Thankful Saturday

Today I am thankful for sunshine, for Costco, for Super Bowl Sunday, for God's perfect timing. I am thankful for my kids that are all coming over tonight for the my hubby's birthday party. I am thankful for church family and friends. I am thankful for ministry opportunities that God gives me....He is so faithful. I am thankful for my job and for God's provision. Thank You Lord for loving me....Thank You.

I Am Thankful For A Spilled Milkshake

In 1994 I was in a terrible car accident. My life and the lives of my children were spared. When I think back on that day the things I remember: it was a beautiful sunny day and a spilled milkshake. Yep, that is what I said, a spilled milkshake.

You see about ten minutes before that wreck happened we had stopped for a McDonald's milkshake. My two boys were in the back seat and my daughter was in the front seat. We were on our way to a basketball tournament in Washington. My son James (who was about five) spilled his milkshake all over himself. I was irritated but I pulled to the side of the road to change his clothes. (I had a spare set in the trunk) When I took off his shirt I noticed that he didn't have his seatbelt on! I was not happy and told him the importance of wearing his seatbelt and when I had his shirt changed I buckled him in his seat. I then proceeded to drive to the freeway. It wasn't but a short distance after pulling onto the freeway and reaching freeway speeds that an older man tried to pull across the freeway going about ten miles an hour approximately two car lengths away from me and I t-boned him. It was a horrible wreck. I can describe it as so silent but so loud and so fast but so slow all at the same time. I won't go into any further description but God was with us in so many ways that day. I look back and see His hand protecting us.

James had seat belt bruising on his little body. Actually all three of the kids had seat belt bruising. But had James not spilled his milkshake that day he would have been thrown from the vehicle. I don't know if an angel "helped" him with his milkshake that day but I do know this...I am thankful that James spilled his milkshake! Without that milkshake spilling we would have reached the freeway and he wouldn't have been belted. What a gracious God we serve! Again, there were so many more details about that day where God's hand moved but this is just one small thing that stands out to me today. So today, again, I am thankful for that one spilled milkshake! Thank You Lord...

I love this song!

I love this song. It is on Chris Tomlin's latest album Hello Love. I love the words in the chorus where it says "The rescue for sinners, the ransom from heaven" How true. He is our rescue. He is the remedy! I hope this song ministers to you like it does to me. I highly recommend this album to you. SO I thought that I would share the lyrics of Jesus Messiah with you...

He became sin, Who knew no sin
That we might become His Righteousness'
He humbled himself and carried the cross
Love so amazing, Love so amazing

Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all


His body the bread
His blood the wine
Broken and poured out all for love
The whole earth trembled
And the veil was torn
Love so amazing, Love so amazing

All our hope is in You
All our hope is in You
All the glory to You, God
The light of the world

Artist: Chris TomlinCopyright Credits: Album: Hello Love CCLI Song #: 5183443 Written By: Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, & Jesse Reeves Copyright: © 2008 Vamos Publishing / worshiptogether.com songs / sixsteps Music / Alletrop Music

Remodeling of the Heart

My daughter and son-in-law are remodeling their kitchen this week. This has been a long time dream of my daughter's. They ripped out the cabinets and then got to the floor. They had ripped up a small portion of the linoleum before they started the demolition of the kitchen and they found wood floors which they were so excited about.

Well today they started on the removal of the old linoleum and they found that there are several layers of different types of floor coverings under the first layer. It appears that none of them which will come up easy. They have decided that whatever it takes to get to the wood floors is worth it. When they get to the wood floors it will still be work because then they are going to have to sand, stain and then lacquer them. The final results will be beautiful. They have realized that some of the flooring will probably have some "marks" and dents in them but it will add to the beauty. I can hardly wait to see the final product.

I wish that more people would make the decision to do some remodeling in their lives. To make a decision and stick with it. To see it to completion no matter the layers that they might have to remove to get to the true beauty. You might get weary at times but don't quit! Oh I know a lot of us have lots of layers and many of us might even have some scarring underneath but my Carpenter is amazing when it comes to restoration. He is able to take something marred and ugly and make something so beautiful if only we would trust Him!

You don't have to do one big remodel all at once...you can remodel one room or layer at a time! I have learned just when I think that this remodel will be the final remodel I find another layer that I need to address. The important thing is to never give up...you can rest for a while but don't quit!

We all have areas that need to be remodeled in our lives, so when you decide that you are ready to commit to a remodel let me know and I will pray for you and if you need me to introduce you to my Carpenter I would be so glad to share that information too! He is the best.

A Blessing for You

I felt impressed to bless you tonight.

I bless you in the Name of Jesus. I speak life to your very being. I bless you with hope and renewed vision. I pray that you feel the Holy Spirit encompass you tonight, that the Comforter would comfort and and console the very area you are broken in tonight. I pray that today, and in the coming days, you will feel His peace that goes beyond all understanding. I pray that your faith would be increased and right when you need it that God's Word would come to your heart and mind. I bless you in the Name of the Most High. Jesus the Giver of Eternal Life. May His mercy and grace overflow in your life and may His love fill all of the cracks. Jesus, the Healer, Jesus the Lover of my soul. Jesus our salvation. I pray that you will be able to rest in His love and peace tonight. In Jesus Name....Amen

Thankful Saturday

Today I am thankful for: a faithful loving husband, grown kids that come home to laugh, a good latte, my washer and dryer, a good find at the dollar store, fuzzy socks, a good job, caring friends, a gasoline tank that is three quarters full, iced tea, new song for tomorrows service, the internet and my church family. I am thankful that I am so blessed that I could never list everything that I am thankful for! Thank You Lord Jesus....

The Finger of God

18 Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. So there were lice on man and beast. 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had said. Exodus 8:18-19 NKJ

I love this because Pharaoh's magicians told Pharaoh that "This is the finger of God!" They couldn't replicate the finger of God. Then it says that Pharaoh's heart grew hard and he didn't listen to them, just as the Lord had said.

How often have we seen the finger of God move in our midst and we just brushed it off as a great thing that happened or a coincidence? I think that we get so busy or self consumed that we grow calloused to what God does for us in our midst! Now some of you are probably thinking, "Oh but if there were great miracles like that happening I wouldn't do that." but is that really true? I have seen miracles happen and then see how quickly people forget. Let me ask you this, does it have to be this huge miracle to count as something done by the finger of God?

I have seen countless miracles in my lifetime. I have forgotten many of them...how do I know that? Because I have written some of them down and then go back and read about them and think, I forgot that happened!

I have another question for you, if we continue to busy ourselves so much that we blind ourselves to the move of God in our lives how long will it be until our hearts are hardened?

We are human. We need to be careful to stay in the Word of God and to stay in fellowship so that when we start to slip someone can reach out and help us. Keep a journal and reread it every now and then. I never want to harden my heart, especially to the place where it is so hard that God hardens it. I know that God loves us so much that He would never desire that to happen. But we don't know where that line is and I don't ever want to even go near that line. So the best way to do that is to stay close to the Lord. Keep your heart soft...look for the every day blessings of God and be grateful. Worship the Lord...talk to Him...like the song says, "And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own" When you stay in contact or in touch you won't get to the place where you don't hear or recognize His voice.

I am here to say that I have been so fortunate to see the finger of God move in my life and the life of others countless times. I have seen the Hand of God move! If you hang out with me long enough you will hear of many accounts of God moving! For that I am grateful! Thank You Jesus.

Remember Who You Are Representing!

The Word of God says (about our tongue) With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh [water] and bitter from the same opening? James 3:9-11 NKJV


One evening I went to the Photo Center in Walmart. I asked about my one hour photos and the girl was very rude and short with me. She let me know that there was no way that my pictures would be done that night. I tried very hard to be kind to the girl but she just bit my head off! I left and came back the next morning. I was walking back to the photo department and I heard the Lord speak to my heart about this girl. He asked me what my plan was on how I was going to treat this young lady. I told the Lord, "You know she was so rude to me and I worked so hard to be extra nice and she was still rude!"

He answered me, "Yes, she was, but how are you going to respond to her?"

I told Him, "You know I could have her job!"

He answered me again, "Yes, but how are you going to respond to her, it is your choice."

I knew where He was going once again....I told Him that I would be kind and gracious. And I was thinking to myself that , she probably wouldn't be there. Well, I get back to the photo department and guess who was working there at the counter? Yep, it was her. I smiled and told her good morning and I asked how she was feeling today. I told her that I was so sorry that she had to work late and come in early and being pregnant and all (did I mention she was about 8 months pregnant?) it must be so hard standing all day long. She smiled at me. I felt better.

Well, fast forward three years. My husband and I were having a wedding at our church and guess who's daughter was the flower girl? Yes, indeed. And let me tell you I was so GLAD that I made the right choice that morning. If I would have thrown a fit think what she would have thought when she found out that I was a pastor's wife! My behavior would have been the witness and not a good representation of Christ! My prayer is that a seed was planted that day and one day she will accept Jesus.

So the next time you get impatient take a few seconds and think what you are about to impart with your tongue. It is a choice that you have to make...you know what the bible says! What will you do?

Blessings

28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them. And he blessed them; he blessed each one according to his own blessing. Gen. 49:28

I wanted to take moment today to speak on blessings. It used to be that people understood the importance of a blessing. I love to bless people and I love to get blessings! I believe that blessings are a way of opening a door for God to move in people's lives. I would so desire to speak life to people! Think about it...you can bless your cashiers at Walmart or the grocery store and impart a blessing of God to them for that day! It doesn't have to be all complicated and spiritual...just say something like. I hope you have a day blessed with happy customers! I make sure that I am courteous and smile when I look at them...they will notice!

So today I challenge you to start using your creative juices to bless people! And before you speak think about what is flowing out of your mouth. Choose life flowing words!

Worship Him!

37 Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, 38 saying: “‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” 40 But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”

How can we stay silent? I love to worship! I cannot tell you the fulfillment I receive when I worship the King. There is just something inside of me that would just burst if I couldn't worship Jesus. I know that this doesn't come easily for some of you and that is okay. But can I challenge you to just stretch yourself a bit to worship Him a little more? If you find it hard to clap your hands, how about a compromise and tap your toes? If you can clap your hands but find it hard to raise your hands, how about when you are all alone at home and raise your hands to Him there...in your quiet place? It would so please Him and I think that you will find yourself blessed!

We serve such an awesome God and all I know is that I ain't gonna let no rock out praise me! And I challenge you to do the same! "Rock on" (wink)

When Kids Pray...

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”Luke 18:15-17Have you ever had a child pray for you? If you are sick, go get a kid to pray for you! Because I am here to say, they can pray! I have had the privilege to teach our kids at church to pray. I tell them it is just "talking to God." We pray for everything! From sick bunnies to people with cancer it doesn't matter! Nothing is too big or small for God and kids understand that! When they pray God listens...when they pray they are sincere and believe! I am sure it does nothing more to please God than when his little ones pray. I might not understand everything they are saying (especially when they are two years old!) but Jesus understands every word. But whatever you do, do not discourage them from praying.

We need to follow their example of sincere, uncomplicated prayer. Remember it is conversation with God. You don't need a certain format, just speak from the heart. He loves to hear from his kids, any age. One more thing, with God nothing is impossible and He loves you unconditionally. You can pray anytime, anywhere....and you don't have to fold your hands or close your eyes!

Thankful Saturday

Today I am thankful for getting to go sledding with my church family (I get to take pics), for my dh who is cleaning with his new monster 1200, for my washer and dryer, for my new tent that I found on clearance, hot water to take a shower, the internet, for a three day weekend, a nice bed to sleep in, a warm house, football playoffs, friends near and far, a good job, freedom, that all of my kids love and serve Jesus, for my grandkids, for God's provision of a new children's director for our church (she is an answer to prayer) and she's cute to boot! I am thankful that I have so many things to be thankful for that I could list them all day and I would still have things to be thankful for!

I am so very thankful that I serve a faithful God. I thankful that He loves ME! I am thankful that He uses the broken and not just the elite! I am thankful that He has plan for me! He is so awesome. I am thankful that when someone accepts Jesus as their Savior that the angels have a huge celebration party in heaven! It is that big of deal! So if you do not know Jesus and if you want to make Him Lord of your life let me know I would love to introduce you! Then we will have yet one more thing to be thankful for and another reason to have a party!

Discretion

A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.
Proverbs 11:22 (New Living Translation)

This is so true!!! (I know, of course it is true it is from the Word of God) Have you ever watched reality tv? You can look at a young woman and think, “Wow, she is beautiful”, and then she opens her mouth and a stream of profanity or stupidity flows out and she isn’t near as pretty! Or you see someone who seems to be so graceful and then they light up and blow smoke out their nose? It is like a gold ring in a pig snout! You can dress up a pig but it is still a pig, or the saying...you can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig.

So many of our kids today do not know any better because they haven’t been mentored or trained. If you see a youth or young adult who lacks discretion, take them under your wing. I know countless twenty somethings who desire parents. They would learn discretion if someone would take time and show them what to do or not to do. Don’t discount them right away...love on them. Let them know that they are valuable and invest in them, our future. Things that we think everyone should know, they haven’t been taught. For example: all the way from cooking to parenting to sorting laundry to the definition of the profanity that they use freely. Teach them a resource that will guide them forever, the Word of God. We can change the future of our country and world...one person at a time. We can increase the Kingdom of God....after all David and his mighty men weren't the refined trained soldiers but they were hand picked! God can transform something broken and useless into something beautiful, whole and priceless...I know because He did it with me!

Just A Spoonful of Sugar...

My kids and husband have accused me of being Mary Poppins so I thought that this title would be appropriate.

A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word [spoken] in due season, how good [it is]! Proverbs 15:23

My mama used to say, "You can draw more flies by honey than vinegar."

How true this is. When I was younger I didn't weigh the words that came out of my mouth. I cringe at the way I have sounded at times or how I have come across. There were some days that I hurt someones feelings and did not even have a clue. You can say the exact same words and have two totally different outcomes by simply changing the way you say them.

I desire to speak life and healing to people's hearts and lives. How do you do that? First of all it really helps if you have a steady diet of the Word and pray! Second of all it helps if sometimes you stop and count to ten before you respond or answer. Now this one I still have to work on sometimes! And the really hard one is, when in doubt just don't say anything!

There is nothing more rewarding than to be able to say something and find out that it ministered to them or that it was confirmation of something the Lord was speaking to their heart. Prov. 25:11 says that A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold In settings of silver. (NKJ)

Let me leave you with this :Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Freedom

Thankfully we are able to live in a country where there is freedom. I thought of this today while I was sitting in my office in view of the outdoor flag waving gently in the breeze. We had to replace the "old glory" this morning because the flag was starting to become tattered. We couldn't allow that to happen. Our flag is to be kept in good condition and when removed it has to be handled and disposed of properly and with respect.

We have also been granted another freedom. Freedom in Christ. Are you taking full advantage of that freedom? Or do you have freedom within reach but choose to remain in chains of bondage? They say that if you raise a fish in a small bowl and then place that bowl inside of a big fishtank it will remain in that space even if you remove the bowl! I wonder how many of us that have accepted the freedom granted to us, stay in the chains of the enemy because that is what we are use to? Sometimes being comfortable is good and then it sometimes it isn't good especially when we become complacent.

I prayed and prayed for a new job when I worked at my last place of employment. I also prayed that God would allow me to work part time. Then one day I received a phone call telling me about a job opening. Then I heard it was part time and I told the person that I wasn't interested because I couldn't afford to go part time. Well the very same job was brought to my attention about three times. I was praying and the Lord spoke to my heart. He asked me if I had prayed about turning down that job. My response was , "Well, no Lord but You know that we can't afford for me to go to part time!" LOL I am sure glad that God is patient with me! He then asked me, "Shanin, what have you been praying for?" I knew where He was going with that one...so I prayed about it and then called for more details. I then found out that the pay scale difference was enough to more than make up for the hours. I was going to work 40 hours less a month and make more money! Now I would like to tell you that it then became so simple to just go and do it! It still wasn't an "easy" decision. I had to take a leap of faith because the new job wasn't permanent and it did not provide benefits. Bottom line was that the old job had become too comfortable. I didn't necessarily like everything there and I had no more room to grow or advance but it was still very familiar and comfortable. I talked it over with my husband and prayed some more and took the risk. I love my job now. God is so good. He knew what I needed even when it wasn't how I thought it would turn out. I now work full time again. I am going to school, (again, not in my comfort zone), however I can look back and see God's grace and answer to my prayers.

Bottom line...pray about everything first. Enjoy your freedom that God has granted you. Don't get too comfortable... there is always room to grow and expand. There are times when God takes us out of our comfort zone but remember it is okay for God to stretch us! It is then that we grow. And last but not least...when God removes chains of bondage from us don't pick them back up. Even if that is all that you have known before...it's okay to take that risk or leap of faith because God is right there with us encouraging us to take that step...come on...you can do it!!! FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chocolate Cake

Today I had the most amazing chocolate cake. Actually it was a "torte" but man was it yummy! It was so good that you wanted more. It wasn't too sweet and it wasn't dry. It was sooooooooo goooood! The smell was amazing! I asked for the recipe and so did my other co-workers.

Our relationship with God should be like really good chocolate cake. It should be so yummy or great that when we sit down and eat a piece that others will join us and enjoy it too. Think about it...today my friends were enjoying the cake and they brought a piece and placed it on my desk. They didn't have to tell me or make me eat it! I dug right in and was it ever good...I then told others about how delicious it was and before long the cake was gone!

We are the marketers of the most amazing "chocolate cake" ever! It shouldn't be hard. Dig in and enjoy your relationship with Jesus. It is the most rich and satisfying thing you can and will ever have. If we would really have that indepth relationship with Him I guarantee you that others will want it. They will see something that they don't have and when they find out that they can have it they will reach out and enjoy it too! Hmmmm

Thankful Saturday

Today I am thankful for many things! I am thankful that I got to go to Morgan's birthday party last night where we had a fun time and did pedicures! I am thankful for great kids who make me laugh. I am thankful for blizzards (the ice cream kind), and lattes. I am thankful for my wonderful husband. I am thankful for my church family. I am thankful that I serve a God who takes the broken and restores them completely (including me!). I am thankful for a washer and dryer! I am thankful for so many things from big to small. I have so much to be thankful for, too much to itemize! God is good. I am thankful that He is always faithful. I am thankful that He is in control even when it feels like my world is out of control! Thank You Lord.

What are you thankful for?

Laugh...It Is Good For You!

If you know me or my family you will know that we love to laugh. I think that people tend to take life too seriously. There are many times in my life that if I didn't laugh I would cry. There have been times that I have laughed so hard that my eyes "watered".

In our home we all laugh when someone says "hangdown". One time I made the mistake of mixing up hang on with calm down and volah!!! A new source of laughter was born at my expense.

I love being with little kids because they know how to laugh. We watched Kung Fu Panda a short time ago and my husband and I got to laughing at listening to the kids laugh behind us. The movie was funny but hearing the laughter was even funnier.

Some people have to learn to laugh, it just doesn't come naturally for them. If you are one of those people, ask God to increase your humor and joy and to teach you to laugh! It truly is a wonderful thing.

So that is my topic today...laughter. I am thankful for a family that laughs together...so HANGDOWN!

Big Faith and Prayers from Little Girls

I have two grandgirls and they are very different from each other! They are sisters, they don't look a like and they don't act a like but boy do they love each other. For example the other night my daughter fixed salmon for dinner. One "lubs salmon" and the other one opted for peanut butter and jelly.

Well a few weeks ago our family went to a huge Christmas light display that usually has this big long haired camel named Bull. He is humongous and such a big baby...so friendly and the highlight of our annual excursion to this display. Well we had heard that Bull was sick and sure enough there was a picture of bull on his pen that said that Bull was sick. My older grandgirl stood very soberly at the pen and was very concerned for Bull. She said, "Grandma, Bull won't die will he? Can we pray for him?" My other grandgirl walked up to the pen and said, "Yup, he's gonna be dead! He's gonna die." Now if I hadn't of felt so much compassion for the one I would have laughed out loud but she was near tears. So all of our family stood there (eleven of us) and prayed for Bull out loud.

Well, when it was time for us to leave the grandgirls rode with us in our vehicle. They both decided to pray for Bull again. The girls prayed for Bull for at least a good fifteen to twenty minutes on the way home. To quote my husband, "I'm betting on the camel to live!" I have to agree...God listens to little girls who are concerned for camels. For that I am thankful today. I am thankful for two very different little girls who love each other and most of all, who know how to pray! They may be different but they can agree in prayer at the young age of five and three. I am thankful for a God that is so big that He cares for that too.

What is Paisley and Praise?

Hi my name is Shanin. I was laying in bed early this morning and was just talking to God, (I do this most mornings...), and I thought of Paisley and Praise. I was thinking, "What is this?" and then I thought, Paisley is pretty little swirls and doodles that go in different directions...I had to laugh. God knows me soooooo weeeelllll! I can think in so many different directions. I am one of those people who hears someone say a word or a phrase and then I can sing a song that matches! Irritating to some, I know. Anyhow, I was thinking that could make a cool blog!

The second word, Praise, means so much to me. You see, I was created to praise God. I have no doubt on this one. I love to sing and worship. I feel the most fullfilled when I am sitting at the piano by myself and worshipping the One who created me. I love sharing about how I see God move in my life from the little details to the big events. So if you would like to "hang out" with me you too might understand why I named this Paisley and Praise.