by Sharon O | Aug 28, 2018 | Uncategorized
God chooses you for a purpose in your life, so you can say completely, “I am chosen.”
Whether you believe in a God or not, you are chosen to live the life you have been given.
Our Pastor continued his teaching on The Increase and I of course took many notes.
We find increase in our lives by identifying our identity.
Some of us have made the wrong agreements that have shaped us towards a wrong direction.
When we say agreement, it is not a ‘verbal’ YES. It is a spiritual ‘agreement’ in our heart.
For instance if someone told us when we were young we were not pretty, or not smart, we could take that internally and then make the agreement to ourselves that ‘no matter what’, I cannot be pretty or smart.
It is an internal agreement.
Identity has everything to do with who you see you are. If you believe in yourself then you can do well.
If you feel you will fail then you possibly will. Your Identity shapes your future.
It is about Who made us and who empowers us to walk whole.
If we don’t allow our identity to lead us to a positive direction; possibly towards God who made us, we will turn and move away from Him and become more negative.
Pastor said, “Learn to find the right reflection of you. Grasp it and don’t let it go.”
It is transformational, to understand and see who you really are in the EYES of the Lord who loves you.
Pastor said God always takes our weaknesses and expands them towards our growth.
If I am by nature a introvert which I am (which is not a weakness but if I am leader it could be).
God might ask me to go to a seminar and be a part of a large group. Not my comfort zone but through that process I could grow stronger in areas so I can move forward in others.
Sometimes God has to lower us, in order to elevate us.
1 Samuel 16: “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
It is a heart condition that stirs our identity and direction.
David was chosen in this passage of Samuel because his heart was balanced, anointed and gifted.
God knew his heart condition was right and He knew He trusted in a process.
David was not scared when he fought Goliath because HE knew the power was from God.
In his weakness he might have said, “HE is big”; In his faith, he said, “MY God is bigger.”
He had confidence that God would not leave him alone in the time of need when meeting the enemy.
We find strength when we meet our Goliath’s in life and realize they have NO power over us.
Learn to find the right reflection of yourself and grasp it with a firm grip.
Whether you believe in God or not, it doesn’t matter because the truth is, your identity was given by Him when you were born. What you do with that information is your destiny. It is your choice.
He chose you for a purpose and that purpose is to find His love.
by Sharon O | Aug 21, 2018 | Uncategorized
When you think about the written word, it brings relationships to a new level.
After writing the last blog post; I have been thinking about the art of writing letters and notes.
Isn’t it a wonderful surprise when you get a note in the mail that you didn’t expect?
Or better than that, someone actually mails you a little gift box that says, “I have thinking of you.”
It is so easy to do yet for some reason we don’t do it very often.
I am not sure why, is it easier to send a note on your phone or an email?
Sometimes the old fashioned way is the best.
I even have an old fashioned spiral bound address book.
It is easy to navigate for me, especially when I can find it. (which pile did I put it in?)
It is not electronic and not difficult to use.
Long time friends are in my address book. It is kind of like the calendars on my wall, it is a sense of history that I got from my grandma. She always had things written on her paper calendar.
There were years and years of calendars that noted doctor appointments and luncheons.
I like paper and pens. I don’t do a lot on my phone it limits me and my computer is just what it is, not as good as paper and pens. I have a paper calendar in my purse for appointments.
My den tends to be a bit of a mess but I can find what I need in whatever pile I placed it in.
I guess one could say I am old fashioned.
When you think about the written word, you move into the realm of keepsakes and legacy.
At least I would hope that my family would love and treasure; the few books that have been printed with all my years of blogging inside them.
I think the written word especially in hand writing is very traditional and precious.
What are your thoughts? Do you have a special tradition around notes and cards?
I would love to hear about them.
by Sharon O | Aug 18, 2018 | Uncategorized
The discipline of writing is a very integrated part of our lives, for those of us who write on a regular schedule.
Ann Voskamp who is a very well known writer, once said, “Even an audience of one, deserves full attention. Write for God’s purposes and the rest will fall into place.”
(This is not a direct quote just sharing the concept)
I do believe the idea is wonderful.
My little writing space is not well known, is not meeting the masses with great numbers or even reaching out to those in the writing field.
I write because I love it. Not because I have a huge following, but because it’s a discipline for me just as my exercise or my food prep.
I think for me it is more a calling of my heart to leave not only a legacy of words but also encouragement for those who read it.
This last month I joined an online face book group that challenges the art of writing.
Leaving the computer and purchasing paper, notecards, a good pen and a list of those who you want to bless with a hand written note from your heart.
I love the idea and challenge.
In our world of technology we have lost the art of hand writing.
My own cursive writing has changed throughout the years, since I don’t do it often.
In church I take notes as fast as the Pastor is speaking and my words are messy and sometimes not clear to read.
I choose to slow down. I choose to purchase stationary that is pretty, with nice envelopes.
Stamps are not that expensive, and even a pretty pen doesn’t have to break a budget.
Shall we challenge ourselves to think of our friends or perhaps even family members; then send them a well thought out… note from your heart?
The lady who guides the face book group calls it, “capturing the written word.”
How we can bless someone with an unexpected note.
She said there is power in giving and receiving.
I know the art of thank you notes has gone by the wayside and it is sad.
If someone purchases a gift for you; that means they went out of their way to think of you, and then made the effort of purchasing out of their budget the gift.
That deserves a thank you note.
When we were young little girls I remember our mom making us write thank you notes to our grand parents. Sure wish I could see those little hand writings now. It would be a treasure.
So this little unknown blog writer is challenging you to join me in this new idea.
Let’s think about who we can bless, what we need in order to do it, and how we can not make this a project but rather a new lifestyle of writing.
Let’s do this.
Our thank you note from our wedding almost 44 years ago.
by Sharon O | Aug 16, 2018 | Uncategorized
We go to the beach quite often and the camp where we go to every Thursday has a place that was created for conversation and sharing.
When I walk by it I imagine the many conversations taking place in the dark while eating smores together around the fire pit full of warm crackling flames.
It is a place for friendships and challenges, and even maybe a place for prayer.
Those who created it called the spot ‘a conversation pit’.
It is in a circle in the sand with hand made benches and one can see the ocean that is barely visible if they walk upward on a sand bank.
Many who have sat in this place find it peaceful and relaxing and the invitation for conversation is a bonus as they sit there with each other.
If you were there what would you talk about? It is an invitation to be real and honest.
Sharing from one’s heart is difficult for most of us.
Most of the time when I go down to the beach I try to walk 2-2.5 miles.
It is relaxing and good for me.
But when I do go I am not just by myself. There are other people here.
My last blog writing I shared about a special friend of mine, and this kind of
goes back to my thoughts about friendships and the matters of the heart sharing.
When you have a special friend you value and then add special time spent together; it becomes a part of your favorite gift you can give yourselves.
I value all the friends I have in my life and strive to make them a very important part of my life.
A conversation pit does not have to just be at the beach, it can be in a coffee shop with someone, or church or a restaurant.
Wherever you both feel safe to share openly and honestly about matters of your heart.
Have you ever been in that kind of setting?
by Sharon O | Aug 10, 2018 | Uncategorized
The gift of friendship is one that I do not take lightly.
We just got back from a trip to central Oregon to see my good friend and her husband.
Our boys used to play together and it has been a friendship of over 30 years.
It was a wonderful time of sharing with each other and also exploring a little of the area.
We went to the high desert museum which has been on my husband’s bucket list.
It was a hot day and to be inside some of the time was nice.
My friend and I have been close for many years. She is a gift to me.
As we have aged we have changed in our physical appearances and also our health.
Both of us are dealing with potential problems that should they get worse; we will need additional help.
We pray for each other and we encourage each other.
It is a friendship of comfort. There are no games and no hidden agenda’s.
It is a friendship that challenges the best in us to come out and the not so good to leave.
I value her and her wisdom and her ability to rise above her situations.
She is a warrior who survived losing her first husband, and who waited for over 7 years for the right ‘other’ man of her dreams to come into her life. She is happy and loved now.
She is classy and smart and I am so very glad to be a part of her life.
The gift of friendship is just that, a gift we unwrap carefully and then treasure.
It is something that creates in us a ‘feeling’ of value.
I believe in her and she believes in me. We pray for each other and always want the best for each other.
“Many people will walk in and out of your life but only true friends leave footprints in your heart.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
