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

My Life's Sliding Out of Control

story by Lisa Petrarca

During a recent rain storm, I was on the freeway and switched lanes as my exit approached. My tail end started to hydroplane. I tried to correct it four times, finally my car slid completely sideways, hitting the side of the embankment at 55 mph. My first thought was, "Oh no, I'm going to roll over. This is how it happens, one day you're driving to work and the next minute you're gone."

That morning, before I left for work, I prayed for a hedge of protection around each of my family members, but I forgot to pray for myself.

Now I was headed for certain disaster.

Did that mean that I wasn't protected? Was I still covered by the Lord's grace?

Who is really in charge of my life?

I usually thought that I was & carried my burdens in just such a way:

How can I fix this situation?
What can I do to change things?
I can't fix this so I'm going to just give up?
I don't know what to do, my problems are too big!

But what that one day taught me, in a very terrifying, yet vivid way, I am not expected to handle things alone. I can't control a sliding car, an illness, a terminal diagnosis, infertility, a wayward child, an out of control spouse, an addiction, whatever it is that's going on that I have been trying to control is beyond my capability.

God never intended for us to head out each day alone. He has given us words of encouragement, prayer for protection, a Savior, Jesus Christ for the atonement of our sins, and the Holy Spirit for wisdom & discernment.

As I hit the hill, my car didn't rollover. I slid up it, spun around & ended up coming safely to a stop half way up the hill. A woman ran down the hill, in the pouring rain, hugged me & told me "God was protecting you today!" Before I headed onto the freeway she told me again, "God is looking out for you," and blew me a kiss.

Remember today, YOU ARE NOT ALONE, GOD IS WITH YOU. Pray & ask for His wisdom & guidance to face whatever is sliding out of control in your life.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
ROMANS 8:31-32

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."
JOHN 15:1-8

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

Riding Through Lifes Waves

story & pictures by: Lisa Petrarca

I road my bike to the beach to spend some time writing, seeking a quiet, peaceful place on a 90 degree Monday in late September.

A group of kids came up next to me & sat on their surfboards in front of two instructors. They were learning how to surf today. After some practical instruction on form, they laid on their boards and practiced paddling.

Next they were shown the proper way to "pop up" on the board.

They continued to do this several times before two boys felt they were ready & left the crowd.

The rest of the kids moved to the waters edge to watch.

Once they felt confident, they all made their way into the water, the instructor close behind watching out for their safety and continuing to teach them as they put what they learned to the test.


Just like life, each day we embark on a new lesson. Some of us feel ready to jump in, while others need more time to prepare.

Whatever pace you're at, your teacher and instructor is right there with you, out in the "water" of life.

Take time in the morning to listen to your "teacher's" words through prayer & daily scripture study. You will then be ready to ride the waves of your day with confidence, knowing that if you wipe out, the Lord is right there with you, instructing and guiding your way through the rough waves of life!

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. 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 3:12-14

Seek Me

"Seek me with all your might, mind and strength. For my way is easy and my burden is light. You have been ever seeing but not perceiving, ever hearing but not understanding. My way is easy and my burden is light, when you seek me with all your heart."

"My sacrifice was given for your freedom. No longer are you to carry your burdens alone. Lay them at my feet and I will remove them from you. Give up your worries and I will take them from your mind. You will no longer carry the things that you've labored with. They are no longer a part of you. I have set the captive free. I am freeing you up to go and do my work. To share my light with the entire world. To set the captives free. To share my love with the world. To show them that they no longer need to depend on their own strength, for I will carry them."

"I will guide their way and keep the enemy at bay. He will no longer be able to control you with his lies. My power and strength is beyond your understanding. I ask you to come to me daily in prayer and I will hear and answer you. I will take in your words and reign blessings down upon you for your faithfulness. I am here, waiting for you to know me, to ask for my wisdom and understanding. Seek me daily and you will find me. My burden is easy. I'm coming soon to set the captives free."

"Trust, seek and get to know me while I still may be found. I am your Lord & Savior, I have come to set you free. Release the burdens on me. I have paid a price for your sins, I have given my blood so that you may walk in newness of life."

"Why are you not taking my gift? It is easy to receive, just believe in me, repent and ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you up each day. Why do you make it so hard? Why do you continue to doubt. Let go! Let go! Let go! I am here to catch you. Release all your worldly desires and seek me, you will find me when you seek me with all your heart. I am here, I am waiting. My love for you is endless, you can't begin to understand it!"

WHAT YOU SAY MATTERS!

Do you ever feel like this some days?

I know that WE ALL have mood swings and often think, "I can't control them." But think about the times that you were mad and arguing with your spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, parents, siblings etc. & you run into someone you know. Almost immediately, you can change the tone of your voice, controlling the anger and bitterness into the nice, kind, fun person that you want the outside world to see.

Do you have the bad habit of allowing negative, self defeating thoughts enter your mind? This often sets the tone for your entire day. I want to remind you to start your day off with prayer & a few minutes of studying God's word, watch your day be transformed.

YOU HAVE A CHOICE!

Work on how you talk to your loved ones & yourself this week. Work on your anger, negative attitude and negative self talk.

Here's a few positive quotes to think on:

1. Pray & read the word of God today & He will set you free!

2. Courage is progress in the presence of fear...push through your fear to reach your goals!

3. A thankful heart = a powerful person. What are you thankful for today?

4. The world is full of two kinds of people, the givers and the takers. Takers eat well but givers sleep well!

5. God's word coming out of your mouth is one of the most powerful forces on heaven & earth!

6. God's giving is inseparably connected with our asking...PRAY today!

7. God never gives you anything to do that's beyond your ability with Him by your side!

8. Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life!

9. What virtues can you find today in the people close to you? Look for the good & see your relationship change!

10. Good words are worth much & cost little...think about what you say today!

11. Don't wait for your ship to come in, swim out to it!

12. It is challenging to say the right thing...let wisdom rise above emotions!

13. Think about the words you speak & you will learn a lot about yourself! Speak POSITIVE today!

14. Prayer does not change God but changes him who prays!

15. He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how!

16. Give God your problems & allow Him to give you solutions!

17. Trust God when He says no & when He says yes!

18. The value of persistent prayer is not that He will hear us...but that we will finally hear Him!

19. Learn to take steps of faith each day...it gets easier along the way!

20. Jesus Christ died so that you will be set free...take His life giving sacrifice!

"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. "I will be found by you, declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity." Jeremiah 29:11-14

Thankful List

story by: Lisa Petrarca

When you woke up today, did you remember to look over your Thankful List? This list always seems to get hidden behind our, To Do List, I Want List, I Need List, and the ever popular, Why Me List.

Everyday we go through our endless mental checklists and somehow the Thankful List gets buried or lost. Even in our daily prayer life, we pray for our wants, needs, hopes, dreams, wealth and health. But do we remember to thank our Heavenly Father for all the things He has blessed us with?

Each one of us should place our Thankful List on top. When you wake up in the morning, check this list FIRST, then head down your other mental lists. I'm sure that you'll find with a simple "Thankful" adjustment your other lists wont seem as long.

I'm challenging each one of you to try this. Think of 10 things you're thankful for before getting out of bed in the morning. Next, say a prayer thanking the Lord for these things.
I'm sure He doesn't get to hear the thank you's very often.

"Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 106:1

I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, "You are my servant"; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 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 41:9-10