Wine needed

Hiding fruit often rots on the vine before it ripens because it is not exposed to the sun.

Last week while at my brother's house I snapped these pictures.
Of course they reminded me of passages in the book of John.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

For the most part this plant is pretty healthy. As you can see it is bearing fruit. But do you notice the few grapes that are brown? They need to be removed. If they stay there- they will continue to rot and the rest of the fruit will be effected.

In my life God is consistently trying to shed through my life the love of His son Jesus.
The Holy Spirit begins this process by producing fruit to hang on me-the branch. The fruit is not ready to eat as soon as it appears. It needs to soak in the sun and the rain and get sweet.

This is where I seem to be at this time. Waiting for the fruit hanging on the branches to get sweet. They need to soak in a little more sweetness.
I wonder how many times I have thought I "my fruit"was "ready" and held out some for someone to partake of and they left with a bitter taste in their mouth?
I pray that in the days, weeks and months to come--the sweetness of the love of the Lord becomes more pronounced in my life.
That when people sample the fruit hanging from my "branches" they find themselves longing for more of His fruit.
I pray that when I touch others it is in humility.
When Jesus touched others He left them feeling loved, encouraged and transformed.
May I allow the sap flowing through the vine to bring health and sweetness to the fruit.
May I remain in Him and bear much fruit.

Wine was a very important product in Jesus' day. The final product of our fruit is still very important today.
The finished wine produced as our lives are squeezed --will bring healing to the land.


This is just for Linda.
I know that as my thoughts rolled from my mouth in the passion of the moment I did not even think how my words would come across to you.
I treasure our relationship.
It is what God planned it to be at this time in our lives.
I would not want it to be any different.
I love you--you are important to me.

I'm Back!

We got back this afternoon and as you can see I could not wait to check in. Hope all of you are doing great.
Here are a few pictures from our trip into the mountains on four wheelers. These were taken in the mountains of TN. Does anyone know the name of the town where the atom bomb was invented? It is about 15 miles away from the mountains we rode on. I'll write a little more tomorrow. For now I'll just say----- HI!

Long, long ago

How many of us have ever gotten caught up in the romance of history and wished you could have been born in a different era? I enjoy history and I used to think that God had made some sort of mistake by allowing me to be born several hundred years to late.
I thought how romantic it would have been to have worn beautiful clothes and been so graceful. Men everywhere who were gallant and would stop and admire your beauty. Someone who would stop and pick up a hanky when it was dropped in an act of flirtation.
Ha Ha!
Then I got to know the real me.
I'm thinking God was really sweet to allow me to be born in the 60's.
Ya'll don't know me except through the heart of my words--but I'm sure you can tell that I have a pretty straight forward personality. I do have some pretty strong opinions and in recent years God has taught me not to quench the Spirit.
Let's just say that I don't think I would have mixed well with yesteryears requirements for women. :)
I remember Beth Moore saying something like that one time.
So I will share my love for the past with ya'll in some pictures--and we will leave it to that.
And for now I will give God a THANK YOU for birthing me into the life I have been given.
Here are some pictures of our visit to the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina.
Needless to say-----It was lovely dalin.
If you get a chance go----it will make you dream of yesteryears but thank God for the air conditioning and clothing of today.
:)
Today may be my last post until Wednesday of next week. We leave here tomorrow and head for the mountains to do a little riding.
So until then-- I will bid you adieu, and sweet thoughts until we are graced with each others presence again. (now didn't that just sound so sweet?)
Nothing like a close up to show your true beauty! :)
Just a little info on this house.
It has 43 bathrooms--yes, there were also lots of servants rooms. Can you even imagine the cleaning time?
There were three huge libraries. An indoor pool, bowling alley and huge work out room. No, I don't think any of us females would have been allowed
to use the last room.
There was a main hall for dinning --the table was about 40 ft long.
It has organ pipes in the ceiling area for music during dinner.
There was a breakfast room that seated about 15--fine dinning style.
Paintings by Renoir in the guests bedrooms. Each had its own bathroom of course.
The house was just incredible.
There were Mister and Misses bedrooms (the wall paper in both was fabric) with a huge lounge between the two rooms.
The house could have housed a small nation.
Heard of the Vanderbilt's?
This was theirs.
I could go on and one--I'll spare you.
I wish I could have taken pictures inside the house but that was a no no. The above pictures is my pastor(right) and my hubby(left).
I guess I could wink and say what happens in Asheville stays in Asheville--look what type of sign they are standing in front of.
We did go to the winery-- they still produce huge amounts of wine for resale.
Yes, I did a little tasting---but the only grape product I bought-- was some lotion. The smell lasts a long time and my hands smell edible. What more could you ask for?
We had a great time--enjoy the pictures.
And I'll be back soon.

Here is a thought that I have been pondering---
Do I deal with people with a spirit of humility?
Thoughts?

Doiing some blog jumping today

I am going to try and get around and say Hi--so I'll post some pictures so that ya'll can see what it looks like around the conference center.
It is beautiful today--highs
in the 70's.
Thank you Jesus!
Lynn, next time you talk to Lauree tell her I said-- Hi!
And in case I don't have time to leave comments on all your blogs here is a shout out to --Lynn, Holly, Shelly, Halfmoon girl, Nise,Iris, Gledwood, Dee, Sunny Susan, Karen, Deena,Tammie Faye, Nicki, Melanie, Amy Kate, Erin, Debra, Bunny girl, Jenny, Ann, Robin, Mandy, Melanie, Melanie Joy.....and a few others who I can't seem to get my brain to think of at the moment. Talk to ya'll soon!

Missin ya'll

Here are some pictures of our teachers and the classroom.
Me on top left, my sister Jeannie to the top right, and Linda in front.
Below are pictures of part of our room. Our theme this years is Let Your Light Shine--thus lighthouses.

Did you know that each lighthouse has its own particular type of signal?
And of course they are there to keep people away from danger and show them where land is.
Sounds a little like us as Christians?
If we ae doing our job we should be alerting people of the danger of hell and drawing them to safety with our Lord.
This is what first drew me to lighthouses. I saw them first as lonely with a purpose, it was how I felt. There was this strange drive inside of me that I had not seen in many other Christians.
I thought I was the odd one out. Since then God has change my view on a few things.
I think maybe along the way there have been a few people who have stood up for the Lord and felt the odd man out.
I like my particular shine now. It is who He created me to be. He took a lonely, insecure girl and gave her insight into who He had made her to be. And when God said, it is good--I now agree.
So this week we are telling the kids that if they have a light on the inside--people ought to see it in their actions and words. We ought to be a different people.
We ought never put a bushel over our light by acting like the world.
We are using the wordless book colors to teach the plan of salvation. One of our daily crafts is a bracelet that has the colors so that they can remember them.
Also, if you notice the things hanging from the ceiling--they are also the wordless book colors. We will play a type of musical chairs with them later in the week. We will turn on music and let the kids walk around under them until the music stops. If they can remember what the colors mean then they are still in.
They will win prizes from the treasure box of course.

In case you don't know what the wordless book (a story from a book that has not words) is and what the colors are
and what they stand for --
Yellow--it reminds us of the streets of gold in heaven. It is perfect in heaven and no sin can ever go there.
Black--Since no sin can go to heaven then none of us can go to heaven because the Bible says that all have sinned.
Next is red.
Red--this color reminds me that because Jesus loved me so much that He did not want me to have to go to hell to pay the price for my own--He took my punishment on the cross and died for me. We know He did not stay in the ground--HE ROSE THREE DAYS LATER!
White--When I believe that I am a sinner and what Jesus did for me and I ask Him to forgive me and I give my life to Him------ all my sins are washed away-- past, present and future.
Can you get happy about that?
The next color is green.
Green--it reminds me that once I become a Christian I have a lot of growing to do. There are many actions that I learned, that have to be unlearned. God is going to grow me up into the person He wants me to be---if I let Him.
And now we are back to the YELLOW.
And because of the great work of the blood of Jesus--
I can go to heaven when I die!

Well--it is time to go. I'll post some more pictures later.
Miss ya'll.

We have arrived!

These are the
Smokies!
And I love them--they remind me of the majesty of our God.
Didn't He do a great job?

We arrived yesterday in North Carolina. I said we were going to the Smokies not even realizing that some would not know that those were mountain ranges. They are called the smokies because most of the time they seem to be surrounded by smoke.

We spent some time with my older brother on his farm. Yes, I know the picture of me and my brother are lovely--but we were trying to make a fashion statement with our shoes. Yes, I am wearing his. The picture is horrible but we were having fun. He is so proud of his farm. He has goats, rabbits for meat, chickens for eggs, and a special cornish cross chicken that he sells to a restaurant in the area, ducks for pekin duck, and their own beef. I could not get pictures of around the house but it is surrounded with beds that they are growing their own veggies in.
It was great and we enjoyed catching up and eating some homemade blackberry pie.
The girls played dress up. My brothers little girl is so tiny compared to Julia that Julia had fun dressing her up like her own personal doll.
In the above picture I included some pictures of their dress up session.
This morning we took a tour of all the animals and of course I took pictures.
Around noon we headed for Lake Junaluska-near Maggie Valley, N.C.--the conference grounds.
It took us about two hours to get our classroom set up. I'll put pictures up of that later.
I've included some pictures of our ride to the conferences grounds.
Enjoy the pictures.
The high today was only in the low 70's. That is fantiastic when we left the high 90's and humidity in the 70's.
Last night we slept with the windows up and two blankets.
Yahooojah!
It was marrrrrveeeelous darlin'!

On The Road Again!

Well it is that time again. We are off to the Smokies.

All our bags are packed were ready to go. We'll soon be standing here outside the door. I hate to say goodbye----but we have to gooooooooooo. So miss meeeee and pine for meeeeee--tell me that you'll wait for me. Oh babe I hate to gooooooooo!
But I'm leaving in a blue truck
don't know when I'll be back again.................Oh babe I need to goooooooo


O.K, enough of the sillies.
Hope you realized that that was a tortured version of an old song. :)
It is almost time to leave and I am just taking care of some last minute important details.
Don't you feel honored that you fall into that category?
Yes, you all are important.
Some of you are on blogging breaks---so I will say goodbye and then hello!
I'll be gone for about 10 days. So if you see me on the road--wave and say Hi!
I'll take my computer and post a few pictures so you can see I am really working. :)
And I'll post some pictures of some fun--then you'll wish you were with me.
Can you imagine the fun conversations we would have on the way?
I am sooooo ready for some deep conversations about my God.
I will have my pastor along so I will probably get to bend his ear a little.
Poor thing. :)
Gotta go--my in laws are staying at my house with Paw Paw so you know that means that my house must pass muster. Going to run the vacuum cleaner. At least my house should be clean when I return.

I'll be checking in and praying for ya'll.

Love ya!

Free C.D

www.monkandneagle.com/blogformusic

I just got a free CD! You can too if you have 50 or more viewers a month.
I heard about it over at Laurel Wreath.
Go on over to the above site and see if you can get it too.
It is in the upper right hand box.

Thankful Thursday

I don't participate in many of the daily things you can get involved with here in blogdom. But, I just can't get away from this day. It reminds me of what God has given me and it "pumps me up". So here is my list.
And- by the way--thanks for reading!

I am remembering today that God has asked us to be thankful in ALL things.
So first thing.
I am thankful that the jeweler is going to replace the tiny emerald that fell out of my ring. My hubby gave it to me this past anniversary- when he got down on his knees and asked me to marry him again. The first time was not really the most romantic experience. So he bought me a coupler for my engagement ring and proposed to me while we were at church. I was very surprised when he walked up to me with 20 multicolored long stem roses. We have been married 18 years and dated 2. I thought, how sweet. But then when he got down on his knees and said, "I am going to do this right this time, would you marry me again?" --my heart cried.
God has grown us both up and after 18 years of marriage--I love my man!
Couldn't always say that. So-- thank you Jesus!
Next, I thank God that I am going to get all the little details done that have to be done before we leave tomorrow for our next conference in N.C.
I thank him that when I thought I had three weeks left to get all the supplies ready (we will have about 28 kids)and found out I only had about a week and a half-----it all still
worked out great.
Our boxes are packed and on their way to the mountains.
And that reminds me--I am soooo happy that on Saturday I will be back in the mountains I love. I will get to see both of my brothers and meet a new nephew that I have not gotten to meet yet.
And last, before this gets to long, I am thankful for the voice of the Holy Spirit. I am thankful that when I listen--HE STILL SPEAKS. The Bible says that His sheep hear his voice. So I am not sure I like being compared to an animal that is dumb--but I do know that when I am following close by my shepherd---I will hear His voice. And can I tell you-- the sound of His voice in my spirit is so sweet. He still talks--He really does.
Speak Lord --your servant is listening.

Ya'll have a fantastic day in the Lord. And don't forget to thank Laurel Wreath for hosting TT for our missing Iris. For more TT go on over to Laurel Wreath and check out the other ladies.

Just some thoughts

Our theme in our conference that will be starting this coming week is
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE. This is one of the little crafts they will make. It is silly but I will help them remember that we are to be a light for God here in a dark world.

I am back from my orthodontists visit. I am now sporting my last wires and a conglomeration of new rubber bands. I can not talk quite as loud or eat well with them in. But since I use my fingers for this--I am not hindered at all. Sorry!
Can you tell I just love to talk? I am not into a lot of girly stuff--I love talking about the Lord and deep things. And that frustrates some people-- because they just don't get me. But I am not complaining because my thoughts keep me company. And the funny thing is that we have great conversations about God. I am sure He enjoys listening. :) I probably give Him a few belly laughs everyday.
So if you think my thoughts are strange sometimes--at least you get the edited ones. :) Can you even imagine what He gets from everyone every day? Good thing he IS patience.

Today I stopped by my favorite store for some coffee. Now normally I just get that from Walmart but I have a gift certificate so I wanted to use the rest of it. I picked up some Almond Amaretto coffee. I will let you know tomorrow how it is.

Anyhoo--on the way home I was talking to God. Telling Him that I loved Him and how great I thought He was. Yes, sometimes I even get a little embarrassed when I do this. But, He loves me so it is o.k.
While I was talking to Him I saw in my minds eye a young girl reaching down and scooping up something to throw it in the air. It swirled around her and made her smile.
She walked on, causing what was lingering around her feet to swirl around like fog distributed by a passing breeze.
As I thought about this picture it appeared to me that I was the girl. (notice that the description was--young girl :) What I had been doing when I opened my mouth to worship and praise God was stirring up the glory of God. Doesn't scripture say that the glory of God covers the face of the earth. What then would stir it up and move it around ? --US.
When we walk in the Spirit and live for the Lord--our lives become an act of worship. Where
ever I go- if my life is being lived for Him-- I stir up His glory. When I go into a store and I talk to people working there and share His gentleness and love through my words---they are touched by His glory. Can you imagine after being touched by all the yuck of this world how sweet His glory must feel? Maybe we leave them wanting more of whatever we have. We plant little seeds that leave curious.
I really enjoy thinking about the things that are taking place all around us in the Spirit.
It is not something that we talk about much. But we have to know that if we are called to be light in a dark world----what is that light? It is the glory of God. If my actions and words are not pleasing to God--then I am putting a bushel over the light. He glory is not only not being stirred up but it is being doused by our words and actions.
So our goal-----Let our light shine and stir up His glory.

What do you think?

A Drawing

One of my girls is having a drawing over on her blog
-Karen's Ramblings.
How many of us have had dreams and wondered what they meant.
Or if maybe it was just because of the movie we watch a week ago?
She is giving away a Christian book on Dreams.
Since I have not found a JOSEPH lately--this would be
fun and cool to have.
Go and check out this drawing.
Karen will be drawing for this book on the 22 of this month.


I have an Orthodontist appointment this morning(only a little over a month left--yeeehaw!) so I will be back later for my regular post.
See ya later.
And while I am here I just have to say--
I LOVE you guys!
May God fill your hearts with His love in a special way today.
May He give you a little glimpse of our heavenly future.
May your feet walk this earth but your heart walk in the heavenlies.
HE LOVES YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!
Walk like the PRINCESS you are!
Maybe leave off the royal wave. :)
Give them a hug instead.
They spread good health you know.

Believing God

A few years ago I did a study by Beth Moore, the title---Believing God.

In that study we learned 5 truths that we could repeat to ourselves to ingraine
those truths in our brains.
You know-- if it is true that when you put garbage in-- you get garbage out.
Then ,if you put truth in-- you will get truth out.
One of the things she suggested we should do was to wear a blue string
to remind us to practice and say the 5 truths. It sounds silly--but it is sound spiritual advice.
We find it in scripture when it tells us to renew our minds.
Renew our minds with what the Bible says and get rid of what the world says.
This world does not have the right to write my future--It was written by God before time began.
"I know the plans I have for you( God speaking), plans for good and not for evil---plans that will give you hope and a future."
No, that was not verbatim but it gives you the idea.

Lately I have started wearing my bracelet again.
This time I am not saying the 5 points for myself--but for my friend.
Will that work?
Scripture says it will.
It promises that what I bind on earth will be bound in Heaven.
What I loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven.
As God's children--God has empowered our words with the gift of His power.
Does that mean that I can do my own will?
Using God's power like a magic wand?
No-- our words have to line up to God's word and His will.
Why am I going on and on--sorry, that is me.
The point.
My friend.
Here name is Noha.
I have known her since she was in junior high. She was raised in a fairly strict Musilim family and I worked with her Mom in the restaurant business. I loved her mom dearly--still do.
I shared my love for God with them when they gave me the chance. I served them and loved them. God had given me a real burden for Laila, Noha's Mom.
Laila, was my first real burden from God.
One day out of the blue Noha came to me and asked me to introduce her to my Savior.
I sat on my couch and took this young woman to the feet of Jesus.
I would like to say that all the rest of the family joined her in this decision, but it did not happen.
She was despised and treated horribly. They turned their backs on her.
Her mother will no longer speak to me---she is my heart. One day she will be my sister.
I began to mentor Noha. We studied the Bible and I saw great changes and heard testimony of God speaking and working through her.
Several months later I attended her wedding--none of her family was there.
She married a Christian man that is much older than her--she is in her 20's.
A month or so ago I noticed that she was changing--becoming more distant.
After only about a year and a half of marriage--she left.
We were all floored. Especially her husband.
I won't go into all the details. But she is drifting back to those she knew.
There is not a question in my mind that she belongs to the Lord.
We have been praying that God would give us wisdom about how to pray for her.

First-- I was to pray the 5 points.(----what God wanted me to add)
I believe that God is who He says He is in Noha's life--her Savior
I believe that He can do what He says He will do--rescue her from the pit
I believe she is who He says she is--His daughter
I believe she can do what He says she can do--see the devil for the deceiver he is
I believe that God's word is active and alive in her today!

Second--God showed a friend of mine the necessity of studying the parable of the sower and ask God to show us which one she was. I believe that God showed me that she was the plant that sprang up and the scorching heat came up and it wilted.
So God told a friend that, just like God was the cloud that protected the Israelites by day--we were to pray that He is the cloud of protection over her.
Cool picture isn't it?

Of course I would love for you to join me in prayer for Noha. Her family is looking at her to see if what she said she believed- really works. Their eternal salvation is on the line.
Years of strongholds held by satan need to be broken.
Is there someone in your life that God has given you a burden for?
Our words are mighty and powerful to the pulling down of strongholds.
Ready to pull down some strongholds with me?
We won't go forth in our own power--our God is going before us!
We will walk forth on Holy ground.
He will claim the territory we just have to go forward and stand on it.

Are you in?
Let's start on our knees.

My friend at her shower.

You have touched my heart

I thought it might be time to write something witty or light but my heart is full and I just can not "go there". So here is some of what is going on in my heart.
Four of the blogs that I normally read--are taking blogging breaks. Two others are going through a really rough time.
I was over reading some really precious posts on-- To Know Him and Holy Experience. Please go read them if you have time.
I am hurting for my sisters. My heart is full and tender. I love them.

I find lately that my heart is really tender. I am almost an embarrassment to myself as I listen to the things people are talking about and I so want to heal their hearts. I want to hold their hearts in my hands and not let anymore hurt in. My heart hurts for them and my eyes well with tears and I just want to help. And so I pray.

A few weeks ago someone asked me why I seemed to care so much about what people were going through. Why did I feel like I needed to be involved in the lives of people I knew. Why not just mind my own business?

At first I was hurt and then I got mad.
Mind my own business when one of my family is hurting?
I don't think so!
Do we have a problem jumping in when our blood sisters and brothers are going through a rough time. We get involved--ask if there is something we can do to help. And, if they aren't doing what they should be doing--we might even get "in their face". They are our family--they are part of us.
Why do we think that our spiritual blood connected family should be any different.

If my Father came to me and said, "Sharon your sister is really hurting. She is not going to tell anyone because she does not want to be an inconvenience. Would you please go and love on her for me?"
You better believe I am going to jump up and go!
And you know what? He is not going to send me out unprepared.
He promised to shed abroad His love in my heart. He fills me with love, so that my heart is tender-and when it is squeezed by the hurt of others--love comes out.
And, I do unto others as I would want them to do for me.
Am I doing it for pay back at some time?
No.

I read this on Holy Experience and it really explains it all. If you get a little extra time-- go read the full post.

Lord, in the end, love is all there is. What curtain can I sweep back today, to reach past that which distances us, and touch someone? I want to grow into skin like Yours.

Dear God to have skin like Yours! Skin that is sensitive and tender. When did you ever see someone hurting and turn your back like you didn't notice? Never! And I want to be like my Daddy. I want to talk like you, live like you, love like you, hurt like you. I want to be You.
When others see me-- I want them to see You. Dear God keeping loving through me. I give you this vessel to love through-- even when others reject it as not good enough. You are good enough and they rejected you--why would I think I should be treated any differently. I want to love as deeply as you loved me--unconditionally.

Got me!

I was tagged by Deborah over at Deborah's Encouragement. It took me awhile to get to it---sorry girl. So here are some very, very important things about me that you really, really should not go any further without knowing. That last sentence should have answered number 7 for you.
Read along-- have a blast. And, if you should feel the need to do this too---please let me know I would love to come and read. Truly..........honestly, I mean it! :)


1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes-----a maternity clothing line
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? At church
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes, it is me.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Pastrami
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Yes 2
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes, if I wanted someone who would never walk away.
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Are you kidding?
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Not unless I knew the rapture was going to take place the moment my first foot stepped off the ledge.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I don’t eat it often but I like Vanilla shredded wheat
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Flip flops?
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? My personality is when you get to know me
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Moolineum s.p
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Eye contact and body language
15. RED OR PINK? Deep Red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My lack of patience
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Time alone
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Yes
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Gray shorts and no shoes
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Watermelon
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The T.V
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Passionately purple
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Vanilla, rain, bread cooking, steak grilling
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Tracy
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Well--she is a sista--so I guess I can freely say…….Yes!
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? None
27. HAIR COLOR? Dark Brown with gray highlights
28. EYE COLOR? They change with what I am wearing. Right now blue.
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Yes--can hardly see anything without them
30. FAVORITE FOOD? Mexican
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy Endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Ratatoulie
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Royal blue
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter
35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs first!
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Not sure
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Not sure
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Nothing
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don’t have one, I use a lap top. Thanks to my hubby.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? Without a trace--I know garbage in --garbage out.
42. FAVORITE SOUND? A Babbling brook
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Neither
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? San Salvador
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Just cooking.
46.WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Pensacola, Fla.
47. WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU LIKE? Healing
48. FAVORITE HOBBY? Right now-- blogging
49. A FRIEND THAT YOU WISH YOU COULD HANG OUT MORE WITH? Tracy, Linda, Lauree, Lynn
50. IF YOU COULD BE ANYWHERE RIGHT NOW, WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE? An island spa with just me and hubby.

Speed Bumps

Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a Loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flats called Jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make It to a place called Success. Author Unknown



I am so glad that when Christ looks at me-- He sees not who I am, but who I will be.
How sad it would have been- if at the beginning of time God saw a girl named Sharon and all that she would do wrong and He decided not to create her.
How I would have missed out on hearing His sweet voice, and feeling loved by Him.
And......
He would have missed the same.
He would have missed me-- God, I love you.

He created me and you because He long for a relationship with us.
YOU AND ME!
He anticipated the day we would be born.
How during our time in the womb, He would loving decide what color eyes I would have and what color hair would go best with them.
And I guess He is thinking gray hair goes good with my eyes at this time in my life. :)

He is enthralled by my beauty--and yours too.
He sees the powerful warrior I am becoming.
He glories in the graceful woman of God I am turning in to.
He did not stop being involved in my growth at birth.
He is still lovingly guiding what is going on with my entire being.

Dear God
thank you for loving me.
Thank you for showing me your face and your hands.
Talk to my sisters today.
Let them feel your love today like a cool breeze on a hot summer day.
May they be refreshed.

A little new twist on something old and familiar

You are my Son shine
My only Son shine
you make me happy
when skies are gray
You'll never know dear how much I love you
Please don't take my Son shine away.

This morning as I was working on the pool--not doing what I should be doing--I found that there was an old familiar tune going through my head.
No I had not heard it lately-so after a few rounds through the song, I began to wonder why I was singing it.
Then it occurred to me that the Holy Spirit was singing to me.
Look at the words.

We are- on earth--His SON shine.
We are here to spread God's glory.

When our actions do not line up with His purpose and word-----we take His SON shine away.
How sad.
The skies do become gray as we spread instead, the darkness of the evil one.
He loves us so dearly.
And when our lives are not representative of His love--it is because we truly are not remembering His love.

So, short and sweet------- don't forget His LOVE.

PLEASE DON'T TAKE
"HIS SON SHINE AWAY"!

My Mentor Story

First, for my girls who are reading this---sorry, I know you have heard it before. But Shelly over at To Know Him--started this. If you have not been visiting her blog--you should. She posted yesterday a post titled--The call for Elisabeth's. It was great. Thus--my post.
Actually I was going to post today about one of my Mentee's and her need for prayer. I will probably mention her in the end.

My Story
I grew up in a Christian home. My parents were young Christians when I was born and they were learning to walk the walk. I do remember Dad sitting in his chair reading the Bible and praying--although we used to joke and say when his eyes were closed it was just an excuse for a nap. He was deep in meditation. :)
I remember getting up in the morning seeing Mom reading her Bible. They were both heavily involved in ministry. It was a Christian home, good-- but not perfect. But that is not what this post is about. Just want ya'll to realize that even when you grow up with these examples you still have so much more to learn.
Growing up,, I was very insecure and very fearful. I mention that because that fear as a young lady, married, and with a child---led me to look for someone who would help me. Now---I want to mention that I believe the road God had me travel was for a reason. But, that said I went to a former pastors wife and told her the problems I was having and that I needed help. None was given. For years I was angry with her and eventually at the church. And I walked away for 7 years.

I need to back up just a minute and let you know some details of my before marriage years.
I became a Christian at the age of 5. God was deeply involved in my life from a very early age---I wanted to be a pastor when I was about 9----but I had been born a female. Whole nother story. Gotta stay off of the rabbit trails.
I went to a Christian High School(I was considered a geek probably because I was much more interested in Bible study and Christian things and then the other students) went off to 2 years at a Christian Liberal Arts college in TN(while there started accountability groups that the college came to me to get info on so they could try and continue them when I left). After two years I transfered to LSU ---for a guy. NOT A GOD DECISION! But God was working.
I transfered after one semester and went to a smaller college where I spent another 2 and a half years dating a new guy--but no degree.Then a couple asked me to move with them to Virginia as their nanny while they got settled in. I went for three months and then-- my now husband came and picked me up and we eloped while there. We came back and kept the wedding a secret because my husbands Mom wanted a big church wedding. She passed away a week before that date. By this time I was almost two months pregnant. No one knew but Keith.
Our first years were very rough.
When money became tight--another rabbit trail-- I decided to go to culinary school so that I could get a good job in a fine dinning restaurant. I did great--as I look back I know it was God still guiding my footsteps. He was going to teach me some mighty lessons --even in the middle of my rebellion.
During this 7 years I turned my back on God. I was so empty. I figured that the whole God thing just did not work.
You have to understand that I knew so much about the Bible. I had studied it and been taught it--tried to do it--did it. But on the inside I was lacking joy and peace. And so I listened to the lies of the Devil and figured the world would have something to offer me. I was very successful in my culinary field. I won lots of awards and moved up fast in the field. I came into a fine dinning kitchen green--and within a year I was running the kitchen. So, I was going to culinary school and working 60 hours a week.
This led to my separation from Keith when our son was about 4. My mother was seriously worried about my emotional health. I worked hard, experimented a little with drugs and alcohol. God was protecting me because Satan could have really taken me down.
After a about a year- Keith and I started talking again. We went to a few sessions of counseling and he moved in with me. We made a decision for me to change jobs so that I would be working less hours.
This was a God move. When I moved to this country club as a manager I began to run into people that I had gone to church with. One of the couples began to take a little interest in me.
Now with a lighter schedule I began to get a Sunday off now and then. Because I wanted to give my marriage a try--I went to church. Can I tell you-- after having been out in the world and then coming back--the people I saw seemed so fake. They were so "playing the game". The same game I had been playing--most of the time anyway. I admit that during those early years I did love the Lord as much as I knew how.
We had been back together for about a year when we decided to have another child. My son was now 8 years old. We decided that I would stop working to stay at home with the new child. There is a whole lot more to this story--but that would be another rabbit trail.
God was really starting to pull me to Himself.
I began to read my Bible again. I was so hungry. I needed Him. I remember telling Him, "I am going to give you one more chance to show me that this whole thing really works. I want to know you". I began to passionately pursue Him.
And what does scripture say--if we search for Him--he will be found. Can I tell you---- He blew me away. I knew now that what I had been doing was trying to know about Him and do what I was susposed to do--but I was not having a relationship with Him. He was not my friend and I had no clue how loving He was. Or even how to love him.
During this time I read Titus. I wanted an older woman. I began to pray. I was asking God to bring a woman into my life that would teach me, care for me--be someone I could talk to. None came. I had reached out once before--I was very leery of doing that again. So I didn't. How strange would it would have been for me to walk up to a woman and say, "secuse me, could you be my mentor?".
I began to help teach a women's group. God was expanding my mind by leaps and bounds. I had an appetite for the word and researching topics---I learned a lot. I aggravated a few who wanted to stay comfortable. Excited a few who really wanted to get serious about this God thang. But--still no mentor for me.
In a series of God events--we left that church and started attending the church we go to now. It was a good church-- but I needed more. This is when I first heard about a teacher named Beth Moore. At first I was just looking to see if there were any other women out there like me. Women who wanted more than to be fed on Sunday by their pastor. Women who wanted to talk about the deep things of God. Needless to say---I FOUND ONE. Can I say that my heart soared when I sat through her study? I was not crazy. There was someone else out there who was not satisfied with a Sunday relationship with God. God used her in my life as a spiritual mentor. He showed me it was o.k to go ahead and pursue Him with passion. I thank God for sending her into my life.
Do I have a mentor now?
Nope.
Am I still hoping that in the grand scheme He sees fit to send me one?
Yes.
Why hasn't He?
I truly think that God wanted me to become fastened to Him securely. A mentor would have come between us. I have learned this lesson with some of my mentee's. If you are not real careful--they will become more dependent on you than on God. I have had this happen. It was a very painful situation for both of us--but God has healed and restored that relationship.
SO how did I find my mentee's? God gave me a burden for them. I approached them and God worked the rest out. I think you have to be wise taking on someone God has not appointed to you. I do think that sometimes Satan can send along some that just become a distraction. He sends then to sidetrack you.
Well I guess I will have to save something I wanted to share for another post. Let me just ask that if God brings this to your mind please pray about it. I have been mentoring a young recently married (previously Muslim) convert. She has been a Christian about a 1 1/2 years. Last week she left her husband and is now receiving instruction in the Muslim religion. Her name is Noha.
I will talk about her in another post.
Thank you if you made it to the end of this post.
Sorry it was so long.
If you are a mature Christian woman please pray for God to put someone on your heart to mentor. There is a "me" out there right now, who needs you.

Thank You

I am thankful for the burdens given to us by God.
That He will place-- in out held hands the burdens of His heart. Now I am not talking about burdens like we think of a burden when we think of bills that we may not have the money for.
I am talking about the yearning and desire that fills the heart of our God to have
all His creation worshiping Him.
All of His creation once again unbroken and perfect.
I am thinking of the scripture that says being yoked to Him makes our burden carrying lite.
Does His being yoked to me --make His burden carrying light?
Just thoughts--if you know me you know my mind has to go there.
So when the Spirit cries out deep within me with groaning to deep to be uttered--
I say, thank you Jesus for sharing.
I am there right now.
And I bow my head and say thank you Abba Father.

On a lighter side.
(Now that I am rereading--I don't think I managed light--but it is still good!)
I am so thankful for lost sisters who are BACK with the Lord and being overwhelmed by the power of God. For hearts that were hard and dry that are now fresh and fertile soil for the Spirit to use. Thank you God that the fervent prayers of your righteous children avail MUCH!
Thank you that YOU never have a case that is hopeless. NEVER!
And last.
I am thankful for Godly men who are willing to fight for their wives by keeping on their spiritual armor. That even when they are broken and battered--they keep lifting prayers that move the heavenlies.
Thank you JESUS!

Enough from me--go see some more lovely ladies over at the original Sting My Heart site. Say hello to Iris, and thank her for talking the time to pull us all together.

Say Hi To One Of My Mentee's

Good afternoon!
I am a little late getting by today. We have our next conference coming up next week and with all that has been going on------I thought I had an extra week. Needless to say when I went over to crawl around the attic at Mom's house to get out our supplies and she said something about leaving next week-----I had a little panic attack.
But as I opened different boxes I realized that I had been pretty organized in packing everything need the last time we did this theme three years ago.
We rotate themes on a three year rotation.
Mom had a good laugh when she heard me say, "I love myself".
Sometimes it is good to be organized.
So no panic--we went through all of our room decorations and they are all in good shape.We have a few supplies to pick up from Walmart and then we will be ready to pack all the boxes and study for our teaching times. And Linda I will talk to you tonight about your stuff--don't feel left out---- we have stuff for you to do too. Yes, I know---- you are thrilled. ;)
So that is what I have been busy with.
Next, order of business.
If you notice the title of this post--- one of my mentee's is joining blogland. I love this girl---we have been through the ringer together.
She has a heart for God--and He is teaching her to walk the walk.
So if you have a minute---WOULD YOU PLEASE GO OVER AND SAY HI TO HER FOR ME?
You can find Lynn at My Heavenly Wings.
I told her you girls were great.
Do me proud!
Thanks!

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Mingle² - Online Dating

Getting out of the way....it's a good thang!

This morning as I was praying I heard a little something different taking place in my prayers. I finished asking God to fill me with His spirit and then I started touching on different areas of my life that I know I need help in. My prayer went something like this, "and God help me to be obedient today"---and then I felt the check of the Holy Spirit. It was almost like He was asking me why in the world would I want Him to join His efforts with my human effort.
Does that make sense?
Why would He take His perfect ability and join it with my flawed-often sinful nature? So my prayer began to change. "Holy Spirit be obedient to the will of the Father through my body today. Get done through my body the things that the Father has planned today".

If in my flesh I am incapable of good--then why in the world would I want Him to mix perfection with imperfection? I want the best to offer back to God----who wants to offer Him a little sugar mixed with mud? Not I.
So after prayers and of course, making a pot of Georgia Pecan coffee--I sat down with Oswald Chambers and the book of James. Now,-- I know some of ya'll like tea in the morning instead--that is fine but I just have to have some of that strong stuff so that I have an excuse to use my half n half and the pink stuff. :)
I usually read Mr Chambers first. I love the depth of his relationship with God. He would have been someone that I would have enjoyed sitting down with and taring through the Word.
This morning was all about the spiritually lazy saint. Hmmmmm, seems like I have been talking along those lines recently. God is talking, this is a good thing.
Here is a little something that caught me--

The true test of our spirituality occurs when we come up against injustice, degradation, ingratitude, and turmoil, all of which have the tendency to make us spiritually lazy.

Boy-- can I say that recently that had proven true in my life.
Is it true that a lazy person is just one running from truth and responsibility.
Yep--that had been me.
Kinda of acting like a spiritually immature, spoiled, brat. Yes, harsh--but true.
And then when I read my portion in the book of James this morning I got a little something else to chew on.

James 3:17-18
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

So I see that I have been walking forth in the wisdom of this world--because my life was not looking much like the verse above. Now maybe on the outside my life was exhibiting some of those traits--but what about the inside. Uhhhhh-NO!

What is down in the well has to come up in the bucket. I don't care what lies I try and tell myself--what is in my heart will come out of my mouth.
So this morning when I prayed--I prayed right. I don't want God to mix His good stuff with my --good enough. I want to get clean out of the way and let the Holy Spirit glorify the Father through the body of Sharon---- who is dead. Sounds like a bunch of weird stuff? Maybe the words should be more like-- awesomely weird.
How great is it that all the traits of heavenly wisdom are available to show up in this earthly body everyday?
Let's all be about letting the glory of God show through us today----- and everyday as we get out of the way!

“Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing yet had been done.”
~C.S. Lewis~

This is the theme for todays posts over at Sting My Heart. For more women talking about starting everyday anew with God go on over and visit Iris .

The Plan

ROMANS 15:1-7

[1] We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. [2] Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. [3] For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." [4] For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. [5] May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, [6] so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. [7] Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

NIV

MEDITATE
"The strongest persons are those most surrendered to God; the weakest persons are those most surrendered to themselves" (E. Stanley Jones).

I have had a real struggle lately with drawing the line between severing and accepting others and being take advantage of.
A time of unrest and frustration has become part of my life the last few days. I want to put my foot down and say, "I am a person don't treat me this way". And yet when I look at the life of Christ--I must hang my head in failure.

Spiritual laziness can often cause human laziness. A laziness that causes us to drag our feet when it comes to being Christ like servants.
Weariness weighs on my bones--only because I have not surrendered to God in some areas. I have become weak walking in my own strength.

Time with God is a must. While I am with Him --He tells me who I am and fills me with His Spirit----my strength. Then with a positive attitude I am willing to serve others. I am willing to be "beaten" for His names sake.
I am willing to tote the burdens of the Lord, just as Jesus did. I don't notice that I am carrying a burden because Jesus said, Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.
Burdens in my life don't often fall to the physical--but the mental. And then, because my mind is weary---my body likes to jump on the band wagon and agree, "Yes, we are so weary".
When weariness is caused by my own spiritual laziness-----I am more than hesitant to go to God with my burden. I guess you could say I am embarrassed to go to Him.

This morning I started doing something that God has been dealing with me about for awhile. Surrender. First thing in the morning before my feet even really get a chance to hit the floor and my mind starts running. I rolled out of bed and let my knees hit the floor.
I told God I wanted to be surrendered to Him today. I wanted to be obedient to Him. Also, I asked Him to fill me with His spirit and thanked Him for giving me the mind of Christ. I confessed my selfish actions and thanked Him for forgiving me. And then I got up and started my day.

The plan---to start my day this way everyday.
So will you help me out with my goal? Will you ask me every once in a while if I hit my knees that morning? Hold me accountable.

She is Holly--what else can I say? What a sweetie!

The day finally arrived and you can see we are having some sunny blue skies. The perfect day to meet my ray of shine shine blogging sista--Holly. I was a little nervous at first, but as we stood in the middle of all the fun things at Cracker Barrel---waiting for our table for 11---I realized that I felt totaly at home. What is Holly like? Can you say sweet? Truthfully. I wish we had had time to really sit down with a cup of coffee just the two of us--maybe I'll have to come see you next Holly. Below are our two men talking. Chris teases Holly about using her hands while talking --but what do I see sticking out in this picture. Hmmmmm--like wife, like husband. :)
Maybe he is talking about a big fish? :)

Paw Paw was along for the trip(front left above). I am not sure that he realized who we were meeting--but he enjoyed the food.

This is what 11 for lunch looks like. We had a great time. Thank you Keith for taking pictures.

Holly holding court. See she is the same in person as she is in blogland. You just enjoy talking and listening to her. She is a ray of sunshine. Notice the cute one in her lap? She is going to be a good listener too.

Now we "posed" for some other pictures but I will not post them. I have a massive problem with my eyes and glare. When Keith took the pictures I was squinting into the sun--let's just say it was not pretty. But here is a passable one taken just before we parted.
I enjoyed getting to meet her four children--they were great. Keith enjoyed playing with Tabor. Yes, I had to ask where that name came from. Great meaning behind that name Holly. Love it! We had lunch and it was over too soon. They have a grueling ride ahead of them, so we only got a little over two hours together. Below you can see their truck on the left. They have great taste in trucks--an avalanche--I have one too. Keith thinks their's is a real truck--it has four wheel drive. ;)

So did I learn anything new about Holly? Hmmmmm--she likes to talk with her hands. A girl after my own heart. Hubby says if you tied my hands I could not speak. She is not a morning person--me either. She loves coffee-----me too. She takes a good picture--what a sweet smile.
She has raised her kids right--they are polite and well behaved. They waited patiently while we talked. Her husband is really nice and comfortable to be around. He is the down home sort. I like that. Over all it was a really nice time. I would love to sit down and have a heart to heart--I think she could handle my brain. She has a big heart!
Well I have gushed quite enough. Pray they have a safe trip home. They will be home sometime late tomorrow. You know her kids have to be good to be willing to spend 12 hours in a vehicle today and 13 tomorrow. Bless her heart---she'll need a vacation from her vacation after all that riding.
Thank you Holly------you were a joy to be around. Looking forward to meeting you in the mountains sometime. :)