliff and run into the heavy, rush hour traffic on Pacific Coast Highway.

She had slowed down, but was still very far ahead. She now started to approach the few people on the beach, a woman at first, and then a couple. Each time she would walk away. She appeared to realize that she was lost. Walking away from the couple, with no one else around, she stood alone in the middle of the beach, a long isolated view in front of her. I began to get closer as she stood in one place. Her head was faced up towards the orange, red & yellow sky of the setting sun. She was howling, loud piercing cries, crying out because she was scared and lost. She had gone too far and now realized her mistake.



Out of breath, I started to walk, passing a couple that was staring at Allie. The wife looked at me with large, concerned eyes, "Oh, she's crying...she thinks she's lost." Finally close enough for her to hear me I shouted, "Allie, come here, I'm right here!" She quickly stopped her howl, snapped her head down, stared frozen for a moment and sprinted towards me. Her eyes squinting through the blowing wind, tongue hanging out of her mouth, tail wagging, and wait a minute...is that a smile? Can dogs smile? It sure looked like it to me. Reaching me, she jumped up on me and kissed me.

This story sadly represents our walk with the Lord. We are safely beside him, protected, loved and happy. All of a sudden something catches our attention. It looks fun, challenging, exciting...our mind starts to run. Next our body begins to chase after it also. We are going full speed in the wrong direction. Getting caught up in the moment, enjoying our fleshly, worldly desires.

The Lord is calling us to come back. He wants to protect us. We have gotten too far away. We no longer hear his cries. They are drowned out by the loud crashing waves of this world. Pride, vanity, money, pornography, sex, drugs and alcohol...we are trapped in the middle of their false allure.

Never finding the happiness we had hoped for, our life begins to fall apart around us. We stand alone on the long, lonely, isolated stretch of sand. Crying, calling out to the Lord, "Where are you Heavenly Father? I need you. I'm so scared and alone. Please come and help me."

He is there waiting for you to call Him. He wants to bring you to the safety of his loving and forgiving protection. Just call out to him, he will hear you. You are never out of his sight. He is waiting for you to stop running. Just like huskies, we have a natural instinct to run after the things of this world. These things only give us fleeting, momentary pleasure. Followed by our guilt, unhappiness and self-loathing. Stop running and look to the Lord for peace, shelter, comfort, love and complete happiness. He is waiting for you.

"Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines, then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest of silver for you. Surely you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God. You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fullfill your vows. What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways. When men are brought low and you say, "Lift them up!" then he will save the downcast. He will deliver even one who is not innocent, through the cleanness of your hands."
Job 22:21-30

It's Only 10 Minutes!

By: Lisa Petrarca

Everyday I start the morning out with a quick Bible study and prayer. At first this was difficult. Trying to add one more thing into my schedule was something I didn't want to do. But I needed to change my way of thinking. I wasn't adding one more thing...I was actually adding the ONLY thing that was important!

Everything else soon became easier because I turned my day, time, problems, decisions and safety over to my Heavenly Father each morning. My days became easier to deal with. I seemed to have more time, energy and patience throughout my day. That one simple decision to start my morning off by giving it to the Lord was a blessing on my life.

Priorities need to be analyzed and we need to remember that our life here is only temporary. We need to focus on what will bring us eternal happiness. By doing this, we actually can change our earthly situations.

Start today! Put your Bible on your night stand. Set your alarm ten minutes earlier than usual. As soon as it goes off, reach over, grab your Bible and see what the Lord wants to help you with today!

FEELING SHIPWRECKED?

SCRIPTURE:

"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?"
Jeremiah 32:27

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Jeremiah 33:3

HE WILL RAISE YOUR SAILS & GET YOU BACK IN THE RACE TO WIN THE PRIZE FOR THAT WHICH HE HAS CALLED YOU!