Happy August!

A new month, the newness of God's mercy is felt each new day, and the same God-breathed vision continues to mature me! The weariness of the struggle has been felt but God has placed an Aaron and a Hur in my life that keeps me standing and enduring.

A statement from my Pastor; "you have been functioning as G.R.A.C.E. without walls" truly encouraged me. To further explain myself I intervened and advocated, as God directed, in a young girl's life who was labled, ignored, and a castway by soceity. He brought a young woman, a single mother who was recently released from incarceration and going through the steps of reentry back into soceity. Part of these steps included reuniting with her children and I have the honor to assist and direct her through some of this process. She, too, has a God-breathed vision one which can change and impact many lives. Please keep these young people in your prayers.

We continue to wait for the exempt status from the IRS but the specifics of our first home has taken shape. God not only has a sense of humor but His Word said He would take the foolish/simple things of this world to confound the wise. He has instructed me, a person with no visible means of support, to start research on architecture of homes and the style in which the home should be decorated. It's easy to keep such far-fetched ideas to yourself but when He wants you to share them with your Board Members and Ministry Consultant...you obey. These women are my Aaron and Hur that I mentioned earlier and they have caught the vision and will wait with me for the mainfestation. You can always count on Him to take you out of your comfort zone when He wants to promote you; therefore He instructed me to give the same specifications to our realtor. Our realtor knows this is a pure faith walk and faithful sends housing listings weekly. The home is large as well as the yard but I find comfort in a LIMITLESS God. So watch for our announcement for the grand opening of our new home.

I hope recounting of my journey will encourage you...don't stop nor grow weary. God is faithful; if He said it is done. Be blessed and enjoy the upcoming week.

I remain in His Grip!
Sharon

Monday a strategy will be presented and prayerfully executed that will advocate, instruct, change, and, impact lives of children and their families in the North Tulsa area. I will keep you posted.

Greetings Everyone...since my last post various situations have happened within my family. My oldest brother had triple bypass heart surgery and his youngest daughter had her twins delivered the night before his surgery. Because of the goodness and faithfulness of God they are all doing well. Prayers were prayed and the Word was believed; therefore the outcome assures us all is well!

I was reading over my previous posts and I clearly remember the place where I was during each season. There is always a reason and a purpose behind the various seasons and test from God. His Promise is that I will come forth as pure gold...He will be able to see Himself in me. He is so AWESOME!!!

During each season and test I walk/stand through He always sends a song that ministers to me for clarity of my purpose. The current song is "I give myself away" by William McDowell. When time permits listen to the words of that song. My life is no longer my own and that is well with my soul.

I truly hope I'll be announcing real soon the ministry has received its tax exempt status from the IRS. You all will be among the first to know.

As always thanks for your time, support, and your prayers.

I remain in His Grip!
Sharon

Greetings...

I'm still here and I just realized the date of my last blog. No excuse as I want to keep my blog current and active. So here I go again...
The ministry is growing because God is faithful to His Promises. We awarded our first scholarship to a deserving recipient. It went to one of our Board Member's, Kirby McColley, daughter Donishia N. Swoopes. She graduated from Nathan Hale High School and plans to further her education at Oklahoma University. Please, read all about her on the ministry's facebook page or our website grace-ministry.com. We are so proud of her and grateful we were able to bless her.
Moving on G.R.A.C.E. is now incorporated in the state of Oklahoma and the exempt status is on its way of being completed. It's been a long time coming but delay certainly does not mean denial. Many thanks to our friends and our Attorney Elizabeth C. Thomas.
The Board Members and the Ministry Consultant continue seek God for direction thus we remain united.
The trying of our heart and hands continue but that is to be expected. God wants to see His reflection in us for the ministry He has ordained for us to do for Him. So rejoice and be glad!

Thanks to those of you who continue to follow and pray for us.
I remain in His Grip!
Sharon

Hi Everyone

While in my quiet place the revelation of my purpose continues to unfold to me with much clarity. I have come to a definite decision that giving up is not an option. The word that was placed in my spirit was strive. The basic meaning of this word is...to devote serious effort or energy-endeavor to finish a product. The endeavor I am exerting all my energy and/or effort is my faith. The God-kind of faith is the finished product in which I am striving.

This is not an easy decision to fulfill but very necessary. I really embrace the saying; "to have something you have never had before...you must do something you have never done before". I have never remained, I always gave up or compromised; therefore never receiving the true Promise. I do not wish to continue to live a mediocre life. God promised me an abundant life and I have a right to receive that kind of life. There are certain specifications and criteria that must be met and I am willing to do what is necessary. Therefore; I strive to receive the promised prize.

G.R.A.C.E. is alive and well and she will remain in that state of being because I have chosen to remain. Please, continue stand with us and thank God for the receiving of the 501(c)3 certification letter and our first home. There is a great need for this type of ministry work and as we allow God to continue to transform us His Kingdom...His way of doing things, will manifest right here on earth. Another great saying I embrace is; "only changed people can change people". We the Board Members and affiliates have purposed to be used for such a time as this.

I remain in His Grip!!!
Sharon

Learnng through the stand

Shalom to those who are reading or following my blog. I truly appreciate your support and interest.

The time waiting for the promised manifestation of G.R.A.C.E. to come into frutition has not been wasted. I always ask Him what is my next step, although He does speak very clear and concise directions, He continues to requires me to remain still before Him. During this quiet time I witness the fall of the degradation happening in the world. Big falls by big people whose foundation was not built on The Rock. Thus fulfilling The Word...the wealth of wicked is laid up for the righteous. But there are stipulations for the righteous and to be fully prepared to receive the bounty we, the righteous, must go and stay before Him for ourselves.

The Ministry continues to wait for the 501(c)3 non-profit certification to be placed in our hands. My last conversation with the IRS representative I was told the agent working on our case is very slow. The usual inpatient anger did not arise but prayer for the representative and the agent came forth. I have learned to pray God's Favor and His Divine Interevention into my life and the things that concern me. G.R.A.C.E. concerns me; therefore I know He is working it out for my good. I'm standing on The Rock.

My daily confessions are taken from a book written by Cindy Trimm. There's a portion I wanted to share with you because I believe His Word..."Wherever I go systems, institutions, cultures, environments, legislation, codes, ordinances,regulations, and policies adjust to accommodate my divine purpose."

The children that will be sent to us need to see The God that is not interrupted by us, the called ones, because we did not spend the required time for ourselves before Him. I'm excited and remain expecting for His Kingdom to come right here on earth.

I remain in His Grip!
Sharon

I'm still STANDING!!!

The revelation I recently received is that G.R.A.C.E.'s pupose is to aid in the transforming of lives, children's lives. This task cannot be effectively done unless my life has been transformed and a thorough transformation is not immediate. This specific transformation requires me to stand as God removes things in me that would hinder the purpose.

He once told me it's the quality of my stand that reaps great benefits. There were times I would get so shaky, I would complain, I would not trust God and do it myself, I would give up and give in. And then I would wonder..."why God-why?"...nothing was happening the way I wanted them to happen. Those were the times He could not trust my heart with the Promises He had ordained for me before I was in my mother's womb. The life changing promises cannot and will not be placed in the hands of someone who has not been dilligent in their stand. The Word tells us we must come forth as pure gold to be effective for the Kingdom here on earth. Refined gold is so polished that the Refiner can see His reflection in His creation.

So when I find myself walking out the words I have spoken I walk with my mouth closed. Just in case you don't fully understand I'd like to give you a few examples. One of my favorites is "Now to Him Who is able to the exceedingly and the abundantly above all we can ask or think". His response to that was (since I recited it so many times and would encourage others to fully trust Him as He is faithful)..."will you allow Me to prepare you to receive and to keep the exceedingly and the abundantly?" Another one is "God is my Jehovah Jireh...my Provider" and I was spouting this statement while working two jobs and at the same inquiring when was G.R.A.C.E. going to be released. On January 1, 2010 He asked me what I was waiting on and I could not answer Him. I resigned from my fulltime job and I am no longer hanging on to the familiar but I am standing on the Truth!

It not only takes courage to make the decision to walk the path God has ordained for you but it takes patience. Through the patience comes character, integrity, a spirit of excellence, and all the great attributes of the Father. I know G.R.A.C.E. has been positioned to take back, cover, and inpart into children's lives that have been greatly damaged by an enemy that kills...steals...and destroys. So I'm still standing as the Promises of God manifest in the way and in the time He has planned it.

Thanks for connecting with me. I appreciate your comments or suggestions.

I remain in His Grip!!!
Sharon

Hello again

I have received such positive responses from my first blog, to which I am very grateful, that I'm back and plan to continue.

To further understand G.R.A.C.E. and its mission I have to tell a brief history of my volunteer history experience. Several years I was a domestic violence counselor for a women's shelter in DeKalb County Georgia and at the YWCA in Wichita, Kansas, and I mentored teen mothers. During this time I saw hurt and pain that cannot be described by words. By looking into the eyes of the women and the children I could see the damage that had been done by such dastardly acts. Part of the intake interview at the YWCA the potential resident is asked if there's any distinguishing marks. One client just released from the hospital showed me her cracked skull that had been stapled. I was mortified as I had never seen such a sight.

I have witnessed the struggles of the victims to either maintain a life of normalacy or attempt to acheive something better. Sadly to say I did not witness much success.

Working with the teen mothers really became an eye opener for me, as the majority were rape victims and others just made the wrong the decision. When I listened to their stories they were victims at the hands of someone they loved and trusted.

I became an advocate and a voice for them but at the same time I was seeking God. When His response to me was to be a proactive intervention for His children I knew exactly what He meant. The situations that came upon this population did not have to be long lasting nor cheat them out of what is rightfully theirs...a full and healthly life.

Proactively intervening in a young person's life through a safe, clean, and healthy environment is truly the beginning of giving them the much needed sense of security. Implementing structure, discipline, and the Word of God starts the healing process. This makes the child's heart pliable and re-structuring can begin. The purpose of G.R.A.C.E. is not ony to intervene but assist in the healing process that will assure the children an opportunity to be released from the shackles of the past and go forward into the future God has promised them. It's clearly stated in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." (amplified)
I trust His Word. Do you?

Currently we, me and the Board of Directors, are standing for finances and our first home. Please stand with us as we see God manifest His Promises to G.R.A.C.E. Thank you.

I remain in His Grip
Sharon