New Blog

I have a new blog at:

http://www.storiesbystacy1.blogspot.com/

This blog has been discontinued. Please refer to new blog on Monday, 19 October 2009. Thank you. Have a great day.

Blessings,

Stacy

Self-Examination as a Christian by Stacy Duplease & Stories by Stacy

Please check out my blog at: http://www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com/ before you read this blog. Then, return here. Also if you read either of the blogs, please comment on them or send me an email about them to either: stacyduplease@storiesbystacy.com or storiesbystacy@gmail.com since I love any input you can give.

Self-Examination as a Christian
As a Christian, we are not to focus on self. Luke 9:23 tells us to deny ourselves. However, it never tells us to not analyze or examine where we are in life, through God's help. We need to know where we are, where we've come, and make adjustments if we fail/sin somewhere. We also need to make adjustments if we feel lost or like there should be more to life than what we're currently experiencing.

However, most importantly, is how close we are to God. This is the most critical thing we need to ask Him and ourselves. Are we drawing ever closer to Him? Are we praying more to Him every day or less? Are we in the Word more daily or less? Are we living the purpose He has for our lives and are we bringing Him glory?

Where are you on your Christian road/journey? Where do you need to be? Where are you headed? Is it your road for your life or God's?

Take some time to analyze where you are. Ask God to speak to you about it over the next couple of weeks.

Read and re-read Psalm 139 often while you're in the mode of self-analyzation.

We should self-examine at least two weeks every 6 months, if not more. This helps us to stay on track and to live smack-dab in the middle of God's will in our lives. 

Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

NoNaWriMo

Look what I just decided... I decided to take place in that National November Writing Month where you write a book of 50,000 words in one month.

I'll keep you informed about my status.

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

Living the Bible

How many of us read the Bible? How many of us just hear a sermon on the Bible from time to time? And how many of us actually apply the word to our lives after reading it, thus showing it's a priority in our lives?

How many of us read the Word every day?

How many of us live the Word actively and consciusly daily?

This has become a goal of mine. I want to pray without ceasing and forever mediate on the word--and apply it to my life.

The two books I'm working on right now are about doing precisely that.

How do you live the Word? Send me your comments or emails about it.

How many of us are in a bible study group at the moment?

Are we Christian or Christ-Followers? For me, there is a difference. A Christian just believes in Christ. A Christ-Follower is someone who believes in Christ, follows Him, and actively tries to live the Word. Which one are you?

Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

9/11

God be with the families and friends of the victims of 9/11. You're in my thoughts and prayers daily. God bless you.

Also, be with the military who has fought every day since at war in the Global War on Terror and their familes.

The sacrifices made on 9/11 and since have completely changed my life and I think I'm a much better person because of you. You've inspired me to live well so that your sacrifices aren't in vain. Thank you.

Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

The Renewal of Rain Part 2 by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

Please check out my blog called, "The Renewal of Rain" at: http://www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Then, proceed to read this one.

Rain offers us a symbol of renewal (restoration of life). Of cleansing. What in your life needs to be restored or renewed and what needs to be cleansed?

Christ is the only way we receive the true water of restoration. It's through Him we're freed and forgiven. He is the life.

What can Jesus help cleanse and restore in your life? Think on this today. It's freeing.

For me, I find that busyness tends to trap me. I get so busy that I forget to slow down. Therefore, I'm quite blessed by the rain today. I'm reminded to stop and take time. To be still and know that He is God. To pray. To draw near to Him.

Enjoy your day of rain--even if it's all in your mind. Enjoy the refreshment that only God can bring.

Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy &Publishing by Stacy

Bible Study

Has anyone been involved in a Bible study lately? What material did you use? Let me know. Drop me an email to:

stacyduplease@storiesbystacy.com

Thanks!

Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

Updates About Editing and Writing Projects of Stacy Duplease and Stories by Stacy

Vacation/Time Off

First of all, I'm going to be gone the week of 07 September-13 September 2009. I'll be back on Monday 14 September 2009. My mom's coming to visit and we're going to play and see the sights of Omaha, Nebraska.

Blogging
It looks like I'm a madwoman thinking I can do 8 blogs. Time is a very precious commodity and I enjoy spending time with my husband and getting writing done. (Call me silly.) We shall see. For now, my main blogs are:

http://www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com/

http://www.sacredstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

The sacred one is my Christian-based blog.

I'll blog about the other stuff: journaling, writing, mom stuff, marriage stuff, patriotic stuff, and spec lit stuff in both of the above. When I can, I'll add to the other blogs, but I need to be realistic. I don't want to kill myself or you.

Updates About Editing Projects
I am still editing "Cammi's Story" and "Demarcations" and will put them both on this blog when I am able to again. Then, once I am done editing, I'll publish them. My guess is two more months.

Updates About Writing Projects
Forget all the other stuff I've said I was working on the past. They all got moved to the backburner for now. I need my ideas to stew and simmer sometimes. (Okay, a lot of times.) These are my present projects:

"An Easy Faith: A 50-Day Study Guide" from the series: Putting God in the Every Day Series. It's a Bible study. Hence, is non-fiction.

My fiction project is: "The Best of Darci Thompson: Saying I Do to the Best Man." It's about a woman who gives up on men and decides to marry God and she blogs about it. I tell her tale.

Website
Also, don't forget to check out my new website at:

http://www.storiesbystacy.com/

By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

An Easy Faith: A 50-Day Study Guide by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

This is the first segment of my new book or Bible Study I'm writing. It's called:

An Easy Faith: A 50-Day Study Guide

It's book one of a new series called:

Putting God in the Every Day Series

It's about how in life we have the habit of overcomplicating our faith to the point that we kill it or make it unattainable. Therefore, it's essential we learn how to reframe our view of faith and live our faith in the every day throughout the day.

I will put my reflections from the study on this blog under this "label" so that people can turn to it as a resource. Also, please leave your comments, thoughts, questions, or kind suggestions as an attachment to the blog postings. Or, you can email me at my new email address:

stacyduplease@storiesbystacy.com

Have a good evening.

Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

Huge Favor from My Readers

So I can keep track of who's reading this blog, can you please send me a comment, sign up as a reader, or drop me an email? I would really appreciate it. If you have time, let me know what you like, what you think, and any suggestions. Thanks!


By Stacy Duplease


of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

The Christian Muse of Inspiration: Where Does it Come From? by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

What inspires you as a Christian, an artist, a writer, or anything else that defines you? What or who is your muse? Is it a person? An idea? A place? A book or movie?

What moves you or drives you is another way to ask the same question.

Is your muse or inspiration something that comes from one place or several? Is it a single source of inspiration or a multifaceted source?

As Christians, I think there is only one source of muse or inspiration we draw from (or should draw from). I think God is our Muse with a capital 'M" and is the one who gives us our thoughts and ideas (when we are in Him). We may hear His voice from several different areas though: people, places, ideas, books, movies, etc.

What do you think?

I'm going to be blogging on this topic this week.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Love Stories and Christianity

The greatest love story of all is how Christ died for us--willingly and to save us.

The greatest love story of all is how much God loves us. Ephesians 3: 16-19 gives us an idea, along with several other parts of the Bible.

How much does God loves us? Far more than we can comprehend.

Why don't we try to comprehend it today and bask in it?

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy & Publishing by Stacy

The Right Priorities, Spiritual Gifts, Planning, Ezekiel 16: Unfaithful, by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Please see today's blog posting at: http://www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com/ before you read this blog.

The Right Priorities and the Wrong Priorities
The definition of today's man or woman: Busy.
We are busy doing the things that don't really matter. Yet, we refuse to do the things that are right. Why is that? For instance: Do you spend one hour in the Word daily? And, do you pray and rejoice without ceasing all day and all night long? Or, try this one on for size: Do you always give thanks?
Yet, we'll get caught up on the computer, playing video games, looking at porn, dreaming about what life should be, think that busyness gives us value or self-worth.
Why is it our priorities are so fouled up and why is it we continue to feed them even though they are the wrong priorities?
If our priorities aren't based on Kingdom-thinking, or on heaven, then we're focused on the things that don't last. We are going against what God has in mind for us.
How do you know your priorities? What should matter to you? These are a couple of questions that might be in your mind right now.
What are priorities? A priority must take precedence and come first in your life. Nothing else should ever come in the way of it. Never, ever. Our priorities must be first our spiritual gifts and what God has called us to do. It can be the things you do in order to bring about a dream. It can be your life goals. It can be the daily necessities: work, eating, sleeping, cleaning, etc. A priority is that which is important to you.
If your priorities line up with the Word and what God wants from you, then you're focusing on the wrong priorities. Delete them from your life. Eliminate them.

Spiritual Gifts:
What are spiritual gifts? Read 1 Corinthians 12.

Planning:
Part of the Sin of Busyness means that our priorities are out of line. Part of busyness, wrong priorities, and a stressed-out life stems from either the lack of planning or poor planning. Make your life easier by planning and making sure you live out your priorities through proper previous planning. Don't plan as you go. Don't neglect your planner even one day. It will mean your priorities slip.

Purging the Things That Don't Matter:
Get rid of the things in your life that don't matter. Do it today. Focus mainly on the things of eternal consequence. Be single -minded in this area. God matters. The Word matters. When we die, none of us will say that we wish we had more on our plate, a busier schedule, or focused on the things that weren't a priority in our lives. So, stop living that way now.

Learn How to Say No
If asked to do something, you don't have to do it because you're Christian and that's what Christians do. In fact, it's usually wrong when we don't say no. When we say that we'll do something that is not a priority and is not a spiritual gift, we're getting in the way of someone else who's gift it is to do that activity. Just say no. An explanation is never owed. Just say no--unless it's your priority. It will free up your schedule and decrease your stress.

Ezekiel 16: Unfaithful
I'm working on writing a Bible study based on this topic and out unfaithfulness to God.

How are you? What's new? What's on your mind? Let me know.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

The Problem of Inaction in Our Walk with Christ, News, Vacation by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Check out my blog on this subject first at: http://www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com. Then, read this blog, please.

Inaction: What is it?
Inaction is not moving. It's being still. It's complacency.

Stillness for God:
We are to be still for God. We need to keep our sabbath and quiet our minds and hearts. But, nowhere in the Bible are we told to stop progress in faith or in our relationship with Him. Yes, we are to be still for Him--when we've been too busy (in heart, mind, and/or body). We are to listen to Him. This is a must.

What Inaction?
What inaction am I referring to, then? Inaction. Not moving. Not being active in faith. Not keeping mind in Christ. Not running for the faith. Not growing in faith. I'm talking about being stagnate in faith. Lukewarm or cold.

If we are inactive in our faith, our faith is dead.

We are to actively try to follow Him.

We are to keep our minds and hearts focused on Him--even in the midst of doing other things. We must forever remain alert to Him and His call.

We need to be aware of where we are, how we are, and aware of Him and His instruction.

Our lives in Him are at stake.

We can live a warm, rich, nourishing life with Him or we can be inactive, dead in faith, and not live for Him. When we don't live for Him, our lives take on a downward turn. I don't know about you, but life is tough enough without relying on Him and being active in Him. I don't know how I could get by without Him.

How are you in your faith? Are you moving too fast or too slow? Find balance in Him--and listen. He'll tell you what's up.

News:
I'm working on writing a study on 1 Corinthians. Stay tuned.

I'm also debating on doing a couple of Christian living books.

Vacation:
My Dad is coming to town tonight. I'll be back next Monday.

God bless.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

The Christian Perspective and Living for Heaven Today by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Before reading this blog, check out my blog at: http://www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com titled, "Perspective." Then, come to this post, please. If you don't have time, that's fine. Read on.

Life is about perspective, isn't it? If you have the right wrong, your life is greatly enriched by it. If not, then you will undoubtedly run into problems. Furthermore, perspective can impact us for the rest of our lives. It makes all the difference.

What is perspective?
It's our outlook or point-of-view. In many ways, it's what we think. However, there is far more to it than that. Our perspective makes us who we are as individuals and our perspective shapes the way we live.

A Christian perspective:
I think the sum of a Christian life can be found in this perspective:

Live for heaven today.

Or in this question:

How are you living for heaven today?

Or in this one:

What you are doing today impacts your eternity.

Living for heaven today
If we were to live every day, every second, every week, ever month, every year with this perspective, our lives would be drastically different.

This is a reality check for us.

We cannot call ourselves Christians and not keep this in mind and intentionally live this out day in and day out until we are called home.

Are you living for heaven today?

What does it mean to you to live for heaven today?

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Nearer My God to Thee, Moving Away From God, Seeking Him First and Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Ever feel far away from God? Like you've moved?

Is it just me or do you not realize it until later and then you wonder how you could have been so foolish to allow it to happen yet again? I always think I would have learned the lesson the last time I made the same mistake. However, it never seems to take hold. Ugh. When will it?

What Draws Us From God?
My biggest problem is busyness. I get busy. Time tends to fly when I'm busy; therefore, I lose track of time and focus. I lose sight of what's important and forget to be intentional about my faith. The funny thing is that the very things that keep me so busy would be even better, and more blessed, if I invested time in my Lord first and foremost.

How is it Feasible to Put God First?
How can it even be done to begin with in our age of busyness? Is it even feasible or realistic?

Seeking God first and above all simply means intentionality of focusing on Him.

Is it doable? Of course it is. We can talk, work, drive, and do anything else and keep our mind on Him at the exact same time. We just need to do it.

When we fail, we need to not beat one's self up about it, but refocus on doing it again.

Draw near to God. Be near to Him. There's too much at stake not to do so.

I'm going to start again. How about you?

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Greetings from Stories by Stacy

Hello! It's been a while. Sorry to not be here yesterday and add a posting to this blog. However, I'm here now.

I am mostly settled in my new home in Omaha. It's been fun (not sarcastically speaking, but I'm serious) setting up a new home and combining two households in one. This is the first time my husband and I've been under the same roof. Therefore, it's quite nice. I not only love my husband, but I like him. So, it's been a while in coming but here we are.

Omaha is a great deal better than I anticipated and I had positive thoughts about the place beforehand. It's pretty, green, and hilly. I love the people, the community in which I live, and so on. It's a slower pace than Denver and I definitely love that facet. It's also nice to be near more Christians and patriots. Everyone is friendly and when you let a driver over in front of you, they actually wave and say thank you.

It took us a month to get some of our furniture (and we're still waiting on the last round to come in on Friday). But, the wait was worthwhile. The house is a sacred place and quite peaceful. It's a retreat and that matters more to me than anything else.

We got a kitten named Sinan (pronouced See-naw-n) on Sunday and have been enjoying him very much. He's a huge ham. He has no fear. He's vocal, follows us around, and comes when called. He's a lover and purrs loudly. It looks like I've got a good helper.

I really have not had time to miss Denver yet and I think that's a good thing.

My dad is coming out to visit next week, so I'll be a little out of the loop again. Sorry about that.

It looks like I have four books I'm working on at the moment, as far as writing goes:
1. A book on 1 Corinthians. It's a bible study, devotional, reference, journaling type of book. It's meant to be done individually or in a group. Non-fiction.
2. A book on journaling. I actually call it journalblogging. It's a combination of journaling and blogging where you get thoughts out on paper or in a blog. It forces us to realize that we miss most of life every day because of busyness. We need to slow down and try to process what we experience, think, feel, be intentional about living, plan and seek our goals every day or we miss life. We forget what's important. Non-fiction. It can be done individually or in a group.
3. Zeagar. Fiction. Sci-fi.
4. A book about if walls could talk. It's set in the future and is going to be an epic love story about a construction worker who helped built the arch in St. Louis. The construction worker is purely fiction, but I want to do a series about 'Building America,' and how everyone has a story and these stories build America as well as the hands that build the landmarks. Fiction.

Also, I need to edit and get ready for publication:
1. Cammi's Story
2. Demarcations

How are you? What's new with you? Let me know.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

I'm Back

Greetings from Omaha.

I'm back and will start to blog again tomorrow afternoon. Thank you for your patience.

By the way, I have a new kitten. He's an orange tabby, named Sinan (pronounced: See-naw-n). Sinan is a good lion name. He acts like a lion and looks like one in a way. Sinan means spearhead. So, get ready for tales of the adventurous one.

How are you? What's new with you? Drop me a line and let me know.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Welcome!

Welcome Liberty Speidel!

Check out her blog at: http://libertywordwanderings.blogspot.com/

See You in August

I will try to write some blog postings whenever I am able. However, plan on me taking a hiatus until August. Then, look out! I will blog daily once again.

I'm moving at the beginning of July and will take a while to set up my house. Then, I'm going to join some time off with my best friend and hubby before our lives get quite busy. Moving from Denver and going to Omaha.

I hope all is well with you.

Take care.

Stacy Duplease

Opened Eyes to God's Love, Grace, and Work by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

God extends His love and grace to us when we least expect it and in ways we could never expect. How often do we miss realizing it because we aren't watching out for it? How often do we miss seeing it because we don't feel worthy? How often are we too busy? Too tired? Too--whatever?

God is always with us.

His always present, always at work in us, around us, through us, and in spite of us.

He is in control.

He is handling this day and this situation for us.

All we need to do is open up to Him and welcome Him to our lives this day. Every day. It opens us to Him and makes us aware of how He's there.

Be prepared every day to see His love, grace, and work. We just need to open our eyes, hearts, and minds to seeing it and being aware of it.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

"Love Ya" Award

Here I am in the process of packing and moving and feel heaveyhearted, yet excited about the prospect. Now, imagine my surprise when I received the notification of being given an award.

What? That was my first question. So, I checked it out and recognized it was real and not a product of my imagination. Hence, I am swept away, humbled, and amazed. I wipe the tears from my face as I realize I was given an award by K.M. Weiland of http://wordplay-kmweiland.blogspot.com/.

Anyone who reads this blog, check her blog out and the other blogs she acknowledges. They're amazing.

Rules of this award are:
The “Love Ya” Award states: These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to other bloggers who must choose to pass it on and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award!

Thank you, K.M. Weiland! You have no idea how much it means. Blessings to you.

I will pass this on to the blogs that have touched my life.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Welcome!

Welcome K.M. Weiland to this blog.

Sorry to be so heavy today. I was wound up and going after it.

I hope you will be blessed by my rantings and thoughts.

Stacy

Watered Down Faith in an Age of Politically Correctness by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

Why?
Why are we afraid to stand firm and be who we are?

Why do we water down our faith, the message, out tweets, our blogs, our lives?

Why do we keep our thoughts of God to ourselves?

There are many reasons. We don't want to beat anyone over the head with a Bible. We don't want to force feed them. We don't want to turn people off the moment they hear we have faith.

Today is a sue-happy world.

Every day, our rights as Christians are being removed. We can no longer pray in public, say the word, "God," or anything else like that. (Yet, terrorists are given more rights than we are as Christians in the USA.)

Our world is so full of political correctness that we offend everyone at all times regardless of what we say or do. Let's be realistic.

Nowhere in the Bible are we told to water down our faith against the masses. Lord knows Jesus Christ never did.

So, we are the first to claim we're not ashamed of the gospel.

Yet, we lie.

We are very ashamed of the gospel.

If we weren't, we would be living far different lives than we do now.

However, I think that laziness, busyness, denial, and self-focus all keep us from standing for what is right and what is true.

Are we saying one thing and living another? Or, are we not saying anything at all?

Are we truly living like Christ, or is it just lip-service. I guarantee most of what we do today would need an accounting to the Lord. Or, maybe I should say most of what we do and don't do.

Take a stand. Live for Christ. You'll offend everyone. But, who cares?! We're to live for Christ. I'm not saying to force your beliefs on another. No! That does not serve anyone well. But, it's okay to pray and read the Bible in public. If you get arrested or lose your job, it's for Christ and He'll provide a way out or will help you through it. Am I saying to intentionally get arrested? No. Not at all. But, I say it to make a point.

Jesus made waves. He didn't live quietly. He was never ashamed of the gospel. He lives for God and not for this world.

My main point is that. Stop living for the world. Live for Christ. Be active in that stance. It's okay to be a follower of Christ. Live it. Change your life. Stop being ashamed.

This message is just as much for me as it is for you. I am probably more guilty at times for saying I am not ashamed and then living like I am.

I live for Jesus. Not for this world. My chant for today... and tomorrow.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Ever Feel Stuck? By Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

Do you ever feel stuck in your faith or in life? Like everything you do takes great work? Like you're lukewarm at best?

What can you do to get out of it?

Is it up to you alone to get out of the feeling of being stuck? Or, is God the one who can help you?

We are not supposed to be lukewarm. We are to be on fire for life, in our faith, and in our relationship with God. However, realistically, how often do we really feel this way?

What Causes Us to Feel Stuck?

We turn to other things other than God and put our faith in other areas than in Him. Our lives are full of false idols, sin, and rebellion. We would rather turn to self than to God. We would rather turn to money, possessions, and things, other than God. We forget what matters. We are deceived.

Why do we choose busyness over what matters? What matters is God, our faith, and the Word. To try to say anything else matters is deception. We validate our behavior. We think that busyness is next to, or a kin of, godliness. Again, this is a lie. Busyness is an idol. It turns us from Him.

Why are we stuck? We focus on anything or anyone more than God.

How can we get right spiritually? Turn to God. Turn to the Word and prayer. Seek Him first.

Seek Him First

How often do we turn to Him first?

I think we could spend every moment for the rest of our lives in learning what this means.

How do we get unstuck? We seek Him first and above all else. When we do this, our lives have meaning and we are connected to Him and the sacred. Seek Him first. Start this moment and continue it in the next.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Followers, Comments, and Emails

If you read this blog, please:
* Sign yourself up as a follower (in the margin of this page, it gives you the opportunity. Use a fake name and a fake picture if you desire privacy.).
* Add comments at the end of each blog posting. I want all of my blogs to be interactive rather than just have me flapping my trap.
* Send me email comments if you desire to: storiesbystacy@gmail.com

Thank you! My bloggings are not supposed to be about me, but about life in general and about you.

Stacy Duplease

Word Stories by Stacy #2: Thoughts on Genesis 1:2 by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

Genesis 1:2 Thoughts:
1) The earth was formless and empty...
Formless means a lack of form. Lack of shape.
Empty means: a voice or an empty waste. Nothingness.
Out of Context (OOC): Do you feel formless, empty, or a void? Why? What can you do to feel full or complete?

2) ...A darkness covered up the face or surface of the deep waters...
OOC: Where in my life do I feel as though a darkness is covering me?
How do I feel underwater or drowning?
What can be done to fix it?

3) ...The Spirit of God hovered upon the face or surface of the waters...
God moved, brooded, and hovered.
Questions regarding the text I need to research: How could the earth be without form and yet be covered with water?
OOC: Even though we're in the middle of darkness, God is there. We're not alone.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

Word Stories by Stacy #1: Thoughts on Genesis 1:1 by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

Premise of Word Stories by Stacy:
Here is a meditative look to the Scripture. It's not meant to be a theological study. It's just my thoughts on what I read. Wanted to share it with you.

Word Stories by Stacy:
Genesis 1:1

A) In the beginning...
There was a beginning.
There was a beginning of everything.
Everything didn't exist, including time, until God started it.
God initiates everything.
Time didn't exist if there was a beginning.

B) ...God created...
What's created?
To create means to bring into being, to fashion, to make, to event, and to prepare.
As I reflect on God as Creator, I have several thoughts.
1. If you create something, you put yourself into it and do so wholeheartedly. You don't, or shouldn't, fail to give it your all and nothing less.
2. To create something, you have to care about it and want it.
3. When you create something, it's to bring improvement to the world.
4. Creating means adding to the world (another part of you).

C) ...the heavens and the earth...
God took an active role.
Heavens= sky and universe

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy, LLC and Publishing by Stacy, LLC

Purpose of This Blog: Sacred Thoughts, A Call to Stand, To Create Waves, & Meditating on the Word by Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy

The Purpose of This Blog
The purpose of this blog is mostly five-fold:
1) To share sacred thoughts
2) A call to take a stand
3) To create waves
4) Stacy's Meditating on the Word
5) To talk about our struggles and faith wrestlings.

To Share Sacred Thoughts:
There is so much more to life than this. There's meaning in our lives, if we seek it out and try to live by it. We have purpose, in other words. But, who gives us purpose? What is our purpose? What gives us meaning?

A Call to Take a Stand
We need to stop being lazy in our faith. We need to be active in faith and never passive. But, in our times of busyness or through our hard times, it's much easier said than done. We need to stand for Christ, unite in Christ, and not be so quiet in our faith--internally and externally. We're called to be rebels in Christ and to go against the worldview, after all.

To Create Waves
Again, the rebel in Jesus theme. If we are truly followers of Jesus, we would stop following the world, and being politically incorrect, and would stop trying to bow down to every religion and anti-religion under the sun. They're sure not doing it with us. We need to not be afraid of saying we're Christian, or acting like a Christian, even if it gets us in trouble--as long as we follow the Bible and never force our beliefs down someone's throat. It's okay to be who you are--a Christian.

Stacy's Meditating on the Word: Word Stories by Stacy
I will read the Bible from cover to cover repeatedly and share my thoughts with you. I am NOT a theologian. I'm seeking merely to meditate on the Word and share my thoughts on what I think God is saying to me about the verses.

Faith Struggles and Faith Wrestlings
We all struggle in the faith and wrestle in the faith. I'll share my thoughts with you.

Stacy Duplease of Stories by Stacy and Publishing by Stacy

Words to Live By: Luke 9:23

Luke 9:23: "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me."

I'll talk more about this verse on Monday.

What are you thoughts?

Happy weekend!

Stacy Duplease

Blog Queen (Or Blog Nut, depending on how you look at it.)

I am now finished adding blogs. I hope not to add any more because this is more than a full-time job keeping up with each of these. I want to touch on the topics most important to me, though, and help people to see life from a fresh perspective--and let people know they aren't the only one who... (You fill in the blank.)

Please check out whatever blog tickles your fancy.

My main blog is and will always be:

www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com/

My daily blogs are:
www.storiesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.speclitstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday Blogs:
www.sacredstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.writingstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Mondays and Wednesdays Blog:
www.momstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

Tuesdays and Thursdays Blogs:
www.journalstoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.marriagestoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/
www.usastoriesbystacy.blogspot.com/

From the Crazy Writer and Blogger,
Stacy Duplease

Prayer Works

As a Christian, perhaps the easiest facet of faith we can give active attention to at any and all times is prayer. We can pray even while chatting with someone else, while driving, while showering, while eating, and any other stolen moment we can find. How easy and wonderful is that?


Prayer is the way we connect with God. It's how we converse with Him and establish a close knit relationship with Him. Prayer is the very thing that can make our break our closeness and focus on God. If we're praying constantly, we're generally closer to Him. If we're not, we're typically drifting from Him. The one thing to remember is when we realize that we aren't focusing on Him as we should, start to pray. don't beat yourself up. Don't be too terrified to return to your prayer life. Just start praying again. It's really that simple.

Why Pray?
Not only does it bring us closer to God, and put things into perspective for us, but it changes things. Prayer works.

Prayer helps with everything: marriage issues, health, refreshment, dealing with hard times, contentment, career, relationships, etc. There isn't a single thing that prayer does not help.

I've made a new commitment to be a prayer warrior after I was reminded by how much prayer really does change thing through some life experiences in my life and in others' lives. I want to be praying without ceasing again and have the ultimate bond with Jesus I can have. I don't want to be lukewarm in my faith. I don't want to miss the mark. I want to be a woman after His own heart.

How about you?

Blog
I will update this blog on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Stacy Duplease

Upcoming Blog

This is an upcoming blog of the Stories by Stacy line. It will be about the sacred things of life: God, the Word, and prayer.