Wednesday, December 21, 2016

ONCE AGAIN, my apologies & prayer request

I am here apologizing once again and asking for prayer. I know that I have not posted in some time. I am hoping this fact will change not long after the new year along with getting some much needed maintenance done on this blog. I inadvertently left out part of the title and have never fully gotten the background like I wanted it. My apologies! I also have hopes to get back to working on my next book while proofing all of my previous blog posts at the same time. Please bare with me and if you think of it, offer up a word of prayer for all of this, too! I am wanting to lift Him up for your benefit, not mine. Praying He helps me in this!

In moving to our new city and apartment, my husband and I moved back into a room together. I have much, much less space BUT I am just feet from my husband instead of several rooms away. I do not mind at all living in a smaller space. We gave up space for amenities. Now in a gated community at least at night. We are closer to my husband's work, 10 minutes compared to 40 minutes. So we have also given up a car. Please forgive me if I've shared all of this before. I won't rehash. Giving up some space has taken some reorganizing and with all else that has conspired this year, it's still ongoing. I have not been able to do any of my artwork since September of 2015. I have been missing it all and it is getting much closer to having it be resolved. I would appreciate any encouragement in the comments.

On top of all the moving, our son was married in November up in Pennsylvania. We attended and were so very excited about the whole thing. We now have a sweet new daughter-in-law and even a granddaughter! So our family has grown in leaps and bounds. Being adopted myself, this has brought much joy to my heart. When I was first told of her daughter (3 years ago) I was actually so very happy that our son was considering being a Daddy to a child that was already present in the world and needing him in her life. I am still ecstatic! The smile on our son's face at the completion of their vows told me volumes! He is 30 years old and I never saw such joy on his face. I can honestly tell you that I don't think I've ever gone so many hours without a dry eye, from joy, of course! My only regret now is that they live several states away. We would love to know both of them better! When I married my husband, I knew that he had a son from a previous marriage. I told him that if he ever wanted to get custody of him that I was fine with that and that I already loved him, being that he was a part of him. We went on to finding out that I could not have children (story planned on this in a later post). We got custody of his son in 1999 when he was 13 years old and I also had a son! And I won't spoil any more of the story for you.

Despite my efforts to regain health, along with many prayers, I ended up in the hospital in Pennsylvania. Then we returned home to work with doctors to overcome newly arisen issues yet Satan has appeared to be on the warpath. The only reason why I am sharing more in depth is that I need you to know how serious this is so that you all may pray accordingly. I was informed just two days ago that at some point I have had a mild heart attack. I am having further testing with a cardiac catheterization just after the new year. I know this can also be something that requires more recovery time to get me back moving again so it may slow my posts here, I will keep you updated. This is all something that I have been praying about for some time and has been needed even before the heart attack. Prayers please for my healing, and right now for me to keep my eyes on Jesus since I appear to be a bit flighty in my emotions. And also for my continuation in lifting Jesus up higher. I believe that God has a place for me out there and that Satan is mad and on the attack because of what God is wanting to do. But, we all know that Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. I was having a much worse time of it until I saw this photo posted on Facebook and have had to share it now, many times over:

*1 John 4:4You 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, due to the Christmas holiday I will share a Christmas song that I've lover over and over again. When the "Hallelujah's" ring in here it just truly inspires such awe in my heart that it brings tears. It is my hope that you will pay some deep attention and find the same! God bless you and Merry Christmas.

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!

Friday, October 14, 2016

FEELING ALONE IN YOUR FAITH?

This is one that I can truly share from experience. I went from first spending hours upon hours alone in a prison cell to spending hours upon hours in a sick bed, then on to still spending days, nights and then some alone in our apartment while my husband was working.

First and foremost, God says that He will not leave nor forsake us in His word.

*Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”"

And, my favorite which are said by Jesus, Himself:

*John 14:25-27 “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." (The Message)

And, this morning I was sharing this Christian concert with someone and I realized how it made me feel and I believe God was urging me to share it with you. In watching this, Winter Jam from a few years back came to mind. We had quite a few of us together at it but that was nothing as compared to the other 22,000 people (mostly youth) that were there. I still get encouraged thinking about it. It was one of the most marvelous experiences of my life. Worship has never been the same to me. And watching this video this morning along with the song's words I was just in awe. I wasn't awake but a few minutes when I had tears of joy running! Think you're alone in this Christian walk? Or, even think you're amongst just a few? Need some encouragement? Need some enlightenment? And just think, this concert is but one of Many! So, quit feeling alone and get up and do something about it! Share Jesus with all you can! And if you still feel alone, pray! Tell Him about it! Here it is: Passion - Even So Come (Live) ft. Kristian Stanfill (Make sure to click down in the right corner of this video to view it full screen!)

Friday, September 30, 2016

YOU CAN DO IT - How I quit smoking after 33 years!

First of all, what advice I'd found out there wasn't working. And, I especially remember feeling so defeated as a Christian. Why, when I knew this was so bad for me, could I not seem to even want to give it up enough. I felt like even in saying that, that I was putting it before my relationship with God. I quit all kinds of drugs and other hurts, habits, and hang-ups, but why was this so hard. I prayed and prayed and prayed!

I now remember that a song by "Red" gave me so much perspective into the way that I was feeling. It is a loud song (please turn it down if not to your liking and just read the lyrics) but I hope to find some lyrics to share:

My husband had quit and he was not the most pleasant to live with, with me still smoking. He let me know just what he thought about me still smoking. I told him repeatedly that I had to want to quit. It would not help me to try to do it for him. I had to do it for me, and for my God!

Trying to quit the traditional ways did not work. I tried probably every way that I found and even did stop 2 times for several months, but that habit was just too strong. I actually remember when I tried to do it cold turkey. After just 3-4 days, when my husband got home from work I was throwing things and yelling 'how can God help me when I can't even find Him?' Satan has his ways, his lies and deceit. Of course God was there. He was totally there waiting for me to cry out in the midst but Satan was prodding at the same time.

Finally I got a clue. I don't remember reading anything about it so I think it was just by Holy Spirit inspiration that I saw the need for me to break the habit first. I hope these things help you to make up your own list or rules to live by. This is what I did. I made up a list of rules that I would pray and ask Jesus to help me with.

1. I decided to only smoke outside, anywhere. Not even in my car. (Which I
must confess that I had already started smoking outside my own home
and found that I liked not having the mess in my home.)

2. I decided to pray and ask God to help me to never smoke a whole cigarette again. This way I reduced the amount of nicotine that I had in my system. If I saw it as too expensive, I'd put them out 1/2 way and save them for the next time.

3. I quit smoking at all the usual times, after meals, when I first got up, when I
first got home, etc. (make a list if need be) And, I'd just pray and wait a
bit longer. Jesus did help me. He's right there waiting. And it was easier
this time. I prayed about everything. And, I wasn't perfect. I remember
all of a sudden realizing now and then that I'd smoked nearly a whole
cigarette, but I prayed about that, too! I prayed so much that I'm sure this
6 months that it took me to quit, also increased my prayer life and drew me
closer to God at the same time.

4. I took 6 months. You can take less or more time. It's all between you and God!

5. I kept a pack of Nicotine gum there and I think I chewed 4-5 pieces of it.

6. I did not try to even start this on a holiday or other time where it would've been harder to stop. I prayed about slowing down, quitting, I prayed about it all!

7. Finally I prayed and set a date to quit. I quit smoking on June 8th of 2007. I will be honest. In the next 6 months I did slip and smoke 2-3 cigarettes but I quit!

At this time, I have 9+ years smoke free! You can do it, too! It does help that the price of cigarettes has skyrocketed. It seems that every time I have thought that I might try one, I see the price. YIKES!

If this doesn't work, maybe you need some encouragement. Find a Celebrate Recovery group in your area. It has helped me and so many others find victory over their hurts, hang-ups, and habits! WWW.celebraterecovery.com.

And, one of my favorite songs ever that we've sang at Celebrate Recovery. It is so befitting:

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!