Tuesday, May 29, 2012


THE SWEETEST NAME……….JESUS!

There is so much going on around all of us.  Sometimes it feels like the sky is falling in around us, and we are buried in our sorrows.  But above all the struggles of our lives, above all the pain and sorrow, rises one precious Name, the Name of Jesus.  He sees each tear that falls, and reaches out to calm our fears and brings music to our hearts, and makes our days full of joy, even on dark and stormy days.  The writer of this hymn is unknown, but just feel that person’s heart as he or she wrote, feel His wonderful presence and His love, and let all that is going around you fade in the background as you read these wonderful words:

“The name of Jesus is so sweet, I love its music to repeat; it makes my joys full and complete,
the precious name of Jesus.

CHORUS:  Jesus! Oh, how sweet the name, Jesus! Every day the same; Jesus! Let all saints proclaim
Its worthy praise forever.

I love the name of Him whose heart knows all my griefs and bears a part; who bids all anxious fears depart, I love the name of Jesus.

That name I fondly love to hear, it never fails my heart to cheer, its music dries the falling tear;
exalt the name of Jesus.

No word of man can ever tell how sweet the name I love so well, oh, let its praises ever swell, oh
Praise the name of Jesus.”

There is no name on earth as the Name of Jesus. He brings such peace to troubled and discouraged hearts.  He brings such comfort to those in pain, those who are in distress.  In walking in the rooms in the nursing home, I have touched a forehead of someone in pain, and felt His presence.  I have touched a forehead and repeated the name of Jesus, and that person, with eyes closed, as breathed a sigh of relief, as she was touched in the name of Jesus, even just a whisper of His name will calm a troubled soul.  And there have been times when I have walked out of that room filled with joy, knowing that my Gentle Shepherd of the Sheep has touched a life.

And oh, the music that fills a joyful heart!  I remember walking into a room and there was a lovely elderly lady sitting by her bed, big smile on her face, and has she looked up at me, she broke out in song: “There’s within my heart a melody, Jesus whispers sweet and low, fear not I am with you, peace be still, in all of life’s ebb and flow…………..”  And we sang that beautiful old hymn together, all the verses that we could remember.  That is joy full and complete.  I literally floated out of that room!

And when the tears continue to come, He knows all about my grief, He bore all our griefs and our sorrow on the cross.  Isaiah 53:3 says that He was a “man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” He came to earth as a man, to walk among us and to feel our pain.  As He walked among the crowds healing the sick, He had great compassion on them. And as we think about His lovely name, just the mention of that Name “Jesus,” all fear and anxious thoughts have to go, Praise the Lord!

When we consider the wonderful Name of Jesus, we are reminded of all that is contained in that Name.  “And His Name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”  Isaiah 9:6b.

Yes, He is Wonderful! There is no one in all of the universe as Wonderful as Jesus our Lord.  How do you describe such a Wonderful Lord?  How you describe One who dries our falling tears?  And He invites us to lift our hands and our hearts and exalt that Wonderful Name, the Name of Jesus!  And in the Name of Jesus is our Counselor, our Everlasting Father and He is our Prince of Peace!

No, words cannot describe how sweet He is!  No words can describe the Wonderful love He brings to His children.  No words can describe how Awesome He is!  And just thinking about His Wonderful Name brings tears, tears of joy, tears I cannot describe, they just come at the mention of His Name.  And Oh, how I long to love Him more.  And someday………..we will see Him face to face, and His joy in us will be complete for all eternity.  I try to imagine what it will be like on that day, when all creation will bow at His feet, and all of His beloved saints will exalt His Name forever, and can you imagine how our praises will swell and fill the universe? 

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” Philippians 2:9-11.

So my beloved friends, no matter what the trials of today, whatever the tears, He calls us to exalt His Name, give Him praise.  Let your praise to Him fill you with joy, with peace, with expectation of His Glorious Appearing someday.  Someday we will see Him face to face! 

But are you ready, my friend?  Is the Name of Jesus sweet to your ears?  Does the Name of Jesus bring you great joy?  If not, today is the day of salvation, call on the Name of Jesus, and He will fill your heart and your life with His Holy Spirit, and prepare your heart to serve Him and love Him and then spend eternity with Him.  Oh, what joy the Name of Jesus brings, the sweet Name of Jesus!

In His Precious Name,
Pastor Sharon






Tuesday, May 22, 2012


GENTLE SHEPHERD,
WE NEED YOU

 As I look back over the last few weeks and days, I realize more and more how much we need our Gentle Shepherd in the times in which we live.  It seems like so many have lost their way and don’t know where to turn next.  Many have lost their way as they hear stories of school shootings and fear to even walk out their doors.

Many have lost their way in the midst of pain and suffering, of failing health.  Some have received news of cancer in their bodies.  Some are continuing to struggle against many medical tests and procedures, which fill their hearts fear.  Some are lost in the midst of grief, having lost loved ones and friends.

Some fear what is going on in our world, the violence, the weather changes, wars and rumors of wars in many countries.  I know of many on my list facing illness, old age problems, questions, questions of what the future holds for them or their loved ones.  So many have indeed lost their way, and need the Shepherd of the Sheep to help them find their way back to His peace and comfort.

 GENTLE SHEPHERD

 Gentle Shepherd come and feed us,
For we need You to help us find our way.
Gentle Shepherd come and feed us,
For we need Your strength from day to day.

 There’s no other we can turn to,
Who can help us face another day.
Gentle Shepherd come and feed us,
For we need You to help us find our way.

 There’s no other we can turn to,
Who can help us face another day.
Gentle Shepherd come and feed us,
For we need You to help us find our way.

 As Sung by the Gaither Vocal Band

As we journey onward and upward towards our eternal home, the path grows steep, and there are many turns in the road ahead.  Many times there may be a crossroad, and we don’t know which path to take, and we lose sight of the Shepherd of the Sheep just up ahead.  We take a wrong turn in life, take our eyes of our Lord, and wonder why we can’t see Him walking ahead of us.  But if look there ahead, through the fog and storms of our life, He is there, He has never left the path ahead of us.  It is we, ourselves who have taken a wrong turn, became lost in the trials of life, forgetting that He is mindful of the one lost sheep. (Luke 15:4-7)

We are all like sheep, depending on our Shepherd to lead us along.  We are not like cattle which have to be driven.  Our Shepherd leads us.  We are reminded again of the 23rd Psalm as the He leads us to quiet waters, rich pastures, and places of rest.

And sometimes we are in such deep places in life, that we don’t even want to get up and face another day on this journey of life, but look again, there He is just ahead, leading you into a place of quiet rest and strength for your day.  He is the only one who can help us find our way back to the path that He has been leading us on.  Yes, sometimes the path is rough, rocks and mountains to climb, but Oh, what joy when He leads us to quiet pastures.  Oh what joy is ours as we read His Word and learn to listen to His sweet Word as He leads and guides us.

“I am the good shepherd; and I know my sheep, and am known by My own.”  “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. “And I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” John 10:14, 27-28.

Yes, we need our Good Shepherd, to lead us and guide us from day to day, step by step along the path upwards on this journey home.  We have no one else in this world to turn to who is as faithful as our gentle Shepherd.

I know many of you reading this are going through great trials right now.  And I always pray that you know this Shepherd, Jesus.  He is our only hope in these troubled times.  Please turn to Him, call out to Him as He always hears our faintest prayers and cries.  And please don’t wait if you have not accepted Him as your own personal Lord and Savior.  He is waiting with open arms just for you.

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, that Great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen” Hebrews 13:20-21.

Pastor Sharon


















Tuesday, May 15, 2012


HELD IN THE EVERLASTING
ARMS OF JESUS

I am sitting here in my sunny window with my laptop and recalling all the events in my life in the last couple of weeks, and reading and hearing about sorrow and grief and pain in the lives of others, I think what it would be like to go through these storms of life without the love, comfort and peace of our Precious Lord.  He is the only one we can turn to in these times of pain, sorrow and tears.  My heart breaks for those who have lost loved ones, as we have lost our dear mother during the last couple of weeks, and the tears come, but God is our comfort, Praise the Lord!  Now we are facing Mother’s Day as I write this, and I want to honor her memory, my first Mother’s Day without a mother.  My mother has finished her journey, and reached the prize of her heavenly home. I will honor the old custom that I just came to know, I will wear a white rose on Sunday, instead of the red one I had thought I would wear.  If you don’t know that tradition that was part of Mother’s Day, a white one for a Mother who is gone to Jesus, and a red one if your mother was still living.
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” Deuteronomy 33:27.
Think of that, my dear friends, He is our refuge and strength in our times of sorrow, and He holds us underneath in His everlasting arms.  I picture Him holding me up, lifting me, as His arms uphold me.  And I am so glad that I serve a God who is Everlasting!  He always has been and always will be there for all time and eternity, always holding His children secure in His precious arms, whatever the storms and trials that may fall our way.  As I always do, the Lord brings a song to my mind to remind me of His precious promises.  We all are familiar with this old hymn written by Elisha A. Hoffman.

LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS

“What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms; what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms; oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms?  I have blessed peace with my Lord so near leaning on the everlasting arms”.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” John 16:33.

Yes, we will have trials and tribulations in this world as we struggle onward towards our heavenly home, but Jesus says to remember, that He has overcome.  He has been there before us, He knows our suffering and pain.  In going to the cross, suffering the pain and agony there for our sins, he then was gloriously resurrected, for our peace, our joy and our eternal life with Him.  Praise the Lord!

In the beautiful “faith chapter” of Hebrews 11:13, we see that all those great people of faith were
“pilgrims” looking for a city.  We see Abraham and Sarah and others who traveled this road before us, and they were looking for a city, an eternal city, a heavenly country. And we, too, are traveling to our heavenly home, just pilgrims traveling on, with Jesus lighting our pathway as we travel onward and upward, around another bend or two in the road, and over that next mountain we may have to climb is our heavenly home shining there in the distance, where Jesus waits to welcome His weary travelers home.

That last verse says “what have I to fear, what have I to dread?” There is much fear and dread in this world of ours. We hear it on the news every day, and some of that news could fill us with panic and terror, if we were not leaning on the everlasting arms, and those arms were not holding us up, so we are safe and secure there.  Oh, yes, we will go through these things, but just think of the reward that is waiting for us when these days of living in this lost and dying world are over, and we reach our goal, and tread that last mile and enter into glory.  Oh, Praise the Lord!

Oh, precious friends, we have so much to look forward too!  I know from experiencing grief in the last couple of weeks, that sometimes it is hard to see when the tears are falling, and you stand by a coffin and have to tell your precious one “goodbye.” Oh, I know that I will see her smiling face again, I have that confidence, but our loved ones leaving us leaves a void in our hearts, that only the peace and love of our Wonderful Lord can fill.  I know that over time, the pain will lighten, and I will be left with precious memories.  But I am told that I will always have that special place in my heart that misses her, and will miss her smiling face until I see her again over there, in that great reunion, when Jesus gathers us all home.

And that is such a comforting thought and brings me great joy, as I lean on His everlasting arms.  So, my friend, if you, too, are experiencing those tears of grief of losing a loved one to this life here, just be reminded, that they are not lost, we know where they are, just over the hill and around the next bend, there they are waiting with that “Great Cloud of Witnesses,” waiting for these weary pilgrims to travel the last mile of the journey home.

Peace in Jesus’ Name,
Pastor Sharon







Tuesday, May 8, 2012


JUST AROUND THE BEND

 These past couple of weeks, and particularly this past week, I am again reminded of our walk with the Lord, comparing it to our life as a journey.  We are indeed pilgrims here, traveling along, walking through the storms of life, but always aware that our Lord and Savior is just ahead leading the way “Home.”

 As friends and I traveled north to a retreat recently, and then headed home, going south, I was amazed at the beautiful mountains, the valleys, the rivers and small streams.  It rained most of the way to the retreat and back, and while we were there.  I saw the beautiful Pacific Ocean, and the waves crashing, and knew that my God was in control of all things along this journey if life.

 We too have mountains to cross.  Sometimes we are in the valley of despair, and sometimes we have rest beside quiet streams.  I saw that picture as we traveled south.  There was a large pond, so still it reminded me of glass.  And there around that pond were sheep.  Some were feeding quietly, some were lying down.  I thought of Psalm 23:2:  “He makes me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside the still waters.” Yes, sometimes He makes us lie down.  We become so anxious and stressful, that He, in His tender mercy, will cause us to lie down.  Situations will arise where we just have to stop and rest.

A loved one and I recently were discussing our birthdays and our lives as “seniors.”  I had mentioned to her that we were not “over the hill.”  But she replied, “No we are not over the hill, but climbing.”  I thought about that and told her, “Yes, we are climbing, but just around a few more bends in the road we will be “Home” at last.  We only can be together once a year because of distance, and it is always so hard to tell her “goodbye.”  But someday, in our new heavenly home, there will be no more “goodbyes.” We will be together forever, Praise the Lord!

“Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.  You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but you?  My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” Psalm 73:23-26.

He never leaves me or forsakes me (Hebrews 13:5).  He promises to hold my right hand as He guides me on through life.  Oh, the storms may blow and rock my ship, but my Captain calms the storms of my life.  And when I follow Him closely the seas become calm, the fog lifts and I can see the sun again.  And when my travels are done, He will lead me safely home to glory!  Some of us may have many bends in the road ahead of us, and long stretches to travel.  And some of us may reach “Home” just around the next bend.

I don’t have anyone in heaven but Him, and as much as I love my family and friends, there is no one I desire more than my Lord Jesus, and long to see Him face to face.

In ministry situations this past week, I shared this picture of our journey with those in the nursing home and in the foster home.  Some of these dear ones are really struggling along with pain in their bodies, discouragement, wondering what is ahead in their situations.  I reminded them to don’t lose heart.  I know it is so hard, and sometimes there are no words to say, as I have not been in their situation, but with the Lord’s great compassion I can reach out with the touch of my hand on a forehead, or touch a hand. Sometimes it is just a kiss on the forehead or just a hug in the Name of Jesus.  We are Jesus’ hands to reach out to those who are suffering and in great distress.

So as you journey along, following Jesus, keep your eyes on Him, even though, as one of my ladies said, “There seems to be rocks in my path,  and it is hard to get around them.”  Sometimes the road seems so steep that we can hardly, in our own strength, put one foot in front of another.  But it is with His strength that we can carry on and continue our climb upward and onward toward our prize, that prize being our Heavenly home, our journey will be complete, and Oh, the joy when our Precious Lord welcomes us home.  And we will be able to say with the Apostle Paul:

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course.  I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:  and not to me only, but to all them also that love His appearing” II Timothy 4:7-8.

I want to remind anyone reading this today,  who has not accepted Christ as their own personal Savior, that there are two roads to follow in this life, the straight one leading to destruction, and the narrow road leading to salvation.  A song I heard recently says:  “Life has many choices, eternity has two.”  Which choice have you made?

“Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth!  For I am God and there is no other. I have sworn my Myself; the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath” Isaiah 45:22-23.

So, my brothers and sisters in the Lord, keep traveling on, heaven is just around the bend!

Blessings,
Pastor Sharon













 






Tuesday, May 1, 2012


THE GOD WHO
BRINGS COMFORT

I am sitting here in my office at my laptop with tears in my eyes , sadness in my heart.  Now I know what some of you must feel in your grief.  I have been spared in recent years from such grief.  I have ministered as a Pastor to many with such grief and sorrow, but now I feel that pain, and can better reach out to you and others who are in a cloud of sorrow.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our comfort abounds through Christ” II Corinthians 1:3-5.

My dear mother, who was 92 years of age, passed into the arms of Jesus last night.  And I knew that someday she would go home to Jesus, but when it does happen it brings such pain.  She was in church on Sunday morning, and passed into glory on Sunday night.  Oh, and the memories and the smile she had when we were there at her home last fall!  And I think that next time we go to my home town, she will not be there.  But then I think of heaven and what joy she must be experiencing right now.  She met her Savior who she served faithfully, and then my father who passed when I was a child. I think of a song in regards to my dear mother, as she indeed did say, in effect, “Goodnight Here, but Good Morning up There.” ( By Lizzie DeArmond)

When comes to a weary a blessed release, when upward we pass to His kingdom of peace, when free from the woes that on earth we must bear, we’ll say “good night” here, but “good morning” up there.

Refrain:  Good morning up there where Christ is the Light, Good morning up there where cometh no night; when we step from this earth to God’s Heaven so fair, we’ll say “good night” here but “good morning up there.

When fadeth the day and dark shadows draw nigh, with Christ close at hand, it is not death to die;
He’ll wipe every tear, roll away every care; we’ll say “good night here, but “good morning” up there.

When home lights we see shining brightly above, where we shall be soon, through His wonderful love, we’ll praise Him who called us His Heaven to share, we’ll say “good night” here, but “good morning” up there.

And I think of so many of the dear saints who I call my “little flock,” and that several of those dear ones will also pass into heaven in the next months, and what glory awaits them there.  Some have suffered so much and others are very aged and feel eternity in their hearts, and that time is drawing near.

As I shared in an earlier blog, it is like we are on a pathway, a journey of life.  Jesus Himself talked about the two roads to eternity.  In our journey the road gets steep and hard to climb sometimes.  Our old bodies don’t feel like moving on sometimes, but He beckons us on, walking ahead of us on the path, clearing the fog and storms which come and directing us around rocks of suffering that may block the pathway. But as we look there ahead, around that next bend, “we see the light of that city so bright, our home sweet home.”

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, no more crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” Revelation 21:4.

Can we even begin to imagine a world where there will be no tears, death or sorrow or pain? We will be living in a new world, a world where God Himself will wipe away our tears.  This old world is a world of sorrow and pain and we go through so many trials.  Our bodies get old and we fade away, as it were.  But I am looking forward to that day, a day of eternal joy, a day when we never have to stand over a coffin and say “goodbye.”  It will be a day when leaving loved ones after a visit and knowing that we may never see them again on this earth, and have to tell them “goodbye.”  I think of a day when I don’t have to say “goodbye” to my children who live on the other side of the country.  Oh, what a blessed hope we have!  What a Wonderful God we serve!  And I know that the older I become, the more I feel heaven in my heart.  Do you feel that way my friend? Is heaven in your heart?  Are you eternally secure with Jesus?

Oh, don’t travel this road of life without Him!  I wonder sometimes, in visiting people who do not know the Lord, how they manage those terrible trials without Him.  And I have met some who absolutely refused Him even in their pain, and that always grieves my heart.

So this day my friend, please turn your life over to Jesus, who died and rose again so you can have eternal life with Him forever.  Be secure in Him and know when your hour comes you can slip instantly into the arms of your Savior.  And remember, sometimes that hour comes without any warning, always be ready to meet Jesus.  Don’t let another day go by without calling on Him to save you.

Mother was ready and waiting for that day, and now I can say for my mother:  “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” II Timothy 4:7-8.



Blessings,
Pastor Sharon