• Update ~ Suddenly Sparkie

    26Apr
    Categories: Thoughts from Sparkie Comments: 1

    March 2012 I stopped writing on this website: youdonteveknow.org.  Many changes have happened in my life and I started writing a new blog. You can sign up for it and find by it by typing Suddenly Sparkie in your Safari or google account.

    It is time for me to write my book and I would love for you to follow my daily writings toward it.  Many of you have been so faithful to write me or text me to say how important my daily writings were. I value you that more than you will ever know. Now, it is time for me to expand and take it into a book.

    If you want to follow this journey with me, sign up on Suddenly Sparkie or write me at 55sparks@comcast.net

    I am also reading a book by Lysa Terkeurst titled, “What Happens When Wromen Say YES to GOD”. I highly recommend my women friends to read this. Life changes when each of us step up and step into their calling. Each day has planted a seed of hope and it shines bright as I look inside my life. I am ready and willing to write.

    I thank each of you who have supported my life and hope you will sign up to receive the new journey that God has put me on. Youdontevenknow.org will continue to be up and you can go back and read old post. Thank you Rob and Vicki for letting this site stay up. You both are part of blessing so many lives by connecting this site to others.

    SUDDENLY all the distractions can stop and God said, “it is another step toward my will for your life.”  Let us begin together and thank God for all we do have in this life already.  SUDDENLY we SEE things the way God intends our lives to be. I can not thank each of you enough for all the support I have received over email, text messages and calls. Yes, I am making this promise to write the book SUDDENLY.  I do see that my life makes a difference to many and I will follow the will of God for my life.

    Blessings, Sparkie

  • ENDING youdonTevenknow but NOT saying goodbye ~ March 2012

    08Mar
    Categories: Thoughts from Sparkie Comments: 8

    Hi Friends,

    “I am STOPPING my writing on this website called: youdontevenknow.org. Please continue to read as I share my heart of WHY I am doing this.  I would love to keep in touch and share my next step with you. Please send me your email at:  55sparks@comcast.net  or contact me on Facebook at:  Janet Sparkie Nance

    It all began about a month ago. My grand-daughter Brookley (2.5 years old) went to her first Sunday class and I asked her what she learned. She began to tell me about the play time, singing and Roxanne. She smiled and was so happy to be at church. I was excited she met a new friend Roxanne. I told her mom about it and Ashley said, “she didn’t meet a new friend, I asked her”.  So I asked Brookley again.  I said, “remember Brookley, told me about all the fun, singing and Roxanne. She said, “NO NO NO, me say, BIG rock,  sand and rain come and no build house on sand, rain make go away. Build house on rock”. It was then that tears filled my heart as I realized she retained her first lesson on building your house on the rock and not the sand.  WOW GOD, what a big heart felt moment that will last forever in this Grammie’s heart.  The power behind ONE story and God uses it BIG. We just never know the depth of one conversation or teaching time. She loves her teachers Karen and Amy.  It stirred my heart to teach more. To reach out more and let go of things that stop me. To build my life on the ROCK that matters. To look beyond and see my now!

    Pastor Eric, (at my church, Hillside Christian Center in Napa), is also teaching on living an UN-hindered lifestyles. Such amazing messages on living a life of purpose.  Darlene Washburn and I, co-lead our Women’s Ministries called, “The Well”. God has begun to stir our hearts to do more. We have seen the importance of holding on for someone who can’t hold on. We have seen miracles and know that God has greater things for each of us. We are a great team that God put together. She has her ministers license with Assemblies of God and living to teach women to live un-hindered. I have no papers but a willing heart and God see’s us the same.

    I started thinking about things that hindered me and why wasn’t I stepping into my now of life.  I am seeing miracles in the midst of storms of my life. My mom fell on Christmas Day and broke her hip. Surgery, a stroke, a bladder infection, and now she see things that are not there. She went from being walking, living alone and being somewhat independent to a care home now. She now lives in diapers and doesn’t retain much.  CHANGE in the last two months has drained me inside. I needed to be refresh and a a new battery of breathing again. Then my son, his wife and daughters came back to church. It began a season of seeing MIRACLES take place and Roxanne (ROCK/SAND) take more meaning than ever in my heart.

    On March 2-3, 2012 Darlene, Tracy, Lori, Marjorie, Theresa, Marie and myself,  attended a multigenerational conference for women. It was called, “SWEET LIFE” and the message was “ARISE”.  It was there that I begin to hear God speak to me about writing on this website, “youdontevenknow”. It has served a purpose in teaching and growing us together. I have known for years that God wants me to write a book and I tend to push it back because of so many situations in my life.

    At The Sweet Life Conference was a breakout session led by Debbie Heden and members of her board. This was for Pastor’s wives and women in leadership class.  It was there that I began to wonder who I was. I used to be a Associate Pastor’s wife and when the title was gone, I was left with not being able to attend retreats for wives/ministers. I must admit, I felt alone and pushed out. I had a hole in my heart and I didn’t see it until this conference. I let frustrations into my heart and I didn’t see the depth of that. It was clear to me it was time for change. This conference has WOKE me up to a new level of commitment to God and stepping out into ministry with knowing WHO I AM. I am FREE to RUN into the presence of God and ready for purpose. Endless possibilities for open doors. Time to ARISE.

    So here I go, letting go of this site  youdontevenknow and moving into a new place of writing. I feel as if someone WOKE me up and said, “what are you doing with your life. God pulled you from the waters of Cabo for more than this. Knowing my life was over and yet I said, “If I had a second chance, I would teach/write”, then I saw land again. I would come home to find an open door to teach in the year 2004 to women weekly at Hillside. It still continues now with Darlene and I. Every Wednesday night since 2004 God does something new there.

    I heard God clearly say,”It is TIME for sharing HOPE to lots of people and letting God use your life BIG.  Stop hiding behind a website that gives a few minutes daily and you feel that is enough. Your book will reach far more people than this website. It is time to wake up and let God us your complete life”.  So friends, I value your support, your love and caring.  I thank God for  those who kept reading what I wrote daily and your comments.  Your prayers and lives matter to me.  I am excited to SEE what is next in my life. I have completely said, “YES to God and rising up to complete the call on my life with God’s direction”. My birthday is March 12 and I feel as if God re-birthed me at this conference. Here we go, new beginnings! Plus, Darlene and I will continue to do Wednesday nights at Hillside and much more.

    Blessings to Rob and Vicki who made this website possible for me and you, over all these years. Youdonteveknow how many lives it has blessed and the unseen things God has done through these writings. I would like to thank my husband Terry, for faithful support in me quitting my job to follow God. Blessings to my kid/adults Tracy, Chad, Ashley andfamily/friends who faithful support me as well.  Don’t forget to send me your email address at:  55sparks@comcast.net (A conference is not just about one person, but a team of women who pull together to do their part. This Assemblies of God conference changed my life and I will arising to purpose.  I am ENDING youdonTevenknow writings but NOT saying goodbye. There is more to come as God directs. Please keep in touch.

    Janet “Sparkie” Nance

    Lisa Bevere was the main speaker at this conference.  She has written a book, “Lioness Arising”.  I have copied a part from her website. Check it out and get her material that God has placed on her heart to share with women.

    Lioness Arising

    Wake Up and Change Your World

    The lioness rises from her slumber, a magnificent image of strength, passion, and beauty. Her mere presence commands the landscape, protects her young, and empowers the lion. In groups, lionesses act as one to become a creative and strategic force to be reckoned with. In Lioness Arising, Lisa offers the life and image of the lioness as a fierce and tender model for women to wake up, rise up, and change the world.

    • Become a stunning representation of strength
    • Learn to fiercely protect the young
    • Lend your voice to the silenced
    • Live in the light and hunt in the dark
    • Raise a collective roar that changes everything

  • LOOK INSIDE ~

    02Mar
    Categories: Thoughts from Sparkie Comments: 0

    A GIFT ~ Go ahead open it.

    Inside the cut little envelope holds a gift card.  The FREEDOM to choose what you want to buy.  It means someone took the TIME to go and think about what you would like. Often times we buy things people don’t really like or doesn’t fit. A gift card gives FREEDOM and I love that. It means the person has the money to go and decided on their own. I would like relate this gift to God. HE gave us the best gift card ever “JESUS”.  As Jesus walked on earth, HE showed the Godly example to others and tried his best to do the right the thing. I have found in my life, I can try my best and often times I feel as if it is not good enough. Pouring time and energy into things that don’t need to be poured.  It time to break that pot of nothing I can do about it and grab onto God. Open my gift card and SHINE with joy that I get to choose LIFE the way I see it. I see it through the word of God “BIBLE” and hold tightly to faith. Something I can not always see but I know is there. That leads us into HOPE. A place of freedom in card.

    1 Peter 1:3- 12  =  Praise to God for a Living Hope

    3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

    10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

    Friends, I get excited when I see what God has already done for me. I get excited when I see blessings pour into the lives of my family/friends. I get excited to know that this day is full of new beginnings. Ready and willing to let God use my life.  To show kindness and run with freedom of mind. Choose life today and LOOK INSIDE yourself to SEE the great things that hold beauty. Life is about “YOU” and living a FREE WILL to serve God. Blessings my friends and thank you for all the time you give to read what I write and support me by prayer. Sparkie

  • I CARE ~

    01Mar
    Categories: Thoughts from Sparkie Comments: 0

    I am sure if we are honest, there are times when you just feel a little alone inside ~

    The wonder process starts in my life. Does anybody SEE my heart?  Does anybody really know me?  Does anybody CARE about me!  Have you ever been in a room of people and feel alone?  I have and then I wonder far from that room in my brain and end up in a place of thought I never wanted to go back to.  I am not quite sure how many miles I traveled while sitting in one chair.

    I CARE ~

    Words spoken by Jesus and those that were around HIM.  Words spoken by people who love us and then they leave us.  Words spoke to say I will always be here for you and then they are not. CHANGE happens for a reason. Things may not always make sense but God wants us HAPPY.  HE wants us to live a life of JOY, FREEDOM and WELL being my friends. It is time to take the limits off of our own minds and put them on LIFE.  It is time to look into a MIRROR and see what God sees deep inside of you.  Start believing again in who you are and receive the blessings that God intended you to have  ~ “FREEDOM of MIND and LIFE”.

    I read in the Bible that we are to treat others like you want to be treated. Yet in real life, we have people that don’t treat us right. Words spoken or actions done to us makes us build a wall of protection. The problem with the wall is, it keeps those that truly love us out.  We tend to focus on the negative and not the positive that can come to us. If we have always been treated bad, we expect bad from others. Breaking down that wall is a choice my friends.  Pushing it over and not rebuilding it is a must. I do building blocks with my grand-daughter Brookley. We a building almost done and she pushes it over and laughs. I tend to take that one as a “OH NO” moment. She smiles and says, “do again”. Then we laugh together. I can related this to our own human lives. Things happen that knock us down and getting back up is a “OH NO” moment. Yet, God wants us to smile and hear HIM say, “I CARE”.  Let’s do this together my friend. Take a post-it-note and write: I CARE  (Place that note on the mirror in a room of your choice).  Every time you go in that room, it can read and hear the words spoken “I CARE”.  Plant the words of God deep inside and know that HE does work all things for your good. Yes, even the ugly things.

    I am not quite sure about loving the one who hurts me but I try hard to treat everyone with kindness. It takes time to let go and let God. A true determination inside. Then the day comes, when you can say, “yes, I forgive that person and move on”. It doesn’t mean you must make that person your best friend or even communicate daily but we must forgive.  Reminding ourselves that, forgiveness was given to each of us by God.  Putting up healthy boundries and leaving the rest to God. It time to focus on SELF after a breakup, hurt or failure. Take on the meaning of “I CARE” from God and hold tightly to that. God will also place people in the middle of your heart who truly care and show you.  After all is said and done, God is showing us daily, “HE CARES”.

    I CARE ~  I am not saying it is easy to forgive but I am saying it is the word of God.

    Let us read in Luke what God says:

    Luke 6:27-36 New International Version

    Love for Enemies

    27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.   32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

    Friends, thank you for taking the TIME to read this and your support for my life. You don’t even know how much I value your prayers. JESUS truly cares about you and so do I.

    Blessings, Sparkie

  • THE TREE ~

    29Feb
    Categories: Thoughts from Sparkie Comments: 0

    ROOTED in the ground………..

    The dictionary says: TREE = a plant having a permanently woody main stem or trunk, ordinarily growing to a considerable height, and usually developing branches at some distance from the ground.

    Friends, I find it amazing how a tree started without being seen.  It was once a tiny seed.  Over TIME, it would develop ROOTS to go down deep into the ground and it would grow a trunk above the ground. Now, I am not a tree expert but I can see the power in ONE seed and the process of it’s growth.  Going deep into the ground to withstand winds and be solid. Yet, growing high above the ground to see the beauty of ONE seed.  Colors of the leaves would change over time. Seasons will come and go. Rain, snow and sun would develop the tree to grow. After a period of time, you will SEE it grows in all different directions but yet straight up. I love looking at times. They are all different shapes, types and color of leaves are different. You often can NOT control the ROOTS. They go deep and far. I have a tree close to my driveway and the roots are popping through the driveway. They are strong and pushing up the surface. It’s crazy but true. The power behind the roots!

    Much like our lives my friends. We are birthed from a seed of life and God has developed us to be different and yet the same. The is POWER behind the roots of faith and giving our lives to God. Giving out an unconditional LOVE for others.  Moving past anything negative and grabbing tight to the ROOT of FAITH. We will have seasons of rain in our hearts and seasons  of wonder. Yet, we will not be moved for seasons and stand TALL with the character of JESUS.  A human just like you and me. HE walked the earth to show us we can go  through anything and stay ROOTED in God. The FATHER above all fathers. The one who created each of us and will NEVER leave us.

    I am glad my roots go deep into FAITH. In days of question, I run back to God and ask for more strength, help, courage and HIS power to take me through what I face. I feel alone and cry out to family/friends who will remind me who I am in God. STRONG, FAITHFUL and DEPENDABLE. The winds will come my friends, but God given us each other for purpose. The wind might take you down a bit but God won’t let it break you. I recall miracles that God has done in my life and others. I recall a time of testing and yet passing the test of faith. I held on and I saw the results. Just like you, the circle of life happens to each of us. God has birthed us for purpose and rewards. HE is faithful to those that are faithful. HE loves each of us the same. After all, we are to be ROOTED in faith, hope, love and all the great things God gives. In the Bible, there is a prayer to the Ephesians. Let us grab onto that today and know that this day will be better than yesterday and we have the power through the name of JESUS to move forward. Don’t forget who you are my friends, a small seed once but made to withstand the circle of life and come out VICTORIOUS. “YOUR LIFE MAKES A DIFFERENCE, JUST LIKE THE TREE”. We are all made different and yet serve one purpose. To be rooted, grounded and shine with beauty. The God inside of you, will be shown through you.

    Blessings, Sparkie

    Ephesians 3:14-21

    A Prayer for the Ephesians

    14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

    20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

     

     

« Previous Page

Blogroll

Meta:

Recent Posts