What Did I Say?

I was confronted with several unforeseen compliments and thanks this week. This had me thinking about the things we say and do. The ease with which a word of thanks can roll off your tongue, but the struggle we have in conveying it. With this in mind, I set out to start my day by thanking my husband for all he does, the little as well as the big things. To my surprise he responded with, "Who are you and what have you done with my wife?"

Ouch!

That comment (meant to be funny) rang loudly, a bell signaling truth. I'm not good at complimenting or thanking my husband. I don't know why I have so much trouble with it. The self absorption often over-shadow's gratitude. Reflecting on the the kind words I received made me realize that something so simple can touch someone in a huge way.

After my husband got over the initial shock of my gratitude, he said, "Thank you for telling me that, it really means a lot!" Something so small, which required little effort, just a willing heart, changed his day.

The realization that the power of my words, or words I don't speak, breathes life into my relationship or sucks the life out of it. As I continue to work on this, I'd like to encourage each of you to breathe life into your relationships. Find a kind word, a thankful moment, and share your feelings with each other. Christ set an example of loving kindness. We can follow in His footsteps, beginning with one another. Share the love that's in your heart. Don't withhold gratitude from the people in your life.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Galations 6:9

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."

1 Corinthians 13:4

"Rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Colossians 2:7

"YOUR WILL BE DONE?"

Why is it we only tell God, "Your will be done," on things that aren't close to our hearts? We have a harder time letting go of our needs, wants and desire's in situations that are BIG...sickness, job, money etc. But somehow, with smaller issue's, it's not a problem for us to pray this.

Now I'm going to let you in on a little secret...God's will, WILL BE DONE, no matter what, in all situations. Praying and telling God, "Your will be done," is simply letting Him know that you're putting your COMPLETE Trust & Faith in Him, even the important things that matter the most to you. We need to tell the Lord and show Him that we Trust His decisions for He is the Maker of Heaven, Earth and ALL things.

"Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them-the Lord, who remains faithful forever." Psalm 146:5-6

Continue to ask Him to intercede on your behalf, and remember...Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God is also interceding for you. Then say, "Your Will Be Done, Lord."

"Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? " Romans 8:34-35

Jesus knew the importance of praying this and showed us by example, as He knelt down to pray on the Mount of Olives, and in anguish, began sweating drops of blood.

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42

This simple Prayer has the power to release fear's grip over you and the situation. It'll allow you to come to your Heavenly Father with childlike Faith.

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Mark 10:15 

Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 4:39-40

LET GO AND LET GOD! 

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8

Is Your Friend A True Friend?

We all have certain people we call friends, we say Hi, have small talk conversations, but don't feel close enough to share our deep feelings and secrets with. Then, there's those special, CLOSE friends. People whom we've established a bond with. People we can trust with our hearts. They have our 'backs,' they're always there through good times and bad. We feel safe, secure and comforted just by talking to them.

There's an obvious difference in our level of relationships with people. There's also a difference in our level of relationship with God and our Savior Jesus Christ. 

You'll never get to know Him on a deeper level until you begin to stay in His Word (The Bible) daily. This allows you to see and know God's nature, His heart, His caring, unconditional love. Getting closer to the Lord will help you realize that you no longer have to carry your burdens alone. You have a safe place to go and release everything that's been weighing you down.

Seek God daily, open up to Him and share your feelings, trust Him, lean on Him, know that He wants to help you. Allow Him to get close enough to restore you through a CLOSE, intimate, trusting relationship with Jesus Christ.

Run to your CLOSEST friend, JESUS CHRIST. He will never hurt or disappoint you. He loves you like no other...He gave His life for you! You will find the safety you've been craving. Take your relationship to a deeper level & be set free! 

John 8:31-32

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 

Daniel 10:12
Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.

HE WEPT

I don't think we can really comprehend the love the Lord has for us. While reading John 11, I came across a story I've heard dozens of times, however this time was different. For some reason, two simple words jumped off the pages of my Bible:

"He Wept."

When Lazarus' became sick his sisters, Martha and Mary sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." Jesus however stayed where He was for two more days telling His Disciples, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."

When He finally arrived Lazarus had been in the Tomb for 4 days. Martha went out to meet Him. "Your brother will rise again," Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the Life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" "Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

When Martha's sister Mary arrived Jesus saw her weeping and those who followed her also wept. Jesus "was deeply moved in spirit and troubled."

"Jesus wept."

Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead in just a few minutes, but He felt their pain, anguish, sorrow and distress...HE FELT IT...He acknowledged it...He wept with them.

Please know that whatever you're going through, you can cry out to the Lord. He wept, He knows what you're going through. He wants you to let go of it and lay it at His feet. He said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

Jesus Christ came to set us free, not only of our sin, but of our doubt, worry and unbelief. He showed us by example. Today, choose to let Him weep for you and with you, as you let go!

READ: JOHN 11:1-44

FINDING THE FAITH

photo & story by: lisa petrarca

Why is it so hard to learn to walk by faith? Some days I do well and other days I have to get on my knees and stay there until the fear, anxiety and negative thoughts disappear. I've learned to pray through these things.

On those days, my prayers also need to continue throughout my day, with each unsettling encounter, with each self defeating thought, because there is an enemy who wants to bring me and you down. He wants to see us fail.

Prayer and the scriptures is how you defeat him. Just as Jesus did when He was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry, and satan came to tempt Him. Jesus came back at him with scriptures, quoting truth, quoting life sustaining wisdom, quoting His Father's words.

Jesus answered, "It is written: "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" Matthew 4:19

Jesus answered him, "It is also written: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test" Matthew 4:7

Jesus said to him, "Away from me, satan! For it is written: "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." Matthew 4:10

Are you able to do this? When negative thoughts are flooding your mind like a tidal wave, drowning your confidence and self worth, are you able to stop it? Are you reading the scriptures daily, absorbing all that God is trying to reveal to you? He has given you a lifeline, a safety net, a boat to help you reach the other side without drowning. Stop treading water, you will eventually begin to sink. Grab hold of God's life jacket. He has given you the answers to all your questions, just reach out, open the scriptures and pray today.

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Isaiah 32:17-18

O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2

Keep Going

story by: Lisa Petrarca

I was running in the race for a long, long time. The finish line seemed to never appear. I stopped and sat down for a while, became discouraged & turned back. Once I reached the starting line, I realized that I was alone there, everyone else was heading to the finish line. I began to sprint, growing weary I sat down to catch my breath. Then I heard a prompting, "Keep going, it's not far now."

I walked at first then began to jog, running into several obstacles along the way. This race was more difficult than I thought. Can I ever finish? "Keep going, it's not far now," was the whisper in my ear.

The dark & cold enveloped me but I knew I was closer then when I first started. I took slow but steady steps forward, stumbling and sometimes falling but always getting back up. In this race I realized I was growing in strength and determination. "Keep going, it's not far now," the ever present voice whispered.

As the dawn broke, a double rainbow appeared before me. I stood in awe and amazement. The arches of my finish line appeared before me. God's love shining down from above.

To reach my finish line I must push forward through life's trials and obstacles. Prayer and the scriptures giving me fuel, strength and light to guide my way, as I continue on in hope and faith. Eventually reaching the beauty of the endless rainbow that signifies God's unconditional, unending love.

According to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
Ephesians 3:11-13

I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesian 3:16-21

Ingredients of Life

Author Unknown

A little boy is telling his Grandma how "everything" is going wrong...school, family problems, severe health problems, etc. Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks the child if he would like a snack, which of course he does.

"Here. Have some cooking oil."

"Yuck," says the boy.

"How about a couple of raw eggs?"

"Gross, Grandma."

"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"

"Grandma, those are all yucky!"

To which the Grandma replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

" God works the same way. Many times we wonder why he would let us go through such bad and difficult times, but, God knows that, when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually they will all make something wonderful!"

"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.
Jeremiah 29:11-13

GOD CAN YOU HEAR ME I NEED YOU

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 invite Him back into your life. Waiting…to call 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 fulfill 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