7 Days Time

Now That’s Some Heavy Metal!

July 6, 2015 by Sharita

This month, I celebrate 4 years (YEARS!?!) since my call to ministry.

And as I travel down Nostalgia Lane, I can’t help but think how far I have come– yet how God has walked with me through it all.

So here is a blast from the past– literally my fifth-ever blog post (I have more than 700 now!) but one whose truth’s still ring true…

Enjoy!

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When it comes to my iTunes playlist, my iPod, my Pandora account or car radio preset stations, you should know that there is no pattern, rhyme or reason to any of them. People have told me (on more than one occasion) that I have quite an eclectic variety of songs in my collection. I can’t really blame them for the loud exclamations of shock when my computer shuffles from Alison Krause to Asian techno to Broadway show-tunes to christian praise, back to classic country and yes, even over to a very-small-G-rated-collection of heavy metal favorites. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: God Tagged With: broken chains, freedom, grace, heavy metal

A letter to the Broken (#EverydayJesus Link-Up)

July 2, 2015 by Sharita

Welcome to another week of our Everyday Jesus link-up. Be sure to link-up below this post, comment on your neighbor’s blog and share with your friends… Because Jesus is everywhere, every day!

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Faith fact: Ministry is hard. Like cry-until-your-eyes-are-puffy hard. But it is totally worth it, times ten.

I am currently experiencing the hardest season of ministry of my life. You know that part in the bible that talks about bearing one another’s burdens and mourning with those who mourn?

Yeah. Totally wish that wasn’t in there. Because I have been grieving, encouraging and praying for several close friends and I swear– it feels like my heart is in about a million pieces.

But here is the good news: even in our hurt, God is there. So this is a word He shared with me to pass along during our most grief-striken, broken moments.

I pray that this “Letter to the Broken” speaks to any hurting, cracked or shattered hearts that might read it. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Everyday Jesus Tagged With: #EverydayJesus, broken, encouragement, hope, Word

Courageous Faith: Essential Ingredients

July 1, 2015 by Sharita

Here’s a riddle for you:

Most people want this, but often it is hard to find. When we get it, it isn’t enough. We have to act, because without action, it doesn’t exist.

The answer is courage.

Courage is so important that it is often woven throughout movies, stories and even our everyday life conversations. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Courageous Faith Tagged With: Christ, Courageous faith, hope, testimony

The Backwards PCS (Part 1) Army Wife Network

June 29, 2015 by Sharita

We all know that rocking this army wife life is rewarding. It is an adventure.

But you know what? Sometimes that adventure can daggum stress us out.

I personally believe that PCSing can be one of the most stressful events of our army lives.

So much coordination, so few answers. When are we leaving? When will the packers arrive? Can we drive both vehicles? How much is in savings? When do we report? When do the kids get out of school? When does school start? What is our weight limit again? Do we really like or furniture or can we just ditch it and start over? Where is the nearest chocolate stash? [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Army Wife Network Tagged With: army, Army Wife Network, humor, moving, PCS

At Work Before We See It #EverydayJesus

June 18, 2015 by Sharita

Welcome to another week of our Everyday Jesus link-up. Be sure to link-up below this post, comment on your neighbor’s blog and share with your friends… Because Jesus is everywhere, every day!

PS: Just as a heads up, I will be on a “Blogging Vacation” for the next 10 days or so as I am co-facilitating a national conference in Kentucky, then spending some time with family in Kansas. So until then, be blessed!

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When things fall apart, it is so, SO easy to start doubting God.

His love. His plan. His purpose.

But if I have learned one thing in my years walking (ok, sometimes barely stumbling) with Jesus, it is that He is always behind the scenes at work long before we see it.

He is like the guy who is the first one to clock in each day and the last one to leave. (Only He doesn’t take vacations or extended lunch breaks.)

I remember an experience from a few years ago where now I see that God was at work, long before we saw it. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Everyday Jesus Tagged With: #EverydayJesus, God, plans, Sovereign, work

The Wheels on the Bus

June 17, 2015 by Sharita

Hi friends! I am taking a quick breather from creating new material on Wednesdays as I prep for an upcoming conference and lay some foundational leadership work with a one of my local organizations. I was digging through the archives and found this post worthy of a re-share. I pray you enjoy it! Thanks for the grace.

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It’s been years since I’ve ridden on a school bus route for the sole purpose of getting to and from school.

Even now though, I still can’t see one of those big, yellow behemoths without being briefly taken back to my youthful days of riding the bus.

When I was in elementary school, we lived in rural North Central Kansas. North Central as in, seven miles from Nebraska. And rural as in, 90 (yes 90!) miles from the nearest Wal-Mart. So five days a week for year after year, I rode the big yellow school but from our house ten miles to town and back again.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: direction Tagged With: direction, guidance, humor, memories, youth

The Refreshed Cry

June 15, 2015 by Sharita

There was a time in my life not too long ago that I hated to cry in church.

I would do everything in my power to keep those tears from falling. Check out mentally from worship. Blink really hard, really fast. Breathe deep. Stop singing. Anything.

But then, I just got over it. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Feelings & Faith Tagged With: cry, emotions, faith, hope, refreshed

Video Blog: Joy-Full Fun #EverydayJesus

June 11, 2015 by Sharita

Welcome to another week of our Everyday Jesus link-up. Be sure to link-up below this post, comment on your neighbor’s blog and share with your friends… Because Jesus is everywhere, every day!

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I am not a fun-hater. Really I am not. But sometimes, you might think that.

Not because I deliberately avoid fun, but because I am a professional excuse-maker and rarely go in search of fun.

But this year, with my OneWord REST in full force, that is all changing.

Check out today’s hilarious (and rather informal) video blog about my quest for rest– and a more joy-full, fun life.

BTW: This video blog features a special guest appearance by a very special person, who happens to have blond hair, a dirty face and loves the great outdoors. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Everyday Jesus Tagged With: #EverydayJesus, fun, rest, video blog

Home is Where Jesus Calls You

June 10, 2015 by Sharita

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You’ve probably heard your share of “homey” quotes…

“Home is where the heart is.” “Home Sweet Home.” “Home is where you hang your hat.” “There’s no place like home” (Wizard of Oz, what, what!)

Ah, home. It conjures up all sorts of apple-pie-wafting, couch-snuggling, T.G.I.F sitcom watching (does anybody else remember the T.G.I.F television programming?) images of joy. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Home Tagged With: heaven, home, Joy, living, military, perspective