Happy holiday weekend...as I start this blog my son is giving me a verbal spanking and at the sametime telling me of the great network opportunities I am missing. His reasoning makes great sense and I will definitely follow up on his suggestions. Thanks son!!!

Now that two major things have been marked off my to-do list...Articles of Incorporation and the 501(3)c my focus remains but the intensity of my stand has lightened somewhat. I would like to share this, for the last 3 weeks I have been in excruciating back and hip pain. This experience not only delayed and possibly changed my mind about run a marathon in December but it definitely made clear the state of mind and being the children that G.R.A.C.E. will be ministering to.

These little people who have not been long on this earth have gone through such torture and loss of life. I understand consistent pain, I understand not being able to sleep at night, and I understand the need to have someone assist me. They live in constant pain, they live in constant fear, they have no one. They are vulnerable to degredation and abuse but their little voices are not heard. Plus a system (DHS) that was established to advocate on their behalf will not come to their aid. They need someone...they need intervention NOW! G.R.A.C.E. has the honor to be one of many who say enough is enough.

Opportunities continue to open to us that will allow us to touch and change their lives and to that we say thank You God.

I remain in His Grip!
Sharon

Greetings...as I have blasted on my email and facebook the 501(c)3 has been certified. The ministry is now tax exempt. Since I have fully devoted myself to see G.R.A.C.E. function as it has been ordained to function the process has been long and challenging. Yes, it is very important to take time to count the cost. Anything that will change people's lives and in turn bring forth change in the world will cost you loosing yourself. This is the exact outcome God wants, Him having full rein of your life and all you need to do is OBEY.

The enemy, yes we have an enemy, is mad and his fiery darts have been released. I won't lie and say all has been well even God states it will not be easy but because of what Jesus has done on the Cross I am more than a conqueror. Plus I have the security that He will never leave me nor forsake me.

We continue to function as G.R.A.C.E. without walls as opportunities are being presented. I will definitely give updates as things are firmed up. This has been a breakthrough weekend which makes me humbly grateful. Grateful because the vision did not die nor was it taken from me. God just patiently waited until I said "yes". Yes to His Will and His Way! Therefore I am honored that He chose me for such a task.

Thanks for your love and continued prayers.

I remain in His Grip!!!
Sharon

Greetings...

As I continue on this amazing journey the obstacles and intersections that I encounter no longer surprise me. Because of the great promise I have been promised such interuptions are to be expected. But my response to them is the key; as some situations are Divinely allowed but most are the results of my right or wrong choices. Nevertheless they are meant to build my character.

Through my intense soul-searching I realize and admit I began to take myself off course in November 2001. This is the time when I began to make plans for my departure from Tulsa, OK once my graduate courses ended in December. I didn't consult anyone and even though I had prayed about it I didn't like the answer I was given...my mind was made up! Oh how we can get in the way to receive what we have been promised.

I finally came to the end of myself in April 2008. The years prior I could be found living in New York and Texas trying to establish something that was to be planted and manifested in Tulsa, OK. I relocated back to Tulsa in June 2008. Although I returned to the place called there; I returned with the old mindest and self-deception.

There were difficult times I encountered upon my return such as the illness and death of my mother, financial challenges, and my contuinued refusal to obey. The ministry of G.R.A.C.E. has been kept alive in my spiritual womb for over 10 years and to that I say; "thank You God." The time is NOW for me to keep my hands to the plow and to not look back. I have forgiven myself and I have repented; therefore the future and the expected end as stated in Jeremiah 29:11 is mine. It is wonderful to have and know your purpose and destiny. Please don't delay their manifestations because of disobedience...OBEY!

Thanks for your time and your support.

I remain in His Grip!
Sharon

Good morning!

The beginning of a new week and new challenges. I have determined in my mind to be victorious! Facing and confronting old inhabitions, defeating mindsets, and old offenses that I allowed brings forth such a spiritual cleansinng and freedom. The "same old...same old" is no longer a desireable state of being since I decided to become an active participant/warrior in the battlefield of my mind.

My journey has been one of making decisions that look crazy (which brings valid concern to my family), truly surrendering my whole self to God and His way of doing things, and literally, like Peter, walking on water once I asked; "Jesus is that You"? Therefore; the norm no longer fits and I have stopped trying to make it fit. I understand Kingdom living which has propelled me into a higher dimension of being! A place where crazy prescriptions are given and the outcome will be the exceedingly and the abundantly if and only if you follow directions/OBEY.

So, I remain standing in the midst of everyday living and its challenges. I will not give up nor lose heart because I know the expected outcome. God is faithful! Be blessed and thanks for your support.

I remain in His Grip!
Sharon

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