Posted in Bible Journaling, Evangelism, Faith, Uncategorized

Have you thanked your Pastor?

Written by talk2shari Published October 12, 2021October 12, 2021

October is Pastor Appreciation month! Have you shown your Pastor the appreciation they deserve?There is so much more to be being a Pastor than most of the congregation understands, which is primarily because most people only think about the Pastor one day a week, unless there is a wedding, funeral or illness. If you ask many people how many days a week they believe their pastor to work, they’d say one or two. Again, a misunderstanding on the life of a Pastor.

I have the advantage of knowing Pastor’s from all across the globe. There is certainly a difference in how the ministry is approached dependent upon the region the Pastor lives in. America is a blessed Nation, but even here geographical location matte rs. My Pastor moved from a larger city in Florida to very, very rural West Virginia. His prior location had more people in one city than we have in our entire county. Our population is less than 7000 and it’s scattered throughout paved and unpaved roads. My friend Dewey who lives in the vastly populated city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, traveled four hours on a Sunday morning to get to a church in a scarcely populated area. Four hours!!! What would cause a man to do that? A Pastor’s heart.

In the King Jams version of the Bible I looked up the word “pastor” for relevant texts to begin my journey into today’s post.

The word “Pastor” is only mentioned nine times throughout the entire bible. (Yes there are other variations, but the title Pastor only nine times) and eight of those were in the book of Jeremiah. Six of those eight verses are not in a favorable light! The final verse is Ephesians 4:11

Ephesians 4:11 KJVS

[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

With the charge to follow in verse 12

Ephesians 4:12 KJVS

[12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Perfecting doesn’t mean to make us perfect without sin, but rather equipping us with what we need to continue on in this world. That doesn’t sound like a part time job to me! Not in the world we live in. God didn’t just give Pastor’s that responsibility, He added ministers of the gospel to the work as well and all to feed the body of Christ. A call to my own life through Pastor’s who rightly divide the word of God.

Yesterday afternoon I went to the Nursing Home to minister in song to the residents. Because of Covid I’m no longer allowed to interact with the residents. I walk through a back entrance into the hallway of the unit and sit in a chair with a microphone that is tapped into headsets on the long term care as they sit in their rooms. It’s not ideal for me, but at least I’m there. As I sang a little lady popped her head out of her room which was on my end of the hall. She whispered, “can I set with you?” I motioned to a chair sitting across the hall from me and told her I wouldn’t tell if she wouldn’t. I had forgotten my usual repertoire of songs, so I had borrowed their “heavenly highway hymn” book and was content to sing from it. She sang every tune with me and tapped her little foot and it was such joy to be apart of her day if only for a few minutes. I’m not a Pastor, but I am a minister and privileged to be so.

When a Pastor “perfects” the body of Christ, he’s equipping them to go out and minister the gospel as well.

The problem Jeremiah had in his day, is the same problem we have in churches across the country today. Jeremiah gave warning in Jeremiah 23:2 KJVS

[2] Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.

There’s plenty of fault to go around both from lazy congregations and lazy pastors as to why the church hasn’t kept the true calling as Paul described in Ephesians. I’m not pointing fingers (today anyway) I’m just throwing this thought out in hopes of dinging a few church bells. We need to thank our Pastor’s and Praise God for those who work in the labor of the Lord. Who understand the accountability for souls and take it serious. We need to encourage each other to share the work load… and it is a load of work!

Every day is another opportunity to examine our lives and see what we can do to improve our relationship with the Lord. Today, we can start by taking a few minutes to thank the preacher. Get the love train going for our church leaders!!!

Posted in Christmas, Family, Life Inspiration, Praise

A Few Reasons in this Season to be Thankful

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today I am saved and have peace…

O my… I am so blessed.

Thank you Lord Jesus for that reminder today….

Colossians 3:12-15

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

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Posted in Praise, worship

Worshiping through Psalm 42

Written by talk2shari Published August 21, 2015 Discussion Leave a Comment

I woke up this morning with worship on my mind. So thankful that God is tolerant when I’m not nearly thankful enough. Have you ever had those days? When you realize that God was worthy of so much more than you gave Him. In Psalm 42, David has been forced out of his place of worship by the enemy, and although he’s heartbroken and thirsty for the house of God, he finds a way to worship Him in that place of sorrow and fear. How can I, who is safe and sound in my own home, who has the privilege and freedom of going to the house of God whenever I so choose fail to worship and praise Him. But I do. So this morning as I worked my way through Psalm 42, I added my own words of praise (those in blue) that I’m sharing with you this morning. I hope you find time today to do a little praising and worshiping of your own. He is so worthy!!!

42 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.²My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

Oh child are you thirsty this morning, does your heart within you pine

To spend some time at the brook, with your Savior and Lord Divine.

Do you long for that living water, do you thirst till all breath is gone

Do you long to be in His presence, just you and He alone.

³My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?⁴When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.⁵Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

The tears from my eyes roll like rivers, but they satisfy not my thirsty soul

The world continually asks, Where is thy God, and my sorrow takes its toll

I remember the days in joyful praise with my friends at the church back home

With joy I recall, and praise Him for all, He is my help, my hope, my own.

⁶O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. ⁷Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. ⁸Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

It does not matter where I go, my Lord will meet me there

The deepest waters, or the highest waves, He keeps me in His care

In daylight or in darkness, He commands His presence be known

There’s a song in my heart, and I kneel in prayer, for my life is not my own.

⁹I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? ¹⁰As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? ¹¹Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

There are times when I feel forgotten. I’m certain the enemy has won

And again I hear, Where is your God? And again I’m at Your throne.

Why am I bowed down in sorrow and restless within this soul of mine?

Even still I shall praise He Who’s worthy, for my life is wholly Thine.

Posted in Uncategorized

Messed Up and Blessed Up… Happy Thanksgiving!

Written by talk2shari Published November 28, 2013 Discussion Leave a Comment

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thanksgiving morning. Wow, where did 2013 go? As I sit here this morning with my Jack Russell, Sam, curled up against my leg and a fire glowing across the room, I’m toasty warm and blessed with an abundance. I’m thankful for this platform that I’ve been given to share the gospel, encourage friends and make new friends along the way, (you can never have too many ya know). This morning I seem to be in an attitude of reflection and as usual Sam is not the only one on the couch. I hear him whisper, you’re an epic failure, so you’ve done some good… let me remind you of how you’ve failed. Ugh, does Satan never grow weary? I know I do. I’m almost ready to throw my hands up in defeat and walk away from the keyboard. What do I possibly have to say this morning…

Leviticus 7:15

And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning.

Old Testament sacrifices were a temporary fix in more ways than one. Not only did there need to be another sacrifice another day, that sacrifice wasn’t going to last through the day. Igloo coolers weren’t in business nor was Frigidaire, so the sacrifice needed to be eaten right then. Tomorrow it wouldn’t be any good.

What about our peace offering for thanksgiving? Here’s a few Thanksgiving Thoughts:

Whatever the circumstance around you, be at peace. I know, easier said than done right? Not if you determine that that is the ways it is. Satan can turn the entire day upside down but if your heart is right side up, looking up in gratitude and taking note of all you have, peace can abound.
Be thankful today. It may be a family feud, a burnt turkey or spilled pumpkin pie kind of day, but be thankful. Be thankful the same day for what you have, for tomorrow it may be gone. Someone noted on Facebook this morning that there were some empty place settings at family tables. Don’t take the day for granted.
Don’t leave it until morning. Don’t put off telling someone you love them, mending fences or sharing a treasured thought with a family friend. Sometimes it’s a sacrifice on your part to open your heart up in such a way, believe me when I say it won’t go unnoted or unblessed.
Remember that though heartache and blessing alike are temporary, the sacrifice Christ made on the cross was forever.

I just about let Satan steal my gratitude today. Thank you who are reading that encouraged me to write on until I reached this place. What place?

Remembrance. That the ultimate sacrifice was made so that I could have that sweet peace 365 days a year, even though I’m so very “messed up,” I’m also very “Blessed up!” God bless you and your family this Thanksgiving. I pray it’s filled with love, laughter and safe travels.