Posted in Christian Service, Church attendance, Life Inspiration

How’s Your Hinges today?

Written by talk2shari Published December 29, 2015December 29, 2015 Discussion Leave a Comment

There are days when I write that I think I’m writing to read what I have to say. Then I am reminded of the preachers of little country churches who preach Sunday after Sunday to a house of a half dozen filled seats and a dozen or so good intentions who didn’t show up; it is then that I count it a privilege to have a place that I can share what God speaks to my heart. Every soul that reads the words I write, and are encouraged by my thoughts are soldiers in the field of battle that I’ve had the opportunity to support. God knows each one and I’m encouraged by that. It still however does not stop me from counting and complaining. For myself as a writer and speaker, and for the Pastors that labor and study to fill the pulpit on Sunday, preaching to more air than mass.

Ecclesiastes 12:8-11

⁸Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. ⁹And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. ¹⁰The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. ¹¹The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

It reminds me of that song “I’m working on a Building.”

Church attendance is not proof of salvation, but the lack of church attendance is evidence of commitment issues. If people attended work like they do church they’d be fired. And before you say that you have to work to survive and pay bills, let me call to remembrance the scripture in Ephesians 2:17-22 (speaking of Jesus)

¹⁷And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. ¹⁸For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. ¹⁹Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; ²⁰And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; ²¹In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: ²²In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Sunday is the day we go to the hardware store! While that job that pays the bills is important for survival and filling your house with the necessities of life therein, it’s a temporary housing unit for life. Our permanent dwelling isn’t finished yet. (Lest we’d be in it!) And the building material necessary for that life is found in the house of God and in the Word of God.

Solomon said that all was vanity. We spend so much time living for ourselves that we forget our real purpose. Solomon the preacher was wise and taught the people. The people were wise in that they showed up! He reminded them that this life is short… James 4:14 says ~ It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

The words of the wise (the preacher) are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. He’s talking about the building, that’s us! Paul in verse 22 of Ephesians said “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:” That’s the church! The men and women of God who share His word have got the construction material for you to build your house, and if you don’t show up at the hardware store on Sunday, and read and study His Word the rest of the week, your doors may fall off the hinges, or your pipes might break! The preacher is a goad… it doesn’t sound very flattering but I hope I’m a goad to. Someone that pokes you and prods you into living closer to cross of Christ. That was the first thing He built for us… and then He died on it. So that we could live in this house of flesh and serve Him where we are.

Glory to God! I’m workin’ on a buildin’, I’m workin’ on a buildin’, I’m workin’ on a buildin’ for my Lord, for my Lord!

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Posted in Life Inspiration

Don’t Lose Your Appetite

Written by talk2shari Published December 5, 2015December 5, 2015 Discussion Leave a Comment

Physically speaking that is usually not an issue with me. My appetite seldom suffers a blow. Upon the rare occasion that it does it’s usually a physical thing, not an emotional issue because stress causes me to seek comfort with a Mr. Bee Potato Chip Bag and a Diet Coke. They of course counterbalance each other and all calories are sacrificially eliminated. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it. But for certain the appetite is a gauge of sort to the inner self.

I don’t think that it’s coincidence that God uses food for sacrifice and illustration so often in the Bible. He knows that it’s something we can identify with and appreciate, it’s a very important part of our lives. In celebration we gather round food, in mourning our family gathers after a funeral service for a meal, the communion table is set with bread and juice and the flavor as it hits my taste buds draws my mind to scripture and the day when God said we’d share it in His presence one day. Glory to God! that is such a special time! Food is important! Whole studies have been done on the importance of nutrition but today my mind is elsewhere.

Lack of appetite with the children of God is rampant when it comes to the things of God both spiritually and physically. I know that there are more causes than possible to list but I think they all fall into three catagories:

We don’t want it.

In Psalm 23 (my refuge Psalm in times of heart ache) David says

¹The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

David didn’t want because the Lord provided his every need. We don’t want because we have too much. Americans are a spoiled nation where we throw away more in a week than many will have in a life time. True story… and because of our overabundance and constant craving for things we have no appetite for the things of God.

We’re too tired for it.

²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

David could lie down in the goodness and protection of God even in the midst of this trial and be at peace because he knew God was in control and that there was purpose in everything.

We run to and fro, and to and fro trying to meet self-made quotas and at the end of the day we collapse in exhaustion without so much as a “Thank You Jesus” for giving me another day. We have no appetite for the things of God because we’re worn out.

We’re not even at the table

³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

In order to eat and be nourished by the good things that God desires for us we have to be in a right relationship with Him. When God desired a sacrifice of Cain and Able, Cain refused obedience to God’s plan. He had this lovely fruit and veggie tray that he’d picked up from the Deli, but God had told him to go to the meat department, not produce. We try so hard to “produce” acceptable works. But God wants obedience… He’s the leader. He restored David’s soul because God was Shepherd of his soul.

We’re afraid of it

⁴Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

David could fear no evil because the rod was a rod of correction and the staff was a staff of direction, both were there to keep him safe. We’re afraid to be that close to the Lord and allow Him that kind of control. Just like the sheep David shepherded, he knew that he would be prey were it not for God’s protection.

Dinner’s ready… are you ready for it?

⁵Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Even in the presence of your enemy, whatever that may be: people, finances, relationships, health… God has prepared you the finest of cuisine. Don’t lose your appetite because of what’s going on around you. God’s in the kitchen waiting for you to come in and enjoy this awesome meal and time of fellowship with Him, but you’ve got to slow down… sit and rest… leave the pride and sin outside the door…allow God to guide you… and then sit and feast on His goodness.

This blog was totally for me… but I hope you tasted His goodness in your life too!

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Posted in Christian Service, Leadership, Life Inspiration

A Most Unusual Word

Written by talk2shari Published December 3, 2015 Discussion Leave a Comment

This was written in booklet form as a Wednesday night study for the Junior/Senior High Youth group at Victory Baptist Church, in Grantsville, West Virginia in hopes of giving them an encouraging word as we wind down 2015 and soar into 2016.

What truth we are living in as we see in the closing book of Daniel when the Lord says in 12:4

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

We are for certain in those days. The time is now that the world needs to see the certainty of the God of an “unusual people.

In January 2015 I prayed for and received a word that I could focus on throughout the year; that word was:

Believe!

I was pleasantly surprised how God would show me this word again and again in various forms and places through the year. So as the year closed and I began asking God for a 2016 word, He responded with what I consider to be a follow-up to 2015 ~ my 2016 word is:

Unusual

It’s fitting for me in more ways than I care to admit. But then I began thinking about the first time as a new convert I was said to be “peculiar.” I wasn’t offended. I knew it had something to do with the Bible, so I looked in my concordance and there it was… in all its splendor in 1 Peter 2:9 (as well as other places) – And as I had suspected it was a compliment, not an insult.

1 Peter 2:9

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

God loves the unusual.

This year God asked me to share my word with you. We can see the world waxing colder and colder. As Christians it’s so very easy to put up a shield to protect ourselves from the harsh cold world. But what if we rather thawed the icy walls around us allowing them to see and have the living water of Christ Jesus our Lord within.

Those icy souls would be better viewed as snowflakes; beautiful and unique just waiting for the warmth of a child of God willing to do unusual things. Loving the unlovable, generously giving and sharing God’s word with boldness and an excitement bubbling from within that transcends the norm of what people have seen in Christianity. That’s my prayer for you… and me! Let the world be normal… we’re an original masterpiece of God Who’s waiting to do something remarkable with us. Are you ready?

God loves the unusual

2016 WORD OF THE YEAR

UNUSUAL

In the book of Daniel Chapter 2 is an unusual story about an unusual man and a King who had an unusual request. King Nebuchadnezzar asked for the wise men to first tell him a dream he had dreamed (but couldn’t remember) and then explain the dream.

***

Unusual Requests

Daniel 2:1-6

And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.

That’s one strange request! And one that brought deadly repercussions if ignored. The world has unusual requests for Christians, do they not? They require explanations of us that they require of no other religion. They aren’t asking the Muslims to explain Allah, the Buddhists to explain Buddha or the Pagans to explain their unbelief. But we are called to explain everything about Christianity.6

Creation (How could God create it?)
Separation (why does God want it?)
Admonition (Why should we heed it?)
Exaltation (Why should we give it?)

Of no other religion are these answers being demanded. We serve an unusual God, and we are asked unusual requests because we are an unusual people. If we could be explained… no one would care. Our God is unusual and Awesome! And He expects His people to be unusual and awesome as well.

Exodus 19:5

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

Psalm 135:4

For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.

Titus 2:14

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

1 Peter 2:9

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

God treasures the unusual!

***

We serve an Unusual God!

Daniel 2:7-11

They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.

The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.hey answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.

The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

The King called their bluff he said “tell me the dream and I shall know that ye can.” As if to say, “prove you’re who you say you are.” God put this thought in Nebuchadnezzar’s mind because He knew the world would think that to be the strangest, most unreasonable request they’d ever heard. “Tell me a dream that you dreamed but can’t remember and then explain it.” That’s crazy. But Nebuchadnezzar was relentless, he said either do it or die.

To Shari quote this part of the story, the wise men then said, “Okay… tell us one more time what you want.”

To which Nebuchadnezzar replied “I know your game, you’re wasting my time.”

I believe that people who genuinely are searching for the truth, don’t waste time on false gods. It doesn’t take them long to see through false gods. But Jehovah God, Our Provider, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, there’s something unusual about Him and they recognize it. But for many they don’t want to trade their control in for faith.

The “wise men” knew they couldn’t fulfill the King’s request. They told him that this was a “rare”, an unusual request he was asking. No person could possibly answer it, only gods without flesh. The answer to the King’s question would have to come supernaturally.

And God smiled…

He said you’re right. And it will come supernaturally through my man.

An Unusual Man

Daniel 2:12-18

For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Daniel had wisdom and insight that was not afforded the other “wise men.” The King likely suspicioned the other wise men’s abilities, but Daniel had a supernatural connection to the dream maker through the power of prayer, his and that of his friends.

So when Daniel came to the King’s henchman and asked questions with wisdom, his reputation had preceded him. When going before the King to ask if he could make known the dream the King didn’t doubt him. The testimony of a child of God who lives their faith out loud is known throughout the communities for which they live. It’s unusual! Hypocrites are a dime a dozen.

The Christian testimony should be such that when problems arise people come to us for counsel. But unfortunately too many Christians live their lives in such a way that their counsel seems no different than any others. God needs us to be unusual.

***

Unusual Bravery

Daniel 2:19-25

Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter. Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation. Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.

Did you notice that the scripture said “Daniel blessed the God of heaven.” And it goes on to say how.

He prayed for God, to God, that He would be blessed by men forever.
He acknowledged where his blessings came from. For wisdom and might are his.
Daniel knew that God is the God of circumstance. Any season or reason in life is of God and He can change it in the blink of an eye. They’d come to kill Daniel, but soon they would adore him.
Daniel acknowledged that King Nebuchadnezzar did not get into the position of King without God’s stamp of approval.
And Daniel praised God for making known to him the meaning of the King’s dream

God chooses who it is that he elects to use. He controls the lives of the unsaved and saved alike, orchestrating their direction in life like the Puppet Master and the marionette.

After Daniel prayed he went to Arioch and said “Let’s do it.”

You better believe it would have taken gumption for Daniel to stand before the King. He’d already ordered them killed, Daniel knows he’s upset! But Daniel had confidence that the God he served had just delivered him the message that would divulge the secrets locked up within the King’s mind, a message that nobody could deliver.

Do we have that kind of confidence in God today? Do we believe when we hear a message like that from the book of Daniel that God is using it to ask us to step out with greater confidence? – – – We’re about to find out.

Daniel 2:26-30

The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?

Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

That’s what I always feel like when God chooses to use me in amazing ways. “But God, I’m no different than any other child of God… But He reminds me although that’s true, not all of God’s children are willing vessels for the cause of Christ. This word for 2016 is nothing as it’s spoken by my mouth, but when God puts it into action it can become amazing and used for God’s glory! The word “Unusual” may have been spoken by ordinary Shari, but that makes it no less significant for you should you decide to see what God can do with that word in your life in 2016. It is for God’s glory that I ask you to be unusual.

Daniel told the King that he knew what his heart said. I make no profession of knowing your heart, only you will know what your own heart says about this word “unusual.” If you choose to take this message to heart I’m convinced that God will do amazing and unusual things with you, but you have to be unusual.

Daniel’s confidence level soared because he knew in His heart it was from God. He served the God Who was truth, and revealed the truth. The very same God we serve today.

2016 has some awesome things about to happen.

The day God gave me this word, within 30 minutes, Steve Boggs called to say Eagle Ranch Revival and Mission Center had just been given 50,000 dollars. – unusual things….

I’ve been feeling bad, but God says you’re going to be fine. I have unusual things to do with you.

Daniel told the King, I’m not anyone of any greatness, but I serve a great God who will use me anyway. You may say that “You’re just a kid from a little town in West Virginia.” God however thinks you’re amazing, but in order to go up, you have get down.

Matthew 23:12 says

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

If we’re going to be used by God humility is required. There is a vast difference between confidence and arrogance. One is right and the other wrong. One relies on the power of self, the other realizes that without God we’re nothing but with God we’re everything! Make sure you walk in the confidence of the Creator. Daniel reveals the Lord’s message with confidence in the “Lord’s message” not his own wisdom.

First Daniel describes Nebuchadnezzar’s dream…

Daniel 2:31-45

Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

Then Daniel interprets the dream regarding the future of the King’s monarchy… that’s the wisdom God affords. What man cannot even imagine is but a small thing to God.

This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.

Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Daniel is a young man revealing great prophetic truths by trusting in the Truth that God has revealed to him. I’m not a prophet… I cannot say what your future holds except to say that it will have far greater things in store for you if you determine to be “unusual” for Christ.

This world will fall. But we serve a God who has created a world that will never fall.

Right now America is still an awesome land. We have power, strength and glory (though it’s fading). As Daniel spoke to Nebuchadnezzar he reminded the King of his greatness and the providence of God that placed him into that position. God’s providence still reigns in our lives, serving to get us where we need to be. He’s got a plan and we’re a part of it; that plan is to spread the truth of eternal life through Christ Jesus. A position that we take for granted. Ambassadors for Christ is not a position that God took lightly when He watched His Son being crucified for us to have it.

***

An Unusual Position

Daniel 2:46-49

Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret. Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon. Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

God not only placed Daniel into a place of authority, but Daniel asked that his friends come along for the ride. Daniel was put in a place to be elevated and used for that eternal Kingdom. And I believe that that’s why He has us in this place. I believe that God can do some amazing, awesome, unusual things with every one of us. And that we can bring our friends into that same blessing. But we have to (using the old Cliché) DARE TO BE DANIELS.

I would like to see every one of the youth in our ministry elevated into positions of greatness for the glory of God. And God can do that. But you have to be a person of unusual character in the world today. When I say “dare” to be a Daniel I’m setting a challenge before you, because it’s not easy. Unusual means having a right heart, staying in His word, working in His house, having the right friends to encourage you and listening for His guidance in all things.

Are you ready to do unusual things for the God of glory?

~***~

Questions to ponder

Are you living your life in a manner pleasing to God?
Would your friends seek your counsel?
If God asks you to do the unusual, are you confident to trust in His ability to make it happen?
What is it that speaks to your heart about Daniel’s unusual story?
Spend some serious time in prayer asking God where it is He’d have you be unusual. What was His answer?

A paper copy of this booklet is available for $5.00, plus shipping cost of $2.00 via Paypal. For a copy please message me at talk2shari@gmail.com or message my phone at (304)377-6036.

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Posted in Christian Service, Life Inspiration

Digging for the Truth

Written by talk2shari Published November 8, 2015November 8, 2015 Discussion Leave a Comment

Oh the irony! Or should I say iron. (See Job 28) I had just spoken at a retreat on getting past the hurts of the ministry and then WHAM! Somebody hurt me. What? That ain’t right!… well I should have been wearing a helmet, because that’s life.

So Friday morning, I got up and prayed and prayed and ask God to get me through this. My second conference of the week was in one more day and I didn’t want to go in with this baggage on my shoulder for fear I’d drop it on the platform and hurt someone myself. So God parked me in Job. That’ll fix ya! Talk about a man that experienced hurt and kept going.

Will Grahahm & The Jesus Chick! 🙂 His sermon title… “Open Your Big Stinkin’ Mouth!” I think I can do that 😀

Well here I am on the other side of those two conferences. Both blessed events. The first event was the Southern Baptist Pastor’s Conference where I spoke to the wives. At the same conference with Billy Graham’s grandson, Will Graham. How awesome was that! (see the goofy looking selfie) On the weekend of Billy Graham’s 97^th birthday. I’d venture a guess in his 97 years Billy has experienced more than a few hurts in the ministry.

The second conference was in Franklin Furnace, Ohio and to say that Heaven came down and touched my soul wouldn’t begin to describe the weekend. Woman after woman came and told me words of encouragement of how I’d touched them. No one is ever as shocked as I am when God uses me in such a way.

Storms and hurts come. But Glory to God! they are not forever. And I know this because of digging in God’s Precious Word, for His Precious Promises and truth.

Job 28:20

Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?

Reading through this chapter caused me smile. Great big. God’s wisdom always amazes me because mine is so limited. And yet I have but to ask and He provides. But it doesn’t stop there. Just as Job said, wisdom is buried like riches in ground, and if you want it, you’re going to have to work for it.

God doesn’t throw precious jewels above ground for us to stumble upon and gain wealth. If you want those riches you’re going to have to dig for them. Well… the same holds true for the riches of the wisdom of God. While it’s wonderful hear from God through preaching and teaching, God wants us to spend time in His word so that he can direct our paths.

Sunday morning’s the launching point! I’m ready to be in my own church with my own people and hear my own preacher. But I am so glad that this morning I have my own God! The Creator of Heaven and earth who put precious jewels in the Word of God that guide me to the answers that I need. Hurts come and go, troubles and trials come and go, but God is our Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Healer of the broken spirit.

Job 28

Read it for yourself!

Posted in Leadership, Life Inspiration

Is there ink on your hands?

Written by talk2shari Published October 26, 2015 Discussion Leave a Comment

Everywhere I turn there seems to be a stamp of approval on sin. It matters not that its saved or unsaved people with the ink on their hands. Our society is such that we’re reliving history as if to say to God, “We believe the end result will be better.” Ha! The phrase History repeats itself is so very cliché and so very true.

Romans 1:24-32 mops the floor with that theory and “should” put every Christian on guard who wants to say that God has changed the rules of what’s right and wrong.

24-28

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Between the rainbow images, Katelyn “I use to be Bruce” Jenner and the constant barrage of anti-straight messages being sent to America my mind is overwhelmed and my heart is broken for the state of our nation. It’s like I went to sleep and woke up in a different world, or a nightmare. Even so… my world didn’t change because as the song says, “This World is not My Home!” I serve a God, His Name is Jesus, and He doesn’t change with the times. He is time.

Sandwiched in between what the world says is okay and what God says is okay is a group of believers, (or so they profess, and it’s not I that am their judge) who have put their stamp of approval on sin and proclaim that they believe that God is okay with it. Newsbreak… God didn’t make that announcement.

Read verse 29-32 with me today and discover what God says it:

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

God gave the rundown of transgressions and then He said. “Who knowing the judgement of God,” – they knew it was wrong yet still said it was okay. “that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” If we read the Word of God we cannot help but understand how serious God is taking the sins of America and yet… we not only partake in the sin, but enjoy it ourselves.

That is the scripture that really caught my eye this morning regarding the people who are “enjoying” telling those who are living in sin that it’s okay, God says they’re fine. No you’re not okay. God never changed His mind. And the Christians who are putting their words in the place of God’s are going to stand before a very upset Savior one day and with the direction of this world it may be soon.

It’s never my intent to offend or upset. And nobody loves loving people any more than I do. I love helping hurting people. But as Christians we do not help hurting people by telling them a lie. God did not say to ridicule, ostracize or abuse anyone in sin. He said to love them and tell them the truth.

The truth is clearly spoken in the Word of God. It’s not up for debate, I don’t care what some liberal preacher tells you, God didn’t change His mind. Read it for yourself. This blog wasn’t written for the sinner, it was written for the saint who’s messing up the sinner. Stop it. Repent from your acceptance of a lie and tell them the truth. Do it with love. Take the rainbow off your Facebook profile and put it back in the book where it is a Covenant that God would never wipe us off the face of the earth again. A covenant for which we should be extremely grateful right now… because we deserve it.

Posted in Life Inspiration

The evolving of arrogance into stupidity

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A quote and fact worthy of repeating and believing:

Genesis 1

In the beginning God created…

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

Posted in Christian Service, Life Inspiration

21 Ways to Have A Healthy, Happy Day

Written by talk2shari Published October 6, 2015 Discussion Leave a Comment

First and foremost, get out your Bible and trust only in its Word. Everyone else could be wrong. Including and especially me. I’m the Jesus Chick… not Jesus. As I laid in bed this morning, I opened the Bible app on my phone and began reading Romans 12; I then bounced out of bed like I’d already had coffee and hurried down the hall to write my thoughts on what God had shown me in His word. If only you and I would take heed and hang on to every breath of His word like a school girl crush we’d be so much better off!

Romans 12

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

It’s only reasonable, when given any thought at all, that we serve God with our entire body. He’s the Creator and Maker of the universe and specifically you and I. He holds our very breath in His hands and has the power to speak life and blessings into existence. Our bodies: everything we put into our mind and body should be holy and acceptable. God is looking through your eyes… what does He see. What did you feed on spiritually (if anything at all) and physically that was going to help you have a healthy, happy day?

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

God desires us to prove that He is Who He says He is. He’s challenging us to be spiritually and physically prepared for this day by ingesting His Word and foods that you’d serve to Him if He sat at your table. Or on the couch… as in the case of myself this morning while eating Special K Fruit & Yogurt. Would God have approved… oh I thinks so! Possibly not of my breakfast yesterday.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

It’s a common colloquialism in West Virginia to hear someone way say “they got above their raisin”, meaning they forgot where they came from. While putting life into perspective today, I only need to look out my window at the autumn colors of West Virginia and I am reminded that this is the season of life that I’m in. It causes me to get serious about what I need to accomplish today for the sake of eternity. As a child of God, He has gifted me with this day… what am I going to do with it?

4-8 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

What gifts did God give us? Don’t say that He didn’t give you any… because if you do you’re a fibber and in serious trouble. You possibly are comparing your gifts to someone else’s (I speak from experience on that one); but God said that we are many in the body of Christ, but our gifts differ according to the grace we are given. God did not give me the grace of a dancer but He gave me the gift of music so that I might play and someone could dance a jig. That for me is life in perspective… use what He gave you, don’t wish for anothers.

9-10 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Dissimulation. Ironically another word for it that is so fitting in this season of West Virginia is “camouflage.” You’ll find few homes in West Virginia without several pieces of camo apparel hanging in their closet. While concealing yourself in the forest is great for deer hunting, it’s a terrible idea when hunting souls for Christ. Our love should be visible to everyone we meet. How’s that working for you? Keep away from things that drag you down and cling to the things that encourage you… the paths you cross today need to see a happy, healthy you!

11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Whatever your job is, do it well. If you’re a secretary, serve God there. If you’re a stay at home mom, serve God there. If you’re retired…. Well… you get the picture.

12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Be happy. Troubles come, pray and go on.

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

See a need, fill a need. That’s God’s way and if it’s done with the spirit of Christ’s giving the blessing received in returned is like a little dose Christmas every day of the year.1

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

I’m quickly reminded when I get ready to lash out at someone that I am responsible for Christ hanging on the cross. If I allow myself to soak in that thought there’s no way I can sulk about anything.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

The world needs to know that Christians can identify with what they’re facing today. We need to celebrate with the people in our lives, and when they struggle we need to be there too. Don’t just be a sunny day saint!

16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Rich, poor, beggar, drug addict, Sunday School Teacher, Preacher, Doctor, Lawyer, Factory Worker or unemployed; we all come to the cross the same way. We have nothing to present but the bodies we were given, naked and unworthy. Humbling …

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

I won’t say it easy, but God says it necessary. Even if you’re wronged, do right

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Bite your tongue, put your hands in your pockets, walk away, count to ten or do whatever else you can to keep the peace. Only, with God’s stamp of approval is it okay to get huffy. Make sure it’s God’s stamp…

19-21 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

God WILL take care of it. Smile, walk away and believe it.

And there you have it. Twenty one verses of healthy and happy

Posted in Eternity, Grace, Leadership, Life Inspiration, Political, salvation

Me and Jesus got it all Worked out… No Pope Needed

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

I’m not a fan of the Pope. I’m not a fan of anyone who tries to come between me and Jesus. I know that’s bad English. I’m okay with it. This is not a Catholic bashing post, it’s not a political post… although I make no promises that politics won’t come up. I started to watch the television news this morning which was left on by my husband as he went to work and then I thought better of it. Why start my day in any greater frustration that the world already does?

The Religious Side of this Event

Yesterday as I traveled down the highways of West Virginia listening to Bluegrass Junction on Sirius radio an oldie but goodie sung by Charlie Sizemore came on titled “Me and Jesus.” Written by Tom T. Hall long before “me and Jesus got it all worked out.” Well I just about took a shoutin’ fit in the car. I came home and looked up the chords and lyrics and now I’m claimin’ that one for myself and have added it to my repertoire of music for pickin’ events. This song somewhat epitomizes what I think of the Pope. How dare anyone this side of Heaven tell me that I need somebody to tell me what thus saith the Lord when I have the Word of God in my hand and the Holy Spirit in my heart. Both of which tell me in Matthew 27:51 “the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom;” forever granting those who accept His death on the cross as payment for all sin to have access 24/7 to the Lord and Savior. Without the priest. Without the Pope. So that’s the end of that rant… now for the political side of it.

The Political side of this event

Whether or not I agree with the Pope, he is still a religious leader. He and I can agree to disagree and I’ll let God sort out the false doctrine that he’s touting on judgement day. It’s my role as a Christian to share the truth, which I just did, not bash the Pope. I’ll show him the respect that I show any other faith. What they believe is between them and Jesus. I stand accountable for me. But the President’s flagrant misuse of power again and again to slap God in the face, which is what he’s doing with this visit to the Whitehouse by the Pope, will likewise end on judgment day. His arrogance of promoting the gay, transgender, baby killing and Muslim agendas will eventually stop, whether or not American citizens get a backbone and do something about it. On the final Amen – Obama and his tribe of wickedness will stand before a Holy God Who only wanted to be loved for His willingness to die on that cross of Calvary and their arrogance will be gone. Of that I am promised.

The Personal side of this event

Do you and Jesus have it all worked out? Preaching is awesome! Christ died for the church, so please don’t tell me going there is not important, and there is countless scriptures of Christians getting together to worship God to back that up. But neither of those things save you. Salvation is between you and Jesus alone. Accepting that He died for you so that when you die you can have eternal life with Him in glory. And to the dismay of the Pope, when you “get that all worked out,” you don’t need anyone to help you talk to Jesus. No fancy church… it could be just you kneeled down by a stump in the woods of Calhoun County, West Virginia. Where there is no Catholic Church.

I hope you have it all worked out!

Posted in Christian Service, Evangelism, Forgiveness, Life Inspiration, Political

So you want to be whale puke?

Written by talk2shari Published September 5, 2015September 5, 2015 Discussion Leave a Comment

In the well known Bible story by the saved and unsaved alike, Jonah is told by God to go to Nineveh.

Jonah 1:1-3

Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

Tarshish is not Nineveh. It is the opposite direction of Nineveh, a city of 120,000 or so people, full of wickedness and Jonah has been told by God that he needs to go preach the gospel. But Jonah doesn’t want to preach the gospel to those heathens… Jonah doesn’t care if they get saved. Well God did. And because of his disobedience Jonah ends up in the belly of a whale for three days until he’s whale puke. This is not just a story, its history from the Creator Himself, who gave Jonah his marching orders.

And the good little Christians say, yes Amen. Teach that Jonah a lesson!

And then there’s the Kentucky County Clerk, Kim Davis. And Christians and non-Christians alike are slaughtering her name in the media because she had the audacity to stand on the side of God. So perhaps you’re saying… the two stories don’t even match up. Jonah was given an order by God…

Let’s take a journey to Acts 5:27-32

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Should Christians obey the law? Of course… except where it’s contrary to God.

So what is my correlation to this story and Jonah’s. Both stories tell of those sent out to share the gospel which is the responsibility of every saved person, not just preachers. It’s our responsibility to tell the truth of God’s Word. God’s Word says in Romans 1:25-32

Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Sound familiar? God gave them and He gave America what they said they wanted. And just as it was for them, so will it be for America that putting a stamp of approval on sin starts a down hill spiral that we’re not prepared for. God did not put His stamp of approval on homosexual marriage and He under no circumstances changed the Word of God to say it was okay. As a Christian it’s my responsibility to spread the TRUTH of the gospel, else it’s a lie. Jonah didn’t care if Nineveh knew the truth until God made him whale puke. I’d rather stay out of the belly of the whale, and apparently so would Kim Davis.

As for her divorces. Those are under the blood because she repented from her sins. She didn’t say they were right, she said she was forgiven. Just as a homosexual can be forgiven for living contrary to God’s plan. But how will they know to repent if “good Christian people”, who don’t want to offend them, are telling them it’s okay? They won’t. And that’s why there’s gonna be some serious whale puke across America. It’s not pretty… but it’s the gospel.

Posted in Christian Service, Evangelism

How To Find Strength For the Day

Written by talk2shari Published August 19, 2015 Discussion Leave a Comment

I don’t know how it goes for you on the brink of a new day but for me it goes something like this.

I wake up.
Satan starts messing with my head.
God says, “Shari, come to my room. He’s not allowed in here.”

Where’s God’s room? Just down the hall from mine. It’s a pink door with my name inscribed in gold, there’s also a black door, burgundy door, even a digital door. God’s high tech you know. It’s the Word of God, and in my house it can be found in various colors and forms and in my only preferred version, the King James. That for me is God’s room, the only place that I can make sense of the day and find strength for the day.

The writer of Hebrews said in the last verse of chapter 5, “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (vs.14)

Exercised senses? I’ve been in the process of bodily exercise to try to reshape this shape of mine for a few months now and its hard work, especially for this aging woman. But the writer, who is believed by many to be the Apostle Paul, says that the strong meat (the Word of God) belongs to those who are “full age.” Those who have grown up! Those who have used the Word of God in a disciplined fashion to discern (recognize) good from evil.

There is some serious truth in that one verse (and all the verses proceeding and following it) But for the sake of this morning and getting you and I off to a good start let’s just unpack this one verse.

Carrying the Word of God is not for the faint at heart

Just like building muscle takes repetitive strengthening exercises, strengthening the spirit takes spiritual exercise and discipline. Being full of age has nothing to do with the physical age you are, but rather the spiritual age. How much weight can you carry? If the world were to heap a few thousand pounds of grief on you today are you prepared to carry the load? Not unless you own the gospel; and by own the gospel I mean that you walk in the confidence of the Word of God, having read your portion for the day, seeking the wisdom of God that you might walk in His strength.

Using the Word of God is not for the feeble in mind

Discerning good from evil is sometimes the splitting of hairs and at other times it’s the splitting of wood. Both are tedious, one takes focus, the other brute strength. The decisions you face today may take some serious consideration for direction, or the opposition you face today may take great strength to defend yourself. The writer to the Hebrews knew that when he penned verse 14. Many of them were trying to live life being spoon fed the gospel in the form of milk rather than meat.

They probably attended services…well at least once a week. But when they relied on others to give them the Word of God rather than reading and studying for themselves, it was like hiring their exercise out. Wouldn’t that be awesome! Yes, and totally non-beneficial. In many churches the preacher has to be as strong as an ox because he’s doing everyone’s fitness routine! It’s not until the body or day is in crisis that they turn to the Word of God, but because they haven’t picked it up in a month of Sunday’s it’s heavy and hard to understand. If they’d have read it every day the words would have built spiritual strength within them and the trials and troubles they faced could have been fought off with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Glory! That runs joy through my veins to think that in reading and studying even this one verse this morning God has strengthened my spirit!

Good and Evil. They’re both out there and one will win today’s battle. Here’s a few training exercises:

Isaiah 40:28-31 – STRENGTHEN YOURSELF (READ THE WORD)

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 – STRENGTHEN OTHERS (SHARE THE WORD)

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

And it never hurts to wear cute exercise outfits! Have a blessed day!