Sharon JaynesConfidence in Christ, Dealing with Your Past, Expectant Living, Identity in Christ, Living Free, Living Fully, Renewing your mind with the Truth, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, Uncategorized 9 Comments

When You’re Struggling with Bad Thoughts and Habits

Someone once asked me if I had ever struggled with a stronghold in my life. To be honest, at the time I wasn’t even sure what a stronghold was. So I did a little digging.

A stronghold is one of those churchy Christianese words that’s hard to wrap your mind around. It’s not a word we use everyday.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesExpectant Living, Identity in Christ, Living Free, Living Fully, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, Trusting God 30 Comments

You Are Who God Says You Are

Today I’m writing over at www.proverbs31.org for their Encouragement for Today devotion. In case you missed it, I wanted to share  it with you too! Lived blessed! You are.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1 (NIV)

I became a Christian when I was a teenager.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesExpectant Living, General Inspiration, Living Free, Living Fully, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, Uncategorized 140 Comments

When You Don’t Want to Go Back to the Way You Were

I just got my braces off…again.

I have had braces on my upper teeth three times. Count them. One. Two. Three.

As the orthodontist explained, “Teeth have a memory. They always want to go back to the way they were.”

As soon as he said those words, I felt convicted. I have a tendency to go back to the way I was.  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 JaynesExpectant Living, Forgiveness, God's love, Living Free, Living Fully, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, Uncategorized 25 Comments

Changing the Ending to Your Story

My friend Bonnie and I followed the GPS along winding back roads of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I had been speaking at an event in the area, and felt drawn to this place I’d come to know as Amish Grace.

Horse-drawn buggies with bearded drivers clippitty-clopped in front of us as if it were just another day. My stomach churned wondering what we would find.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesA Sudden Glory, Dealing with Your Past, Forgiveness, General Inspiration, God's love, Living Free, Living Fully, Renewing your mind with the Truth, Trusting God 175 Comments

Let It Go! God Has.

Wow, I can’t believe it’s already mid-January. I hope you’ve been refreshed and revived with the start of a New Year.

I love the word, “new”. Don’t you?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Today,  Read more…