Sharon JaynesConfidence in Christ, Identity in Christ, Living Fully, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, Uncategorized 15 Comments

Miss Masterpiece…That Would Be You

It was truly a work of art. Yes, one eye was much larger than the other, the nose resembled a giant squash, and the ears looked like saucers on the side of his head.

But my kindergarten son’s self-portrait unveiled on parents’ night is a masterpiece I’ve treasured through the years.

As I looked at Steven’s drawing,  Read more…

Sharon JaynesExpectant Living, Living Fully, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, Uncategorized 3 Comments

When You Wonder If You Got What It Takes

Back in the 1960’s there was a song titled, “You Got What It Takes.” I don’t remember the song from when it debuted, but I have heard it since.

Dinah Washington and Brook Benton weren’t the only ones singing “You got what it takes.” Peter said it too. He wrote this about God, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Pet.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesExpectant Living, God's love, Living Fully, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, Trusting God, Uncategorized 29 Comments

Taking Hold When You Cannot See

He sat behind me in the Boeing headed west.

Perhaps “sat” is not the right word.

He didn’t speak, but I felt him rummaging about.

Occasional kicks and pushes against the back of my seat let me know he was there.

Little boy noises. Restless, “get me out of here” stirrings.

And then I saw fingers.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesExpectant Living, Identity in Christ, Living Fully, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, Uncategorized 8 Comments

When Comparison Kills Confidence

If there’s one thing I know it’s this: Comparison is the devil’s tool that has kept many of us gals from stepping into our God-given destinies…and it’s time to stop!

You know I’ve been camping out with Moses by the burning bush for over a year while writing Take Hold of the Faith You Long For. When we meet up with Moses in Exodus chapter 3,  Read more…

Sharon JaynesLiving Fully, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, Trusting God, Uncategorized 83 Comments

When You Want to Live Bold But Are Afraid

I was sitting on the balcony of a condominium at the beach with my computer in my lap. In the background I listened to the excited squeals and splashes as children played in the swimming pool below.

One particular little girl caught my attention. She appeared to be about six years old and wore bright yellow water wings wrapped around her arms like blood pressure cuffs.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesConfidence in Christ, Dealing with Your Past, Expectant Living, Forgiveness, Identity in Christ, Living Free, Living Fully, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, Uncategorized 78 Comments

How Taking Hold Makes All the Difference

I was alone, or at least I felt that way. Women huddled in happy clusters chatting about first one thing and then another. Some propped babies on their hips. Others clutched Bibles in their hands.

Most wore smiles on their faces. I wore one too. But it wasn’t a reflection of what was in my heart. The upturned lips were simply the camouflage I wore to blend in—to avoid being found out.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesConfidence in Christ, Expectant Living, Listening to God, Living Fully, Prayer/Spiritual Warfare, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, Uncategorized 8 Comments

Whose Voice Will You Listen To?

Last night was the end of March Madness when the UNC Tar Heels lost to the Villanova Wildcats by two points in the NCAA men’s basketball championship game. (If I were you, I might stop reading right now, but don’t. Keep going.)

I’m not much of a sports fan, even though I attended the University of Chapel Hill.    Read more…