Sharon's Sharings

  Recently I was able to spend a few days in a different setting than my home.  I was at a beach, looking at the ocean.  The vastness of the ocean caused me to be aware and in awe of our creator.  Looking at starfish on the beach and thinking of the many sea creatures - like the sea horse! (They fascinate me)  What was God thinking?  Obviously not a question with an answer.  Who God He is…is beyond comprehension.  And yet, He created us in His image so we can have fellowship with Him!  If I spend much time thinking about that, I am overwhelmed.  I can’t wrap my mind around God loving me enough to first, create me, and then wanting me in heaven forever to be with Him.  Genesis 1:27 NKJ  “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” I believe, because He created us in His image and likeness, we have intrinsic worth as an individual.  God desires us to be the best version of ourselves.  We are to be accountable to Hi

When I became a believer in Jesus as my Savior, I was jokingly told, “don’t ever pray for patience”.  I think most all of us have heard or said that.  The truth is, we don’t have to be afraid that God will give us MORE situations needing patience.  I think we all have an abundance of daily living events that cause us to yearn for more patience.  If we are married, our husbands try our patience at times.  If we have children (of any age) we REALLY need to exercise patience.  Our jobs, our parents, our friends and acquaintances.  The person in front of us at the grocery store.  The examples seem endless.  Or is this just me? The dictionary defines patience as the “ capacity of calm endurance, tolerant and even tempered, perseverance”. Strong’s definition is makrothumis #3115.  From makros “long ” and thumos “temper ”.  The word denotes lenience, forbearance, fortitude, patient endurance, long-suffering . - Also the ability to endure persecution and ill treatment.   Patience

  “Obedience Motivated by Love ”  I read this recently and have been thinking about what that means to me.  We obey for many reasons.  When we are children we are taught to obey our elders. Often the reason for our needed obedience is to protect us. Many of us wives repeated marriage vows that included to obey our husbands.  Some of us may have rebelled at that phrase and were unwilling to carry out that command. Then, as Believers and followers of Jesus, we were taught to obey our leaders.  Sometimes we even blindly obeyed what a spiritual leader taught us without questioning if it was scriptural.  He (She) was an authority figure that was to be followed.  Hebrews 13:17a “obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them.” During this Covid 19 quarantine there have been many opinions on the different mandates.  In regards to church – do we obey the President/Governor or do we obey our interpretation of the scripture: Acts 5:29 NASB.  “ we must obey God rather

  Can you believe it is June already?   This time apart has seemed to move slowly but when I look back at March it is hard for me to believe it is June.   When I look back at the past year I am amazed that a year has passed since our granddaughter Madi, graduated High School.   I say it frequently – time seems to fly as I get older! Today I want to look at wisdom.  As I have been doing, I like to look up the meaning of a word.  (Thanks JoAllis for your example at Bible Study) Wisdom:       #1.  The ability to discern or judge what is true, right or lasting; insight                         #2.  Common sense; good judgment.                         #3.  The sum of learning through the ages; knowledge. I like all of these definitions.  As you can see by the first definition, wisdom often goes along with discernment.  We need wisdom to discern how to use good judgment.  I also like # 3.  Those that have known Jesus personally for many years frequently have an abundance of