I MOVED - Come On Over!!

Just a little update!

It has become too time-consuming to juggle two blogs at this time - so, I am concentrating on my other blog for the time being:

SHARON SHARING GOD

I would love to have you come over and visit me there!

Perhaps someday I will come back to this blog - we'll see.

But, I encourage each and every one of you to keep reading the Bible, God's Word, as it will nourish you like nothing else in life!


GOD BLESS!


"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:14-16, NLT)


"When in doubt, search God out!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - God "Unsettles" Me

A re-post.

Timely in its message for me - My first Sunday in my new home, in my new life.

“Will you pray for me?” my friend asked me the other day.

Fearing something terrible, I answered, “Of course I will, what’s wrong?”

She went on to explain. There wasn’t any earth-shattering horror in her life. No deadly disease, no financial mishap, no terrible loss. There wasn’t any BIG thing in her life. It was just…well, her life.

She went on to explain how unsettled she was feeling, unsteady and unsure.

How previous goals seemed unclear, and earlier dreams felt unmet. How a straight and narrow path now felt crooked and directionless. How the clarity of purpose she had as a younger person, now felt blurry and indistinct. How she just didn’t know what she was feeling, what she was supposed to be doing, where she should be headed – how she felt unnerved, unsure, uncertain...

“Oh,” I said. “You mean you’re feeling life queasy.”

“What?” she replied. “Life queasy?”

“You know, that feeling you get on a boat out at sea. The pitching and rolling just has you off-kilter. A little uneasy and uncomfortable. You can’t quite get your bearings. Except you feel this way about your life. Life queasy.”

She smiled. “Yeah, that’s exactly it.”

Do you ever feel this way?

Like a towel in a washing machine? All mixed up and disoriented?

It’s not a great feeling for anyone to feel, but especially for a Christian, I think. After all, we know the God of Wisdom and Purpose. We should have clear direction in our lives, we say to ourselves. We should have peace.

But we don’t – we feel distressed. We feel…shaken.

Today’s “Bible Pick ‘Ems” comes from the book of Amos, a prophet who knew a thing or two about being shaken up!

Surely Amos was a faithful man, a person whose life was devoted to God. But he was a simple shepherd and fig grower. He wasn’t the son of a prophet – not the son of a priest.

However, God had a purpose for Amos – a purpose that probably made him feel life queasy.

God took Amos from his homeland in the southern kingdom of Judah, and sent him to denounce the social and religious corruption of the northern kingdom of Israel. Amos obeyed God.

And though his message brought pronouncements of God’s judgment on Israel, it also brought the promise of restoration. Today’s verses bring a word of tremendous reassurance:

“For I will give the command and will shake Israel along with the other nations as grain is shaken in a sieve, yet not one true kernel will be lost.” (Amos 9:9)

Though these words were directed toward the nation of Israel, I think we can apply them to our lives. Sometimes God needs to do some shaking up. Sometimes He needs to “unsettle” us.

But always remember – God wants to redeem, not punish. He wants to purify, not destroy.

He wants to make us holy.

So God will always care more about our character than our comfort.

What can we hold on to when we’re being shaken?

The promise: The faithful will not be forgotten. True believers will not be lost.

God shakes those He loves.

"You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver."

(Psalm 66:10)

"I will bring [them] through the fire and make them pure.  I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold."

(Zechariah 13:9)

Where does God need to *shake you up* at this point in your life?

(NOTE: Comments are OPEN - I cherish your responses)

And I'd appreciate some prayers as I seek to solve my Internet *connection* dilemma next week!  If I go MIA for a bit, please know that I will find a way to return to Blog Land sooner than later!

"When in doubt, search God out!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - Someone To Watch Over Me

If you recall, these were my original thoughts about "Pick 'ems":

I know it probably isn't "spiritually PC" to randomly open the Bible and expect to find a meaningful verse – it opens the door to the whole "out of context" dilemma. (And...you might just find yourself in Leviticus!!) But, I decided that I wanted to do this, along with my regular reading through the Bible. The way I figured it, I wasn't *testing* God – in other words, "prove something to me, Lord" – I was *trusting* God – "show something to me, Lord." After all, don't we know that His Word is living, breathing, and powerful?!

So, I'm pickin' every day – letting you know what was going on with me that day – and then I'm going to sum up the *theme of the week* that I think God was impressing on my heart.

Hope you're as blessed as I've been!!

MONDAY - (feeling strong after a great message on Sunday morning)  "Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, 'Praise God for the Son of David!  Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!  Praise God in highest heaven!"  (Matthew 21:9)

TUESDAY - (a setback with the termite report)  "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.  So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea."  (Psalm 46:1-2)

WEDNESDAY - (moving furniture into the new house)  "I will bring them home again to live safely...They will be my people, and I will be faithful and just toward them as their God.  This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: Be strong and finish the task!"  (Zechariah 8:8-9)

THURSDAY - (a debit card was *compromised*)  "David asked the LORD, 'Should I chase after this band of raiders?  Will I catch them?'  And the LORD told him, 'Yes, go after them.  You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!'"  (1 Samuel 30:8)

FRIDAY - (packing unending boxes - will it ever be over?)  "Those I choose will inherit it, and my servants will live there.  The plain of Sharon will again be filled with flocks for my people who have searched for me."  (Isaiah 65:9)

SATURDAY - (asking for traveling safety)  "'Yes, we're coming,' the people reply, 'for you are the LORD our God."  (Jeremiah 3:22)

(Song Lyrics)

Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?

There's a somebody I'm longin' to see

I hope that he, turns out to be

Someone who'll watch over me

I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood

I know I could, always be good

To one who'll watch over me

It's been another hectic week.  But oh, the message that I received from God!  He made it so abundantly clear that HE is watching over me (and "The Hub") as we continue on the path up the mountain.

Never alone - this lamb is loved by The Good Shepherd - and He watches over me.

What has God said to YOU this week?

"When in doubt, search God out!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - My Father's Eyes

My mom and dad have three children.

Me, my brother, and my sister.

My mother has beautiful blue eyes.  So do my brother and my sister.  My dad has pretty hazel eyes.

So do I.

My dad is 82, and as I was talking to him the other day, it struck me…

I am the only child with his hazel eyes.

Yes, biologically I can figure it all out.  I remember the little grid charts showing the alleles for eye color.  I remember putting in the big *B* for brown, and the little *b* for blue.  So I had a 50/50 chance of getting hazel eyes.  My dad has a recessive gene for blue eyes, so that’s how my siblings were able to have blue eyes.  (Impressed by my science knowledge??  I'm impressed that I remembered any of that…)

But it never really hit me until the other day.  In some odd way, when I look into my dad's eyes, I'm sorta looking into my own.

It makes me feel special.

Got me thinking – 

When people look into my eyes, can they see the eyes of my Heavenly Father?

Oh, how I want to see the world and other people like He does!

And in honor of our Abba in heaven, here's some great verses about HIM:

Romans 8:15 "So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, Abba, Father."

2 Corinthians 6:18 "And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

Psalm 89:26 "He shall cry to Me, 'You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation."

1 John 3:1 "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." 

Matthew 6:26  "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Matthew 18:12-14 "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?  And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.  In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."

Luke 12:32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom."

John 14:1-2 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you."

John 16:27 "No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God."

  

Matthew 7:9-11  "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD!  

And best wishes to all those dads out there!  

How do you want to resemble your Heavenly Father?

"When in doubt, search God out!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - God...He Rules!

If you recall, these were my original thoughts about "Pick 'ems":

I know it probably isn't "spiritually PC" to randomly open the Bible and expect to find a meaningful verse – it opens the door to the whole "out of context" dilemma. (And...you might just find yourself in Leviticus!!) But, I decided that I wanted to do this, along with my regular reading through the Bible. The way I figured it, I wasn't *testing* God – in other words, "prove something to me, Lord" – I was *trusting* God – "show something to me, Lord." After all, don't we know that His Word is living, breathing, and powerful?!

So, I'm pickin' every day – letting you know what was going on with me that day – and then I'm going to sum up the *theme of the week* that I think God was impressing on my heart.

Hope you're as blessed as I've been!!

MONDAY - (renting the first U-haul truck for our big *move* up the hill - it's really gonna happen - scary!)  "I trust in the LORD for protection...the LORD is in his holy Temple; the LORD still rules from heaven."  (Psalm 11:1, 4)

TUESDAY - (trying to make tons of decisions)  "If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales, they would outweigh all the sands of the sea...At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One."  (Job 6:2,10)

WEDNESDAY - (traveling a 4-hour round-trip up and back to the new house)  "But I am trusting you, O LORD, saying, "You are my God !"  My future is in your hands...Let your favor shine on your servant."  (Psalm 31:14-16)

THURSDAY - (struggling to find internet for the new house - will it work out?) "How long, O LORD, must I call for help?...The LORD replied, 'Look around...look and be amazed!  For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it." 

(Habakkuk 1:2, 5)

FRIDAY - (under a lot of pressure - money issues)  "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.  Today's trouble is enough for today."  (Matthew 34:6)

SATURDAY - (the old house is emptying out, feeling sad)  "...God will surely come to help you and lead you out of this land...He will bring you back to the land he solemnly promised to give..."  (Genesis 50:24)

Well, the moving *saga* continues.  I have been plagued by time and money pressures, and the increasing reality that I am actually leaving this old, familiar home and place.  I've been frustrated with setbacks, and scared about the upcoming future.

But, God spoke plainly this week.  His message?  HE is still in control - HE is still on His throne.  And He continues to accompany me every step of this new journey.

He is there - He is the same God that has reigned forever!

What has God said to YOU this week?

"When in doubt, search God out!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - The Strength of My Heart

If you recall, these were my original thoughts about "Pick 'ems":

I know it probably isn't "spiritually PC" to randomly open the Bible and expect to find a meaningful verse – it opens the door to the whole "out of context" dilemma. (And...you might just find yourself in Leviticus!!) But, I decided that I wanted to do this, along with my regular reading through the Bible. The way I figured it, I wasn't *testing* God – in other words, "prove something to me, Lord" – I was *trusting* God – "show something to me, Lord." After all, don't we know that His Word is living, breathing, and powerful?!

So, I'm pickin' every day – letting you know what was going on with me that day – and then I'm going to sum up the *theme of the week* that I think God was impressing on my heart.

Hope you're as blessed as I've been!!

MONDAY - (had a fight with a family member)  "David got back everything...Nothing was missing: small or great, son or daughter, nor anything else that had been taken.  David brought everything back."

(1 Samuel 30:18-19)

TUESDAY - (extremely tired)  "I replied, 'But my work seems so useless!  I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose.  Yet I leave it all in the LORD'S hand; I will trust God for my reward."  (Isaiah 49:4)

WEDNESDAY - (very sad today)  "When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, 'Remember, O LORD, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.'  Then he broke down and cried bitterly...'This is what the LORD...says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears.'"

(Isaiah 38:2-3, 5)

THURSDAY - (feeling very lonely about moving away from my whole family and my friends)  "My wound is severe, and my grief is great...My home is gone, and no one is left...My children have been taken away, and I will never see them again."

"But the LORD is the only true God.  He is the living God and the everlasting King!"  (Jeremiah 10:19-20, 10)

FRIDAY - (crazy busy, hassles)  "Now go up into the hills...and rebuild my house.  Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the LORD...'I am with you, says the LORD!'"  (Haggai 1:8, 13)

SATURDAY - (packing, packing, packing)  "But now the LORD my God has given me peace on every side; I have no enemies, and all is well.  So I am planning to build...to honor the name of the LORD my God..."  (1 Kings 5:4-5)

Well, needless to say, this was a tough week.  The emotions connected to moving are beginning to really sink in - and they are affecting me more because I'm tired.  The message that God continued to give me this week is that HE will provide me with strength.

As always, my life is in His hands...

...and He continues to uphold me.

What has God said to YOU this week?

"When in doubt, search God out!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - Never Alone

If you recall, these were my original thoughts about "Pick 'ems":

I know it probably isn't "spiritually PC" to randomly open the Bible and expect to find a meaningful verse – it opens the door to the whole "out of context" dilemma. (And...you might just find yourself in Leviticus!!) But, I decided that I wanted to do this, along with my regular reading through the Bible. The way I figured it, I wasn't *testing* God – in other words, "prove something to me, Lord" – I was *trusting* God – "show something to me, Lord." After all, don't we know that His Word is living, breathing, and powerful?!

So, I'm pickin' every day – letting you know what was going on with me that day – and then I'm going to sum up the *theme of the week* that I think God was impressing on my heart.

Hope you're as blessed as I've been!!

MONDAY - (doing demolition at the new house, feeling exhausted)  "The LORD gives his people strength.  The LORD blesses them with peace."  

(Psalm 29:11)

TUESDAY - (worried about how our home inspection was going to turn out)  "Then he [Jesus] asked them, 'Why are you afraid?  Do you still have no faith?'"  (Mark 4:40)

WEDNESDAY - (family meeting with my aging parents, discussing their future)  "But the LORD will redeem those who serve him.  No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned."  (Psalm 34:22)

THURSDAY - (trying to sort out all the very confusing paperwork of escrow)  "Then the LORD gave this message to Solomon: 'Concerning the Temple you are building, if you keep all my decrees and regulations and obey all my commands, I will fulfill through you the promise I made...'"  (1 Kings 6:12)

FRIDAY - (traveling again up to our new home, wondering about the uncertain future)  "'Then I, myself, will be a protective wall...around Jerusalem, says the LORD.  And I will be the glory inside the city!'" 

(Zechariah 2:5)

SATURDAY - (feeling lonely, scared about moving away from family)   "'Can anyone hide from me in a secret place?  Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?' says the LORD."  (Jeremiah 23:24)

The reality of moving is settling in.  And the very tiring work of packing and paperwork is heavy.  This was a week when I was quite consumed thinking about the future.

God's message this week was this truth: He NEVER leaves His loved ones alone, and He is already present in every moment of their future.

He goes before me...

What has God said to YOU this week?

"When in doubt, search God out!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - New Format!

Things are rather hectic in my neck of the woods lately.

So I've decided to *re-vamp* the look of "Bible Pick 'Ems"…make it a little "shorter and sweeter" for now…

If you recall, these were my original thoughts about "Pick 'ems":

I know it probably isn't "spiritually PC" to randomly open the Bible and expect to find a meaningful verse – it opens the door to the whole "out of context" dilemma. (And...you might just find yourself in Leviticus!!) But, I decided that I wanted to do this, along with my regular reading through the Bible. The way I figured it, I wasn't *testing* God – in other words, "prove something to me, Lord" – I was *trusting* God – "show something to me, Lord." After all, don't we know that His Word is living, breathing, and powerful?!

So, I'm pickin' every day – letting you know what was going on with me that day – and then I'm going to sum up the *theme of the week* that I think God was impressing on my heart.

Hope you're as blessed as I've been!!

MONDAY – (Feeling overwhelmed and tired...) "Then the Spirit came into me and set me on my feet." (Ezekiel 3:24) 

TUESDAY – (Problems, problems, problems...) "O our God, hear your servant's prayer!  Listen as I plead…O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair…We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.  O Lord, hear…O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay…" (Daniel 9:17-19)

WEDNESDAY – (Feeling alone...are You there, God?) "But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power.  Then at last they will recognize that I am the one who speaks to them."  (Isaiah 52:6) 

THURSDAY – (After living in my home for 28 years, I'm really panicky and sad to leave...) "The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words.  I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends!  His mercies never cease.  Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."  (Lamentations 3:19-23) 

FRIDAY – (Wondering if I'm really doing the right thing...) "Then I heard the LORD asking, 'Whom should I send as a messenger to this people?  Who will go for us?' I said, 'Here I am.  Send me.' And he said, 'Yes, go…'" (Isaiah 6:8-9)  

SATURDAY – (In spite of all that's going on, and all the things I'm feeling, I know God is near...) "I will praise the LORD at all times.  I will constantly speak his praises…let all who are helpless take heart…I prayed to the LORD and he answered me.  He freed me from all of my fears…In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all of my troubles.  For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him."  

(Psalm 34:1-2, 4, 6-7)

Well…ahem…I think God was speaking directly to my heart about moving.  The emotions I have felt this week have been complex and difficult.  

But through it all, I keep praying, and God keeps answering me.

His Word speaks...

I do well to listen.

What has God said to YOU this week?

"When in doubt, search God out!"

BIBLE PICK 'EMS - A Mother's Day Poem

A MOTHER

She carries you for nine months,

Then cares for you

Forever...

She watches out for you

when you are young,

Then watches over you

for a lifetime...

She holds you closely in her arms

for a while,

Then tightly in her heart

Always...

She is there through every change,

Then never changes 

herself...

She teaches you about life,

Then lets you leave home...

and live -

A mother is

every gift of God

wrapped up in one person -

Joy, Peace

Patience, Kindness, Goodness

Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control

And most of all...

Love.

Though I am no longer a child,

I will always be 

My mother's child

And that is comfort personified -

My mother is

A safe place to be

A soft place to fall

A refuge in every storm...

She calms the winds of life

And helps smooth

the paths

I have chosen to walk.

I have never questioned 

Her love

or her faithfulness,

My faith in her

has never faltered...

She is the sun

that rises every morning,

And the promise

of a new day.

She is

The keeper of secrets,

The spark

to my dreams,

The footsteps

that walk beside me -

She is the one

on the sidelines

who whispers quietly,

with hands

folded in prayer

and

tears in her eyes,

"Go...go...go,

I'm here."

She is 

The quiet heartbeat

that keeps time

with my own...

My mother is

My best friend,

The beacon

of my life...

My mother is home...

© Sharon Jean Kirby

May 10, 2007

I LOVE YOU, MOM!

"Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.  And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.  Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.  Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

Thank you, Mom, for leading me to Jesus when I was young.

"Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." (Proverbs 22:6)

And thank you, Mom, for always showing me how to follow Him.

**********

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of you wonderful moms out there!!

**********

"When in doubt, search God out!"