I've Got Sunshine...

This pic I found very accurately reflects our weather here lately.I just wish I could recall where I found this pic so I could give credit for it!Here in Oregon we thoroughly appreciate sun-filled days.Even our springtimes can be filled with much rain and skies the color of a#2 pencil lead.So we have been basking in the days and days of sun and unseasonably warm weather.I love this time of year for many reasons.The smell of mint and hay and fresh cut lawns.The fragrance of flowers in bloom and backyard BBQ's.Especially the smell of BBQ's!The riots of color that seem to erupt from even the most humble of homes due to the beauty of plants in bloom.Pink roses and purple Rhododendrons vie for one's attention.Where to look and at what?So much to look at.To observe.To take in.To drink in.Petunias and peonies.Gorgeous hanging baskets of fuschias.So much to see.To smell.To rejoice in and thank God for.Longer days.Warmer nights.The brighter moods of everyone around you due to all that lovely warm sun.Thank you Jesus for eyes to see.Ears to hear Your lovely birds each morning as they praise You in song.Thank You Jesus for noses that can smell all the wonders of late spring.For hands that can feel the softness of a rose petal or a neighbor's dog out enjoying the day with his owner.Thank You Jesus for all the joys that are late spring/early summer in the northwest.

Blessings~Sharon

Happy Memorial Day

I just want to wish each of you,whether military or not,a blessed and happy Memorial Day!But I especially want to wish those who serve our country in any capacity and their families a most blessed Memorial Day.I do not come from a military family but I truly do appreciate those who fight for our freedoms here and abroad.Whether on the front lines or behind a desk somewhere I appreciate you and I salute you.Thank you.And I thank each of your families too for surrendering their hold on you.For allowing or even encouraging you,whether male or female to wage war for our freedoms and so that others around the world may one day enjoy the same freedoms we so often take for granted.Thank you.May God bless each of you this day and beyond and may God continue to bless America.
With Much Love~Sharon

Jars of Clay

A new week has begun.7 more days.Full of the unknown at this point.As I read my Bible this morning it felt dry to me.Like a dry,barren desert.Void of water.Void of life.As I prayed for friends and family needing healing I prayed that healing would come so that they may better reflect His glory;better serve Him.God spoke"My glory is best reflected in those who still serve Me,love Me in spite of their affliction.Wow!Sometimes He is glorified better through obviously flawed people?He is better praised through the less than beautiful vessels(world's standards of beauty anyhow)?Yes!This makes me think of pottery that is unglazed.Pottery that is not quite symmetrical.Imperfect physically.But somehow still beautiful.Still able to be used.Still reflecting His glory.And still able to carry the treasure that is His presence within these earthen vessels.What a blessing that is.What hope that offers all of us really.That He can still use us in spite of our flaws,imperfections and failures as humans.Glory to His name!

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us."II Corinthians 4:7(NIV)

Photo courtesy of www.freestockphotos.com

Light

There are two ways of spreading light:to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

~Edith Wharton~

Here's another way to put it:You're here to be light,bringing out the God-colors in the world.God is not a secret to be kept.We're going public with this,as public as a city on a hill.If I make you light-bearers,you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket,do you?I'm putting you on a light stand.Now that I've put you there on a hilltop,on a light stand-shine!Keep open house;be generous with your lives.By opening up to others,you'll prompt people to open up with God,this generous Father in heaven.

~Matthew 5:14-16(TM)~

Father,make us shine brightly for you in this very dark world.Amen.

Photo courtesy of www.freestockfotos.com

Valley of Shadows

I recieved some news today that has left me stunned.Shocked and saddened.A Christian friend of mine has just been informed by her doctors that she has only a few months left to live.Colon cancer is slowly attempting to take her life.It appears she may have had it for awhile now.Unaware except for some occasional stomach cramps.She and her husband had recently gone with his mother on a trip to Alabama from New Jersey where they live.When they returned my friend(also named Sharon)was extremely fatigued.Not feeling well at all.Doctors found a rather large tumor on the left side of her transverse colon.That would explain so much of what she's been feeling.She's stunned and afraid.She does'nt want to leave her husband behind.I understand that feeling.So please keep my friend Sharon and her husband in your prayers.I still believe God can heal her.I will continue to pray for that.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil,for you are with me,your rod and your staff,they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4(NIV)

A Gorgeous Day

When I awoke this morning I knew it was going to be a beautiful day!This picture reflects almost perfectly the kind of sky I saw as dawn slowly crept into town on silent cat paws.Just a few miles from here are lakes and mountains that very much resemble this.As I write this it is many hours later.And still lovely out.Sunny.Warm.Breezy.The kind of weather I have been eagerly anticipating for awhile now.This spring has been very gray.Damp.It gets like that in Oregon.But eventually the leaden skies give way to sunshine and blue.We hung a windchime from our apartment building today.It is a mosaic of glass pieces that form a bluebird in flight.I found it ages ago at a garage sale.It is lovely.I cannot wait for the sun to slowly wind it's way around the building to cast it's lovely glow on my chimes.It's beauty will be complete then.We have also planted some flowers in pots by our front door.Lavender pansies in one and mixed Dianthus in another.They are simply lovely.I jst love spring.We also hung bird feeders yesterday.Two of them.From a shepherd's hook.I asked my Heavenly Father to bring some birds to the feeders.He graciously answered my request.I was beckoned to my living room this morning by my husband Steve."Birds"he quietly said.I peered out the window to see house finches and sparrows eagerly eating the seed we had provided.They were so lovely I just kept saying"thank you Jesus."That is until our cat Shadow ran into the living room on lightning quick legs and scared them off by jumping into the window!They know there is provision here now and I think they'll be back.As I type this a neighbor is out mowing their lawn.It may be his first mowing since last summer.The scent of freshly mowed grass is intoxicating.Yep,it's a gorgeous day.God is good!

Blessings,Sharon

Guilty By Association

Steve and I watched a movie this afternoon that he had recorded at about 2 am this morning.It was called"Guilty By Association."I don't actually recall who starred in it or how old the movie was but it was a really good movie.It was about a woman sentenced to 20 years in prison simply for knowing a man who used and sold pot.It was wholly or partially based on actual events.I have never done drugs of any kind or been to prison(or jail even for that matter).But as I watched this movie I saw it as more than just a movie about the need for laws regarding this kind of stuff to be changed.I saw it as something that glaringly showed the importance of choosing your friends and associates wisely.This woman(a mother of two) did prison time for someone else's crime simply because she knew and associated with this guy and his druggie friends.When it came down to it his "friends" basically implicated her in order for them to get reduced sentences.She ended up getting the longest sentence out of all of them(though I think she only did time for about 8 years due to a law former President Clenton passed as I recall)simply because her boyfriend's"friends"essentially turned on her.These were not true friends on any level.True friends,in my opinion enecourage you to live godly lives.They pray for you.They are"there"for you come what may.True friends point you to Jesus.They urge you to live for Him.I have been blessed in my 45 years on this earth to have such friends from my youth to the present.I can recall many godly friends in my teen years whom I still remember today.Their godly influence has helped shape the person I have become.Not perfect.But not on drugs or in prison either.:-)These types of friends have prayed for me.Talked with me when I had questions.Reminded me that living for Jesus is what matters.That following His example of friendship is of the utmost importance.That godly friends are rare gifts to be treasured.They also reminded me of Jesus"example in John 15:13"Greater love has no man than this,that he lay down his life for his friends."Friends,they can be a blessing,or a curse.Choose your friends wisely.

Blessings,Sharon

A Puritan's Prayer

I ran across the following prayer in a book I began to read recently("Brokenness:The Heart God Revives by Nancy Leigh DeMoss).It really made me stop,slow down and think about things in my own life and heart.I wanted to share it here in the hopes that it will cause you to stop and reflect too.

Lord,High and Holy,meek and lowly,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,

where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights;

hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox

that the way down is the way up,

that to be low is to be high,

that the broken heart is the healed heart,

that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,

that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,

that to have nothing is to possess all,

that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,

that to give is to receive,

that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord,in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,

and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine;

Let me find Thy light in my darkness,

Thy life in my death,

Thy joy in my sorrow,

Thy grace in my sin,

Thy riches in my poverty,

Thy glory in my valley.

~from The Valley of Vision:A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions~

Blessings,Sharon

An Update on My Life

How thrilled I am to be back at my blog and able to post something.Anything.There have been several things going on here that have kept me away from this part of my life.Health issues again.I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea.I was totally unaware I had it.No wonder I had not been feeling rested for a few months now.I was'nt getting restorative sleep at night.But I see the hand of God in even this.He placed just the right male nurse at my cardioversion back in Janruary.This man named Mike suffers with sleep apnea as well.He saw I was breathing oddly while under anesthesia.Said I should have a sleep study done.I listened.And did.Test results revealed sleep apnea.I will have another sleep study done this month.This time while wearing a c-pap mask.It will help me to breathe better while asleep.The apnea could even be to blame for some strange dreams I'd been having at night.Who knew?So pray for me as I,with God's help attempt to get my health much improved.I know the mask will be the first step.
We have a new addition here at home.My husband Steve and I are huge animal lovers.Dogs.Cats.Birds.We love them all.After much debate we have gotten a cat.A rescued cat.I guess at 6 months old he is still considered a kitten.He is completely black with lovely green eyes.He has just the right amount of spunk.He has been named"Shadow."He would not respond to"Nigel"which means"black haired one.""Dempsey"was a creative name but"Shadow"suits his personality as well as his color.He loves to follow us around the apartment hence the name we gave him.He brings a little bit of sunshine to our lives.God is good that way.He gives just the right gifts at the right time.
Speaking of sunshine and gifts we had 3 wonderful spring-like days here last week in our part of Oregon.Just enough warmth to make all the daffodils and crocus bloom.And the pink cherry trees.Oh my goodness.A bit of heaven on earth here in town right now.Their color is amazing but their fragrance is simply divine!We had to be in Salem during this warm spell one day.Instead of the smell of exhaust from the car in front of us last Friday we were blessed with the scent of cherry trees in bloom.What an amazing God we serve.I never cease to be amazed by His creativity and beauty that is evidenced each spring.New life.New color.New season.Life after the season of death.Though today is gray and rainy I know more lovely days are just ahead.I can see the evidence!And my heart rejoices.Happy Spring everyone(know I'm a couple days early) and may His beauty and creativity give you cause to reflect as well as rejoice.

Blessings,Sharon

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!It's day number 2 of the year 2007.A brand new year stretches before us like a huge blank canvas just waiting to be filled with color.An empty journal longing to be filled with words yet unspoken.Sorrows and joys.Tragedies and triumphs.The stuff our lives are made of.Flesh and blood.Experiences that will leave our senses reeling with pain.Or fill us with such joy that we are unable to contain it all.And through the year to come it is my prayer,my desire that God would be honored and glorified through it all.That all of us would come through whatever the year brings better people.Better children of God,more brightly reflecting His love and His glory.More trusting of Him and His ways which are often beyond comprehension,at least to me.May we all have a nearer sense of His presence in our lives.May we run harder after Him and His will for our lives.May we love God more and and our friends and families as well.Father,may these things come to pass in the year to come.May our joys be abundant and our sorrows few.But whatever may come I ask that You be glorified in all of it.That those still walking in darkness would be drawn to the Light,Your light,reflected in Your children.I ask this in the name of Jesus.Amen.
Blessings,Sharon

Merry Christmas

It's that most wonderful time of year again.I have not posted in awhile.I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving.I hope you found much to be thankful to God for.I know I did.It was more than the wonderful meal prepared in full by our daughter April.It was everything.It was her good cooking.Her hospitality.It was the presence of those we love.It was being able to set aside a day in a relatively free country and give thanks to the One who gave us so many things to be thankful for.Like Steve and I celebrating our 14 year anniversary on November 21st.In my family I think 14 years is/was a record for length of time married.I am sure our shared faith in Jesus and commitment to each other is the key.Then I got to celebrate my 45th birthday on November 30th(how did I get to be so old?LOL)and to think of my mom who would have been 79 on November 29th had she not passed away in Janruary of 2001.She always said I was her belated birthday gift the year she turned 34.Thanks mom.I love and miss you still.And now Christmas is just 3 days away as I type this.The day we,as Christians,celebrate the greatest gift of all God's gifts.His Son Jesus.Being born into a world,dark and filled with sin.Full of pain.Sorrow.A tiny baby bringing light and life to all who would choose to follow Him.To commit themselves to the man He would become.Our Savior.The One who would by being born and then dying at the hands of sinful men,would grant us access to heaven.Emmanuel(Matthew 1:23)God with us!God.With.Us.His presence ever near.Bringing us hope.Peace.Salvation.All we would ever need.Thank You Father for this wonderful gift.This most important gift.Your Son.Jesus.Emmanuel.God is with us.No matter what we face.God with us.No matter what we've done.God with us.No matter the darkness we find ourselves surrounded by.God with us.

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:Behold,the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son,and shall call His name Immanuel."

(Isaiah 7:14)

In closing I want to wish each of you a most blessed Christmas filled with all the goodness of God.And a prosperous New Year too.Merry Christmas to all.

Blessings all,Sharon

I Have Good News

If you have read my blog very much you know I have had a few bouts over the last four years with an irregular heartbeat(called atrial fibrillation).I believe 3 bouts is the actual number.Anyhow,when it rears it's ugly head I have to go through a season of blood draws at our local hospital so that the cardiologist can monitor the blood thinner they paut me on.A-fib puts one at greater risk for heart attack and stroke so keeping the blood thinned out is essential.I am also put on other meds to keep the heart rate down.Recently,the cardiologist I was seeing moved to Texas.He had been given an offer he could not refuse.He is extremely thorough.Seeing me for the first time he decided he wanted to rule out heart disease and such as the underlying cause for the irregular heartbeat that has been showing up almost yearly for 4 years now.He ran a series of tests on my heart and had some bloodwork done up too.God is so good.The heart tests revealed no clogs or blockages anywhere!I know my oameal consumption would pay off eventually.I love the stuff fortunately.The bloodwork was fine too.No elevated,cholesterol,etc.All is as it should be in those areas.I am thrilled.I will be cardioverted back into a regular rhythm and soon I hope.I am also hopeful that this time it will work permanently.So please pray for me on this dear readers.I want to get back to exercising like I was and enjoying life without having the confinement caused by a heart that beats out of rhythm.The doctor has said that if it does not work I can consider a pacemaker.That is too invasive for me at this point.I am believing God can and will allow this next cardioversion will work.He is Jehovah-Rapha...the God that heals us.I am believing Him for that and I hope you will too.Thanks so much and God Bless.
Blessings,Sharon

His Faithfulness and Ours

"Faithfulness is seen in the trenches,not in times of rest."I sensed God spoke this to me as I pondered many things while preparing for my day on Tuesday of this week.I was thinking about Wednesday's upcoming stress test on my heart.I was somewhat nervous about it as I had never had one before.I was also thinking about the many Christians I read about that have and are facing far worse things in their bodies.All suffering.All still so very faithful to God and His call upon their lives.They are proving Him faithful while deep in the trenches of life.We see that same quality in the life of the apostle Paul who said"And now,compelled by the Spirit,I am going to Jerusalem,not knowing what will happen to me there.I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.However,I consider my life worth nothing to me,if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."(Acts 20:22-24 NIV).Be encouraged,child of God,as that same grace that Paul spoke of is still available to us today.To all who are trying to remain faithful in the trenches of life.

Blessings,Sharon

Anxiety

I awoke Monday and Tuesday of this week feeling anxious and on edge.Perhaps some of you know that feeling.It was just a real panicy kind of feeling.Not sure why I had it.Perhaps it was from a dream the night before.Or perhaps it was a direct attack from the enemy of our souls,satan.It may have even been caused by lack of solitude and time for writing which this introvert needs regularly.Whatever it's cause it is gone today.I praise God for that.And I praise Him for reminding me of one of my favorite hymns from my youth.If you are feeling anxious today I pray that you find some comfort and relief in the words of this old and much loved hymn:

BE STILL MY SOUL

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.Leave to thy God to order and provide;In every change, He faithful will remain.Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly FriendThrough thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertakeTo guide the future, as He has the past.Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;All now mysterious shall be bright at last.Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still knowHis voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,And all is darkened in the vale of tears,Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repayFrom His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening onWhen we shall be forever with the Lord.When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.Be still, my soul: when change and tears are pastAll safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praiseOn earth, be leaving, to Thy Lord on high;Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divineThrough passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Blessings,Sharon

I Can't Believe It

I can't believe it's already September.Where did the summer go?I can't believe it's been almost 2 months since I posted anything on this blog...original or otherwise.My mother warned me this would happen.She told me(when I was about 16)that as I aged(horrors...makes me sound like wine or cheese)that time would seem to fly faster.She knew what she was talking about for it has happened.I don't know why it seems that way.We still have 24 hours in a day.7 days in a week.365 days in a year.I have decided it must be because as we mature it takes us longer to do things.We tire easier.Therefore we do not accomplish as much in a day as we did when we were 20.I had much opportunity to see that this summer.We watched our granddaughter Hope alot this summer so her parents could go to work.When she got bored it was a challenge to find things for her to do.So we relied on that good old standby called nap time.I know,I know,my husband and I are only middle aged.But we have discovered that we just don't seem to have the time or the energy we did when were in our younger years.Sometimes I think that's a lesson we need to learn to appreciate.Slowing down even a little can be extremely beneficial.Accomplishing less in a day can allow you to live a richer life because you find yourself really focusing on the truly important things.Like hugs from a child.I saw that this weekend.We had watched Hope and were tired from other activities as well.At one point I was sitting.Resting.She saw me resting.She came running over.Threw her arms around me.She then told me"I love you to pieces Grandma Sharon."I smiled,hugged her back,smothered her face with kisses and told her that I loved her to pieces too.She then just rested in my embrace.We both sighed.Just enjoying the moment.Time spent cuddling with each other.Neither of us was too concerned about what still needed to be accomplished that day.We were living richly.Enjoying each other.Enjoying the moment.In many ways I'm enjoying middle age much more than I enjoyed my youth.I'm learning to slow down.Live richly.Enjoy small moments.Focus on the truly important things.I think our Heavenly Father was pleased.I think that is also what He desires from us,His children.He wants us to just enjoy His presence.Have some cuddle time.:-)Let His presence surround us like a hug from a child.It's the best stress reducer I've found for those days that seem to fly by too quickly.God bless all.
Blessings&Love,Sharon

Dying To Self/Others May,You Cannot

I've been really busy here.Too busy to write something original.The following are two writings that have challenged,inspired,blessed and even convicted me for a few years now.I hope you enjoy.I do not know who wrote them...
Blessings & Love,Sharon

DYING TO SELF
When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF
When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take in all in patient, loving silence.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF
When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any impunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to- face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility-and endure it as Jesus endured.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF
When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF
When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF
When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF
When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart.
THAT IS DYING TO SELF
Are you dead yet? In these last days, the Spirit would bring us to the cross.
"That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." Phil.3:10
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OTHERS MAY YOU CANNOT !
If God has called you to be really like Jesus, He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility, and put upon you such demands of obedience, that you will not be able to follow other people, or measure yourself by other Christians, and in many ways He will seem to let other people do things which He will not let you do.
Other Christians and ministers who seem very religious and useful, may push themselves, pull wires, and work schemes to carry out their plans, but you cannot do it, and if you attempt it, you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.
Others may boast of themselves, of their work, of their successes, of their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing, and if you begin it, He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.
Others may be allowed to succeed in making money, or may have a legacy left to them, but it is likely God will keep you poor, because He wants you to have something far better than gold, namely, a helpless dependence upon Him, that He may have the privilege of supplying your needs day by day out of an unseen treasury.
The lord may let others be honored and put forward, and keep you hidden in obscurity, because He wants to produce some choice, fragrant fruit for His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade. He may let others be great, but keep you small. He may let others do a work for Him and get the credit for it, but He will make you work and toil on without knowing how much you are doing; and then to make your work still more precious, He may let others get credit for the work which you have done, and thus make your reward ten times greater when Jesus comes.
The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch over you, with a jealous love, and will rebuke you for little words and feelings or for wasting your time, which other Christians never feel distressed over. So make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign and has a right to do as He pleases with His own. He may not explain to you a thousand things which puzzle your reason in His dealings with you, but if you absolutely sell yourself to be his love slave, He will wrap you up in a jealous love, and bestow upon you many blessings which come only to those who are in the inner circle.
Settle it forever, then, that you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit, and that He must have the right to tie your tongue, or chain your hand, or close your eyes, in ways that He does not seem to use with others. Now, when you are so possessed with the living God that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of Heaven.

Life's Unknowns

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God

~Corrie Ten Boom~

If we are truly honest with ourselves we will admit that life,even our carefully planned lives,are still full of unknowns.Questions about the future gnaw at our minds night and day.Will my job still be there tomorrow?What does the future hold for me?Will I marry?Have children?Will I stay single?What about my health?Life is full of unknowns.And that's why faith in God is so important.The strongest of us can crumble under all the weight of life's unknowns if we do not have a vital and growing faith in God.Yes,that faith can be sorely tested at times.We can experience unknowns in life even when walking with God.Many of God's choicest saints in the Bible faced times of not knowing what the future held.But in the midst of all the unknowns,all the questions,God proved Himself faithful time and time again.Sometimes we have to continue following Him into the great unknown of our future with our questions still burning in our minds unanswered.It is then that He makes Himself known to us and says trust Me with all your unknowns.

Blessings,Sharon

Good Medicine

The Bible in Proverbs 17:22"A merry heart does good,like medicine,but a broken spirit dries the bones."(NKJV)I can't think of a better medicine than a good chicken joke.:-)This was sent to me by a friend today.Here's to your health.Enjoy!
Blessings,Sharon



Barnyard Literacy

So this chicken walks into the library, and she walks up to the librarian and she says: "Book." The librarian says: "You want a book?" "Book." "Any book?" "Book." So the librarian gives the chicken a novel and off she goes. An hour later the chicken comes back and says, "Book-book" The librarian says: "Now you want two books?" "Book-book." So she gives the chicken two more novels. The chicken leaves but she comes back soon. "Book-book-book." "Three books?" "Book-book-book." So the librarian gives the chicken three books, but she decides she'll follow the chicken and find out what's going on. The chicken goes down the alley, and out of town and towards the woods, into the woods and down to the river, down to the swamp, and there is a bullfrog. The chicken sets the books down by him, and he looks at them and says: "Reddit...Reddit...Reddit."

Happy Father's Day

I just want to wish all you Fathers out there a Happy Father's Day!Enjoy the love lavished on you this day by your wives and children.And don't forget the LOVE of your heavenly Father either.Spend some time thanking Him for being your Father,always there for you,always loving you.
For those of you who feel more pain than joy today my heart goes out to you.Maybe your Father has passed away and you miss him.Maybe,like me,you never knew your earthly father.Or worse yet,you knew him and he abused or rejected you in some way.I have good news for you from God's word,the Bible.Psalm 27:10 says"Though my Father and Mother forsake me,the Lord will receive me."(NIV)Though today may be a sad day for you never forget that God is ready and willing to listen.And He is a Father that will never fail you.
Blessings,Sharon

Be Still

"Be still and know that I am God..."Psalm 46:10

Recently Steve and I rented a marvelous DVD from our local video store.It was called"Be Still."It was a DVD about contemplative or listening prayer.I eagerly devoured it as we watched it.It had people such as Max Lucado talking about their experiences with contmplative prayer.They also discussed historical contemplatives such as Teresa of Avila and Julian of Norwich;names that were familiar to me due to my own study of this type of prayer.We often grow up with the idea that prayer is simply about asking God for things.Bless this.Provide for that.Heal this person.Let me win the lottery.Please give me a new car God.Those types of things.But prayer can be so much more than our lengthy list of requests.It is so much more.Though God has a listening ear when one of His children has a need He also has much He wants to say to us.Through His Word.And from His heart.We just need to learn how to listen.To put our list aside and trust Him to meet all our needs.The following is what I was inspired to write as I watched this DVD...

BE

Cease all your striving.

Cease all your activity.

Cease all your doing.

And simply be,my child.

STILL

Still your heart.

Still your mind.

Still your spirit.

For it is in stillness that you can truly hear Me.

AND KNOW

Know that I love you.

Know ME and MY will for your life.

Know that I am all you'll ever truly need.

THAT I AM GOD

I am God in the good times.

I am God in the bad times.

I am God when you awaken each day

and I am God when you close your eyes each night.

I am God and I am with you.

Any good relationship involves both talking as well as listening.It is my desire that I will really continue learn to listen to Him as well as talk to Him.To be still and know that He is God.

Blessings,Sharon

The Mary and Martha In Me

In Luke 10:38-42 we read:Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village;and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.And she had a sister named Mary,who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.But Martha was distracted with much serving,and she approached Him and said,"Lord,do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?Therefore tell her to help me."And Jesus answered and said to her,"Martha,Martha,you are worried and troubled about many things.But one thing is needed,and Mary has chosen that good part,which will not be taken away from her."

Over the years I have thought much about this passage of scripture.I have always loved it for many reasons.One of them being that I can readily identify with Martha.In fact I can clearly recall a memory from about 15 years ago(Yikes!Has it been that long?).I was single,living in a townhouse with my younger sister Sandy and attending church together with her there in our hometown of Sacramento,CA.We(meaning Sandy as I recall)had invited the singles group over.She has always been the life of the party.Very gregarious.I was always more quiet and bookish.So,when this social happened she was out in the living room where all the action was but I was in the kitchen...you guessed it...serving...making sure everyone had plenty to eat and drink,etc....while Sandy enjoyed the presence of all our guests.From that time on my new nickname in the singles group was"Martha."Though all my serving was appreciated I still look back and wonder how much I may have missed by being so focused on the external things like food and drink for our guests.What was it in me that made me feel more comfortable in the kitchen(besides a basic shyness)than out with our guests.I have sometimes wondered if the Biblical Martha was somewhat shy and therefore felt more comfortable behind the scenes.I do not know what her motives were for doing what she did.Perhaps she felt it was an obligation,a duty to feed everyone as opposed to sitting at Jesus feet.Perhaps it was a cultural thing.Whatever her motive was she was very upset that her sister was just sitting around(in Martha's eyes anyhow).I can just imagine her frustration turning into a slow burning anger.Maybe she began to bang pots and pans around(LOL...most likely not...I am not certain of what they cooked with or on in Biblical times...but I am fairly certain it was not stainless steel or aluminum pots and pans).I can just imagine her reaching a boiling point and bursting in upon Jesus,Mary and all else gathered there to express her frustration to all who would listen.She felt left out and put upon I'm sure.And stressed.I can relate.You want to do something nice for people but noone else seems to care about it.They just are enraptured with their guest so much that food and drink and all other obligations pale in comparison.And I think that was the point Jesus was trying to make.That though what Martha was doing was important it paled in comparison with the food,the bread, the words of LIFE that HE was speaking to them.The food He provided was to nourish them eternally.I so appreciate Jesus' response to Martha.I picture Him looking at her with nothing but love.And firmly but with so much mercy reminding her that she was too caught up in that which did'nt have eternal and lasting value.I picture Him gently reminding her that Mary has chosen that better thing.Spending time in His presence.At His feet.Listening to Him and learning from Him.I just get the sense that He was never harsh with Martha.That He extended grace and an invitation to sit at His feet like Mary.He issues the same call to us today.To put aside earthly distractions whatever they may be and focus on that better thing.It's not easy.I still struggle with it.The Martha in me sees the dishes that need to be done.Or the carpet that needs vacuumed.But,by His grace,I am hopeful that I am the way to finding that much needed balance between my need to spend much time with the Lord as well as my need to do more mundane tasks like fixing dinner.What about you?Have you found that balance or are you still seeking it sometimes like me?
Blessings,Sharon

Happy Nurturing Day!

You may be wondering why I chose to call this post something other than"Happy Mother's Day."I have a very good reason.Not all women are mothers.But we all nurture.Churches everywhere will pass out flowers to all women who have borne children.Nothing wrong with that.Except not all women have borne children.They will be the ones sitting while all of the mothers stand to recieve all the accolades and flowers.What is a happy day for some may be a sorrow filled day for others.Maybe you've never had children.You may still be grieving.Or maybe your mother is no longer alive.And you miss her.Maybe you did'nt have a perfect mother growing up.Maybe your mother was not nurturing in the way you needed her to be.If any of these apply to you today my heart really goes out to you.I know how it feels.I never had children.My own mother is passed on.And she was not an ideal candidate for motherhood.But I still miss her.I was able to make my peace with her years before she passed in 2001.God has allowed me to nurture other things in my life in the absence of children of my own.I have friends.I have siblings.I have had pets.I have even nurtured flower gardens.:-)And I have nurtured my husband.In my youth I babysat alot and taught preschoolers in church on Sunday mornings.As a middle aged woman I have had opportunity to nurture my step-granddaughter Hope.And her mom and uncle too in some ways.Nurturing can come in many ways I believe.More than just cooking and cleaning and teaching for a houseful of children.What about praying for someone.Encouraging someone in the way God has gifted you...writing,speaking,painting,drawing...so many ways and opportunities to nurture others(and things such as gardens) even if you are not a mother.So I dedicate this post to all of you who wanted to be mothers but are'nt on this sometimes sad day.I also dedicate this to women who are step-mom's and raising someone else's children.What a challenge you have.You may not have children(or are raising someone else's children) but you are nurturing.You are valuable.You are so loved by God.And me.Have a blessed day.Do something nice for yourself.You deserve it too.:-)
Blessings,Sharon

Kids and Contrasts

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them,but the disciples rebuked them.When Jesus saw this,He was indignant.He said to them,"Let the little children come to me,and do not hinder them,for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.I tell you the truth,anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."And He took the children in His arms,put His hands on them and blessed them.~Mark 10:13-16 NIV
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Those of you who have or had children will readily agree that their personalities show up very early in life and can be as different as say apples and oranges(I bet you thought I was going to say night and day,did'nt you?:-) ).Though my husband and I never had our own children as a couple we've had plenty of opportunity to observe his 2 kids(both adults now)and his granddaughter(now just over 5 1/2 years old).We've also observed stranger's kids in public.Plenty of opportunity for watching kids and how different they are.We saw just how different recently.A few weeks back we went to the local Hollywood Video to rent some movies.Yes,our town of 7,505 is big enough for such a store.:-)We chose our DVD's and made our way up to the counter.Surrounded by enough candy to keep all of Oregon's dentists working for plenty of years we noticed a little boy in front of us.With his mom(we assumed).Now,my husband's day is not complete unless he has given someone,anyone, a hard time.He's said his goal and purpose here is to make people laugh.Even strangers.Or their children.He saw this little boy of about 3 or 4 and began to make faces at him and talk to him.This little boy clung tighter to his mom so my husband tried harder to make him laugh.The little boy finally found his voice and said to Steve"Are you going to steal me?"We wre both a little stunned.My husband recovered long eneough to tell him "No,I'm just playing with you."He then told the boy's mom who was by now paying close attention that we have a granddaughter a little older than her son.She attempted a sincere smile but I could tell she was really more annoyed and wary of us.I found that whole scenario sad and have thought about it often since it happened.That we live in a world where children are fearful of being stolen.I thought about it again this weekend as we were out garage sale-ing.We'd stopped at one sale to look at couches for our son who is getting his own place soon(YIPPEE!).She had two of them for$20.00 each.She invited us to sit on them and try them out.As we sat in her living room her little son woke up and came out to where we all sat chatting.He came and stood by me(I was seated on the white leather sofa and Steve was across from me on the black leather sofa).I looked at her son and he at me and we smiled at each other.He was about 4 I guess.Dark hair,dark eyes and a winning smile in his pale little face.I continued to chat about the sofas with his mom and my husband.The next thing I know this little boy is standing right next to me and has taken my right hand and asks if I want to come see his room?Of course I said yes.It was a mess for sure.:-)Boy toys scattered everywhere.But he did'nt care it was his room and I was a willing stranger.Not to be outdone his red haired sister had to show me her room next door.What a contrast.Her room was definitely all girl.Pink and purple everywhere and neat as a pin.She even invited me in for tea.:-)Though I had to decline her offer I thought about both experiences we'd had with these children.One boy thought we were there to steal him from the video store.A few weeks later another one invites us to look at his room.One trusting.One distrusting.I imagine that's how some of the children were that day that Jesus rebuked the disciples and called the children to Himself.Some came readily while others maybe held back.I bet some of us are like that too as adults.We hold back instead of implicitly trusting the One we know will always be there for us no matter what may come.Jesus has promised to never leave us or forsake us.Trust HIM today for all that worries and concerns you.He can be trusted.
Blessings,Sharon

Bragging Rights?

Steve and I did something this morning we had'nt done in awhile.We watched some morning news.They had a segment on the newest trend in bragging rights among families.It was"How busy are you?"I commented that I thought that was an insane thing to be proud of.Just hearing about their hectic schedules wearied me.But apparently these families thought it was praiseworthy to be completely exhausted 24/7.We then went about our day.Later on the topic came up again as we had lunch.I still thought it was insane to be that busy. :-)I like time for reflection myself.Quiet time to think.To listen to God.To pray.As I did some baking I thought about bragging rights.We've all had them at one time or another.Perhaps you grew up in a prestigious family and felt that gave you bragging rights.For a young man or a middle aged one even it may be the car you drive.Perhaps it's really cool,really fast and really expensive.Or perhaps it's just really loud.Bragging rights again.Or perhaps you are a woman who has been blessed with lots of children from your own womb.And you feel that is worth some boasting.Or perhaps you're a student or one that's just graduated from an important(in your estimation)university.You've covered your walls with awards received including your recently obtained diploma.Something to glory in.Or perhaps it's your appearance.Natural beauty that needs little if any cosmetic help.Reason to be boast for sure.As I pondered all of these things I thought to myself that these are all normal things.Good things.Blessings from God for sure.But do we dare to assume bragging rights when these are all gifts from God(see James 1:17).Any good that comes our way is purely a gift from God to be enjoyed for a season or maybe even a lifetime.We are but caretakers of His blessings.I like what His word says in II Corinthians 10:17"But,let him who boasts boast in the Lord."All of these things are but a vapor,a mist compared to Him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Thus says the Lord;"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,let not the mighty man glory in his might,Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;But let him who glories glory in this,That he understands and knows Me,That I am the Lord,exercising lovingkindness,judgement,and righteousness in the earth.For in these I delight,"says the Lord.~Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV
Blessings,Sharon

Parenting

I was at my computer today when my husband brought in the mail after walking our Beagle,Madison.I laughed out loud at the one measly piece of mail we had received.It was an offer for"Parents"magazine.Not one,not two,but three full years of this magazine for only$12.00.Though I thought the price was great I laughingly declined when my husband Steve asked me if I was going to order it.He's got a unique sense of humor.I laughed at him because of the absurdity of it all.I am 44 and he is 53.We have been married since 11-21-92.For all of our married life I have dealt with infertility that was unexplained.In June of 2004 I had to have a complete hysterectomy due to endometrial cancer.This forever sealed my fate as a woman who never had children of her own.But I have still been allowed to parent.My husband has 2 adult kids from a prior marriage.And one granddaughter.More recently though I have been able to do a different kind of parenting.The puppy kind.In a previous post I mentioned we now had a dog in our home.Madison,a beautiful Beagle puppy,who came to live with us in December of 2005.She is almost a year old now.What none of us knew was that when Justin,my step-son purchased her,she was already pregnant.Had any of us known this she would not now be a part of our lives.We live in an apartment.Not on a farm which is a much better space for dogs.Especially pregnant ones.But Madison became a part of our lives.And on February 10th she delivered 8(yes,I said 8)very healthy puppies.Madison,a baby herself still,had 8 babies.We do not know who tha Father was.What breed,etc.We just know he was black for Madison has not a bit of black on her.But her puppies are each mostly black with bits of their mama's"fair"coloring scattered about their chubby little bodies.Life really changed here when they were born.I had not had a dog in nearly 30 years.We always had males growing up.Neutered males.This was a huge change for me at 44.Much like the change atage 40 when my step-kids came to live with us back in 2002.It had been just husband and I for a really long time.And now we had 8 little furry babies here.As they've grown we've lost sleep at night.Babies are on their own schedules when it comes to being hungry,etc.The same with puppies.Babies often leave messes of various kinds.So do puppies.Our recently purchased rug cleaner and our vacuums have really been getting a work out.So have I with the never ending laundry.Babies get stinky sometimes and need bathed.So do these puppies.Oh boy do they get stinky.Smile.They are officially weaned now.And we have managed to sell 4 of them to a local pet store.My SIL has taken another one so we are down to three little fur covered bundles plus Mama Madison.We are hoping the pet store will take the last 3 tomorrow.It has been heallatious here at times.But when one of those freshly bathed little chubby,furry bundles falls asleep in your arms it makes all the work worth it.Or when they see you walk into a room and they come running to you,tails wagging in unison as if to say"welcome back,we've missed you!"It's easy to forget the loss of sleep the night before because you are filled with joy over their excitement.Though we may be completely puppy free by this time tomorrow I will still have memories,Mama dog Madison and one little puppy living 20 minutes away in Salem to remind me of this time of puppy parenting.This chaotic,tiring,wonderful time of being a surrogate parent of sorts to 8 little fur covered bundles of joy!God is so good.
Blessings,Sharon

Right Focus Regained

Finally, brothers,whatever is true,whatever is noble,whatever is right,whatever is pure,whatever is lovely,whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.~Phillippians 4:8 NIV~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've been pondering this scripture verse for a few days now.My thoughts had been less than lovely.Times of intense testing in our lives has gone on far longer than I ever thought they would and I was just feeling down.Looking for light and seeing only darkness.The gray skies overhead did not help.I was longing for spring but still facing winter.Longing for freedom but still feeling burdened.And then God helped me to regain my focus.And it came from a most unexpected source.I was at our local hospital receiving treatment for the cellulitis on my right leg.The infection is gone but I am now facing wound care.It was a rare and strong strain of cellulitis.Because of this they brought in a wound care specialist to look at it.Her name was Beverly.She pulled out a digital camera and took a picture of my wound.I commented and on how neat her little camera was(I don't own a digital camera so find their diminuitive size charming somehow).She then proceeded to tell me that there were also pictures of India and Florida on the camera.And how that she had just returned from a medical mission trip to India that was 2 weeks in length as I recall.She had gone with an evangelist whose name escapes me at the moment.We continued to discuss treatment of my wound.As we finished up she began to show us the other pictures in her camera.We saw India first and she began to tell us about each one.There are rich people in India but most are very poor.Many do not even have running water.Many live in what amounts to nothing more than a shack.As I viewed her pictures and listened to her tell us about India my mind was replaying some of my negative comments and thoughts of recent days.And my perspective began to change.I began to silently,internally ask God for forgiveness and thank Him for what I do have.A nice apartment with hot and cold running water and indoor plumbing.A nice bed to sleep and rest in.A van to get us where we need to go.I was also reminded that He has always come through for us when we have placed all our burdens on Him.That He will provide for all our needs as we trust Him and His love.At this point we left as my appointment was over.As we walked out to our van under sunny skies I realized I had recieved more than cellulitis care at the hospital.I had been given the gift of right focus regained by our loving Heavenly Father.What are you thankful for today?
Blessings~Sharon

Though He Slay Me

I've been thinking about Job alot lately.The Bible says that Job was blameless and upright;he feared God and shunned evil(Job1:1 NIV).Job was one righteous dude.Smile.Righteous in that he was in right standing before God.He had been blessed with much in his life.He had many children and much in the way of animals and servants.He was living well until his entire world began to cave in around him.Satan had convinced God to let him take away all that Job had held dear on this earth.Family.Health.Livelihood.Things we can hold dear as well.Satan was convinced that Job was only serving God because God had blessed him with so much.He was so convinced of this he told God"Stretch out Your hand and strike evrything he has and he will surely curse You to Your face."(Job 1:11 NIV)But God knew Job far better than Satan.God had created Job.He knew him at his very core so God essentially said"bring it on!"Job had no clue as to what was coming.Disaster upon disaster befell him.All in a fairly short amount of time...
My husband Steve and I have been facing storms that have been Job-like for about 8 years now.We have lost family members in death.Loss of health.Loss of income.Loss upon loss.Bad news daily it seemed at times.Our world,like Job's,turned on it's head.Pain and tears and fear.And nowhere to look but to God.When all human comfort,all human resources had fled or been depleted,God was there.Faithful.Waiting patiently while the enemy of our souls assalted our lives.Knowing the outcome would bring glory to Him(though we cannot see it yet)and shame to ther enemy.We received another huge assault from the enemy of our souls this last week from two sources.These two things have the potential to totally wipe out our already fragile finances(CA is trying to take child support from my husband's disability checks;his"children"are adults and on their own or on the verge of it)and adversely affect my husband's health(Medicare Part D issues.Mistakes on their part really).However,I choose to say,along with Job,"though He slay me,yet will I trust in Him..."(Job 13:15 NIV)I'm going to keep trusting God for we have seen His faithfulness to us in the past and His word in Malachi 3:6 says He never changes!I am fully expecting to see God do great things for us(see Psalm 126)and that we will see miracles in the days to come.I will share them here when they happen.Smile.
Blessings~Sharon

Times of Transition

I love the month of Janruary.New Year.New beginnings.Fresh pages to fill in the journal of our lives.Time to relax after the busy holiday season is over.I also love this month because I know that in a couple of months spring will be here.New life bursting forth everywhere.The promise of warmer temperatures and sunny skies just around the corner.The promise of loads of color in our town after months of leaden skies and liquid sunshine.Change of pace.Change of scenery.Change of weather.Transition.The local weather guys called today a transition day.After about 2 months of rain literally we are due for about 3 days of partial sun.It will officially start tomorrow but today was the transition day.No rain.Partially clearing skies this afternoon.A noticeable drop in the temperature due to the clearing skies.As we drove about town on this transition day there were amazing signs of life everywhere.People were out walking in the cold afternoon sun.The bare trees and the snow capped mountains east of here shouted to us that it is still Janruary.But we saw signs of imminent changes in the weather as well as the season.We saw small buds on the bare trees.Crocus were beginning to bloom in a neighbor's yard.Daffodils and tulips were sending up their slender green stalks through through dark earth to the warming sun above.Grey clouds parted and gave way to white,fair-weather,cotton ball clouds.Bits of blue sky began to herald the wonderful change.We are in a time of transition and I am loving it.Even optimists get weary of winter.Both on the calendar as well as in our lives.Steve and I are in a transition period here personally as well.Though I'll not share the details of the potential change I am looking forward to seeing God change not only the season weather wise but this particular issue that suddenly assaulted us this weekend.I am trusting God that just as the calendar is on the verge of a new season; a transition time to warmer weather and sunny skies, so are our lives on the verge of sunnier weather.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"For,lo,the winter is past,the rain is over and gone;

The flowers appear on the earth,the time of the singing of birds is come,

and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

~~~Song of Solomon 2:11-12~~~

Blessings,Sharon

Our New Addition

We have a new addition here at home.She came to us around the holidays via our son(he bought her).She's adorable.Her name is Madison.She's 8 months old and is one of the cutest puppies I have ever seen.She's mostly Beagle but has some Bassett Hound in her which would explain her length and her occasionally droopy eyes.Sometimes she evn looks like she is part Pointer.She's white and light brown.Not a bit of black.She's beautiful.She absolutely loves Steve and I she loves to sit and sleep with us.We are her caregivers 90-95% of the time.We're still not sure how that happened except that perhaps our son did not count the cost before purchasing her.So we bathe and feed and walk her.We love on her and she on us.Sometimes she looks up at us with sheer adoration, bordering on worship,in her puppy eyes.We've had to puppy-proof the apartment some since her arrival.Steve's medicines are no longer on his night stand but tucked away in a cabinet out of Madison's reach.All in all she's been a good experience.Steve and I are animal lovers who have not had pets since our youth.We now are getting to reap the benefits of having Madison(Maddy,Mad-Hatter,Maddy-Monster,Maddygascar...she answers to all of them:-))in our lives here because our son paid the price to purchase her.It struck me the other day that it's just like Jesus.He paid the price for our sin so we could enjoy all the benefits of eternity with God.Someone else paid the price and we are reaping the benefits.Even greater than puppy love is Jesus great love for mankind.He loved us so much He was willing to die for us.He paid the price for us.We honor Him and the price He paid by living for Him.
Blessings,Sharon

You Say Tsunami,I Say Salami?

The Bible in Proverbs 17:22(Amplified) says"A happy heart is a good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing,but a broken spirit dries the bones."I love to laugh.Fortunately I come from a humorous family and I married a very amusing man.I think laughter is one of God's greatest gifts.I had opportunity recently to laugh till the tears fell.My husband had called his mom to check in.He does that daily or at least a few times a week as she is nearing 80 years of age.In the course of the conversation she had told my husband of some predictions for 2006 she had seen on the 700 Club earlier that day.One of the predictions was for Tsunami's on the West Coast.But she pronounced it"Salami's!"Now,since I tend to be very visual and think in pictures you can imagine the imagery that conjured up.I began to chuckle.Then to laugh.I laughed so hard the tears began to flow.I love laughing till the tears flow.My husband was laughing pretty good by this time too.The next morning we were still chuckling over his mom's verbal faux pas.I told Steve that I could just imagine what the headlines might say"Subversive Summer Sausages Stalk Unsuspecting Swimmers and Surfers in Waters off West Coast."Just try and picture it.Use your God-given imagination.Have fun.Laughter....it's a good thing.
Blessings,Sharon

My Soul's Cry

This post is somewhat different than my other ones.As much as I love celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this was a stressful and painful Christmas for me.The reasons for it shall remain unspoken of here.Though I am now hopeful that things will soon change I wrote the following on Christmas Day:

My Soul's Cry

My soul is grieved within me.Sorrow has covered me like a shroud.Oh how I long for the light of Your joy to renew me.To fill mylife with light once again.And yet I wander about in a fog.A darkness that seems to hide the light of Your presence.I long to be free of those chains that seem to bind me to my sorrow.To soar once again like the eagle.To ride on the wind of Your Holy Spirit.To look down upon the mountaintops from where Your Spirit has carried me.To see things from Your perspective.To truly know that all will be well and to know You as You know me.This is the cry of my heart today Father God.

As I finished what I thought was going to be a poem I realized it really was more of a prayer to my Heavenly Father.It was the cry of my heart on Sunday and it is still the cry of my heart today to see things from Heaven's perspective.To know my Father as He knows me.To soar above the sadness that poured from my heart as I originally wrote this prayer.I pray that you will take comfort from this and make this prayer your own.Insert your own name where appropriate.Personalize it.Make it your own.Make it your own heart and soul's cry.

Blessings,Sharon

Life&Death

Merry Christmas everyone!I obviously have not posted in awhile here.Life was busy.Too busy.I was feeling uninspired.Too many things clouded my mind.Mostly doctor's appointments and such for my husband and I.In spite of it all I found so much to be grateful for as we celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary,Thanksgiving and my 44th birthday all within a space of about 2 weeks starting November 21st!I have always loved the Autumn and Winter time of year.Even before moving to the Pacific Northwest in 1991.I relished the cooler temperatures that I knew would be arriving soon(I grew up in Sacramento).I did'nt even mind the lack of light here in the Northwest(my Irish complexion definitely prefers the rain soaked Northwest to California's sunshine).I have friends(who will remain nameless)who prefer summer time.When they think of Autumn and Winter they think of death.Steve and I both thought about death today too.We went to visit some former neighbors today.A lovely Christian senior couple.The husband is dying of cancer.This will be his last Christmas on earth here.He has maybe a month left.We celebrate the birth of Christ this month.New life.God's arrival in the flesh.Emmanuel.God with us.And yet we were talking about and dealing with the impending death of a friend.You would not have known it though to listen in on our conversations today or to hear our laughter.All of us gathered there are believers in Jesus Christ.Because of that we can have hope in the midst of grief.Laughter though we know we'll shed some tears soon when our dear friend is promoted to heaven.Life in the midst of death.And for our dear friend his body may be dying but his spirit,his inner man,is flourishing.Growing.Full of life.And that is why we can say with Paul"Therefore we do not lose heart.Even though our outward man is perishing,yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."Life and death in one body.But because of the hope we have in Emmanuel,God with us, we are able to face even the impending death of a friend.May God bless each of you with a beautiful Christmas and a joy filled New Year.
Blessings,Sharon

Vision

God's word in Proverbs 29:18 a says"Where there is no vision the people perish."I had to go give blood last Friday.Again.Though I was successfully cardioverted in early September it is standard procedure to keep people on the atrial fibrillation medicine(s)for a few months post-procedure to keep the heart stabilized(I guess).As I left our apartment to drive to our local hospital I noticed how gray the day was outside.It had rained heavily the night before.I saw the evidence as it dripped down the windows of our van in small streams.I also noticed the fog that now shrouded our town like a thin,damp blanket.Evidence of skies that had attempted to rid itself of the heavy rain-filled clouds at some point.We often awaken to fog this time of year when skies that have rained in the night attempt to clear near sunrise.I climbed in the van and felt grateful for it's shelter.Though it was not extremely cold out the fog's dampness had made me shiver.I turned on the ignition.The lights.The heater and defroster.As I drove in the direction of the hospital I was grateful that it was late enough that my drive would not be impeded by school buses.All the schools nearby were in session already.I noticed our town as I drove.The drive,though short was incredibly beautiful.Trees laden with leaves in all their autumnal glory stood in fiery contrast to the pale,ghostly fog that had descended upon our town.Brilliant reds.Warm oranges.Sunny golds.A real bright spot on a dark morning.As I turned right to begin my drive up the hill to the hospital I noticed sun breaking through the fog and clouds.I relished it's warmth.I also could not miss it's beauty as it's golden rays shone through the fog that surrounded a grove of fir trees in someone's yard.I imagined that's how it must have looked at the dawn of creation when God said"Let there be light."As I reached my destination I noticed how quickly my windows had defrosted once I had put the heater on high.At that moment it hit me that the heat(combined with the air from the defroster)had cleared my vision.My ability to see things clearly had been helped by intense heat.That's just like our lives.God turns on the heat.If need be He turns it up on high.But He never leaves us.He also adds the wind,the breath, the air of His Holy Spirit.The Comforter.The end result(hopefully)is greater vision.Clearer vision.The ability to see clearly what is truly important.The ability to see what our gifts and calling from God are.The vision to pursue and capture those long held dreams He has placed within us.And most importantly to see God as He really is.Loving.Just.Faithful.And right beside you all the way no matter how high the heat is turned up in your life.
Blessings,Sharon

Praise

My Praise
Lord, I wish I could praise You with adequate wordsBut You leave me speechless.And I so long to sing you the song You deserve.But it would be endless.I long to move Your heart. I bring You something new.I tell how great You are.Till my praise to You...Is like an ocean breeze blowing on Your face.Like a summer sun with its warm embrace.Like a gentle rain plays a symphony.That's what I want my praise to be.Like a fragrant rose in the early spring.Like an eagle soars when it spreads its wings.Whatever, Lord, You may need from me.That's what I want my praise to be to You.Everything I could give, You already possess Lord, I'm so unworthyI'm just one of the millions to stand and confess.And yet still You hear me.Your heart is open wide.You long for what I bring.I pray somehowYou'll find this simple offering...-- "My Praise" by Dan Dean, Dave Clark, and Don Koch

As I wondered what to blog about(if anything)this morning the lyrics to the above song came to mind.It is one of my favorite songs.Jesus often does leave me speechless(although my husband would most likely gently protest the"speechless"part.)Bless his heart....he loves me very much AND is so patient with my verbal ramblings.I am one blessed woman.There is so much to praise Jesus for.Simple things we take for granted.Did you enjoy a hot shower this morning?I know I did.Many do not even have a home to shower in.Can you see the sunrise this morning?I can.It's beautiful.But many have NEVER seen it due to congenital blindness.Are you listening to beautiful music right now?I am(Eden's Bridge"Celtic Worship).Many cannot even hear the sound of rain falling or the wind blowing or the beauty of backyard songbirds.So much to praise Him for.How often do we whisper a heavenward"Thank You?"Psalm 59:16(NIV) says"But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love;for You are my fortress,my refuge in times of trouble."Beginning one's day with praise to our Refuge,our God is an awesome way to begin your day.And it sets the tone for the rest of your day.Praise Him!

Blessings,Sharon

Abiding

"I am the Vine and you are the branches.Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much(abundant)fruit.However,apart from Me--cut off from vital union with Me--you can do nothing."(John 15:5 Amplified Bible)I have not posted in awhile.It's been a busy time here on many levels.I also had a brief reoccurring bout with atrial fibrillation.This was the second time in 3 years this has shown up.My heartbeat gets irregular during times of stress.So I have not been feeling well physically.I am better now after a successful cardioversion.But I have also been feeling uninspired.Void of all original thought.Not really down in the dumps,just kind of numb I guess.When one is under stress of any kind it can affect you on every level.I was dealing with stuff in my body.I was incredibly grieved over what happened to those affected by Hurricane Katrina.I had prayed ALOT in recent days.But I still felt numb.Uncreative.Dull.I wanted to blog.To journal.But nothing would come.As I stood at the kitchen sink this morning preparing to load the dishwasher I heard Jesus speak"Apart from Me you can do nothing."I had been praying to Him but not abiding in Him.I was not"dwelling"with Him.Some synonyms of the word abide are to stay,remain,tarry,linger.It is so much more than a hurried prayer for my irregular heartbeat.So much more than an emotional plea sent heavenward for the victims of a massive and devastating hurricane.It is clearing my agenda and sitting in His presence.Getting my creative spark ignited by time spent with Him.Tarrying with Him.Getting His agenda for my day.Letting the creativity of God flow through me from Him to any lives I may touch.Just"being"instead of always"doing."Not cutting myself off from the One who is the source of all that is creative and the One who is life itself.Father,may we all learn what it means to truly abide in You.And may You find us faithfully doing that very thing.You are life itself.Apart from You we can do nothing that will have lasting and eternal value.Help us to dwell with You daily.To produce beautiful and lasting fruit for Your glory......Amen.
Blessings,Sharon

Goodness&God

I have been pondering God and HIS goodness the last day or so.Steve had been really enjoying his hot shower yesterday due to a sore back and neck.He'd been in there awhile and said"Though I'm really enjoying this,all good things must come to an end."Without a second thought I said"God's goodness never comes to an end."A quick study of God's word proved me right. :-)Psalm 52:1(NKJV)says"Why do you boast in evil,O mighty man?The goodness of God endures continually.Think of that people of God!His goodness endures continually.Everlasting and eternal goodness!I find that incredible and worthy of praise.That even when our lives appear to be void of HIS presence much less HIS goodness we have HIS promise that HIS goodness is eternal.Neverending.Another scripture that speaks of HIS goodness is Psalm 27:13(NKJV)which says"I would have lost heart,unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of God in the land of the living."I love that one in particular for God gave it to me years ago when we first entered the refiners fire.Those who know my husband and I know we have been through ALOT.I thank God for HIS word.I thank God for HIS goodness.I have continued to hold on to Psalm 27:13 as HIS personal promise to us.That we would see HIS goodness in the land of the living.Are you facing something that is causing you to doubt HIS goodness?Run to HIM!Memorize these promises in HIS word.Look for something,anything in your life(no matter how small)that is proof of HIS goodness!I'm not asking you to do something I have not had to do myself!:-)

Prayer:Father,I ask that you pour out your tangible goodness on those who read these words.Especially on those who may be feeling as if their very life is being sucked out of them by their circumstances.I'm asking as your daughter and as one who's been there.I love YOU.

Blessings,Sharon

Buddy

There is a male in my life other than my husband and step-son who loves me.He is someone other than God too.In fact he is not related to me at all.He is black.And short.And he has loved me from the moment we met after we moved into this complex in June.He lives in the next building to the west of us.And he is crazy about me.His name is Buddy.Every time he sees me he runs to greet me.He has four legs and is a part Terrier,part Bichon Frise puppy owned by our neighbor Robert and his wife. :-)From the beginning Buddy was never afraid of me much to the amazement of Robert.One of the other long time tenants called Buddy cute once.Buddy ran away from them as fast as he could.But he has never done that with me.I think Buddy knows I love animals of all types.He knows I would never hurt him in any way or any animal.Buddy is simply adorable with black,slightly out of control fur and huge brown eyes.He fills me with joy every time I see him.I love to see his enthusiastic response to my presence.On more than one occasion Buddy has almost choked himself with his own leash while straining hard to get to me and just lavish his puppy love upon me.He is usually out of breath and panting some by the time he reaches me but he still lavishes his love on me.I do not know why he loves me like he does.He just does.I have not given him food or shelter or puppy treats.He just loves me because he sees something in me that perhaps only a puppy can see.God is like that.He simply loves us because.We cannot earn His love.He delights in our presence.And I think it makes Him happy when we come to Him and just lavish our love on Him like Buddy does me.Our desire to lavish love on God should be with the same passion that Buddy exhibits with me.Straining with all that is in us to be in His presence and lavish our love on mGod.We should have the same excitement about being in God's presence.Psalm 42:1 says"As the deer pants for streams of water,so my soul pants for you O God."If your longing to be in His presence just because is or has been waning ask Him to fill you with that love and passion once again.A passion to just love God again.No strings attached.Just because.
Blessings,Sharon

Seasons

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says"There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under heaven."I thought of this particular verse recently as Steve and I were heading to a garage sale(did I mention we love garage sales? :-) ).It was out in the country and was on a road called"Irish Glen Lane."Now,being of Irish ancestry on my dad's side of the family,I really love the name of that lane.It conjures up lovely images of green,windswept countryside and ancient,crumbling castles.As I drove us to this sale I was noticing our own countryside.Large clumps of evergreen trees and shrubs dotted the landscape broken up only by large,yellow patches of freshly mowed hay.The hay had not been bundled(baled?) yet.Acres of it lay strewn about the ground like wounded soldiers after an intense battle.I liked the look of it.It reminded me that autumn is just around the corner.Yes,I know summer has not been here very long weather wise in Oregon.But I just love autumn.I love it's cooler weather.The misty mornings. The riot of warm color that falls from the sky when a brisk wind detaches leaves from their delicate hold on trees.These things fill me with joy and anticipation.As I observed and pondered all this I realized something else.That more than my love of autumn I liked watching the change,the transition of one season into another(my favorite though being the summer to autumn due to being born and raised in Sacramento till moving to Oregon at age 30).Each season has it's beauty.It's joys and blessings.It also has it's pitfalls.It is just like the seasons of our lives.We have our joy-filled times and our times of sorrow and even death.But seasons change.We do not live in an endless summer.And winter is not a permanent fixture either.And through all these changes in the seasons whether on the calendar or in our lives Jesus is there through summer and winter.Good times and bad.He does not change.He says in Malachi 3:6"I am the Lord,I change not.... ."He is ever faithful.Always loving.Always there.HE can be trusted to be there for you no matter what season you find yourself in at this time in your life.Blessings to all.
Sharon

Grief and Loss

Last night was a rough night for both my husband and I.Sleep just eluded us both for awhile.It may have been the heat.Most apartments in Oregon have no AC as we generally have mild weather in our area year round.We have to be content with fans which sometimes offer small comfort.It was also a rough night with my atrial fibrillation.As we lay there trying to drift off my mind wandered here and there in between prayers to the Father for sleep to descend upon us both.I thought of losses and how we grieve losses in one way or another.I have faced some losses in my lifetime as all of you have.I never knew my earthly father.Loss.My mom went to be with Jesus in 2001.Grief and loss.I still miss her.After marrying in 1992 at almost 31 I faced years of infertility.Loss of a dream however small.In 2004 I faced major surgery for endometrial cancer that forever sealed my fate as a woman who would never have children of her own.More loss.Currently I have to be careful just how much and how heavily I exercise as I must not get my heart rate too high until after I am cardioverted for this atrial fibrillation.I see this as a temporary loss of freedom to exercise as hard as I want to.There have been other losses too in our lives such as jobs and my husband's first marriage.Now please don't think I lay in bed nightly and think such sad things beacause I don't.That would cause insomnia for sure.I thought of all we have faced as a couple and I just had to praise and thank God for we are still alive.We are still here.We still find things to laugh about.We can still find joy in a sunrise or a flower or the smell of a summer morning.Our grief and loss has not and will not consume us because God is still in control and HE still loves us and we HIM in spite of what HE has allowed in our lives.I know there is an end to all this.And we can say with Jeremiah"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,for HIS compassions never fail.They are new every morning;great is your faithfulness."(Lamentations 3:21-23)No matter what you are facing right now remember this...God does love you and as long as you are still living and breathing there is always room for hope in your heart because God can be trusted to carry you through!God bless all.
Sharon

Devotion

I've been thinking about devotion and committment in recent days.About the need for such things whether it involves a job,a ministry or a spouse.Or most importantly God.I have also been thinking alot about dogs.My husband and I,though renters,love dogs.Alot.As renters of an apartment we cannot have pets of any kind.Some places allow them if you are willing to pay an extremely high deposit.We are not.So,we spoil other people's dogs.Mostly at garage sales.I have been known to stop at a sale just because I saw a big,friendly looking dog out front. :-)And on more than one occasion a garage sale dog has tried to come home with us.Occasionally we run across dogs that are less than friendly.Not mean.Just not focused on us or our attempts to get their attention.I saw one such dog in a vehicle recently at a local store.No matter how much I called to him he ignored me.He was focused on his owner.His master.At that moment I thought I heard the Lord whispering to me.I heard him say "that's devotion."That dog's main focus was seeing his master's face.I realized at that point that I was merely a distraction to that dog.His focus was elsewhere.It was on the one who loved him,fed him and cared for his daily needs.I saw how that is exactly like the Lord in our lives.He is the ONE who loves us and cares for us and feeds us.Both physically and in our spirits.But unlike that dog there are many distractions that pull us away from our devotion to our Master.Even ministry can be a distraction if we are so busy ministering that we forget the ONE we are doing it for.It can happen.Divided loyalties.Misspent time.As I watched this dog I also thought of Anna the prophetess.In Luke 2:36-37 it says"There was also a Prophetess,Anna,the daughter of Phanuel,of the tribe of Asher.She was very old:she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,and then was a widow until she was eighty four.She never left the temple but worshipped night and day,fasting and praying."Now that to me was devotion.I admire that lady.In the midst of her grieving she remained devoted to God.She remained in the temple night and day fasting and praying.There are times in my life I have found it difficult to pray for one hour.But not Anna.I also thought of the Apostle Paul.Acts 20:24 says"However I consider my life worth nothing to me(KJV says but none of these things move me;I like that version best),if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."Paul was able to say this after the Holy Spirit had warned him that prison and hardships faced him.But he was devoted to God and God's call on his life.And therefore he was able to endure anything he faced knowing the ONE who called him would also equip him to endure.I don't know what lies ahead for any of us but I do know God can be trusted.He will enable us to endure if we keep our focus on and committment to HIM.May God richly bless and encourage you this day.
Much Love,Sharon

I'm Baaaaaccckkkk

Hi,
After a lengthy hiatus I have finally been able to return to my blog.I had computer issues on my new Dell(needed to update my virus protection for one thing).We downsized to an apartment and officially moved in on June 17th.Unpacking and getting settled was more laborious than I had planned on.Then my husband had to have surgery on his neck/back.He was having painful spasms that surgery may correct.He had it last Thursday(7-21-05).He came through with flying colors!Praise God for that!That night I ended up in our local ER.My heart had gone back into an irregular rhythm called Atrial Fibrillation.It did this in May of 2002 as well during another very stressful time in my life.For several days I had to go to the ER every 12 hours for a Lovenox shot.It's a blood thinner.I am back on several meds for the A-Fib.I see a cardiologist this morning for further testing.Now I could give into FEAR(False Evidence Appearing Real)but I have chosen to believe and trust God for this.I believe this is a test.This is only a test.I expect a full and complete recovery and restoration of my regular heart rhythm and soon!My husband I have been through fire and water the last 3 years and we have seen God's faithfulness daily.HIS power and ability to sustain us constantly amazes me.Truly we can say with the Psalmist"My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."(Psalm 73:26)I don't know what you may be facing today but I do know this.....God can be trusted to bring you through it.HE never fails.Yes,we face hard times,painful times,times of sorrow here on earth.BUT there is an eventual end to even all this.And God will see you through.Dare to trust HIM for whatever you're facing this day!
Till next time,Sharon

Flux and God's Faithfulness

It has been awhile since I have posted on here.The reasons are as follows.....I could not seem to access blogger at all.It was having a major fit apparently.I could not even access it to read comments on my first feeble attempts at blogging.Praise God anyhow.The second reason is I have just been extremely busy here.Changes(Flux) are coming here at home and soon.We are downsizing and moving in June.What we thought was a closed door was suddenly opened(God's Faithfulness).He is so very faithful when we trust Him.And when we don't He still remains faithful.The changes that are coming will be a good thing.Steve(a heart patient)will not have to do yardwork.I will still get to have my laundry set(it's a woman thing :-) .We are hoping(preparing)to have a huge garage sale before we move.It's all just"stuff"anyhow.Things we can replace if we need to.And none of it will be following us into eternity.I feel almost giddy at the thought of paring down.Of course we will save things of truly sentimental value.But even those things will not follow us into eternity with our ever-faithful God.Speaking of our ever-faithful God....My husband has found a P/T delivery job to supplement his disability each month.God is good ALL the time.His Son is awesome too!Have you met Him?His name is Jesus.I love Him with all my heart.I hope you do too.I am not sure how often I will be able to post on here over the next month or so but I will try and check in often.And even post if feeling inspired or having a spare moment.God bless everyone.
Love,Sharon