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Welcome Liberty Speidel!
Check out her blog at: http://libertywordwanderings.blogspot.com/
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Friday, June 26, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
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
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
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
Thursday, June 18, 2009
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
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
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
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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
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
Thursday, June 11, 2009
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
* 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
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
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
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
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
Monday, June 8, 2009
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
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
Friday, June 5, 2009
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
I'll talk more about this verse on Monday.
What are you thoughts?
Happy weekend!
Stacy Duplease
Thursday, June 4, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
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
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
Monday, June 1, 2009
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.
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