Wherever you travel, you are in a battle

God protected the WWII ship and her crew
 from piracy as we sailed
the seven seas in 1994-95

Neither give place to the devil...

Ephesians 4:27

It doesn't take much to see that there are 

wars and rumors of wars all around us. 

 But do you ever stop to think that you are in your own

personal battle?  

It may feel like a cold war, 

but still the battle rages from within, and from without.  

This was brought to my attention this past Sunday.

Pastor Perry gave a powerful message, 

reminding us that we have an enemy, and his name is Satan,

 and his mission is to destroy us.  

He gave the modern day example from the movie, 

Captain Phillips, 

showing scenes from the movie as he spoke.  

It was riveting.  

(pour a cup of java and go to the website below; 

you will be reminded of the importance of being aware of your surroundings, both physically and spiritually.)

newspring.cc/watch/noothername/the-one 

(If you haven't seen Captain Phillips, you can Netflex it.) 

In a nutshell, wherever our walk of faith takes us, 

we are not to surrender--give any ground--to the enemy.  

The devil knows our weaknesses and lurks behind the scenes, waiting for the right moment to jump out and exploit us.  

When he finds an opening in our armor (Ephesians 6:11-18), 

he can weaken our effectiveness in what God has called us to do.  The Apostle Paul exhorts us to avoid giving Satan that opportunity (Ephesians 4:27).

As believers we have the possibility of making forward progress without ever having to lose any ground by putting on the whole armor of God.  Unfortunately, there were times in my journey when I laid my armor down and allowed the devil to have a field day with my life.  

In 1984, after being married for sixteen years, 

the process of my divorce put me in a numb state of mind.  

Instead of fighting the good fight, I placed my armor aside, 

so to speak.  

I went about my daily routine of working a full-time job, 

coming home to focus on my two children (ten and eighteen), giving special attention to my mother who had been 

recently diagnosed with MS, 

and to my father who was in the beginning stages of ParkinsinsDecease.  

Three years of ups and downs, 

I finally decided to pick up my armor and fight the good fight.  

Why did it take me so long? 

 I loved Jesus, and I still prayed, but 

I had been living my life according to Sharon.  

Not very smart.  And I was miserable.

So I began my path of saying no to wrong choices, 

wrong relationships.  

I started going to church again, praying more.  

Within a short time I met Rob, fell in love.  

Within a year we were married, and

 suddenly I felt that I was making up for the lost time

 the devil had stolen from me 

(for more details, you can email me OR buy my book, 

Lady and the Sea, a novel based on my true story.)  

A few tips:  

(1) Read Ephesians 6:10-18. 

(2) Keep your armor on.  

(3) Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  

Key word: resist! 

(4) and watch the video!  newspring.cc/watch/noothername/the-one

I wish you oceans of blessings while fighting for your life!

Life is a Journey

One large bouquet (YOU!) can go a long way.
When you mentor, you multiply

Life is not a journey to the grave

with the intention of arriving safely

in one pretty and well preserved piece,

but to skid across the line broadside,

thoroughly used up, worn out,

leaking oil, shouting

GERONIMO!

There are moments when we feel worn out, 

used up, ready to throw in the towel. 

 Our emotions can do a number on us physically,

telling us to go to bed and pull the covers over our heads.  

I've done that, but through the years I have learned a better way. When these feeling try to overcome me, 

I make a bee-line to my back door.  

Don't judge me...I'm not running away.  

I know that once I'm outside, breathing in fresh air, 

listening to birds chirping, admiring God's creation,

I will gather a better perspective of my challenge-at-hand. 

I'm not a psychologist, but I have a little tip:  

Next time you are met with a challenge or disappointment, 

go to that place of quietness where you can take some deep breaths, settle your spirit, quiet your emotions, and talk to your Creator.  Jesus is waiting for you, to lead you and guide you 

through the valley of the shadow of death.  

You will come out stronger, ready to get back in the race and shout, GERONIMO!

After running my first 1/2 marathon.
VICTORY!

A word for someone out there in Blog Land: 

Keep running your race--at your own pace.  

God is not finished with you.  

Look around.  

Someone is watching you, whether you know it or not.  

Point them towards heaven with the life you live.  

You lead, not with only the words you speak, but by example. Through your writing, your art, your gift of hospitality, your smile.

Holding forth the word of life;

that I may rejoice in the day of Christ,

that I have not run in vain,

neither laboured in vain.

Philippians 2:16

I wish you smooth running and oceans of blessings!

www.sharonleaf.com 

Disappointments come and go ...

Discovering how to run your physical race and your spiritual race -- at your own pace!

Running my race in Istanbul, Turkey 2008

Honestly, I did not feel like writing a blog this week.

But I also know there is someone out there in 

Blog Land that needs to hear a few encouraging words.  

Words you have heard before, 

but perhaps you need a reminder.

Life is full of disappointments.

 Some big.  Some small.

 Throughout my seventy-two years, 
I have had my fair share of them.  
Jobs.  Marriages.  Children.  Friends.  Pastors.  

This week I had a big one.  

My heart responds in love and best wishes.  

No judgement.  

No details.   

No theology.  Only simplicity.

I do want to share a few words from my heart.

Going through another disappointment, I am again reminded ...

Man will disappoint.
 Jesus never disappoints.

We respect those in authority, but we cannot idolize them.

We must keep our eyes on Jesus, not man.

Then when disappointment comes,

He is there to comfort us.

With disappointment, 

comes discouragement, 

perhaps even a time of mourning the loss that you have incurred.  

It's alright to shed tears, cry, weep.  

But afterwards, there is peace in knowing that you 

shall continue the race that God has set before you.  

God has given each one of us a mandate from heaven, 

no matter how big or small we think it is.  

Life goes on. So must we.  

Surround yourself with those who will comfort you, 

but at the same time, 

they'll encourage you to 

continue on the path that God has prepared just for you.

I wish you waves of encouragement and oceans of hugs!

Running my first 10K race
with my running buddy in
Los Angeles, CA 1978

... Let us throw off everything that hinders

and the sin that so easily entangles,

and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

Hebrews 12:1

 www.sharonleaf.com

  

The new me!

wRite, publish ... AND speak??

Preparing to speak at
The Golden Hills Garden Club 2014
*deep breaths*

Surveys show that men's (and women's) two top fears are:
death and public speaking.  
Not me.  Mine are needles and public speaking.

Since the publication of my debut novel, Lady and the Sea, I have attended several writers conferences. I was doing great until a New York Times bestselling author announced, "Now that you are an author, you must also be a speaker."

Huh?

Since then, I have been invited to speak at various groups--a Jewish Culture Class, Oakleaf Village--to name a few.  Excitement is my first emotion.  Then fear hits.  My Aunt Eunice didn't help matters at all.  When I told her, "Auntie, I'll be speaking at various venues, and possibly appearing on The Katie Couric Show," she grabbed my shoulders and said, "Shaa-ren, you have got to start Botox-ing immediately!  Until then, stick to the radio."  Great.  Public speaking.  Now needles. 

my Aunt Eunice

I went home and sat myself down in my office.  Sipping my third cup of coffee, I tried to analyze the whole speaking situation.  Why are we so afraid to stand and speak in front of an audience, no matter what size?  Lots of reasons.  Fear of rejection.  Fear of being judged, or made fun of.  Fear of forgetting, or ... and ... ugh ... saying those empty words.  And what if people begin to nod off?  Fear of being boring.  The list goes on.  Oh, yeah, almost forgot.  After I finished giving my speech in my 11th grade Speech Class, I fainted.  The 'A' I received never made up for the embarrassment I experienced waking up underneath a table, with a cute football player holding my hand, asking, "Are you okay?"  

You have your own fears.  Those are a few of mine.

Then I got hold of myself.  Hey, girl, its not all about you.  Speak about the journey that God has you on.  It's all about Who you are speaking about.  It's about encouraging the woman who needs to lose sight of her safe shore and jump into a new ocean ... art lessons to create what is in her heart, singing lessons to share the melodies in her soul.  The lists are endless.  Inspiring that person in the back row who has lost faith for her forgotten dreams.  Dreams to help the helpless, both near and far away.  That's what it's all about, girlfriend.

Every time I prepare to speak about my journeys, I take a deep breath and tell myself, It's not about me, Lord, it's all about You.  Then I know that I will be a success, no matter what happens when I take center stage.  And I wish the same for you, my friends.

P.S.  No botox-ing for this girl.

Hear, for I will speak of excellent things; 

and the opening of my lips shall be right things.  

For my mouth shall speak truth...

Proverbs 8:6-7a

www.sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler's wRiter's Fog...oops...wRiter's Blog

Taking a moment to relax at a 3-day writer's conference at The Cove
Asheville, NC in the Blue Ridge Mountains

I just returned from my first 3-day writer's conference 

in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC.  

The speakers were inspiring and informative.  

The 15-minute appointments I had with authors and other 

high profile persons in the publishing industry were priceless.  

Oh yes, and the food was delicious.  

The dilemma was, I was so busy chatting that 

I left most of my meals on my plate (don't tell the chef!).

Now, I am back home in my cozy little office,

trying to gather my thoughts and get organized.  

*lots of deep breaths*  

Where do I start?  

Lets see, place all of the business cards I collected in a 

pile next to my iMac (will correspond shortly); 

separate paperwork, toss junk paper in trash can, 

re-read my critique from best-selling author Yvonne Lehman, 

and ... hey, isn't that enough for now?  

The one thing I keep reminding myself: 

take one step at a time.  

Enjoy the journey.  Enjoy the moment.  

Note:  

That goes for all of you, whether you're a writer, an artist, 

a stay-at-home mom, a career gal.  *another deep breath*

If we don't come apart and rest awhile,

we may just plain come apart!

Havner

I went to the conference to receive 

direction for my upcoming novel, 

Lady on the Run.  

But what amazed me was 

the reaction I received when I mentioned my published novel, 

Lady and the Sea.  

I could feel the anointing as I shared about 

the WWII ship MS Restoration and 

her mission to transport Russian Jews from

 Sochi, Russia to Haifa, Israel.  

People want to know her story.  

I believe that Lady and the Sea is still in her beginning stages.  Breakthrough is coming.

I'm thankful for the experience at Writer's Conference Boot Camp for infantry and officer levels.  

I'm considered an officer but I learned from both levels.  

I can't express my gratitude enough

for those who made this possible.  

This southern belle is very thankful these days.  

I'm resting in the knowledge that God is guiding my journey.

May you rest in His peace, 

knowing that no matter where you are in your journey,

 God is walking beside you.  

Stay close to your DreamMaker --  

He has more dreams for you to experience.

A large fire awaits,
upstairs, downstairs.
Coffee and chatting galore.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul.

Psalm 23:2-3

I wish you oceans of blessings and smooth sailing!

Sharon Leaf

www.sharonleaf.com
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