Category: Christian

Posted in Christian, Christian Service, Evangelism, Grace, Leadership, Life Inspiration

The Word of God is Finished, Not the Work

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Titus 1:10-16 KJVS

[10] For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: [11] Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. [12] One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. [13] This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; [14] Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. [15] Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. [16] They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Religion has always left a bad taste in my mouth, but lately, it’s come to the point where I feel like the whale that swallowed Jonah. No wonder he finally puked him out on the ground… one can only take so much. This is the emotion I felt as someone described the current state of their church. (I’m going to claim righteous indignation on this one). I think God’s okay with my ire, after all, it is the souls of men dangling over hell while a preacher looks on, not wanting to hurt their feelings by preaching what thus saith the Lord. 

That was not the case in the letter from Paul to Titus, though the result is much the same. The prophet of which Paul spoke of is said to be a man named Epimenides. The commentary of John Gill said that in his (Epimenides) poems stand the words here cited; the apostle rightly calls him “one of themselves”, since he was a Cretian by birth, of the city of Gnossus; it is reported of him, that being sent by his father to his sheep in the field, he by the way, at noon, turned aside into a cave, and slept fifty seven years and he is very properly called a “prophet” of their own; for in Crete Jupiter had his prophets, and he might be one of them: the priests among the Heathens were called prophets; so Baal’s priests are called the prophets of Baal, and the prophets of the groves, 1 Kings 18:19. 

Epimenides was a judaizing Christian who mixed the works of Old Testament law with the grace of God. Paul warned Titus of the likes of men such as him and told him to call them out, (vs. 13). Would to God that this were the case today. But instead we sit idly by and watch as religious nonsense goes from one extreme to the other. 

I love encouraging people in the word of God, and the Bible certainly tells us to exhort one another. There is plenty of things to be exhorted by in the word of God, it is good news! But today as I focus my mind on being doctrinely sound, trying to be a responsible child of God, frustration mounts and I want to call out lying, evil beasts and slow bellies which is how I view anyone who is in a position of authority in a church (such as a Pastor), who stands before a congregation of God’s people with out regard or a feeling of responsibility or accountability for their souls and fails to tell them how to be saved. To the outside world they’re “good” people. But in reality they are a tool of Satan himself.

Did that word encourage you? I doubt it. But let it be for you, as it is for me this morning; a reminder that we too will stand before God accountable for what we’ve done with the word of God. Not just the Preacher. I’ve been scattered and lack with my blog because I’ve been tired and weary with life. That’s not an excuse, it’s just a fact. So as I read Paul’s charge to Titus, I couldn’t help but wonder what he would say to me as I debate what my role is in the church, and who is it that is coming up behind me? Who are the modern Titus’, Timothy’s, Aquila’s and Priscilla’s? The word of God is finished, but not the work. The names are now ours, and God is calling us out. That is a word of encouragement! 

If you run into a lying, evil beast of a slow belly, tell them what Jesus has done in your life. Perhaps, through your words they’ll desire to know the truth about God.

Posted in Christian, Christian Service, Evangelism, Forgiveness, Life Inspiration

Are You Wearing Compassion

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Philemon 1:1 KJVS

[1] Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,

I encourage you to take a few minutes of your day and read the book of Philemon if this blog stirs your soul. I think most of us can relate to an act of betrayal by someone we love. It doesn’t have to be an affair, it can be even the smallest of betrayals;  but any act by someone we love that shows a lack of consideration or respect for the depth of love in a relationship, hurts. For Philemon, this wasn’t a betrayal by a friend, or perhaps he was, but Onesimus the character for which Paul is writing, was a slave who had run away. That was a crime punishable by death. A crime every child of God is guilty of. 

The book of Philemon struck a chord with me today because of a need to forgive some people in my life. People who likely don’t even know, or care that I have ought against them. They’re not friends, they’re just acquaintances through someone else. But their actions hurt someone I love. So therefore, I ain’t happy. And if Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. Or so they say. 🙂 Actually, that’s not true either. I generally don’t even let people know that Momma ain’t happy. Believing another of Paul’s theories of behavior in 2 Corinthians 2:1-2

[1] But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. [2] For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?

But Philemon was such a good place for me to be in spiritually today. Reminding me that the world is need of the forgiveness of children of God. Those who understand the ultimate cost of it by Christ, else how will the world ever know there is a difference. 

What makes this story such a wonderful Christian reminder is the fact that a man of such great stature took the time to write a letter, while he was suffering in prison. He did so to defend a slave and seek out the compassion of his owner to treat the slave not as the piece of property he was, but as a brother in Christ, an equal to the owner. Glory to God that stirs my soul!!! 

Betrayal is harsh, personal and it cuts deep. How many times had Paul been betrayed? It didn’t matter to him, because he looked at the ultimate betrayal he himself had committed against the Lord and it’s where our spirit of forgiveness should come from. That is the chastisement I feel in my soul this morning. I know we’re all human, but humanity is not an excuse in the scope of eternity. While I can get in the flesh and say, “look what they’ve done!” I can just as easily get in the Spirit and say “look what I did.”

Paul knew that Philemon was within his rights as a slave owner to be upset with Onesimus. But he appealed to him not as a slave owner, but as one who had been freed from the bondage of sin in his own life. According to one commentary, there is evidence that a slave who was initiated into the owners religion was no longer a slave, but because of the common bond, was a free man. When Onesimus had left Philemon, he wasn’t a believer, but as God would have it, he met Paul and found his name written in a book of eternity, both on this earth and in Heaven. 

Are there people, who through our treatment of them, can be found to be written down in the book of Life because God made them a divine appointment with us? What if at that appointment we treated them like dung and they were forever lost? Will we not be held accountable? Paul both showed and taught compassion. For me today I have an assignment from the Lord, perhaps it’s yours too. Compassion, wear it well my friends.

Posted in Christian, Eternity, Evangelism, Life Inspiration, Purpose, Word of God

I’ve been reading Israel’s Mail

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Psalm 46, a Psalm I’ve heard quoted and one that I myself have quoted with little regard to the context. But with the current state of affairs in our Nation, suddenly scripture that once encouraged my gentile heart, now points my heart toward eternity and the word toward Israel. Our Pastor’s been doing an amazing study on end times and drawing our minds into the word of God, in ways that cause us to look at scripture, and wonder why it had not been so obvious before. 

Psalms has always been an attractive read for me because of its poetic nature. And that perhaps has been my downfall for understanding. I looked at the eloquence of the words more so than the meaning. With that compass pointing a solid north for me this morning, I delved into Psalm 46 as if I was reading it for the first time. 

Psalm 46:1-11 KJVS

[1] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 

Verse one may be one of the most quoted scriptures of all times. And for certain the application can be made to every child of God! He has never forsaken me in a day of trouble, for which I’ve had many. I would still put that on my wall today and call it good; but it’s not written to me. I’m reading Israel’s mail. When I have continued on to verse two, I’ve read it metaphorically. After all, I have yet to see the mountains of West Virginia carried into the sea. But there will come a day when this scripture will be in the literal sense; and those who read it then, who see it live and in action for themselves, will hang onto every word of God as if it’s a life raft, which it will be. Israel will be those people. 

 [3] Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. [4] There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 

The upheaval  we see in our nation and others now will be nothing compared to the upheaval of end times. The mountains referred to in this passage are metaphorically speaking of the  kingdoms and the water  speaks to peoples and nations as it does in Revelation 17:15

 Revelation 17:15 KJVS

[15] And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 

So the waters roaring in verse 3 are equivalent to the nations in uproar in verse 6.  We have witnessed in 2020 how quickly nation can turn against nation. How quickly the land of the free and the home of the brave  can become a nation of cowardly jailers who lock up or shut up anyone who disagrees. If you are a liberal of mind, you can say that  i’m wrong, but you can offer no evidence to back up your argument. If you happen to be a conservative who doesn’t believe me, give back your badge, you’re out of the club. 🤪 I brought that up as evidence to the quick changing of times for which we have been warned about. Living in denial (which I personally love) does not stop prophecy. Woah. That should be on a tee shirt. 

For reference I point to 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 KJVS

[1] But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. [2] For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. [3] For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. [4] But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

As I continue on I read that the mountains shaking, tumbling, or dissolving (v2, 3, 6) are equivalent to kingdoms falling (v6). This is similar to the picture painted in Micah 1:3-4:

Micah 1:3-4 KJVS

[3] For, behold, the Lord cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth. [4] And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place.

If God Himself comes down out of the heavens, He whose hand can span the heavens, what damage might He do to the earth? When Jesus came to earth He came in the form of a man; the foot prints He left on this earth were of no greater stature than that of ordinary men. But end times is a game changer for the earth and God can return in any form He so chooses. Praise His holy name, the church will have been called home. Yes! I am pre-trib.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 KJVS

[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Now, on with my study…

[5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 

A new friend gave me a gift yesterday which is what drew me into his scripture. And it was this verse in particular. I adore gift, the giver and the scripture. God is in the midst of me, in m very soul and i shall not be moved! But in context this speaks to God being in the midst of Israel. Right in the thick of end times. There are those in this world that are naive enough to believe that they will have power over God’s people. Foolish, foolish mortals read the end of the book!

[6] The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. [7] The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. [8] Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. [9] He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. [10] Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. [11] The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Verse 10 is yet another verse we find on walls, bible covers and note cards. And yet i doubt there is any person on this earth that would want to live through whats happening when these verses are being played out. 

While reading, and receiving encouragement from the word of God is always a blessing, bible study and understanding will bring God’s purpose for it into perspective. So, even though i had always  opened Israel’s 🇮🇱 mail by mistake, it was good to read and reflect on how God used the psalmist to share prophecy that will encourage us to get busy for the King!

Posted in Christian, Christian Service, Eternity, Evangelism, Grace, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

Sharing God’s Bounty

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Here it is, 9:30 Tuesday morning and I’m just getting in tune with God. It’s not that I’ve been totally useless this morning, I did a little laundry folding, took a couple of grands to school after fixing them a highly nutritious breakfast…. Okay it was filled donuts,… but hey, they didn’t go to school hungry. So I consider that a win! My grandparenting skills are no better than my parenting skills, except I,m a tad calmer. Or perhaps I’ve confused calm with weak.

So my last few days went something like this… I left for Pennsylvania on Friday, turned a four hour drive into a five hour drive by getting lost,which was a win because of the fall country scenes.  I did a conference from 8 to 4 on Saturday and then drove home fours hours and fell in to bed. I got up at 6 am Sunday, did the bulletin and the PowerPoint and headed off to church where I taught Sunday school and met some favorite cousins from Florida for worship. Went to my sisters for lunch and then to a football game for my grandson, but only until it was time to leave for church. Went back to evening service and then home for a few hours before bed. I did five loads of laundry before 10 a.m. on Monday and then did my live feed on Facebook. Went and did an art project for my daughter at 11:30 and then off to the nursing home to sing at two p.m. Picked the grands up from school, fixed burgers and fries for supper collapsed for a few hours before bed and now I’ve pretty much filled you in on my life. 

I’d love to tell you that it’s not my norm, but it is. Which is why I found my mind in a weary place today. Not sad, not troubled… weary. Perhaps you feel my pain.

Paul felt it. And at a much more extreme level than myself. So to myself, I say, “Suck it up buttercup.”

REAPIN’ AND SOWIN’

Galatians 6:8-14 KJVS

[8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. [9] And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 

It is sad to say, that there were many wasted hours within my days. Time that I could have invested much wiser. I know God understands but for all my well doing, I’m a hot mess more often than not. So how can I refresh this weary soul? This morning I’m looking at Paul’s advice to the Galatians and trying to imagine if he had dropped by my house along the way to encourage me. Can you imagine! 

It feels a little like that as I read his words. He has put the prize of life everlasting before me and said. “ Don’t grow weary! There’s going to be plenty of time to rest on the other side. As fast as time is flying down here, I know he’s right, but there needs to be some hoeing to go with that reaping and sowing.

HEAPIN’ AND HOEIN’

[10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. [11] Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. [12] As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. [13] For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

When I think of gardening (since I am an experienced farmer now 😂) part of the fun is having a bounty to share. I can’t say that my two 8×12 foot  patches heaped enough to share, but spiritually speaking can I say that I have heaped enough of the word of God into my soul and hoed the ground around it.  I know my metaphorical speaking is tough this morning but it’s where I’m at! How well have I tilled the ground when it comes to in depth study so that I have a good root foundation to make a harvest. 

Paul’s words have me pondering that. I want to study harder so that when I speak it’s with a greater passion and less weariness. Part of the reason I am so weary is the guilt I put upon myself for being so unproductive, and yet, that’s part of what Paul warned about when he pointed them to the religious crowd insisting upon circumcision. Works make us weary. But building our relationship with God and His people is a worthy invigorating harvest. 

My life is BUSY! But this mornings focus on tilling my own ground has renewed my Spirit. I pray you find some time to focus on God today too!

Posted in Christian, Church attendance, Faith, Life Inspiration

The Saddest Words

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I’m not so sure that I’m not guilty of calloused ears when it comes to the news. Almost nothing shocks me anymore. I try not to look at images, because those I cannot get out of my mind, but words, they just make weary. Not the gospel! I cannot read it without feeling the Spirit bubble up in my soul. But I guess not everyone is like that, or perhaps they just don’t read, else the Spirit would convict them for leaving God’s side. I’ve had that experiences as well. But the world right now is so calloused to not only the news, but to anything that doesn’t directly effect them. And that for certain is not a new story. 

In the book of Isaiah, God has a conversation with Isaiah that I fear we are seeing repeated, but this time it’s with Christians, not Israel. 

Isaiah 6:9-12 KJVS

[9] And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. [10] Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. [11] Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, [12] And the Lord have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.

A great forsaking. SADDEST. WORDS. EVER. 

As I understand it when the Lord removed men far away, it speaks to the Lord allowing the Jews, by means of the Romans, to be carried away captive out of their own land, and dispersing them among several nations of the world as judgment for their sins.  While few Christians in America would consider themselves captives, their deceiving themselves. They may not be bound by man, but they are for certain bound by this world and God continues to allow them to get further and further away.

Unlike Jesus who’s parables we remember, I sometimes have problems making my metaphorical writing easily understood. I hope that not to be the case today. 

Sunday after Sunday I listen as my own pastor preaches the gospel as it’s been given to him, studying to rightly divide the word, preaching with great passion. Then I wonder “How can people not feel the need to come to church and support the ministry of Victory Baptist Church, but more importantly show their love for God? Their ears, or perhaps it’s their hearts have become calloused. It doesn’t effect them like it does those who are actively seeking a relationship with God. But the price they’re paying is far greater than they could possibly understand, else they’d be in their pew where they belong.

We are experiencing a great forsaking and many of them aren’t even aware they’ve forsaken God and just as He did Israel, God let them go, let them be captured. This world has calloused their minds and hearts to the understanding that they’ve even drifted away. They think their fine. They think their family is fine. They know the world has problems, but it’s not “their” problems, right? 

As time marches on and the day of the great calling away of the church draws nearer it’s going to be eternally their problem. If they’re saved, truly saved, meaning that they believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and the fact that He was and is the only payment for our sin debt, then they’ll be in Heaven. Possibly regardless, but there none the less. But what scares me about people out of church is that I don’t have proof of their relationship with God, and I’m not so sure they have one, else why wouldn’t they be in church. So when the Lord calls His church home, will they be there? I don’t know. That thought makes my stomach roll over in a sickened state. And if, praise God, they are a child of God, what about their family that have watched them forsake the Lord and make no importance of a relationship with Him, what about them, will they be there? God helps us to realize that the falling away of the church is a falling that sending people we love into the pits of Hell for eternal separation. If that does not stir the heart of a child of God, you are in serious trouble spiritually. 

I’ll leave today’s post with this thought. Pray for America. Pray that the world calloused minds soften and the churches fill one again with the children of God. Pray for revival. Start with your own. Then spread the word! Amen!

Posted in Christian, Christian Service, Life Inspiration

The Truth About You

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My frustration mounts daily. Certainly with myself and also for my people. There are times that I truthfully don’t understand why God has not taken me home already. And then there are times when I know my purpose and God’s eternal plan, I make every attempt to accomplish the goals He sets before me and by the time I jump through the hoops of the day and work my way around the obstacles of life, I collapse in exhaustion. And such is life. But my frustration for the people in my life for which I care about has been hitting an all time high. And then I hear a statement like that made of David O’Steen, a visiting preacher to our church and I’m back in the battle again. Armed with the Word of God and ready to take on the toughest case.

“God did not put us on this earth so we’d have a beautiful place to leave for Hell from.”  – David O’Steen. That’s a very simplistic thought with some deep doctrinal truth that I need to share today with the people I love.

It’s not a statement that takes a philosophical thinker. It should be a statement that makes common sense. And the great danger in not understanding this simple truth is the wrath of God.

Hold On to the Truth

Romans 1:18-20 KJVS

[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 

In this world where the truth is a rare commodity, it’s hard to know what is truth and what is lie. With one exception. The word of God is absolute undeniable truth. Whether or not a person believes it is truth doesn’t change the fact that it is. The denial of that will reveal the wrath of God because it is an ungodly and unrighteous act to say that scripture is questionable. Is it a sin to question God? I have certainly questioned God with why He allows things to happen. That’s human nature. But to read the word of God and question it’s validity is to call God a liar. And as a fully human person, I am certain that I have questioned why God did what He did in many of the books of the Bible. But I don’t question that He did it. And as for the moral compass that is within each verse and chapter, if a person lived by it, how wonderful their life would be. Speaking from the experience of not living by it like I should and suffering the consequences. 

Wrath however is different than consequences. I see consequence for sin as a child of God as worldly suffering. Wrath can come when you have denied the Word of God, questioned His legitimacy and you will find yourself in the hands of God and He is angry. The same Who spoke the world into existence can speak you out of it. 

I will hang on to the truth. That is also my recommendation to you.

Hold On to the Evidence

[19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

God not only gives us His word, He gives us His evidence. Everyday God’s creation testifies of itself. How on earth could anyone look at creation and think that it just one day magically appeared. How does love magically appear. How does the human body in its intricacy and amazement just one day come to be. The person who believes that is beyond ignorant.  And I say that in love. For me a mentally challenged person is not one who is subpar in earthly knowledge; it’s someone who has wisdom and fails to give God the glory or use it for His good. 

One of the very evidence of God is you. You prove His existence everyday in the way you laugh, breath and go on in spite of everything you’ve been through. God creates tenacious people! Hold on the evidence and share it with those who question.

Let Go of the Excuses

[20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

You my friend are a created being with eternal purpose, else why would God have bothered to invest so much into you? Think about everything that goes into making you, you. Your body alone has so many amazing things about it, but add to that your thoughts, your passions, your desires and talents…. Oh my stars! You’re crazy amazing!!!!  I’ve never doubted that God had purpose for me, it’s just that some times I don’t know how to use the gifts I’ve been given. I understand if you have fears about God asking you to step outside your comfort zone. I fear. He sometimes just shoves me out in front of a crowd and I just roll with it because I don’t know how else to to do it. But if He allows many any time to think about it, I begin to question, (not the fact that He created me) but why He created me. And I’ll begin making excuses for why I can’t or shouldn’t do what He created me to do. But I don’t question that He created. And as Paul wrote the Romans, anyone who does is without excuse. 

If you read my blog, you are most like a believer. But if you know people who aren’t (and we all likely do), stop making excuses and step outside your comfort zone so they can see the evidence of God in your life. He’s amazing! The truth is, You’re amazing. Let the word see it!

Posted in Christian, Christian Service, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

Forever My Lydia

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After fourteen hours of travel, as a very tired and weary traveler, I pulled onto the tree line streets of Windom, Minnesota for the very first time in my life. I had loved seeing a part of our nation I had never had the opportunity to visit, but I had no idea on that day how much I would come to love the city of Windom, but even more so the people. I had little to no apprehension of stepping out of my car and knocking on the door of an address I had been given to meet a woman who had opened up her home for the purpose of hosting me during my stay. Her name was Loretta Jackson. A woman small in stature, but huge in heart. She answered the door with a smile that lit up the outdoors and we were fast friends. 

We had two things in common. First of all we both loved and served the Lord. Secondly, we were married to fire fighters, although her fighter husband had retired. We started talking when she opened the door and we didn’t stop until she and I hugged goodbye a week later. Her home was modest and filled with memories of her life that showed her love for her family and friends. She and I shared our work in the ministry and how God had changed our lives through allowing us to serve. God has been good to me to allow me the privilege of knowing some of His greatest servants. 

Loretta will forever be my Lydia. 

Acts 16:14-15 KJVS

[14] And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us : whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. [15] And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

By the time I came to know Loretta, she was retired and up in years, but like Lydia she never stopped working. While there were certainly younger women who could have stepped in and did what Loretta did for the Lord, she knew that God had called her to serve, so serve she would! 

One story that will let you understand her heart as I came to appreciate it was the call she received from another church, not of her Denomination. This is how crazy our religious world has become. Loretta had such a reputation as a woman of God in the Windom community, that this church of what I would consider dead religion, called her to teach their children. They had no people in their own congregation who would volunteer to teach the children about the Lord Jesus Christ, and even thought they knew the doctrinal differences that they had with Loretta’s Baptist background, they wanted her to do it. And so, armed with her baptist curriculum, she taught and the children learned that God loved them, because Loretta loved them. Oh, that story brings me such joy! Because it wouldn’t happen just anywhere and it wouldn’t happen with just anyone. Loretta, like Lydia, worshipped God with an open heart and she attended to the things of God and the people saw. 

Oh to be known as a Lydia! Oh to be known as a Loretta!

Posted in Christian, Christian Service, Evangelism, failure, Faith, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Jesus Knows Where You Are

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Jesus Knows Where You Are

Why is it that the children of God never learn? Again and again we go through life faithing and failing. Yes, I know faithing is not a word, but hey, the world makes up new words every day, why not us? One day we’ll have mountain faith, and the next day it wouldn’t take up the corner inside a mustard seed. Or do I speak of myself alone? I’m certainly in that boat! Anytime I need a reminder of faith and failure I almost inevitably go to a passage about my friend Peter. I kind of feel sorry for the guy! He is so often preached on for his examples of failures, but the man lead thousand to the Lord! Oh to be a Simon Peter!

But the scripture that caught my eye this morning was another of Peter’s failures. Literally caught with his pants down in a boat of backslidden boys. 

John 21:1-14 KJVS

John 21:1-4 KJVS
[1] After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. [2] There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. [3] Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. [4] But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

Distance Learning:

Perhaps it was the distance between the boat and land, or perhaps their minds were not in a place that caused them to recognize the Lord; but none the less, they didn’t know it was Jesus. That’s what happens when you drift further and further away from God. Trust me, I speak as a woman of experience. I allow the world to drag me down spiritually until I’m feeling like an empty gum wrapper and of no use to anyone, before I finally realize it’s because I’ve been drifting toward them, not toward Christ. 

Part of the reason my mind has been scattered of late is the fact (without regret) that my grandchildren need me more. They are in remote learning because of the virus again and I am the shuttle between them and getting things done while their parents are at work. Remote… Distance learning. I’ll just tell you, it doesn’t work for public school children. It gives me great respect for home schoolers. It does not give me love for the public education institution because they’re getting paid to do a job they’re not doing, whether by circumstance or not. And the children are suffering. They are too far away from the teachers and it doesn’t work.

A lesson that could be learned by the child of God. If we’re not spending time with the Master, we are ripe for the picking of an angry world that wants to have us for lunch. 

Distracted Leadership

[5] Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. [6] And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. [7] Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

I’m not sure why Peter was naked, but that had to have been one of those “Oh crap” moments in his life when he realized he’d just been busted by the Lord. Oh my stars, how I can relate. Not that I’ve been naked in a boat, nobody needs that image! But I’ve certainly been away from the Lord and then suddenly realized that He knew where I was at all along. He constantly rings the dinner bell for His children. Come and dine, come and dine… can you hear Him saying that to us? I sure can. All He wants to do is spend time with us and we continually struggle between the distractions of the world’s calling and His. I am dinging my own bell this morning! 

Delivered Lunch

What an amazing Lord we serve! He knew Peter was in the boat naked, and he knew that it was Peter’s idea to take everyone fishing rather than to be doing the work of the Lord. And yet, there is the Lord, fixing lunch on the bank of the sea. He does the same for us. I feel as though I’ve just had a full course meal as I read His word and devour it like honey. My time with Him is always sweetness to the soul and blessing in abundance, just as it was to the disciples.

[8] And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. [9] As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. [10] Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. [11] Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. [12] Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. [13] Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. [14] This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

Nobody questioned the delivery guy. They knew it was the Lord! This was the third time they’d seen Him alive after they’d seen Him crucified. Would not that be shock and awe every time? I can’t imagine getting over it, and I’d like to say I can’t imagine forgetting it, and yet, I do. I know the power of the resurrection because I’ve felt it in my life again and again and again. And yet I will fall away from the Lord the same number of times. Here is the Lord, on the bank preparing lunch for His friends who are neglecting their ministry and have gone fishing. Except their not catching anything. Can I just remind myself right now that there will be fishes in the net of a child of God away from the Lord and not giving due diligence to the ministry the Lord has entrusted us with. Amen? Amen Shari.

A few verses later, we hear the Lord ask Peter:

[15] So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

Lovest thou me, Shari? I hear it this morning. 

Lovest thou me reader? Can you hear Him?

It’s time to get busy…

Posted in Christian, Faith, Family, Leadership, Life Inspiration

When Controversy Rears it’s Ugly Head

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on When Controversy Rears it’s Ugly Head

I am one who does shy away from unnecessary confrontation, (unnecessary is a relative term dependent on my mood of course) but I am not one to shy away from controversy and differing opinions, especially when it is something that I feel convicted over.  My absence over the last week from the Jesus Chick site, FGGAM.org and social media has been because of a busy life of grand parenting, parenting, working, ministering and exhaustion. I’m back on today because I felt the need speak out on the current state of our country, state and county. All of which, I am a proud card carrying member. I love America. Not what she has become because of idiot, evil,  spineless politicians. I love the State of West Virginia, not the fact that we are giving away money that could be used for programs all across our state rather than paying people to take a vaccine. That’s beyond ridiculous. I love living in Calhoun County, no other place I’d rather be, however, it ain’t utopia. This is where God called me to minister. I minister to the young, old and in between because I am somewhere in between. I look for opportunities to help people and encourage people, but I am often met with more discouragement in return. Which is where I’ve been of late. 

This is is where controversy rears it’s ugly head. 

I adore my grandchildren. And they in kind adore me. There is no controversy there. I love the time that I get to spend with them, but I don’t want to have spend my time teaching them because they’ve been quarantined. I might not mind so much if it didn’t bring out the fact that the school system is once again failing my grandchildren and calling it their fault. As I helped one grandchild on Monday and Tuesday do a full days schoolwork in 20 minutes, I questioned why there wasn’t more. They didn’t know. But they were glad they were done. And why wouldn’t they have been? They’re children. Homework isn’t fun. This is America, this is West Virginia, This is Calhoun county. We’re raising a country of low expectations, and I’m calling the “educators” out. You are funded by my tax dollars. You consistently scream you are underpaid and under appreciated. I speak collectively of course. Don’t bring that topic up to me without an answer as to why my grandchild can do what you supposedly teach them in 6 hours in 20 minutes. 

Now that that controversial topic is laid on the table. Let’s talk about the vaccine. For which I’ve had. But I by no means think that it is my responsibility to tell anyone that they too should have it. Nobody in the medical field can guarantee the safety of the recipient. But I’ll just add this, many of the same people who are delegating that you have to put a vaccine in your body to keep them safe, are the same pro-abortion people that say they have the right to kill a child inside their body who is alive and has the potential to be a wonderful person. Don’t bring up that topic unless you can look me in the eye and say a child’s life isn’t important.  

Now for my favorite side of the aforementioned topics: What sayeth the Lord? And why did He make this my business as the Jesus Chick? 

When it comes to wisdom, God used Solomon to write the books of wisdom. Not because Solomon himself was wise, but because he was humble, God made him to be wise. I myself am humble… but God doesn’t trust me with great earthly wisdom, He knows I’d blow stuff up. And then I’d feel bad about it. Because that’s who I am. But not the world of today. No…. We kill people, those in Afghanistan and those in the womb without regret or apology. And through Solomon God addressed wisdom and stupidity. 

Don’t Get Mad too Fast, take it Slow

Ecclesiastes 7:9-23 KJVS

[9] Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. [10] Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

The subtitle is the Bible according to Shari. But it’s how I broke down verses nine and 10 to my understanding. There is no need to look back because every day is a new day and every day most of us are doing the best we can. Except the stupid people. Those for which were put into office by people with poor judgement. But regardless, we’ve got to move forward. Anger seldom creates anything but division. But wisdom spoken with the foundation of truth without an agenda could fix a multitude of sins from the past days. How we handled Afghanistan, the Vaccine, and the School System could be overcome by the words, “I made a mistake”  by some adults acting like children, and some adults who need imprisoned. 

Don’t Get too Big for Your Britches

 [11] Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. [12] For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. [13] Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? [14] In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. 

There is nothing in this world that God can’t make, or make over. But because of mans arrogance and vanity God allows us to make our bed and lie in it. And sometimes, many of us have to lie in a bed made by somebody else. Life is full of struggles for me. Some that I created and some that others created. But God allows me to calm and center myself on the fact that He has the final say. And that the arrogance of this world will one day meet the King of Control. Glory!  

Don’t Assume God’s Children are Without Issues

[15] All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness. [16] Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? [17] Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? [18] It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all. [19] Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. [20] For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. [21] Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: [22] For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. [23] All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

Solomon didn’t give those warnings to waste his breath. Solomon was the wisest of the wise and he had 1000 women in his life. If the wisest of the wise was dumb enough to do that, surely we are far from above mistakes. I’m not going to throw rocks at Joe Biden. I won’t say I wouldn’t like to. I’m not going to throw rocks at the Governor of the State of West Virginia, I might hit Baby Dog. I’m not going to throw rocks at the Calhoun County Board of Education, although I could because they’re a mile from my house. But I am not going to be silent as stupidity reigns. God gave me a mouth and He gave me a platform. And He gave me the passion to take care of my people and defend the gifts I’ve been given. I pray you too will be vocal and defend the innocent that is under attack both far and near to our hearts. Hold leadership accountable. It’s biblical.

Posted in Christian, Evangelism, Life Inspiration, salvation, Word of God

The Passion of Stupidity

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The Passion of Stupidity

1 Corinthians 15:32-43 KJVS

[32] If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. [33] Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. [34] Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

I’m not sure of the beasts that Paul fought, according to one online commentary (one that simplified it enough for my understanding- I’ll speak to that later). But the beast of this passage were described as follows:  By wild beasts he means men, gross and savage in wickedness. Heraclitus called the Ephesians θήρια. If we refer to Acts 19. we shall find that certain men were entitled to the designation. We read of them “being full of wrath,” of the whole city “filled with confusion,” of some “crying out one thing and some another.” They seem to have been bereft of reason and given up to the wildest fury of passion. – D. Thomas, D.D. 

Welcome to America. Have you ever seen such passion of stupidity? Morally bankrupt and daft with confusion people who have princess issues. Entitlement, angry over anything and everything and nothing that they can even defend, bereft of reason! Oh my stars, was this commentary prophetic to today?

I seldom tweet on twitter, but because I have the app on my phone it notifies me when people of interest tweet something of importance and I’ll occasionally check it out. Yesterday a preacher I follow tweeted and upon checking it out, it lead me down a dark path of the American leftists who opposed the Pastor’s ministry. They are clueless as to the difference between humanity and perversion. People who are more concerned with the make-up and manicure styles of the male Whitehouse marketing specialist 🤢 than the current state of affairs in Afghanistan. Nancy Pelosi, a woman third inline to the Presidency, worked feverishly this week, according to the press, to try and  insure her leftist agenda was passed; while thousands of Americans are in harms way because our Nation turned their back on them and “abandoned” them in a foreign country. But only after they stirred up a hornets nest with the Taliban because of their passion for stupidity when it comes to dabbling in evil communications. 

Why have Americans allowed traitorous behavior to go unchecked? I have to believe that is the question on the minds of those facing a firing squad in Afghanistan. People, like those of whom Paul dealt with in his day and was eventually beheaded by.  

Paul said it was “to their shame” that they knew not God. He was speaking to the church in Corinth. Could he make that statement just as easily to the churches across the country we live in? I have to wonder. It’s an evident fact that our country is in the state it’s in because of the evil around and in  Washington DC. Not all those politician are corrupt, but far more are, than are not, because they’re all exposed to the corrupt. They either communicate with it, or ignore it, but none of them kick it out! What about the church? I personally know preachers who have stopped preaching on sin, but rather preach messages of “encouragement and spiritual enlightenment” to pacify people who refuse to call sin what it is. 

I have what I believe to be righteous rages and holy hostility approved by God because I’m not angry for me. I’m angry that they’ve once again made God’s house a “den of thieves,” but not of their money but rather their souls.  Listen to Paul as he describes how they question the resurrection: 

[35] But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? [36] Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: [37] And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain : [38] But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. [39] All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. [40] There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. [41] There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. [42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: [43] It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

They were so concerned about the resurrection that they forgot about the life they live. I won’t say that’s the case today, because I’m not sure how many churches understand the resurrection or that there’s even going to be one. How can they when their Pastor’s aren’t preaching the gospel? I have a friend who says I’m bolder than most pastors he knows and that is extremely worrisome because I don’t consider myself bold. There are many occasions when I clamp my mouth shut for fear of offending. Not on this blog, because I pay for this space and this is my domain. But in the world… I’m hesitate. Not for fear of people who disagree, I expect that, but for fear of confrontation of those who should agree and are deceived. 

Paul calls the people of Ephesus fools! No fear on him. He remind them that seed that is sown God has encapsulated it in it’s very own body. And when He brings it back to life, it is once again in a living version of that body. The seeds of earth are then harvested and resown again. And so will it be with man. The bodies that have been planted in the earth will be harvested by the Lord and we will stand before Him. I’m not concerned with what kind of body I’m going to have in glory, I’m only concerned that I’m going to be in Glory! Glorrrraaaaaay what a day that will be. But not for those who “know not God.” For this world so passionate about stupidity and worldly vain things that have nothing to do with eternity they too will live forever, but not in Heaven. They’re going to bust the gates of Hell wide open because there are too few preaching the gospel. 

I pray to God all who read this are either in a Bible Preaching Church that rightly divides the word of God or you’re looking for one. That commentary that I previously mentioned, I read multiple others that were “so deep” you’d have had to dig to China to find the truth in it. I don’t have time for that. Any commentary that is “that deep,” I have to wonder if God is in it. God made scripture to where the common man could understand and be saved. If you’re not preaching and teaching it plain enough for the average Joe and Jane and understand, you may have a passion for stupidity. Because the people for whom you teach may leave as dumb as they came. Just saying.