When I think of the Christmas story

by Sharon O | Dec 3, 2019 | Uncategorized

When I think of the Christmas story; I am in awe and in amazement of the amount of players that were used to create the scenes.
It is orchestrated like a screen play with every one doing every little part to make the whole, story complete.
God was so wise to use a simple teenager, and a humble man.
It was perhaps a love story that would be tested from the moment the angel met with Mary.
She was a teen, so young and being told. “You are to be the chosen one.”
She had a tender heart full of acceptance and honor.
Can you even imagine how it started? Being startled by an angel in the room?
Don’t be afraid. (Of course he would have to say that!) I would be terrified.
I have always been amazed over the fact that the angel spoke in a language Mary could understand.
I wonder if sometimes WE get an angel among us telling us things that we hear, but not realizing Who was telling us?
Mary was the chosen one to be the Mother of Jesus.
In Luke 1: The story is written and played out and it unravels with each and every character.
The beginning of it began with Zechariah and Elizabeth who were relatives of Mary.
It was the miracle before the miracle.
Their son, John would be born before Jesus.
Elizabeth was barren for many years and then Zechariah was told they would have a son.
He didn’t believe the angel and so the angel told him to be quiet until the birth took place.
I don’t blame him for doubting, that would be the reaction of many in the same situation.
But God… can do miracles.
A miracle before the miracle.
When I think of the Christmas story I am always in awe of the details and the obedience.
It was all taking place so the day of delivery could happen.

I will praise the name of God with a song

by Sharon O | Nov 27, 2019 | Uncategorized

I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30 RSVEnter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5 NRSV
When I read these words it is a great reminder that Thanksgiving is not just a day for good food, and being with family or friends.
It is a day for perspective of giving thanks.
I will SING the NAME of God with a song. I will MAGNIFY HIM with Thanksgiving.
(Those are action words…it requires our participation)
Enter his gates with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise.
(Go into the sanctuary whatever that may be, an old church or a gym) it doesn’t matter just go with the intention of praise.
Give THANKS to him. BLESS his name
(for we have so much to be thankful for and we are so blessed)
It is a perspective of Thanks.
When someone does something really special for you, it is a common courtesy to write a thank you note to express to that person; what it meant for you to receive.
How can we not do that for God?
Give THANKS with a grateful heart, Give Thanks to the HOLY ONE.
(Who by the way made a way for you and I to receive GRACE)
I love to sing worship and praise songs; it is one thing that will touch my spirit deeply.
To add to that good old Southern Gospel does that too.
I think every church no matter what kind; has books of hymnals or songs of praise on the white pull down boards.
Songs bring us to the place of listening. A place of worship. A thankful place. A place of receiving.
Without God’s intervention we would not have a place of forgiveness.
That in itself is a big one to be thankful for.
Soon we will be sitting around our table with those we care for and love and we will remember to give thanks.
For the blessings we have received, I will praise the name of God with a song.
Maybe for once we can sing the doxology together.

click onto the above link.

When I think of what we can be thankful for

by Sharon O | Nov 20, 2019 | Uncategorized

When I think of what we can be thankful for it is easy to make a list and then be done with it.
Not so easy my friend, we must really take in and consider all the many blessings we have surrounding us.
First of all, we live in houses that have heat. We can go to a thermostat and turn it up or down.
Some people do not have that choice.
Second of all, we have fresh running water to make coffee or brush our teeth or shower.
Some people do not have that choice.
We have facilities within our home that keep us clean, such as bathrooms, dishwashers or laundry.
Some people do not have that choice.
We woke up in a warm comfortable bed with clean sheets and warm blankets and soft pillows.
Some people do not have that choice.
We made our breakfast from food that was kept safe in a refrigerator that is cold with an oven that is warm.
Some people do not have that choice.
We walk on clean soft carpeting, as we look out a window that is open to the outside; yet it keeps us safe inside.
Some people do not have that choice.
At any point in time we can get into our car and drive down the road to a grocery store for fresh goods.
Some people do not have that choice.
Are you beginning to get the picture of how blessed we are? How fortunate we are? How thankful we should be?
Not to put a should upon you or me, but so often we complain and get frumpy for no real reason.
We have nothing to complain about when we think of others in different situations that is not our reality.
Inconveniences for us would be a major blessing to some of them.
Not to use the ‘them and us’ concept but you understand what I mean?
When I think of what we can be thankful for it is easy to make a list and be done with it.
May I challenge us all to think more clearly and with more intentions?

Heading into Thanksgiving season

by Sharon O | Nov 17, 2019 | Uncategorized

Heading into the Thanksgiving season,
I realized the other day that the holiday is almost upon us.
Seems like the year has just raced past us.
We had such an interesting year with a major move, a death and losses on many levels.
I am still recovering from the change.
It was a good change.
We needed to move from a two story home to a single level; only it happened so fast I am still trying to navigate through boxes.
When you pray for a new direction be very aware HE might show you in a mighty way.
Our house sold quickly and we had a very short window of time to find a new one.
Our little home is cozy, and the yard isn’t much; but it’s just enough for us.
I thought I needed all the ‘other’ things we had, but in reality when we moved many of the them were not needed.
We rehomed at least 10 pieces of furniture, boxes of ‘goodwill’ items and an assortment of clothes for a church drop off.
I love to repurpose things, or give things away.
It is fun to bless others with something; Or as a last resort I will sell something.
As we are settling into this new place we call home.
I am feeling most thankful that all of our grand children live close to us.
Our grown children did not move far away so we can see them very easily within an hours drive.
We have a good relationship with both of them and they both call us often.
We can go to events at the schools or extra activities the kids are a part of and it is nice to be a face in the audience.
I feel thankful that our health is good.
I feel thankful that our finances are not in bad shape.
I feel thankful that we have a wonderful church home and a good small group of people we associate with.
Heading into Thanksgiving I challenge you to write down the things in your life you can be thankful for.

I am remembering at the six month mark

by Sharon O | Nov 8, 2019 | Uncategorized

I am remembering at the six month mark, my sister has been gone now for half a year.
Still so hard for me to imagine not seeing her, hearing her voice, talking to her.
Even when she was gone in her earlier years sometimes years at a time, she always returned.
Always at Christmas. The holidays brought her home.
Not this time.
Loss happens to all of us on so many levels depending on who is the one we lost.
Sometimes a friend, sometimes a relative, sometimes even a much loved animal friend.
It is always hard to say that final goodbye.
Even Jesus had loss in his life.
When Lazarus died he cried. Two words, Jesus wept.
He wept even though he knew HE had the power to bring him back, he wept because of his love for him.
At times the grief comes close to me and I let it sit and then I wait for it to leave.
It is good to remember.
It is good to remind ourselves; that we were three, and now we are two.
I don’t want to ever forget who she was, oh sure at times she was a pain and her behavior was far from perfect.
But she was a sister. And I did stand up for her over and over many times when we were growing up.
As she got older she needed someone to speak for best interest. I did that too.
I couldn’t always protect her, and she didn’t always want me too.
It was ok to release some responsibility for someone else.
I was the youngest and I am remembering at the six month mark, how much she is missed.
I was reminded that it is only 5 months, December will be the 6 month mark.