Be Still

The quietness of the morning stills my soul as a woodpecker taps on the trunk of the tree. The birds chirp and the sun shines brightly. I find the more opportunities I take for this peaceful tranquility, the more I desire these intimate soul stirring moments between my Lord and I. This desire becomes a craving of sorts in which a day missed with him is empty and unfulfilled.

Recently, during these still moments, I have found myself reevaluating my life. I've been asking three of life's biggest questions...

1) Who am I? (identity)
2) Where do I belong? (security)
3) What am I suppose to do? (significance)

Chip Ingram states in his book, "Living on the Edge"...

"It is far easier to accept predigested religious answers

and dive into energizing religious activities than it is to work through

the sometimes painful and difficult process of "being still and

knowing He is God." But quietness and stillness are REQUIRED in

order for God to tell you who you are, why you are here, and what

you are suppose to do."

Let the things of this Earth grow dim in the light of his glory and grace in a quiet moment with Him.



Lay 'em Down

If you read my last post, you know for Lent I have decided to give up my desires for the sake of Christ. Let me tell you, it is not an easy thing to do by no means. It has been a constant uncomfortable struggle between my flesh and its desires and the fierce Holy Spirit who relentlessly whispers gently within my mind in a sweet melody. But even the sweetest of melodies at times have been drowning me in the undertow of fleshly desires. It has left me tired with arms flailing in a maddening sense as a gasp to keep my head above water for another breath of fresh air. I need to give up and give in and allow Jesus to hold me awhile in his arms.


My heavenly Father continues to teach me through this struggle that I cannot will myself into compliance of His desires for my life. Only God in his infinite sovereignty and my surrender to His Lordship can make my heart comply until my soul cries out unspeakable joy and glorious contentment. It is a moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day commitment to seek to “be” instead of “do”. I have come to greatly appreciate the power of quieting myself before my Lord so I might better hear him sing over me and let Him paint the canvas of my life with more vibrant colors of His grace, mercy, and love.

Dear Heavenly Father…

please continue to help me surrender myself continually to you. It is so hard to lay 'em down and I can’t do it on my own. I need you! So please be patient with me Lord and help me to be patient with myself those times I fail. Let me see the small successes that I might praise you all the days of my life!

~Amen

Ash Wednesday

I love this time of year; the season of Lent. But I have also boasted of Christmas as my most favorite holiday. At Christmas, we celebrate the coming of Jesus and stand in awe of the virgin birth. When Lent arrives we are reminded of the life of Christ, his ultimate sacrifice on the cross, and his resurrection. So how can I choose to look at these two events as separate? They go hand in hand…Jesus was born to die. He came into the world lowly born in a manger and left the world lowly hated by his own people. Why? Because he surrendered in the Garden of Gethsemane to his Father…to do God’s will and not his own…all because he loves me…all because he loves you!


Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. It marks the beginning of the Lent season. I usually try to give something up for Lent. Not just anything, but something I deeply desire on a regular basis. More than once I have given up Diet Coke and other years I have relented on chocolate. But this year is different. As I thought about Jesus in the Garden before the soldiers came and took him away, his ultimate surrender to God struck a chord with me. I don’t need to give up a thing for Lent. I just need to surrender myself and give up my agenda for God’s. It is the greatest gift I could give back to my King…myself for his service. So, how about you? Will you give yourself up this Lent for Jesus?

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship”

~Romans !2:1

My Valentine

I have secluded my heart this week. I thought it was best to buck up once again and just be strong on my own. So many who don’t know me…who don’t know my heart have falsely accused me when all I have done is stand up for what is right. It’s not just people I currently have come to know, but my past still haunts me. I beat myself up wondering if my childhood was my fault. I find myself minimizing my early years convincing myself that other children probably had it much worse. I’ve cried more times than I care to count this past week. I wept in the presence of my Abba and I know he comforted me.


Even in the dark seclusion of my broken heart, I went to God’s Word Blesses Us this week. It’s not a Bible study, but a time for brothers and sisters in Christ to gather and allow the Spirit to move us to action and live Jesus as a result. The scripture passage we read did not sit well with me and I found myself in a state of silence, unable to look at others, and repeatedly coaching myself internally not to share…it wasn’t worth it…don’t trust them. But then one sister stated something about being “free” if we would make things right with another. Before I could bite my lip I uttered,

“I strongly disagree.”

I was mad at myself for speaking, but then the tears came and they wouldn’t stop. Dale reached over and grabbed my hand and Beverly, his wife, placed her hand on top. It was if God with skin had reached to touch the heart of the broken…my grieving soul. I tried desperately to push the pain down deeper, but it floated to the surface for all to see. I could barely speak to explain my indifference. Eventually, in between sobs, sniffles, and salted drops, I was able to articulate my pain. It was very quiet. I felt awkward. But then amazing things began to happen. Because I had unfolded a piece of my heart to allow another to see a glimpse of my pain, I was ministered to by the others in our small group. It was a huge bear hug embrace and I didn’t feel so alone.

We know that we have passed from death to life,

because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.

I John 3:14

I am thanking God this day for all the beautiful friends he has sent my way in all the many places I have lived. I know not one person I have met in this journey called life was an accident. It has been ordained by my heavenly Father. He knew before I was born the path I would trod, the smiles, laughter, tears, and pain I would encounter. I cannot be angry for the trials and suffering this life has brought, but must remember how much my Jesus suffered for me…for nothing he did wrong.

So Jesus I ask you,

“Will you be my Valentine this year?”

Love Always and Forever,

Your Beloved Daughter,

Shannon

XOXOXOXOXOXO - Please watch the awesome video below!!!



Angry at God

I’m all about justice. I’m a fierce competitor at heart. I won’t deny it. But much of it stems from survival mode growing up in an abusive home. I’m use to bucking up, turning the other cheek, and have learned much about the word mercy. I do realize who I am in Christ, but sometimes, like today, I’m angry at God. I could not even take communion at church this morning because I found it hard to tell God I loved him, talk to him, or worship him during the service.

Sometimes it doesn’t’ take much for me to cave within myself and hoard what God intends for me to share. It is pure selfishness on my part and I do it mostly because I don’t trust others well and the thought of nonaccpetance is just purely terrifying to me at times. I find myself always looking for the right hook leaving me in the corner with another bloody lip.

However, some things I am confident I can do well. One of those things is coaching the game of basketball. But yesterday afternoon, my confidence was rocked to the core as I was told I am a bad coach and that I don’t care about the boys on my team. One of those boys happens to be my son. They didn’t like the way I subbed, they didn’t like the way my team played man to man defense, and felt I played some boys too much. Here’s the kicker…we lost the game by one point. Really, what was all the complaining for anyways? It all just seemed so senseless to me, but with a smile intact I shook hands with the gentleman (not any of my parents) who seemed so unkind and stated we would have to agree to disagree. I also offered for him to call my parents and see what they think of my coaching and I am sure he would find a far different opinion.

I was strong in the moment and set a good example, but when I got home it was an entirely different story. I beat myself up all afternoon and all night barely sleeping a wink. Is it arrogant of me to know my talents and gifts and with confidence use them for God’s glory? I do not boast of them, but why do others try to squelch the very essence of who I am with untruth and derogatory comments without the knowledge of who I am. I have wanted to recoil as I ask God is it really worth it…doing this stuff for you. It would be so much easier to sit on the sidelines and watch and not risk.

All I hear whispered in a still small voice deep within,

“I never said it would be easy. I only said it would be worth it.”

~

Dear Heavenly Father,

I am sorry for being mad at you this morning during church. Please help me to have the fortitude and grace to continue to carry on using the gifts and talents you have blessed me with to shine the light of Christ to others. I pray for those today who seem to not like me and seem falsely to accuse me without knowing my heart. You know my heart. You know how much I care. I desire only to hear these words from your mouth,

“Well done good and faithful servant.”

Amen

Amazing Grace

I’ve been writing a lot lately. It’s a memoire about me and the pain and anguish I endured as a child, but also what made God sad and what made God happy. The book will be a journey for anyone who wants to find them self one step closer to home…home being heaven. I myself have opened wounds I thought I had forgiven and now find God healing me once again. This is a far cry from the little girl who desperately wondered if anyone heard her pleas from behind the hazel eyes and long brown hair. I will never forget the sadness. It haunts me still today as I still grieve what could have been, but also I rejoice in knowing how far God has brought me. He taught me how to break the chains of generational sin and give my children a life of love and grace as my Jesus has freely given me.  His grace is amazing and so I leave you with one of my most favorite songs. Praise God my chains are gone and I have been set free!

O Great God

I spent the better part of today writing. It has taken me a long time to finally pen down what it is God wants me to write into a book. I’m now sure I am on the right path because the pain cuts deep as I relive within my mind the fear and turmoil I lived growing up as a young child. I have shed many tears these past few weeks as the words spill from my heart. I ask that all of my followers, friends, and family please keep me and this book in your prayers. I know it will help heal me even more, but I know God wants me to write this to help heal others as well. God made beauty from the ashes of my life and I know he can do that for anyone not matter what the circumstance, tragedy, or pain you have been through or are now experiencing in your life.

“He brought me out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away the chains.”

Psalm 107:14

No matter how deep the pain may pierce your heart...know our God is greater and close enough to hear you now. So fall on your knees and speak, weep, and be comforted by the Great I Am. Even though he already knows every word you will say, he still loves the sound of your voice. The voice he gave you when he kissed you sweetly upon the forhead and set you in your mother's womb.

Snow Days of Beauty



The early morn as the sun peeks through the trees



Thank you Lord for this wonderful day! You filled it with beauty and excitement!

Untouched Beauty

Tonight the first big snow storm arrived to our area. My two youngest have already gone outside sledding on the short steep hill in our picturesque back yard as the big fluffy flakes danced gingerly in the night sky. I hope to be up bright and early tomorrow morning to sit with a warm brew snuggled between the palms of my hands and take in the beauty of the new snow from our bay windows. I might even venture out and take a few snapshots. The photograph above is a picture taken near my home last winter during our record snowfall season.

Honestly, I hope all of you will take a few moments today and reflect upon God's beauty which is all around us.  Whether it is the fresh snow, the touch of the warm rays of the sun upon your cheek, or maybe the sound of your child's giggle...be at peace...take it in...and realize the blessings God gives each and every day.

Homeward Bound

Every human being has felt the sense of homelessness in a life time. As a small child, homelessness might be felt during those first few long days of kindergarten. The child’s whole world has changed. Mom is no longer around to carry out their every beck and call and the accustomed environment of home steeped in a mother’s love is replaced by a teacher they barely know and classmates who are strangers. The ages of junior high school, high school, and especially college all evoke this sense of homelessness. Life after all is ever changing where old ways become obsolete to new beginnings…first job…first apartment…marriage…children…retirement…death of a spouse are all instances where we may feel a sense of exile deep within our hearts until what is unfamiliar becomes the familiar once again.


But even when we are accustomed to our new environment, why do we still long for home? What is this desire within us to return to remembrances of yester years within the grey matter of our minds? Is God calling us to our true self through these images whether good or bad? And what may I ask is our “true self”?

As Christians, we also face daily homelessness. We know our true citizenship is in heaven and not on this Earth. We know that where our treasure is there are heart will be also. So we try to stay focused on what the important things are and keep our priorities in the proper order. But all too often we become distracted and tossed from the narrow path. Our eyes wander and see things we want instead of being content with what we have already. We forget the basic principle that less equals more. Our desires become world focused and not Christ centered!

Life is all about a relationship with Jesus. A relationship with Immanuel creates a deep love within for Him, for us, and for others. This love abounds so much that it spills into interactions with others. Interaction with others leads to fellowship. And fellowship leads to hospitality…which leads to loyalty…which leads to accountability. People need one another. God did not create us to live a solo life void of relations with others…especially not void of Him! Finding our “true self” has everything to do with finding God and having a relationship with his son Jesus Christ.

Though our hearts are homeless while we walk this Earth in human flesh our soul should always seek the shelter of home. Home is wherever we find Jesus. He is everywhere! We just need to consciously seek to encounter His presence to know his will for our lives. I hope for myself and all of you that this year...this new beginning... your “doing” might be remedied into just “being”, and that you might learn how to “do” and “be” at the same time, and have moments of perfect harmony that bring you one step closer to home!