Posted in Life Inspiration

And She Still Messed Up!

Written by talk2shari Published April 22, 2024April 22, 2024 Discussion Leave a Comment

Have you ever thought of God’s creation of mankind. When on the 6th day, after He had spoken the world into existence, He then decided to mix up some clay and mold man in His own image. It says Male and Female created He them. As an artist I can’t help but thinking of it from that perspective. If God spoke the world into existence, He could have just as well spoken man into being. But He rather took the time to create and mold man into His own image. God cares about every detail of us.

I am so critical of myself and have been since I was a small child. I never thought I measured up to any other girl. Everyone was prettier, more talented, bigger, better, brighter, all the stuff. And I still struggle with it to a certain degree because the world sets the stage for comparison.

But even without the world, Eve was placed with the temptation of comparison when Satan showed her the fruit and began placing doubts in her mind. “Did God say…?” and then Eve added to it when she said “God told us not to eat it or even touch it!” Well that wasn’t true. God didn’t tell them not to touch it.

What Eve lacked was the knowledge and confidence of having the word of God in her heart. She knew God had said don’t eat of the fruit, she remembered that. But then she added her own little twist, causing herself to think it was the word of God when she added that God told them not to touch it. It’s not that it really added anything to the conversation, except to cause her uncertainty and make her vulnerable to the Devil’s lies.

I doubt there was ever a time when man (and woman) had more wisdom than at the beginning of Creation. As I was studying creation, I loved where the word said that God would create the animals and then bring them to Adam to name.

Genesis 2:19 KJV

And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

It shows the depth of knowledge that Adam had to be able to name and remember the name of every critter. But scripture doesn’t really say anything about the mind of Eve and I think we view her as kind of a dimwitted broad that got fooled by the Devil, when that wasn’t true. God made both she and Adam in His image and put within them great minds. It’s there to show us that even at our best we are vulnerable to the devils lies.

Let’s talk about

The Wisdom of the Woman

Proverbs 3:13-23 KJV

[13] Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. [14] For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. [15] She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. [16] Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. [17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. [18] She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

Don’t you find it interesting that God called wisdom “she.”

· She is more precious than rubies

· All the things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her

· Length of days is in her right hand

· In her left hand riches and honor

· Her ways are ways of pleasantness

· Her paths are peace

· She is a tree of life

· Happy is everyone that retaineth her

When I got to the words “She is a tree of life” I did a double take! I stumbled upon that little tidbit of wisdom in the word that I had never given any thought. The very thing that Eve had cost man was the Tree of life, but in Proverbs God has Solomon write that wisdom is the tree of life and it’s a “she.”

I don’t want to read something into the word of God that’s not there, but God said wisdom was female. I also don’t want to put a lot of emphasis on it because the world has already done that when it caused all the animosity between man and woman by women not being in submission as God intended them to be as the weaker vessel.

He didn’t do that because our minds were weaker, but because our bodies were weaker. God intended man to be our protector. Our minds are an open book to God’s library of thoughts, but we choose to stay busy and not tap into it.

I was elated when this scripture took me back to the time of Creation:

[19] The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. [20] By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. [21] My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: [22] So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. [23] Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

Eve didn’t stumble because she didn’t have the access to wisdom, she stumbled because she didn’t access it before the Devil got in her head.

The Work of the Woman

When God created Eve she had purpose. That purpose was to help Adam.

This really threw me into a tailspin, because I don’t always view myself as a help meet for David but rather a doer of dishes and laundry. And that’s certainly part of it for me, but God created me to help David meet his responsibilities. Adam is missing a piece of his side, because God created Eve out of it. To walk beside him, work beside and be beside him in thick and in thin. Eve was to support her man. That is an important job that women take for granted.

It gave me a new perspective on housework. Which I hate. But David likes order. I am queen of chaos. I need to do more to make sure he has order in his life so that he can be productive at what he does. In turn, it could possibly make me more productive too if I’m honest.

I spend half my time looking for stuff.

We take our role in the lives of our family too lightly. We have an example to set of what God wanted women to know.

He wanted us to be wise and He did not want us to compare ourselves to each other! We are to desire wisdom because nothing can be compared to “her.” I get such joy out of studying the word of God and yet I don’t spend near enough time in it because my life is so chaotic and if I’m painstakingly honest, I have a rebellious heart that would rather do other stuff.

The Ways of the Woman

· Her ways are ways of pleasantness

· Her paths are peace

· She is a tree of life

· Happy is everyone that retaineth her

Scripture says if we walk in wisdom our ways will be pleasant, full of peace, be a tree of life and lead to happiness.

Does that not make you want to get in the word and stay in the word?

LuAnn has taught me so much with that. She is a deep studier of the word. She cross references the word so many times during a study that she knows every nook and cranny of how the puzzles of scripture fit together. I blame my ADD because I cannot stay focused, but it still may be my rebellious spirit.

I don’t think I have to tell you that there is a difference in the ways of men and the ways of women. But what were the differences between Adam and Eve. God gave them minds of their own because Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the Devil. Neither took responsibility for their fall.

I don’t know if you’re any different but I know I’m not. I’m fat because food is good. Not because I have no will power. Eve fell because Satan tempted her, not because she didn’t listen tow what God said or understand the seriousness of that piece of fruit. If she had tapped into what God wanted them to understand her life would have been pleasant, filled with peace for eternity and she would be happy. Is that not our goal?

Praise God we’re afforded that again through Jesus Christ. Not in the perfect sense that Eve would have experienced it, but in bits and pieces now and eternally through the ages to come. But in order to get to that place in our lives we have to do some of the things that Eve did not.

We have got to stay in the Word and study it for ourselves, not just depend on the preacher to tell us what it says. That’s good, we need that, but it’s not enough. I’ve heard it said that Adam let Eve down by not making sure she understood, but I’m not so sure that was the case. He was willing to take the fall, but I don’t believe that Eve’s mind was lacking. I think maybe her attention span was lacking, but that may have not been the case either. My mind is often messed up because I’m over stimulated with coffee, drained from over working or just too many irons in the fire. Eve did not have that. They lived in a perfect world, and yet she still messed up.

When it comes to playing the comparison game, she had nobody to compare herself to. She was to set the standard. And she still messed up.

I think that is the greatest lesson to be learned from Eve, that the evil of this world is too much to handle on our own. We need each other and we above all need Jesus Christ and His word to guide us.

This study was from The Jesus Chick’s session during an Appalachian Heart Ministries event.

Posted in Christian, Christian Service, Life Inspiration

The Truth About You

Written by talk2shari Published September 17, 2021September 17, 2021 Discussion Leave a Comment

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 Bible Journaling, Eternity, Evangelism, salvation

Excuseless

Written by talk2shari Published August 13, 2019August 13, 2019 Discussion Leave a Comment

Even creation awaits it’s turn for redemption. Can you imagine that day?! I think about it a lot. The more and more wicked this world gets, the more I think about it. Perhaps you do too, or perhaps you’ve not given it any thought at all. You may not even know the truth about creation through the Word of God. But regardless we are all excuseless when it comes to the Creator.

Genesis 3:17

And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

Revelation 22:3

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

Between Genesis 3 and Revelation 22 is a whole lot of history. A whole lot of sin and praise God! a whole lot of grace for those of us who know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. But one thing there is not, is an excuse.

Romans 1:20

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:

This morning as I sit in my little office at the back side of my house, I hear the rain pouring down outside. It’s replenishing the ground, filling the rivers and doing what nature does. Taking care of us. It’s also making my White Silky chickens, tan, but that’s a part of nature too, even if I don’t like it.

I’m not a big fan of Hell either. Neither is God. It was never His design for us. And yet there it is, looming at the end of a life who denies the Lord Jesus Christ.

Redemption. Just like the end of time when the curse will be lifted from off this earth, so will it be lifted from the souls of men when we spend eternity, forever and ever in a curse free, perfect place with the Lord Jesus. We can do that because He redeemed us by His blood sacrifice on the cross. He died for you, and for me and for all others and that is why we are excuseless.

Think about it…

If you gave your child, that you love more than life, for the redemption of a nation, would you be willing to accept anyone who wouldn’t confess what your child did?

I didn’t think so.

Yet, the world expects the Lord to. Even though He gave us not only His Son, but all of Creation that testifies of the Creator. It’s all written in His book, even science can’t deny it. But men can.

We can deny it because unlike creation we’ve been given free will. God wants those who want to be apart of His family. It’s that simple. Why would you invite someone into your home who didn’t want to be there?

I’m extending an invitation to all who read my blog, to join me in Heaven when it’s our turn. You have received your invitation. If you don’t come, you’re excuseless.

I’d like to say you’ll be missed. But truthfully, I don’t think so; because there’s no sadness in Heaven. But there will be a great sadness, pain and separation in Hell.

The greatest road anyone will ever travel: Romans Road of Salvation

ACKNOWLEDGE YOU’RE A SINNER

Romans 3:23 KJV “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

REALIZE THAT SIN DESERVES PUNISHED

Romans 6:23 KJV “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

UNDERSTAND THAT CHRIST HIMSELF TOOK THAT PUNISHMENT ON THE CROSS

Romans 5:8 KJV “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

BELIEVE THE TRUTH OF THE WORD OF GOD AND CONFESS IT

Romans 10:9 KJV “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

PRAY AND ASK GOD TO SAVE YOU. TALK TO HIM…

Romans 10:13 KJV “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

UPON THAT CONFESSION THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL MOVE INSIDE YOUR HEART AND STAY THERE UNTIL ETERNITY. AT WHICH TIME YOU’LL BE WITH THE LORD HIMSELF!

Romans 8:1 KJV “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

BUT WHILE YOU’RE HERE, YOU’LL NEVER BE OUT OF HIS PRESENCE!

Romans 8:38-39 KJV “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

DID YOU TAKE THAT STEP? PLEASE MESSAGE ME AND LET ME KNOW! I WANT TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU 😀

Posted in Bible Journaling, Life Inspiration

Enjoy That You Are Wiser

Written by talk2shari Published May 23, 2019May 23, 2019 Discussion Leave a Comment

Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?

Job 39:13 was one of the many questions the Lord had for Job when it came to helping him to understand that regardless of what the world thought, God’s creation, design and planning was His and His alone. He didn’t need Job’s help in the beginning and He didn’t need it now.

As I read and thought about the magnificence of the peacock this morning and I surveyed my marker and colored pencil collection I was in awe once again at how very much thought God put into the earth and all that’s around us. And as I considered Job’s “friends” and the arrogance of the fourth and final man, Elihu; who in his youth thought he could “teach Job a thing or two,” it brought to mind the arrogance of today’s modern and liberal thinking lot who think they too can tell God’s people a thing or two.

I want to ask them. Where were you when God gave the feathers to a peacock?

How can a person of any intelligence whatsoever look at creation and not see God? How can you look at the fabric of men inside and out and not see how God’s hand created them. An explosion? Give me a break. How does an explosion create love and how does it speak to the soul the way the Holy Spirit does.

The problem is, they don’t know God and they have no desire to. Because it would take them out of control. Which is so funny, because they’re not in control!

So this brief yet very deep and pondering thought is what I’ll leave you and I both with today. We will no more understand what God’s doing behind the scenes in our lives than we’ll understand how He put those “goodly wings” on the peacock.

But we can be rest assured of one thing. It will be beautiful. And the world will still be filled with idiots who think they know more than God.

Pray for them. And enjoy the fact that you are wiser.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Eternity, Grace, Life Inspiration, Purpose, Uncategorized

The Concept of God

Written by talk2shari Published March 20, 2019March 20, 2019 Discussion Leave a Comment

It was a thought that seemed almost foreign to me this morning as I read John 3:16…

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

It’s likely the most widely known and quoted verse in the bible. We say it without thinking. It just rolls off the tongue of most Christians regardless of how long they’ve been saved. The point being, even if you can’t quote it, you know it. But this morning, it just seemed brand new.

Not necessarily the verse, but rather the concept of the depth of God’s love and the vastness of His being, and the fact… I need to repeat… the fact that He did what He did for someone like me. A nobody. That this morning in my living room and in the home of my friend LuAnn, God spoke to us and said, I have a work for you to do.

I received a message from my friend Faye yesterday, and through her God said… there is a work to do.

My friend Dewey and I speak most every day. But lately God has given us a deeper love for the ministry and a desire to do more. There is work for us to do.

Why me…

Why does God put these awesome people in my life?

Because His concept is beyond what anyone of us can imagine. And the possibilities of what He can do with us are beyond what anyone of us can even think. And I know this because today John 3:16 was a brand new verse in this ol’ girls head.

The concept of the “Father, Son and Holy Ghost” three in one has often boggled my mind. How can three be one? It just doesn’t make sense to the earthly mindset. I’ve heard it explained by using the illustration of the egg which has three parts (the white, yolk and shell) yet it is one. It’s a great illustration. But it’s an egg… not God.

But lately as God deals with me, trying to get me to a better place spiritually to where He can use me, He speaks to my heart about understanding who He is, so I can better grasp who I am in Him.

He is Huge!

Isaiah 48:13

Mine hand also hath laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.

Isaiah 40:12

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance.

Who did that? My God! He is in the details.

If God can measure Heaven with His hand, that means He’s a pretty big Fella. That means that these people who make light of our God, should really think twice. He can flip them off of the planet. I have to be honest, that image kind of made me giggle. And kind of made me want to watch! But then I remembered that He could flip me off the planet too, and that God died for the “whosever.” Not only Shari.

He Has Always Been

How can God have “always been, and how did God, “beget” Christ, His Only Son? I don’t know. But when I think about the Creator of the universe and His Son, who were from the beginning, which is what the Bible tells us in John 1:1, I am somewhat awestruck like a rock and roll fan at their favorite concert. I want to get close enough to hear One whisper to the Other, and close enough to know them as intimately as a bestie. But in order to do that, I have to get out of my little brain get into Heaven as the Bible tells us we are in Ephesians 2:6 that says “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

That’s present time, not futuristic. So if I’m sitting in Heavenly places, that means I should be able to overhear a few conversations of God and His Son. So can you.

In Jeremiah 1:5 it also says that God knew us before we were in the womb. So… exactly how long has our conversation been going? I don’t know. But what I do know is that as a child, before salvation, I had a desire to know God. So Jeremiah 1:5 is not hard for me to understand. And because of that it is getting easier to understand John 3:16.

He knew me, before I was me. He chose me before I even came out of my mother’s womb and He placed me like He placed the stars in Heaven on this piece of dirt in Calhoun County, West Virginia. And He connected the dots with North Carolina, New Mexico, the Philippine Islands and so many other places, in a way that others may not understand, but I’ve experienced. So yes… I’m a fan of my Savior. Yes, I reverently respect and fear Him because of the enormity of Who He is. And today I feel so loved because of John 3:16.

There’s a story of a little orphaned boy who is found on the street and a man sends him to an address with the instruction to knock on the door and say “John 3:16.” When he gets there he taken in, bathed, fed and tucked into his bed where he for the first time in his life feels safe. He later says when he becomes a preacher that he didn’t understand John 3:16 at the time but it made a dirty boy clean, a hungry boy full and a scared boy feel safe.

Yes… yes it does. I don’t have to comprehend the vastness of God. I can feel it.

Posted in Bible Journaling, doodles, Uncategorized

God’s Recipe for Earth

Written by talk2shari Published May 21, 2018 Discussion Leave a Comment

There’s this image I have of God because of the images that I’ve viewed since childhood. A painting that will no doubt pale in comparison to His beauty in Heaven. But that image sticks in my mind; so that when I read a verse like Isaiah 40:12, I have to rethink my image of God.

Isaiah 40:12

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in balance.

Measured the Water

About 71 percent of the earth is water, with every single drop created and placed by God at creation and distributed in such a way that it sustains life here on earth. Random explosion or intelligent design? Insert rolled eyes here…How could anyone think other than God? And God measured it in the hollow of his hand! That’s where my image of God gets messed up. I’ve seen the ocean, that’s a lot of water! But with His hand He measured the amount as if pouring it in to a recipe for perfection.

Recipes used to spaz me out. I would fear that my measuring wouldn’t be exact and I’d mess up the recipe. Over the years I’ve adapted the God and my mother method of measurement. A cup or two of this or that, a spoon or two of this or that, measured precariously. For the record, that doesn’t always work for me. But it worked for God, because He’s God.

Meted Out Heaven

Again. God is amazing! With His hand He meted (measured Heaven) with the span of His hand! It blows my mind. I recently sewed my very first quilt, which required a lot of measuring. It also required a lot of attention to detail. Praise God, God did not measure out Heaven as I did the seam allowance on my quilt, else Mars would be sewn into Jupitar’s part of the sky. My quilt is far from perfect but it was created with love and a passion to glorify God. The quilt blocks don’t line up as they should, my artistic endeavors in the center have missed stitches and bad stitches, but with the time I had in, and the missionary thoughts, I understand God’s frustration with the way we take care of His earth. What must He have thought when He finished placing the stars and planets in orbit? Wow…

Comprehended the Dust

He knew the numbers of the grains of sand on every beach in the world. Even Munday Beach, West Virginia. Amazing right? He took that very dust and formed man as an artist in clay and then breathed life into Him. God comprehended, but I cannot. He’s just too big! The good news is, I don’t have to understand it. I just have to believe it! I’ve heard enough intelligent scientist who believe the Word of God, back it up with evidence. And if they didn’t, I still believe it. Because the Word of God tells me so.

Weighed the Mountains

Everything in balance. And the world keeps spinning on. It’s like a giant mixer, spinning and spinning and spinning. Eventually it will be time to go in the oven.

Scripture says the things of this earth will be tried by fire.

2^nd Peter 3:7 ~ But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

God’s waiting patiently. I’m a little less than patient when making something scrumptious. I keep checking and testing and often times that alone is its own destruction. If you’re a baker, you know. But just like God had perfect measurements, He has perfect timing. I’d have put this cake in the oven a long time ago as wicked as it is. But God’s not done with us, Hallelujah. There’s still more stirring to do.

He’s still pouring into us with gifts immeasurable, like His word, and His people. I’ve been blessed this week with a missionary in my home and I’ll tell you more later on that. But for now, take a look at the world around you… What’s God stirring in you today?

Posted in Bible Journaling, Life Inspiration

God’s in the Details

Written by talk2shari Published June 24, 2016June 24, 2016 Discussion Leave a Comment

When reading scripture I often get very Shari; which is to say, from slightly distracted to a form of glassy eyed, let’s just get through this so I can get on to the next adventure, type of reader. But what had often been beyond my comprehension (by choice I believe) this morning captivated my mind’s eye in the book of Exodus Chapter 26; which is the description of the curtains of the Tabernacle. I began to read, and then re-read, and re-read again the details that God laid out for Moses as he stood in the cloud on mount Sanai. Every thread, every seam, every ornament of detail, God instructed Moses in the manner of interior decorator extraordinaire. I was kind of awe struck that God cared so much about curtains. But these weren’t just any curtains. There were the curtains that were His home among His people and then as is the case with me my mind drifted to other places and things of modern day. Like me… where God now dwells. My eyes welled up with tears when I began to think of the attention to detail that God laid out when designing me, and my people.

I’m an odd duck. People who know me would be inclined to shout “Amen!” My mind doesn’t work the way sane people’s minds do. Someone shares an idea and my mind take it, bends it and distorts it until it’s a plan. I’m a planner! No, I’m an extreme planner. I don’t just stop at the basics, there’s always got to be a bigger, better, more exciting way of accomplishing what others would believe to be mundane. I drive organized people to brink of tears with my constant chaos and change of direction. I have over my 20 years of salvation allowed God to reign me in and not drive church people nuts always. But sometimes I’m chaotically extreme.

But God is perfectly extreme. Every finite detail that He spoke into creation makes me want to shake the atheistic notions out of people. How can you dare say there is no God when you are so complex? “Science” they say… God will make monkeys out of the scientists someday when they meet Him face to face. I’d really rather He didn’t. I’d rather they got it before it’s too late.

This morning I’m just grateful that all the detail that God put into those curtains, lets me know how very valuable I am to Him. That the inner sanctuary of my heart where God dwells, is more splendid that I can imagine. Which leaves me much, much more to explore!

King David realized it when he wrote Psalm 8

³When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

⁴What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

⁵For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

⁶Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

He said in Psalm 139:14

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

God has put a great many details into us! Rejoice in who He made you to be!

Posted in Christmas

The Empty Promises of Christmas

Written by talk2shari Published December 16, 2015 Discussion Leave a Comment

I can speak only for myself, but I’ve been guilty of many empty promises over my lifetime. I’ve let people down, I’ve frustrated myself and most of all I’m sure I’ve disappointed God. Empty promises start out full of good intentions, and then slowly, like the drip of a faucet the good leaks. Okay… I’ve managed to send my mind into a pit of despair. Let’s dig our way out with a few empty promises of God.

It all started from an empty space

Genesis 1:2

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

There was nothing… and then there was everything! Does that not amaze you? And how is that a promise?

Proverbs 30:5 says that “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” That’s a promise of God that every Word He’s ever spoken is truth and that from the beginning of time when He spoke this world into existence there was a plan… and we were in the plan and it started from an empty space. If God can do that with an empty space, what can He do with us? He promises something, but we have to be willing. He said in Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” I cling to that verse every time Satan tells me that God has nothing for me to do. Before I was born, before that empty space, God knew me and had a plan for me. The space was empty, the future was full.

The world is still empty

But we who know Christ are full! God starts out with emptiness, but from the beginning of time, as soon as He puts His hand to it, it’s filled with His goodness. That thought has my soul bubbling this morning. The darkness as empty and then “Bang!” it was good. In the world we have nothing, but then the Lord touches our heart and saves our soul and “Bang!” it’s good. Read Luke 1:46-53 and hear Mary’s words about the fullness of her life when God filled her with the Son of God.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

Mary carried Him physically, we carry Him spiritually but with the same result. We start out empty, but with Him we are full of His goodness.

The tomb was empty

Luke 24:1-8

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words,

He’d told them what was to come to pass, He’d kept His Word. And because of that precious promise of that empty tomb, we have the gift of eternal life. No greater Christmas gift will we ever receive than the salvation of God. Merry Christmas child of God!!!! Gloraaaaaay!!!!

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Posted in Life Inspiration

The evolving of arrogance into stupidity

Written by talk2shari Published October 13, 2015 Discussion Leave a Comment

Why does the scientific world continue to shock me with their ignorance? Not all of them, just the ones who say “stupid stuff.” I know that I’m not the brightest crayon in the box… I’ve never professed that to be the case. But I do know that God is real, the Creator of Heaven and Earth and all that is; a fact that doesn’t take a scientific mind to conclude but rather takes the arrogance and self-importance of a mind to deny. This point was proven in an article published yesterday on evolutionnews.org with the following statement.

“Although we think that scientific evidence does not support neo-Darwinism, quality science education necessitates teaching students the strengths and weaknesses of evolution. As a result, Discovery Institute would never support removing evolution from the curriculum.”

This statement was prompted by the news that an Indian newspaper, the Deccan Herald, reported that India’s southwestern state of Karnataka was calling for the removal of evolution from school textbooks:

Branding Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution as unscientific, the Karnataka Unaided Schools Management Association (Kusma) is in the works to move the Union and State governments to remove it from school textbooks.

“Very shortly, the administrators and I will be calling a press conference to address the need to shelve Darwin’s theory of evolution from our school text books. We will be requesting both the Union and State Governments to make necessary changes to our textbooks,” said K V Dhananjay, legal counsel, Kusma.

So let me get this straight… It’s better to teach children a lie as a theory, than admit that you were wrong.

You really should read the entire article for yourself. My quoting of parts and pieces leaves much of their story out. Like the fact that they said

“Although we think the evidence points to design, and it is fine if non-public schools want to discuss it, evolution is a widely held and historically significant theory. It is a matter of basic scientific literacy for students to understand the full range of scientific views on evolutionary theory.”

Is this not the equivalency of saying… “We know that an apple comes from an apple tree, but if a child wants to look at the possibility it began as an oak, we think that’s good science.”

A quote and fact worthy of repeating and believing:

Genesis 1

In the beginning God created…

Aforementioned article: http://www.evolutionnews.org/2015/10/the_evolution_c100031.html

Posted in Eternity, Life Inspiration

Life on Trial

Written by talk2shari Published July 22, 2015 Discussion Leave a Comment

I want to say to them, “Your body is a liar.” Those people I meet who fail to see the need for God in their lives. It’s no coincidence that a bad doctor’s report comes in and all of a sudden there is a need to know and speak to God. And even then sometimes that need is overshadowed by an unwillingness to admit they are dependent upon the Creator. As if that somehow means He doesn’t exist and that they are in control. I guess it may be easier for me because I know that I need somebody else to control my world, else it will spin off its axis and go hurling around hurting people, the same way I do if God doesn’t control me, my mouth, my mind and hands. You’re probably better… Me, I a mess on a good day.

1 John 5:10 says “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”

That Witness

The intricate functioning of the body cries out that there is a Creator. To think that we one day just were? Come on! That an explosion would create emotion and conscience in the human and a lack of conscience in critters? That we evolved into who we are today, yet monkeys are still monkeys, and dogs and cats are still arch enemies, a rodent is still disgusting and a gnat is still a gnat. And why on earth would you even want to believe that at the end of time there is nothing? Where is the hope in that; or the intelligence? But I’m pretty simple. The Witness within me cries out for the Creator! I long to be in His presence and enjoy His company; I see the evidence of Him in my life and I see the lack of Him in others.

The Liar

He’s good at his job. He tells the wealthy they are self-made, the strong they are invincible, and the powerful that they are in control of their destiny. He tells the destitute that nobody cares, the poor that poverty is deserved, and the hurt and abused that staying is better than the unknown. He convinces the sick that there is no hope or need to search for it, and the well he makes believe that their health is completely controlled by their decisions. And then his breath breathes victory at their refusal to listen to the Witness within.

The Evidence

It’s around us and within us and it’s amazing! And the day that I accepted Christ and the record of God (the Bible) as the undeniable truth, the evidence became evident. I couldn’t look at anything and not see God. Science has proven the same theory when unbiased scientist search it out. The liar screams and the stillness of God sets in the heart of a Christian and they are at peace when the whole world is chaos. Explain that without God.

Are you searching for evidence? Look in the mirror, God created you in His image and likeness, don’t you see it? Are you a child of God? You are the evidence that someone is looking for, what is your testimony saying?