Special Times


It is so refreshing to hear – the secular entertainment world say – “having brought God in here it is extraordinary ….we do miss the spiritual dimension.” – #Noemi

Suor Cristina -“Oh Daddy dear (Abba) you know you’re still number one…I want to be the one to walk in the sun.” “When Sister Cristina sings she gives joy, and this is her gift.” – #J-Ax

This is perfect for Easter weekend – the Lord still prevails and will not be silenced.

Happy Easter!

Suor Cristina Scuccia

Suor Cristina Scuccia

Oops…I missed Friday but oh well. Anyway so I don’t speak Italian (but it sounds so cool :-)) I promised a follow-up to Wednesday’s post on the “Famous” Sister from Sicily Suor Cristina Scuccia – who appeared on the Voice Italy on March 19th and quickly went viral with over 36 million views – WOW. But lesser known is her amazing God given voice – “Last year she won a Christian music competition as part of the Good News Festival, in which she explained that she had found her vocation while playing a nun in a musical.”

She truly is the model of and inspiration of what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus – to go out and evangelize. And realizing her call into the ministry came from the most unlikely of places. So do not believe the crazies and the strange stories and accusations that will arise. The Lord knows that we need strong and willing people to connect on a personal level and introduce the grace of the Lord and the Mysteries of the Gospel to the entire world.

While I have Googled for countless hours and days etc…it is hard to find news coverage that I can fully understand – because I do not speak Italian 🙂 – but basically it is that she is not looking for accolades just to as she put it in (the most thoroughly translated video) “I have a gift and I am giving it to you – Shouldn’t things be this way?”  – Pope Francis (and The Lord) tells us “to go out and evangelize…God will not take anything away from us but instead give us more, I am here for this.” How true that is that we are truly blessed beyond measure or explanation when we serve others by mission from God. And finally…why choose that song you ask? Romans 8 – for nothing can separate us from the LOVE of  God in Christ Jesus – and vice versa nothing can make God stop loving us.

So enjoy and seek the Lord while he may be found.

 

Blessings,
Shari 001

 

If you are still in awe or wonder about this most recent (viral) event… check out the next video link  (1:45 – 5:15) and you will be wowed. (The translation does not make much sense but you could try it.

Enjoy and watch for a Follow Up Friday post.

Many Blessings,

Shariprpl

daily god book So in my quest/decision to choose a new devotional for 2014 – I didn’t need to choose – it was gifted. Yes, a Christmas gift. So I thought,  awesome!!  I love all devotionals that read like Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling books. I was almost tempted to buy another Bible – a One Year Bible this month but I am glad I didn’t.

This devotional – The Daily God Book: A Year of Listening for God by Erin Keeley Marshall – is set up a bit differently; there is a Bible passage to look up (so you must keep the “good book” close by), there is a theme – a message – and finally a prayer called ‘Talk to HIM’ and a thought challenge to carry with you all day long. I just love the set up. But more than that I love how the entire year of the devotional walks through the Bible. It is awesome to see a devotional incorporate the WORD into daily devotions – not just a verse but passages of Scripture. It is so important to rely on the Word of God to meet your daily, monthly and yearly needs. And so perfect for morning, evening or morning & evening devotions. I am so excited to walk this year through the Word, with the help of this devotional.

the-storycvr Also on my list of books to read – this month – is The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People foreward by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee. This was a Christmas present last year and I was hoping to delve into it but better late than never and what a great read to start the year. I hope to be completed by the end of January. So, with all that I have chosen to take on this year – I know God is right behind (beside, before and around) me – I know that He knew that I was hungry to experience and understand more of His WORD, His truth, His Promises – HIS STORY!

I am all set to start 2014 – with gusto and true passion for the Word of God – I am amazed at what the Lord does with productive choices and longings. I know this year will be filled with ups and downs, I know the struggles will come and I know the doubt will creep in – BUT – I am determined to cling to His promises and HIS WORD that I may see the truth I craved last year and beginning this year afresh with the choice to make the Lord the focus of my every day – through this year of walking through the words of truth and grace – I will truly see where I belong, where my place is in His Story as long as I listen to His voice.

I pray this year that I hear Him and hear Him clearly – that I may see the path that He has set for me…
The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind. Proverbs 15:24

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14.

Grace and Peace be with you today and throughout this year!
Many Blessings,

Shari

Merry Christmas!!

Photo by set/sharietransue.com

Card design by set/sharietransue.com with Microsoft Clip Art

Text by set/sharietransue.com

Card design by set/sharietransue.com with Microsoft Clip Art

A very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

I love Christmas, I always have. If you remember last year’s Advent postings on A Family Advent: Keeping the Savior in the Season, the focus of those four weeks was Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. Each week was filled with food for thought, family activities and children’s projects and goals for the season of Advent.

This year I decided to return to a book that I’d had for a few years Advent Moments: Preparing Your Heart for the Coming King. I have to admit I didn’t give it much thought – then while at the store I was looking at other new devotionals for Advent – a little voice said no use the Advent Moments devotional it would be good to take another look at it. I mean it’s true I can’t even remember where I had put Christmas decor last year (good thing I have pictures to help), so hardly could I recall the words and devotions in this book.

I am so glad I decided to give it a second look – I have been so inspired and filled by the words in the each day’s reading. I have been at a place that I never wanted to be – separated from God and those that I love, on the outskirts and not initiating like I usually do. Yet, the few minutes that I spend each day in reading the verses and meditations are making the meaning come alive, making its “message” more meaningful and keeping the purpose of this season at the forefront of my thoughts and intentions. Only then can the leftovers of shopping, baking, decorating and merriment be enjoyed at Christmastime.  During this season of Advent and Christmas – meditate on the hope, the peace, the joy and the LOVE.

Advent and Christmastime are not meant to be exclusive holidays to just Christians – no the gift of the Saviour Jesus Christ was a gift to the world. And that is LOVE! Jesus was sent for all – all those who hurt, all those who are poor, all those who are struggling, all those who are shameful, all those who are righteous, all those who don’t believe – ALL. Christmas is about Christ the gift of a loving God concerned for his creation, his world, his children.

The Merriest of Christmases to You, Remember the King!


…take the day (if you can) to relax, reflect, remissness, reconcile and recharge.

Happy Labor Day!

Yeah, today I’m not going to write about hurricane Irene or the health issues that have overshadowed the past four months of my life. I’d like to take another peek at some of the cute, fun and happy moments shared this summer.

As seen in the latest Wordless Wednesday post, Savannah is a water dog or something like that. She enjoys splashing around.

Savannah loves her pool...

...and barking for more water.

Kitty has some other plans…you’ve seen he loves to play and get into things. He still enjoys paper balls and plastic balls.

...And snoozing about..so cutely.

And well enough about the pets. I was determined to spite the rain that I was going to go to the beach and relax. Well I made it there twice but all in all it is one of my favorite places to be. It is so calming (even with kids randomly screaming and having sand wars next to you), the crashing waves and sounds of the water are so calming, that you literally get lost in place and time. Just like the waves “of grace” wash away the junk that clutters your life. The reminders of renewal, change and sanctity that the beach offers helps so much.

Sorry, no videos of Irene, just slightly hazardous and powerful waves at Island Beach State Park, NJ – August 7th, 2011.

It’s been a fun summer and there are more stories to follow. But for now signing off and getting ready to prepare for a maybe hazardous storm ahead. Be prepared, be safe and brave the storm ahead.

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