7 Days Time

A Walk Through the Parables: The Banquet

September 1, 2014 by Sharita

I am a pretty social person.

On a scale of 1-10, I would say I fall somewhere around a 12.

My personality loves interacting and entertaining (except for the part where I have to prep and clean the guest bathroom.) Sure, I love time to myself, but I really enjoy hanging out with folks.

This used to be no big deal “back in the day” when I was footloose and fancy-free. Just myself (and my studies) to worry about. I didn’t attend every social event but it would take a pretty big college exam to keep me from “just dropping by.”

Now, as a wife, mama and minister who lives a couple thousand miles from family, I have to mark the “Regretfully will not be attending” box more than I would like. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: A Walk Through the Parables Tagged With: banquet, best, discernment, invitation, loyalty, Parables

Answers in the Moment (#EverydayJesus Link-up)

August 28, 2014 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!

***

Few things in this world freak me out more than having a total brain lapse in front of a crowd.

You know what I mean– you are in the middle of sentence, addressing someone (or several someones) about something important then BOOM.… Brain. Goes. Blank.

This happened to me earlier this summer as I was co-facilitating a three-day national leadership conference for about 45 high school students.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Everyday Jesus Tagged With: #EverydayJesus, answers, Christ, conference, faithfulness, leadership, moment

Stay In Step

August 27, 2014 by Sharita

You might have noticed that Wednesdays are my days to take a breath. To rest. Recharge. To work toward some super-awesome God-sized goals for 2014. So here is a blast from the past straight from the archives. Enjoy, dear friends… and thanks for the grace.

***

“TTWWWWWEEEEEETTTTT!!”

Click, click, click, click… “One, two, three, four…”

Oh, the glory days of marching band. Now, before you start the cracks about being a band nerd, know that my high school was kinda tiny. Tiny like I graduated with 18 people in my class. And had about 80 people in our entire high school.

Which meant you were either in the band… Or you weren’t. (And seriously– who really wanted to go to an extra study hall? Pshaw.) [Read more…]

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Filed Under: challenge, God, obedience, path Tagged With: band, God, guidance, humor, life, march, step

Laugh A Little

August 26, 2014 by Sharita

Don’t be afraid to get close and crack up. Even if you have boogers on your face.

“Don’t take life too seriously because you won’t get out of it alive.”

I have heard that saying multiple times. It is plastered on Pinterest, bumper stickers and even T-shirts.

Although following Jesus is serious business, it isn’t supposed to be monotonous or boring. God created laughter for a reason.

How often are we intentionally engaging the gift of laughter?

I try to do so on a regular basis. Admittedly, I have my seasons where I forget, put my serious pants on and face each day with an intense grimace… Until my hubs reminds me to lighten up and enjoy the ride.

I want to pass that onto others– even if it might make me look a little goofy or make someone feel bit awkward. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: funny Tagged With: humor, joke, laugh, lighten

A Walk Through The Parables: The Tenants

August 25, 2014 by Sharita

Sometimes stories in the Bible make me grimace.

Not because I have a weak stomach but because this following Jesus business is dang serious.

There is a lot at stake and I am constantly asking God to do a “heart-check” to make sure my pulse still beats for Him… Because let’s be honest, it is crazy easy to get distracted in our world full of “bright and shiny” instant gratification teasers.

Which is what today’s parable is all about… Brace yourself. It’s about to get real all up in here as we dig into the Parable of the Tenants, found in Matthew 21:33-46 and Mark 12:1-12.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: A Walk Through the Parables Tagged With: greed, hope, parable, sin, tenants

Attitude of Gratitude 365 (#EverydayJesus Link Up)

August 21, 2014 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!

***

I would say that for the most part, I am a pretty optimistic, positive person.

But honestly, I have my days where that is SO not the case.

I try to look on the bright side of things, but on the days when this army-wife-life is extra challenging, my attitude changes from positive to negative quicker than you can say “Wait… the army wants us to do what now?”

However, I have learned that having a positive attitude is one of the best ways not only to survive this roller coaster ride that is loving a soldier, but it is a key to thrive.

With a little practice, we can keep ahold of that positive outlook by training ourselves to have an attitude of gratitude, 365 days a year. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Army Wife Network, Everyday Jesus Tagged With: #EverydayJesus, attitude, faith, gratitude, thankful

Cool story, Bro.

August 20, 2014 by Sharita

Our first dance started out all sweet and romantical… Then we busted out the salsa. With maracas. Seriously. I guess you had to be there.

***

“DUDE! It was awesome! There was like this guy and these three girls, and they sang some stuff, and then the stage lit up and sparks showered from the ceiling.”

Ever tried to share an incredible story or experience with someone and you are met with a dumbfounded look of incomprehension? When that happens in our household, my husband often says “Huh. Cool story, bro.” (Even though I’m not his bro. I’m his wife. But that’s besides the point.) [Read more…]

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Filed Under: excited, glory, God Tagged With: blessing, existence, experience, gift, humor, story

Video Blog: The Wake Up Call

August 19, 2014 by Sharita

Vintage purple 1970s twin bell Westclox alarm clock

Image via Adelle & Justin @ Flickr

Sleeping through an alarm is zero fun.

Plus it takes away the need/enjoyment of a shot of caffeine in the morning because let’s be honest– when we are running behind, who has time?

Today’s video blog is all about waking up… And answering God’s call. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: glory Tagged With: awareness, obedience, video blog, wake-up call

A Walk Through The Parables: The Two Sons

August 18, 2014 by Sharita

As a Christian, I sometimes feel like I have multiple personalities.

But in all actuality, those alleged split personalities are really just the yucky places in my heart (see also: sin) that are constantly at war with my call to be like Christ.

It’s exhausting, I tell you.

If we are honest with ourselves, there is probably a little bit of hypocrite in all of us. We say one thing and do another. We know how we are a supposed to love/behave/react as followers of Jesus but before you can say “Stop right there, word vomit!” we do or say something that might make folks raise a quick eyebrow as to our heart status. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: A Walk Through the Parables Tagged With: obedience, parable, sons, truth

Just Get on the Plane (#EverydayJesus)

August 14, 2014 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!

***

Right after college graduation, I decided that to properly enter the big kid world, I needed to do something drastic.

So I decided to go to China for 10 days. By myself.

Yes, I had a friend that was already living over there, but all planning, transportation and the like was on me. Plus my friend has to work during the day so I knew I would be on my own in the “little” Chinese town of Xiamen (pronounced: Shaw-men, population: 2 million people. And yes, that is small for China.)

My flights booked and I had my passport and visa in hand. I had only flown internationally one other time and it certainly wasn’t to the other side of the planet by myself.

Needless to say, I was a wee bit nervous.