MERRY CHRISTMAS 2014

I have a couple of things to share as my gifts to you on this glorious Christmas day! The first is a lesson that I learned recently that has so touched my heart that I feel as though it has even transformed my being once again as so much He has taught me has in this last 26 years! I’ve learned to never say that I’ve arrived because just when I feel as if I’ve had the ultimate revelation, something else new and even better starts in my walk with Him! He is the ultimate companion creating before me and through me the best life that I could ever hope for. And before I share the rest:

*Romans 8:28 New King James Version (NKJV) “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

(And, OO I like this version!) Romans 8:28 The Message (MSG)

26-28” Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”

This year has been a harder one but also full of many blessings!

*James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

I know at some point that I shared that I had a loss of more than one third of my income just 4 days prior to Christmas, 2013. We have finally acquired an attorney to go to bat for me. God has met all of our needs BUT as the year has been spent, so have many of our reserves. I’m so thankful that my husband has been given such a gift in saving money. We’ve had stores of not a whole lot of money but many household products. They have been numerous on our shelves even with giving many things, multiplying our dollars so that where we might only be able to give just a little in dollars but we’ve been able to give much, much more in food and other household items! I am very thankful to God for this and to Joe for falling in love with this gift!

But, when it comes to Christmas I’ve found even though I have had other Christmases without all the niceties, the frills --- even the packages when I was much younger, I’ve felt lost without it all this year. I’ve realized that a big part of it is that everything felt gone all at once. I’ve found that other friends do not go overboard with the gifts between each other but still giving to the kids. Even though our son is no longer a kid, He moved back up north in February and this is our first Christmas without him here since he was 13. He is now 28. Something in my heart felt like it moved north with him and I know other mothers who might be reading this get it totally! And I will only go that far or I will never finish writing this through all the tears!

Then that old, ugly and huge invisible baseball bat that I mostly let Jesus take away several years ago showed up again! It’s so subtle! I have to say it is invisible because I never see it coming! It’s stuffed with perfectionism and my thoughts are consumed by it. I eventually came down with a bad cold and it was hanging on, keeping me in this fog too! Until this past Sunday morning when I finally broke down and talked to my Papa God. I shared with Him how I felt so badly that I wanted to turn myself over my own knee. “Why was I so provoked by not having “things” this year when we have so much than so many?” “Why was I pouting and even shedding some tears over all of this?” Then His grace came down, as it always does. And, no my Papa God was not mad at me for whining and acting like a spoiled brat as one might think He’d be. He showed me once again that He wanted to take this invisible baseball bat from me. He wanted me to show myself the grace that He shows me.

*2 Corinthians 12:8-10 “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

AND, the unexpected happened. I awoke on Monday morning and my cold had started to lift, being totally gone by Wednesday morning. And this made me think, too, I have had so much illness in my life, “have I brought much on myself by my unforgiveness?” There is so much on forgiveness in the Bible that I could write an entirely separate blog about it so I will noteven try to reference one verse. It seems like the #1 hardest thing for me in my life has not been forgiveness of others by far it has been forgiving myself.

And so I am onto a happy Christmastime! My Papa God has come to the rescue once again:

*Matt. 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

My thoughts at the Christmas Eve Candlelight service at our church last night were “Who wouldn’t anyone fall in love a God who would always show so much Love, Mercy, and Grace when I won’t even show it to myself?”

(Just a share. I love Christmas movies, especially the Hallmark Channel movies that are such ‘feel good’ movies although I’ve felt a lack of ones that touch on the true meaning of Christmas more than any time this year. Yes, love of friends and family is great but it would not even exist without our one true creator God. Only Christ can make a Merry Christmas! I voted “Signed, Sealed, Delivered for Christmas” the best new Christmas movie of 2014 due to so much TRUTH about God and:

*1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” And

(OO, love this version for this one, too.) Hebrews 13:5 (The Message) “Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?”

Are molded into the movie meaning along with the story about Jesus’ birth. It is full of forgiveness and (a part of what helped me to see the above) mostly forgiving oneself. Please don’t miss a chance to see it!)

There is so much more this Christmas (along with others) where there is not the hustle and bustle to cloud Christmas. This is the third day in a row where I have had the thick, tangible presence of God with me until I feel just overflowing with God’s love. My cooking, although with meager bits, is even better since I shared with my hubby that “I’m putting my love into it!”. My mind has been opened to see so much more that is there!

The second gift in my heart today is one that I’ve thought so many times over but never gave thought to writing it down.

Today, on this chillier Christmas morning I awoke much earlier than my husband and the bed was so warm and cozy that I lie there thinking and talking to God. I was inspired to write about the above in church last night so that was a part of it but then I was inspired to share what or WHO I have awakened to each and every day for 26 years. Sometime during the first few months of my rededication to the Lord in 1988 out of fear I cried out to Him asking for His reminder through the Holy Spirit that He was always with me. To not let me ever forget because I was running far and fast away from a life of corruption to a new life with Him. And, He has surely listened:

*Hebrews 13:5 (The Message) “Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?”

Even to the point that when I wake up in the morning so much of the time I hear beautiful worship music in my mind’s eye and I know in my heart that He is either looking at me and waiting for me to open my eyes and greet Him or He is actually waking me up because He desires to be with me, all the days of my life!

*John 3:16 “For God so loved the world (ME) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

And once again, that Christmas Carol that reminds me yearly of God’s grace and notable presence in my life even though I was adrift in the world because it has been my very favorite since I was a little girl:

May God bless you through my writing. If He has especially touched you in any way, please leave a comment below. Your comments are so very encouraging to me to help me to keep writing. Also, click on the “Uptweet” button on the above right and share! I pray you will keep coming back. I fully believe that my writing is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so if I am writing, there is someone that needs to read it! Maybe it’s you? Also, please be sure to share any questions you might have with me and if you would like to keep them personal (just between you and me) please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at juliana.pace@gmail.com. If I don’t know how to answer you, I will may every attempt to refer you to someone for more information. Thanks and may God bless all your days!

DECEMBER UPDATE & SHARE - IN ADDITION (Scroll down)

There is much to do in my life right now and among those things is updating this blog.  There are still just a few things left to do as soon as I have the time where I'm not distracted to read about more things I can do with this blog.  I'm trying to make it more readily accessible to you, my readers.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know!

I re-opened my Etsy shop that I closed in May, 2012 and I am still at work getting all of my artwork re-listed.  This shop contains my most inspirational art.  It is called "Something by Juliana - Inspirational Art" and can be seen at:  My Etsy shop - Something by Juliana  

Recently I was sharing with a friend who was having similar problems that I used to have with worrying about everything that I did to fall short, to not be perfect, to not do all that I felt the Bible said to do, and on and on.  I used to say that I carried around an invisible baseball bat to hit myself over the head with whenever I did anything wrong.  I was my own worst critic.  I think this is probably one of the hardest things to overcome as I have seen so much on "perfectionism", etc... online.  What helps one person won't help another.  It's taken several things to the point of truly asking Jesus to take that baseball bat from me cause I couldn't seem to let it go BUT I know one thing for sure.  I was saved at 13 through the testimony of a ex-drug addict who was American Indian but he had lost all of his dark skinned heritage looks from doing Heroin.  BUT no one ever showed me where to go from there so I ran and I ran and I ran until 15 years later I was arrested for selling LSD and God got me where He wanted me.  I was defenseless!  I was knocked down!  I knew He was with me, loving me!  I started paying attention, reading my Bible and praying and sometime very soon after that I found this song by a band called Whitecross.  I shared this song with that friend recently and was told it brought cleansing tears (Hallelujah!).  Still working after 26 years (Now, you know my name is Juliana, right?  I went by Julie then - this song was as if God, Himself was singing to me):

WHITECROSS
Walk with me lyrics (1988)

Julie my child
Why do you run?
Why have you turned away from me?
You say it's hard
To live perfectly
And all you can see
Is how you fail me constantly
You fail me constantly
You fail me constantly

My blood has cleaned you
Your sins are remembered no more
So come on, and walk with me

Julie my child
I've set you free
For I want you to be with me eternally
I love you so
I want you to know
That I'm the one who's calling you home
Calling you home
Calling you home

My blood has cleaned you
Your sins are remembered no more
So come on, and walk with me

My blood has cleaned you
Your sins are remembered no more

So come on, and walk with me

In Addition:  This year has been a different one for us.  With my loss of nearly 1/2 of my income for nearly a year now, it has not affected us as much as at this time of year.  There is nothing at all extra for presents!  Our tree sits beautifully adorned with ornaments and yet no presents underneath.  To be absolutely honest, yes, this has gotten to me a few times.  I don't remember this ever happening in my life except when I was in prison and I was released 3/29/90 so that was quite some time ago. I do remember that those Christmas's without material gifts were some of the best in my life.  When all that "stuff" is set aside it tends to give one a different perspective.  I have told the 1-2 people that I've even shared this lack of funds with that I am thankful that at least we know the true meaning of Christmas.

We were just a couple of minutes from church this morning when "Forever" by Kari Jobe (November, 2014 Post) came on the radio and the Holy Spirit touched me so strongly, straight to my heart even to the point of being overwhelmed to tears.  Then we got to church and everything that brought Jesus and Christmas to mind brought the same reaction.

It was a special Sunday.  A day for the children's Christmas program with a very Jesus centered program but no sermon this day.  Nothing to bring anything different at all to my mind.  No message to even urge my thoughts this way.

Then I had a revelation.  I got my Christmas gift!  (And now you will know why this needed to be added to this post.)  The song above came out in 1988.  The very year that I rededicated my life to the Lord.  This song included the name "Julie" that I went by at that time of my life.  And it hit me...how personal (even with so many of His children) my relationship was with Him.  That song "this song was as if God, Himself was singing to me." as I shared above.   And it was He, Himself singing to me!  Did you know that "coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous! by unknown"?  How many more places, instances will you see God if you put things in this perspective?  Life is truly different than most make it!

Gold Leaf Cross on Encaustic - by Juliana Pace Digital text added by me

May God bless you through my writing. If He has especially touched you in any way, please leave a comment below. Your comments are so very encouraging to me to help me to keep writing. Also, click on the “Uptweet” button on the above right and share! I pray you will keep coming back. I fully believe that my writing is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so if I am writing, there is someone that needs to read it! Maybe it’s you? Also, please be sure to share any questions you might have with me and if you would like to keep them personal (just between you and me) please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at juliana.pace@gmail.com. If I don’t know how to answer you, I will may every attempt to refer you to someone for more information. Thanks and may God bless all your days!

CALLING ALL PRAYER WARRIORS

I have been awaking in prayer for several hours today.  In my prayers, I believe I was inspired to pray for myself and then God expounded upon that, making this a special day each week to not only pray for others but to make a special point to pray for others who feel a calling upon their lives to intercession.  For some time now I believe God has been pointing out to me the overabundance of physical needs of the other prayer warriors.  We need to be bound to one another in a spirit of unity, praying for the loss of all hindrances of this gift (as each of you is inspired) that we may all have favor in our freedom to pray!  For more who are called to know of this gifting upon their lives!  For dreamers to dream dreams and to awake mid-prayer so they have no doubt of this gift!  I believe God is inspiring me to share this, this morning, so that we may all be brought to our full effectiveness in prayer which is being needed even more each and every day during these years of such turmoil on this earth.

I have had an attack on my prayer life (voice) since I was a little girl and in more recent years delivered from a spirit of fear (Hallelujah) and after 50 years I am just learning to pray out loud in front of others and even speak in front of others without terrifying hallucinations.  I am claiming out loud that God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7) And, “In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul” (Psalm 138:3). Please agree with me regarding this.

May God bless you through my writing. If He has especially touched you in any way, please leave a comment below. Your comments are so very encouraging to me to help me to keep writing. Also, click on the “Uptweet” button on the above right and share! I pray you will keep coming back. I fully believe that my writing is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so if I am writing, there is someone that needs to read it! Maybe it’s you? Also, please be sure to share any questions you might have with me and if you would like to keep them personal (just between you and me) please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at juliana.pace@gmail.com. If I don’t know how to answer you, I will may every attempt to refer you to someone for more information. Thanks and may God bless all your days!

PARDON MY DUST

In the midst of updating thia blog.  I am working on my own art to add to the background and probably more as time goes on.  Please do not hesitate to give me some feedback!

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2014

I awoke with this playing in my mind this morning!  I love this video especially!  It makes me think of what being Pentecostal is all about!

Why are we here?

Isaiah 43:7

“Everyone who is called by My name,
Whom I have created for My glory;
I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”

If you don’t know Him, ask Him to reveal Himself!  Once you find Him, truly find Him, you will have no doubt.  I have no doubt.  My friends have no doubt. Once you see from His perspective, the world is a different place.  The world is not meant for so much that it has turned into.

If you would like to know Him better and you believe that Jesus died on the cross to save you from death and the grave then pray this prayer:

Lord Jesus,

I now confess to You all of the wrong and sinful things that I have ever done in my life. I ask that You please forgive me and wash away all of my sins by the blood that You have personally shed for me on the cross. I am now ready to accept You as my personal Lord and Savior. I now ask that You come into my life and live with me for all of eternity.  Teach me!  Lead me! Commune with me!

In Jesus’ name…Amen

We were made to have fellowship with Him.:

1 John 1:3-4  “We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!

What are we supposed to do from here?

Matthew 6:33  “ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

I’ve always heard that once you are saved to start reading in the book of John.

 

Update:  My computer is still down and has been down since September 7^th, 2014.  Today I am creating this on my husband’s computer which is not as easy as one may think.  Please keep this in your prayers since I am also not able to continue work on the long ago started book without my computer.  

May God bless you through my writing. If He has especially touched you in any way, please leave a comment below. Your comments are so very encouraging to me to help me to keep writing. Also, click on the “Uptweet” button on the above right and share! I pray you will keep coming back. I fully believe that my writing is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so if I am writing, there is someone that needs to read it! Maybe it’s you? Also, please be sure to share any questions you might have with me and if you would like to keep them personal (just between you and me) please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at juliana.pace@gmail.com. If I don’t know how to answer you, I will may every attempt to refer you to someone for more information. Thanks and may God bless all your days!

Was This an Angel?

I went to our first meeting for those of us on a newly started 24/7 prayer line in the Christian community where I live after church today. The pastor started out with sharing about his closeness to God and how he wished that all others could also experience the closeness that he had. This caused my mind to wander to a time that I’ve not yet put down in words. Back to when I thought I was just so close but I had an experience where in telling my mom about it, she told me that it sounded like I had an angel visit.  This came to mine for about the fourth time since I came home from that meeting so I thought I’d better write. 

This pastor also shared about how he'd learned that when you start to see God in the circumstances of life that you will begin to see Him more and more.  I’ve shared with people that my dad (RIP 2001) would say about me as I’ve heard him say about some, that I’m so heavenly bound that I’m no earthly good. This because I just see God in so much of my life. I believe 

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

that if He did not cause it, He let it happen. Everything happens for a reason. And believing this way and developing a trust in Him helps me to be so much more at peace knowing that He is ordering all of my steps.  I have also learned to see how much He truly loves me and doesn’t want me to live a boring, hum drum life. 

Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord”

Life is so much more interesting upon realization that one can fellowship with the Almighty Creator of the universe. So few actually do come running when He calls. I wonder if people actually know what they are missing?

Back to my share:  not long after our move to Florida my hubby decided to take me to a movie in a theater. What an undertaking since I’d just thrown my cane up on the dashboard of our moving truck to not pick it up again not long before this. Looking back I don’t even think that there was any prior thought to the darkness of a movie theater even when the lights do come up. For several years I’d had what is called a positive “Romberg’s Sign”.  For some time I’d just fall flat if trying to navigate in the dark. This was already starting to improve some but I was still very much in the firsts of any recovery and at that time only thought to be in remission. 

We went to the movie and at this time I have no clue what we saw. As we left all rushed for the exit. I just got behind my hubby and held on to the back of his shirt also seemingly oblivious to the effect that the rushing crowd of people would have on me.  BUT I hadn’t a fear as I saw a tall man with outstretched arms holding back the crowd descending down this theater’s stadium seating steps to let My hubby and I exit the theater with only a couple of people near by.   Later, as I shared this happening with my mother she told me right off that I’d had an angel visitation. I was in awe but I realized what other explanation could it be. There was no one else in that theater that knew my state. 

And, if you want to read more, look through these archives since this was only the first of several angel visitations within the 8 years since we moved to Florida. Who do you think it was?  Who or what might you see if you really started looking for Him?

I see God in the life that’s all around

I see God with each smile and every frown

He’s here in the green of Spring

He’s here in the colors of Fall

Won’t you open your eyes, your heart

            And find where else He calls?

May you learn to see God in so many things in life that you never have a doubt that what He says in His word, that He will never leave nor forsake you just has to be truth!

Hebrews 13:5b “For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.””

(My apologies for my lack of writing in recent months. It seems like there’s always something going on. As I’ve said in the past, Satan seems to be disguising himself as ‘Life’. At this moment my computer is out being repaired and has been down for 3+ weeks. I am also moving into a different season in life. Thank you for your patience and continued loyalty!)

May God bless you through my writing. If He has especially touched you in any way, please leave a comment below. Your comments are so very encouraging to me to help me to keep writing. Also, click on the “Uptweet” button on the above right and share! I pray you will keep coming back. I fully believe that my writing is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so if I am writing, there is someone that needs to read it! Maybe it’s you? Also, please be sure to share any questions you might have with me and if you would like to keep them personal (just between you and me) please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at juliana.pace@gmail.com. If I don’t know how to answer you, I will may every attempt to refer you to someone for more information. Thanks and may God bless all your days!

HE'LL NEVER WALK AWAY

I keep apologizing over and over for not posting. I feel so sorry and I truly miss writing but this year has been a blessing and a curse. Yet, I am still here BECAUSE He never walks away.

There has been much going on to keep me from my love of writing but we have been in a transitional period that may aid in the possibility of this happening even less in the future. Not only was my long-term disability denied that is an insurance policy that I have through my previous employer but it necessitated us to dig deeper and pray harder about our current circumstances in the midst of several bouts of illness that left me understanding David in Psalms quite a bit more.

In March I went through the onset of Vertigo along with some other symptoms which explained even more of why my contribution to society must be based solely on God and His help. This was 11 days of the worset vertigo which also included an inner ear infection caused me to experience so many side effects that were similar to what I experienced for 6 years as a result of being put on the Decadron for the brain lesions in 2001. It’s horrid. Ask anyone experiencing vertigo and they will tell you that it make you feel as if you’re dying. The world spins and it started in the pit of my stomach and rose up through my brain. I was mad! I was mad at God, directly, like I’d never experienced in life before. I, very abashedly now, screamed at Him asking Him why He didn’t kill me off when He had the chance (like He doesn’t always?) back in 2001. But, when I calmed down and asked Him why He was still there when I’d been such a brat, I heard in that still, small voice “I still love you”. And after this horrendous spell with the vertigo I realized that my trust was stronger in Him. And, I understood that while I was unleashing my honest anger with Him, I was also trusting in my heart that He would never leave me nor forsake me.

*Deuteronomy 31:6b “…He will not leave you nor forsake you.”’

And, it was proven and it grew my faith.

*Psalm 27:10 “When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.”

I think this verse means, in general, father and mother being someone or those people who you believe to be as close as a father and mother. Your loved ones.

I yelled “stupidly” at Him and He stayed, loving me all along.



1 Peter 4:12-13 (TLB) “Dear friends, don’t be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you. Instead, be really glad—because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterwards you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory in that coming day when it will be displayed.”

This is not just some gibberish. And, the feeling is as if it’s all never going to end, but it will. And it is in His time, not ours.

I can’t seem to help but think that sometimes I see a blessing for my future and it just seems to take so many trials to finally get to seeing it in fruition. To explain, God has been showing me things that I thought weren’t really ever going to happen because I expected them to happen in my time. BUT, I just believed and still do:

*Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

I told you that we realized the need to pray more about our current circumstances. We have been praying for a good year or longer about our living arrangements. Actually indirectly I’m sure that it’d been for quite a bit longer since we are always praying for Him to direct us, for us to remain on His path. Much has fallen into place in the last couple of months. I will share more in future posts but to make a long story short, we have been miraculously moved. So many things fell together just right to produce this move that the only way to shorten this to less than book form is to tell you that we have moved to Christian Retreat in Bradenton and are in the process of getting unpacked and settled. With more to come.



Just thought I’d share that our pastor told us that we should print out Psalm 91 and attach it to our front doors. I’m actually attaching it to the front and back doors.

Psalm 91
Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler[a]
And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
8 Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
10 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

www.christianretreat.org

May God bless you through my writing. If He has especially touched you in any way, please leave a comment below. Your comments are so very encouraging to me to help me to keep writing. Also, click on the “Uptweet” button on the above right and share! I pray you will keep coming back. I fully believe that my writing is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so if I am writing, there is someone that needs to read it! Maybe it’s you? Also, please be sure to share any questions you might have with me and if you would like to keep them personal (just between you and me) please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at juliana.pace@gmail.com. If I don’t know how to answer you, I will may every attempt to refer you to someone for more information. Thanks and may God bless all your days!

SORRY FOR NO POSTS

Please accept my sincere apologies for not posting.  We were on vacation for more than a week and now moving...just about 20 miles away to 1/2 duplex.  

I have many notes for future writings so just bear with me a little while longer and I'll be back up and running!  Please don't go far!  Love and hugs to you all!

Here's one that I found recently that I like a whole lot.  I think this guys voice sounds like Scott Stapp:  

May God bless you through my writing. If He has especially touched you in any way, please leave a comment below. Your comments are so very encouraging to me to help me to keep writing. Also, click on the “Uptweet” button on the above right and share! I pray you will keep coming back. I fully believe that my writing is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so if I am writing, there is someone that needs to read it! Maybe it’s you? Also, please be sure to share any questions you might have with me and if you would like to keep them personal (just between you and me) please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at juliana.pace@gmail.com. If I don’t know how to answer you, I will may every attempt to refer you to someone for more information. Thanks and may God bless all your days!

PRAYER REQUEST – SPIRITUAL WARFARE – FIGHTING FOR GOD

I believe the Lord showed me to share a bit more about me. In 2001 the world disabled me, but I believe that is when the Lord really enabled me. I am an artist/published author for Him. I have published one book (testimony & poetry) and I write a blog that is tremendously anointed (526 followers). I’ve shared that I was denied by my long-term disability company. This is not Social Security but a private policy through my previous employer (hospital where I worked as a Transcriptionist). I was found to be in remission from CNS Vasculitis (terminal, rare disease) and healed of the brain lesions that it caused in 2007 but I was left with some deficits that keep me fighting to function on a daily basis BUT allows God’s glory to shine through since I am able to do much ONLY by His grace since my hands are debilitated enough that I should not be able to type or do the art plus many more things. This ins. Co. only says that the testing and etc…are “inconsistent” with what I do. They are (of course) in so many words, claiming that I am lying instead of acknowledging the many words of testimony that I have shared with them that I do this ONLY by GOD’S hand. With the tiny monthly income supplement from this ins. Co. we are able to just barely cover our bills, without it we are truly seeking and praying for God’s provision! I am now in the process of finding an attorney and since I have God on my side and I know that HIS TRUTH is ever present, I WILL PREVAIL! Please join me in prayer in this fight that HIS TRUTH shall win! And, win quickly! And that His provision shall prevail upon me and my household, too! I live, set aside from the world (with hubby working & looking for a job with more income closer to home), spending many hours alone with Him and in His service ministering to others by message, e-mail, phone, various ways on Facebook and occasionally in person. I am believing that through our prayers through Him we shall overcome!

This is an old song but close to my heart.  Still brings tears since it's always reminded me of my mom!  Must share:

May God bless you through my writing. If He has especially touched you in any way, please leave a comment below. Your comments are so very encouraging to me to help me to keep writing. Also, click on the “Uptweet” button on the above right and share! I pray you will keep coming back. I fully believe that my writing is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so if I am writing, there is someone that needs to read it! Maybe it’s you? Also, please be sure to share any questions you might have with me and if you would like to keep them personal (just between you and me) please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at juliana.pace@gmail.com. If I don’t know how to answer you, I will may every attempt to refer you to someone for more information. Thanks and may God bless all your days!

BE STILL AND KNOW (Draw Near to God and He will draw Near to you) + Addition

*Psalm 46:10a “Be still, and know that I am God;”

*James 4:8a “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

I think there are many of you out there that can relate to Psalm 46:10 that God seems to use in all of our lives at one time or another. I have been one to have a life full of this more so than some others. Even when doing what we view as being right, good, and a correct thing to do at the time, God may think otherwise. This is one of the main reasons why having a personal relationship with Him is so important. To know when it is right time to do what is right.

This morning I was feeling rather hum drum as I have been so often lately. I have been haunted, poked on, knocked around by Satan and the threats of my future being lived in a more advanced handicapped state. This is not me. I’m normally a person who dwells on what I can do, not what I can’t do yet there are those who seem to think that the way that I operate in this world to the masked, internet eye that I must be 100%, without flaw, no medical issues, etc. to perform because I do not complain which has helped to feed upon past doubts in myself. Recently I’ve even struggled with suicidal thoughts just to escape that future aging ideation that has been plaguing me. Some days are good but some have been depressing and horrid!

This morning I was going about a routine of something I knew had needed done and I THOUGHT this was right to do. I packed my husband’s lunch for work and in doing so I realized I had some kinked up, sore spots from some recent exercise I had started up again. I ate some chips while preparing them for my husband’s lunch since I needed something in my stomach to take some Ibuprophen. This didn’t work! It wasn’t nearly enough to take the Ibuprophen on and I became very nauseated to the point of not even being able to do anything but get into the recliner. In realizing that I would be there for a little while it crept into mind that I wanted to watch the episodes of a TV show that were piling up on the DVR. As I watched this program unfold I watched the dialog of a lady up against some tough competition but a friend told her about an unsquashable bug that helped her to realize that as long as we know that we are unsquashable, we are able to push forward, working for what is right. And I heard in that still small voice from the Master Himself that I had no worries, before it gets too tough, He will take me home! And I started bawling!

*Phil. 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.”

*1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
It is not by my will but by His that I am able to move forward one day at a time, knowing even that through being sick has helped to silence me enough to listen! By this Christ has strengthened me to become someone that He has use for!

There are many who I have told what God has shown me in my heart that the world has disabled me but God enabled me. It is by Him that I am able to not concentrate on what I can’t do but what I can do in Christ Jesus!

*Phil.4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy— meditate on these things.

Only God knows why God does things or lets things happen.  Even through sick He can bring pure JOY!

*Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

May God bless you through my writing. If He has especially touched you in any way, please leave a comment below. Your comments are so very encouraging to me to help me to keep writing. Also, click on the “Uptweet” button on the above right and share! I pray you will keep coming back. I fully believe that my writing is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so if I am writing, there is someone that needs to read it! Maybe it’s you? Also, please be sure to share any questions you might have with me and if you would like to keep them personal (just between you and me) please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at juliana.pace@gmail.com. If I don’t know how to answer you, I will may every attempt to refer you to someone for more information. Thanks and may God bless all your days!

Facing Fears or My Day of Firsts

Today was a day of several firsts. Although I once owned a little Chevy S10  pick up with standard transmission (cool little truck with a great stereo that my step-son loved to learn to drive in), this special little black truck gave up the ghost and I traded it in for another car in 2006, 8 years ago. Today my hubby thought we should drive one car so to get used to his standard transmission I drove us the 40 miles from home to his work with him telling me how to drive his car the entire way. So when I dropped him off to go my next 15 miles in the pouring rain to my artists’ market I had barely listened to the engine and have still been fighting a bit in the busy Tampa traffic to get used to it all day.   But with 37 years of driving behind me I still made it through without much bother!  Hallelujah,  since this was one of the worst of fears I had about today so it left the rest securely in God’s merciful hands. 

I arrived at the artists’ market after being lost for a few minutes but still within a tremendous sense of God’s peace. This was a the first for me, physically anyway!  And this market was presented by a ministry to promote disabled people. For the first time since I’d been labeled disabled by the world in 2001 I was amongst others living with the same branding!

Set up went well. Only made a couple of sales but I did give about a 15 minute testimony. This was the first time I’d spoken in front of people by myself in 20+ years so it felt very much like a first. It seemed well received and I was truly amazed at how relaxed I felt. I wasn’t fully without a bit of nervousness but I felt like I had to get out what God has done for me.  I was being a cheerleader for God and the fact that He can make a way through us where it seems to us and others that there is no way!  I truly do not care what people think of me and my past as long as it glorifies God!  He is the true rock on which I stand to do anything so why worry about what others think?  I made many connections today, too. All I gained, the riches I received were far beyond the low sales dollars that I made. 

Since I still had plenty of time to wait for my hubby to get off work I had decided to take in a movie and (no not a first but the 2nd that I’d ever been to by myself). This movie was one that followed right along with my blessings of the day. I went to see “God is not Dead” in a full theater with a crowd that left hollering Hallelujah!  I highly recommend it if you haven’t seen it!

UPDATE:  As I sit at Starbucks drinking a warming but much less expensive skinny coffee, I hunt & peck with one finger because I had to get this out. Hunting & pecking with one finger is taxing but I have yet to find a good way to go about this writing with still having the extremely painful carpal tunnel. One might think that writing is therefore not for me but sometimes God wants us to persevere. 

*2 Peter 1:5-7 “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.”
My main computer is also down and actually gone for repair for 10 business  days (at least what I was told.). The free dictation apps don’t appear to be that helpful so my husband and I are watching for a deal on some type of good dictation software. Please let me know if you hear of anything!  

May God bless you through my writing. If He has especially touched you in any way, please leave a comment below. Your comments are so very encouraging to me to help me to keep writing. Also, click on the “Uptweet” button on the above right and share! I pray you will keep coming back. I fully believe that my writing is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so if I am writing, there is someone that needs to read it! Maybe it’s you? Also, please be sure to share any questions you might have with me and if you would like to keep them personal (just between you and me) please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at juliana.pace@gmail.com. If I don’t know how to answer you, I will may every attempt to refer you to someone for more information. Thanks and may God bless all your days!

I'M AN OVERCOMER

Hello, all!  I just had to share with you regarding some testing that I just had done.  Now, you should know that all this testing truly grates on me because I’ve gotten smacked in the face with reality several times over.  I still have a soft heart and it is easily hurt although Jesus is enough for me in so many ways.  Knowing, though, that this does produce an outlet for His miracles.  Actually, it gives me an amazing testimony that I am truly a walking, talking, breathing miracle!  He chose me to prove His power through!  Hallelujah!  I see this as a testimony that not even “the world” can dispute because with this testing comes and evaluation in black and white that can be seen with the human eye.

I just finished sharing this with someone:

“You wanted proof of a God without having to use Faith?  From a stroke that I had in 2001 at 40 years old according to testing done 2/28/14 by a Neuropsychologist I have low average motor skills in my right hand & severely impaired motor skills in my left hand yet I have been a mixed media artist since the time of illness and I type 80-90 wpm. My Neurologist claims this should be an impossibility!  I am also handicapped in many ways!  But I am a walking, talking, breathing miracle!!!”

Yes, I also have some impaired cognitive skills, hearing, attention skills, and on and on!  But, Phil. 4:13 “I can do ALL THINGS through Christ Who strengthens me!”

Still on Hiatus.  Gotta learn this Voice dictation thing before I type too much more!  It'll help me keep going and learn to speak better in the long run so just keep baring with me!  Thanks & God bless you all!

May God bless you through my writing. If He has especially touched you in any way, please leave a comment below. Your comments are so very encouraging to me to help me to keep writing. Also, click on the “Uptweet” button on the above right and share! I pray you will keep coming back. I fully believe that my writing is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so if I am writing, there is someone that needs to read it! Maybe it’s you? Also, please be sure to share any questions you might have with me and if you would like to keep them personal (just between you and me) please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at juliana.pace@gmail.com. If I don’t know how to answer you, I will may every attempt to refer you to someone for more information. Thanks and may God bless all your days!

Still Working on it - UPDATE

I decided to try to use this Dragon free voice app I got for my iPad mini.  So let's see how this works.  I may post something to my blog but it doesn't mean that I'm back from hiatus yet.  I'm just learning so please bear with me.  I know I cannot keep typing this or the Carpal Tunnel will just continue to get worse.  I don't really like speaking so please understand. But I do miss writing this blog

I want to Celebrate Recovery recovery last night. It has been very beneficial and I'm really committed to going weekly. This is not for people with past alcohol or drug addictions.  This is for anyone with a life controlling problem.  If you want to know more look for one in your area.  They meet all over the world.  Just look to the celebraterecovery.com for more information.

I dreamed about this meeting last night.  I remember telling someone that I don't want you to be me.  I want you to be you.  How boring would it be if we were all like?  We were all made to be individuals. And I like that!

Wow this is harder than I  thought. But much to share!  Looks like it will take getting used to!  Better find a place at in the beautiful Florida sunshine to practice this, huh?  God bless you all!  Please comment to me if you will!  Talk at you all soon!

Hmmmm...how about a video share?  This is one of my newest likes...not really my kind of music but the words are amazing!

My Apologies for not Posting - IMPORTANT NOTICE

Life has been a bit full here, to say the least. Much too much going on and I would certainly appreciate your prayers for healing, protection, wisdom, favor, and mercy! It would take much too long to explain it all. Trust me!

I must also share that I have been having some trouble with Blogspot (the site where you are reading this blog from), too. I have already sought help from friends and plan to get my husband’s help to see if it can be remedied without moving my blog. So, this could truly use some prayers, too. I’m comfortable here and it could take longer to remedy if I have to learn how to operate another blog site.

So, I have prayed and prayed and prayed and have come to the conclusion that I need to go on hiatus from this blog for a time. Please don’t run away! I will return to a blog in the not too distant future (I’d say 6 months maximum). So, please message me, if you’d like and/or check out my archives. I can also be reached at https://www.facebook.com/wewereallfish (posting daily) and other links noted in this blog. I will miss you all!



God bless…Juliana

I will leave you with one last video - a song that I need today, too:

May God bless you through my writing. If He has especially touched you in any way, please leave a comment below. Your comments are so very encouraging to me to help me to keep writing. Also, click on the “Uptweet” button on the above right and share! I pray you will keep coming back. I fully believe that my writing is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so if I am writing, there is someone that needs to read it! Maybe it’s you? Also, please be sure to share any questions you might have with me and if you would like to keep them personal (just between you and me) please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at juliana.pace@gmail.com. If I don’t know how to answer you, I will may every attempt to refer you to someone for more information. Thanks and may God bless all your days!