Category: Bible Journaling

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Eternity, Evangelism, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Political, Purpose, Uncategorized

Don’t Flip Your Lid for just Anyone

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion 2 Comments on Don’t Flip Your Lid for just Anyone

To be honest with you, I don’t feel much like a dispenser of the gospel this week. I’ve struggled spiritually, as is usually the case coming off tent meeting. I get exhausted from full days of rising early, working all day, late nights in the tent and topped off with the joy of house housework and laundry. Which I truly am grateful for the ability to do, but it frankly just wears me out. Add to that mix, six beautiful grand babies that I adore, and who adore me (and my high speed internet) and I’m ready for a nap before the day gets started. 

Now that I have you feeling sorry for me, let me add a little more truth to the mix about the fleshly side of Shari that loves BlazeTV and social media. Those two things require little to no effort on my part so I can just allow them to consume my mind and take me on all kinds of trips around the world. So… time that I could be putting into the study of the word of God is spent catching up on the  commentary of todays news and  what’s happening in Natties world on Instagram, who I have a love hate relationship with because she’s a sinner like me. Except she says bad words out loud and I just occasionally say them inside my head, and talks about things she shouldn’t and calls her self a child of God pretty regularly just after she justifies her behavior. She and I are both train wrecks. I think that’s why I love her and why I have a burden for her. 

From Sunday night’s sermon with brother Paul Lucas I got many thoughts to think on, but the crazy one that stuck is the Pez dispenser. Every day this week that thought has been here inside my head, making me smile and waiting for me to write about it. And so today is the day. 

I’m pretty sure my head on a Pez dispenser would not be a marketable product, but I’m telling you, in Heaven it’s priceless! Just as it is with any other minister of the gospel of Christ. Can you imagine what a hot ticket item it would with the Apostle Paul. It makes me wonder if they have trading cards in Heaven? Would there be a card game like “Old Maid”, but rather with an “Ol’ Satan” card that if you got stuck with him you lost he game? I know, I know… weird thoughts, right? Welcome to my world. But in this crazy world we live in, dispensing the gospel is a lot like marketing. Except, I don’t have sell it, the Holy Spirit does that work. All I have to do is be the vessel that presents it and then let the Holy Spirit take over with the power of conviction. But just like marketing in todays world, there needs to be some testimony about what that “Product” has mean to you and your life. 

The text today is  Colossians 1:23-29 KJV

[23] If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; [24] Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: [25] Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; 

So there it is! The Pez scripture. Let’s break it down into a marketing strategy as suggested in Local Client Takeover: Mastermind and Coaching Experience Exclusive page:

An Established Company

Who but the church can say they’ve been established from before Creation? What does that say about Product reliability. Who doesn’t want something that was, and is and will be. Nothing on this earth can tout that success. But we who have been saved by the glorious gospel of Christ know that before we were in the womb, God knew us (Jeremiah 1:5) And that where we are God is, and He is a “very present help in trouble”. (Psalm 46:1b) Nobody else’s God can send a legion of angels to rescue us, and most assuredly none of them promise us forever! 

1 John 5:11

And this is the record, that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Wowzer, I just wrote myself happy again. 

That wisdom is an easy speak. Who doesn’t love sharing good news? That’s marketing at its finest and we are part of the a company, “the church,” that’s been an established part of God’s plan from the beginning of time. 

An Enduring Company

Most successful businesses didn’t rise to the top without some struggles along the way. And those who were willing to endure the heartache did so for the payoff in the end. Is Heaven any different? I had to do some studying on verse 24. It just didn’t read in a way that obvious as to what it meant. 

Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

After mentioning his ministry of the gospel, Paul goes on to include more details about what that ministry involves which is suffering, and that suffering is for the people of the church, so that they can see God glorified in his ministry.

I don’t know of anyone in my life that hasn’t had some sufferings at times. But the question is, what eternal purpose did that suffering fulfill? My sufferings have all been with purpose. When I struggled in marriage as a young person, it had purpose to tell others of God’s victory in my life to begin praying for my husband and seeing those prayers answered. When I faced the heart attack and open heart surgery, it was for God’s glory that I faced death with peace.  When I fail God, and humbly come before Him and He restores my relationship with Him in this broken world, that is a testimony to those who long to be loved. My struggles pale in comparison to Paul’s but I’m not Paul. I’m Shari, the Jesus Chick, and this was God’s plan for me. 

The world needs to see us endure!

And Enlightened Company

How wonderful it is to have the wisdom of Almighty God within us! 

[26] Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: [27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: [28] Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: [29] Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Anyone with an ounce of sense should want what we have, but there’s a few reasons they don’t. The first is the same reason I struggle with being faithful to study the word of God: because the world captures my attention. I’m somewhat in shock at the condition of this world at this present time. I truly didn’t see it happening so quick, even thought the Lord warned, and warned, and I read, and read, but didn’t take heed that it would happen. It never became any clearer to me than when I read a school teachers comment the other day when someone posed the question “Who would vote for a man with Alzheimer’s just to get rid of Trump.” And this school teacher proudly proclaimed. “I would!” My stomach rolled. This mindset is what’s teaching our children. Oh…. my… stars…. 

While this teacher has told me before that they are saved, I’m hard pressed (not to judge) but to be concerned that they’re deceived. While Trump isn’t an overwhelming example of Christianity… he is still placed into power by God and has done so much that is good. And has been attacked from every side by evil. Which makes me believe even more he is a vessel being used of God. 

While I detest politics, I can’t allow myself to ignore it. Because it is a tool of Satan to distract and discourage this world and to draw the people into Hell like the pied piper while they just blindly follow along. But those of us who are saved have the Spirit guiding us so that we are “enlightened” by the wisdom of Almighty God! What an amazing thing. And what an amazing thought to think we’ll be held accountable for what we do with that wisdom and how we handle it. Paul said that he was making perfect people. We know there is none perfect but God, but we who know Him as Lord and Savior will stand before Him perfect one day. And that happened because someone enlightened us about the gospel and what it meant to be saved. 

So how about you? Do you have your real estate laid up in Heaven? Are you sending out invitations to others so they can be apart of the family? If you’re saved, that’s your job. Dispense the gospel!!!!! Don’t flip your lid for the world, flip it for Christ! 

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Evangelism, Faith, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Common Creeps

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion 2 Comments on Common Creeps

So You Wanna Be a Contender

Everybody wants to go to Heaven, well, at least anyone with any sense wants to go. But a strong profession of faith will get you thrown into the theoretical and theological debates of life. It will make you enemy number one on the liberal agenda. But the great joy that comes from serving our Risen Savior makes it all worth while. So let’s contend together and do it using the wisdom that God has put at our fingertips. Like the book of Jude. As I read down through the  meager 25 verse book, the wealth of wisdom on its page far far outweighed the little space it consumed in scripture.

Jude 1:1-25 KJV

[1] Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: [2] Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. [3] Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Jude lays it out and encourages us that we should earnestly (with intense conviction) contend for our faith. 

Well They Wanna Be a Creep

 [4] For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [5] I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. [6] And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 

A memorable sermon from days gone by is “Creeps in the Church.” I’m not sure of the year for which Mike Worf preached it, but I remember the word, and the realization that within the church , most every church, there was probably a creep or two, trying to deceive the flock into thinking they were the real thing. But their agenda was anything but godly. But what I see going on right now is the battle of the world against the worshippers. They’re trying to stop the worship of Christ on any level, in any place. That is Satan’s agenda. And his tactics are vicious and vile. 

And They Wanna Be Corrupt

I’ve never been one who enjoyed crime dramas. They make me very uneasy and put thoughts in my mind that I don’t want to be there. I don’t understand the mindset of a criminal or anyone who can hurt people without regard. So now that I’m tuned into BlazeTV most every day, the level of corruption in our world is somewhat shocking! I much preferred living in my false reality where everything was peachy keen. But that’s not where God would have me right now. It’s very clear to me that I’m to make the world more conscientious of what’s happening around us in the spiritual realm. While there is plenty of wickedness in the flesh, that of the spiritual realm is in abundance and they know their time is limited. God’s Word is sure.

[7] Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. [8] Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. [9] Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. [10] But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. [11] Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Read Numbers 16 about the demise of Koran (Core). It too makes me nauseous! I don’t have the heart to kill people. But God does, especially if they’re corrupting His people and challenging His authority. And while we don’t live in Old Testament times under Old Testament laws we still serve the same God. And just as Moses said to the men of Korah, there will come a time when God will prove “who are His and who are Holy.” Numbers 16:5

But until then, we’re to keep on contending for the faith. God is so worthy!  So in the church and out of the church be every conscious of those who come in among you and speak against any leadership. Leaders are ordained by God. And while not all are godly, they were often placed in those position so that God’s will can be accomplished. Michael the Archangel wouldn’t even speak against Satan, rather leaving him to God. 

I encourage you in your reading to read the book of Jude. It’s only 25 verses; but as you read, you cannot help but see that 2020 and 65 A.D. have serious commonalities.  Not only is there a common Salvation, but there are unfortunately “common creeps.” And as Jude, I write to you of “common salvation.” If you do not know Christ, then you are likely struggling greatly with our current times. Please, I pray you’ll message me and let’s talk about Jesus. 

I enjoyed this scripture this morning, because it reminds me that nothing catches God off guard. Not then, not now. 

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Evangelism, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Don’t be a Crybaby, Be a CryMan or CryWoman

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Don’t be a Crybaby, Be a CryMan or CryWoman

I’m here to confess that I have struggled the last few days since the Governor’s announcement that we were mandated to wear masks. My husband will tell you that I don’t like anything on my face. A fact he discovered when he accidentally pulled the covers up too far one night and I came out of a dead sleep and just about beat him to death, accusing him of smothering me.  We still laugh about that, but there’s nothing funny about what’s going on in America. 

I understand people’s concern and I can certainly empathize with anyone at risk. As someone with a heart issue you’d think I’d be a little more concerned. But I’m not. I’m continuing in faith and the guidance of the Holy Spirit that tells  me every time I hear the words “the studies show,” I believe that person has a hand up their back like a puppet with an agenda that wants to take this country down.  I watch as people on social media tear each other apart over the debate and think, Satan’s having a field day.  I was flagged on social media yesterday and reprimanded for my “hate speech” because I said a coon, also known as a raccoon, was trying to get my chickens. What? Yet, they’ll let them tear down and threaten anyone who goes against the liberal agenda without so much as a second glance of their posts. It’s all about controlling the narrative and it’s not a new game Satan’s playing. Satan’s warped goal and his reason for getting kicked out of Heaven, is because he wanted to be God. And he’s still controlling the narrative both in the world and the church by using those who “translate scripture”into a better understood language. 

Case in point:

Isaiah 14:12 in the King James Version says “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

But in the NIV version of that text it reads “How have you fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!

“Morning Star” is a title given to Christ in Revelation 22:16 

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” 

There are countless other changes in different versions of scripture that have an agenda which is why I’m a KJV girl. As far as I am concerned it is the preserved word of God that He wants His people to have. He would not put His stamp of approval on anything that changed the deity of His Son, and they do. 

But that’s not what today’s blog is about either. Although it never hurts to let people know that translation matters. Like how the world is translating, interpreting what we’re saying into hate speech and they’re using the religious to do it. 

While I’m not a fan of the Catholic Church because of their doctrinal discrepancies, I won’t say that there are not some good people in that church. Such as Rev. Theodore Rothrock a priest in a Catholic Church in Indianapolis, Indiana who was suspended for warning his parishioners with the following words describing Black Lives Matter:

“The only lives that matter are their own and the only power they seek is their own,” Rothrock wrote. “They are wolves in wolves clothing, masked thieves and bandits, seeking only to devour the life of the poor and profit from the fear of others. They are maggots and parasites at best, feeding off the isolation of addiction and broken families, and offering to replace any current frustration and anxiety with more misery and greater resentment.”

I love this guy. He was protecting his flock and it’s the truth. But that didn’t stop his spineless superiors from taking action against him for “hate speech.”  

I’m so glad that I go to a solid doctrine teaching church. Last night during our Wednesday night Bible study the Pastor brought up a fact about John the Baptist that I had never thought of: He was a Levite, the son of a priest, and by all rights should have been teaching in the Temple of Jerusalem, but instead he’s found coming out of the wilderness, preaching like a wild man. 

Why was he not in the Temple? Most like because the Priests of that day were descendants of the Bishop in Indianapolis. 

The man who God chose to point the world to Christ was called out of a thicket, not a church. That’s good stuff right there, and I praise God for Preacher Steven Carter bringing it to light last night. 

Why is it that the world considers the church a grain of sand in their shoe and wants no part of them right now? Because it’s not only the Catholic who are cozying up to the world right now and powdering their butts like a bunch of toddlers, trying to keep them from throwing a fit. And they’re very vocal about it. Another portion of the “church” and I say that collectively, is just trying to stay off the radar. They’re not anything for fear of retaliation. 

I fully believe the fields are white and ready to harvest. Because there are many, many, many in America right now who know what’s happening across our country is wrong. BLM could care less a bout the black and the liberal politicians could care less about BLM. They are a pawns in their hand and they’ll use them as scape goats some day when the crap hits the fan. But the bulk of our nation are just good people wanting to live in peace and raise their families, and they’re looking for hope, and it’s not going to come from he church because they don’t believe them anymore than they do the politicians. But it could come from “one crying in the wilderness.”

John the Baptist wasn’t wearing a robe, he’s was wearing camel hair and leather. He wasn’t eating Caviar, he was eating bugs. Neither of which I recommend. But it does say something about what the people were drawn to. They were not drawn to the big Temple they’d heard about all their lives. they were drawn to a guy yelling “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” (Matthew 3:3b.)

Another NIV issue. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 is a very familiar and often quoted verse:

Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

[5] Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

But in the NIV version it reads:

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

God did not say he would make your paths straight. Right now our paths are anything but straight! They go in a thousand different directions and it is the Holy Spirit that we have to rely on to direct us. Because the world isn’t going to allow it to be clear. And it’s not going to be religion that brings hope and changes the course of America. It’s going to take God’s folks being loud. 

The NIV version of Matthew 3:3 doesn’t change the word a lot, but it changes the meaning by a mile. It reads:

3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness,  ‘Prepare the way for the Lord make straight paths for him.’

In the KJV version it says he was “crying.” In the NIV it says “calling.”

The Strongs definition of “crying” is to Shout in a tumultuous way.

The Strongs definition of “calling” is to emit a sound (animal human or instrumental); by implication to address in words or by name also in imitation: 

When one cries there is an urgency, I might “call you” for dinner. But unless you’re literally starving to death, that’s not urgent. I know, I know… it’s just words right? It’s not just words, it’s God’s words and He sent John the Baptist out, He didn’t send him out with a monotone voice. He sent him out hollerin’ and getting the attention of the people. 

It’s our time to get loud in this wilderness we’re in. Otherwise, people are going to bust Hell wide open and join up with the idiots on the left. 

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Evangelism, Faith, Life Inspiration, salvation

The World Needs a Hero

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The World Needs a Hero

So yesterday I shared a post on Facebook from Dennis Prager, the  founder of Prager University, an online source for information “to promote what is true, what is excellent, and what is noble through digital media, we make exceptional video content that advances Judeo-Christian values. By reaching millions of people every day, they educate, influence and changes minds.” Or so their website says.  His “Fireside” chat about neither blood nor race mattering in the scope of love was great. And while I agree, and even responded about how much my friend Gloria, a non blood relative meant to me, I couldn’t get the thought out of my mind…

“Blood does matter.”

As I went to sleep last night, that thought was there. As I awoke this morning, that thought was there. Obviously the Lord wanted me to address it. 

I married David Johnson, August 16th, 1980. My first and only love. We will celebrate our 40th year of marriage this year. Unbelievable! As they say, it’s not a record, but it’s not the norm anymore. To look back and see how we survived each other is only by the grace of Almighty God. David is not my blood relative. (No matter what they say about West Virginians.) So when Mr. Prager said as a child he realized that love wasn’t about the blood, he was correct. And while his catchy title in this day of argumentativeness over race was effective on getting my attention, blood does indeed matter in the scope of eternity. Not mine. Nor David’s, but the blood of Jesus matters.

Contemporary churches of today have all but removed the blood from the church. They’ve taken it from hymnals, they no longer preach it, they no longer use it for the premise of salvation for it offends the world. Why is that? Why is blood so important in the matter of families, but offensive in the matter of faith? 

I will confess that the site of blood makes me queasy. I couldn’t watch the movie “The Passion of Christ.” It was far too graphic for me. I am however glad to have seen images from the movie, because it gives me an greater understanding of the price my Lord paid for my freedom and my eternal relationship with Him. Those images are seared into my mind, but I doubt they do the reality justice. Satan wanted to destroy Jesus. And he thought he had as Jesus hung on that cross suffering, as He was removed and placed in a tomb. As they sealed it up… Oh, I’m sure Satan did a little victory dance. But then the tomb was found empty! Woohoo and Glorrraaaayyy! It was a new day in Dodge! But it wasn’t the Calvary that had shown up to rescue the world, it was the same Jesus that hung on the cross as meek as lamb, but returned with the vengeance of a Lion. 

Without the blood of Christ, there would have been no hope of salvation for man. There’s not enough critters in the world to atone for the sins of this fallen society. But the world doesn’t want the blood. Not the blood of animals, not the blood of God. They want Heaven, they want some type of eternal peace, but not the humility of Christ’s sacrifice. If we genuinely see that in the context of the cross, we know, “I can do nothing to repay Christ for His suffering.” His blood mattered.

So how do we explain that to a fallen world who wants nothing to do with the blood or the Savior? How do we explain that it needs to matter to them too?

They must first see the effect of the blood in the lives of the children of God. The evidence of Christ’s love for us was written and testified of throughout the scriptures. The Spirit reveals the truth of it through His word, be it in preaching or reading. Christ set the example of how we are to live and conduct ourselves as children of God, and then closed that chapter with the ultimate sacrifice, that when it was witnessed, His followers were willing to do the same. They had seen the power of the blood. Have we? Has this world?

Some have. Some have witnessed God do miraculous things, I’ve witnessed it. But how quickly those times are forgotten when the world garners our attention with its evil. We forget about the power that is in the blood. The blood that Christ took back to Heaven (Hebrews 9:12)  

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

There was no other blood pure enough to enter that holy place, other than the blood of God’s only begotten Son. That blood on that day, took the price and the burden of sins away from all mankind, whether or not they accept it or desire it. And that has to be seen as evidence in the life of a child of God. Even in the face of this adversity we are in, we have got to continue to live in the victory of Jesus, that He will bring us through this crisis. If the world sees Christians falling apart, then they will not see that His blood mattered. 

Satan continues to try to rid the church of the blood, to give a counterfeit version of all that God provides, but He cannot find anything that replaces the blood of Jesus. Which is why it’s so important for him to get it out of the church. And why it’s so important for us to fight for it to stay. 

When you think of the blood of Christ, how does it make you feel? As I thought about it this morning, I imagined me as the child of a the greatest Warrior and Hero of all time. He is ya know? How do you see Your Savior. Is He Your Savior? Have you accepted the price He paid for your peace and freedom on the cross of Calvary. If not, follow this 👉🏼link, or message me, and I’ll tell you how to to have the greatest day of your life!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Evangelism, Faith, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Word of God

My Jesus Agenda

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on My Jesus Agenda

When I tell people that it’s a struggle to stay focused, I’m not sure they understand the depth of the struggle. I can start out with the greatest of intentions of writing a blog, 3 minutes later I’m writing a song, but before it’s done I’ve thought of a media banner, or an instagram post, or perhaps there’s a load of laundry calling my name. Or like now… the beds unmade and it’s bothering me. I kid you not. And that’s not a random occurrence of a thought pattern. That’s every day, all day. I struggle. When I wasn’t working (in the secular world), I laminated a list of daily chores to keep me on track. But now my chore list just has to get done the best it can because my at home hours are less. Which has been another burden on my soul. The ministry work has suffered so I can pay bills. Bills I created… ugh. Well, that’s depressing. So this blog thought has been a few days in the making. In the midst of all that hoopla that I just mentioned I’ve lost five of the ten chickens we just bought to a dumb racoon, and had to coon proof my coop. Which took two days of serious labor, but its done and the coon was live trapped last night. The same coon I was ready to knock in the head myself, but this morning when I looked at it’s cute little face in the trap, I made David take it to work with him and let it loose by the river bank. I’m too tender hearted. 

Wow…. that’s a lot of info. Welcome to my world.

Now, for My Jesus Agenda. It’s a three point agenda as mentioned in the artwork above. The first of which is to:

Speak Jesus with Clarity

It’s seems to be an issue the world has a problem with right now. We have to speak Jesus in a round about way that won’t offend their poor little souls. The same souls that are headed down the path to Hell on a wide road. But nobody’s worried about that. Well except me. And thousands of other ministry people who try their best to speak the word of God clearly and correctly. But the trouble is.  There are far more in the ministry catering to this world and not speaking speaking the Word of God with enough truth so that they can understand salvation. Which is sad, because the plan of Salvation isn’t complex! Neither is knowing how to live after salvation if you read and study the word of God. But we’re not raising Christians to feel the need to study on their own. They want someone to spoon feed them the gospel one day a week, (if that)  and then when they are fed, to make sure it’s not any rougher consistency than mashed potatoes so they don’t struggle to swallow. 

Wow, I feel like I may have just unloaded my wagon on you. 

Clarity is my goal, so I guess I’m not mincing words or mashing potatoes today. Rather than getting caught up in any theological debate, I just want to tell you about Jesus. From Genesis to Revelation, I want to help the world (and myself) know the God of all Creation, and the God Who is coming to take us home, better. 

Agenda point number 2:

Stand Firm in His Authority

Another struggle I have is remembering that it’s not my words I’m speaking. It’s the Word of God. And if people don’t like it, that’s their problem. 

I was listening (again) to the Glenn Beck program on BlazeTV and he spoke to Dennis Prager, the founder of Prager University, an online information source. prageru.com. Lots of great content on it. But during the interview, Mr. Prager said of the 10  commandments, regarding the 3rd of which is “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain,” that it means in Hebrew “to carry the name of the Lord.” In your life, how do you represent God? That gave me a serious think time on the law, and a deeper gratitude for grace. But in the process of his defining of the deeper meaning, there was a point when I, who’s think tank is much more shallow than Mr. Pragers, was grateful for the lesser amount of knowledge that I have. Mr. Prager said that there are those who in religion teach the commandments, they teach the third commandment as meaning saying OMG is the unpardonable sin. Well, of course it’s not. The unpardonable sin is not accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. And while I’m grateful for the wisdom he imparted to me about “carrying” the name of the Lord, nothing ever justifies speaking irreverently the Lord’s name. When people cuss, they’re not always taking the Lord’s name in vain, I don’t necessarily think they’re headed to Hell, but it sure doesn’t make me think of Heaven.  That’s why I started the “stop the cussing campaign, that I need to get back at. But for now there’s a far greater evil in the world than a few cuss words I’m not comfortable hearing. 

Our people are going to Hell. And partly because God’s people don’t take our job of being “Christian” serious. 

Mr. Prager is Jewish. He is well versed on countless religions, but knowing religion doesn’t mean you know Jesus. I know Jesus. And that makes me a lot smarter than a lot of really intelligent people. It also makes me a lot more powerful than a lot of people. You too. But are we walking in the wisdom that the power and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ is upon us? Good question right?

Agenda point number 3:

Serve the Lord with Gladness

Psalm 100:2

Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 

King David was not the apple of God’s eye without reason. He loved the Lord, He communed with the Lord, He sought the wisdom of the Lord and He worshipped the Lord. Serving God was not a part of His life, it was His life. He was human, he made mistakes, but when He was in tune with God, He was a happy man. 

That’s the secret, although it’s not really a secret, to the success of a child of God, be it in the secular world or the spiritual world. Be in tune with God. My happiest days are days that His word encourages my soul and His Spirit fills me up to overflowing. My saddest days are the days when I let the world consume my thoughts and turn the Spirit off like a water faucet. Remember my focus issues. Yep. How many happy days and how many sad days do you think I have. If I’m honest, I have way more sad days than I should. Because this world and all it’s chaos has gotten my mind off the Jesus Agenda. 

Time to make a new list of daily priorities. 

How about you? What’s on your Agenda? 

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Church Unity, Uncategorized

Service With a Smile

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I’m sure I quite often sound like a broken record with regard to BlazeTV, although I don’t think I talk about it continuously, but it is a source of information that I use more often than not. But yesterday morning, or maybe the day before, I was ready to turn it off too… but only for a minute.  😀

Steve Deace is one of the Christian News Hosts and I generally love this guy. But he was in quite the Debbie Downer mood. He gave no hope. President Trump wasn’t going to get re-elected, the Democratic view point was going to consume the world and if Jesus didn’t come back soon, Hell in a Hand-basket was going to be the United States. The only thing left to do was poke my eyes out and I’d have been set. It was that depressing. I listened a little while and then finally just had to turn it off. He was tearing my spirit completely down.  

Now… for the record, if it’s truth I want to hear it, good, bad or indifferent. And while Steve Deace had a foundation in truth, and he for certain believed his commentary, it was just too negative. So I watched a little of the Blaze TV show “Relatable” with Allie Beth Stuckie. If you don’t know who she is, you should look her up on YouTube. I’m not sure of her denomination, but she is 100% Bible based. Her sweet spirit will almost make you a diabetic, but don’t think that she’s a push over as a journalist. She is such a defender of the truth! But she’s sweet. She will make you smile all the while slicing someone to bits with the word of God. Oh how I love her! And she’s such an encourager. 

I’ve always tried to be such a person of character. I want to leave people better than I found them. But I haven’t always. Because, like Steve Deace, I’ve allowed the world to drag me into a pit of despair on more than one occasion. But God has a way of sending the right message for the right time, which is exactly what He did during Wednesday night Bible Study last night with Pastor Steven’s message of good news with a good attitude.

I have friends, and I do love them, but when they share the news, they share the good news with a bad attitude. For me, that tactic of the gospel is like speaking in tongues. You may be being “spiritual.” But ain’t nobody understands it. And with as many people spewing hate as there are in the world today, people need to see the love of God in action, in truth but not with an iron fist pounding the pulpit. I want the people that I love, who don’t know Christ, to hear the gospel truth, know that there is a judgement day coming, but never think that I’m the one judging them. 

The Battle is About to Take Place

So back to last night’s message: In the book of Numbers, chapter 32 is the story of the children of Israel’s starting point into the land of Canaan. But before they go, two tribes (Gad and Reuben) decided to stay on this side of the Jordan for the cattle land. Moses took this as an affront to God for having brought them through the wilderness. Moses feared that their action would cause the others to doubt the victory. After a “come to Jesus moment,” The two tribes told Moses that they would go and fight, and help win the land, and then they’d return to the other side of Jordan, to the land of Gilead. And so it was. And the rest (as they say) is history. 

Just as the children of Israel were about the fight for Canaan, this is the time that Christians are going to have to fight for America. I pray not in the literal sense of a civil war. And just as Israel marched around Jericho and the Lord won that battle for them, I am one of faith who believes that God can take care of this battle that we face too. But not without unity. If all tribes were not present in the day of Jericho, we might read a different tale. 

We all have to Fight 

So, let’s talk denomination for a minute by way of Jesus. If your denomination believes that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, no other means to Heaven except through the belief that His blood paid it all, then we’re kin. We may not be of the same tribe, but we’re members of the family of God. And we’re all going to have to march into battle together. Once we’re done, you can go back to your yard, and I’ll play in mine, but during this mess our country is in, we need to stick together. Stop arguing and accusing the brethren. Just love each other, and love others into the fold. 

We have to Fight with the Truth

I have never been a fighter. I hate confrontation in the worst kind of way. But with the battle America is in right now, I have to stand up and be counted as a defender of the truth. It’s why I like BlazeTV. You can watch the shows on YouTube free of charge, I encourage it. But I encourage you more to focus on standing God’s ground where you are and stay armed with the gospel ready to fight this leftist group that wants to take over America starting with our police force. 

Romans 13:1-3 KJV

[1] Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. [3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

The only people who should ever have a problem with law enforcement are those who do evil. 

Are their evil police. Yes. And evil doctors, secretaries, congressmen, moms and dads, every body under the sun as the potential for evil.   But I don’t hear anyone saying we need to fire everyone that holds those positions, except police. We have to know whose behind that. Satan doesn’t want justice for anyone, nor does his minions. And guess who’s yelling the loudest and garnering the greatest attention. Not the good. 

We have to Fight Loudly

When the children of Israel took down Jericho they didn’t do it with their might, they did it with their march and their mouths… Hello? That’s a good word! I haven’t had an opportunity to speak lately, so the only platform I have is this one. And I’m pretty sure that I’m not on Google’s list to be successful. I’m happy with my numbers, because I know that those are the people that God wants me to encourage. But I’d be happier still if those numbers would increase because I feel like I have something that needs said. And I feel as though you do too, and it’s my job to encourage you to cross over. Stop waiting on this side of the river for someone else to fight our battle. Join in. Be vocal. Not nasty, but loud, and with a smile.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Evangelism, Life Inspiration, Word of God

The Panic, the Pandemic and the Pantheism

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Pan – the root word of our subjects today. Derived from the Greek meaning all, any, everyone. Dr. Mickey Carter brought this to our attention in his sermon on Sunday evening a Victory Baptist Church in Grantsville, West Virginia. Far away from the city of Caesarea Philippi and the Temple of Pan. Mickey Carter is one of those men of God who has likely forgotten more than I’ll ever know. But the wisdom in the recesses of his mind is amazing to me and it causes me delve deeper in scripture. Which is what good preachin’ does! 

So here we go, I hope you enjoy this quick journey in the very shallow pool of my wisdom. The bulk of the information that I’m using today came from an article on www.thattheworldmayknow.com. The title of the article is “Gates of Hell.” Which sometimes I think the world is standing at with anticipation and a ticket to get in. It’s insane how the world is embracing this nonsense of today, and yet it’s nothing new is it? 

In Jesus day they may not have had the World Wide Web, but they still had access to filth and sin. One such place was in the the city of Caesarea Philippi. It stood in a lush area near the foot of mount Hermon and was filled with immoral behavior and pagan worship. Much like America today. It was the center for Baal worship and eventually the worship of Greek fertility gods. This area became the center for worship of the Greek god, Pan. The Greeks named the city Panias in his honor, but it was later changed to Philipi when it was conquered by the Romans and rebuilt by the Herod Philip. 

In a cliff above the city the people built shrines and temples to Pan. And this is where Jesus chose to deliver his “graduation speech” as it was referred to in the article of information, to His disciples. It was in that pagan environment that Christ would ask the question in Luke 9:18 –“Whom say the people that I am?”

Many in the religious world would have told Jesus not to take His disciples to such a wicked place. 

To the pagan mind, the cave at Caesarea Philippi created a gate to the underworld, where fertility gods lived during the winter. They committed detestable acts to worship these false gods.

In order to entice the return of their god, Pan, each year, the people of Caesarea Philippi engaged in horrible deeds, including prostitution and sexual interaction between humans and goats.

When Jesus brought his disciples to the area, they must have been shocked. Caesarea Philippi was like a red-light district in their world and devout Jews would have avoided any contact with the despicable acts committed there. And there they were in the midst of an evil society, much like we are today, but the shock value seems to have worn off most of the church. They’re willing to embrace the wicked rather than listening to Christ who instructed the disciples in Matthew 16:18

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Christ didn’t want us to fear and avoid the evil of the world but rather storm the gates of Hell and win the battle. But for now we’re too busy. 

The Panic

There’s our root word again. According to the 1828 dictionary, the pan of panic is derived from the fear caused by the god Pan who was not only the god of fertility but the god of the wild shepherds and flocks and companion of nymphs. He had the hindquarters, legs and horns of a goat. I too might panic if I seen such a creature. But it’s not the creature that has caused the panic in our land. It’s the created.

The Pandemic

A man created disease, but as bad as the disease is the emotion that men have created in mankind. We’re as unreasonably frightened of this pandemic as the people were in the day to be afraid of the god of Pan. There is a vast difference between caution and panic. We should be cautious. We should protect the weak. But we should not have ever cowered in fear in our homes, ruined doubt economy and avoided the assembly of ourselves together. The quarantine of our nation incited greater fear and sent our nation not only into panic but into insanity. And most churches have halted the work of Christ and are now adopting the theology of men allowing pantheism to soar.

The Pantheism

Pantheism is the worship of many gods. Hello? Sound like Caesarea Philippi? It sure does to me. And every bit as crazy. On the far left of our nation, both literally and figuratively, the drive for paganism and pantheism is a force to be reckoned with. But not one to fear. If we fear it and what’s going on out there we’ll be as ineffective as the government was on their solution to the pandemic. We know as children of God there is “no other God than Jesus Christ. Capital “G” God. They may have a little g god, but what is that by comparison to the Lord Jesus Christ, who took on the sins of the world, won victory over Hell and returned as our risen Lord and Savior! 

This is for certain not an exhaustive study of the subject of pan. But it always helps and encourages me when I realize that Satan’s tactics haven’t changed. And the advice of Jesus during the days of the Apostles is still His advice for the day of Shari. And He is still the God of Victory! 

Posted in Bible Journaling, Evangelism, Faith, Leadership, Life Inspiration

What to do with a bickerer

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There are people always looking to argue in this life. I however am not one of them. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I stand on the foundation of the Word of God, and should someone attempt a debate, I simply point them skyward and tell them to talk it over with God and have Him let me know. But I’m not not debating. I teach a Sunday School class with very strong opinionated teens. We don’t always agree and I’m okay with that. But being that I’m the teacher, I tell them what I believe and where I find it in the Bible. And then we discuss it, oft times at great lengths.

I imagine the apostle Paul to be much the same, except with greater authority than I. His wisdom far surpasses anything in my pea brain. But the point of todays conversation is to address what to do in a world full of bickerers. 

In the beginning of Paul’s ministry he was top authoritarian on the Jewish Faith but He had much to learn when it came to the Christian faith. So when arguments arose he had to rely on the wisdom of those who had traveled with Christ and knew Him and His ways. That’s why I love hanging out with old time Christians. They’ve walked the paths that I’m on and I can learn from their journey. It’s why I’m never too impressed with the letters behind someone’s name, and I’m even less impressed if they’re using them to impress me. Paul, in that day would have likely had every letter available. He was trained at the school of Gamaliel in Jerusalem, one of the most noted rabbis in history. Oh, Paul was book smart, but until that day where he received the hard knock education on the road to Damascus, his education, though impressive, didn’t get him out of this world alive. But the his knowledge and relationship with Christ changed everything. Including the humility factor. 

In Acts 15 somebody is trying to upset the apple cart of the apostles ministry. 

The Upset Apple Cart

Acts 15:1-12,15 KJV

[1] And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. [2] When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 

While Paul and Barnabas had “no small dissension.” with those folks, they didn’t argue it to the point of no return. They stopped the conversation and set out to find the facts. Oh… would to God todays church would do that. Before they argue “what God thinks,” perhaps they should talk to people who have had long conversations with God. Not theologians or college professors who talk more to the god in the mirror than the One true and Living God, Jesus Christ. There are those in the our college, universities, schools and businesses today that live to upset the apple cart with foolish arguments that have nothing to do with God’s plan. So if it’s not God’s plan they’re arguing about, whose is it. 👿 Yep. He is the best apple cart tipper I’ve ever seen. 

The Rotten Apples in the Church

[3] And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. [4] And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. [5] But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

Those doggone religious folks. They’re often just as bad as the “educated folk” on creating arguments. There is seldom a humility factor involved, unless it is to humiliate another brother or sister in Christ by showing them how much more “religious” they are. And there’s nothing like the religious to tear down or confuse a new convert. Here Paul is, trying is best to get it right, and the Pharisees are still hung up on works. It has to be about men, else they’ll get no attention. That’s the problem with the humility factor and, again Paul was so good at it. He wasn’t trying to impress anyone, he was trying to get to the truth. 

The Apple Seeds and the Sowers

[6] And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. [7] And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. [8] And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; [9] And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. [10] Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? [11] But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. [12] Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

Oh how I love those mic drop moments in the Bible. When Peter dropped the mic after telling them what the Lord said their purpose was and how his purpose had been changed, to include the Gentiles, the argument ceased. When God purifies the heart of man, there is no difference. Jew or Gentile. Black, white or any other color. Male or female. Just two, the Bible mentions no other. Peter not only stopped the argument, he ushered the way for Paul and Barnabas to share in the work that they had done on their missionary journeys. But not before he lined them all out about putting a yoke around the neck of those who were just trying to serve God. That’s what Satan would love to do with this upset apple cart in America right now. He wants us to focus on transgressions of the past so that he hinders the future.

Facts:

I, nor my parents or grandparents had slaves.

I, nor my parents have any prejudice toward anyone of any color. 

I, have friends of every color, and their skin has never entered the equation of how I feel toward them. 

So those yokes should never be upon my neck and cause me to apologize for something I didn’t do. I will say, I’m sorry your ancestors suffered. But I didn’t do it. Just like the Gentiles had no reason for circumcision because that was a law of the days of Moses. Not of today. 

Facts:

The Bible doesn’t mention anything about any “genders” other than male or female. Therefore I won’t acknowledge them either. 

The Bible does say that homosexuality is wrong. I have no authority to change God’s word. Nor does anyone else. 

The Bible says to mark those who teach in error.  I have a rainbow of colors in my office and on my computer that I can color with. God owns the rainbow.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Evangelism, Faith, Family, Heaven, Life Inspiration

One Race Only

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I feel like I should have to preface the image above by saying, “For display only.” The odds of me running in any physical race are slim to none. But the spiritual race… oh, I’m in that one! 

It’s times like the ones we’re living in where I am extremely grateful for where I live and where I was raised. Were it not for the providence of God, I could have been anywhere. Including smack dab in the middle of the riots. But the only rioting going on around my house is when the six grandkids come over. And I am sometimes crowd control, and I am sometimes the instigator. It depends on the day. But one thing that hasn’t changed in my life is the blessing of being raised where the color of someone’s skin was more of a curiosity to me, than an issue. I knew that the color of the skin meant that the culture of that family was almost inevitably  different than mine. I have not met too many dark skinned red necks. And as I grew up in Calhoun County, West Virginia, there was only one black family in our area. So to say that I can identify with racial indifference isn’t true. I have nothing to relate too. Over the years the diversity of skin colors has changed in our area, but still yet, for the most part, white skinned red necks are the lot of our bunch. But I’ve traveled and I’ve met people of all different nationalities and I’m here to say, each are a product of God’s purpose. Some living in it, some running from it, and most trying to figure it out. So when I see the hatred and vicious behavior of the riots going on, my heart breaks for the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not who He created us to be. 

I said all of that so that you’d get a snapshot of who I am, culturally speaking. I’ve lived in the country most of my life, with the exception of a few years in the city of Parkersburg, West Virginia. My kids were raised country. I have a daughter who’s an avid fisher and hunter, and the other who loves everything about mudding and frog giggin’, my sweet little girls did not grow up to be fancy pants. I on the other hand, love everything sparkly, which is why I have such a fascination about Heaven. And why I could care less about the color of someone’s skin, thinking that all of our souls are transparent at this point. Or perhaps they too are sparkly. I’d like to think that way. 

The most frustrating part about the state of our country right now is the division. We should be fighting for each other, not with each other. When I agreed to run the race for Jesus in 1996, I didn’t look back. All my past transgressions were under the blood and the people that I had issues with in my life, there’s were no longer on my mind. I just loved everyone. I just wanted to see everyone come to know the Jesus that I know. The One and only who could die to pay the price for all of my sins, and they were many. They one who rescued me from a heart of turmoil. Who exchanged for one filled with peace. Oh my goodness, why would I want to go back into that life, or why would I consider standing in judgement of any man or woman knowing what Christ brought me out of. I love running this race. I do not like physical running. It tires me quickly with my heart condition. The only thing that tires me quicker, is see people running down my nation. I love it. I’m a die hard fan of God and He is a fan of the old America. Not the one we’re living in now. 

We need to go back to the old paths, where in is the way.

Jeremiah 6:16 KJV

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Jeremiah’s instructions are a timeless solution

Stand in the ways… God’s ways.

See… His provision.

Walk… as He leads

Rest for our souls… we need it now more than ever.

But even then they said, “we will not walk therein.” And America is filled with that same rebellious spirit. But regardless of it, we who are children of God do not have to follow suit. We can run this race single minded, God focused. We can choose to love, even the most despicable of characters, you know… like politicians. I know… that wasn’t very nice. I’m not lumping them into one category, how rude would that be? 

I hope you are safe, and I hope you are filled with the Spirit of God, guiding you. Have a topic you’d like to hear more on? let me know. I’m always looking for a good study. 

Bless ya! ~ The Jesus Chick

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Church attendance, Church Unity, Life Inspiration

I’m here… Yet not

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“I’m here.” Those are the words I wrote this morning as I spoke to a friend who’s hit a rough patch in life. As the words settled on the screen, my next thought was. “Where is that? Where is here?” This stupid virus has messed with my ministry work and my head. While I’ve not been “quarantined” as many have, meaning I still work and see people; plus I’ve been in church helping with the live broadcast, but times have drastically changed.  The world as we know it has changed. I’m concerned for my people. 

Tomorrow will be our first Sunday with an actual in person service at Victory Baptist Church in Grantsville, West Virginia. I’m so excited. Victory is our happy place. It’s where we come together as friends and family to share in the week and receive strength from that, and most importantly strength from God’s word.  And now it’s been months! How has everyone been? I know how I’ve been, absent from the body. The body of believers, yet still here. 

Absent from Touch

I still cannot hug and kiss and shake hands with my people. That makes me sad. Yes, I’m glad to see their face, but I’m a hugger! I love it when I feel someone wrapped in my arms as they let go of the stress of life. To know you’ve been the arms of God is a powerful thing. And this virus has taken that ability away from many. They may not have anyone in their life right now hugging them and making them feel loved. The quarantine has worsened that for many. But for me, it’s made me realize that I need to touch people with my God given abilities of song and the written and spoken word. 

Absent from Emotion

I’ve been given the gift of gab and the gift of writing, but even that does not always adequately allow me to describe how I sometimes feel. How do you explain that flutter in your heart, or the joy that causes your mind to reel. How to I feel someone else’s pain that I’m not living with? How do I share in the emotion of someone if I’m not physically with them in their time of need? It’s tough.  

It’s always my fear when I’m texting with someone that my emotion won’t come through. They won’t know how much I truly love them and care. The new “care” Facebook emoji makes my heart smile. Because as important as liking and loving someone is, they need to know we genuinely care. The absence of emotion is a struggle for me. I’m a touchy feely person. I love the sparkle in an eye, the gasp of joy and elation. But I also miss the tears and cries of a child of God who needs the presence of a friend. 

Absent from God?

Nope. It can’t happen. Although I may be absent fro the touch and emotion of man, I am never absent from God. David wrote in Psalms

Psalm 139:1-14 KJV

[1] O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. [2] Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. [3] Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. [4] For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. [5] Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. [6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. [7] Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? [8] If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. [9] If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; [10] Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. [11] If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. [12] Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. [13] For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. [14] I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

I needed that word this morning. I needed the reminder that although I cannot physically be there for people often times, our God is there for everyone, all the time, wherever “here” is. Gloorrrrraaaayyyy! 

I wrote myself happy again