Sharon's Sharings

  On a recent Sunday, our Worship Team sang a song called: “Confidence” by Sanctus Real.   A section of the beginning verse says:             “I feel unqualified for what you’re calling me to             But Lord with Your strength, I’ve got no excuse                                   ‘cause broken people are Exactly who You use.”   ‘cause broken people are Exactly who You use spoke to me.    Some days I feel broken.  Broken has several definitions:  The ones that personally speak to me are: “Being in a state of disarray; subdued totally; humbled”   I know this pandemic life has sometimes caused me to feel in disarray.  Spiritually, being subdued and humbled is a good place to be if I can learn and rely on the Lord’s strength to bring ...

  Humility – “A lack of false pride; modest opinion of one's own importance or rank;  meekness   Do I demonstrate this virtue?  Sometimes I am so sure I am right about a situation.  It could be an opinion or a disagreement.  My side is the correct side.   Humility is a virtue I admire and strive for.  Proverbs 11:2 NLT “ Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”   Proverbs 29:23 NLT “ Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor”.   Now we are back to that dirty word – “Pride”.  It can get us into all kinds of trouble.  Proverbs 3:7 NLT “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.  Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil”.   Am I sometimes prideful?  Absolutely!  I’m ashamed to say “I” think I am right.  I can figure out a problem without prayer or Godly input and advice.   I have judged what I consider pride in others, but I don’t always see it in myself.   Ephe...

  The past two weeks have given me the opportunity to pray about some family and non-family issues. God has shown me in many different ways how important it is to continue to “pray without ceasing”   1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT says: “ Never stop praying ”                                                       Sometimes I get tired of praying.   I say to God    “I have prayed about this same situation for so long – years!   You know, God, please just do something – or don’t- I give up!"   Of course that is just where God wants me!   Trusting Him to make it work, not me.    Have you ever said or thought something like this or am I the only one?   Romans 12:12 NLT “ Rejoice in our confident hope.  Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”   I know the only way some hur...

    Good Morning my Friends,   I recently read in my Jesus Calling devotional “Understanding will never bring  you Peace.  That’s why I have instructed you to trust in me, not in your understanding.”    I am a master at trying to figure things out.  I include the Lord, but it is to say: “why Lord?”  Instead of Proverbs 3:5,6 NLT “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”     I have questioned why this Pandemic has carried on so long? Why life can be so difficult at times? Why, why, why?  It gets me nowhere. If I figure out one thing, there is always another thing to question.    I can pray and ask for understanding but the understanding God gives me may be different than me trying to figure out a situation and “understand” it from my limited perspective.  This past week I thought I had...

  Greetings Ladies,   This is Jo Allis writing to you this week. Sharon asked if I would do so as her daughter and family from Utah are   here visiting.     I had a couple of frustrating experiences this week.    I messed   up   the membership application on our website . Messed up doesn't sound very professional but there is just no other way to say it.   I   also   somehow   uninstalled my printer at home. I did not know how to fix either problem. Well my son fixed our home printer and he was nice about it.    I reached out to Pastor Jen about the membership application and she was gracious. She said it sounded like I was having an “I love Lucy kind of day”. Yes, indeed I was. I felt like I just could not do anything right. After, I beat myself up and cried. I prayed and called on God for comfort.   He reminded me of a word He gave me about comparing myself to other people a few years ago. He led me to Psa...