purpose – Page 20 – The Jesus Chick

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Today’s the day!

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

Or I guess tonight’s the night – that our church will vote on a new Pastor. For nine months we’ve waited… I find that amount of time ironic, perhaps it’s symbolic of a new birth of new ideas and new direction for my beloved Victory Baptist Church. For me personally it’s been a knot in my stomach that I’ve been waiting to untie. I want this chapter of the unknown closed. We’ve had nine months of leadership that was crème de la crème. As the scripture said in Isaiah 49:10

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

We’ve not thirsted, nor been exhausted; we were led by the sweetest waters of the gospel and guided by the Holy Spirit. But it’s not the same as having a full time, committed man of God to oversee the flock. The visionary of the congregation. One of the wisest men of all times, King Solomon himself said, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18.

A Pastor sets the vision, the goals of the congregation for growth of the Kingdom and the longer we were without someone in that position the further away we became from the previous vision. Although we had great temporary leadership, the uncertainty of what the new leadership would bring always made the direction we were going hesitant.

So what now?

Tonight we vote yay or nay to the new man. If you are a person of prayer, please take the time today to lift our congregation up to the Lord for wisdom and unity. This journey has not been without bridges to cross. There has been more than one side, but the river of life clearly flowed between them both. Wow… I guess I’m speaking very metaphorically. A church the size of ours, and as vocal as we are in a small community gets attention; and it’s not always good. People from the outside look for cracks in the armor of God and it doesn’t usually take them long to find it. We’re not a perfect people, we’re a perfectly loved people. We don’t always agree and sometimes things are said that should have never been said. We’re human and most importantly we’re family. I’d challenge anyone to look me in the eye and say they’ve had a perfect relationship with everyone in their life or that you’ve never stood in need for grace.

Am I saying there is a great division among our people? Nope. I don’t know that there’s any division among our people, but I know that if Satan has his way, there can be.

Here’s my prayer request for you:

Pray for direction
Pray for a unified church
Pray for the Pastor candidate and his family

My prayer for you is that you are a part of the body of Christ and are serving in the congregation of the Lord that He has chosen for you. Being an active part of a local church is vital to your spiritual growth. Choose wisely!

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Who Then is Willing?

Written by talk2shari Published April 6, 2014April 7, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

It’s Sunday! My favorite day of the week. I spent the bulk of my Saturday preparing for a Sunday two weeks from now. During our Easter Cantata I’ll be putting the finishing touches on 7 paintings as the choir sings; paintings that for me tell the Easter story. I hope I’m “writing” one that the congregation can understand, sometimes my warped way of thinking doesn’t connect the dots like everyone else. But what a privilege it is to have your hands used by the Lord, especially when you know that there are likely more skilled hands in the congregation of the Lord for such a work as this.

In 1^st Chronicles 29:3-6, King David is getting ready to pass the holy baton to his son, Solomon for the building of the temple. But before he does he lays a charge to the congregation of the Lord about their responsibilities for the house of the Lord.

Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house. Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal: The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord? Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work, offered willingly,

The charge still stands:

Setting your affection

Sunday mornings don’t come easy for any of us; the last thing Satan is going to do is allow a child of God an easy ride to worship. He’ll use any and all methods of distraction to make sure that your heart and mind are in a thousand other directions and not on the things of God. Setting your affection is a lot like the setting of the foundation of the house of the Lord. It’s putting the idea of your service in concrete so that no matter what other things arise in life your heart is set on serving Christ.

Sacrificing your assets

David summed it up in verse 14 when he said “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” The reality of the matter is you’re not sacrificing your assets, you’re returning the smallest of portion which God gave you to begin with, and what a privilege to be able! It’s also a mindset. Given the choice, most will choose to keep it for themselves.

Submitting your artistry

Everyone has talents! And David as leader searched those talents out and used them all in the building of the house of the Lord. Our church house may be built but the church is far from finished, else God would have called us home. I hope today you’ll discover a talent worthy of the Lord’s service either in you, or in someone you lead and when God asks “Who then is Willing?” your hand will be lifted high in praise and service for the Kingdom of God. “It’s me O Lord! Ready and Willing!!!”

Posted in Life Inspiration

In a Day of trouble… there’s one thing good to know…

Written by talk2shari Published March 30, 2014March 30, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Psalm 61

1-2 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

David’s prayer in the day of trouble. He’d taken his petition to the only One that he knew could make a difference. It’s good (and needful) to have friends that we can share our burdens and hearts desires with, but how much more it is to have a God Who knew of our heartaches and trials before they happened. It didn’t catch Him off guard that any of it occurred; as a matter of fact it was a part of the plan. For whatever reason God will work this trial to our good and the overwhelming feelings we have in the midst… hold on. David prayed (and me too this morning) that he be lead to the “rock that is higher than I.” That place that I can’t even hope of getting to Lord unless You lift me up.

3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

This is not my first rodeo where I feel overwhelmed with the circumstances of life, as a matter of fact it’s been far worse. David’s past experience reminded himself that God had always been a place of refuge. A “place” he could go and for certain find safety. How wonderful it is to know that God will never fail. That’s a reason to shout this morning! The world fails me, people who love me fail me, I most definitely fail me. But God never does.

4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

At this point in David’s life he’d been banished from the tabernacle, but God assured him of impending return. During the time in our lives when we’re overwhelmed by circumstance we often feel the furthest away from God, and it usually a struggle to get back. That period between Wednesday night service to Sunday Worship can seem like an eternity in and of itself sometimes. That’s why it’s crucial to daily read the Word of God and be in prayer. We are the tabernacle for which Christ dwells but He quite often is having services alone.

5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.

As a child of God it’s also important to call to mind the day of our salvation. It was not only our commitment of our life to Christ, but His commitment to us. He gave us His name… Christian and the heritage (birthright) that came with it. Glory!

6 Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations.

David had been promised to be King. And even though from this vantage point David didn’t see the Kingdom he knew it was a promise. God wasn’t through with him yet! If we’re still here on earth the same holds true for us! My heart flutters when I think of what God’s ultimate plan could be!

7He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.

With all that in mind, David prays for mercy and truth and protection. What more would we want than that in any trial? And how awesome it is to pray to the One who can provide it. It is not wonder David closed out with praise!

8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

Keep serving child of God!

Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Are you waiting for the mantle to fall?

Written by talk2shari Published March 26, 2014March 26, 2014 Discussion 2 Comments

While countless people have come in and gone out of my life that I’ve loved, those who have had a “great” spiritual impact on my life have been fewer than those who have had a great personal impact on my life. Both are important and I don’t want to diminish the latter, but of those who have had a spiritual impact I believe they’ll have rewards in Heaven. 1 Peter 5:2-4 says “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” It is my prayer that I will have that impact on people in my life; not that I’m anybody, but that the presence of God in my life will be evident to the point that someone wants what I have and for God’s glory alone.

In 2nd Kings Chapter 2 we find the story of two such men, Elijah and Elisha, and this morning as I read their story I caught a glimpse of that road to Glory for which every saint of God should strive for.

Vs. 9-15 ~

Evidence of the Spirit at Work in our Life

Vs. 9 ~ And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

Before Elijah left, Elisha had seen the Spirit of the Lord at work in his life. It will do little good if our legacy for the Lord is the last five minutes of our life. Our friends and family need to see the lasting affect over time. They need to see God in the good days and the bad. Elisha had seen that, he wanted that! He’d seen Elijah:

1. Stop the Rain (1 Kings 17:1)

2. Multiply the Oil (1 Kings 17:2)

3. Raise the Dead (1 Kings 17:22, 23)

4. Bring Fire from heaven on the soaked altar (1 Kings 18:38)

5. Bring on the rain (1 Kings 18:45)

6. Bring fire down on 51 soldiers. (2 Kings 1:10)

7. Bring fire down on the second 51 soldiers (2 Kings 1:12) and

8. Part the river Jordan. (2 Kings 2:8)

Our Evangelism Needs to Continue

Vss. 10-13 ~ And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;

When Elijah had gone, Elisha mourned but went back and stood at the bank of Jordan where he and Elijah had stood before. When we’re gone there should be someone standing in the gap that we’ve left; we should be leading leaders, training those we love to evangelize those they love. If Jesus tarries I want the next generation to evangelize the next generation and the only way that will happen is if we have them ready before we leave.

Evolving takes humility

Vss. 14-15 ~ And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.

After Elijah left, Elisha was there, and when Elisha was gone those who had been watching seen Elisha’s miracles too! Elisha had asked for a double portion of the Spirit that was upon Elijah. Elisha’s miracles were as follows:

Jordan River divided (2:14)
Waters at the spring of Jericho healed (2:21)
Bears from the woods, destroying the mockers (2:24)
Water for Kings (3:20)
Oil for the widow (4:1-4
Gift of the son (4:16,17)
Raising the child from the dead (4:35)
Healing of the potage (4:41)
Bread multiplied (4:43)
Naaman healed (5:10)
Gehazi smitten (5:27)
Caused the iron to swim (6:6)
Sight to the blind (6:17)
Smiting blindness to these men (6:18)
Restoring sight to these men (6:20)
Miracle after his death, man comes to life by touching Elisha’s bones (13:21)

Sixteen!!! The double portion.

It is said that those who watched were the sons of the prophets having been formally trained, while Elisha was taken from the plough. When they perceived that God was on Elisha (as He was Elijah) they readily submitted to him as their father in the faith. They weren’t worried about his resume. Evolving (changing into) men and women of God takes humility. A willingness to have a servant’s heart to receive the manifold blessings of God.

If we want to see God move we’ve got watch for opportunities as Elisha watched Elijah; pray specifically as Elisha asked for the double portion; and when it’s our turn we need to stand accordingly.

Posted in Life Inspiration, Uncategorized

The Power of a Name

Written by talk2shari Published March 22, 2014March 22, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Tonight my friend Gloria and I will be traveling to the Mountaineer Opry House in Milton, West Virginia to hear Doyle Lawson and Quick Silver. If you’re into the bluegrass genre of music you likely know the name; if you’re not, you’ve deprived yourself of one of life’s greatest treats. Gloria and I joked a few days ago about what we planned to wear hoping not to clash with Brother Doyle (He is a Christian) when we had a photo op, so I told her I’d message him on Facebook and ask. Right now you think I’m Shari the stalker girl… nope, I just like to see how truly personable an artist is. And sure enough Doyle messaged me back, although he wasn’t sure what he was wearin’. So I’m going to try to dress relatively neutral in hopes of getting that perfect pic. My point of this conversation is I’m a fan of Doyle’s but he’s not a fan of Shari, and that’s okay if he never remembers my name because the One who knows my name, never forgets.

Yesterday morning as I was blogging about allowing a past hurt to keep me awake and continue to burden my life another Facebook message popped up from a lady I hardly know. We’re Facebook friends, I’ve met her a time or two, we’ve shared testimonies and she sings beautifully, but other than that I know very little about her, and she knows very little about me. But the message popped up saying “Shari, good morning! I don’t know why, but your FULL name was in my mind when I woke up and I can’t shake it. I am praying for you.”

I was stunned and humbled that God had laid my name on the heart of uncommon friend and so very grateful that she was a faithful servant who hearkened to what He had ask. It served to remind me of how powerful God is and the power in a name.

Jesus told the disciples in Luke 10:20

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

As many things as God has allowed me to do, sing, speak, artistry and so much more, as awesome as those gifts have been to me, they pale in comparison to the fact that my name is written in Heaven. Those gifts may or may not fade someday; but my name is in indelible ink. Nothing can blot it out or cause God to forget that I am His. If you are a child of God, don’t put credence in who you think you are because of what you can do or cannot do. For even the unsaved have great talents and gifts. But the greatest thing of all is that the Creator of the Universe knows your name. “So what,” if Doyle Lawson doesn’t know who Shari Johnson is, He who created Doyle Lawson knows who Shari Johnson is and has my eternity planned with things I cannot even fathom. Man! You thought the bluegrass shindigs were great down here, wait ‘til we get there! Now that’s worth rejoicing in!

Posted in Life Inspiration

Why We Don’t Hear From God

Written by talk2shari Published March 19, 2014March 19, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

When my children were growing up I often felt like I was beating the air with feathers. Just a flurry of conversations that fell from my lips and drifted off into eternity like the down of duckling. Just fluff. If I could impart any words of wisdom to young parents it would be to “choose your words wisely as best you can, and don’t sweat the times you don’t… they’re probably not listening anyway.” I’m pretty sure that’s how I treat God, and His Words are always wise.

Deuteronomy 4:29-31

King James Version (KJV)

But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

We more often than not don’t hear from God because we’ve stopped listening. Start today! That’s great advice. God “But if from thence.” If from this point forward you’ll seek Me, you’ll find Me. He’s not lost, He’s waiting there within our heart and soul; but we’ve got to get past the other junk in our lives. I’m constantly putting things before God. People, things, tasks, and nothing enjoyable! Just “stuff” that blocks my vision (God’s great plans for the future), and stops sound (His Word from reaching my heart). Christian kryptonite. The stuff that drains me of my super Power. But if today I started putting God first, I wouldn’t have any trouble hearing Him. So what would that look like? We first have to look at what’s before us. What’s on your mind right now? Finances? Job? Children? Something else? Now use your creative thinking powers to move ‘that’ behind God and what do we see? Him. Don’t try going around Him to get to your stuff, go through Him. Ask Him for direction and then listen, looking unto Him. Hebrews 12:2 says that “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus endured the cross so that on days like today there would be nothing between us and Him; and nothing would bring Him greater joy than to listen to you and answer you. If something’s there it’s because we’ve put it in the path.

Move it.

Posted in Life Inspiration

Hanging on to hope… again

Written by talk2shari Published March 12, 2014March 12, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

What feels like forever ago was actually just a few years, when I lead a group of students at our local high school in a drug prevention program. It wasn’t “just” a job; I had long since moved on from that theory after Jesus saved my soul and realizing that nothing just happens. I laid hold of Paul’s words to the Philippians in Philippians 3:14:

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

It was indeed a high calling and an opportunity to minister and to be ministered to. Yea, I know… Jesus is not allowed in public school, right? Whether they like or not Jesus is there when children who know Christ are bold enough to put Him there and adults have enough back bone to support them.

This morning is more of a reflection of gratitude for a life that I was privileged to have a miniscule piece of time in. I learned yesterday that one of the students in that program committed suicide, probably about 20-21 years of age. He had left West Virginia and joined the Air Force and other than an occasional look at his Facebook status I really had no clue as to what he was up to. But he had put a mark on my life that gives me sweet peace this morning.

The bible tells us in Philippians 3:17 ~

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Mark them. Strong’s Concordance defines this as “to take aim at and heed to.” On more than one occasion this young man would come into my office and set for long periods of time and discuss his relationship with Christ before his peers. What a blessing he was! And I don’t say that “just because.” It’s truth. One of those peers posted on Facebook this morning

Today my brother and best friend left this world to be with Jesus. He rekindled my flame with the lord, and through example showed me there is nothing to be ashamed of. Because of (him) I rededicated my life to Christ on January 3, 2014. You will be missed until we meet again.

He took heed to his friend and because of it they both have hope.

Hope in a suicide? Suicide is the most tragic of deaths. Because the victim of a saved person’s suicide is the family and friends left behind to deal with the unanswered questions. It’s unfair. But praise God that they have hope of seeing him again!

How does one get to the point of suicide if they have Jesus residing in their soul? I don’t have that answer, only that it serves as a reminder to us all that the world can consume us if we’re not careful to keep our eyes on Jesus. And the need to keep our eyes on one another who bear the mark of Jesus. Loving each other, looking out for each other.

There’s another “mark” that Paul spoke of in Romans 16:17:

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

There will be those who will take a circumstance such as this and use it to further the nonsense that people who are saved don’t have issues in life. Mark them and avoid them. Don’t let anyone steal your hope in life. And if you are someone who struggles with life, please reach out to a friend in the faith. Don’t let Satan convince you that taking your life is an answer. It causes a host of other problems in your passing and denies God His purpose for your life.

Just a side note. This Jesus Chick loves ya today. And so does Jesus.

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration

I know You are I Am, but who am I? Days of Doubt

Written by talk2shari Published March 7, 2014March 7, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Moses. No doubt one of the greatest leaders of all time looking back at him from the 21^st century. But looking at him from a biblical perspective… in his day…we see a man full of guilt, doubt and comparison. Those are the reasons I love his story; because I can relate.

In Exodus 3:4-6 we see Moses standing curiously before the burning bush.

And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

If I may interject my thoughts on this scripture. God called Moses’ name and Moses was quick to answer “Here am I!” That’s how it is when God’s doing miraculous things. Get in the middle of big church service where the Holy Spirit of God is moving and you hear Him call upon you to step out on something and you’re quick to respond, “Here am I, Lord! Use me!” But a couple hours later when you’re alone in your car driving home you’re wondering why in the world you opened your mouth. There Moses stood before that burning bush, on Holy ground and in awe of God and then he remembered who he was and he hid his face.

All the sins of the past came back. He’d killed a man causing him to run into hiding but he was sure he’d moved on past it. He’d married and now was working for his father in law Jethro. His life wasn’t what he thought it would be, but it was good enough. Until he ran into that bush in the dessert. He ran face first into God who begins talking about a new plan. One that’s going to put him out of hiding and in front of the masses and every doubt that Moses had in his life came flooding into his soul. That’s how it is when Satan hears your call. He’s gets busy reminiscing your list of failures and Moses begins to question his ability to convince anyone he is a leader. To which God responds:

Exodus 3:14 ~ And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.

But Moses later questions God again about His decision making in Exodus 4:10-12

And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

As if to say “Lord! What are your thinking choosing me?” but the Lord squelches him…

And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.

I heard a quote from Steven Furtick yesterday on these scriptures “When you doubt the product, you insult the manufacturer.” I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind. I’m always doubting God’s decision to use me and comparing myself to everyone else. And I’m never enough. Enough what? Insert any number of things in there: I’m never skinny enough, smart enough, eloquent enough, entertaining enough, rich enough…. And the list goes on. Truth be told you have your list too. Insert it here.

I am never _______________ enough.

It may be different today than yesterday, or five minutes ago if the right person walks into the room, because we measure ourselves by someone else’s gift. Thus doubting the Manufacturer of our product… us.

We know Who I AM is. He’s God, but who are we? If we could only get ahold of and maintain the truth which is ~ I am me, with I AM within me. Made in His fashion, for His purpose, and placed on His path, now why do I question it? Because Satan’s good at his job and I lack in mine. My job is to go. God told Moses “I made your mouth, do you know think I can cause it to say what I need it to say? Come on, I’m God!” – that was definitely the Bible according to Shari.

That blank in the statement “I am never ________ enough.” We need to take out two words, Never and _________. Because with God “I am enough.”

Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration

What Could Have Been Done More? ~

Written by talk2shari Published February 28, 2014February 28, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

Isaiah 5:1-4 ~ Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?

America has been a blessed land. God’s providence has been written across the pages from the beginning of time. It was founded on Christianity and battles have been fought and won time and time again for the continuation of that liberty. But as time goes on we see less and less of a stand for Christ. Even many of His very own churches for which He died for has turned their backs on Him, falling in line with liberal beliefs that you can have salvation without the blood off Jesus, killing children is okay, we are the alternative lifestyle and Christ is “a” way, not “the” way. It does not surprise me when unsaved people defend the right of wrong, but when the church does it they can accept their part in the slap given by the soldiers in Mathew 27:30 ~ “And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.”

This country was planted with the choicest of vine. Look back on the history of our founding fathers and political factions, and although they were not perfect men, their testimony of honor stands strong today. Now look at our political factions of today and scroll forward to the history books of our great, great, grandchildren and tell me if you see a story of American heroes or sour grapes and briars? Who would want to read our story?

There are few men of great moral fiber (actually just the renderings of a diet of much fiber if you get my gist).

Isaiah’s question “What could have been done more?” hit me hard this morning. God gave us His best. There was NOTHING else He could have done. But as for us… what is our excuse as the American Church for doing nothing? For allowing that nonsense in Washington to continue and saying that we have no right to step in. I personally don’t have the answer, but I have the desire. If I seen the right leaders stepping up for the coming elections I certainly would fall in behind them. As well as in my local community. But they have to be Christian leaders, else we’ve done nothing more than the world, which is what has us in this predicament now.

I hope we’re all prayin’ and I hope God will answer with some strong Christian men and women to stand up for the America we read about in History. Not for the one that’s going down in History.

Posted in Christian Service, Life Inspiration

Graduated Thinking ~ Less Than What? ~

Written by talk2shari Published February 24, 2014February 24, 2014 Discussion Leave a Comment

This morning I’m here to share with you something that’s been on my heart to share for years, and I’ve not had the courage until today. When I read a post from a teen in my youth department who Satan was thumping on and who had the nerve to fight back, publicly. She’s a senior in High School who beyond a shadow of a doubt has the talent to do or be anything she set her mind to, but she’s choosing at this time not to go on to higher education but rather focus her life on being a woman of God, and perhaps a wife and mother a little further down the road. And because of her decision the world is berating her that she is less. My question to them is “Less than what?”

Here’s my story. Unlike her I wasn’t saved when I graduated High School, therefore I did not have the Holy Spirit within me giving me guidance, but that’s not to say that I didn’t have the Holy Spirit guiding me, because I fully believe He set a path in motion that would have been easier if He were within, but was fulfilled from without. I hope you got that. God had a plan… Jeremiah 29:11 says – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ~ God had a plan that He allowed to come to fruition because I eventually did get saved; which God knew I would, that was the expected end He could see. And I believe the plan would have come together much nicer if I had gotten my heart right with Christ sooner.

But like this young lady much of my life was lived feeling inadequate because I didn’t measure up to the world’s standards. And some well-meaning people… and some, quite frankly, mean people contributed to that inadequacy with questions as to why I didn’t continue my education, and still yet today ask that question of me. And still today when the question arises I feel less. Less than what? Less than God intended?

This is not an “anti-higher-education” blog. Praise the Lord for those who seek wisdom in specific fields. I don’t believe any of us want a doctor or nurse who got their degree by filling out a form and paying a fee. No. We want well educated people. But I’ve seen plenty of well-educated miserable people who rather than following the Lord’s will and plan for their life chose a profession based on status. Who felt that they’d never measure up in life unless there were some ABC’s behind their name. And there were some who when having achieved the ABC’s forgot the fundamentalism of life’s purpose.

I’ve wanted to write this blog for months, but every time I put fingers to keyboard the fear of someone saying “You’re writing this to justify yourself in a field you’re not qualified for,” came to mind and I just shut it down. Because the world had convinced me that they defined me. If I didn’t have their piece of paper somehow I was less. Less than what?

This morning as I sought for answers I ran across Psalms 139 and discovered that I did indeed have a degree. Psalm 139:16 ~ Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

My name is written in a book in Heaven under “Child of God”, but not only my name… “all my members were written down before I was born.” My fingers were written down, they have a purpose, my eyes were written down, and so was my mind, and my legs and my toes…. Every member of this body has a purpose and a talent that no man can define. A degree is a unit of measurement, and I, Shari Johnson have abilities measured in Heaven which are limitless. So lesser than what?

If I fulfill the will of God in my life; His purpose… then when I get to Heaven and receive my final reward it won’t hang upon a wall, but will be a crown of pure gold that I can lay down at the feet of my Savior.

Read on in Psalm:139 verses 17-18 ~ “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum o f them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”