Showing posts with label Holy Spirit. Show all posts

Monday, June 25, 2018

He Told Me to Pray - Inspiration

And, here I am up writing again. Just love the peace in the early morning hours. Sun not up yet and it appears that no one else is awake in the building. The last couple of days have been too busy to get this all down both with Bible Journaling and with my husband since it was the weekend. I find myself sharing more and more about God's strength through so many health issues. I guess maybe that is why they are happening. He did show me several years back that a major reason why so much happens in my life is because I will run to Him. I know where to go. Where someone else doesn’t. Others who don’t know Him have no clue who to run to. We hear many people who know Him contemplating why many who don’t, don’t have as many problems. Yet life is not about all of these things. Life is meant to Glorify God and prepare us for a heavenly eternity with Him, not to have an awesome play time on earth! Yet, prayer is where it’s at. A relationship with Jesus is where it’s at! And He is so much better than anything on this earth!

Encaustic Mixed Media Art - "My Momma's Home with digital artwork.

I am also still working on the second part of the Bible Journaling that goes along with this blog post. I am doing more of my own art now, or adding to their art also. I just keep seeing it in my mind’s eye and I have this “fearlessness” bubbling up within me. I have to do more. It is what is fulfilling me right now. Yet prior to Saturday morning the inspiration in my heart was at a rare low and I felt numb and unsettled.

To share more of what God has been showing me about my physical issues right now. (By the way, this morning my hands are feeling relatively good so that I am able to type, which is the way my life seems to go.) When my limitations keep me from something it is usually because I am not supposed to do it. I had already made a decision to not drive up to an outlet mall on Saturday morning and so very thankful that I did. I awoke in the most pain that I think I have ever had when not in bed with a morphine pump. After only three hours of sleep and my hands were curled half way into a fist. I could barely straighten them or do much more than to sit in my dining room chair and push buttons with my thumb and/or holler to our Echo, “Alexa play Christian Rock Music”. This song was playing in my mind, Oh My Soul by Casting Crowns again. It is the song that played on our Echo the night of that first day when my hands started to fail on my iPad keyboard and I truly had a meltdown. Please see past posts relating to this. Since I have purchased it and listened to it many times. The echo played it again.

So profound and I don’t think that if God were audibly speaking to me that it would be any more recognizeable to me as Him. Not long after I ran into this Bible Journaling video on 1 Samuel 1:15 and He continued to speak and I have been pouring my heart out to Him since and awesomely inspired to my Bible Journaling.

1 Samuel 1:15 Bible Journaling video Inspiration Done by Monica on her channel Because Jesus Bible Journaling which I love and keep watching previous videos.

And I have done some Bible Journaling of my own.

My Holman NKJV Single Column Journaling Bible.

My Inspire Praise Journaling Bible.

I saw both of these in my mind's eye. This is how I receive my art inspiration most of the time. The fingernails are done like my own. Of course not great yet but practice helps. What was really awesome is when I awoke from a dream where I saw an art piece and ran out to my desk to write it down so I wouldn't forget. My step-son was spending the night at the time. He awoke to tell me exactly what I saw before I wrote it down. Just too cool!

ay 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 “Up-tweet” 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!

Monday, August 7, 2017

It is a RELATIONSHIP

I had a bad night, one of my worst. I researched it, it was a Trapezius Muscle Spasm. This was the 2nd and lasted for 6 grueling hours. I had used tiger balm on my neck prior to bed. I slept about an hour before it started so I tossed and turned and prayed and prayed. Finally I could stand no more so I got up about 3 hours after it started to research it on the internet. I found to put ice on it and go back to bed. I finally got back to sleep yet I awoke soaking wet, the bed soaking wet, my pillow soaking wet…what now? Joe was sound asleep and needed to work later today so I just let him sleep (hoping he wouldn’t roll over on the wet). I pulled my pillow off and got up. It was now about 8:45 and I needed to let Cardiac Rehab know that I wouldn’t be making it. Not on 2 hours of sleep!

YET, I got up and was surprisingly wide awake??? I was talking to the Lord – praying as I do most mornings! I did not feel like going back to bed and after another hour or so I actually decided that I didn’t need to and got some coffee.

Bible Journaling kept coming to mind. The previous Sunday I believe that God showed me through a song in church that I was supposed to do a search in the Bible on Strength and Trust using my “His Strength” Journal (now with pink touches!

and my Journaling Bible. This kept coming to mind, plus the color pink. As I went on sharing with a friend in Facebook Messenger in the quiet of the morning more things came to mind and I realized that God was wanting to teach me more about Female Strength as I also had more pictures to use come to mind. I was feeling wonderful! Pain Free! High on the Magnificent, Comforting Presence of the Holy Spirit. His Peace filled our dining room as I poured through all of my Bible Journaling supplies for the pink things that I needed…as He spoke to me…

This is one of the main reasons that a relationship with Him is important! Not every thing we think is right, is. I thought I had to go to Cardiac Rehab this morning BUT He had a different plan!

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!

Thursday, September 3, 2015

BE STILL AND KNOW - Psalm 46:10

Please forgive me for taking so much time "running" between these posts!

I am always learning, thank the Lord! He never fails me! He wants to spend time with me.

An excellent book to read, and it's free at this website: Good Morning Holy Spirit by Benny Hinn If you need something to read it on try Kindle or iBooks. Learn to know the person of the Holy Spirit. This book was more confirmation to me since He drew me to Himself in 1988 when I was crumbling, yet it did give me some new insight and since this I got a clue, too!

A couple of days ago we had a flat tire in my car. This was right at a time when we were lower in funds. First, one might think that something is wrong because He has not made provision for my tire and there are all of these things that I need to be doing. But, for some reason I didn't see it that way. I had a peace about it. I also was on the 7th day of a lingering cold with an awful sounding cough. This made me think that maybe I was supposed to slow down, lay low, and let God's healing catch up with me. After talking to my husband and figuring out that on the next payday I could get a new tire and the car wash was close by (that it needed so badly) so I would also be able to get my car cleaned up, I felt fully satisfied. As I cancelled nearly everything I was in an amazing state of peace!

After a couple of days at home, TV off, worship music on, getting things done but moving slowly and resting in His peace I awoke this morning to waging warfare against Satan, telling him where he could go (back to hell where he belongs in Jesus' name) and beginning to feel much better physically, with a wonderful "knowing" in my heart. He just wants to spend time with me. How many of us miss out on so many blessings because we won't just be still and know that He is God?

*2 Corinthians 11:2a "For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy."

He had moved me earlier this year to giving away most of my artwork amd cleaning out our house, so I could spend time learning to rest in Him and finding more of His peace and I'd taken His wisdom that I was learning to move back out into life, ministry, and more of this world and ran with it like a chicken with its head cut off! Wanting more is good if it moves you to prayer and keeps you wanting more of Him but slow down and:

*Psalm 27:14 "Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage. And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!"

AND there's that word Strength again. I'm learning through my writing once again. Waiting on Him will give us strength? Hallelujah! There's another one for my "His Strength" art journal!

The song that I awoke to going through my head was My Redeemer Lives as sung by Nicole C. Mullen

Sometimes we just need to slow down:

Psalm 46:10a "Be still, and know that I am God;" Listen to the words...great video, too!

An old faithful song that the Holy Spirit has used so prophetically in my life over the years has kept coming to mind, also, and it fits:

Enjoy!

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

BLOG UPDATE + Explanation

I believe that God has revealed to me that my purpose is a two-part one.

1. The mixed media artwork that comprises the background was inspired by a dream that I had. It is symbolic of a life lived not un-similar to my own where I kept running into dark, dingy walls but found beauty in Jesus beyond those walls.

2. The scripture added “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8a was given to me by God as the 2nd part of my mission. It is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that I have found the only way to achieve 1. Is by Drawing near to God.

*2 Corinthians 1:3-4"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

I’VE JUST GOTTA LET YA’ ALL KNOW – ‘CAUSE IT’S ALL MY GOD!!!!

Just taking a break from cleaning while a room is occupied for a few that I need to clean next and as I start looking around on my computer it came to mind that I have yet to share what’s up with me. Well only slightly with a few people.

The Fall of 2014 after the move was rough. Actually from mid-October of 2013 through the whole of 2014 for the most part was the roughest in our 25 year marriage. We believed that Satan was on the rampage. He knew that I was coming into this time and he didn’t like it. BUT

*1 John 4:4 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

And, I am on my way back.

I could go on and on telling you about all of the many struggles but as my bestie says, “you couldn’t make it up!” and as our leader at Celebrate Recovery reiterated to me once again last night, “It’s much better to concentrate on the victories than on the struggles!” I started to find a scripture befitting of not doubting but they are so numerous and so to pick just one might be a tough one. And too numerous, once again, regarding God’s faithfulness yet this song has kept playing through my mind by Lincoln Brewster:

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

[Verse:]

Great is Thy faithfulness

O God my Father

There is no shadow of turning with Thee

Thou changest not

Thy compassions they fail not

As Those hast been Thou forever will be

[Chorus:]

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me

(Verse2)

Pardon for sin

And a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence

To cheer and to guide

Strength for today

And bright hope for tomorrow

Blessings all mine

With ten thousand beside

Since the beginning of 2015 my husband and I have had numerous prayers answered and life seems to have done a flip flop. We had prayed about my husband’s job for several years since he had several pay cuts and seemed to have no room for advancement among other seemingly poor business practices by his employer. Yet we did know that he was blessed to have a job through the years of recession in the US. He kept working and we kept praying, knowing that God was making a way even when we saw no way. I applauded my husband for his faithfulness, working in a job that he was not happy about going to daily for 8+ years. Then his new job took 2 months with interviews, e-mails, phone calls, and on and on. When he got the job we were so overjoyed and we knew that God was showing him favor for his longsuffering. The job he ended up with was more than we even dreamed of and he is quite happy there. This job has taken an adjustment to 3rd shift hours but we have known it was from God so He would help us with that adjustment.

Along with the new job there is newness in the financial management of our household as well. I had been prophesied over in the not too distant past and was told that I had a gift of giving and that God was answering my prayers in the exact words for Him to bless us so that we could bless others. We have been able to bless others, not only from our own household but also in being shown deals that can be shared with others in need!

AND, a big AND, my hubby announced at his birthday/new job celebration that he thought that we’d see about going on a cruise for our 25th wedding anniversary (12/8/15). A cruise was on my (not actually written down) bucket list! So excited and it is now booked so looking forward to an entire week away with my honey, my precious gift from God who has lived a life of longsuffering coming alongside me, too, in all my illnesses and quirks (LOL)! Hallelujah!

And, with that it is time to go back to my cleaning and I will have to write a bit more later!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, here I am doing just what I figured would happen. I had a dream where I ran into the lady who helped to lead me back to the Lord in 1988 and we were giddy, then I awoke just wide awake knowing I needed to get up and write! Hallelujah! As I walk with the Lord longer I’ve started to see a pattern now and then. ALL THE TIME, He is God and I cannot second guess Him because He will prove it to me yet I DO KNOW HIS LOVE FOR ME and like I might guess my Heavenly Father was up to something loving, kind, and daddy-ful (just made that up) I sometimes see my Heavenly Papa’s hand in the midst all too lovingly! I have felt that things were falling together as in puzzle pieces at times. He is here…He is with me…He is:

* 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.”

*1 Corinthians 2:11 “For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.”

I’m always in awe! He never ceases to amaze me!

And my writing feels like dictation this morning, which doesn’t always happen but it’s quite cool when HE CHOOSES to do it! That’s just it IT’S ALL GOD! His revelations are edifying to me which is most probably why He shows me His amazing work so notably! He lets me know that He is walking with me and talking with me!

Kind of old and corny? Well, that’s because I learned it when I was a little girl and when I went to prison in 1988 it rang through my head and heart almost daily for that entire 16 months. He helped keep me alive and sane in that scary place with that song, those words. (Palm Sunday our church started the service with it. We heard it on the outside speakers as we were walking in and I entered in tears and remained that way until the greeting. The memories of Him truly becoming that ALIVE to me all those years ago were just overwhelming! (And still are overwhelming this morning as I’m moved to tears again!)) He truly is a companion, the best companion. I hope to convey that to you who are reading my blog at this time! I pray you never neglect to seek Him out because as the Bible says:

*Proverbs 8:17 “I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.”

"My Momma's Home" w/added digital art - by Juliana

Back to the share at hand. Things are falling together, it seems, like the gathering together of so many thoughts and prayers over these 26 (nearly 27) years since I started walking with Him again. I see it almost daily! And even since I started writing this blog post, I’ve had the realization of another miracle in my life. I have had another healing that to me one of the most amazing of those entire 26 years. In my past life of degradation before I ‘woke up’, I fell off a roof and broke my back. I crushed my L2 Vertebra. I could go into a long sorted ordeal of all that has transpired since yet I am mostly alive to share of His glorious works and not to go into all the gory details of my past. The memories are good for testimony’s sake and as a reminder of what He has brought me through but when the sting is still there (which it is not) then healing is needed! This whole fall ended up in a 10 hour spine surgery in 1995 where I truly learned of my assurance of my salvation and eternal life. It seemed that most people expected me to be fearful of dying since I was told that I had a 50/50 chance of survival but that wasn’t it at all. The only fearful thought I fought was in awaking paralyzed or similarly handicapped. I KNEW HEAVEN WAS IN MY GRASP if I did not make it through. Yet, I was left with back pain. I woke up, even daily, for 17 years feeling stiff and so many ramifications of pain…BUT WALKING!

(I sure wish I’d see these peacocks that I’m told by the sound that I am hearing – beautiful!)

In 2012, my husband was led to the “Wheat Belly” diet and we quit eating wheat and to my surprise within just a few months nearly all of the “chronic” pain had left me along with other various arthritic pain in my body. Hallelujah! I did prove this when I, out of true stupidity, fell off the wheat free wagon in 2014 when on vacation in my home town of 45 years. Sentimentality can seemingly be true stupidity at times. I “had to eat” certain things that I loved and by the time I’d thought that just a little over time wouldn’t hurt, I was on the couch several days a week in severe pain with the knowing that if I kept it up that I would be in that wheelchair far sooner than I’d had faith to walk out against! Within another few days, I was back off the wheat and even mostly fully gluten free. (If God so touches your heart, please check out the Wheat Belly diet at http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/ There have been many more positive resolutions from this diet than just the loss of pain.)

Yet in the last couple of years I’d started developing a case of pretty intense Sciatica so I sought the Lord and an orthopedic doctor that to the surprise of my chiropractor, even agreed with my returning to him for relief versus surgery so I had been seeing this doctor again for several months.

To make a long story short, I will share a timeline of last week:

Our refrigerator/freezer failed about a week ago with the subsequent 3 days of work standing on the ceramic tile to finally end up knowing that we had several more days before the mess would all get back to “normal”. By that time I was on the couch with my legs feeling like jelly. I had to stop! That day I prayed like never before about my back telling my Heavenly Papa how I just couldn’t stand it (remember David in Psalms?). Thursday night I went to bed with this strange feeling that I hadn’t had that back pain all day (?). On Friday night as my bestie and I walked down the hall at Celebrate Recovery I remarked to her that the pain had still not returned and I ended up sharing it in small group that night. The following day was when I started writing this and I had a little pain when fixing dinner but it left me with just knowing that it was time to stop and that has been the way this has been ever since. I have had less pain than possibly since the fall in 1980 when my back was broken. I am still in awe and knowing that if I do have pain that it is merely a warning sign to slow down.

When we moved to Christian Retreat, I kept having the word “restoration” go through my mind. I knew God was up to something. This place is amazing. The grounds are perfumed with His Holy Spirit. I drove into this place in 2005 with my brother and I knew from then on that the fullness of God was here. The only way I’ve known how to explain it is that prior to living here we were in a community where there were few of us home during the day due to most being away at their jobs and (so it was quiet and peaceful) but it felt empty, except His anointing upon our home. Since our move here, it never feels empty! I never feel alone! In my studio is the strongest sense of His holy presence!

And, I know even more than I’ve known all along that He is preparing me for more. This year, so far, I’m learning to walk in “One Day at a Time” like never before. I have an extra-spiritual faith that won’t quit, knowing that He is working in me. I’m experiencing More Healing, More Joy, More of His peace, More, More, More of Him! Come along for the ride…only He knows what He is doing:

*1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

*1 Corinthians 1:27 “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;”

I AM ON MY WAY BACK!

Saturday, April 11, 2015

ARE YOU TURNING YOUR NOSE UP TO CHURCH?

Are you sure that you know why? If you think church is the same as it was even 30 years ago, then you need to find out what you’re missing!

(I finally just got settled down to write. My husband changed hours and I’m just now getting more used to the much, much different time schedule. He works nights and with driving he is gone for 14 hours yet just 3-4 days per week! We are praising God and know that this gift in his new job comes from none other than our Papa God! It is more than either of us could imagine, which is actually quite normal for our Papa!

*Luke 11:13 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

So, I am still at work, one day at a time, to reorganize my hours so that I can do most of my work while he is gone except for some that I need his help with. I’m learning to go to bed earlier and get up earlier which also seems to suit my own system for some reason. And, I think in the long run it will become quite conducive of writing, too, since I love to write in the wee hours of the night. I’m working toward mostly being up by 5am (so I can also exercise) but will get up a bit earlier when writing. It’s so quiet with the world mostly asleep yet in my home with just me here I can turn on my worship music, softly, to make a good environment for my writing with the Holy Spirit as my inspiration).

Earlier today I went out to run errands. I do so much writing while out driving in my car, enjoying the sunshine and normally listening to Christian music. The kind of music I listen to depends on my mood. When I’m awake and alert I normally listen to people like Jesus Culture, Kari Jobe and similar but when I need empowered or even just woken up, it’s Red, Thousand Food Krutch, Kutless, Skillet and various others. Today I was feeling like getting out of the house, being young and energetic, and cranking my music. I was a teenager in the 70’s so for some reason it’s stuck even into my 55^th year. As I listened to one of my favorite tunes by Thousand Foot Krutch:

I thought how wrong I was and how I am surprised by the response of the world (comments on YouTube). Before I rededicated my life to the Lord in 1988, I thought being a Christian must be boring, hum drum, blah blah blah…was I ever wrong. Here I am 26+ years into living for/with Jesus and I believe I’m bolder, more alive, freer, and happier than I ever was in my youth (Youth?). Yes, there wasn’t the Christian music of today in the 70’s & 80’s when I would consider myself being “youth” & “young adult” aged. But, that’s not all. There is a fire deep inside that has a need of being fed.

If you still think that being a Christian must be boring, hum drum, lack luster, then you truly need to become educated. I always, always keep myself educated and open about the world, as much as possible, so that if someone asks me about something I can tell them with total honestly, my opinion. So, why not become educated about your ideas on faith, if they are antiquated? You may be surprised by what you find! And, if you are hurting deep down, you may also be surprised by the peace, the comfort, the love that you find that is made to suit just you! Yes, He gives us all what we need!

*Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

And, I, as I am not perfect need to continually remind myself that that “need” is not merely financial/monetary but “ALL” of our needs! If you do not feel that your needs are being met, come to Jesus and tell Him so! Honestly, if you are clueless about where to start just tell Him so! Prayer is just talking to God!

*James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

and

*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.

If you want to give Him your heart right now, it’s so easy by sincerely repeating this simple prayer.

Dear Jesus,

I want to know more of You. I want to turn away from this life that is just hurting and confusing me and come into a life with You. I believe that You died for my sins and want to live in a relationship with me forever! Show me Who You are and how I may live with You at the helm of my life!

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

HE WON’T LEAVE

*Deut. 31:8 “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

I am not particularly certain why this story came to my mind at this time BUT I woke up way before my alarm and could not go back to sleep so after about 30 min. of just lying there trying to go back to sleep, I got up. After picking up my iPad I noticed that a friend/a Christian sister had messaged me and after reading what she wrote, this was my long response which also turned into a posting for my blog. Maybe you know why it came to mind, huh?

‘You & I seem to be in a similar place sometimes in our spiritual maturity! Paper dragons? Being an artist I tend to have a very vivid imagination!

Last Spring I went through a major enlightening! When I was sick (with CNSV) I went through 6 years of severe motion sickness...the most awful symptom I've experienced! It ended when I was healed in 2007 and I was finally able to stop a medication for it that I'd been quite dependent on.

Last Spring I was diagnosed with Vertigo with an onset of nearly 2 weeks of almost constant moderately severe motion sickness (still have it much less often – I have learned to keep it at a minimum now). I got mad and I have known enough most of my years that I will let God know about it. (One of the first things I was asked when doing some life coaching with a pastor at our church is, do I let God know when I’m mad at Him). And I mean I got the maddest I think I'd been in 20 years or more and I told Him about it. But with every outburst I'd hear "but I still love you" and similar comments to truly let me know that He would not leave me nor forsake me! And after the 2 weeks & I thought about what I'd done I'd hear "but you didn't turn away!" And I had a major enlightenment of how He will just take it all no matter what stupidity I get stuck on! I liken it to David in Psalms (although I feel too humbled to fully go there yet no other comparison I've come up with yet!). It was a major revelation, more than I'd had in my 26 years of walking with Him as constant as an imperfect person can! I got it deep down inside that He would take anything I could dish out and more and never leave me! It was humbling to say the least! Oh did I ever have to ask for forgiveness when I "came to". BUT our intimacy changed – it has deepened tremendously! And even though I've known it in my heart all along that I could tell Him when I'm mad at Him there was something about me going further with that than I usually do that made it all more real to me!

I’ve now realized that I’m going to have to use what I've shared in a blog post because I now realize why I could not go back to sleep when I'd woken up at 5:20am. (A more normal writing time! Much inspiration comes in the night!). Thank you for your end of getting those inspirational juices flowing! Sorry so long but you do know I AM a writer?!

In conclusion, I cry out to Him so very automatically! When those "paper dragons" come I am in His arms and even though my peace isn't fully instantaneous I'm working my way there by the power of the Holy Spirit, too!

In addition I’m thinking I should share: During the most severe (about 4-5 years) of the motion sickness which did periodically weaken in intensity. one of the medications I had to take that cost $20 per pill and was covered by insurance (thank the Lord). This medication was given to chemo patients – This symptom is that of which you hear so much hype in the news about medical marijuana being needed for (also ‘brain nausea’). Not sure how to explain it. Nowhere close to normal nausea. It feels like a spinning of your insides deep down from the pit of your stomach up through the middle of your brain. So awful and so thankful I rarely get it unless I lay down too quickly now, and then it is quite quickly passes!

Thanks again! Love you too!

Have a blessed day!!’

I've probably shared this song before but it is just too appropriate for this post so please enjoy it again:

Thursday, August 16, 2012

SOAKING

No matter what I do this morning I just can’t seem to get rid of the idea of writing about this subject that came to me a couple of hours ago. So, here I am sharing my views on this and the fact that I do soak now and then for a few minutes up to even 30 minutes or longer. What’s the reason(s) that I do it? To spend quality time with God, to surrender to the Holy Spirit, to stop and focus on the right things, to stop and “smell the roses”, to just say “woe”, etc… I started to list them and then realized there are numerous reasons and why not? I mean, He is God and spending quality time with Him can definitely be no less than beneficial.

How do I do this? Well, I’m normally in my desk chair in my computer room/studio so I sit back and relax, arms on the rests, palms facing upward and I listen to some good Christian music such as, to suggest just a few:

          Not Alone              Red
          Holy                      Matt Gilman
          Our Great God       Todd Agnew
          Baptize My Heart   Misty Edwards

And there are many, many other awesome songs to soak to, or you might even do a search at www.google.com for the word “soaking” and do some of your own research. This has been very beneficial to me in my growth as a Christian.

One of my favorites that I have found quite beneficial to my own health and well being is Light of Your Face by Misty Edwards. :

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

A Weekend to Talk About – Part 2 – 2012

Even though it is now Tuesday I had some revelations from the Holy Spirit while baking No Sugar Added Oatmeal Cranberry cookies (partially my own recipe). I knew this had to be connected to that writing somehow since it is still on the subject of afflictions. How do we know what God’s definition of healing is? Are these definitions of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge any different than what we might say?

*Proverbs 3: 19, 20 “The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
By His knowledge the depths were broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.”

I believe that I’m learning more and more that He gives us what we need as His uniquely made individuals:

*Philippians 4:19 “ And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

And, we all know:

*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 was listening to Kutless’ new album “Believer” which is totally wonderful and I find more and more to love about it all the time. There is a song on there that particularly started speaking to me a couple of weeks ago called “Even If” and the lyrics are:
Even If
Believer
by Kutless

Sometimes all we have to hold on to
Is what we know is true of who You are
So when the heartache hits like a hurricane
That could never change who You are
And we trust in who You are

Even if the healing doesn’t come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn’t come

Lord we know Your ways are not our ways
So we set our faith in who You are
Even though You reign high above us
You tenderly love us
We know Your heart
And we rest in who You are

You’re still the Great and Mighty One
We trust You always
You’re working all things for our good
We’ll sing your praise

You are God and we will bless You
As the Good and Faithful One
You are God and we will bless You
Even if the healing doesn’t come
Even if the healing doesn’t come

Written by S. Krippayne and Tony Wood | Produced by Dave Lubben Pirk Music (BMI) | Songs From Exit 71 (ASCAP) admin by Krippayne, Inc. and The Harry Fox Agency

Will you love Him even if?

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!

Monday, January 30, 2012

The Holy Spirit

Heavenly Father, give me the grace to write this blog entry this morning. I’m sleepy and mindless. Please be my memory, Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen

Last night I dreamed and dreamed. I awoke several times in the midst of memories. Yesterday in church one of my closest girlfriends/sisters received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. She’d hoped and prayed for this overflowing, indwelling of the Holy Spirit for years and had been so very disappointed each time she was prayed for and didn’t receive. Yesterday the first thing she said to me after was how amazing He was when you get out of your own way (in so many words). Yep, she was so right! And my memory recalled that time in my life, now 23 years ago, and I realized how I’ve slighted God in my past writings. I’ve been such a witness to the power of the Holy Spirit, even giving such recall of His work in my life without sharing one of the most important things…the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Why should we want this? In God’s Word we are told to be filled with the Holy Spirit: *Ephesians 5:18 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,”

I believe that I heard the best explanation from a brother at my church a few years back that sounded just right. It’s like instead of just having the Holy Spirit, you have the Holy Spirit on steroids! This is where an amazing, overflowing amount of God’s power comes from. This is where God’s amazing peace; His peace that passes understanding. This is how God showed me about the hole inside that people (including me) ran around trying to fill up with booze, drugs, and all kinds of things. We were all trying to find that comfort and that absolute peaceful companionship that only the Holy Spirit will bring.

*Romans 14:17 “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

*Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

*John 14:15-18 “If you love Me, keepMy commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

*John 14:25-27 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

I wrestled in my sleep and this morning with the right way to share this with you all due to the fact that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not accepted in all of the denominations of faith. But, the denominations are people made not God made. Just because one doesn’t believe, doesn’t mean it isn’t true. I know people mostly disbelieve out of fear. But fear is not of God. I’ve shared with you before:

*2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

When I rededicated my life to the Lord in 1988 I knew the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is what I longed for. Even though I’d been raised in a Baptist church until 1968 and then on to an Episcopalian church throughout my school years, I remembered my mother praying in tongues since I was a small child. My folks had Bible studies in our home during the 1960’s. They were involved in the healing ministry (Order of St. Luke) during the outpouring of the Holy Spirit during these years. I heard of the miraculous healings done at Kathryn Kuhlman crusades (https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Kathryn%20kuhlman). I’d had a healing myself, of my kidneys in 1968. If you’d like to learn more of my background there is a short version in my book which can be purchased at:

http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Better-Things-TriciaMarie/dp/160703252X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228308095&sr=8-1

or there is also more by looking into this blog’s archives.

I truly believed that a good Christian was to desire the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gifts of God. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Corinthians+14&version=NKJV

I could write more and more on the subject but that would make this blog entry into more of a book chapter. I would suggest that you pray and read what God shows you. Most importantly, I consumed the shorter but jam packed with info, books by Kenneth E. Hagin: http://www.rhema.org/store/authors/kenneth-e-hagin.html?author=9

Please forgive my memory if I forget to mention something (be sure to contact me at the e-mail address below if you have questions). I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the top bunk in the prison cell that I was in, January of 1989. At the time it didn’t seem like the most appropriate place but it was the only place that I had at the time and I wanted more of God. I remember lying there, praying (which is just talking to God) and telling Him how I desired more of Him. How I’d heard of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how I wanted all of the gifts that He was willing to give me. How, by definition these gifts were freely given. How I knew that this was what I was supposed to do. Along with how much I loved Him and walking daily with Him. I went on and on for some time, I’m sure. During this time, all of a sudden I felt a wonderful, warm, non-painful, power as if it was a bolt of electricity shooting from my head to my feet that felt like it nearly raised me from my bunk. I whispered in a tongue unknown to me due to my roommate being on the bottom bunk.

I went on to praying this way as I believe God was leading. I remember having doubts that I was honestly praying in tongues but I read more and have been reassured to this day of the truth in all of this. My walk with the Lord grew more and more and has been expressed in many of my writings in this blog. His peace has been multiplied to the point of many nearly drunken (in the Holy Spirit) writing sessions. This is where I learned of who I lacked during my drunken/doped up days. There is no negativity as in those old, bad acid trips or when I’d go fully overboard with the booze and drugs. And, I can attest to the fact that God shared in His word that He would never leave me nor forsake me.

*Deuteronomy 31:8 “And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

I can honestly admit that I have not felt lonely even one day since that day, 23 years ago.

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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Why Do I Celebrate CHRISTMAS? - 2011

I’ve previously shared that on Sunday mornings I am now riding to church with my step-son. He lives about an hour north of us but used to attend the church we have been members of since 2006 when he was living with us and he was a part of the Worship team. He moved an hour north of us not long after he started working with my husband and then quit the Worship Team. In the fall he started attending our church again even though the long drive he felt it to be well worth his while and I’m sure he liked spending some time with us each week. Not long ago he began questioning God and our Minister of Music about rejoining the Worship Team. I also volunteered to become a part of the greeting ministry. This came to pass and now I know that this was a part of God’s plan. He and I had not been seeing as much of each other. This not only provides us with some quality alone time on our drive to church but I believe it is already (after just 3 weeks of doing it) bringing us closer.

While the Worship Team practices on Sunday mornings prior to our Sunday service, I pray and read my Bible until the time that I need to go and greet people as they come to church. When I found out that I would be getting to church more than two hours prior to the service, I thought this would be such a difficult thing to do. To my surprise (of course, God knows everything) it fits like a favorite pair of old blue jeans. He knows exactly what He made me for so I need to be obedient when He tells me what I need to do. It will be the best for me! I should also add that my step-son has been blessed tremendously through his giving in this, besides the fact that he loves being a part of the Worship team.

(We got custody of my husband’s son when he was 13 in 1999. He turned 15 just 6 days following my brain biopsy. I was home with him through the rest of his schooling. I was sick but I was there. I believe most mothers would understand that I would be sick all over again to be home for him. We are quite close. Most are aghast when I tell them he is not my biological son. I don’t think that makes a big difference to God. He needed a mom who gave him more attention and I had been barren and in need of a son.)

I was sitting in our church yesterday morning, praying and reading my Bible when God led me to:

*John 14: 25-31 (NKJV) The Gift of His Peace “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.”

*John 14:27 is my very favorite verse *“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

So I assuredly paid more attention and my heart softened. God’s peace is what drew me. At 28, I had no peace. My body, mind, and spirit had been spinning, twisting, turning, and bouncing up and down for years. I fought everything before me. I fought the world. I fought life. But God reached down and gave me peace, His peace, which is not the world’s peace.

I decided to look up this verse in The Message version because I’ve liked this version like none since the New King James which has been my old faithful version for more than 23 years. But this morning I read John 14:25-27 in The Message: *"I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught.” And the tears came. And this realization came to me.
The definition of Christmas by Wikipedia can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas But is it more than this? In the Bible, one of the most important and highly memorized verses is:

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

But what does this mean? Many Christians are upset about so many in the world wanting to turn Christmas into something it isn’t. A commercial “holiday” – removing the actual “Christmas” name. I know I am one of them that is upset by this. First and foremost, Christmas is just that. It is first and foremost a celebration of Christ’s birth, therefore it is (Christ)mas. It is not some other holiday. “A worldwide holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Popular aspects of the holiday include decorations, emphasis on family togetherness, and gift giving. Designated a federal holiday by Congress and President Ulysses S. Grant in 1870.” From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_holidays_in_the_United_States.

So, with many of the world trying to take Christ out of the holiday, it is making it into something that it is not. To Christians, Christ’s birth means that we have attained salvation. He came so that we may have eternal life.

*1 Thessalonians 5:8-10 “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.”

For me, along with all Christians even though some may acknowledge this more than others, the meaning of Christmas extends even further. And, I realized that this is a major part of why I am quite upset every year at this time by those who would make Christmas into something it is not.

Because of Jesus Christ I have salvation unto eternal life. I know my life does not end at the point of death but that I will go home to be in heaven with Jesus and all those who went before me. I know I will be spending eternity with my parents and other loved ones.
But, It also means to me and to all Christians, that we know we are not alone on this earth, NOW. We know Jesus lives with us through His Holy Spirit. Our life on this earth in the here and now is much more abundant.

*John 14:25-27 in The Message: "I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught.”

If Jesus had not been born, I would not have the Holy Spirit living within me today. “I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned”.

To explain the ramifications of this would take me an entire book. I know after 23 years of KNOWING He is with me always has made such a difference in who I am. I would still love to shout it from the rooftops.
One of the first songs I found that says it how I feel is God by Rebecca St. James. (1996 - Lyrics: http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/lyrics/new/track.asp?track_id=322 )

I would also recommend reading books by Kenneth E. Hagin. All of his books are good and I read most of them. Some I read numerous times. To name just a couple:
“How You Can Be Led by the Spirit of God” at: http://www.amazon.com/How-You-Can-Led-Spirit/dp/0892765410/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2OVXEIVY9YOVK&colid=1N7CUI3AO73LC
“Seven Vital Steps to Receiving the Holy Spirit” at: http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Vital-Steps-Receiving-Spirit/dp/0892760036/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324475170&sr=1-1
But, all of his books are good:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_12?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=kenneth+e+hagin&sprefix=kenneth+e+ha
Also, 120 Kenneth E. Hagin titles available to include some on CD:
http://www.impactchristianbooks.com/Products.aspx?GroupMedia=1&Auth=583
I'm praying that you all have come to the realization of what Christmas truly means!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!