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 August 6, 2020June 16, 2022 Discussion 2 Comments

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 Christmas, Family, Life Inspiration, Praise

A Few Reasons in this Season to be Thankful

Written by talk2shari Published December 23, 2015 Discussion Leave a Comment

Christmas 2015… I’ve already been so blessed by friends and family if today were December 26^th, I’d be a happy camper. Today I’m thankful. But not always. I can get so frustrated with the piddley things in life that I miss out on what really matters. It’s the little things that are actually the huge things (or so they would be in many other people’s lives who have them not.)

This morning I wanted to take a few minutes to remind myself that little is much and I am blessed and if you’re reading this blog, you likely are too.

Today I have food and the necessities of life: While almost half the world — over three billion people live on less than $2.50 a day. At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day.

Today I have a home: On a single night in January 2014, 578,424 people in America were experiencing homelessness, meaning they were sleeping outside or in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program.

Today I am loved: But Approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States.

I am a blessed Mom and Noni: In 2010, about 920,000 children were being raised by grandparents with no parent living in the home

My Christmas tree burns brightly today while worldwide 1.3 billion people live without access to electricity.

I have clean water: but 783 million people do not have access to clean water and almost 2.5 billion do not have access to adequate sanitation. Six to eight million people die annually from the consequences of disasters and water-related diseases.

Today, I’m in pretty good shape for the shape I’m in, yet every day I personally know of someone facing illness and disease.

Before I speak a harsh word… I should thank God for that person in my life that causes me to care. Perhaps then I wouldn’t speak harshly.

Before I snarl my nose at the thought of venison or broccoli, I should remember the hungry soul who’d love to have even the juice from the roast or to devour that little tree.

Before I take for granted my gift of music or be in frustration for my lack of ability, or even complain because I don’t like the song playing, I should remember there are those who have never heard anything.

Before I complain about the weariness in my bones, I should remember that there are those who grow weary not being able to feel.

Today I am saved, and have the promise of Heaven and seeing friends and family that I miss so bad again.

Today I am saved and have peace…

O my… I am so blessed.

Thank you Lord Jesus for that reminder today….

Colossians 3:12-15

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

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Posted in Christian Service, Church Unity, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Knitting Lessons

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

Every year our annual tent meeting has a different flavor. We’ve had years when the fires of Heaven came down and stirred out hearts, this past year it was a calming of the heart having just lost our Pastor of 20 years and facing an uncertain time. This year there seems to be a mending of the community for the Kingdom of Christ. Tears well up in my eyes and joy bubbles in my soul when I write those words this morning. I’ve desired it, I’ve dreamt about it… a time when saying the name of another church didn’t come attached to an emotion of frustration. We can’t worship with them because they don’t believe like us, dress like us, talk like us… Woah… I can feel the room getting quiet.

Hasn’t Satan won a mighty battle in the church when he has us at odds with one another? How many souls go out into Hell each year because they didn’t see Jesus in our testimony, just us? And believe me that won’t save anyone. We’ve spent more time telling the lost what’s wrong with the church rather than what’s right. They see no difference in the house of God than they do a social club because isn’t it really just another “click?” Your friends, your family, your four and no more? Harsh topic this morning and one that has the potential to create a ruckus, and that’s okay, I’m up for the fight.

The preacher of last night’s meeting brushed over one of my favorite bible stories; the story of two best friends, David and Jonathan. I love 1^st Samuel 18:1 where it says “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” That’s a deep friendship, an example of Christ-like friendship. Jonathan was willing to betray his own father for the sake of David because he knew his father was wrong and that David was a chosen, anointed man of God. It was more important for Jonathan that he be right with God than right with man.

Which brings me to the question of doctrine. I’m not talking about linking up with churches who do not believe that Christ is the virgin born, Son of God, walked among men, crucified and risen the third day, sitting at the right hand of God, Redeemer. That would make us accountable for sending souls to Hell if we linked ourselves with anything else. But I speak of born again Christians who believe Christ is Lord of all and Creator of the universe, but they do it a little different than I do. It’s not a different doctrine, but rather a different style that has most churches at odds. Doctrine is the foundation of truth, all else is the foundation of men. What are you standing on?

Christ sat down with sinners and we won’t even sit down with each other.

Colossians 2:19 says –

And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

If we hope to increase the Kingdom of God we need to do more knitting and less splitting. Whew! That’ll preach! You cannot detach yourself from another child of God without a disconnection of Christ at some point. Because God is the God of all. And if the “Head” of the church is not Christ, then the blood supply is shut off. Scary thought…

Christ said we needed to nourish one another, feed our souls on His goodness and then share it with everyone. I pray that this year’s tent meeting is the beginning of a knitting session with other Christ believers in our community. I love them…preach on preachers! Hope to see everyone at 7 tonight at Victory Baptist Church!