Abiding

Journaling is how I abide in the Lord and in his Word..

Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper & Author

* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

Confession and Running To: My Personal Journaling

I have a confession. I need to run to today (not runaway from). I need to run as fast as I can to my Lord who can bring me comfort and tell me that everything is going to be okay. I need to rejuvenate in him and seek some healing.

I have a million things that need to come first. My to do list is long as can be. But, it will wait.

However, there are times when we have to deal with something head on--or it will deal with us. I think the time is now for me. I need to acknowledge some feelings and thoughts that I try to push down. You know... Act strong. 

I trust God and his timing. He knows best. He sees things through divine eyes and I only see through my small, scarred, limited, sinful, and human eyes. 

But, that doesn't mean that sometimes I don't feel beaten. That doesn't mean I don't feel low and yucky. That doesn't mean I have a lack of faith. It's just that after four+ years, it can be difficult to wait... To be patient... To not know when my prayers will be answered.

And, have you noticed that when other people's same prayers are answered, and yours hasn't been... It can hurt? And, you feel guilty for feeling that way? That's where I am at today.

The truth is in four years, I haven't cried once about this. I've remained strong. I've held to my faith. I've trusted. I have tried to do everything I can to push through, to keep moving forward, to not feel sorry for myself, and to know that God has bigger, better, perfect plans. 

He promised me this prayer will be a yes answer. But, it's in his timing, not mine. I know he is preparing me and my husband for this. I know he is preparing everyone else for it, too. 

But, sometimes, it's hard to remain forever strong and faithful.

Sometimes, I just want a hug by God. A reminder he hasn't forgotten. A reminder that it just isn't time yet--that it will happen--and he is proud of the race I've run so far. 

It hurts.

So, today, I am going to take some time and not be so strong and sort through everything I've dealt with for over four years. It's time. 

I am running to--deal with it. Not runaway from and avoid having to do so. 

I am running to God and want to see if he has anything to say. I sure could use a word from him. That is for sure. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper 

Unite Us, O Lord

We tend to focus so much on our differences that there is friction.

We tend to focus so much on self we forget about everyone else.

We tend to get so busy that we tend to lose focus.

May we remember that we all have one thing in common. We all have souls. We all have a Savior who died for us so that we can have everlasting life. One day, there won't be division. One day, there will be no more tears, loneliness, cancer, regret, sadness, despair, worry, and so on.

Let us unite. We are all souls. We all have one Savior. He's Jesus Christ.

Spread the Good News, the Gospel. Christmas is an opportune time to do so.

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

What Have You Done This Year? How Have You Been?

My last blog post was about remembering what the Lord and you have done for Jesus over the last year. This blog is about what you have done for, and how you have been with, Jesus this year.

This is another Christmas tradition I have. It's analysis of the past year (and all my Christian life), review, and of my faith.

Before I continue, let me stress that it's far more important to be with the Lord. It's having your mind and heart focused on him--than to do any action for him. That's what matters most and above all. After all, we can do all sorts of what we would call godly acts, and never have our hearts and minds focused on him. They are rote acts for a checklist. 

Or, we can be focused on the Lord and his Word all the time. That's the being component of our faith and is what matters above all else. After all, we have to work for a living--in order to have shelter and food. So, while we work, we can be focused on the Lord and his Word. That goes for all the things we have to do: housecleaning, showering, driving, exercise, etc. We can be with him while we do other things. 

That's not to say acts of faith aren't important. They are necessary. The book of James reminds us of this. However, as we do those acts, our minds and hearts must be on him do they are not just for a check-mark to sign off on our to do list. 

So, that being said, it's important to reflect upon, and analyze, the past year of our walk with the Lord and the Word of God. This is where prayer journaling comes in to the equation. If you just answer these questions in your mind, you won't remember in 6 months, let alone in a month, what was said between you and God. 

PRAYER JOURNALING

A What did I do that worked well over the last year?

B What didn't work well?
C What all did I do to bring God glory this year?

D How close did I come to praying without ceasing?

E How close did I come to praying the Word, and meditating on it, morning, noon and night?

F How much time did my calendar literally reflect I spent with my Lord and his Word?

Now, answer questions A-F about the last two years, three years, five years, and every 5 years thereafter.

(Photo is from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful Writer
USAGC 2026

5 Days Until Christmas: Remember

It's the countdown for Christmas (as you are more than aware).

What are the things you are grateful for this year that the Lord has done in your life? 

I use Christmas as a time, not for gifts, but for remembrance. Therefore, my countdown for Christmas is generally spent trying to draw ever closer to the Lord. I try to remember everything the Lord and I went through the previous year. That's the tradition I hang my stocking on and cherish most. 

Then, the week before New Years is a week of preparation and planning for the next year. 

What have you and God experienced this year as a team? 

What has he done in your life? What about in the lives of your loved ones? 

That's the meaning of Christmas.

(Photo is from: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/)

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Email: usagc2026@gmail.com
Blog for USAGC 2026: http://usagc2026.blogspot.com
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Prayer Blazers

Starting with my Tim Tebow blog post from yesterday, I am going to have a section in this blog called, "PRAYER BLAZERS." They are not meant to do anything, but increase awareness and blaze our hearts and minds in prayer.

I grow weary of Christians burying their heads in the sand, pulling their covers over their head, and living in a world of intentional ignorance and denial. That also goes against what Jesus would have us do. Jesus confronted the culture of his day (not the people, but the cultural beliefs). He asked his disciples to do the same. Acts and Romans talks about this as well. The cultural beliefs encouraged Jesus and his disciples to bring about the Great Commission. Disciples were made. Prayers were desperate for the souls of the people of the culture. 

Prayer Blazers are NEVER meant to cut people down or criticize them. They are just meant to ignite us in prayer for the beliefs, hearts, and minds of people--to soften them to the gospel and accept Jesus Christ as Lord. 

Check out this prayer blazer:

http://www.amazon.com/God-is-not-Great-ebook/dp/B0064M9WHK/ref=zg_bs_158296011_16

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful Writer
USAGC 2026

The Reality of USAGC 2026 being fulfilled

We will not know on paper if this will be the case. The statistics cannot confirm if everyone is really a Christian. However, if the statistics who claim they are Christian in the year 2026 is 100%, that's 22% more than those who do now on 16 December 2011 (looking at 2007 and 2009 statistics--see last blog post).

The other reality is we might not know for 5 to 10 years after 2026 if this happens. Hence, it will be a continual prayer even then. Just because the Great Commission is fulfilled at that point in time, it doesn't mean that babies weren't born. So, this will be a constant lifelong prayer.

The prayer campaign if USAGC 2026 is that it will be 100% real, not just in name Christians, in or by 31 December 2026, and fulfilling the Great Commission in the USA. Then, we will continue to pray after that.

The reality is that the Great Commission, once fulfilled, will need to be fulfilled every day afterward as babies are born and children mature to the age of accountability. 

So, what am I saying? I am praying for 2026 and the Great Commission being brought to pass in the United States. Then, after that, the prayers will be continued.

I am praying specifically for the USA, but also for the world as well in a more general fashion. Of course I want nothing more than this to be fulfilled in the world. 

This is a lifelong prayer. 

Want to join me in this USAGC 2026 Prayer Campaign? If you do, send me an email to: aloyalfaith@gmail.com or add a comment to any of these blog posts.

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful Writer
USAGC 2026

Mediocrity

I do not want to live a lukewarm, mediocre, just enough, good enough, so-so life of faith.

I am tired of just getting by.

What would have happened if Jesus was ever, or ever did, any of these things? 

Where in the Bible does it say that this is acceptable.

That is why I am praying with a new conviction for USAGC 2026. Lives and souls are at stake. I do not want anyone to go to hell because I failed to do what God required of me. I do not want to look him in the eye and answer to that one day. 

I want everyone to learn about the new and free everlasting life they can find in the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Word of God.

Stacy Duplease
Prayer Warrior and Faithful WriterUSAGC 2026

Are you double-minded?

Grab your journal and let's look at some tough stuff. I need to warn you. We might be uncomfortable for a bit. But, it should lead us to action.

223 QTP (Question to ponder) Are you double-minded? (Do not read ahead! It's important. Great. Now I put that thought in your mind. I hope you won't act on it. I am praying for your self-control!  Hee-hee.)

224 Define what it means. (Again, no peeking.)

What is being/acting double-minded. It's having two different loyalties. In the Christian realm, it's keeping your foot in the world while trying to follow Christ. It's being part of the world and falling for all of its traps--while we try to honor and please God. 

Whenever we do this, we trip and stumble. We sin. We fall flat on our faces. So, double-mindedness never ends well.

Here's a hint. Whenever we are double-minded, we are not being loyal to our faith. Most importantly, we are not being loyal to God or hsi Word. We are going against his wishes and what he commands. No, it is not a request. He wants all of us. Period. End of story. He is a jealous God and will have no less and deserves no less. 

Yet, isn't that what we give him? We tend to give him the scraps of our lives and not the big fat morsels. 

225 What are your thoughts now? 

226 Re-answer this question. Are you double-minded? 227 How are you?

227 What has God just said to you about this?

228 What have you said to God?

229 What three things or so can you do to make sure you have single-point precision focus on God and his Word alone while you continue with your life and work and raise kids (or go to school, whatever the case may be)?

A

B

C

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

How to just be, and not act, with the Lord

It is just as important to be with God than to take action. Actually, it's probably more important.

Just be.

What does this mean? 

It is turning your heart and mind to him, but not doing anything more than that. As a matter of fact, this is how you pray without ceasing. 

You are just being with God when he is constantly in your awareness. The trick is to figure out how to put him more on your mind and heart minute by minute, day by day, month by month. 

Is there another example of what this means? You know you are comfortable with someone when you can sit in silence together and you you do not have to fill in the silence with noise. That is being with the Lord. 

Being with God is resting in him. 

It's hanging out with him non-stop. 

It's being focused on God and his Word.

Please grab your journal workbooks at this time.

219 How have you been with God today (Whether you realized it or not)? 220 This week? 221 This month?

222 How can you just be with God more? List five ways or so on how you can be with the Lord more each and every day.

A

B

C

D

E

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith

A blessing list: A template

214 List 10 blessings of your life in your journal along with the reason you count them as blessings.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

215 Take each of those and write why you thank the Lord for those blessings and how they have shaped your life. 

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

Wait a few minutes and then repeat 214 and 215. Make sure to include new blessings--or ones you've listed before. (In other words, do not repeat blessings.)

Wait a week and repeat 214 and 215.. 

RECOMMENDED: I recommend doing this once a week ideally. But, one every two weeks or once a month is another option. 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith

Short clips and adages

Today and yesterday, I started to add short clips and adages in order to get our attention about a topic. It's meant to get us to think.

SUGGESTION: You might want to spend time journaling about them. They provide more ways for you to grow more loyal in your faith. 

It does not matter if you do them today or tomorrow, or a month from now. They might be all you can do in a day, or they might be just the right length to add a little more time when you crave more time with God and you already did a lesson or two from this Bible study blog.

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Lonely?

Do you ever feel lonely?

When you do, have you tried to add a great deal more alone time with God and his Word in your life? You most likely are craving time with him.

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith

Some Alone Time

I do not know about you. But, I crave alone time with my spouse. It is quality time that seals the bond between us. I cherish it deeply.

Of course I feel this way. The relationship between husband and wife mirrors our relationship with God.

Do you feel stir-crazy? Blah? Like something is missing in your life? Like something just isn't right? 

Well, there is your answer. You are craving alone time with God.

Take some. Nourish your heart, mind, body, and spirit.

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal FaithFind my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Complacency

Are you complacent in your faith?

Neutral? Not moving? Not growing? So-so? 

Grab your journal workbooks and write your thoughts. Then, answer the following question.

213 What three things can you do today to ensure your faith isn't mediocre, complacent, neutral, and not growing. 

A

B

C

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith

Are you settling?

Are you settling with your faith?

Are you settling for a mediocre, at best, faith?

Journal your thoughts. Does this apply to you?

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Have you thought how your faith impacts other lives?

Have you thought how your faith, and your lack of it at times, impacts the lives of others?

When our faith is low, we are less obedient to the Lord, and are acting more distant with him. As a matter of fact, we are more likely to be engaged in sin. 

So, if we do not lay the seed of faith in everyone around us, their faith will not be as strong either. After all, everywhere we go, we leave seeds. We leave healthy seed of the fruitfulness of faith, or we leave seeds of weeds that can take over everything around them. 

Do you hear the responsibility we have in our faith? We need to grow so we do not keep others from having as fruitful and faithful lives--as well as all of the other reasons.

Grab your journal workbooks, please.

205 Write your thoughts about what you just read. 

206 Have you thought of how your faith and your lack of faith impacts the lives of others this month? 207 This week? 208 today?

209 What did God say to you after reading this blog post?

210 What did you say to God after reading this? 

211 How faithful do you want to be now?

212 How will you live differently, starting today, because of this. List three ways you will start to apply this to your life:

A

B

C

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

Remember the Simplicity of Your Faith ~ The Basics of Faith ~ John 3:16

REMEMBER THE SIMPLICITY OF YOUR FAITH

Faith in Jesus Christ is not supposed to be complicated. You either believe--or you do not. 

Hence, you are either going to heaven or to hell. Either you will spend eternity with the Father or absent from him. Either you have a new self or are the same old self. Regardless, you are a sinner and you do wrong things, think wrong things, and feel wrong feelings at times. 

That's it. It is that simple.

Please grab your journal workbooks at this time and answer this question--again, please. 

195 QTP (Question to Ponder) Are you a Christian? Do you believe?

196 QTP What does it mean to believe? 

Please grab your Bibles at this time. At least three versions are suggested with one being The Amplified Bible (AMP). We are going to take a look at John 3:16. 

197 What do you learn in John 3:16 from your first version of the Bible?

198 What do you learn in John 3:16 from your second version of the Bible?

199 What do you learn in John 3:16 from your third version of the Bible?

200 What does John 3:16 mean to you?

201 Answer QTP 195 one more time, but with this new information.

202 Answer QTP 196 one more time, but with this new information.

203 What does this mean for your life?

204 How can you apply John 3:16 to your life today? 

HOW DO YOU BECOME A CHRISTIAN?

It is simply through believing what is said in John 3:16. 

Remember the Simplicity of Your Faith ~ The Basics of Faith ~ John 3:16

REMEMBER THE SIMPLICITY OF YOUR FAITH

Faith in Jesus Christ is not supposed to be complicated. You either believe--or you do not. 

Hence, you are either going to heaven or to hell. Either you will spend eternity with the Father or absent from him. Either you have a new self or are the same old self. Regardless, you are a sinner and you do wrong things, think wrong things, and feel wrong feelings at times. 

That's it. It is that simple.

Please grab your journal workbooks at this time and answer this question--again, please. 

195 QTP (Question to Ponder) Are you a Christian? Do you believe?

196 QTP What does it mean to believe? 

Please grab your Bibles at this time. At least three versions are suggested with one being The Amplified Bible (AMP). We are going to take a look at John 3:16. 

197 What do you learn in John 3:16 from your first version of the Bible?

198 What do you learn in John 3:16 from your second version of the Bible?

199 What do you learn in John 3:16 from your third version of the Bible?

200 What does John 3:16 mean to you?

201 Answer QTP 195 one more time, but with this new information.

202 Answer QTP 196 one more time, but with this new information.

203 What does this mean for your life?

204 How can you apply John 3:16 to your life today? 

HOW DO YOU BECOME A CHRISTIAN?

It is simply through believing what is said in John 3:16. 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction 

A Bible study without application is pointless

How many Bible studies have you done where it's a fill in the blank or ask a specific question about the text--where if you read it, you learned all of that?

Most Bible studies are like that.

I have a question for you. Have they produced a permanent change in your thinking or behavior that you can trace back to that study? What about many instances of this? 

Let's face it. The Word is meant to be known and to be lived. If we don't, we aren't getting out of it what we should and we miss the entire point. 

The Word is meant to be lived. We are to apply it to our lives and we should see changes in our feelings, thoughts, behaviors/actions, and choices. If we do not, we missed the point. 

It makes me sad how most Bible studies out there do not talk about application. And those that do give general examples. But, what about you and your life? What does the verse or passage mean to you? That is what is most important. Otherwise, you waste your time and miss the point. 

That is why this Bible study is set up the way it is. It is to help facilitate this in your life.

When you write the applications down, you can remember you wanted to work on that. And you can review and analyze your progress later. Through writing it down, you will start to see more and more concretely about how God is working in your life, around your life, and through your life. 

Be careful with the Bible studies you do outside of this study. If they don't offer you these things, you might want to avoid them--or supplement them by doing this on your own. Do not let the Word be null, void, and pointless in your life. Let it create a change in your life where you develop a greater intimacy with the Lord. 

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction