Grab your prayer journal and answer these two questions off and on for the next 24 hours.
Struggle and wrestle with these questions. Be thorough in your response.
~ Do you take prayer seriously enough?
~ How could you take prayer more seriously?
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC, Prayer Guard USA, and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
My prayers, mind, and heart are with the victims of the storm system of 300 miles of destruction in which over 130 tornadoes took lives, homes, businesses, and entire towns. This is one of the worst storm systems in the history of the United States of America.
Lord, be the refuge and strength for all the people involved.
My prayers are with a special person I know who reads this blog. Their family was involved in these storms. (I’m not putting names in an effort to uphold confidentiality for them and their family.)
Lord, comfort everyone involved. Wrap them in Your wings, place them in the cleft of the mountain and in a safe place. Hold them near. Guide them as they have to make decisions and be their way.
God bless everyone involved in these storms.
~ Stacy Duplease
By the way, over the next few months, I will have moments when you might think I fall off the planet. But, do not fret. I have vacation and moving/vacation coming up in my life.
My first period where I will be gone is from 06 May to 24 May. That’s vacation and a writer’s conference (CCWC/Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference in Estes Park, Colorado. My home, by the way, is Colorado. Check out: http://www.writehisanswer.com ).
Then, I will be gone 17 June to 22 August(ish) for Moving and Vacation. That’s when we move from Nebraska to Virginia—and vacation for a bit in Colorado.
I will still do blog posts from time to time, but it won’t be like what I have done lately. By the way, check out the Prayer Guard USA blog. That’s my most active blog at the moment and is where I am writing a Blog Book.
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC, Prayer Guard USA, and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://alifeofseasons.blogspot.com
http://prayerguardusa.blogspot.com
BibleGateway.com has a daily Bible verse. I want to share today’s with you as a way to encourage us, if needed. But, I also want to share it with you as a starting point for prayer and so that we can use this verse when we doubt, worry, or question things.
28 I give them eternal life, (A) and they will never perish (B) —ever! No one will snatch (C) them out of My hand. 29 My Father, (D) who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 The Father and I are one." (E) [a]
Footnotes:
Cross references:
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
That can be found at: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=HCSB&search=John 10:28-30
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC, Prayer Guard USA, and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/tips/11645738.html
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC, Prayer Guard USA, and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
Yes… I have yet another new blog. This will become the most active blog yet in the weeks to come. It’s a blog on prayer and spiritual warfare prayer in particular.
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://alifeofseasons.blogspot.com
http://prayerguardusa.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
http://reflectremember.blogspot.com
So, that is 5 different ways God spoke to me about the same theme/topic: spiritual warfare. Guess what I am working on studying today?
- Stacy Duplease
You will hear a familiar theme, message, scripture verse or passage, and/or thought in combinations of several, if not all of the above ways. That is how God speaks to us.
- Stacy Duplease
By the way, I am preparing to go to a writing conference back in my home state of Colorado. It’s the CCWC (Colorado Christian Writing Conference) and is put on by: http://www.writehisanswer.com
Therefore, I will be gone the second and third weeks in May as I go to the conference and as I go home for a few days. I will be a little quiet during that time.
As I prepare for the writing conference, I am trying to prepare advertising material, am refining my writing vision, and am trying to get 33,000 words written on a novel I started earlier this week. It’s of the A Life of Seasons Series and is called, “Summer, Faith, Journaling, and Madison.”
I will write more information about the CCWC in the days to come. Check out the Fiction and Faith Café blog listed below for more information.
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://alifeofseasons.blogspot.com
As I am in the process of moving across the country at the end of June or thereabouts, I realize that certain things have to give. My blogging is what will be sacrificed, I’m afraid. Of course, this is my main blog and I will do the most here. But, check out the blog of the book I’m writing, A Life of Seasons Blog listed below. That will most likely have other information you might find useful and I will update it more often.
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://alifeofseasons.blogspot.com
I know you wonder why I keep adding blogs when I don’t update them and when I barely blog on this blog. (Lol.) However, there is a reason for my madness—and no! I am not crazy or wishful in thinking. Rather, these blogs are my insight for what I want to be doing—once I am able to slow down with life enough to invest in them.
So, when will that be? I guarantee as of August, that will happen. But, I will add blog posts here and there until then on all of the blogs listed below.
So, gals, check out the blog below. This is a new series that is of the Biblical Fiction genre and it is about “A Life of Season” of the gals of the military life. The series will be novels which are the (fictional) journals of gals connected to the military. However, anyone could find this up and coming series interesting—male or female—because it talks about dealing with “A Life of Seasons” and how life is always changing. These journals tell how people handle the seasons of life—the good, the bad, the indifferent—and at different ages and in different positions (or from different perspectives/points-of-view).
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://alifeofseasons.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
http://reflectremember.blogspot.com
Do you ever go through a phase in your life where you’re confused? Where you don’t know what’s wrong, what’s going on in your life, what to do, your purpose, and so on? In other words, is your world ever one of confusion?
That’s where I am at in this moment.
Bear with me.
There will be more to follow at a later date.
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
There is another blog that I’ve added. Check it out below. It’s the Reflect and Remember Blog.
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://reflectremember.blogspot.com
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
Not just sometimes, but a lot of times, it’s important to let go. Remove your hand from the situation and place your hand, instead, in God’s.
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
Philippians 4:13 in several versions of the Bible says:
~ I can do all this through him who gives me strength, (NIV).
~ I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me, (HCSB).
~ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength, (NLT).
~ I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who [a]infuses inner strength into me; I am [b]self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency], (Amplified).
~ Stacy Duplease
What do you do when life has hit you with too much at once?
How do you handle it?
How does God want you to handle these situations?
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
So, which one are you?
Are you the one who has lost your passion for life and living?
Or are you fearful of losing your passion so because of the busyness of life, the distractions, and the demands of life?
How do you revive and reignite your heart and life?
How do you revive and reignite your spiritual life? What does that look like?
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
My Nana Lee passed away this morning.
She is hopefully in a much better place.
God be with you, Nana. You are loved.
Check out my rest blog mentioned below. I have posted a couple of blog posts this morning.
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
Check out this link about 8 steps to meet God in Solitude and in rest.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/tips/11647980.html
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
Text: Read Psalm 25.
Themes of this Psalm: Hope in God; Trust in God; He’ll Show You the Way; Fear the Lord; Keep Your Eyes on Him; Turn to God; When Afflicted and Suffering; Refuge; Wait on God; Depend on God Alone
Key Verses: All
What should we do when we go through a tough time? Verse 1 starts to tell us everything we should do and the rest of this psalm, every single verses, tells the full answer. But, we start with turning our hope to God (Psalm 25:1).
What else do we do when going through a hard, happy, or in-between time? And, where do you turn when you don’t know which way to go? We look at verse 4 for that answer. We ask God to show us His way and teach us to follow it.
Psalm 25:5 tells is more of what we are to do when we are dealing with happy or with challenging times. We are to wait on God.
I could go on and on with this Psalm, but I will stop there. These three truths need time to simmer in our hearts and minds:
~ We are to turn our hope to God (v 1).
~ We are to ask God to show us and teach us His way (v 4).
~ We are to wait on God all day long (v 5).
Note their order. Hope, way, wait.
What are your thoughts? Prayer journal your thoughts and questions. Also, write a prayer to God about Psalm 25.
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
I write this blog post with a heavy and sad heart. That’s why I knew it was even more important to write this post.
Writing is the way I draw closest to the Lord. It was my prayer years ago, and still is, that every word I write be HIS words and that they bring Him the glory. I want Him to use my pen and give me the words. This blog post is no different.
I also turn everything I write into a prayer journal to God. This is one of those times—underscored, italicized, and put into bold.
I share these thoughts with you as I hope to bring you inspiration when you go through a challenging time in life.
My life has not been easy. I’ve experienced a great deal. I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. The hard times of life have made me who I am today. I don’t regret them or hold onto them as much today as I did back then. I don’t hold the past against myself or live in the past, in other words…. Except, I do my best to learn from those times.
Tuesday of last week, I was told that my husband’s job is being moved to the East coast. This came from out of the blue. I’ve been sad about it, but excited about it to see what God is going to do through it. What could be difficult is that it’s in less than 90 days. However, I am trusting God with that. He will find us a home and get us there. Funny side-note: The furthest I’ve ever driven is 250 miles. Now I get to drive 528 in May and then 2,278 in late June-early July. My husband will drive his car and I will drive mine. So, I will have the beagle and cat or the two turtles—depending on how we decide to divide them up at the time.
At any rate, I’ve been preparing to leave.
Then, a week later, I’ve been hit with more of life’s challenges.
Sigh.
My grandmother, Nana Lee, is dying. It’s just a matter of time. Any second/minute/day now. It won’t be a week.
And, I can’t get back home. There’s too much coming up…
I am not upset about her death. I know where she’s going. It’s a much better place and she’s suffered for YEARS with dementia. It’s time. But, I wish I could be there with my mom and family. It’s tough.
I know that God is allowing this at this time for a reason. I trust Him and don’t question. But, my heart is sure heavy.
So, as I’ve said before, I am going to turn to the Psalms. That’s where I go in times like this. I don’t know what to pray at this point. So, I’ll let David pray for me and give me the words.
I know I am not alone. He is with me and I have an incredible support system of family that holds me up and holds me up in prayer.
I know God has a plan.
I know God won’t give me more than I can handle.
It’s the timing I find difficult with at the moment. But, His timing is perfect and I will trust in that and without question.
Abba, be with Nana and family.
Let Nana finally let go… It’s in Your name I pray.
Amen.
~ Stacy Duplease
Check out my rest blog at:
I just did two new blog posts.
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
If you wonder which of my 30 million blogs you should read, this is the one I would suggest as your first choice. This is my main blog, after all.
From there, what matters most to you or captures your fancy the most?
Do you like reading fantasy or fun fiction? Check out the Dorl Chronicles. http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
Do would want to have some quiet moments with the Lord? Check out the Rest Still blog. It’s actually the Remembering Rest blog. http://reststill.blogspot.com
Do you write or want to write? Check out the Fiction and Faith Café blog. http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
Those three blogs are of the “Coming Soon” variety, just so that you know.
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
Life is supposed to be beautiful. Right?
Then, why does it have so much yuck mixed in with it? Why is it so unfair? Why do we have so many problems? Etc. etc. etc.
Life is beautiful.
Life is a gift.
Life is something meant to be treasured and cherished.
Prayer journal your thoughts and responses to the following questions:
~ What have you done today to live as though your life was a gift—meant to be valued, cherished, and treasured?
~ How have you counted your blessings today?
~ What challenges have you turned around for the good today?
~ How have you told those in your life today how they matter in your life?
~ How have you reflected the glory of God in your life today?
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
The past couple of days, I’ve hinted at some major things which have happened in my life. I don’t know if you picked up on that or now. But, my husband and are I moving this summer. His work has called him elsewhere. So, east coast here we come! It was not what we anticipated at all. But, God has never asked me what I wanted. I trust Him completely. He knows far better than me. He has a reason and I am thrilled to watch His purposes unveiled.
Needless to say, the winds of change are blowing.
Change brings two different opposite reactions at the same time to me. I don’t want to leave my friends who have become like family. But, I am thrilled and excited at the opportunity of a new beginning and watching God work in my life, through my life, and around my life in new and different ways.
I am not upset with God at all and I am not questioning at all. I am trusting. I know He is bigger and can handle all of this far better than I can. As a matter of fact, He formed this plan before He laid the foundations of the earth. Thus, who am I to get in the way, get upset, question, or anything else? But trust Him and keep the faith in Him instead. He’s got it.
My reaction is shocking to me. I don’t know when I got so mature. (I still have a lot to learn and mature, by the way! I am far from perfected in that area.) This is something that I want to pursue, reflect upon, and so on. When did I get a stronger faith? Normally, I would be an emotional wreck. I would be FREAKED OUT about how we have less than three months to find a home, pack up, and move across the country—where I don’t have a social network. But, I’m not. I am trusting God. Now, I pray this trust will continue.
Then, there’s the less mature side… I ache for having to leave my family/friends here in Nebraska… That’s the tough part.
I am curious about trying to figure out my reaction in this situation. When did I get so firm in my faith? Is it just with this area or with all? Lord, help me apply this faith to all areas in my life from here on out. I usually fall short. I am glad it’s different at the moment. Now, I need to try to make this continue.
Journal Questions:
How about you? Do you shock yourself sometimes with how you handle situations? (I know I usually do, but to the negative. This is a rarity for me.)
Does God shock you at times?
Do you like change?
How do you react to change?
How is your faith and trust in God?
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
http://dorlchronicles.blogspot.com
http://fictionfaith.blogspot.com
Do you feel like your spiritual life is blah, dragging, and/or needs a fire again?
Check out this link and article at:
http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/tips/11639433.html
~ Stacy Duplease
Remembering Your Present, LLC and pj4life (Prayer Journaling for Life)
Author of Biblical Fiction, Bible Studies, and Devotionals
Email: Pj4life1@gmail.com
Blogs:
