Posted in Life Inspiration

No Monkeys at Camp!

Written by talk2shari Published July 21, 2014July 28, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

I really don’t know at what point in my life I was introduced to the gospel. I was brought up in church from birth, and yet didn’t come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ until the age of 34.

John 1:1-5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Are those verses not amazing? Theologian Francis Junius told of how as a youth he was “infected with loose notions in religion,” as he puts it. But by the grace of God discovered faith in Christ by “accidently” reading John 1:1-5 which his father had purposefully laid in his way. Loose notions of religion… how appropriately does that describe our world today? Because of the light hand taken with the gospel at many of the churches I grew up in, the light of God did not penetrate my soul and I too had loose notions of religion. Oh, I believed in Christ (as does Satan), but I had no real comprehension of Who it was that Christ was. I believed that God created the universe, but what about those monkey’s people told me about in school? I didn’t really believe it, but it cast enough doubt into my mind that I was confused as to the creation of mankind, after all learned people were telling me these atrocities. Adults wouldn’t lie, right? My idealistic world of two Ozzie and Harriett parents didn’t prepare me for secular teaching and liberal preaching did solidify anything in my mind about Jesus Christ.

Tears well up in my eyes when I think of what children today are being exposed to. At least, Hallelujah and praise His Holy Name, I had a decent foundation. I had good parents. But the world is harsh.

When God gives that final exam in Heaven… “What did you do in your life for me?” There are going to be some educators who are going to stand before Almighty God and give an account for why they preached a monkey religion and cast confusion in the minds of children. “But it was a State Mandate! They’ll cry…” And God’s response… I don’t know. That’s for God to deicide, but I’m pretty sure it won’t be good.

That was a station break, now back to my sin. From the creation God was. Christ was. From 1962 Shari was (in human form anyway). And even as a child, in the pit of my soul I knew there was a Creator. God revealed that to me, but I was in darkness and I comprehended it not. I didn’t understand until I heard the Word of God preached in 1996 and it was literally as if God flipped a switch in my soul and I said, “Oh Jesus! Thank You for causing the darkness to flee, I’ve been scared and alone for 34 years.”

This morning I woke up in teen camp 2014. I fear that the switch has not been turned on in all of my campers, I’m pretty sure of it. They won’t get any monkey religion from me or any other leader of Victory Baptist Church this week; they’ll get the gospel. Please pray for our youth and our leaders. I hope to have some awesome stories of salvation this week!

Posted in Life Inspiration

When the enemy’s close, God is closer!

Written by talk2shari Published July 17, 2014July 17, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Camp is three days out for the teens at Victory Baptist Church, and I don’t know if they’re more excited about it or me! I have a few first year campers who are uncertain of what to expect; they just know that the other campers are excited so they are too! Me, I’m always excited to see what the Lord will do. So this morning as I searched God’s Word for a word about camp I found a word about camp and life.

Exodus 14

¹⁸And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

¹⁹And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:

²⁰And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

Who hasn’t known what it was like to have that enemy closing in on them? Just when you think life’s under control and then suddenly on the back of your neck you feel that hot, nasty breath. My stomach churns just to think about it. You’re in a predicament, you’ve prayed and have direction… and now this. Why? I wonder what the children of Israel are thinking as they leave in amazement with the enemy paying their way, there is rejoicing and gladness and then from behind them they hear the hooves of the enemy’s horses. Good grief I hope we get to watch the real movie on IMAX when we get to Heaven, I’ll bet it was a sight to behold.

When the children left there was no doubt the glory of God was on their journey, after all His presence in the cloud hovered above them and guided them out. Now all they needed to do was move forward, but there was the sound in the background…clickety clock, clickety clock, clickety clock… it was if their time was running out. They were on foot with babies and belongings, how could they possibly out run those horses?! And then in real time that cloud moved. What was once above them guiding the way now moved between them and the enemy and while it still provided light on their side, the other side was pitch black and confusing.

The Word of God is proven much the same way today for the sinner and the saint. On the sinners side it’s darkness for there is no light for their path, no guiding force, just a dark path of uncertainty without hope. But on the side of the saint, Glory!!! We have the light that not only guides our way but shields us from the darkness behind. The enemy may be close, but God is closer and above all mightier!

That’s the message I want for my teens this coming week. I want them to understand that they serve the God of Israel, and what that God did for Israel, He’ll do for them. I’ve had my own clickety clock, clickety clock this week. That feeling of impending doom… My God is going before me, and He’s got my back. How’s your week going? In need of prayer, I love the opportunity!

Posted in Life Inspiration

Idiots are everywhere… Can I get an amen?

Written by talk2shari Published July 15, 2014July 4, 2022 Discussion Leave a Comment

I have several friends who suffer from chronic pain. There are days when my heart physically aches because of their days of fatigue and frustration, yesterday was one such day. I hadn’t heard from one of my friends for a few days and I began to be concerned… so I did what any self-respecting media junkie would do I ~ creeped on his Facebook status’ to see what had been going on. He had posted just a few minutes before and I was relieved that his energy level had at least allowed that. That statement is written in all seriousness because I know there are days he doesn’t feel like hitting the keys. It’s a rather odd friendship his and mine. It was fostered through another social media friendship; two men whom I’ve never met but are as close to me as any church member in my own congregation because the Holy Spirit knows no bounds. It is we who put the limitations on Him.

Today was a moderate pain day for me. My mostly self-inflicted aches and pains have come upon me because of poor diet, lack of exercise and age… in my heart I know this to be true. But I’m grateful for the pain. Because of it I know I’m alive and that mine is like a speck of dust on the earth compared to what many others suffer through. If you don’t believe me go on a few prayer sites. It won’t take you long to realize how blessed you are.

But for my chronic pain friends I wanted to give you a word of encouragement.

I don’t pretend that I understand your suffering. And when I hear some “idiot”, especially in the medical field, rail on a person with chronic pain as if they’ve made it their choice to be miserable, I want to show them what pain is and tell them to suck it up and get over it because it’s obviously all in their head. You can click to read more about it. I recently heard an associate say that a doctor had complained about having to treat all the “imaginary pain and illnesses.” And this is an educated person…

The word idiot originates from the Greek word idiotes, which refers to a person disinterested in participating in democracy and public life. These people were viewed as selfish, contemptable and stupid as they were more concerned with their daily personal affairs than they were of the good of the society. Later in the Middle Ages the word took on additional connotations associated with being stupid.

How appropriate for today’s blog. I’ll stop ranting about medical professionals and put us back on the spiritual track. We Christians are just as guilty of judgment when seeing that “constant complainer” coming down the street. I speak from experience. And I still have issues with the negative nellies who suck the life out of me. I’m often more concerned about where I’m going and what I’m doing to take the time to find out what’s behind their poor spirit.

Praise God He is not as fickle as us.

Psalm 28:6-9

He Hears “my” supplications. It’s personal.

⁶Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.

He has “my” back. It’s praiseworthy

⁷The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

He increases “my” endurance. It’s powerful.

⁸The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.

He’ll take me through…It’s a part of the plan!

⁹Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

If you’re the one in pain, I hope God’s word encourages your heart. If you’re not, I hope you’ll put aside your plans for the day and pick up the Lord’s.

Listen… Hallelujah God does!

Posted in Life Inspiration

Why are you being so Ugly?

Written by talk2shari Published July 10, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

That was the question to myself yesterday during the business conference I’m attending. Perhaps it was because my sinus’ have caused my head to feel as though it’s going to pop off of my shoulders, or a half dozen other factors of the week, but one session yesterday left me in a seething mood as the rude woman spoke. Her information was outdated and non-relevant and she read all 57 gray and black slides with little emotion and an occasional awkward snicker. The conference folk made the mistake of giving me a link to an online evaluation survey of her piece of the event at the beginning of the session. Well, in my boredom I felt compelled to fill it out on my iPhone. I didn’t care if she thought I was texting and being rude, she was rude. And as I entered each little black dotted rating I happen to wonder what God might think of my own behavior. After all… as a speaker I’ve been extended favor and mercy on more than one occasion and amazingly enough been invited back. Seriously Shari… why are you being so ugly?

1 Peter 3:8-9 ~ Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

A Compassionate People

I certainly want compassion in my life when I have an off day. For certain the woman was not ready for the conference, she stumbled over ordinary words in her slide that would likely not have been an issue if she’d studied. Tell me you’ve never shown up somewhere less than prepared… I can’t. Another issue I have issues with is uncompassionate people who feel compelled to rip everyone apart as if they’re they authority on life, I just about slipped into that one myself.

A Contrary People

I’ve met many a contrary railing people. They’d argue with a fence post if nobody was around, but Peter said contrariwise blessing. I highly doubt God has appointed you or me as “Heaven’s Critic.” Our job is to be a blessing, and that can’t be done when you’re tearing someone apart. Let some chick gain a little wait (or a lot), have on an unkempt pair of jeans or a dress without a slip and watch the party start among critical women. Oh my goodness, I’m meddlin’ now! But it’s the truth and if you’ve been in any church across America you know it’s a fact. I remember one particular time the “slip” issue slipped out of someone’s mouth about a mother of several children. My first thought was “are you serious? You’ve never seen the profile of a leg before?” Not to mention the fact that this perfectly tailored lady had grown children and had long since forgotten what it was like to pile the kids in the car and get to church on time. It was a miracle she was at church, and you dare comment on her lack of a slip. The truth of the matter was, she’ll likely find a slip before that lady finds some manners.

A Called People

Knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing….

We’re called to not only be a blessing but to inherit one. My lesson today, as I began another day of long sessions is to remember what God called me to do. I’m to be the example of Christ. When someone looks at me that should see something contrary to the world. The world will eat you up and spit you out, I should have no part of it. My presence should be like a balm on a wound of a soul in pain, because that’s what my Lord has been for me.

Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Political

The Accountability Factor in America

Written by talk2shari Published July 9, 2014July 9, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

The Heading caught me this morning as I flipped through my Ryrie Study Bible… “He Reforms the Nation.”…

Who reformed the nation? Josiah. I love his story! Crowned king at eight years old, reigning until he was thirty nine in Jerusalem and it says that he “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.” 2 Kings 22:2

Oh for a Josiah in America…

He made the church fiscally and physically accountable

22:4-5 ~ Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the Lord, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people: And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the Lord: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the Lord, to repair the breaches of the house,

I don’t think that it’s rocket science to know that churches (I speak collectively) have stopped holding themselves accountable. It’s been the topic of conversation a couple of times in my teen class lately to beware of high dollar preachers who use God’s money to fund their high dollar living. I’m all about providing for a Pastor, and I think he deserves top quality stuff, after all he’s in charge of our spiritual health and that’s a pretty hard job. But I don’t think any preacher needs a 10 million dollar home and a Mercedes in the garage paid for by the collection of the saints. Now… if he has other moneys coming from other incomes and he chooses to use it for that, that’s his business. However… on that note I think he’s going to have some explaining to do the Lord.

But that lifestyle makes me nauseous when there are so many people struggling in their lives, so many ministries that are could use money for the furtherance of the gospel and the glory of the Kingdom. I heard someone say the other day, and I may have mentioned it previously but it really stuck in my soul that we need to pray for “enough.” And then I think that anything above “enough” should be prayerfully and purposefully used.

He made the church Spiritually accountable

22:11~ And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying, Go ye, enquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.

They, like us today, were without excuse. We have the book; now it’s up to us to adhere God’s expectations.

He made them politically accountable

23:1-3 ~And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.And the king went up into the house of the Lord, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the Lord. And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after theLord, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

Conforming started at the top and worked its way down from the King to the people. If there is any hope for us to have the heading in America that “He reforms the nation” it’s going to have to go from top to bottom; but I can assure you it’s going to have to start at the bottom and works its way to the top. America is going to have to hold our government accountable…but first the churches in America are going to have to take a long look at how they’re handling the Word of God that is so readily available but seems seldom read. The church is going to have stop conforming to the world’s standards and expecting the world’s compensation for a service that Christ said was every Christian’s responsibility.

Posted in Life Inspiration

Repeat after me… I’m not God

Written by talk2shari Published July 6, 2014July 6, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

I really shouldn’t be trusted with scripture. I can be somewhat of a smart aleck, so as I read John 1:47 this morning I had to back up and go off on a short (very short) study of what Jesus said. Because when I read it, I read it with attitude (surprising right?) as if Jesus were poking fun at Nathanel. Because that would have likely been my response to Nathanael when he made fun of my hometown.

⁴⁶And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

⁴⁷Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

But Jesus wasn’t poking fun of Nathanael. Nathanael could have meant, that according to what he had been taught, Moses said that He should come out of Judah and the prophets had assigned the city of Bethlehem as the place of his nativity. Jesus knew that Nathanael was sincere in his comment, not degrading. No guile, meaning there was no pretense but rather sincerity in his comment.

⁴⁸Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.

⁴⁹Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

Jesus knew Nathanael’s heart and Nathanael knew Jesus. We’re not afforded the luxury of knowing another man (or woman’s heart) yet so often we assume we do. Color me guilty. As a baby Christian I was taught to take nothing as the gospel, except the gospel, to try everything I heard and read by the Holy Scripture and see if it lined up. What I often discovered is not even the good guys always line up with scripture. Well intentioned Christians, without guile, meaning they’re sincere in what they believe, often make assumptions about another person’s heart by how they speak, dress or behave. We label people as we see them approach, we hear them speak and red flags go up with warning signs “They don’t believe like you!” And so we turn them off.

What we should be saying is “I’m not God, I don’t know their heart.” And then we should spend time getting to know it. But we’re denominationally taught that our way is the right way and their way is wrong and we should tell them.

What if that had been Jesus’ response to Nathanael? What if He had said, “Nathanael you’re an idiot, I know what Moses said, and it’s true, but there’s more to the story.” If that had been His response, Nathanael would have turned Jesus off the way people turn off self-righteous Christians that think they’re right and in them there is no guile… which is usually not the case, because they usually have pride bubbling up and that’s full of guile. Just sayin’.

For the record, I know what I believe, and why I believe it; but I pray that when I meet folks that don’t believe exactly the way I do, that I won’t assume I know their heart. I pray I’ll take time to get to know them, and just maybe we can have sincere fellowship. If somebody new comes in to your midst today. Just shake their hand and say to yourself… I’m not God.

Posted in Life Inspiration

Refocus! You’re a Child of the King

Written by talk2shari Published July 4, 2014July 4, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

You may or may not have noticed my blogs have been scant lately. Somewhere between heave ho and exhaustion I lost my focus. My days were filled with busyness from daylight to dusk the past few weeks and I would literally fall in and out of bed. My time spent one on One with God was brief each day with the exception of the preaching that filled my car as I drove hither and yon down the highway. Okay… enough whining in your ear, now on to tell you why I’m here today. It’s time to refocus and get back into the swing of service, perhaps you need it too. Imagine my surprise when I asked God for scripture along that line and He answered. He is so faithful!

Luke 6

¹⁹And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

²⁰And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

²¹Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

²²Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

²³Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

What struck a chord in me in that text was ‘that the multitude sought touch Him, but He connected with the disciples.’ Look at verse 20, “He lifted up his eyes on the disciples.” Glory! That put a shout on me this morning. He focused on them, I’m thinking perhaps that they refocused on Him. His eyes are always on His children, but our eyes are often focused on everything going on in our lives and we lose sight of Him. That’s where I’ve been the last few weeks, I’ve lost sight of Him. Praise His holy name He never had His eyes off me.

“Blessed be ye poor” – Money struggles? God’s got a plan His eyes are on you. Don’t give up!

“Blessed are ye that hunger” – Are there things that you desire. It may not be food, but in this flesh we have constant desires that Jesus understands. That desire may not be the will of God, but there may be something you didn’t even know you wanted… God does.

“Blessed are ye that weep now” – Is this a time of sadness and sorrow? Hang on! You’ll laugh again soon.

“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you” – Do you have enemies? What a great tool of Satan to distract you away from your best Friend, Jesus! “and when they shall separate you from their company” – That may be the best news yet. Sometimes we need to Thank God they did walk out on us. “and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” – Are you a victim of gossip? God said if you’re being talked about for His sake, you’re blessed! Serve on soldier.

“Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven:”

JUMP FOR JOY! There’s something about having yourself a holy fit that will refocus your heart on the things of God. I forgot how blessed I was to be a child of the King. I even sing that song!

Below is a really “bad” computer recording of me singin’ that song this morning. Keep in mind that it’s still morning and please ignore the audio quality. Just listen to the words! Hope it blesses ya… if not, just turn me off, I’ll never know.

Posted in Life Inspiration

Don’t Stop in the Storm!

Written by talk2shari Published July 1, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

The image above was my drive in to work this morning. (I know… picture taking while driving is a bad idea) But the Lord gave me this thought as I was driving so I figured He wouldn’t mind if I had an illustration to go with it.

This was the second time in two weeks that I’ve driven one of the most treacherous highways in our area in a down pour of rain. I say most treacherous because every day you’ll likely face one, if not all four of the following, mudslides, rockslides, fallen trees or deer for a 20 mile stretch. Two weeks ago it was as if I was driving in an end times event movie, but it was very real. Two huge trees downed in front of my car, countless water crossings that turned my jeep into a boat, fallen rocks and water falls shooting down off the hill causing ditch lines to become swollen creek beds, it was crazy! Two inches of rain fell in 10 minutes and the hills couldn’t hold it. Today was not quite as bad but bad enough to cause me to continue on in rains I would have generally just pulled off and waited out. But there are very few places up Route 5 east where there is safety in a storm, I felt it was safer just to keep moving.

I thought about my testimony just last night in a Revival where I had praised God for making it through that storm a few weeks ago and how great it was to have the peace of God through something so scary. My thought this morning was “That’s what you get for shooting your mouth off about being brave Shari, a repeat!” And then I heard in my mind… “shshh and listen… there’s a lesson in this storm.

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

It’s sometimes more dangerous to sit and wait in a storm than it is to keep going through it. If you stop you may be taken over or swept away, but if you keep moving, in a little while you’ll see the sun again. Glory! Is what I thought. How many times have I just wanted to give up in the midst of a struggle? Stop going to church, stop serving the Lord, quit it all! After all, that’s where a lot of the heart ache came from. But I just kept going, holding on to hope that peace would reign in my life again where sorrow rained now. And sure enough it would!

Are you going through a storm? Don’t stop! Satan will have you in his snare for certain. But if you keep moving, you’ll come through and stronger for it!

I didn’t enjoy my drive in this morning. I wanted at times to turn around and go back to the house. But I feared that I’d run into worse things by turning around. I’m now safe in my office, ready to see what the Lord has in store for my day.

So two lessons for me. Keep on keepin’ on… and be careful what you testify about! Just kiddin…. I’d do it again!

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration, Political

Seriously… You believed that?

Written by talk2shari Published July 1, 2014July 1, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

I went to sleep last night with this outline on my mind and it was there again when I first awoke this morning; that’s how God works and I love that about Him! The problem then was I couldn’t go to sleep trying to think of scripture that would go along with my outline and why was this outline on my mind? Obviously something God wanted me to hear, and while I love the thoughts of being Spiritually Fed and Led, the thought of being Spiritually Dead made me nauseous. I’ve seen it far too often when a church just doesn’t get it. The only thing they’re missing is an undertaker to remove the bodies (spiritually speaking of course.)

The Spiritually Dead

Hosea 10:1 ~ Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.

Israel’s altars were lined, but with images not with people serving God. It’s a crying shame that the altars in America are much the same. The church altar is empty while wealth and possessions have consumed the minds of two generations; it’s scary to think what the next generation will be like when history has proven “what one generation accepts as norm, the next embraces and goes deeper into it.” It doesn’t have to be so.

The Spiritually Fed

Hebrews 5:12-14 ~ For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

If we ate food like we’re fed on the gospel I’m pretty sure there wouldn’t be an obesity issue in America. It’s so easy to put God on the backburner in the course of a day. I speak from shameful experience; God is not always my main course. We wonder why America’s going to “Hell in a hand basket” and yet we have but to look in the mirror. Why else would Hobby Lobby have to fight for their right to their rights? Because Christians have stopped reading the Word of God and listened to the liberal media tell us what’s right. Well that’s wrong.

The Spiritually Led

Romans 8:14 ~For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

I read a joke on Facebook this morning that Pinocchio entered a liars contest and lost to an American Politician. I won’t name names, mainly because he probably came in 432^nd place behind every other knothead on Capitol Hill. (Fictional number, I have no clue how many liars there are). But that’s probably a low number. So you say Pinocchio’s not real… well I’m not sure honest politicians are either.

If you’re a child of God, should it not be God that you go to for the truth. After all He is the truth.

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

We need to stop being led by media and political factions and start being led by the gospel. Open the Word of God or go to a Bible preaching church and you’ll discover that the Word of God reads like what a modern day newspaper should read like. But our local media is filled with more tattles than truth, pointing out the faults of their opposing party.

I know, I’m likely preachin’ to the choir if you take the time to read “The Jesus Chick.” So… share me with someone you love. Perhaps it will give them the desire to come alive! Come to the well of Living Water to feed on the truth and be led away from the wiles of the world.

Posted in Life Inspiration

Do You Know The Cuddler?

Written by talk2shari Published June 26, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

How precious is that! My Grandbaby Parker Keith arrived home to be greeted by his very excited siblings and cousins as well as a few very excited grandparents! Six weeks after a birth weight of 2 # 13 ounces he now tips the scales at 4 pounds 7 ounces and although I’m certainly glad those weeks of concern are behind us it was as usual a life lesson. Parker has already taught Noni (that’s me) a spiritual lesson I’ll not soon forget.

During his time in the hospital, a 2 ½ hour journey away for us, he spent a few days alone. His Momma had two other children at home who needed care, their families had jobs and responsibilities that would not allow us to spend every day with him and our hearts were torn. Daughter Tiffani traveled every other day to Morgantown, West Virginia to cuddle and bond with her precious new child. But what about the days no one was able to be there? It was gut wrenching to think of him being alone. But it turns out he wasn’t alone. West Virginia University hospital had paid cuddlers! It was their responsibility to spend time each day cuddling babies and providing emotional support to the families. It made my heart a little lighter knowing that someone was cuddling Parker in our absence. Isn’t it awesome that as children of God, we have a cuddler too!

Jesus spoke in John 14:16-20

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

Even though God is not physically here with us, His presence is felt in the child of God and what a privilege that is! I need not go through anything alone. Every heartache and sorrow that I’ve faced I’ve had that Cuddler within me speaking peace to my heart. Do you know that feeling? It’s a peace and comfort that only accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior can afford. He died for you, paid the sacrificial penalty for sin (death on the cross) so that you and I would not have to be separated from our Holy God, Who knew no sin. I hope you have that peace today. If not, please contact me and let me introduce you to the saving grace of Jesus or check out the Romans Road to Salvation page on my site. God bless!!! And if you prayed for Parker…. THANK YOU!!!!