Want to be Published?

Illustrators Needed!

Second Chance with Saving Grace is a nonprofit that helps hurting people and animals. We've been an international all volunteer team of gifted and giving people since 2007. We currently have 2 children's books in The Adventures of Gracie & Diane series that need to be illustrated. 

The first in the series was done with an artist who is no longer available. While the style does not have to be identical we are taking samples of the Gracie & Diane characters at this time to find our next winner to publish. The books are taken to children in hospitals, given to hurting people and help raise funds for animals while being sent out in Love Kits to encourage those in need all over the world. At our last hospital free story time and Love Kit giveaway a mom told us with tears in her eyes, "I haven't seen my son smile like this in months. Thank you for what you are doing, it blessed us today... more than you will ever know!"

The books are 32 pages including a bio page for illustrator and writer. We plan to print 5,000.

Join our team in promoting an inspirational message of hope and encouragement to animal lovers of all ages! 

This amazing Italian greyhound that is rescued by Diane yet she rescues Diane right back is counting on you and so are all the little children who have come to know and love her. 

Gracie is the worlds first service dog helping a woman overcome and more safely live with a rare blood disease called cryoglobulinemia vasculitis. More about the series can be found on you tube or at www.DianeDike.org

Seeking

*Your samples of previous work and character depictions of Gracie & Diane.

If chosen for this project

*We will create a timeline/plan with you to create the illustrations to fit the story line.

We look forward to discussing our goals and your dreams, asap.

Desired Skills
Illustration, Graphic Design &/or book layout and design

Please call: 

303-225-2717 or email your information/website/work samples to: Diane@SCwSG.com subject line: Book Illustrator

Please reply ASAP. 

THANK YOU.
Stay Strong & Courageous!
Diane www.DianeDike.org - Second Chance w/ Saving Grace (SCwSG), Founder
Author, Speaker, Singer, Counselor, Vasculitis & Rare Blood Disease Survivor/Warrior-Oprah's OWN Mystery Diagnosis

http://www.youtube.com/user/DianeDike

"Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope." -Eph. 3:20

Deuteronomy 31:17

New King James Version (NKJV)
Joshua the New Leader of Israel

1 Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. 2 And he said to them: “I am one hundred and twenty years old today. I can no longer go out and come in. Also the Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not cross over this Jordan.’ 3 The Lord your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the Lord has said. 4 And the Lord will do to them as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites and their land, when He destroyed them. 5 The Lord will give them over to you, that you may do to them according to every commandment which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

God is preparing His people for a change. They are about to enter the Promised Land, but it will not be under the leadership of Moses. God knows how hard change can be for people especially when it has to do with leadership. The people were not always pleased with Moses, often they complained against Moses, but Moses was the one who had led them out of bondage in Egypt and through the desert for 40 years. The people had come to trust that Moses could get them out of a tight spot. Now Moses tells the people he is too old to continue leading the people and God has said that Moses would not enter the Promised Land. Moses reminds the people that it was God, not Moses, who has gone before the people as they traveled. It is God, not Moses, who defeated the Amorites and gave their land to the Israelites and God will continue to go before the Israelites and defeat their enemies. They are instructed to remain strong and courageous because God will never leave them nor forsake them.

God has called Joshua to take Moses' place as the leader of His people. If you have ever been called to replace a beloved leader you can imagine how Joshua may have felt. He may have had feelings of insecurity and doubt. God does two things to encourage and strengthen Joshua. He has Moses appoint Joshua in front of the entire Hebrew Nation and He tells Joshua that He is with him. God tells Joshua to be strong and of good courage because He will cause Joshua to be successful as He follows God's command. The people will inherit the land God has promised to them because God will go before Joshua and cause it to happen. He also tells Joshua personally that He will never leave nor forsake him.

God is still a close and personal God! He desires to have a close personal relationship with each of us. His promise to go before and never leave nor forsake is not only for Joshua and the Israelites it is for each of us. I don't know what changes you are facing in your life or what positions God has called you to but I do know that He is telling you that He is with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. So remain strong and courageous my friend, your God is with you! He is going before you and He will be successful as He leads you!

Father, Source of my strength, thank You for being close beside me! Thank You Jesus that through You I can draw on the strength of the Father! Thank You that You are the same yesterday, today and forever and that the promises in your Word are for me as well! Go before me today I pray. help me to remain stron and courageous as I walk through this life and do all the things You call me to do! In Jesus strong and powerful name, amen!

Great Is Thy Faithfulness!

Hebrews 13:8
New King James Version (NKJV)
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Psalm 103:17-18  (NKJV)
"But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.”

We live in an ever changing world. It wasn't so long go that if you wanted to see someone you had to travel to where they were. Now all we need to have is a internet access, a computer or smart phone, and Skype or a similar program. It brings a whole new meaning to "Reach out and touch someone"! Governments change, nations leadership changes, stocks, world economy, and weather. We change jobs or careers, move, buy new cars, furniture, clothing and shoes. It seems as if nothing in our lives is constant. We enjoy variety when it comes to food, clothing, cars, television show, and music. We do not like variety when it involves things we had counted on to remain in our lives such as our job or home, those types of changes bring stress.

God is unchanging! He is the same yesterday, today and forever! The words He spoke to the prophets and to the apostles He speaks to you today. His words of encouragement and promise are meant for each of us today! His love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and restoration are still available to all who will believe and ask! What a comfort to know that in this ever changing world there is a solid Rock upon which we can stand, a Fortress we can hide in! Great is God's faithfulness!

Father You are unchanging! You are still God! You can still supply our every need, calm our every fear and dry our every tear! You still answer prayers and bless our lives with wonderful gifts! You change the seasons and keep each planet and star in place! I thank You and praise You O God my Father for all of the gifts You have given me, especially the gift of salvation! Continue to transform me into Your likeness! I pray in Jesus unchanging name, amen.

"I am NOT having a good day" Part 1

Daily Devotional

Brought to you by Prayer Warrior Jonathan Vasgar

"I am NOT having a good day" Part 1 
 Open Mouth, Insert Foot

 (Please note I will have two versions of this, one using KJV, the other NKJV. If you prefer KJV, please find it on my page)
 

Genesis 37:2-4 'This [is] the history of Jacob. Joseph, [being] seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad [was] with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he [was] the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of [many] colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.'

There's a whole lot to be found about Joseph. Some might say he had a rather unfortunate life, yet as we shall see, it's often in the darkest circumstances that light comes pouring through. But, I don't want to get ahead of myself. Let's begin!

So, for those of you not too familiar with the story, Joseph was the great grandson of Abraham. He was not the youngest in his family, but was close. However, he was the oldest of Rachel's sons. Rachel was Jacob's (Israel) favorite wife, therefore Joseph was Jacob's favorite son. He had given his son a coat of many colors to show how favored he was, which as you can see, made his brothers angry. So angry, they hated him. It got worse though. You see, Joseph was young. Impetuous. And, a bit of a braggart.

Let's take a look at what happens: Verses 5-11 tell us, 'Now Joseph had a dream, and he told [it] to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, "Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: "There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf." And his brothers said to him, "Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, "Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me." So he told [it] to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, "What [is] this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?" And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter [in mind].'

Yes, this would come true later on, but that's not the point. Notice how Joseph rubbed his dreams in his brothers' faces. He lorded it over them. He knew he wasn't liked and that he was the favorite, so he decides to tell them his dreams about how he'd be the ruler over them! He took the dreams God had given him and rather than see how he could become the man that would be the leader, he goes and spreads it loudly.

We are sometimes that same way. I know I can be. Someone gives you a high compliment at church and the next thing you know, you are telling EVERYONE how wonderful you are. Being a braggart is not the way to handle things at all. Not according to God who says in Matthew 6:3-4 '"But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.' Let God handle your reward, you don't need to make a big show of giving in church or showing everyone how wonderful you are because you serve in a certain position. James 4:6 "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." God doesn't want us to grow proud, He wants us to be humble. If God is using you in a great way, AMEN! But, don't let it become your sole focus. So focused on getting accolades, you miss out on God's blessings. On being a blessing to others!

Do you want to leave a legacy or a tragedy? We will focus on how God starts to use Joseph next, but before you can be used, sometimes you have to be broken...

My prayer for you is that you find the spot where God can use you, whether it be behind the scenes or in front of life's camera, but that you know it's God that put you there. Let His love flow through you. Leave that kind of legacy!

 

 

Your Enemy Prowls

Daily Devotional


Brought to you by Prayer Team member Bobbi Heffel

The enemy seeks to destroy us! “ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 It seems to me that he plots to distract us with entertainment, small problems, and great storms. After all if we were faced suddenly with overwhelming disaster we would at once turn to our Father to guide and protect us. No, I am convinced this crafty enemy of ours starts out with small things we think we can handle on our own. Then when our eyes are off the Lord and we don’t feel as close to Him as we once did, the enemy slams us.



If you feel like you are being picked on, you are. Remember in each, challenge or temptation is an opportunity for VICTORY. Our Lord has given us every tool we need to stand and fight.



1 Peter 5:7-9

New International Version (NIV)

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.



Prayer

Lord, Thank you for loving us! In these days of distraction and turmoil help us to keep our focus on you.


Song

Today's Devotional brought to you by Prayer Warrior Michelle Simpson

Psalm 29:9-11

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth,
And strips the forests bare;
And in His temple everyone says, “Glory!”

¹⁰ The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood,
And the Lord sits as King forever.
¹¹ The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Deuteronomy 7:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.

1 Peter 2:9

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

God is the same yesterday, today and always! The same God that spoke all of creation into existance still speaks creation into existance, it is His voice that causes the deer to give birth. The same God that sat enthroned at the flood still sits enthroned, He is King of kings forever and reigns sovereign over every situation. The same God that strips the forest bare in the fall causes it to burst foth with new growth every spring! This same God has chosen you, you! He has sett you apart as a special treasure to Himself! He will give you strength and bless you with peace! He sat enthroned over the flood that covered the earth and sits enthroned over the floods that threaten to overwhelm you! After the flood God gave a promise, a rainbow. Trust in Him and look for your rainbow! God is faithfull!

Father God, Creator of heaven and earth, I will trust in You all of the days of my life! You have called me and set me apart. You have promised to strengthen me and give me Your peace wich passes all understanding! Thank You for chosing me! Help me to soar over the rainbow! Thank You for Your faithfulness! Your love is amazing! In Jesus, Holy, Healing, All powerful name, amen.

Daily Devotional

Daily Devotional brought to you by Jon Vasgar Prayer Warrior

                                                                                          Title: You Want Me to Do What? Part 4

Verses: Genesis 22:2 'Then He (God) said, "Take now your son, your only [son] Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."'

The last time we saw Abraham, he had just been told he was going to have a son at a very old age. Like many of us, he didn't believe God could do that. Sarah laughed and was reproved by God. Sure enough, a year later, Isaac was born to the 100 yr old Abraham and the 90 yr old Sarah.

All was wonderful for awhile as now Abraham did have the promised son who would carry on the bloodline. He had send his other son and his mother away, so now he just had Isaac. God had promised Abraham that a great nation would be born of his son. But, just when life had settled down, God had something else in mind.

Reread the verse above. God has just told Abraham to take his only son and sacrifice him. Kill his son! Can you imagine. Ah, but look at what Abraham chooses to do. Rather than question God, read what happens next: 'So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you."' (Gen 22:3-5) Notice what Abraham said. 'We will come back to you.' Not, I will. No, so great was his faith that even though he knew that God was commanding him to kill his son, he knew God also would not break his promise! When Isaac questioned his father on the sacrifice, he said in vs 8 "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering."

Oh, to have the faith of Abraham! Notice how far it got. In vs 9-10 'Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.' He was so committed to God, that he knew this was His will. He must have thought that God would raise Isaac from the dead or stop him from this. However, he followed through. As the knife came down, a hand reached out and stopped Abraham. God Himself sent an angel to stop Abraham and provided a ram to be sacrificed.

As a result, look at what was promised in vs 16-18 '"By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only [son]-- blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which [is] on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

Now, I turn the question to you. How often as God's will not made any sense? How often have you felt His prompting and thought, "Nope, not going there God. You promised me THIS, but not THAT, so I'm gonna stay here." How amazing could your life be if, like Abraham, you just took that wild leap and did what He asked you to do? God isn't cruel, He wants to teach us. He used this to build Abraham AND Isaac's faith. What is holding you back from doing what God told you to do? What is keeping you back from an unbelievable (if not easy) life? Notice what Jesus says to us in John 15:10-11 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and [that] your joy may be full."

You see, Jesus never promised happiness or that it would be simple. But, He does promise joy, peace, love. How cool is that? What are you waiting for? Dive in! Following God will fill your soul. Chasing happiness will lead to nothing. You can't ever get enough happiness, but God can fill you up with His eternal, everlasting joy.

 

Meet Kaden Behan ~ Teen Volunteer Extraordinaire

I stumbled upon an excellent organization, Second Chance with Saving Grace, that I now have the pleasure of volunteering with to help hurting people and animals. My name is Kaden Behan and as a volunteer for my local hospital, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, I quickly fell in love with volunteering and was inspired to seek out more opportunities. Being limited physically as to where I could volunteer, I searched for opportunities virtually using volunteermatch.org. That is where I found many outstanding possibilities with Second Chance and immediately began transforming lives using my gifts and talents several months ago. 

I discovered a loving supportive family of dedicated individuals working towards a noble cause. Initially, I designed banners, thank-you cards, fliers, and other works that involved graphic design. However, through the support and encouragement of Dr. Diane Dike (the founder and president), Mary Owen (communications team leader), and other wonderful members, I decided to become even more involved as a Second Chance advocate.

Therefore, in collaboration with my school, The Academy of Allied Health and Science, and Jersey Shore Medical Center, I have organized an event at the K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital in which students, like myself, will serve as Ambassadors of Love. As ambassadors, we will deliver Love Kits and provide comfort to the children residing in the Hospital. Through the guidance of Second Chance, I hope to experience the success of this event and plan to continue being actively involved in volunteering for this remarkable organization. 

Today's Devotional

Brought to you by Dream Team member Bobbi Heffel

I tried moving on from the song still stuck in my head.

 I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

Instead, I find myself digging in deeper. It is a wonderful and marvelous thing to need the Lord each hour. Yes, each second too. Jesus set a perfect pattern for us on how and when to need/call upon the Father.

•  Early in the morning

Mark 1:35
[ Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place ] Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

•  Often

Luke 5:16
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Luke 5:15-17 (in Context) Luke 5 (Whole Chapter)

• Times of purpose and accomplishment

John 17:1
[ Jesus Prays for Himself ] After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
John 17:1-3 (in Context) John 17 (Whole Chapter)

•  When we come to the end of ourself, face death, or feel forsaken

The Death of Jesus  - Mark 15:33-35

 ³³ At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. ³⁴ And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”^[a]

 ³⁵ When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

Footnotes:

Mark 15:34 Psalm 22:1

•  When our heart is troubled   

Matthew 12:27 “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. ²⁸ Father, glorify your name!”

•  Times of celebration and public obedience

Luke 3:21-23

The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus

 ²¹ When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

 ²³ Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,the son of Heli,

•  We are about to eat or in need of a great abundance/blessing

Matthew 14:    ¹⁸ “Bring them here to me,” he said. ¹⁹ And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ²⁰ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ²¹ The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

If Jesus called upon the Father in all these circumstances how much more do we need God’s presence in our lives? He is our ever present help, comforter, deliverer, fortress, defender, friend, teacher, encourager, protector, counselor, great physician and love.

“[Thanksgiving and Prayer] We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.”            2 Thessalonians 1:3

 

Prayer

Lord, may we continue to grow in faith. Thank you for encouraging us to come to you on all occasions. Surely you are worthy of our trust and adoration. Glory to God in the highest who is worthy to receive all honor and glory forever. Amen

Today's Devotional brought to you by prayer warrior Michelle Simpson

Genesis 2:24

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁴ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

John 17:20-22

New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus Prays for All Believers

²⁰ “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will^[a] believe in Me through their word; ²¹ that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. ²² And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:

I attended my son's wedding this weekend. The young couple had asked the Pastor to bring a message sharing a clear plan of salvation before the vows. As the Pastor began his message he spoke of defining, life changing moments in each of our lives. Every defining moment begins with a choice. Marriage is a defining, life changing moment! He spoke directly to the young couple and indirectly to those in attendance reminding them that this choice was a lifetime decsion. Out of all of the millions of young people out there they had chosen each other, not for a moment, not for a season, not only in good times, not only for laughter, and not only for what they would receive out of the deal, but they had chosen each other for a lifetime, in good times and bad times, with laughter and with sorrow, and for what they could give to each other as well as what they could receive from each other. He reminded them and all of us that this was indeed a choice not a feeling. Then it dawned on me, the same is true of our salvation!

It may be a feeling that draws us to God or it may have been a crisis, but God used something to draw us to Him. He created us and has loved us from before the beginning. When we ask Him to be part of our lives He agrees to come, not for a moment or a season. He isn't ony there during the good times or to be a genie that gives us our every wish. God wants a relationship. Often in His word our relationship with our Saviour Jesus is described as a bride and bridegroom. God's love for us is eternal. He made that choice before He ever formed a thing (I Peter 1:20-21) even though He knew what it would cost. He is the commited bridegroom. Are we the committed bride? Do we really want Him to transform us into His likeness so we can be one with Him? That was His prayer for us that we would be one in Them. He asks us to leave the things of this world and to cleave to Him, not only when it is easy or fun but in every time and for all time. What has drawn you away from your "marriage vows" lately? Forsake them and return to your first love! it is worth it!!

Father I love You because You first loved me! You drew me to You and I accepted Your proposal to allow You to love me completely. I also agreed to love You completely in return, forsakeing the temptations of this world. Forgive me Father for looking to the right or left lately! I renew my vows to You and You alone today. I know I will be tempted and that I will stumble and fall along the way. I will need Your help; I can't do it without You! Thank You for beinging faithful even when I am not! In Jesus Faithful name, amen!