The GOOD News!

(c) Staci Stallings, Feb. 26, 2007

I finally get it. Okay, it took me a while, but I finally understand why the Gospel is called "The Good News." This morning my church burned to the ground. Thankfully, the adjacent building was saved because of the awesome fire department, but the sanctuary is a total loss. At approximately 5:30 this morning the roof caved in, and everything that wasn't already destroyed by the fire was demolished. Interestingly as I sat and watched the building I have grown to so love burn to the ground, I couldn't help but be so grateful for The GOOD News I have learned there, and The GOOD News is this...

This is Friday, pure and simple. Friday was full of anguish and mourning as Christ carried that cross up the hill and was nailed there for all to see. It wouldn't have been good news if that had been the end. If that had been the end, suffering and mourning like today would have been all we could have done. That would have been anything but good news. Ah! But that wasn't the end, and thus it is truly The GOOD News! Because of the gift given us by our Gracious and Loving God, we know... we KNOW that even in the depths of the pain of Friday... Sunday's coming. Sunday, the Resurrection, Christ glorified is coming! And so even in the midst of sorrow for the old, even in the midst of the pain of saying good-bye to what was, we know that what is coming is infinitely better than we ever could have imagined! Now, let me tell you, on a day like today, THAT is GOOD News!

So, if you are suffering through a Friday in your life. If yet another bill has found its way into your mailbox, if yet again you haven't made the sales you had hoped, if yet again you are left to mourn what appears to be the death of your dream... TAKE HOPE! Take JOY! Rejoice! Because The Good News says, "This is only Friday. You must let Friday die so that Sunday can live, and never ever forget that Sunday's coming! That's right all you toilers who think 'What's the use?' The use is SUNDAY'S COMING, and it's going to be better than you can even imagine!"

What a day, God. What a day!

~*~
Be sure to visit Staci's new Shoutlife page at: http://www.shoutlife.com/stacistallings As always, you'll feel better for the experience!

As

(c) Staci Stallings, 2003

"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."
-- The Our Father

The most perfect prayer. The one Jesus told us, "When you pray, pray like this." Ever since, we've been praying the words He taught us. In fact, we've prayed it so often that many of us don't even think about what we're saying anymore. We run through the words almost unconsciously - memorized to the point that we no longer have to concentrate on what we're saying.

But let me tell you, saying this line without really thinking about what it means is a scary proposition. Why? Because you are asking for exactly the same treatment you've been dishing out. So the question becomes - what have you been dishing out?

Are you judgmental? Do you judge situations and people without really getting to know them? Do you practice quiet prejudice - boxing people in and labeling them because of some outward characteristic? Then when you say "as" you've just asked God to judge you on the same scale. Are you petty? Do you watch for the faults of others and then make sure to point those out to everyone within earshot? Then you've given God permission to pick out and point out each and every one of your faults. Are you jealous? Do you judge actions without bothering to learn the whole story? Are you exacting? Harsh? Impossible to please? Do you brush by people because they have the wrong kind of jeans or the wrong accent or the wrong personality?
Think about what you're setting up for yourself. By saying "as" think about what you've told God to do when you stand before the Throne.

The good news is that "as" works just as thoroughly in a positive direction. Do you have mercy on those around you? Do you forgive? Put the past behind you and truly move on? Do you bless those who have hurt you and pray for those who hate you? Do you actively look for the good even when it seems buried?
If so, that is the scale God will use for you. It's a smart thing to remember the next time you blithely say "as I forgive those..."

*~*~*
Hey, something new and cool... check out Staci's Shoutlife page. http://www.shoutlife.com/stacistallings You'll feel better for the experience!

L.I.G.H.T.

(c) Staci Stallings, 2005

One of my Holy Spirit friends is teaching Sunday School to 7th grade girls this year. When she first started, my friend was a little lost as to what to teach and what other resources were available, so she innocently asked me if I could help. Little did either of us know where that one simple email would lead.

First, it was just figuring out what song she could use as an opener and then as a closer. I'm a music fanatic, so that wasn't too taxing. Then as the year progressed, we began working through what it means when things don't work out the way you thought they should. We discussed lessons-she is the consummate "activity guru," and I added in insights I've gleaned from my writing ministry. Together, we made a pretty good team.

Just after Christmas she came over to discuss her newest lesson. She had decided to do a lesson on the light of Christ coming into our world at Christmas. She had already gotten candles to use and everything. We worked out the activity-turning off the lights to start in darkness and then explaining with a single flame that Jesus came into our world and brought light. He gave His light to the early Christians, who passed it down through the generations to us, and now we have the opportunity to give His light to others.

The idea was that the first girl's candle would be lit from the Jesus candle, and then each girl would light the next girl's candle until all the candles were lit. We thought it was a pretty good plan-and then she got to class and had two girls instead of 14. She didn't do the light ceremony but did do the other activities she had planned to go with it.

When we talked again, she still wanted to do the light ceremony, but now she needed new activities. She told me that she was thinking about letting the girls take the word LIGHT and see what acronyms they could come up with. I agreed that it sounded like a good plan.

Then the Holy Spirit stepped in. Being a word freak and having some time on my hands as I drove to school to get my children, I started asking, "What would LIGHT stand for to me?"

I came up with some good ones: Love In God's Heart Today. Live In God's Hope Today. Then as I got closer to home, I looked down and noticed a fortune from a cookie we had gotten over the weekend lying on the seat next to me. I picked it up and read it. The word "Luck" jumped out at me because the book I am currently working on is called "Lucky."

Because I had been looking for "L" words, I immediately thought, "Hmm... Luck... How would that work in the word LIGHT?" Then a thought went through my head. "Luck Is God's Help." Instantly I got excited, but then I realized there was not "T" word. So I said, "Okay, Holy Spirit but what does the T stand for?" Instantly the answer came... "Luck Is God's Help... Trusted."

You might think I came up with that. I didn't. It's too perfect. It's too Holy Spirit!

The cool thing is that for years-literally-people have told me that I was lucky. I always said, "Yeah, and I work darn hard to get that luck to work out." Up until the middle of last year, that was completely accurate in my life. I did work darn hard to be so "lucky." And it was work.

However, about the time my friend started teaching, I started putting things in the Holy Spirit's hands, and life has not been the same since. "Luck" has started literally pouring my direction. So much so, that when the title "Lucky" showed up for my new book, I knew it was perfect because the main theme is putting life in God's hands and how it works so much better when you do that.

Well, you can be sure that I couldn't wait to get home and call my friend. Thing is: She called me first with awesome news! (I love the way the Holy Spirit works!) Just before Christmas she had taken her teacher's certification test, and at the time she commented that it seemed that "everyone else is freaking out, but I'm
not worried. I know whatever happens, it's what God meant to happen."

Then today she calls to tell me that she had gotten her scores in... A 91! 73 out of 80 questions right! That,
for those of you who don't know, is a slam-dunk on a really challenging test!

Now some people might say she got lucky. But there's no doubt in my mind that she and I both know that "luck" came because she was living in the "light." Luck Is God's Help Trusted... It's such a cool way to live!

~*~*~
Visit http://www.stacistallings.com/Previews.htm to read the newest chapters of Staci's books! You'll feel better for the experience!

Thoughts on "Losing" the Kairos Prize

(c) Staci Stallings, 2007

I used to think the point of a disappointing outcome was so that I could learn to DO better next time. I'm beginning to think it has nothing to do with learning to DO better. It has to do with learning to BE better-being a better person, a more gracious person, a more loving person, a fuller person who knows what it is to be disappointed so I can appreciate the joy more when it comes. But even as I appreciate it, that I can be truly compassionate with those who have had their dreams put on hold once again as I have now.

I could well spend my time now trying to learn to DO better-to write a better script, to write a better pitch better, to write a better synopsis or a better logline. I think instead I will spend my time learning to BE better. To be a more loving person in everything I do, to show God's love more intensely and more fully to everyone I meet, to understand that He has a plan, and even though I do not see it or understand it, that still I can trust its work in my life and in the lives of those around me.

This then, is not defeat. It is ultimate victory for I have learned a new lesson in a new way and begun a new day as a new person in Christ. He has a plan, and I'm so very grateful for that-not just for the plan but for the deeper knowledge that when the waves overtake me, that He will be there to reach down and pluck me out. And then, with that loving smile of His to look me in the eyes and give me a lesson to help me BE better next time.

It is a lesson I will cherish forever.

~*~*~
Yes, I didn't win the contest, but I want to thank you all so much for your prayers and good thoughts! They mean the world to me. Please pray for those still in the contest--for the finalists and for the winners. May God's light shine through their work into our darkened world!

I Want Them to Say...

(c) Staci Stallings, 2005

The other night I got to talk extensively with one of my favorite Holy Spirit friends-my sister. Since we both have families to keep up with now, that doesn't happen as often as it used to, so we really took advantage of this time. Late into the night we talked about what God is doing in our lives and about how He has recently been bringing up places in each of us that need to be healed.

As we talked, she said, "You know, ever since I was first married, I had one goal. I wanted to be the best mom to my kids. I wanted them to say when they were grown up, 'We had the best Mom. She was so great.'" On the whole not a bad dream. I think many of us moms think exactly the same thing.

However, she didn't stop there. She said, "Now I see how that dream is about me. It's about what I want to hear because I want to have earned that. Then they other day, I realized that I don't care if they ever say that about me. What I want them to say more than anything is: 'We have the best God ever! He is so great!' Now I think if they say that when they get older, I will have done my job."

Wow. I was blown away. Not just for her, but for me.

You see, the business of writing often starts as a desire just to write. You just love to write, and so you do. Then you get a little better and a little better, and pretty soon, you begin to sense that "just writing" is not enough. Now, you want to be published. So, you begin to learn the rules of publishing, and you work, and you hone, and you learn. And pretty soon, a new goal creeps into your soul. "I want to touch a lot of people with my words about God. I want not just to be published, but to be thought of by many as a great writer."

After our conversation, I see that for what it is... having your focus on the WRONG GOAL. It's like my eighth grade girls' basketball team. It was our second game of the year. The first half went by, we went to the locker room, came back out, and were ready to start the second half. Now if you don't know, when you start the second half, the teams switch ends of the court.

They tipped off, our girl got it and proceed to dribble to the other team's goal where she made the shot! Her technique was great, her shot flawless, but the problem was, she was shooting at the wrong goal!

I wonder how many of us want to be the best... the best fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, friends, writers, accountants, salespeople, workers... And yet, we are shooting at the wrong goal.

In the last 24-hours my life goal has changed. I no longer want everyone to think I'm the best writer. If somehow, they see through my writing that He is the best God ever, and their lives begin to reflect that, then I have accomplished the new goal for my life.

How about you? Are you shooting at the wrong goal-wanting to be the best salesperson, counselor, or teacher? Maybe God is asking that you start being those things in a way that points people to the best God ever. You do that, whatever else you do, you will be successful.

~*~*~
Say a prayer, light a candle. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=cwby Staci's virtual vigil for "Cowboy" as it goes through the semi-finals. I ask anyone who feels so led to light a candle and say a prayer that "Cowboy" will touch all those who come in contact with it with God's deep and abiding love for them. The Kairos Prize for Uplifting Screenplays will be awarded Feb. 20. Any and all prayers are greatly appreciated!

Special Announcement

I just found out that my script, "Cowboy" is one of 31 semi-finalists for the Kairos Prize for uplifting screenplays. Some of you might remember praying for this special intention a few months back. May I just say, "Thank you so very much for all the prayers!" The prizes will be announced on Feb. 20, 2007, and the top winner will most likely be made into a movie.

So I come to you again and ask you to pray... that "Cowboy" will touch those it was meant to touch when God put the idea in me--whoever that ends up being.

If you want to see the official announcement, you can go to: http://www.kairosprize.com/kps06/releases02/KPRelease.02.01.07.pdf

Thanks to all of you for being the places God can pour His love through me onto a world that needs Him so very badly!

Peace,

Staci Stallings

The Gifts

(c) Staci Stallings, 2005

Since reading Brennan Manning's The Ragamuffin Gospel, the meaning of the gifts of the Holy Spirit has suddenly come alive for me. Prior to reading about how grace can transform your life, I was already pretty solid in "letting Him do it." As a reformed control-freak, I had made a conscious choice to stop trying to control everything. I took my hands off the wheel and said, "God, You take my life where You want it to go."

It didn't take long before I could see how much better He put things together in my life. I could see how He put the people I most needed in my life, how He arranged meetings and "coincidences" to guide me in where I was supposed to go, how He formed a relationship seemingly for one purpose even though He had something much bigger in mind. However, it wasn't until Manning's book that I understood that the Holy Spirit was not "out there." It was "in here." In me.

It was literally God's Spirit in my heart, in my body, in my spirit. Wow! Did that understanding open doors!

I had always been taught about the gifts of the Holy Spirit-wisdom, knowledge, understanding, fortitude, right judgment, fear of the Lord, and piety. However, after letting the Holy Spirit not just direct my paths but begin to live through me, I have come to really understand these gifts in a new light.

A friend of mine is teaching a 7th grade Sunday school class. She came one day depressed because during the past Sunday's class her personal life had interfered with her teaching life. She said, "I just think I failed them." I then asked her if she had put it in the Holy Spirit's hands. "Yes." To which, I asked, "Do you think the Holy Spirit can fail?" A long pause. "No."

"Then if you've put the situation in the Holy Spirit's hands, if He is living through you, can you fail?"

It was the first time I had ever put it in those words even for myself, but at that moment, I got it. The more I put my life in His hands and let Him take control in situations instead of me trying to control them based on my meager knowledge and understanding, the more I see that nothing is impossible. Even if something looks like a failure to me, He has a plan.

When you let go and let the Holy Spirit take control, no longer will you have "I should've said but I didn't" or "I would've, but I was afraid." When He speaks to your heart, you learn to listen and to do and to say. Better than that you begin to let HIM listen and do and say through you, and when that happens, the gifts that follow are more amazing than you can ever imagine!

~*~*

Visit Staci's website: http://www.stacistallings.com You'll feel better for the experience!

What is Success?

(c) Staci Stallings 2003

Everyone wants success. People talk about setting goals and positive thinking and getting to the top. However, most of these same people never really define what success means to them.
Instead they think only in terms of the next big promotion or the next raise or climbing the corporate ladder, but few ever stop to really look at where these goals are taking them.

World-renown motivational speaker Zig Ziglar says that to define success, you should stand on the goal line of life and look into the end zone. What you want to see there sets the parameters for your definition of success.
In other words, ask most people what they want from life, and they will say, “I want to be happy.” That’s great, except for two things: they seldom know with any certainty what happiness actually means to them, and secondly, they never actually plan to be—nor take the time to be—happy.

Instead of taking the time to be happy now, most people fall into the when-I-get-over-there-then-I’ll-be-happy syndrome. If you look, you see these kinds of people every day—maybe even when you look in the mirror. “When I get that promotion, then I’ll be happy.” “When the kids are back in school and I can do this, then I’ll be happy.” “When we get out of debt, then I’ll be happy.”

Problem is, it doesn’t work that way. If happiness is your goal; if having been happy is something you really want to see in the end zone of your life, then you have to start being happy today. Not tomorrow, not in a week, not when “X” happens—TODAY.

So, how do you do this?

First, you must seriously ask yourself, what makes you happy? What makes you feel alive and completely in touch with the essence of yourself?

Maybe it’s hiking or skateboarding or baseball or running. Maybe it’s painting or music or writing or dance. Maybe it’s something as simple as taking a cup of tea out to the porch to watch a sunset.

Immediately you say, “I don’t have time to do that stuff. I’m busy making a living. I don’t have enough time as it is.” And then you wonder why you aren’t happy.

If happiness is a goal you have, then you must schedule time every day to do something that makes you happy. As Annie Dillard, the author of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, said, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

The question to you then, is how are you spending your days? The reality is that what you have right now is exactly what will be in that end zone on your last day here. Is this what you want?

If so, congratulations! If not, you can start right here, right now to make a new ending. Decide today what will be in your end zone, and then make the changes to get that in your life today. You deserve it, but don’t put it off. You don’t have a second to waste.

*~*~
Stop by Staci's website: http://www.stacistallings.com You'll feel better for the experience!