Archives for August 2011

No More Cornflakes

August 31, 2011 by Sharita

I have a confession to make. Sometimes I feel like my faith is flakier than a box of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes.

I would love to say that I am strong pillar of faith, unshakable, undoubting at all times. But then that would be a lie. And last I checked, lying is a sin. True, I never lose faith that God exists, but sometimes I forget (doubt? worry about?) HIS faithfulness and sovereignty. Just last week during my morning quiet time at the kitchen table, I was studying Romans 4 where it was discussing Abraham’s faith and salvation through righteousness, not works. Before I could stop myself, I was praying for God to give me faith like Abraham. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: faith Tagged With: Abraham, bold, faith

Mistaken Identity

August 30, 2011 by Sharita

Who am I?

This is a question I have pondered all my life. Some days the answer seems rather clear, other times I got nothing. Somedays I feel as if I am 27 different people. I have always heard about having your identity in Christ. I honestly assumed that I did. But truly, I didn’t know what it meant until this last Sunday in church. I watched our healthy church support and love on a church leader who had to suddenly step down from his position in order to redefine his identity in Christ. It was an incredible act of obedience and courage. Amazing. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Jesus Tagged With: Christ, definition, identity

In the Garden

August 29, 2011 by Sharita

Growing up in northwest Kansas as the daughter in a farming/ranching family provided me with many chances to “get away.” Ok, let’s be honest– we were 90 miles from the nearest Wal-Mart. We were always “away,” so actually going somewhere was a big deal. Anyway, Dad worked a lot of hours taking care of the cattle and crops, but some of the most precious memories I have of my youth were those moments when I would climb onto the bathroom sink, lather up my face and pretend to “shave” as he did the same in the mirror. We would sing as we “shaved,” and to this day the song “In the Garden” takes me “away” and back to solidarity on the farm… and now to solidarity with God. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: peace Tagged With: family, garden, memories, peace

A Winning Team

August 23, 2011 by Sharita

This 8 wk semester I am taking an Evangelism class as well as a team leadership class… Here is one of my latest Discussion board posts… Hope it hits a home run! (or at least a grounder to 3rd)

*****

Although the Bible doesn’t blatantly use the words “team” or “teamwork,” I truly believe that team ministry is important and can be found in a variety of Scripture references as well as foundational principles for Christianity. However, for this posting, I have determined that 1 Corinthians 12:20-26 speaks the most significantly to my heart about team ministry. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: community, goal, Holy Spirit, leadership, team

A Little Big Conversation

August 21, 2011 by Sharita

I have learned over the years that I am a talker… Making small-talk, chattering away, sometimes talking very fast dominate my conversations. Fortunately over the years of maturing, I have learned to slow down (a little) and shut up (on occasion… still a work in progress.)

Part of this conversation development over the years has been found in my ability to talk to the Lord. We all have the ability to talk to him any time, any place. Some folks think that it has to be some flowery prayer, with a lot of “thous” and “thees” and “doeth” etc… If that is a comfortable method for you, go for it. But if you are a little more casual, we can have a “normal” and informal conversation. We all can have a personal relationship with Jesus, so it doesn’t have to be showy or involve using the right vocabulary words. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: commune, God, listen, praise, talk

The Best Medicine

August 20, 2011 by Sharita

I love to laugh. It doesn’t matter what kind of laugh– a small chuckle, a loud obnoxious snort, or a stomach-shaking-ribs-hurting-can’t-breath-tears-rolling all out hoot. It is such a release.

I’ve mentioned it before, but there are a lot of things in this world that I have to ponder/laugh about. Sure, I could choose to be upset and frustrated at things I don’t understand, but instead I decide to just chalk it up to the “Only God Knows” category. I really do have a list of things to ask God when I get to heaven. Yes, some are very deep and theological, but I have been reflecting the last couple of days on things of a lighter nature. I really believe that God has an incredible sense of humor– like what is the deal with Mondays? Or the platypus? And what is the purpose of the University of Kansas Jayhawks? (Just kidding. But seriously…) [Read more…]

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Filed Under: funny Tagged With: funny, humor, laugh, life

No Devil’s Food Allowed

August 18, 2011 by Sharita

So here’s the thing with eating, feasting and cooking. You have to have ingredients. How do we get ingredients? Agriculture. Now, I am not going to get all wound up talking about ag, because many of you know I could go off on a tangent and write a blog that is term paper length on that topic. But in order to feed ourselves and others, we have to first GROW the ingredients.

Just like growing crops or basic household herbs, it all starts with a seed. When it comes to planting things in our brains, we can either plant something that is going to help us feast with God or eventually produce Devil’s food (and sadly not the cake.) “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8) [Read more…]

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Filed Under: growth Tagged With: agriculture, faith, growth, seeds

A Friendly Feast

August 17, 2011 by Sharita

I love to cook. Ok, let me rephrase that: I love to feed the masses. Yeah, that is more accurate. I definitely am not the “chef” that uses fancy stuff like real garlic cloves and state-of-the-art equipment. Rather, I love to surprise people with food whether it is bringing a little something extra/unique to a picnic or feeding and entire company of drill sergeants strawberry pretzel salad dessert because they have been working ridiculous hours. It is one of the ways that I love on people. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: food Tagged With: Christ, courage, faith, feed, food

Deep Fried & Covered in Chocolate

August 16, 2011 by Sharita

Living in the south makes me hungry! (Can you say Paula Deen??)

Correction…. Living in the United States makes me hungry! (ORDER UP!)

Additional Correction… Living makes me HUNGRY! (Om nom nom)

I love to eat. Maybe you do too. It has evolved from a necessary means of survival to a social event, a cultural experience and and a daily conversation (argument?) among people. “What’s for supper? Where do you want to eat?” Oftentimes, it is a daily battle to stay focused on the “big picture” of staying healthy and eating “properly.” (Let’s be honest… many of us wouldn’t really have an issue with eating fried chicken, mashed potatoes and chocolate cake every day if we knew it wouldn’t lead us down a scary path! If I had the metabolism of a 3 yr old, you bet I would partake!) [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: analogy, chocolate, food, humor