Tag: eternity

Posted in Christian Service, Eternity, Faith, Family, Heaven

What’s in your suitcase?

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Proverbs 18:24 KJV
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

I came to the Amish country of Ohio for the purpose of resetting. Over the past few months I have somehow managed to get my mind into a very weary place. I was not only physically tired, but mentally tired. I would sit down to write and my mind just wouldn’t get into gear. It would idle. As if I were sitting along side the road in a car, watching the world go by. It’s been frustrating and draining. Today is the day we’re heading home. And the first day of clarity really. We’ve been here four days; but it took the first three just to get me caught up on rest. I played the guitar, I worshipped, I read the Bible and I rested. And of course I spent a lot of time with David in the car driving the roads of Berlin, Walnutcreek, Sugarcreek, Kidron, and Charm. My absolute happiest of places. Why? Because it’s simple. It’s a land filled with hardworking families and neighbors supporting each other working toward one destination… Heaven.

Somewhere in a cornfield in Berlin, Ohio

If I were home this Sunday morning, I’d be preparing for church, literally and spiritually. The church is another of my happy places. Because it is the body of Christ. It is there that His body comes together, the hands, legs, heart, mind, all the parts and pieces. And before you say it or think it, every church has a butt or two as well. The body wouldn’t be complete without them now would it? Who are they? I wouldn’t dare say, but you may already have names and faces popping up in your mind. The point of saying that is, the reality of life is it’s not perfect. But God is.

Destination Heaven

Everybody wants to go, but I see fewer and fewer packing for the trip. What’s in your suitcase? If I were to make a check list for packing it would look something like this:

I would like to say that’s all you’d find. But there would also be many failures. Because like the “butts in the church” that is reality. Children of God are a work in progress like the farms I’ve seen in Ohio. Some of them are filled with many fruits of their labor. But there were some gardens that were struggling to produce. There were farms that we passed that I’m sure were very productive, but boy did they stink! One of the sweetest things I seen at multiple Amish homes were gardens of flowers that you could pick your own bouquet. Either I had not noticed that in years past or it’s something new, but it made me smile to think of them sharing their beautiful labors with neighbors or even strangers who passed by. Shouldn’t that be what our lives are about? Sharing the beauty that God gave us to create through our talents?

I’ve been missing that mark lately. I’ve been so tired from sitting around idling, I haven’t shared many of my flowers. How about you? What is your gifts that God gave you? Are you using them for Him?

The parable of the talents was there in scripture to remind us that God expects a return on what He’s given. He didn’t give it to you to put in the ground or in a box. He gave it to you to invest.

Matthew 25:13-30 KJV
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. [14] For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. [15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. [16] Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. [17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. [18] But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. [19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. [20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. [21] His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. [22] He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. [23] His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. [24] Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: [25] And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. [26] His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: [27] Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. [28] Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. [29] For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. [30] And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

It’s a great day. Let’s get busy filling our suitcases for the Lord.

Posted in Christian, Christian Service

Will we Talk about Laundry in Heaven?

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Snuggled into my bed, long before bedtime on a Saturday night I begin trying to share a piece of myself when I honestly feel that there is only a few pieces of me left. But I feel compelled to share how very inept I feel at life. And before any of my wonderful friends who encourage my soul daily try to come to my rescue, hear me out. I am blessed beyond measure with gifts of God that I would not want to forsake, offend or fail to come to the aid of anyone of them. And then add to that a new found passion for being the keeper of the news and a typical day starts at 4 a.m., ends around 10-11 p.m. and is filled with people, puppies, obligations, virtual meetings, in person meetings, laundry, supper, news stories and occasionally, but now rarely a strum on the guitar. My conversations with God are all day in between and I feel like I am giving Him pieces of my day. That’s not a good feeling.  

But better it is than that of what the Apostle Paul faced in Acts 23. 

Acts 23:1-11 KJV

[1] And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. [2] And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. [3] Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? [4] And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? [5] Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. [6] But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. [7] And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. [8] For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. [9] And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. [10] And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. [11] And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

That was a lesson for myself. As I whined instead of shined. It’s a lesson for us all that struggle with the busyness of life. And for me so often it’s more mismanagement of time than too much to do. With that being said, I want to dig into this lesson of Paul, the Pharisees and Sadducees and the Chief Captain. In this passage we have different secs of religion verses the truth of the gospel and a member of the government coming to the rescue of the man of God to send him away from being “torn into pieces” by the religious. Ananias had him mashed in the mouth for daring to speak about living for God. It makes you want to ask “do you feel guilty much, Ananias? 

The Tactless and Unteachable Teachers

That’s how I view the over zealous religious people. Those who love wearing the right thing, and speaking the right thing and lording their position in the church over those who sin, as if to say “follow my own righteousness, for I am godly.”  Paul could say he lived in good conscience because he had not only lived the life they professed (but didn’t live) but now he lived the life of building a relationship with the Lord as these Sadducees and Pharisees had never known. Because they were trusting in being right, not searching for truth. With the exception of a few. 

The Scrappy Scribes

When the scribes, which were of the Pharisees, arose and defended Paul, scripture saying they “strove” for him,  they did so at a teachable moment. They were willing to at least consider that Paul had been spoken to by God or angels. Are we “teachable” in moments of contention?  I can be every bit as stubborn as the Pharisees and Sadducees when I get something stuck in my craw and don’t want to disbelieve what I have been told. What it boils down to, I believe, is not so much what I’ve been told, but who told it to me. I have some mighty mentors in my past. Men and women with good hearts who would have never lead me astray, but accidentally did on some things. They taught as they were taught.

Before anyone thinks I’ve lost my mind, I have never been taught incorrectly on the salvation of Jesus Christ which is by far the most important thing in life. But rather there was teaching regarding foundational truths that mattered in how I viewed eternity and my role and purpose in this life that when studied deeper, were not correct. I do not have all the answers about eternity, nor does anyone else. But I’m open to learning. I am teachable and I am grateful and humble that God gives me the desire to want to know more about His Kingdom. 

The Caring Captain

The Chief Captain was not so much concerned for Paul as he likely was himself. With Paul being a citizen of Rome, should the captain allow him to be killed at the hands of the Jews, he would have to answer for it. There are still those in the world today that do not believe as Christian’s do but will defend us because it’s the “right” thing to do. I have some of those friends that I long to see saved because I know that they’re zealousness for right, could be used by God. Now, the captain was so much for what was right, but what would keep him out of hot wat,er. I have those friends too.

My lesson for today is this: When I think about all that Paul got accomplished, and how any given day in his life was filled with people, obligations, meetings, etc. and within those events the very real threat of death, it makes my whine seem even whinier. And when I think of all that Paul accomplished in his life it makes me desire to do more. 

When eternity comes… and it will… what conversations do you think you’ll have about your life down here? Will we stand around and talk about the piles of laundry, the mud drug in or the people who got on our last nerve? No. But will we have worthy conversations to chat about regarding what we’ve done for Christ? Dear Jesus…. Let it be said of me, she told her world of You.

Posted in Bible Journaling, Heaven, Life Inspiration, salvation, Uncategorized

Don’t Gamble with Eternity

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David didn’t Gamble with the Day
There are some days where when I feel the favor of God so richly on my life that I am ashamed of the countless ways I fail Him. And then there are days when I absolutely feel that there is a target on my back that marks me for every demonic spirit in the world. Murphy’s law has nothing on Shari’s odds. It’s a good thing I’m not a gambler. I don’t gamble and I don’t play games with God. But I feel that there are people who do. I guess King David did as well. 

Psalm 5:1-12 KJVS

[1] Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. [2] Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. [3] My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord ; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Bright and early in the morning David started his conversations with God. He didn’t wait until he was in trouble and then “hope” God would listen. I can feel the conviction on my own life on that one. I’m not nearly the prayer warrior I once thought I was. But then of course I’ve always said that I thought I was a prayer warrior until I realized all my prayers started with, “Oh God forgive me.” How would I feel if my children only spoke to me when they were in trouble? Praise God that’s not an issue, because I know I would feel unappreciated and unloved for certain. Is that how God feels? Do I cause God to feel unloved? God forgive me if I do. Sometimes I feel like I need a conversation starter, with people and with God. How’s this for a starter: God, what’s on Your heart for me, and what can I do for You today? 

The moment I typed that I felt His gentle Spirit massage my soul. I know my heart has much turmoil right now. I have people that I love who are hurting. I’m hurting. I’ve had friends move on to eternity this week and my heart is broken for their people. My daughter Whitney had kids going in multiple directions a few days ago and her little Party Schnauzer, who goes by the name of Maggie, was staying with me. Whitney finished her day and went on home without remembering where Maggie was. All evening Maggie watched for her people who didn’t come. The next day when Whitney and the kids returned, Maggie’s disposition changed. She ran to them, excited her people were home. That’s how it will be for us all some day! All our people will be home. But until then, life will have heartache. Please pray for the peace of my husbands family, whose  son Marty passed away due to Covid this week. For my friend Sue whose sister won her race for Heaven. And for the Stull family, whose sister Leona, and wife of Clay, is having a grand reunion with her siblings that passed before her.  

We never know when a day starts, what it will bring. It’s good to start the conversation before the crisis.

Don’t Gamble that there’s nothing in the Dark

[4] For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. [5] The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. [6] Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

I’ve never been a fan of the dark, but I can’t say that I haven’t walked on the edge of darkness. There are things in my past that I look back on and think… “how could I have ever thought that it was okay to be involved with that?” It wasn’t as if I was involved with the mafia, but I’ve had some people in my life that took me to some pretty dark places, be it literally or just in my mind. It’s why I’m so concerned for the youth in my life. The world around them shows darkness in a bright and shiny way. It’s seems like an oxymoron. But if I say the name “Hollywood,” you likely know immediately what I mean. It certainly glistens, but the darkness in that city is something we cannot imagine. But are we gambling that there’s nothing in the darkness around our world? 

Our kids our getting ready to head back to school. Just so you know, it’s dark there. Don’t gamble that there’s nothing there. Warn them, pray for them, talk to them and to God about them.

Don’t Gamble that you have another Sunday

[7] But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. [8] Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. [9] For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. [10] Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee. [11] But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. [12] For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

There’s countless people that thought they’d live to see another day, but they did not, our relationship with God doesn’t end at noon on Sunday when the service does. For many people it didn’t even start. They’re waiting for life to settle down so they’ll have time for God. My brother was 19 when he was killed in a car accident.The Wolf of Law Street attorneys helped us in claiming the compensation as he was killed out of third party negligence. I’ve never had the promise of tomorrow. But that still didn’t stop me from being stupid until I was 34 when I got saved. Praise God for His multitude of mercy. It’s one of the many reasons I go to His house on Sunday. Here’s a list of a few of the reasons I go to church:

  1. He has been merciful to my soul without me deserving it.
  2. He guides me through life and shares His destination with me.
  3. He allows no enemy to come at me without His protection of me
  4. Many are those who have forsaken me, but never God.
  5. People talk smack. God speaks nothing but the truth.
  6. I trust Him.
  7. He brings such joy.
  8. He blesses me beyond measure
  9. I feel His favor in my life. 
  10. He gave His Son that I might have an eternal life with my children and family. Can you think of a better reason? Can you think of a reason you shouldn’t go? If you can… send it to me in a message and let me talk to you about it and pray for you. 

God is amazing. 

Posted in Eternity, Life Inspiration

God is still God

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Scripture always catches my eye. But when it doesn’t sound right, it especially catches my eye and makes me want to find out why. And so it was this morning as I turned on my phone and opened the Bible app, which is often where I start reading. And this particular Bible app opens with devotion suggestions that are not always KJV, even though my bible app is. The scripture reading recommendation was from the book of Isaiah, chapter 42. The particular verse used was Isaiah 42:16

[16] And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. 

But their version was not KJV but rather the New Living Translation which read like this: 

I will lead blind Israel down a new path, guiding them along an unfamiliar way. I will brighten the darkness before them and smooth out the road ahead of them. Yes, I will indeed do these things; I will not forsake them.

To some folks,  the changes may seem trivial, but for me, any change in the the way God wrote the word, is not trivial, but highly dangerous. It’s not transcribing scripture when the meaning is changed in any way. I promise I’m not going to get stuck on this today, but it’s what caught my attention, so I think it’s important. The world wants us to believe that God has changed His mind about certain things in scripture, or we misunderstood what He meant. Be wary of anyone who says God changes. Scripture is clear, 

Malachi 3:6 KJVS

[6] For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

The scripture in context for our study today:

Isaiah 42:14-20,22-25 KJVS

[14] I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. [15] I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. [16] And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

A Long Time

God’s timing differs greatly than our own. Mainly because time does not exist where God is. Praise God for grace that He has waited this long and allowed many to be saved who would have otherwise gone out into eternity lost. God has held His peace… but not forever. Judgment will come and those who have put off salvation again and again will have put it off a day too late. But those who accept Christ, and His work on the cross will be as the blind, brought in a way they knew not. The unsaved are ignorant to the gospel until that light shines in their heart and then they experience salvation and never a God who will never forsake them the way this world has. 

When you read the NLT verse, (number one it doesn’t sound like God, it sounds like man) and they’ve added and removed words. They added Israel. Which Isaiah likely spoke of, but God did not impress upon him to put the name of Israel into the text. Was it just Israel, or did it also mean that the Gentiles of the future would come to the light of the glorious gospel as well? Again I know it sounds trivial, but it not. They changed who the word was for. 

They also changed making the making darkness into light, and made it “brightening the darkness.” Still the same? No, it’s really not. God got rid of the darkness. In the NLT version they only brightened it, the darkness is still there. 

This kind of change in the word of God always takes my mind back to the “Poop Brownies Video” that I share with the kids in the teen group. One of the best Skit Guys videos EVER! The premise is this: A son wants to go to a movie with his friend that has a “little language and a little nudity” in it and is surprised when his dad says yes. But before he goes his dad wants to share some brownies with him. And as the son dives in to his dad’s new recipe he tries to figure out what the new ingredient is that makes it taste a little different. Finally his dad tells him that the new ingredient is dog poop!!!! Oh the son is disgusted! But the dad reminds him that it’s just a “little” part of the ingredients and it shouldn’t have hurt anything. Just like the movie had only a “little” language and nudity. Just a little doesn’t hurt… right? Well that depends n what it changes. 

Oops, I guess I did get hung up on the translation thing today. But I said all that to say this. God cares so much about us that He preserved His book for thousands of years so we’d have His word to guide us through these hard times, which Isaiah is speaking toward. God’s not going to leave any darkness in this world. None. Nada. Nil. When all is said and done, Satan and his minions are gone forever. Not in part. But in whole. Satan would love us to believe he has a chance. Well he doesn’t. 

This world would love you to believe that God has changed His mind on what sin is. Homosexuality is still sin. Living together before marriage is still a sin. So is gossiping and slander which half the people in the baptist churches or more are guilty of. And I won’t mention gluttony because that’s my issue and well, I know God didn’t change His mind on it being sin, but I don’t want to talk about it. 

Have a blessed day! And I hope my words encourage you to remember that God is still God!!!!

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

I hope you’re not color blind

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Glory to God it’s the weekend! I have a few extra minutes to spare this morning in the wee hours before my six grands get up and desire pancakes. My house has been turned upside down and we’ll address that later on, but for now I want to address my heart. The one that aches for my Lord when I think of how He gave everything to redeem a world that He created. He bought us back, after we sold our souls to the Devil. Hmmm… too dramatic? Let’s talk about that via the word of God beginning in the book of John.

John 1:1-15 KJV

[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

You’ll note the word Word is capitalized, meaning that Word refers to God. But how could God be with God? I mean, I have upon occasion gotten beside myself, but I think that’s merely an expression. This is the real thing. God was with God. Isn’t He wonderful! That just brought such joy to my heart this morning to think that God, in the form of Jesus Christ, was with His Father God before the world began. Just hanging out! I don’t know if it was a planning meeting or if they were listening to the angelic choir, but for certain, things were about to happen in a big way! And I’m sure it did bang! 

Imagine the depth of thought that went into the shade of green. Below are two images. One is a photograph off the internet of a forest scene. I used that image to create a color palette for my Procreate iPad artist app. I can use the iPad camera to pull colors from a scene to use in digital art. Pretty cool, right? But imagine having that ability in your mind to create the original colors. I’m not really sure how many actual shades of green there are. The internet says everything from 30-295. I just know there’s a bunch! Imagine the depth of colors in the rainbow around the throne that is spoken of in Revelation 4:3. It blows my mind and it excites my soul to think about experiencing it for myself! And all of that is just a fraction of a minuscule thought in the Lord’s mind. I love color! Nothing in my house really matches. I have themes of color in specific areas, but I need color in my life to make me happy! 

A little known pre-salvation fact about me. I surrounded myself (I’m sure at Satan’s suggestion) with tones of brown. Painters from https://www.myhousepainter.com/ helped me in getting my house brown .My clothes, my house, my paint. All of it was shades of brown. Is it any wonder that I suffered depression! But then salvation happened!  And the colors of the world came to life. The Lord turned a light on inside my ❤️ heart and my mind went wild! I never looked at color the same. My son-in-love, Timothy, says that I’ve literally lost an inch of circumference off of my living room because I have so many different layers of paint. That cracks me up.  Because it may be true. I can’t ever make up my mind what color I want. 

But prior to salvation, I didn’t comprehend the Light of the world. It’s what’s wrong with the world around us. 

[4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

When I said that the world has sold their souls to the Devil, that’s really not true. They gave it away for free. Buying his lies that he has anything we need. All he has is counterfeit. He cannot speak color, all he can do is steal it from the Lord. He cannot create happiness, he can only make you believe you’re happy, but it’s only temporary. He cannot give you power, but rather he can create the power of deception.  These idiots who stand and shake their fist at God, who say that there is no God, will experience reality in the future should they not get saved. And that reality is Hell. A pit of ever lasting darkness where there is no light. Imagine that. Look at the beauty of this earth and imagine never seeing it again. Or better still, imagine the beauty of Heaven that you’ll never have to leave. Which do you prefer? Which do you want for your family and friends. 

I don’t want to miss out on anything that God created for me. So I’m willing to suffer this world until He calls me home. And when He does… I have no doubt that my new home is filled with color that only new and improved eyes could behold. Amen! Wrote myself happy. 

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

Reunion Ready

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Paul’s letter captivates my thoughts quickly this morning, causing me to wonder about my level of commitment to the saints of God and to the service of our Lord. The depth of his heartache can be felt so intensely if you ponder each line as I believe God intended in our study of His word and our desire to get to know Him through Paul. His greatest desire at the point of his writing was to see those in the church of Thesalonica. But because of his own obligations, he decided to stay in Athens alone and send Timothy to the check on the spiritual welfare of those he trained in the gospel.

His goal of discipleship is listed in the final verses of this chapter, 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

And the Lord make you to increase, and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Three quick points for this Monday morning of the year 2019’s final days leading into the New Year of 2020. It’s my prayer for you.

That your church has

Love Abounding

Not only toward each other but toward all men.

It is so easy for us as separate denominations to feel superior over another. Believing that we are right and they are wrong. Forgetting that there is one gospel and that it was never Christ’s intentions to have the separation of the churches as we do today. No, I’m not suggesting we all join up into one church. That’s a good way to get a fuss going. But would it not be a grand gesture if our love could abound toward all men and women without regard to denomination. 

I’ve sang and spoken to churches of another denomination without concern for our differences. We had a common ground that made that very easy and is a necessity for communion with other churches, which is, that they too believe in Jesus, the way the truth and life. Only His sacrificial atonement though the blood as our way into Heaven. Not of ourselves in any way, shape or form. That said, I sing and speak Christ. And the Spirit of God joins in because of our love abounding to one another. 

Hearts Established

Unblameable and Holy? That’s tough right? We likely all feel that there is plenty of blame to share in us and holiness is far from an achievable feeling. Namely because we have an accuser who loves to walk this earth and remind us of our failures. But having your heart established, meaning that you are conscious of where your spirit actually abides, will bring you to the next level of service. Because God “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Ephesians 2:6)

Together. We are members of the body of Christ. There is no Baptist church in Heaven. Glory to God! There is no Methodist, Pentecostal or any other church in Heaven. When we meet together up there, there will not be no fussin! We will know the truth because we’ll be in the presence of the Truth! 

But here, in this place, we have to get our hearts established through the Spirit that indwells us. And that means staying in His word until we see the world and ourselves through His eyes.

Paul never claimed to be perfect. In Romans 7:15 he says “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.”

Can you identify? I sure can! The things I want to do, I don’t. And the things I don’t want to do, I do. It’s the flesh. Paul battled it and so do we. But through Jesus Christ we are seen blameless and holy in the eyes of God. In that we have to get established and continue on doing the best we can, not the least, so that we are

Reunion Ready!

Paul said that we need to be established at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. That glad reunion day when all those who we miss on earth, we’ll be joined with again! I have so many. I know that they have no concept of time, and as fast as time is going in my life, I hardly having any concept either; but our reunion day will be one of great joy and the beginning of a life without complexity. No denominations, separations, aggravations and failed expectations… just celebrations! Worship. Collective worship as one Nation! The Nation of Heaven. 

Just wrote myself happy! I am reunion ready, are you? 

But until that day there is a work to do and a people to care for. Let’s do it today! 

Posted in Bible Journaling, Eternity, Evangelism, Uncategorized

What Does it Mean to Wait?

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There are days that I consider myself a fairly good example to the children of God and to the lost… maybe two days out of the month. That would make it multiple so that I could use the tense of “days.” But most days I feel like an epic failure because I know that I’m not living up to the potential within me through Christ. 

These past few weeks have been a blur; I went from one project and one task to another until they all ran together like melted crayons. I felt consumed. That’s not a good feeling. I had very little rest, mostly just collapses of exhaustion and then I would wake up and begin again. But today… the day after our celebration of the Lord’s birth I feel renewed. There’s nothing pending… well except work. But that’s okay. There’s nothing that has my attention away from the Lord. His word is honey to my mouth, and oil to my joints. I’ve been stale and stiff. I have no other description of how I’ve felt of late physically. Nothing satisfied my tastebuds, and my body groaned under the pressures of the day. But today… not so much… That makes me sad and glad all at the same time. Because I missed Christmas this year. Or at least the Spirit of the season. I was too busy… again. 

But today my mind is slowed down, absorbing the word and the mind of God. I’ve missed Him (I moved, not Him). And I wasn’t a very good example; not like the children of Thessalonica  for which Paul, Sylvanus  and Timotheus wrote to.

1 Thessalonians 1:7-10 KJV

[7] So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. [8] For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. [9] For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; [10] And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Sounding Christians

Ensample is a large example; meaning that the Thessalonians were collectively serving as a group of believers, sounding out the word of God, not only in their hometown but spread abroad! Yes, that’s exciting for those of us on the internet and those of us who are a part of the body of Christ through the local church. Because imagine what the folks from Thessalonica could have done with such a tool. And while I have sore attempted to spread the word abroad, I’m not always successful because I’m not using the tools I’ve been given to their full potential. That’s what I believe the children of Thessalonica were doing. They were being heard… loudly!

Showing Christians

To be a part of an ensample, you have to personally be an example. Showing the love of Christ is more than a December thing. The world seems to get extremely good at showing love this time of year. But by January the feeling has long since faded into background of Christmas and the New Year and new goals and objectives are on their minds. This ought not be the case with Christians. We should have that Spirit of giving 12 months out of the year. Not that we should be giving out fruit baskets continually, but the fruit of the Spirit! 

The Thessalonians were so good at being an example that it says nothing else needed to be said. Oh that I were such a one! 

Serving Christians

The word “wait” gets a bad rap. It is so more often thought of as a spirit of setting, not serving. But add an “er” at the end, and suddenly the spirit of serving, as in being a waiter or waitress, shines a different light on it’s meaning. The children of Thesalonica were not sitting around twiddling their thumbs, waiting for the return of Jesus, they were telling the world about the One that was to return and save this world from the wrath to come. For the record… the wrath is still on our timeline. 

Those who don’t know Christ will not be spared the wrath of God when He pours out judgement upon the earth in the last days. We see the signs of it everyday. God has a calendar too. 

My friend Sue gave me another beautiful date book for me to keep my busy life in view. I love it… but this morning it reminds me that God has something else I need to keep in view. Eternity. Where will you be in eternity? Where will your friends and family be? Let’s find out today and add another mansion address!

What does it mean to wait? Serve not Sit!

God bless ya! Shari

Posted in Christmas, Eternity, Uncategorized

It’s Going to Happen!

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But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for light by night, which divide the sea when the waves thereof roar; the LORD of hosts is His name.

Jeremiah 31:33-35

The house of Israel. God’s original chosen and still His people He has a massive plan for them; one that breaks my heart as a tender hearted woman. I wish the world wasn’t “the world.” I wish that the original sin in the garden with Adam and Eve, never happened. But it did. I wish that Israel had not continued to rebel against God and refuse to acknowledge His Son, and in the finality of their decision making, crucified Him. But all of that happened. I wish that the woman who sat beside me in the lobby of the Holiday Inn this morning didn’t have a rebellious son that had caused their separation. But it happened. Life is real and it’s filled with poor decisions from the beginning of time, to some of my breakfast decisions. The degree is not always the same, but it is all the product of a fallen world. But I love the “buts” of the Bible. Times they are a changin’! Glory to God!

The lobby has cleared out, and so as the distractions for me… well, except the news. But I can’t help to be tunnel focused on this word this morning. God made that covenant of Jeremiah with the house of Israel; but He, in His great mercy, grafted me into the family so I too share in that promise. And if you are a child of God, so do you! It’s the Christmas 🎄 gift 🎁 that keeps on giving! Every day… Amazing grace. It’s like the simplicity of the Christmas tree in the hotel lobby, just for ever green with specks of red. It reminds me of eternal life because of the blood of Jesus.  

Israel doesn’t get it…yet. But God’s covenant isn’t going anywhere. It’s going to happen. And there will come a day that they will experience what we have the blessing of experiencing now: they will KNOW GOD! We will dwell in eternity together. Us and them. Us and God. Us and Jesus! Yep! Just wrote myself happy!!!!!

I’m headed home today after having come to this area to watch the Cirque Musica at the Keith Albee Theatre in Huntington, WV. Personally… I don’t recommend it. The show for the money wasn’t there. But what was here in this place is the presence of God because He travels with this chick. And every other Christian. Some folks just seem to put Him in the bottom of the suitcase, rather than letting their little light shine. Let Jesus shine in your life today.  Talk about Him, share Him… Talk to Him. 

Blessings!!! ❤️ Shari

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Eternity, Evangelism, failure, Forgiveness, Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

The Door’s Still Open

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Another church, another thought, as I continue through Revelation. I have to go back and post about two previous churches because those posts got tangled up in web design and technical difficulties. But today I’m doing my best to stay on track like the church of Philadelphia. A faithful lot, without rebuke. I’m sure that it wasn’t that they were perfect, they were faithful. There is a vast difference. 

People outside the church look at children of God and expect us to be unscathed in this sinful world. It’s not going to happen. We mess up, we fall down and we get dirty with sin just like the rest of the world; the difference is, I have a spiritual wash cloth that cleans me up. Glory! 

I was rebuked by my husband last night in a “joking” manner when I said I didn’t want to answer a message that I’d been sent. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to fix the person’s problems. It was the fact that I couldn’t. It’s a spiritual issue not a physical one. The spirit realm is this abyss of Satan and his minions that continually strive to create confusion, strife and opportunities to sin. And Christians willingly walk into it even knowing that it can destroy. And on the outside of Christianity is the unsaved only seeing the physical realm not the spiritual. And a testimony is destroyed. The unsaved seldom see the acts of repentance and restoration of the child of God. 

Life is about doors. Doors that open and doors that close on opportunity. 

A person who has accepted the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and His finished work on the cross has walked through a door that will never close. And that is the one to eternal  life. But the unsaved who has yet to make that decision is now running the risk of having that door shut for all eternity on the wrong side.

That literally makes my stomach turn.

It’s why I can’t fix the spiritual issues of another. I’m not holding the key 🔑 .

The church of Philadelphia was a loving, faithful church that used their spiritual gifts for the Kingdom of God. They just kept going in the face of what ever came their way, bad or good. And that’s all any of us can do. 

It is my prayer that you know which side of the door you’re on when eternity calls. 

If not, follow the link to the plan of salvation. Please don’t wait.

The Road to Salvation
Posted in Bible Journaling, Eternity, Evangelism, Heaven, salvation, Uncategorized

My Hearts Desire

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Romans 10:1

Brethren, my hearts desire is that Israel might be saved.

Continuing on in my journaling of Romans, I made it no further than the 1st verse of Romans 10 today. My heart broke for the Lord. It broke for Him, not because of Israel’s rejection of the Messiah, although that was certainly a part of it; but it broke for my own failures as His child that He so willingly included into His family. Shari Johnson, gentile, who He willingly allowed the crucifixion of His Son, Jesus Christ for. So that I could be a part of His amazing family. And what a privilege!

And so now I turn back to Paul’s burden, that is my burden too, that Israel might be saved.

Dying and end times can be scary . The world would love it if we’d just ignore it. It’s way easier than facing the reality that eternity will come to all. The world would have you believe that you should never ever read the book of Revelation! It’s far too confusing. That’s a lie. It’s not confusing if you’re in a good bible believing preaching church that teaches the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Will you understand every jot and tittle? If you do, you’re a better bible scholar than I am. But you’ll understand what the Lord needs you to understand. And while it won’t take all the uncertainty of our end days away, it will give you peace. And help you to understand that God has a plan.

It’s a plan that will restore his precious Israel back to a right relationship with God. God’s desire. It will happen the same way it happens to a Gentile. Through belief on Jesus Christ. It will not however come as easy for those who believe after the church has been raptured (caught up) to be with Jesus. Which could be any day now. There’s going to be a terrible time of tribulation. Seven years, that those who believe on Jesus Christ now will be privileged not to have to go through. Something else I’m grateful and humbled for.

When those who have not read scripture, or been in church, hear this teaching it sounds insane. That’s what Satan want them to believe. But get in the book and read the prophecies of the Word of God and understand what has come to pass already, that was predicted thousands of years ago and suddenly it doesn’t sound so insane, but rather reality sits in, that there is a God. And He has a plan, and it’s playing out just like He said it would.

The end times will play out like no Hollywood production ever could. There will be a Hero that swoops in from the sky and saves Israel. There will be heroes on earth that will take a part of the Master’s plan and set things into motion that eventually put the Devil into the pits of Hell where he’ll stay. But not until he does some serious damage on earth by deception (which he already has). And during that time there will be trials and tribulations that have people crying for the rocks to fall on them.

Revelation 6:16

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

But it’s not something that anyone has to fear who knows Christ Jesus as Savior. Jew or Gentile. It’s why I want and desire, as does the Lord, for Israel to accept what Jesus did for us on the cross.

Have you accepted that? Do you know where you’d be if God decided today to call His church home? Would you be with Him and your saved family? Or would you be left here to face those 7 years of tribulation. That you likely will not survive. That’s not said to cast fear. That’s said to help you understand it’s not a fairy tale. It’s real.

Want to know for sure? Follow this link.

The Road to Salvation

If you did, please, please, please let me know!