Stretching My Faith

What does the Bible say?

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:46:00 +0000

What does the Bible say? I ask myself that question every time a hot topic on social issues pops up. What exactly does the bible say? Then I think of 1 Peter Chapter 4, Hebrews Chapter 12, 2 Timothy Chapter 3 & Matthew Chapter 22. There is nothing conflicting about any of it. He is the Great I AM. He is clear in His Word & there is nothing anyone can do about it. And all of it takes me back to the book of Romans, specifically Chapter 8.

Jelly Bean Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:23:00 +0000

Did you know that the colors of jelly beans are colors that have meaning in the Bible?

RED is for the blood He gave: ~when Jesus was dying on the cross for us, the nails in His hands and feet made Him bleed. "...the blood of Jesus, [God's] Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

GREEN is for the grass He made: ~God wants us to enjoy His wonderful creation. He makes me lie down in green pastures. Psalm 23:2

YELLOW is for the sun so bright: ~Like a new sunrise, Jesus rose from the grave on Easter morning. We believe that Jesus died and rose again. 1 Thessalonians 4:14

ORANGE is for the edge of night: ~The Holy Spirit's fire burns within us and leads us. He [God] guided them with light from the fire all night. Psalm 78:14

BLACK is for the sins we made: ~Our sins darken our hearts and make us live in darkness. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light. Acts 26: 17-18

WHITE is for the grace He gave: ~We can become pure as snow when we let Jesus' blood wash us clean. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Isaiah 1:18

PURPLE is for the hours of sorrow: ~Purple is the royal color, a reminder that Jesus is our King. They put a purple robe on him [Jesus], then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. Mark 15:17

PINK is for a new tomorrow: ~and for every day God gives us.

Dogs Do Go To Heaven! The Bible Tells Me So!

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 23:03:00 +0000

The Bible declares that God created humans to rule over the animals. Canine companions have found their way into our homes, hearts and in some cases, the loveable critters reign over their human masters. At the very least, we become a part of their pack just as much as they become a part of our family.

With the human-canine bond being what it is, it’s no wonder people mourn the loss of their dogs. We memorialize our departed fur-babies with funerals and paw shaped headstones, and through the grieving process, we wonder if we will be united again in heaven.

Since a dog’s life span accelerates at a faster pace than our own, dog owners will find themselves saying goodbye to their pet, explaining a dog’s death to a child, or maybe learning to love and accept a new companion. A curiosity about our dog’s journey is only natural.

One of the most commonly cited Biblical references regarding animals and heaven is in Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 verses 18-20. In this passage, animals and humans are compared physically as both having breath, both coming from dust and both returning to dust.

I also said to myself, “As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?” ~Ecclesiastes 3:18-20 NIV.

While death comes to both humans and their canine friends, the fact remains that we simply can’t imagine what God has in store for us in heaven - the Bible tells us so. It’s difficult for some to imagine, but the Bible states that we will find peace and joy – we will also have every tear wiped from our eyes.

The only way we will see anyone, including our beloved pets in heaven is if we go there too. Any thoughts of reuniting with Fido should only follow your accepting Jesus as your lord and savior. Getting right with the Man upstairs is the only way you’ll know if your pooch is there waiting for you.

We become attached, even dependent, on our dogs here on Earth; but heaven is a different place beyond all comprehension. We do know that every need will be met when we go to be with God. That huge void you feel from the loss of your pet will be filled when you reach heaven. God always knows what is best for all he creates.

Donated Image Credit for Indiana Animal Protection League

Veterinarian Susan Wright is an author sharing informative articles on the care of domestic animals and is the wireless dog fence expert for DogFenceDIY.

Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:41:00 +0000

Saturday by Steve Thomason

Saturday must have been a long and dark day. Not only did they hide in fear of their lives, but even worse, they grieved deeply. Jesus was gone. His disciples had watched the soldiers carry him off to his execution the day before. Now it was Saturday, their master was dead and the grief cut deeply, leaving them utterly hollow.

They had not signed up for this. Jesus was supposed to be the Messiah. He was supposed to lead them to victory over their oppressors. He was supposed to establish Israel as a strong nation once again and allow them to bask in the joy of sweet justice. Pain, grief, and sorrow were not part of the package.

Perhaps you have felt like the disciples that dark Saturday. I know I have. Over a fifteen-month period in my life I experienced the deaths of a friend, two grandmothers, my father-in-law, and the church that we had planted, as well as the near death experiences of a sister-in-law and a niece. Wham! There I was. It seemed like everything around me was dying. I didn't sign up for this. I thought the way of following Jesus was one of victory and peace. All I felt was pain and despair. Actually, I had lost the ability to feel. I wish I could say that I handled it with poise and dignity, quietly nodding and smiling, quoting pithy platitudes about God's sovereignty. I didn't. I toggled between numb denial and irritating doubt. I wondered if perhaps I didn't measure up. Perhaps God was punishing me for something. Perhaps I'd been duped all these years and the universe really was a cold and empty place.

I have to think that the disciples had similar feelings on that dark Saturday. It seemed as if all hope was gone. We feel this way because we forget an important truth. The way of Jesus is a way of pain, grief, and sorrow. Jesus suffered much in his life - even before his arrest and execution. As a child he knew what it meant to be hidden in Egypt in fear for his life. He knew the loss of his stepfather, Joseph. He wept over the death of his friend, Lazarus. He grieved over the blindness of the citizens of Israel. He agonized to the point of blood in the garden of Gethsemane. He screamed out in the words of his ancestor, David, as he hung on the cross, "My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?"

But Jesus told us it would be this way. In John's account of Jesus' final teaching Jesus said that God would prune the branches that clung to the Vine (John 15:1-17). Pruning hurts. To have large parts of your life severed from you is not a pleasant experience. There is no joy in the sensation of shears cutting into your flesh. Yet, as the Great Gardener knows, without pruning there is no life.

That is the way of Jesus - the way of God's love and grace. God purifies us with pain. The disciples learned this and went on to write to the churches about it. James said to consider it pure joy when we suffer various trials, because in the end it makes us complete and strong. Peter told us that suffering refines our hearts like fire refines gold. Then Paul, as he described the painful process of working through persecution and breaking down the walls of prejudice, reached the climax of the whole process with one word - hope.

Saturday was finally over. On Sunday the disciples came face to face with a reality that is deeper than grief. They met hope. Jesus plowed through pain and grief and came out the other side alive once more. Saturdays will come. Of that you can be sure. They will come and they will be painful. They may last a day; they may last twenty months. When they come, remember this - without Saturday we don't get to Sunday. The love of Jesus is our hope for today and forever. We will grieve, but we can grieve with hope.

Hat Tip: Devotions for Lent from Holy Bible: Mosaic (www.youversion.com)

My Lord . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 00:19:00 +0000

My Lord,

Your son has suffered so much, shed so much blood. I was born with so many faults and my nature is so full of weakness, and yet your son Jesus has died on the cross. For me, I know your grace has the power to cleanse me of my many sins and to make me more like your Son. Thank you for your goodness and love for me. I ask you, Father, to watch over me - always.

Read: John 19:38-42 & 3:1-21

Loving Provider . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:26:00 +0000

Loving Provider,

You gather me in this upper room with your son, to be fed by your love. At that supper, Jesus told us to "love one another" and I know that is the heart of his gift, his sacrifice for me. I ask that I might find the source of my own heart, the meaning for my own life, in the love of Jesus. Guide me to the fullness of your love and life.

Read: John 19:38-42 & 3:1-21

My Savior . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:56:00 +0000

My savior,

Please stay with me as I struggle to see how accepting the crosses of my life will free me from the power of the one who wants only to destroy my love and trust in you. Help me to be humble and accepting like your son, Jesus. I want to turn to you with the same trust he had in your love. Save me, Lord. Only you can save me.

Read: John 19:38-42 & 3:1-21

God of such unwavering love . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:38:00 +0000

God of such unwavering love,

How do I "celebrate" the passion and death of Jesus? I often want to look the other way and not watch, not stay with Jesus in his suffering. Give me the strength to see his love with honesty and compassion and to feel deeply your own forgiveness and mercy for me. Help me to understand how to "celebrate" this week. I want to be able to bring my weaknesses and imperfections with me as I journey with Jesus this week, so aware of his love.

Read: John 19:38-42 and 3:1-21

Loving God . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:35:00 +0000

Loving God,

I am just beginning to realize how much you love me. Your son, Jesus was humble and obedient. He fulfilled your will for him by becoming human and suffering with us. I ask you for the desire to become more humble so that my own life might also bear witness to you.

Please, Lord, guide my mind with your truth. Strengthen my life by the example of Jesus. Help me to be with Jesus in this week as he demonstrates again his total love for me. He died so that I would no longer be separated from you. Help me to feel how close you are and to live in union with you.

Read: John 19:28-37

Loving God . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 16:34:00 +0000

Loving God,

Your eternal watchfulness keeps me safe from harm. I am filled with a great happiness when I feel your endless love for me. Thank you for your care for me, one of your children.

Read: John 19:28-37

Most forgiving Lord . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:14:00 +0000

Most forgiving Lord,

Again and again you welcome me back into your loving arms. Grant me freedom from the heavy burdens of sin that weigh me down and keep me so far from you.

Read: John 19:28-37

Lord . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:12:00 +0000

Lord,

All I want is to be faithful to you in my life, but so often I fail. Free me from my many sins and guide me to the life I will share with you. I wait for your promise to be fulfilled with great hope in my heart and your praise on my lips.

Read: John 19:28-37

Loving Creator . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:48:00 +0000

Loving Creator,

I know in your great love for me, you see the deep sorrow in my heart. Hear my prayers which are offered with such trust in you. Be with me in both mind and heart as I renew my life in your Spirit.

Read: John 19:28-37

Loving God . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:41:00 +0000

Loving God,

You have heard my complaints, my impatience. Sometimes I become frightened when I move away from you. Guide my heart back to you. Help me to think beyond my own wants and to desire only to do your will. Thank you for the many blessings in my life and for the ways I feel your presence.

Read: John 19:28-37

God of Love . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:38:00 +0000

God of love,

I know that you are the source of all that is good and graced in my life. Help me to move from the life of sin to which I so often cling, into the new life of grace you offer me. You know what I need to prepare for your kingdom. Bless me with those gifts.

Read: John 19:28-37

My Loving Lord . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 19:17:00 +0000

My loving Lord,

It's so hard to love the world sometimes and to love it the way Jesus did seems impossible. Help me to be inspired by his love and guided by his example. Most of all, I want to accept that I can't do it alone, and that trying is an arrogance of self-centeredness. I need you, dear God, to give me support in this journey. Show me how to unlock my heart so that I am less selfish. Let me be less fearful of the pain and darkness that will be transformed by you into Easter joy.

Read: John 19:16b-27

To God be the glory Spirit, Father, Jesus Christ

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:47:00 +0000

"There Is A Sound"

There is a sound in the highest place
Of exaltation
Of unending praise

Here on the ground
On our brightest day in affectation
Of a coming reign

Peace on earth, let there be
Peace on earth, let there be
Peace on earth, let there be
Peace

Behold the lamb of God
Who takes away our sin
Behold the lamb of God
Who makes us whole again
Have mercy

He alone is holy
He alone most high
To God be the glory
To God be the glory
Spirit, Father, Jesus Christ

He alone is holy
He alone most high
To God be the glory
To God be the glory
Spirit, Father, Jesus Christ

There is a love, like the brightest day
When all is glowing
In unending praise
A beat in the chest like a hammer sound
Like something waking

To a coming reign

Peace on earth, let there be
Peace on earth, let there be
Peace

He alone is holy
He alone most high
To God be the glory
To God be the glory
Spirit, Father, Jesus Christ

He alone is holy
He alone most high
To God be the glory
To God be the glory
Spirit, Father, Jesus Christ

Behold the lamb of God
Who takes away our sin
Behold the lamb of God
Who makes us whole again

He alone is holy
He alone most high
To God be the glory
To God be the glory
Spirit, Father, Jesus Christ

He alone is holy
He alone most high
To God be the glory
To God be the glory
Spirit, Father, Jesus Christ

The Broken Things of Earth

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:11:00 +0000

Christ is building His kingdom with the broken things of earth. People desire only the strong, successful, victorious, and unbroken things in life to build their kingdoms, but God is the God of the unsuccessful--the God of those who have failed. Heaven is being filled with earth's broken lives, and there is no "bruised reed" (Isa. 42:3) that Christ cannot take and restore to a glorious place of blessing and beauty. He can take a life crushed by pain or sorrow and make it a harp whose music will be total praise. He can lift earth's saddest failure up to heaven's glory. ~J.R. Miller

The treasure of a lost love

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:10:00 +0000

Weeping inconsolably beside a grave will never bring back the treasure of a lost love, nor can any blessing come from such great sadness. Sorrow causes deep scars, and indelibly writes its story on the suffering heart. We never completely recover from our greatest griefs and are never exactly the same after having passed through them. Yet sorrow that is endured in the right spirit impacts our growth favorably and brings us a greater sense of compassion for others. Indeed, those who have no scars of sorrow or suffering upon them are poor. "The joy set before" (Heb. 12:2) us should shine on our griefs just as the sun shines through the clouds, making them radiant. God has ordained our truest and richest comfort to be found by pressing on toward the goal. Sitting down and brooding over our sorrow deepens the darkness surrounding us, allowing it to creep into our heart. And soon our strength has changed to weakness. But if we will turn from the gloom and remain faithful to the calling of God, the light will shine again and we will grow stronger. ~J.R. Miller

Behavior

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:20:00 +0000

You Before Me

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:04:00 +0000

The Awakening

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:53:00 +0000

The Awakening
by Sonny Carroll

A time comes in your life when you finally get it... when in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere, the voice inside your head cries out - ENOUGH!

Enough fighting and crying, or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes, you begin to look at the world through new eyes.

This is your awakening...

You realize that it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that he is not Prince Charming and you are not Cinderella and that in the real world, there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you and, in the process, a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are...and that's OK. (They are entitled to their own views and opinions.) And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself and, in the process, a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.

You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself and, in the process, a sense of safety & security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties and, in the process, a sense of peace & contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself and the world around you, is a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. You begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look and how much you should weigh, what you should wear and where you should shop and what you should drive, how and where you should live and what you should do for a living, who you should marry and what you should expect of a marriage, the importance of having and raising children or what you owe your parents. You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into it to begin with and, in the process, you learn to go with your instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive and that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything; it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say "NO". You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. Romantic love and familial love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. You learn not to project your needs or your feelings onto a relationship. You learn that you will not be more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man on your arm or the child that bears your name.

You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.

You learn that just as people grow and change, so it is with love; and you learn that you don't have the right to demand love on your terms, just to make you happy.

You learn that alone does not mean lonely. You look in the mirror and come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 5 or a perfect 10 and you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head and agonizing over how you "stack up."

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK and that it is your right, to want things and to ask for the things that you want and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less. You allow only the hands of a lover who cherishes you, to glorify you with his touch and, in the process, you internalize the meaning of self-respect.

And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and taking more time to exercise. You learn that fatigue diminishes the spirit and can create doubt and fear. So you take more time to rest. Just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul; so you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that for the most part in life, you get what you believe you deserve and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different from working toward making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone and that it's OK to risk asking for help.

You learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time; FEAR itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears, because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear, is to give away the right to live life on your terms.

You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions, you learn not to personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers; it's just life happening.

You learn to deal with evil in its most primal state; the ego. You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted; things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about; a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower. Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself, by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever settle for less than your heart's desire. You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind, and you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

Finally, with courage in your heart and with God by your side you take a stand, you take a deep breath and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.

Grace, God's Power Freely Given

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0000

If you've been in the world very long, you've learned that there are very few days that go exactly the way we'd like them to go. Thankfully, God is never going to put us in a situation without giving us the ability to be in it with joy.

I believe God gives us His special grace for every situation. Here's how I like to define grace: God's power to help us do whatever it is we need to do. You can have that power today, but you have to receive it, and the only way to receive it is by faith. Romans 12:3 says that "God has allotted to each a measure of faith."

Ask yourself today, "What am I doing with my faith?" Are you putting your faith in yourself, or in others, or in your circumstances? That's not living in grace, that's just living by your own strength and works. And it won't get the job done!

But when you release your faith and trust God to do what you can't do, you're putting your faith in Him. Then grace, God's power, will come through the channel of faith and will enable you to do things that will amaze you and others.

Here's my longer definition of grace: It's God's power coming to us freely, meaning it doesn't cost us anything other than just putting our faith in God, enabling us to do with ease what we could never do on our own with any amount of struggle or effort.

Put your faith in God. He wants to give you His grace today.

Prayer Starter: God, I know that life won't always go the way I want it to, but I trust in You. By faith, I receive Your grace, the power You have freely given to help me walk through any situation I face today.

♥♥♥♥♥

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:31:00 +0000

Where's the line to see Jesus?

noreply@blogger.com (Divapalooza) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:18:00 +0000