I pray for God to empower me to overcome this desire for food.  Who am I to think I shouldn't be tempted, Satan tempted Jesus for forty days in the wilderness.  Afterward Jesus was hungry and Satan said," If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread".  Luke 4:3. Jesus answered, "It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of GOD".  Luke 4:4.
I have never fasted before, but I have been hearing God tell me I need to fast.  It's a scary thing for me, since I love food so much.  This has been on my mind for quite a while but I haven't done it yet.  I keep telling myself I'll start tomorrow.  I know I'm not being obedient and I feel guilty for not listening, yet I still haven't done it.  Why is this so hard for me?  I mean Jesus did it for 40 days, I could do it for at least a few days.  The purpose of a spiritual fast is to draw the believer closer to God. (Joel 2:12-15) The Lord is not moved by fasting itself but rather by the turning of the hearts of His people toward righteousness. (Acts 10:30-33) The Bible repeatedly cautions that true fasting is not merely abstinence from food. (Matt. 9:14,15) Fasting must be accompanied by sincere repentance and good works(Is. 58:3-7) and must never be done to impress others, as mere ritualism or as a source of spiritual pride.(Luke 18:10-14)(The Woman's Study Bible)  But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matt. 6:17-18)  
Monday morning, I forgot all about fasting and ate breakfast.  So since I already ate I thought I better start tomorrow.  I pray God will help me to keep this fresh on my mind so I will not forget and eat something.  I don't know how long to fast, just until God tells me to stop. (If I can ever start)  I really want to be obedient.  I'm disappointed in myself for not being able to fast yet.  
Lord, I want to do what you want me to do.  Keep speaking to me, don't give up on me.  I want to hear you and obey you.  Keep this fresh in my mind so I can do it intentionally for you.  I want you to be proud of me, Father God.  I love and adore you and praise your Holy Name.  In Jesus name I pray, AMEN.  


Have a Wonderful Monday,

Shari

Scholarship Time!!

Here are some wonderful websites I think you will love, I know I do - http://lysaterkeurst.com/2011/03/she-speaks-scholarship-contest-2011, also http://shespeaksconference.com.   The She Speaks Conference is offering some awesome scholarships.  I have such a desire to write and speak and I would love the opportunity to attend the conference.  I have wanted to attend for several years but haven't been able to do so.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow with many other ladies in a Christian atmosphere.  I would so appreciate the opportunity to attend.  The scholarship includes the conference fees, all materials, training classes, meals, and a room for several nights during the conference.  I will have a chance to meet with christian authors and speakers, and people from christian publishing companies.  It would be so awesome to learn how to work on and improve my blogs, too.

Thank You,

Shari

Getting Back to normal (Whatever that is)!

This week the kids are back in school after 9 days out. Momma was kinda ready to get back into the normal routine. 
Valentines Day was very nice. Lots of treats to devour over the next week or so.   I had to drive to Chickasha, Ok.  to get a truck for Blue Ribbon. It was a nice drive, there was a slight overcast so the sun wasn't too bright.
Tomorrow is my birthday!  My mom and I are going to Tulsa to eat and shop,  just a girls day out.  We will actually be able to carry on a conversation without being interrupted by my sweet son. 
I have been reading this neat cookbook I got from my mom for Christmas, The Pioneer Woman Cooks, by Ree Drummond, also from Oklahoma.  She has a great blog, www.ThePioneerWoman.com, which tells of her adventures living in rural Oklahoma on a ranch, and lots of recipes.  I get daily emails with  her great recipes.  She is so cute!  She went from city girl to country girl and tells funny stories of her life on the ranch.   She also has giveaways, like her favorite electric mixer, she loves so much,  she likes to give them away.  Maybe I'll start having giveaways, when I figure out what to give away.  Another  blog I like to follow is, Lysa Terkeurst.  She has a great new book called, Made to Crave, about craving God not food.  I have the book ordered and can't wait to get it!  I have a terrible time with food.  I think I am addicted, like a drug addict but with food.  My world revolves around food and when it's time to eat.  I even asked for food for my birthday!  There is an awesome bakery in Holdenville, Ok. called Calico Kitchen.  They have these incredible cookies called, Cloud Nine, indescribable!! They are AWESOME!! I asked for these for my birthday, is that so wrong? And, from my husband I asked to go to my favorite place to eat in McAlester, OK. , Giacomos, the most amazing Italian food ever!   What can I say, I LOVE  FOOD!!   I must say I do have a food problem, I love to eat it!!  And I hate to exercise, but I plan to try to start walking, soon.  After the 9 days of being snowed in I gained so much weight. I really didn't like going outside in the snow, but I did.  We made a cool  sled trail, and yes, I did sled, too.  We live so far away from anyone, Billy doesn't have anyone to play with, so you guessed it, his playmate is, Me and the dogs.   I guess it will be over before I know it, so I am going to enjoy it while it's here.  ENJOY YOUR FAMILY while you have the chance!

Enjoy your day! 

Shari

If you are in Oklahoma I'm sure you are trying to manage in all this snow.   It has been snowing again for the past several hours and it's a pretty picture, I'm sure if your not out in it.  For those of you that can and have to get out, please be safe and drive safely, I heard Hwy 75 is down to one lane and very slick and dangerous.  For those of you like me who are snowed in, try to enjoy it and enjoy your family. I haven't blogged in quite a while so I figured I'd take advantage of the time I have.  I have a big fat bright red cardinal that keeps landing and sitting on the stack of wood, he's so pretty.  I guess it's because of the weather, but I have been so sleepy these past several days.  We wake up about 6:30 and then I half way sleep on the couch, in between kisses and hugs and I love yous the next several hours.  All the ins and outs between the dog and Billy I can hardly keep up.  And yes, watching the Dukes of Hazzard for the thousandths time.  Oh Yea, and making sno cones with the snow.  Billy got an old fashioned sno cone maker for christmas and the snow makes great sno cones.  Cody is snowed in at my parents house so I have no bickering to listen to, although I do miss him. I think Marvin is going to try to go get him this evening.  I'm sure my parents will be very appreciative of that.  Those of you who have teenage boys know what I mean, ha ha.   Yeah,  I got the fire going, I didn't think it would get going, I didn't have very much kindling wood, but the dryer lint works great, I'm glad it's good for something.  
Enjoy the snow and have a great day!

Depending on God

Yesterday I made a trip to Hot Springs, AR.  It was about a 9 hr round trip.  Ok, if you ever go there, don't come from the north,  you haven't seen curves and hills until you go on that road, Hwy 7, the scenic route.  I was just concentrating on not throwing up the whole time.  I'm sure it was pretty, but all I saw were the signs that showed curves and steep hills ahead.  My map was a little different from the actual way so I was uneasy about the directions as well.  I went home a different way, one that was less curvy and hilly.  A very nice lady at the dealership printed me a map to get back the new way.  This map was different than the actual way,  too.  I was so dependent on God for the whole trip.  I just prayed the whole time!  Every time I started to doubt I would see a sign that I recognized or that said the town I was heading for.  I started to just follow the signs and I made it!  It was by God's helping hand that I made it home without getting lost.  It was probably the hardest trip so far.  I drive dealer trades for the Chevy dealership here in my hometown.  I seriously need a GPS like a Tom Tom or something.  
Have you ever felt like this, not knowing where your going and your map turns out different than what you expected.  Just when you think your lost, suddenly a light shines, a sign shows up out of the blue to lead you in the right direction.  I have felt this way many times, just when I am about to give up, suddenly a light shines on me to show me the way.  
Faith Triumphs in Touble - Romans 5, 1:5 - Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  
Father, you are holy, you are our provider, you are worthy of all praise and worship.  Forgive me now for doubting.  Thank you for all your faithful guidance and protection.  Thank you for showing me the way home.  Bless all who need your guidance and protection and may we have faith in you.  We praise You in Jesus Name, Amen.

Many Blessing and Much Joy!

Shari 

Live On Purpose

It's time, today, right now, to live on purpose.  Don't just exist!  Really LIVE!  Dare to be Bold, step out of that comfort zone and be Brave!  I attended the most awesome virtual retreat today and discovered that I am here to serve God's purpose.  He has instilled in me a desire to dream and achieve such heights I could never believe attainable.  What are your dreams and desires? What would your ideal life look like?  Take a few minutes to write down what you really want.
It's so fun to dream about what the ideal life would be like.  Like imagining what you would do if you won the lottery.  I don't gamble but I have dreamed of what I'd do if I won the lottery.  My favorite is the HGTV Dream House.  I sign up every year and am sooo disappointed when someone elses name is called.  I love to dream what I'd do if I won it.  How I'd sell it and buy land and build my own awesome house.  
I'm talking to myself about living on purpose.  I just exist and am tired of it! I have been praying for clarity, for direction.  I have this deep desire to write and speak, but I have no training and have a fear of public speaking.  Why do I want to do the things that scare me the most.  I have a desire to motivate and uplift others and write a book about it.   It sounds so silly to put that out for others to hear.  Oh what others will think.  Why do I worry about such things?  I'm ashamed to say that I have felt a leading to fast and pray but I haven't done it yet.  I don't know why, I just haven't.  It's kinda scary if you've never done anything like that.  I have been feeling this for some time.  Don't ask me why I haven't been obedient, I'm not sure.  Since I have been disobedient my mind is so fuzzy and unclear.  I know if I will obey God and do what he is telling me to do, I will have a clear mind and vision.  I have been struggling for some time with God's calling on my life.  What is it?  What am I here for?  
Do you ask yourself these questions? 
We must remember Philippians 4:6 - Don't be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God.   
The Power of Cultivating an Intimate Relationship with Christ.  
Prayer Time:
Praise: Maybe listen to your favorite worship music
Gratitude: Keep a journal
Prayer: like Philippians 4:6 and Matthew 7:7-8 
Listening: What is God saying to me?  Write down what you hear God saying.  
Take time to spend with God and then listen to what he says.  Keep a journal. 
Make today count!!

The Way of Wisdom

Proverbs is so Awesome!!  I pray for wisdom all the time.  Proverbs 9: 10-12 states the following: 
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.  If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you will bear it alone. 
My Women's Study Bible explains it this way:
Wisdom Personified
Wisdom, together with the virtuous wife(Prov. 31) and the aldulteress of folly(Prov. 5-7), is one of the three dominant personifications in the Book of Proverbs.  This literary device does not present a literal woman or godess but is a means of picturing the contrast between good and evil and between wisdom and folly.  
This divine attribute and activity is personified as a dignified and noble woman who is warm, caring, and competent.  She offers life with long-term satisfaction(Prov. 1:33; 8:34, 35).  In contrast, her rival or "counter-wisdom," called "folly"(Prov. 15:21), provides immediate gratification but ultimate ruin.  
Wisdom pleads with her hearers, begging them to follow her and learn how to take their knowledge about God and apply it to the lives in a practical and successful way(Prov. 8: 1-11).  She sets forth her virtues and her rewards.  She is incomparable, better than rubies (Prov. 8-11); her instructions more precious than silver and her knowledge exceeding the worth of choice gold (Prov.8:10).  Excellent things from her lips lead to life, and her followers are blessed materially and spiritually(Prov. 8: 17-21).
After detailing why wisdom and not folly is the appropriate choice.  Wisdom invites all who wish to sit at her banquet, to eat of the fruits of wisdom, to forsake foolishness,  and to go in the way of life and understanding (Prov.9: 1-6).  The shining and winsome godliness of Wisdom set against the dark and evil seductiveness of the adulteress shows the path of wisdom in all its beauty.  Wisdom, in fact, foreshadows the divine wisdom found in Jesus Christ.
When women move away from Scripture as their sole authority and rather claim a collection of extra-biblical texts as authority in order to establish a biblical deity, they are reconstructing the basic foundation of theology itself.  For example, to introduce goddess worship through creating a feminine deity named Wisdom or "Sophia" (a transliteration of the Greek word for "wisdom") is using language loosely in order to blur the distinction between the Word of God and pagan ritual.  We must reject any union of Christianity and paganism.  A careful look at Wisdom points directly to the God who names Himself by revealing to us who He is.