THE FIGHT

I sat in front of the pier, a group of homeless men of varying ages...early 20's to late 60's sat to my left. I silently prayed over them as my worship music loudly played. Another older homeless man with long gray, straggly hair pulled up on his bike, a worn cart attached to the back with a dog inside. He began screaming at a one of the younger homeless men...who in turn responded by yelling and charging towards him. They seemed to know each other and have some kind of long standing rift. Their anger began to escalate as they stood face to face just a few inches apart, taunting each other to throw the first punch while name calling.

I've never been one to just sit back and let things happen around me without trying to intervene. I quickly turned my bike around and pulled up next to them and shouted, " Stop it! Knock it off!" I repeated it several times, my music continue to blare, as I prayed that it would not escalate. They were oblivious to me or anything I was saying to them. But I continued to try, "Stop it! Calm down...don't do this!"

Finally a friend of the younger homeless man stepped in and pulled him away before either man threw a punch.

ANGER.

It can grip so hard and drag us in past the point of reason.

As I road away I thought about all the times in my life I've let anger get me to a point of really hurting people. I've said terrible things. I've lashed out trying to hurt people who I felt wronged me or my family. But then JESUS stepped into my life and filled my heart.

Don't get me wrong, I still get angry, but my reactions are much more controlled than before. I know how to diffuse it by running to The LORD. The enemy can use anger to control people. He hardens hearts and blinds eyes. He breaks up families and friendships.

Today if you find yourself held in angers grip, steal away to a quiet place, pray, ask The LORD to reveal truth, peace and His love over the situation. Never forget that JESUS makes ALL things new. Don't be deceived, don't stay captive in anger. JESUS has called you and I for more. Let His love seep into those hardened, hurting places. Let go. 

"Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry,
for anger rests in the bosom of fools."~Ecclesiastes 7:9

"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."~James 1:19-20

"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." Romans 12:3

Is That Me?

By: Lisa Petrarca

We recently moved to a home that has mirrored closet doors. I was in the bathroom getting ready the other morning when I heard my husky barking & running around. I peeked around the corner to see what was going on to get her so riled up. She was crouched, face & front paws down with her back end in the air. She was staring at her reflection, ready to attack the new dog in her home.

She ran towards it & swatted at the mirror.

Bam!

As it shook, she ran back towards the bed, running in circles, barking and howling. This continued until it was time for me to leave for work.

I was cracking up...

This became a ritual every morning. I began to wonder, “Is she ever going to realize that it’s her?”

Do you look at yourself in the mirror every morning and then when you leave, forget who you are in Christ? When you head out the door to start the day, do you immediately get irritated at drivers, store clerks, your boss, co-workers, etc?

We are able to rise above our current circumstances. We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. We can be filled with complete peace in the midst of our daily storms. Pray everyday and ask for the Lord to lift the stress and burdens off of you.

Don’t forget who you are!

You are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Colossians 3:12-15, 17

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

A Child Like Faith

by: Lisa Petrarca

Remember when you were young? The days were filled with laughter and joy. The cares of yesterday and tomorrow never seemed to matter. We lived in the moment...finding satisfaction in the small simple things of life. God wants us to live with the same child like faith of our youth. He wants us to stop worrying about things we cannot change. This only brings stress and anxiety, which eventually leads to illness, sadness, anger and frustration. But it NEVER changes a thing. When you feel overwhelmed take it to your Father in Heaven and ask Him to fill your heart with His peace. He wants you to find the joy of your youth...this will free you up mentally to follow Christ's example.

JOY IN THE SIMPLE THINGS- (photos by Lisa Petrarca)

There are several examples of complete Faith in the Bible:

Abraham-Had faith that God would give him a child at the age of 101 even though his body was as good as dead and his wife Sarah's womb was dead. (Roman's 4:20-22 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness.")

The Bleeding Woman- Had faith that she would be healed if she only touched Jesus' cloak. (Matthew 9:19-22 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.)

Noah-Built the Ark even though everyone thought he was crazy...he had faith in God's word and followed through.

Moses- Had faith to guide the Israelites out of slavery and captivity, parting the Red Sea...he trusted God.

David- Had faith that he could defeat Goliath with his slingshot because he trusted the Lord.

The Bible is filled with story's of Faith. If you need some encouragement to let go and start living with child like faith and joy, pray and ask for HIS help. Let Him speak to you through His written word. TRUST YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN!

The Broken Wheel

Story By: Lisa Petrarca

My car began to rattle, first the steering wheel then the seat, until it felt like a minor earthquake was happening inside. Several weeks prior I had noticed the steel thread on my tire was beginning to show, but I knew that without money and time, I would have to hope that I didn't have a blow out.

The longer I waited the worse the shaking became. Turns seemed to be the worst. I would grip tightly onto the wheel trying to control it. I found myself feeling intense stress every time I got in the car. I wondered, "Is today going to be the day?"

I started to think about how that worn, broken wheel is like life. We begin to make bad choices (wearing the tread). Each wrong choice slowly tearing us apart. Things become broken and shaky, but we try to ignore it. We grip on tighter to the wheel, trying to handle it alone. The stress begins to build up inside, but we push it down. We know that something is wrong but don't know how to fix it. The longer we continue down the same path, the worse things become..until one day we have a blow out.

Our life crashes around us and we need help. If you feel like you're headed for a blow out...open up your Bible and let God speak to you. Jesus prepared a way for us to be forgiven and have a fresh start. Stop and pray...He will change you, fix you and take away your worry and stress...you only have to ask.

He is the bridge that gets you over the difficult times...to the treasure that awaits you!

"I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness. And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles. To open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them." Isaiah 42:6-7, 9

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

HIS CREATION.....

What About Me?

Sometimes we don’t realize all of the blessings that the Lord gives us daily. It’s easy to notice the BIG things that happen. But what of the small daily answers to our prayers?

I find myself doing this quite frequently, looking for the BIG answers to my prayers. I pray and then wait…and wait and when it doesn’t happen or doesn’t appear to happen the way I asked for it, I think, “Well, I guess I don’t deserve it.” Or on those certain days that I’m feeling particularly sorry for myself, “Why doesn’t God ever answer my prayers? I try to do what’s right and nothing! What have I done wrong that he never gives me what I need?”

The funny thing is, He is giving me EXACTLY what I need at that time in my life. No, it may not be what I asked for, because I have tunnel vision (my perspective) and He sees the BIG picture (HIS perspective). His timing, way and guidance are what will direct me toward the right path as I travel up my daily mountain.

I need to remember to stop as I walk up my complicated hill and see the small blessings all around me, the answers to prayers that I didn’t even ask for. The unexpected card from a friend or a smile from someone when I’m feeling down, an opportunity to help someone in need, people taking time to pray for me and my family, health, love and friendship. These small everyday blessings from God let us know that he truly cares about us and is looking out for each and everyone of us along our journey.

So when you feel discouraged, remember to stop and reflect on how the Lord answered a need in your life today…it may be something small, but it came at just the right time. Stop your constant rushing and take a moment each day to look around…GOD is trying to show His love for you!

By: Lisa Petrarca

"And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
Matthew 21:22

Change Your Attitude

Sometimes you get so caught up in the everyday activities that you feel like your on auto pilot. I can't tell you the number of times I passed the street I'm supposed to turn on because I wasn't focusing. A million things running through my mind...work, basketball practice, meetings, doctor's appointments, grocery shopping, the list is endless. I think we all tend to go through life this way. No wonder we are all so stressed out. Our brains are on overload. By the time the weekend rolls around, we feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and defeated by all the things that was not accomplished on our endless lists! There is a solution...it all begins with your attitude.

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING

By Francie Baltazar-Schwartz

Jerry was the kind of guy you love to hate. He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"

He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"

Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, 'Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.' I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.

"Yes, it is," Jerry said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut way all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life."

I reflected on what Jerry said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business: he left the back door open one morning and was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma center.

After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body.

I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?"

I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Jerry replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live."

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.

Jerry continued, "The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, 'He's a dead man.'

"I knew I needed to take action."

"What did you do?" I asked.

"Well, there was a big, burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Jerry. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes,' I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breathe and yelled, 'Bullets!' Over their laughter, I told them. 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."

Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.

Remember to start each day with the right attitude. Look at what's right in your life. When problems arise, focus on the solution, not the problem. Remember...your lists are SELF-MADE. You've put all the pressure on yourself. If something doesn't get completed...there's always tomorrow, besides, look at all the things you did accomplish (ATTITUDE GOES A LONG WAY).

"But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food." Job 36:15,16