Thank you for another year of allowing me to come into your homes "Over The Coffee Cup." Merry, Merry from Me to Yours and a Happy New Year!

OH, NO!—A POEM

I know poetry is not everyone's cup of tea (or coffee), but I wanted to share a poem I wrote in January 2013 that still resonates with me today. It is called May I Be Your Silver Lord -----May I Be Your silver Lord heated in your crucible? Refined and purified at temperatures according to Your will. I know you will never leave me as I hear the billows blow. Impurities skimmed from the top as your mercies take control. Afflictions will cause my strength to wane in the refiner's fire. Despite my groans, I know faith completes the silversmith's desire. So when I am lifted out, My Lord, with a faith that has shone through---the reflection I see in myself is the perfect image of You. -CKSharpe So, with each breath, may we rejoice this holiday season knowing His love for us is faithful, and He is able. We can see God's mighty power at work from Genesis through Revelation. By sharing the good news of His birth, death and resurrection, we have loved in 2022 as Jesus loves. Happy Holidays, family and friends. Verse of the Month: Hebrews 7:25 NIV: "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because He always lives to intercede for them."

Optimisticity...Is That Even A Word?

Is my glass half-full or half-empty? Looking closely at my glass, I know the optimist would tell me it is half-full. The pessimist would say my glass is half-empty. Right now, I agree with the pessimist. Why? I find it draining to think about the state of the economy, hear about church upsets, and listen to T.V. personalities with divergent opinions. Some humorous quips may help me cope with my half-full state. Here goes: • The cynic wonders who drank the other half. • The mother of a persistently demanding five-year-old says; sweetheart, it's whatever you want it to be; just please let me have five minutes peace and quiet. • The neat freak would not leave the glass sitting there long enough for anyone to consider the question but would scoop it up, wash it up, dry it to a gleaming shine and put it back in the glass cabinet in a jiffy. • The insomniac will be up all night wrestling with the question. • The opportunist says, "Thanks, folks! While you were debating it, I drank it."

So what am I going to do about my half-full glass? There's no way I'm letting an opportunist drain it! I think it's time for me to pour it out before God and ask Him to fill it with the fullness of Himself. I am sure if I put into practice the verse of the month, my optimisticity would go through the roof! Verse of the month: Romans 15:13, NIV May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

TIME TRAVEL IS REAL!

We all “time” travel — We hurtle into the future at the awe-inspiring rate of one second per second. At the appointed time in the past, Jesus traveled from Heaven to Earth (albeit by the Holy Spirit and a maiden named Mary). He traveled from everlasting to fulfill the purposes of His Father. See https://www.kevinhalloran.net/31-reasons-why-jesus-christ-came-to-earth/. Wherever we are at present, God is there. Each second we live is a chance to develop and deepen a loving relationship with Him. Of course, we mustn’t forget God created man with the freedom of choice to accept His love or reject it. It’s incredible to think every day, He defeats evil with the power of His goodness. And what about our future days? Jesus commands us, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Because our present becomes the past, and our future becomes the present, are we time travelers? I guess it depends on one’s perspective. I do know we are sojourners on this earth and we are here to restore and deepen our relationship with God and help others do the same. Isn’t it great knowing the timelessness of God and that He was, is and always will be. Verse of the Month: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”(Rev. 1:8)

The children loved Abby!

This morning, I was emailed a photo of three sisters enjoying the “Absent-Minded Abby’s Squirrelly Adventure” storybook. (It’s a story about sharing and dependability.) The mother who sent the picture wrote: “I tried to get a photo of all my girls, but my 2-year-old wouldn’t cooperate that much 😅. They loved the book though😊. “ I want to thank everyone for all the fantastic feedback I have been receiving on the “To Be Or Not To Bee Series.” I am glad to hear mothers like good, clean, wholesome short stories they can read to their children or feel comfortable giving to child to read themselves. These kind words and the photo sure blessed my heart. FYI: Not to worry. I received the mother’s permission to post on my sites.

From me to you:

As I researched the attribute for each book in the "To Be Or Not To Bee Series," I trusted His hand to guide me to the scripture I needed for inspiration. And then, I wrote the faith-based children’s story that He placed on my heart. Squirrelly Abby will scamper her way into your heart September 1, 2022. She will join the series at Scottsdale Farm, Alpharetta, Georgia (paperback), Smashwords (on-line), and excellent quality paperback plus

Kindle versions through Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MKRDP1C?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn

Abby would rather play than work! She loved twirling in the fall's beautiful colored leaves. Her friends warned her to gather food before winter snow covered Atler Park. Would the fun-loving, absent-minded squirrel put off gathering food and rely on her friends to feed her again this winter? When Abby stumbled onto a majestic acorn tree with thousands of nuts, she thought her forage days were over. But the tree guardian, Milo, said the tree nuts belonged to the Acorn woodpeckers. How was Abby going to get acorns for the squirrels? She thought of a plan. Would it work, or was it a squirrelly idea?

It Doesn't Take A Superhero Costume to Know Who You Are or Does It? When my grandson, Cooper, was little, he enjoyed running around in his superhero costume. He thought he was unknown to all. Being in the 3-foot-something crowd, he didn’t realize that his natural person was made clear by his size, character, and voice. He perceived his physical self as being unseen—invisible—rather than being see-able. We can teach children about God’s visibility when cute little moments happen. In this case, it was appropriate to mention something about the superheroes of the Bible. And touch on how they displayed God’s character and love, as well as His visibility. When the grands were toddlers, I took nature walks with them right in our backyard. They found it an exciting place to explore. I found they enjoyed smelling pretty flowers and spotting tweeting birds in the trees. We picked up pine cones and spread them with peanut butter to hang in the trees as bird feeders (what a yummy mess). We spread a blanket under a shade tree and watched bugs crawl on to join us. I found when you add a juice box and peanut butter and jelly sandwich into the mix, you’ve got yourself a party! Whether talking about Bible heroes or enjoying the backyard, it’s a joy to lift our children higher so they, too, can see our very visible God. Verse of the Month: Romans 1:20 ESV “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

Our Lives Have An Author

It’s early morning, and the sun has not yet risen to serve its purpose for the day. I sit at the computer with our dog, Lexi, sprawled out on the floor beside me. Her eyes are closed and probably won’t open until her tummy growls for food. The keystrokes of my computer and the rush of cold air from the floor vent keep the house from being silent. At this moment, all seems right with the world. But, that will change when I turn on the television later. A flood of “who’s not getting along with who news” will fill the kitchen. It will blur the sound of the brewing coffee as well as my mind. My heart reminds me God created (authored) time, space and matter. Nothing happens in this old world that God doesn’t know about—accidents, mayhem, and who isn’t getting along with who, for example. All are a part of life in this fallen world. But, He is coming back one day to right the wrongs. In the meantime, it is best to allow the author and perfecter of our faith to continue to do His work in and through us. We must submit (James 4:10) to the grace of God. Every new character in our chapters (the people we meet on our journey through life, whether or not through divine appointment) or due to unexpected events (things that bring change into our life) is a tool of his grace that brings us closer to Him. Isn’t each chapter written to advance His purpose in us and through us? As the protagonist in our chapters, we need only to allow Him, the author, to write our best life. It’s up to us to live it according to His pen. Verse pairing of the Month: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

WORDS IMPACT LIVES

WORDS IMPACT LIVES... A fellow Georgia writer got it right. It's like she got into my brain when she wrote the following in a Christian post. "Here’s the deal. Christians sin. We get things wrong. We lash out in anger. All things we later regret and take with a broken heart to our Father. But, as He reminded me recently, “Nothing can separate us from the Father’s love.” Not if we are His children. If God has called you to write a work of fiction that shows the way to Christ......You still want to be entertaining. A very wise woman once told me, “People let down their guard when they think they’re being entertained. Then, when they least expect it, our words reach out, touch hearts, and change lives.” However you write, to whomever you write, let your creativity follow the path God has laid out for you. If you do that, your words will change lives."" And, that is the purpose of the 12 Christian children story books I am writing. Each have a simple,entertaining, moral message. "The To Be Or Not To Bee" series is a seed, if you will, that will sprout as it is watered through the filter of parents. Thank you readers for contributing to the mission of instilling core values in our little ones lives.

Good news! "The Mouse And The Thistle" has released. Check out Scottsdale Farms and Amazon.com for the "Too Bee Or Not To Bee Series by C.K. Sharpe. Follow two mice, Millie and Thistle, as they right a wrong—and how the power of honesty enabled two strangers to become good friends. Description: Popping another chocolate into her mouth, Millie’s eyes widened in disbelief. Of all the chocolate shops, in all the towns in Atler County, why did a field mouse crawl under the door of The Chocolate Box where she lived? Did his troubles involve the shiny key that hung around his neck? When Millie asked why he needed help, he fibbed. And his fibs turned Millie’s little mouse world upside-down! Upon request, I have added a link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MKRDP1C?binding=paperback

“Bloom, where you are planted,” is a rare idiom, but these words flashed through my mind as I spotted a single bloom among bare branches during a recent walk with my daughter. The flower reminded me we are called to bloom where we are planted regardless of our circumstances. Our hope and confidence are in the Lord, and through faith, we know our circumstances are a means through which God accomplishes His will in us. And because we are deeply rooted in Him, our hearts will bloom with His Word and burst forth its beauty to share with others. God himself has a garden. The Bible refers to the Garden of Eden as “the garden of the Lord.” (Isaiah 51:3). God was “hands-on.” (Genesis 2:8). God planted the garden! So, as we allow our hearts to bloom for Him, we, too, can be a single flower blooming among bare branches. And have the confidence He is exalted, even in the blooming of a single flower.

Send pizza!

Reaching Higher (A Mother’s true story) “Did I hear that—send pizza!” Those thoughts can’t be from God. Surely I am just thinking this stuff because Pastor talked about our missionaries in Church last Sunday. The next few days, the thoughts kept nagging my soul. “OK, God. I’ll do it. But the missionaries will think I’m a few clowns short of a circus.” I sat at the kitchen table and wrote a check. I added “for pizza” on the memo line, then mailed it. Some weeks later, I received a note from the missionary family. She and her husband were thrilled to receive the check. The message ended with a heartfelt thank-you for being the instrument God chose to bless their family. God had answered the prayer of their small son. Every night at bedtime, he had petitioned Jesus for pizza! *** Praise God. The answer to the little boy's prayers blessed the missionary and his wife. It blessed their son with spiritual growth. It brought praise to the giver of the gift, God. Isn’t it wonderful how God works and grows us to spiritual fullness by pointing us back to Him? And what a reminder when God speaks, we are to listen and respond. We can be thankful God is faithful in every detail of our lives—including the desire for pizza. Verse: “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, And great shall be the peace of your children.” Isaiah 54:13 NKJV.

And where is Duck Town, you ask? Why, it's in an unusual, usual spot south of Atler Park, north of the county line. It's located past the flowers that only come up in spring. The town is hard to find, but worth finding. Why is it worth finding, you ask? Tottie Duck has a cookie waiting at her bakery just for you.

Tottie Duck is a kind duck. She is the owner of a bakery in Duck Town. The residents show how "kindness towards one another" spreads love throughout their town. Whether it's siblings scrunched together on a bed listening to a story or siblings reading to siblings, each receives the benefit of quality time spent with ones they love. Who couldn't use a little more love, kindness, and hope? This duck story makes a good Easter remembrance for someone special. Each book in the TOO BEE OR NOT TO BE SERIES by C.K. Sharpe touches on a different core value. The stories are printed on top-quality (sturdy) paper and include fourteen high quality pictures. Don't forget to look for the two "bee nuggets" hidden in each book! What the world needs now is love, sweet love.

“You know you’re old when the candles cost more than the cake.”

Bob Hope was a great comedian and he once said, “You know you’re old when the candles cost more than the cake.” But I don’t need a cake to tell me how old I am. My body tracks my age. It wishes me happy birthday way before candles appear on top of the now flaming birthday cake! However, I journey through another year grateful for it. As I start into the month that Hallmark calls Loveuary, I get closer to another lighted candle. There is peace knowing God is with me every step of my journey. And, most important, He will still be with me at the end of my sojourn. “And I will still be carrying you when you are old. Your hair will turn gray, and I will still carry you. I made you, and I will carry you to safety.” —Isaiah 46:4. No matter the condition of our earthly bodies, we are to do our utmost to live a life that honors Him. God gives us love and grace as sure as the candles increase on our cakes. Paul tells us that God is rich in mercy, and because of His great love for us, He saves us by grace. See Ephesians 2:4-5. Yes, life is an exercise in love and endurance. It is just recognized better in aging faces. We can be sure God delights in our twinkling eyes, our laughter and grins, and the creases and lines that etch our life experiences. For He tells us, “Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.”—Job 12:12. It is up to each of us to share our healthy, spiritual love, and wisdom with one one another. As the candles glow upon our birthday cakes in 2022, let’s imagine the Light is celebrating His love for us and another year of being His. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your loved ones. —C.K. Sharpe

The second story in the TO BE OR NOT TO BEE SERIES released this month. You can find THE MONKEY, THE TIGER, AND LITTLE MISS in paperback and e-book formats. They are available on Amazon. They can also be ordered through Barnes & Noble and other fine bookstores. (Third grade level read.)

 

I’ve always had a thing for containers—

 

You can look around my house and see pottery. My containers don’t bug me if they are empty, either. I wondered if there is perhaps some deep-seated meaning for that. So I got to wondering— what does God think about vessels. 

The Bible tells us “those who cleanse themselves” become vessels (2 Tim. 2:21) ready to be used by God. Each of us is but a frail vessel, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Cor. 4:7).

God is working through our lives despite many forms of opposition that come roaring against us. I.e., typhoons, tornadoes, fires, family concerns, finances, etc. Despite these things, the Bible is full of stories of God positioning his vessels (men and women) for specific purposes according to His will. We can be with families, neighbors, and friends as they share with us the stories of the cracks in their vessels. We can lift each other's burdens to the Potter. He is the only one that can mend the cracks and strengthen the vessels.

At times, we may feel our vessel is getting empty. During those times, we need to pour more of Him into it. Reading His Word is always a good thing. We are designed and created to contain Him...God.

Would there be anything better than God to put into our physical containers in 2022. As for the pottery in the house, I'll leave it alone for now. Eventually, I'll put something in one or two.