Chapter Four of Sierra’s Story — and thoughts from Shellie’s porch

In Chapter Four of Sierra’s Story we get a ring side seat to the turmoil eating at Lollie and we relive the tragedy of losing Brandon through Sierra’s eyes. I’m so enjoying your feedback on the Gray family! With permission, here’s a sample of such goodness that put a huge grin on my face. 

Find Chapter Four wherever you like to listen to your podcasts, or just click here:  https://belleofallthingssouthern.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Tempter_Chapter_Chapter-Four.mp3

 

And now, let’s chat…This may not be the wettest Spring on record around here, but it has got to be a contender. We’ve had quite the challenge getting in the fields between the constant showers. Here’s a little glimpse from our farm as I document taking lunch to the field. (As I tell the fam, someone has to! LOL!)  If you’re reading from the Apple podcast page or a similar platform, you’ll probably have to go to the website to see the pics and videos I mention.

 

Since this video was made, we’ve managed to get all of our beans planted. (Thank you, Jesus). Oh, and when I made it on social it had “Farm Music” with it, but copyright prohibits me from having the sound here. Shucks, it fit perfectly!

The men are now busy “spot planting”  problem areas that were sowed earlier but got too much rain. Let’s keep praying for all of those effected by this wet season. In this community alone we have people whose homes are being threatened, loggers who can’t get to the woods, and ranchers who are hoping to be able to grow hay for their livestock!  For all of our famers, and those struggling with the weather conditions, join me in asking the Lord of the Harvest to pause the rain.

We give thanks to You Lord, for You are good. Your Love is steady in all times, in every situation. We ask You to pause the rains, and in the waiting, we set our hearts to trust You. You see and You hear prayer. Your ways are right, and higher than ours. You are for us. Our strength is found in kneeling to Your Omnipotence. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

May we be found faithful to trust Him in the good times and the bad, for He abides Faithful to us in it all.  

In other news, as of last weekend, I’m officially off the road as far as speaking engagements go. I’ll miss it because I dearly love looking into the eyes of women and talking to them about Jesus. You may remember that I used to travel during the summer months, too– until the Lord impressed upon me to learn to say “I can’t come now, but I’ll be glad to come later.” LOL! The rest and recharge is a good and necessary thing! I’m thankful I listened. 

That said, I am available for virtual events through the summer because I can do them from home. Just yesterday I had the joy of spending a large part of the morning talking to a wonderful group of women about Finding Deep and Wide! Ok, so we got started and couldn’t stop. Jesus is just too good!

 

 

They found me on Right Now Media.  Did you know Finding Deep and Wide was there?

 

 

Here’s a direct link to the material. https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/476090

I never tire of talking Jesus because (thank goodness) He never tires of us! Message me if you want to book for Fall or 2022, or open a discussion about your small group hosting a virtual session. With that, I’ll try to begin wrapping this up, but before I go, I have some thoughts to offer you on living in these days as a witness to our Good, Good, Father. Hit reply afterwards and weigh in if you’d like.

 

 

The Pharisees, and eventually the crowds, who had once followed the miracle worker from a distance, couldn’t accept this Jesus who wouldn’t satisfy their desire to establish their rule and help them throw off the yoke of their oppressors. Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God being present. They missed it in their longing for earthly validation. Got it? Ok, let’s brace ourselves for a look in the mirror.

Far too many of us expect to “reign” in the public square of ideas and culture. Our desire to be proven right and have our faith vindicated competes with our ministry of reconciliation, our God given assignment to go and make disciples of all nations. Our gospel, our “good news” suffers for it. One last warning? When they didn’t get the earthy status they wanted, they became hostile to the Messiah. May it never be said of us. 

God, forgive us. Give us wisdom to walk before an unbelieving world in a way that displays Your reign

—IN OUR HEARTS—

until the day of Your victorious return. Help us submit to the rule of Your Spirit in us, for your Lordship is sweeter than any earthly acknowledgment or acclaim, and far more powerful than any foe. May our lives witness to the wonder of Your love!

Hugs,
Shellie

 

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