Paisley and Praise

Christmas Fun!

2011-12-20T14:58:00.000-08:00

So, for today, how about a fun Christmas meme! Steal it! I stole it from my dear friend Rebekah at Mudane Musings who stole it from someone who stole it from someone else! But make sure that you leave me a comment so I can come read all your Christmas-y answers! I *LOVE* Christmastime and all the wonderfulness that it brings!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Egg Nog in a Chai Salted Carmel Latte!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

Everything is wrapped! We take turns opening the gifts. I love to hear the squeals of delight as each one opens their gifts.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?

White. We have white Icicles for outdoors (however we didn't hang them this year) and Our tree has white lights too!

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

Haven't for many years however I used to have a kissing ball that had some dangling from it but we have lost it in one of our moves :)

5. When do you put your decorations up?

Usually the Saturday following Thanksgiving but this year due to schedule conflicts it was a week late!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?

Prime Rib and Cheesecake! hmmmmm My husband is a great cook!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?

The only year that I can remember all of my siblings being together for Christmas! It was exciting! And Santa came and left my gifts on the front porch!

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

I overheard someone talking about "him" in the kitchen.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

We each open one gift and usually I get to choose which one that they open :)

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

When we had kids at home we all did it together. This year my husband put up the tree and I decorated it!

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?

I love it for a few days and then I want spring to come early!

12. Can you ice skate?

Yes, but it has been years!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

My engagement ring first and then 29 years later my husband bought me another diamond ring! I love diamonds :)

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?

Family. I love it when all of my kids are home together and there is lots of noise. Ahh a wonderful type of chaos that only a parent can appreciate fully.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?

My husband's cheesecake :) with a cup of coffee.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Hanging with my adult children, hearing them laugh together. The love that is expressed to one another. The opening of the stockings and another favorite is our Candlelight service on Christmas Eve. God is so good.

17. What tops your tree?

I have an angel topper that my dad bought for my mom on their first Christmas together. It is now 71 years old. I cherish it. One day it will go to my daughter, Amber.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?

I like both but I really get excited to give more than to receive. Especially as I get older. The thrill of seeing others' faces light up with their gift is worth it all!

19. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum?

I love Candy Canes however I think that Bob's Candy canes are the BEST!

20. Favorite Christmas show?

ELF! Is my most favorite the second would have to be How Ernest Saves Christmas.

21. Saddest Christmas Song?

There should not be any sad songs at Christmas!Can you say Oxy moron?

22. What is your favorite Christmas song?

The Christmas Song, Silent Night and Who Would Imagine a King.

23. When do you open your Stockings?

On Christmas morning before the presents and breakfast!

Life Changing

2011-12-07T07:25:00.000-08:00

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Phil. 4:6-9

I love this passage of scripture. I was excited to see it to be what I was scheduled to read today:) I especially love verse 9 where it says the things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Wow! Paul was tortured, beaten and held captive many times and he would and could still minister wherever he was at, at the moment! He still encouraged others! There have been many times where I have been crying in bed and would repeat to myself, whatever things are TRUE, whatever things are NOBLE, whatever things are JUST, whatever things are PURE, whatever things are LOVELY, whatever things are of GOOD REPORT and IF there is ANY VIRTUE and IF THERE IS ANYTHING PRAISEWORTHY...meditate on these things. I think that many times we (especially as women) get sidetracked by our circumstances instead of meditating on the things that are listed. We are emotional women! We tend to FEEL things but no matter HOW we FEEL the truth is we need to focus on Jesus! He is the truth, He is the way and the Light! The world would love to tell us things that are not true, the enemy would love to get us sidetracked and off kilter so that we forget the REAL focus! Jesus! The enemy would love for us to become embittered women instead of women who spend time with the Lord and spend time in WORSHIP!

I want to encourage you! If we read the Word and truly DWELL in His presence then we can speak and know the truth because we will have been soaked in the Word! We will have become steeped in the word just like a good tea bag :) Then when we are having a bad day or the enemy tries to whisper a lie we can say, "NO. The Word of God says, "No weapon formed against me will prosper!" or the word of God says, I am a daughter of the King! The Word of God says that He is my provider! He won't give me a snake when I ask for a loaf of bread :) (my own personal translation!)

If you do not have a daily time to spend in the Word of God I would encourage you to make time. It is so important to dwell in the Word. The only way to know the Word is to spend time in it. It is a process. It doesn't happen overnight, by osmosis, by going to church for one hour a week or because your grandma was a great Christian. The Word of God will equip you to handle any situation that arises. The Word of God comforts you, gives you direction, and solutions that you would never think of on your own. I promise you that the benefits are amazing! If you are the type of person who has a hard time remembering or understanding what you just read then pray and ask Jesus to help you. I was that type of person. By spending time reading the Word of God daily it literally washes you. You will be transformed into a new creation...His creation! You will think more rationally, because you are equipped. You will have peace! This will be life changing for you. It has been life changing for me.

The best part is that it really is a "One SIze FIts All!" It applies to everyone, everywhere.

Shanin

Amazing Love

2011-11-19T09:48:00.000-08:00

I love that song! Amazing love, how could it be, that You, my King would die for me. Amazing love, I know it's true, it's my joy to honor You in all I do, let me honor You,

I am so thankful for His perfect love. You see my love is not perfect. I love my husband and kids more than anything but even then it isn't perfect. I have made mistakes (boy have I made mistakes)but I am thankful that I serve the One who buys back my mistakes.

God's love is perfect. His motives are always pure. He looks out for what is in my best interest. He has a plan...this huge plan! I don't always understand it but I just have to trust in Him and His love for me. So when times get tough and you can't see the forest for the trees, know that He has it all under control. I am thankful for that plan. I am thankful for His love and His grace for me. He loves me unconditionally.

I am thankful that He loves me even when I screw up. I am thankful that He paid for everything that I have ever done or will do. I am thankful for Him.

I have so much to be thankful for this year. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for my job and coworkers. I am thankful for my church body. I am thankful for my doctor! (especially this week!)I am thankful for America, the land of the free. I am thankful for my house. I am thankful for my furnace that heats the house...the list goes on and on.

I am most thankful for that Amazing love :) And that He died for me.

Shanin

Worship!

2011-10-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know me, you know that I LOVE to worship. I have had this love since I was tiny. I love to worship whenever and wherever I am. I know that I was created to worship without a shadow of doubt. There are many people out there with amazing voices and an abundant amount of talent, or as my friend Will would say, a gratuitous amount of talent, but without a heart of worship that talent is used as performance and not worship. There are countless performers in this world.

When I am leading worship with my worship team I would rather have someone who is just learning their instrument playing with a heart of worship than someone who is a professional and is just there for the performance. There is a huge difference when leading worship. You see, when you come before the Lord with a heart of worship, the other stuff will just fall in place and even if you mess up the Lord knows your heart and is pleased! But if there is no heart behind the worship then it is just songs and music. It may sound good but it is hollow, no depth. So when I am leading worship, I would take, what I call, a raggin muffin band anyday over the professional team. I am so proud of my worship team. We may not be trained professionals but we know how to worship the Lord our God.

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! Psalm 146:1-2 NKJV

This is my declaration and prayer. That I will never lose the passion to worship my Lord as long as I live. A legacy of worship is what I desire to leave behind when I am gone.

Thankful to be chosen by Him,

Shanin

Hakuna Matata

2011-09-28T12:31:00.000-07:00

Last night I had the pleasure of going to watch the 3-D movie The Lion King. The best part is that when we got into the theater my youngest granddaughter Abbie had saved us two seats right beside her! Her excitement was so awesome! She was fanning herself in excitement. If you were to know Abbie you would know exactly what I mean. She has done this since she was an infant. She told me, "Grandma, hurry, you missed some of the best parts! The balls flew right out to me and I tried to catch them!" LOL I loved her exuberance.

The movie began. We both sat there side by side taking in all of the scenery. We would reach out to touch some of the grasses as they went by :)I had watched the Lion King the first time it came out in the movie theater 15+ years ago. I remember my husband and Pastor Darrell singing with the music and I was laughing because it was hysterical and embarrassing all at the same time.

Whenever something would happen, Abbie would lean over and whisper to me, preparing me for what was coming next. She, not realizing that I had seen it before. I loved every moment. I watched the Lion King in a whole new "light." At one point she pushed her little hand between our seats back to her mother asking specifically for two candies. Her mom placed two hot tamales in her little hand. Abbie then took one of the candies and placed it to my lips and smiled. I loved her act of sharing. At one point she leaned over and kissed my cheek. Once again my heart just swelled to another size bigger.

Scar was definitely the bad guy. When I watched Scar he depicted evil to me. Like the serpent in the Garden of Eden. He lied to the little male cub telling him that his Father gave him access to everything in the kingdom except the "really cool place" the elephant graveyard. Scar took a tiny bit of the truth and twisted it into a big old fat lie! Hoping that the end result would be to destroy the lion cub, the heir to the throne. He almost succeeded that time but Mufasa, the cub's Dad, was told that of Prince Simba's location and he jumped in and saved him and his friend from the hyenas.

How often do we believe the enemy's lies? More often than we would like to admit. He wants to destroy our relationship with the King (our father) and he wants to kill and or meme us. We need to be careful and stay close to our Father.

Back to the movie...Then the really sad and scary scene was about to happen. Abbie got up and sat in my lap reaching over to take her papa's hand. So very sweet. While watching the movie I enjoyed listening to my grown kids laugh out loud while sitting behind me. I enjoyed the tender love and joyous company of my youngest grandgirl sitting with me. I had memories return to me of watching the Lion King the first time with my kids while they were little. I am so very blessed. The movie seemed so very short this time. Simba lived and grew up to return and take the kingdom back from Scar. The pride lands returned back to its former beauty.

I can say that I enjoyed literally every single minute of the Lion King 3-D. If you haven't seen it I encourage you to go and watch it! If you have watched it a million times before I encourage you to go watch it again but with a child. Look at the movie through their eyes. I promise you that it will be even more exciting. Look at the characters...see if you see the love of the Father for his son. See if you see evil and how he tries to manipulate and destroy the new kingdom. And if you don't have a relationship with my Father...get one. He enjoys his kids even more than I enjoy mine :)

Hakuna Matata,

Shanin

0 Comments

2011-09-24T15:23:00.000-07:00

0 comments is what I see when I look to see if anyone has commented for my post. That is okay! But I see someone from New Mexico that reads my blog frequently. May I ask...your name? Why do you read my blog? I am just curious. I know that some who read my blogs are from my blessedpw list :) They read my blog to either humor me, out of pity, or because they have to! LOL Just kidding! But I am interested in who does read my blogs! Do you have a blog that I could follow? Drop me a line!

Well, thanks for reading! It is encouraging to me that someone reads what I write about. I need to get back to studying for my criminal law test!

Be blessed!

Shanin

Flexibility

2011-09-22T14:23:00.000-07:00

Are you flexible? I'm not really flexible physically. Are you flexible at work or home? I try to be...but isn't it easy to be flexible when it doesn't go against what you have planned? That's because it isn't really "flexing" if it doesn't go in another direction or stretches you.

The Lord has been speaking to my heart about flexibility. I need to be more flexible in some areas of my life. I need to let the Lord use others to stretch me. I just do not always like the choice of people that He uses to stretch me in those stiff arenas of my life. But I have decided to make an effort to work hard at flexing. Not compromising...but flexing where and when He wants me to stretch and grow. I need to keep flexible so that I don't grow stiff and rotten like an old rubber band. Old rotten rubberbands break. I do not want to break. I want to stretch and expand in the good way. The way God plans for me!

So trying to expand in the right direction for Him,

Shanin

Good Day to You All!

2011-09-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

Well today is the day that the Lord has made I am choosing to rejoice and to be glad in it! (smile)

I started my day way to early this morning. Even though I started things at an evil hour I was still late for work. So since I was late for work I decided to run to the grocery store to make a last minute salad. While standing in line with my favorite checker Irma, there was a lady standing in line behind me. The store was busy and their phone started to ring in customer service and no one was available to take the call. The lady that was standing behind me said, "When that happens to me it totally ruins my day!"

I smiled and replied, "Oh I try not to let stuff like that affect me."

She then kind of growled at me (okay more like a deep mutter), "Well you and your perfect little life!"

I started to say something but stopped and smiled again and responded, "Yes I am blessed with a perfect life."

Now my life is not really so perfect but I am blessed. Blessed beyond measure. I have run into this lady before at the local coffee shop. When I left the store I whispered a little prayer for her and for me. First so that I wouldn't take on her attitude (because that stuff can be contagious). Second that she would find Jesus and that she too could have such a great life :) Last but not least for Jesus to bless my day. LOL I had to recommitt to this a little later (especially after spilling a crock pot of potato soup in my vehicle but not the whole thing). Ever since deciding that I was going to choose to rejoice in this awesome day it has gone so much better!

So today I challenge you to really rejoice and have an awesome great day!

Shanin

Live Your Life Well

2011-09-19T15:51:00.000-07:00

Today is Monday :) I am generally not a fan of Mondays, mostly because I am tired from Sunday. But yesterday I got to take a nap which is an unusual occurrence for me on Sundays. So today I woke up with the first ring of my alarm. Jumped up and showered. I made a bowl of oatmeal before dashing out the front door.

So today my bible reading was in Luke. The phrase that stood out to me today was "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19. Later in the chapter it repeats that Mary treasured up all of these things in her heart.

Interesting...how often have we treasured up things in our heart and pondered them? Mary had a lot to ponder about. This was her baby, her firstborn, the Son of God. So much information, shepherds finding them in a barn to worship her baby. Talk about a birth announcement! The Angels took care of that! Then there was the purification rite at the temple. Simeon came up and spoke of their son being the Messiah. Then right after that there was Anna, who also spoke about their child being the redemption of Israel! Wow...so much for such a young mama to take in. Yet I am sure when she looked into her baby boy's eyes she saw love and compassion. Not really knowing what the future held.

Mama and Daddy, look into the eyes of your babies. Pray over them, love them. You do not know what the future holds for your babies. We know that they aren't deity but they do have an important role to fill. They very well may be pivotal in our world. Teach them, prepare them! Teach them the Word of God. Teach them how to live a righteous life, every moment. Tell them the love of their heavenly Father, their Savior. Let them know that they are called now to serve the Most High. They are not too young and we never know what their future holds.

I have a friend named Beth on an e-list that I participate in. Her church family lost a dear servant of Lord this past week. His name is Brian. Brian was only 24 years old but he knew the Lord. He served the Lord well. She has shared about Brian's faithfulness before on the list. He did whatever he could to serve the Lord. He worked in the sound booth, he read the Word, and he loved and shared the gospel with everyone who would listen. Brian left a hole to fill in his church and his family's lives. Brian lived every moment of his life!

You notice that I said his name is Brian. That wasn't a mistake. His name is Brian. Brian may have left this world but he is very much alive in heaven. He is face to face with God. Brian's time here was too short but it was well spent. When he entered the gates of heaven, The Lord was able to say, "Well, done good and faithful servant." I didn't know Brian personally but he left a testimony of grace, love, compassion and faithfulness behind. He would want EVERYONE to accept Jesus as their Savior. I am sure there would be nothing more comforting to his parents and pastors if someone accepted Jesus because of Brian's life and testimony. That would be the legacy that Brian would want.

So would you all join in prayer with me for those left behind? For Brian's parents, his grandparents, his church family. That they would feel God's comfort and peace surrounding them. And please pray that if anyone who knew Brian but doesn't know Jesus would choose salvation today. Then they too would get to see Brian again one day in the future and most importantly they would know that they have a hope and a future in Christ.

Well done Brian, good and faithful servant of the Lord.

Shanin

The Battle Inside of Myself

2011-09-14T15:32:00.000-07:00

Sounds like a deep topic. It isn't so deep...it is skin deep :) My flesh has not been wanting to go to my excercise class (Zumba). Now just like taking a dog to obediance training, the worse part is just getting there! Once I am there I enjoy it! At least for the first thirty minutes(grin).

I don't know why I have been having this internal arguement within side myself. I know that it is good for my body. If I want to keep my weight off I have to exercise! Not to mention the other benefits of sleeping better, being physically fit and feeling more confident. The benefits far out weigh my excuse of just wanting to lay on the couch! Oh but how my flesh puts up a fight!

Isn't that how it is with your flesh and spirit? You might not feel like doing your devotions but you need to! You can think of a million things that need to be done while you read but oh the benefits so outweigh the excuses our flesh thinks of...and it all comes down to this: Be obediant and just do it! Choose to do the right thing! What about sin? Same battle again.

The good news is that God gives an escape! All we have to do is cry out to Him and He will help us. The problem is that I don't always want help...I want to lay on that couch! But I will CHOOSE to do the right thing and get my butt up and go to Zumba!

Obediance is Always the Right Choice!

Shanin

Oh How He Loves Us

2011-09-07T14:47:00.000-07:00

There is a young man in our lives whom we love very much. He doesn't know Jesus but he is a genuine person. N played football with my son all of the years of jr high and high school. I love N because you never will have to wonder how he truly feels...he will tell you :) Because of this trait he has offended his share of people.

Well a short time ago N posted on his social network account something like this but edited of course :) "If God is going to kick me in the "privates" He could at least give me two aspirin." It broke my heart to hear his pain. Let me tell you of a time that God indeed sent him two ib profen.

I will never forget the night. It was a Friday night and our team was playing at an away game in Blackfoot, Idaho. Right before I left the house to drive to Blackfoot the Holy Spirit prompted me to bring some ib profen. At first I thought that it was just me but I felt the prompting again. I asked the Lord, "Lord, am I going to have a headache because if I am I can pray." But I got nothing! So I was obediant and brought the ib profen in my pocket.

By the time that I arrived to the game I had realized that there was going to be someone who would need the ib profen or why else would God tell me to bring it? So as soon as I climbed the stairs of the grand stands I saw a co-worker friend of mine and I asked him, "Do you have a headache?"

He said, "No, why?"

Now my friend, Tab knows me and he knows the Lord too so I responded, "Because the Lord told me to bring them so I am pretty sure someone is going to have a headache tonight!" He smiled and shook his head. I told him that I was serious! He then told me that he knew that I was serious! LOL

Well, the game started and it went all the way to half time. I had stopped looking for the "headache." All of a sudden N came running up to the fence that separated the field from the fans and jumped up onto it and yelled, "Does anyone have any ib profen?"

I jumped up and waved my arms and said, "I do!" I took them out of my pocket and gave them to him. He was grateful. I looked over to my friend Tab and smiled and he just shook his head again and laughed.

I was talking to the Lord about it later on the drive home. I asked Him why did he have me bring the ib profen for N? And this is what He said back to me, "N doesn't know me but I love him so very much that I don't want his head to hurt." I cried. I cried because the Lord loves him so very much, I cried because N doesn't know of that love and I cried because I love N too just like one of my own sons and God gave me the opportunity to bring the ib profen.

I am still praying for N. I pray for his protection and for his salvation. So even though I thought his post was sad it also reminded me of the love that the father has for this young man and to not give up praying for him. God has great plans for N and I hope that I get to see that fruit one day. I can hardly wait until he realizes that God loves him so very much that He would send two ib profen to be hand delivered 100 miles from his home and that He would never kick him when he is down but that He would tell him of His great love for him! Oh how I love that boy and I know that God loves him even more.

Amazing Love,

Shanin

Fall and God's Greatness

2011-08-30T09:24:00.000-07:00

Even though it is still hot during the day I can feel fall in the air in the morning....it excites me! I hate to see summer leave but I love fall. The smells, the crisp air, the pumpkins and football:). It will be time to place my fall candles on the candle warmers, time to drink my fall teas like cinnamon and french vanilla chai. I have a nice saxophone cd playing on my laptop as I am writing this post. Praying for each of you to find contentment into today. I have a few needs on my list but I have decided to not let them become my focus, but to let God's awesomeness to remain center stage. His plans for us are so great!

I have my homework for my morning class all ready to go. I still have two chapters to read before tonight's class. I have one quiz to do for my other class and one more chapter to read for that class. I wonder what great things of God will we see today? Make sure to look everywhere so you don't miss it! Because somedays it is the little things that speak the loudest of God's greatness. He cares about details! I love that about God.

Well be blessed! Don't miss anything from God. Be watchmen on the towers! Take time to smile at others...enjoy every moment that He gives us.

Taking it all in,

Shanin

My New Friend, Hal

2011-08-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

I have to share with you something that happened last night. Our youth group has been focusing on a new theme of PUR. Pure Undefiled Religion. Helping the orphans, widows, outcast and lonely. Well, last night Jesus gave me an opportunity to experience it in the flesh.

I had about an hour before I had to be at church to grab a bite to eat. Normally I would go home and eat but on Wednesday nights is "fend for yourself night" and the County Fair is the happening spot in Burley, Idaho. So I went to the fair! I bought a crazy spud for supper. For those of you who have never had a crazy spud, it is a huge potato that is cut thinly in a spiral so it is one ruffle! They then deep fry it and it is basically a huge heaping plate of fresh potato chips. You can sprinkle your own seasoning. I took my plate and went on a mission to find a place to sit in the shade on this hot fair day and enjoy my chips.

I found a bench with an older gentlemen sitting on it in the shade! I asked if he minded if I sat beside him. He smiled with excitement and said, "No, not at all and you can even sit closer!" I sat beside him. I started a conversation with him and offered him a chip. He gladly accepted. I continued to share this bounty of fresh made chips with my new friend Hal. He was careful to be polite and not to eat too many. I could just tell that he was hungry. I found out that Hal had been attending church for about a year at the local Calvary Chapel. I learned, from Hal, that there was another bench that you could sit on for eight hours and see new people all day long. It made me smile. He had been sitting here all day long. Before long, it was time for me to leave for church. I offered the rest of my crazy spud to Hal. He said, "Oh no I can't take your dinner." I explained to him that I was going to throw it away if he didn't take it. He quickly agreed to take the food.

I want to say how incredibly blessed I was by meeting Hal and sharing my dinner. I first set out to bless him but it ended up being the other way around. I hope to see Hal around town again. He told me that if I ever see him to holler at him!

Don't get so caught up in your own world that you miss out on meeting a Hal. Don't let the enemy distract you with drama that you miss out on a blessing. Take time to look for God moments. Remember that ministry is never convienent. Take just a moment of your busy schedule to share a smile or a kind word, or a crazy spud. It will so bless your day and life. I am looking forward to seeing Hal again. If not here I will see him in heaven. We will be able to share how we met at the Cassia County Fair over a plate of fresh potato chips.

Truly Blessed,

Shanin

Getting Ready!

2011-08-15T15:04:00.000-07:00

So, we are getting ready to go camping with our Bridge Peeps! I thought that I might update you on the remodel of the fixer upper camp trailer. I now LOVE the paint color that I chose! It has made a huge difference. He has done one coat of kilz paint and two coats of my color. I am so excited. Also my husband has ripped out the twin beds and has built in a bed built for two and moved the night stand so that it is now useable. Today he is going to paint the rest of the inside of the trailer white primer, clean the cushions and sweep it out once again.

So I am thankful for a wonderful crafty husband who can vision things that I cannot even begin to see and figures out a way to get it done! Before long we will be around a warm campfire with people whom we love to hang out with eating sm'ores, playing games and making memories :)

One Happy Camper :)

Shanin

Heart's Desire :)

2011-08-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

My sweet husband is getting our trailer ready for camping. Now this trailer is a recent purchase. We had an opportunity to buy a "fixer upper" about two or three months ago. It has been patiently waiting for some t.l.c. This is the week! My hubby and I had talked about getting it "camping ready" for this year and then work on it some more later to fix it all up the way it should be. Jason had talked to me about painting it white because we already had white paint. That made perfect sense to me! It used whatever we already had and it was saving money. Now, secretly inside I had thought about how nice it would be to get to pick out some pretty color to splash on the walls but placed that thought aside for the practical. Well, only God knew that little heart's desire/wish. Last night my husband tells me that he can't use that paint because he read it and it is for metal only. He then tells me that he thought that I would like to go pick out some pretty colors since we had to buy paint! Yippy! We chose "Wind Over the Plains" for the wall color and "Bronze Sundial" for the trim. Oh I am happy!

Now for another glimpse at the type of person I am and who my husband puts up with...I am the person who "knows" what she wants when going to an eating establishment and then changes her mind twenty times until the waiter or waitress comes to take the order and then I will pick something that I might not have even looked at! And to top all of that off when the food comes I want to taste my husband's yummy looking food! LOL It has driven him crazy over the years but he is soooo gracious to me :)

So I love the paint colors that we chose last night...well, actually I got to choose but he did have a little input. Today I was thinking...I could have gone with a color of deep plum for the trim and another wall color. LOL Okay not really. I know that the trailor is far too small for such colors but I was thinking that it could go with the gold flooring...no, I love my greenish earthy tones. I just hope that I didn't go too dark :)Now that you followed me in all of that, I just wanted to tell you that I serve such a great Father that He knew that my heart's desire was to have a splash of color in our trailer. Not a necessity or even a need but a real frivelous treat for his little girl. And I have such an awesome husband that he too would be sensitive to his girl's wishes. I never said anything but He knows and loves me so very much that he even thought to ask me and just didn't run to the paint store and picked up the color that someone else rejected. My heart is truly happy! I am amazed by the love showered on me! For that I am grateful.

Feeling the Love,

Shanin

Believe!

2011-08-04T14:03:00.000-07:00

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” John 6:28,29 NIV

This is an important question and answer. The question was asked by the crowd that he had fed by multiplying the five loaves of bread and two fish. He had fed A LOT of people and had baskets of left overs. The next day the diciples and Jesus got in the boat and crossed "the lake" (smile) to Capernaum. The crowds realized He had left and they got in their boats and followed to where they found Him. Then they asked "the question." "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

I have heard so many people in my lifetime ask something very similar. What is God's will for my life? What do I have to do to follow Jesus? What must we do to do the works God requires? Jesus answered this question in one answer, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

BELIEVE in the One He has sent...BELIEVE in the One He has sent. That is such a short answer but wow is it big if you really think about it. I heard a retreat speaker once say, "Just pretend that you really believe in the Word of God and act like it's true." I had to laugh because it is one thing to say that you believe but it is a whole different ball game to act on it! But isn't that believing? Acting on it...acting like you believe it's true? But when the chips are down many times we fall apart rather than choose to believe in Him!

So before the crisis hits choose to believe in Him. Then act like you believe in Him! It will change your life! If you truly believe in Him, and live your life like your truly believe in Him and the Word of God your life will reflect it. Your life will be changed. Others will see a difference. What a testimony if every Christian would just truly believe.

Believing in Him,

Shanin

We Struck Gold!

2011-08-03T05:31:00.000-07:00

Hello! Sorry it has been so long since I last blogged. My life has been very full and blessed.

Today I want to talk about gold. Gold has been a valuable and highly sought-after precious metal for coinage, jewelry, and other arts since long before the beginning of recorded history. The Bible has many references to gold.

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, And a man is valued by what others say of him. Prov. 27:21

Today I am going to talk about the recent deposit of gold that we found. Actually I knew it was there all of the time but I had the chance to see some refining of that very deposit of gold this past weekend. The treasure I am talking about is our youth group, The Stand(ers) at the Bridge. I had the opportunity to go to their youth retreat at the Oregon Coast this last weekend. Let me tell you (just in case you didn't know), our youth ROCKS!

I saw a body of young believers worship together in the presence of God the way I would like to see our whole church worship! I got to worship with them! It reminds me of the song Hosanna (by Hillsong United, the second verse, "I see a generation rising up to take their place with selfless faith, with selfless faith." I am so excited to see our youth press into a realtionship with God that is not just a surface relationship but a deep relationship. I am so excited because we have a great deposit of gold in our body that is dispersed in our church, community and schools. They are leaders. They will rise up and take their place. I am so thankful for them.

1Ti 4:12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Hang in there,
The Stand(ers). You will win the race. And I will say that you are an awesome group of young men and women. I am so grateful that you are part of our church. I would stand and serve beside you anyday of the week. Thank you for letting me come and serve you this weekend.

Let me finish with this. And to the general people, value our youth, invest in our youth. Your investment will never go wrong when you invest in gold :)

Shanin

Doubly Blessed!

2011-03-28T20:44:00.000-07:00

1 Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.
2 The LORD protects and preserves them—
they are counted among the blessed in the land—
he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.
3 The LORD sustains them on their sickbed
and restores them from their bed of illness. Psalm 41:1-3 NIV

Wow! Think about it...first of all you are blessed when you stop to help someone who is in trouble or when you take the time to minister to someone. It's true! It blesses me so much more whenever I have helped someone than the person I am actually helping! Then this scripture says that the Lord blesses those who help those in trouble! Talk about being Doubly Blessed!

So remember this whenever a ministry opportunity comes up! Ministry is not always convienent but no matter what the Lord will so bless you for taking the time to speak a kind word to someone who is wounded. He will bless you! So don't miss an opportunity for double blessings, look for ministry moments. They happen all around us all of the time. You are needed! Needed for ministry. Jesus has equipped us to be His hands and feet.

Peace Out,

Shanin

The Plan

2011-03-04T15:05:00.000-08:00

But the Lord's plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken. Psalm 33:4,11 New Living Translation

I am so relieved that I can trust in God's plans because man's plans are so evil. I am so glad that I can trust in His intentions for me. I know that His desires for my life are good! I just have to be obediant and trust Him. Regardless of the circumstances that surround me.

So today I am trusting in His Word and His Plan for my life, my work place, my church, my home and my family. His plan has to be better than mine! I know that His Vision is much bigger than mine :)

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise. When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say, "Blessed Be The Name of the Lord!"
So today, right now, I choose to say, "Blessed be the Name of the Lord!"

Can I hear an Amen?

Shanin

Music and Friends

2011-03-02T12:01:00.000-08:00

I am sitting here at my computer listening to some awesome music. For those of you who know me personally, you know that music permeates everything in my life! It has been that for as long as I can remember.

Smells take some people back to a memory, for me it is music. I was created for worship and because of that I have always had a love of music. Music of all kinds.

I remember singing my way through elementary, jr. high, and high school. Through good times and hard times. It marked a joyous occasion or it could bring comfort to my heart during rough times. I have some great friends that when we get together after all of these years we still like to sing together! Even on facebook when someone from high school types one line of a song that we sang thirty years ago, two or three of us will join in writing the next line. It just puts a smile on my face and places a song in my heart. In many ways it can make me feel young at heart just like it was yesterday. Many, many memories placed to beautiful music.

So today I am thankful for the gift of music. Hey if anyone from High School happens to read this, could you share a memory with me? Thanks!

My heart, O God, is steadfast; I will sing and make music with all my soul.
Psalm 108:1 NIV

A Song On My Lips Always in Everything,

Shanin

Today I am Thankful for...

2011-02-20T00:02:00.000-08:00

Today I have so many things to be thankful for! I am thankful for a great husband who loves me, for my kids who have grown up to be amazing adults and married wonderful people to add to our family! I am thankful for a diverse group of people that I call my friends and church family. I am thankful for my warm house and for pumpkin chocolate chip cookies! They are soft and chewy and full of flavor. I am also very thankful that I live in a country of wealth where I can get a bottle of ib profen! It is the little things that count! (smile)

Have a wonderful blessed evening.

Shanin

The Word of God Says...

2011-02-18T15:22:00.000-08:00

that wisdom is more valuable than silver or gold. The Word of God says, that a beautiful woman without discretion is like a pig with a gold ring in its' snout. The Word of God says, it better to give than receive. The Word of God says that one day in His presence is better than a thousand elsewhere. The Word of God says to run from evil. The Word of God says that wisdom is more precious than rubies and nothing you desire can compare to her! The Word of God says that I have a purpose and there is a great plan for me because I serve Jesus! I fear the Lord! I love the Lord...

Just saying...

Shanin

Happy Valentines Day!

2011-02-14T15:33:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to tell everyone Happy Valentines Day! It is my anniversary and I just love the holiday too! To me it is an opportunity to tell people that they are loved and valued. It doesn't have to be a spouse or someone of romantic interest. It can be a teacher, the produce person,the checker or your son or daughter!

So when you are out and about take time to wish someone a Happy Valentine's Day. Speak a kind word into their day and life. You might become the bright spot in their day.

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

Happy Valentine's Day!

Shanin

Humbled

2011-02-11T15:28:00.000-08:00

First of all sorry that it has been so long since I have posted! I was really sick for about two weeks!

Last night I went to the local grocery store to pick up a few items for dinner. When I first went in I saw a young gal that I used to work with a few years ago and she was visiting with a gentlemen so I smiled and gave her a side hug and kept shopping. She told me that she would see me before I would leave. I picked up a few items and she sure enough found me in the check out line and walked with me out to the car. I love this girl. She is a sweetie and I used to pray for her when we worked together. Jesus was so good to give me opportunities to share and pray with her about various subjects. Whenever she needed to sell a car we would pray and God would be faithful to provide the customers to purchase a vehicle!

Well, last night she told me how much she missed having me pray for her and praying with me. She told me that she still tells people about how much she loved working with me and loved our prayer times. While I was talking to her another young lady, whom I work with now, came up and I introduced them to each other. I pray with her too :) I enjoyed that few minutes of time so very much!

God really used those two "coincidental" meetings to minister to me! I realized that maybe, just maybe I have made a difference in one person's life! Oh what a blessing! But wait, not just one life, but I have had the privilege to speak into two lives! I cried on the short car ride home to think what an honor I have had to have the opportunity to pray for two young ladies. Two divine appointments to be Jesus with skin on, and for that I am honored.

Don't miss those opportunities. They are so important. Look for them. I have prayed for many people but you never know who it really touches. But I know this, if I throw enough seed far and wide some will take root. I have always said that I would have moved to Burley even if only one person would receive Christ. I am abundantly blessed. The enemy would like us to think that we make no difference and that we live our lives for Christ in vane but we know different! So be faithful, all of the time. You never know when something so simple, as praying for someone in a moment will truly touch their life.

Throwing Seed Everywhere!

Shanin

The Little Things

2011-01-24T14:18:00.000-08:00

I realized today how grateful I am for the little things. People laugh at me because I get excited over little things. My mom told me once that I would get excited if she was to bring me a toothpick home for a gift! LOL Well, you will be happy to know that my tastes have gotten a little more expensive but I still get excited over the little things.

Today I was thinking about how great life is at this moment. What made me think this? I had a big water bottle full of plain ol' brewed ice tea, the sun was shining and I was chewing a piece of watermelon gum, listening to worship music while reading about Moses in Exodus! Life is good! It doesn't seem like a whole lot to some but to me it just made me happy! God is so good to me.

While I was reading in the first few chapters of Exodus it was talking about Moses meeting God in the desert (at the burning bush.) God had told Moses how He had heard the crys of the Israelites and God was sending Moses to deliver them. He told him to take his stick or rod and throw it on the ground and it turned into a snake! This next part is the part that made me smile... Exodus 4:3 And He said, "Cast it on the ground." So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. NKJV LOL That is exactly what I would have done! I would have RAN!

Isn't it great that God used/uses ordinary people with ordinary reactions? This means that I am qualified to be used by God! God told Moses that he was going to speak to Pharoah and Moses told God that he was slow of speech! Like God didn't know that? Probably God had seen something in Moses that Moses didn't see, but still, God worked with him!

So today I am so thankful for iced tea, watermelon gum, worship music, sunshine and the Word to encourage me! My God loves me so much that He knows the little things that make my day! Thank You Jesus!

Shanin

Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words

2011-01-21T14:20:00.000-08:00

In my office I have three pictures of my grandaughter that hangs on the wall in front of my desk. They were taken when she was about two year old. She was wearing a pretty little homemade yellow flowered dress with a pink sweater with a little rose on it. I had been given a giant cup and saucer bird feeder and it was just a little taller than her. In the first picture she is easing up to the saucer and trying to see what was in the cup. In the second picture the seed spills out and in the third picture she steps back and looks at me and just laughs!

I absolutely love these pictures. First of all it freezes in time the moment when she was little. It captures her curiosity and then her delight at her discovery. These three little pictures are worth a thousand words. My Hannah is growing up so very fast. I have enjoyed every single stage of her young life. The pictures take me back to a time that I had almost forgotten. Her cherub little face,and her fine short hair. It is so important to not waste a day.

Today I am reminded about the scripture that says not to worry about tomorrow for today has enough worries of it's own. If we spend our time wishing for tomorrow or so consumed at the concerns for tomorrow, we will miss out on what we have today. We have a lot to live for, so enjoy and make the most of each day! I am so thankful that for that one day, I was there to watch Hannah discover the birdfeeder. I am really thrilled that I caught it on film to keep and look back on!

One more funny thing...my son Jason was home from college and bought a huge bag of birdseed to keep the birdfeeder full of seed. He loved watching his niece play with her new find. Hannah loved emptying that cup after her discovery. Well let's just say that we sowed a lot of seed that spring and it took me forever to get rid of all of those producing birdseeds! LOL The gift that kept on giving!

I am enjoying great memories and love making new ones. Don't get so busy that you miss the opportunity to make some good memories of your own today!

Shanin

Kid's Night

2011-01-12T20:25:00.000-08:00

Tonight I taught on Jacob and Essau. We shared how they both made wrong choices and their parents made wrong choices too. We talked about the birthright that Essau gave up for a bowl of stew and a piece of bread. I had some pieces of "fur" to explain how Jacob and his mama used to trick or fool the Dad (Issac) into giving Jacob his brother's blessing. When I was telling my story (with many helpful interruptions and input)I got to the part where Isaac and Essau both realized that Jacob had deceived them into stealing his blessing and I was telling the kids that I'm sure that Issac was crying and Essau was crying...I looked out at all of the kids and saw Hannah's eyes tearing up. Such compassion...I almost cried. I finished the story and told them at how blessed we are that once we accept Christ that we have a Father who doesn't play favorites! He loves us all and He desires to bless us all! We all have our own identity in Christ. He is our inheritance! We get to spend eternity with Him! How exciting!

We finished the night with our craft. Each of the kids had a little notebook and I had them each put their fingerprints on each page. They had the choice or black or green ink. I explained how everyone had their own fingerprint and that Jesus had made each one of them as an individual that He loves so very much! They then made fun little people or creatures out of their fingerprints!

Then when I drove home I pulled into our driveway and turned off our car. On the radio the song "Your Love O Lord" came on. I got to sit there and listen and worship the entire song. It was so great. I love that song.
Your love, oh Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness stretches to the sky
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains
Your justice flows like the ocean's tide
I will lift my voice
To worship You, my King
I will find my strength
In the shadow of your wings.
I am so thankful that with all of the injustices of the world that we serve a faithful God. He is the hope of all generations, from babies to the elderly across all barriers.

I am so thankful that I get to teach our kids every other week. I am so thankful that I serve such a great and compassionate God. I am thankful for hope.

Have a wonderful night!

Shanin

Looking for Eagles

2011-01-11T18:10:00.000-08:00

Today I had the pleasure of working in the "field" at work. We drove a particular route and counted Eagles. Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles. While counting these majestic birds we also kept track of the number of a few other birds such as ravens, magpies to name a few.

Before I actually spotted my first official eagle sighting, I would look at these cool hawks and say, "Look there is a big boy!" And the wildlife biologist would say, "No that is a such and such hawk." Disappointed I would keep looking. Then I finally saw "him." He was a BIG BOY! LOL I would never mistake a hawk (unless it was at a great distance) for an eagle again! They almost missed him! I was the one who saw him! He was HUGE! I don't know how they didn't see him! Then my boss said something that was true but stood out to me. He said, "You won't see them unless you are looking for them."

Hmmmm...it is kind of that way with God. He is always there. There are days that He is right there and you see Him right in front of you. There are other days that you have to "look for Him" in order to see Him or what He is doing in your life.

While staring at these amazing birds through my binoculars I had a hard time not breaking into worship with song! LOL I am sure that the three men that I was with would have appreciated that! Instead I hummed quietly to myself and had a nice talk with God.

God is so awesome. He created everyone of those beautiful species. He designed their coloring and markings. He taught them how to hunt,fish and soar. It truly is breath taking. I thought of the scripture that says, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Lord help me to always look for You all of the time. At all times and everywhere. Help me to remember to wait on You. Thank you for renewing our strength so that I will not grow weary. You are awesome.

Love,

Shanin

Personal Ministry in Spite of the Masses and Circumstances! He Cares!

2011-01-10T13:27:00.000-08:00

40 So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. 41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying.
But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?”
When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”
46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.
48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.”
50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” 51 When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. 52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.
54 But He put them all outside,took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. 56 And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened. Luke 8:40-56 NKJV

Now this passage is a little long for a blog, I know, however I included it all for a purpose. There was this man named Jairus who came to Jesus and pleaded for help from Him for his daughter, who was only twelve and dying. Jesus agreed to go with Jairus to pray for his daughter but the crowds were huge and many were clamouring for his attention and help. In the midst of these crowds a woman, who was also desperate for healing reached out and touched his clothing. Now Jesus, asked, "Who touched me?" The disciples were like, who didn't touch you? We're surrounded by people. But Jesus knew that someone touched Him and he took the time to find out and talked to the woman.

In the meantime Jairus's people came and said for them not to bother it was too late, that his daughter was dead. How devastating. But it wasn't! Jesus' timing was different than ours. He was big enough to take time for the woman who was bleeding out and death wasn't going to cheat them either.Jesus told Jairus to not worry, only believe and his daughter would be made well. Even Jesus didn't let the surrounding circumstances take center stage. When He got there He only let Peter, James, John and the parents go into the room with Him. He told all of the mourners and hysterical people to stop crying that she was not dead. Now all of those people stopped crying long enough to ridicule Jesus, because they "knew" that she was dead.

How often do we get so focused on the circumstances that we panic, or cry and if anyone tries to speak some hope into our situations that we are quick to say, "You have no idea what it is like?" hmmmm....

Jesus placed the disbelievers outside and then picked up the little girl's hand and called for her to arise! She did! Jesus then instructed for the parents to get the girl something to eat.

Let's examine this from a few different angles. Jesus' timing was not their timing but He was still able to meet all of their needs! He had time to not only heal the woman who reached out to touch Him but to minister to her personally too. He reassured Jairus not to worry. He then went with Jairus to his house. He took the people who were freaking out, out of the room. He then , despite the bleak appearing circumstances, healed the little girl and made sure that her physical needs were met afterwards too! The passage says that her parents were astonished! How often does God surprise us even when we've asked for something? It might not get answered the way we thought but He always answers. Sometimes we need to separate ourselves from those who are freaking out and won't focus on Jesus. Why? Because if it is causing us to concentrate on the crisis or circumstance instead of on Jesus then it isn't good for us. Remove yourself from a fear ridden environment. Fear is not of the Lord! Speak His truth outloud if you have too, sing or worship! It will help you to readjust your focal point! We need to remember that Jesus does not have to fit in our box or to be confined by our rules. He is God!

So be of good cheer! Have great faith! Jesus will minister to us! He has time for all of us! He is big enough for every situation and circumstance!He is control of the situation. He is GREAT!

Loving His Word,

Shanin

Celebration Time!

2010-12-22T15:27:00.000-08:00

Just had to share some great news with you all! Drum roll please...

I passed my Math Final! Woo Hoo! I got a "B" for my grade! I am so happy! It is the best Christmas Present so far!

Another reason to celebrate...all of my kids will be home for Christmas! I am so excited to see them all together. Jason Lee and Aubs will be driving all night to get here but they should arrive in the wee hours of Christmas morn. I am really looking forward to worshipping with them together in church on Sunday morning.

There is a scripture that says something like, "Her children will rise up and call her blessed." I cannot even begin to describe how it pleases a mother's heart to see all of her kids serving Jesus and it is icing on the cake when you get to see them all worshipping together! I am indeed blessed.

There are so many reasons to celebrate this season. The birth of our Savior, passing grades, and being reunited with our kids. God is so good.

Rejoicing,

Shanin

Woah Baby!

2010-12-20T15:28:00.000-08:00

I remember when I was about to have a baby for the first time. I washed all of her clothing, set up her nursery, made sure that I had plenty of diapers, bottles and preregistered at the hospital. On December the 20th, the event happened! Oh how excited we were for our baby girl. The hospital was ready and clean...

How different my experience was than from the birth of Jesus. Mary was young, married to Joseph although the consummation hadn't happened yet. I am sure she was scared and unsure of what the future would hold. She was given a few directions from the angel that visited. Then the census was taking place and she had to ride on a donkey all of the way to Bethlehem! Not in a luxury car...I am sure that the ride alone was enough to start the onset of labor. Then there was the news of not a vacancy in town. That would be the straw that would break this mama's back! I would have cried!!! Joseph found at least a barn or stable with some clean straw. I cannot even imagine how Joseph felt. He must have felt so awful not being able to provide a nice place for his wife that was having the baby. A stinky old stable. Far from the clean or sterile hospital I had with the cool gift baskets. No flowers to be delivered from the florists.

Announcements made? I had mine ready to send out to everyone! My husband called the local radio station to tell them how excited he was! He had just had the most beautiful baby girl born! They laughed and congratulated him on the air. The announcement for Mary's baby was somewhat different than mine. It had been announced by Solomon hundreds of years before and then there were the angel visitations. Yeah, that's normal :) Then finally the angels that appeared singing to the shepherds. The shepherds were the lower classed people, not exactly the socialite page in the paper.

Visitors? Oh, there were visitors. The shepherds showed up, great more animals... however they came to worship this child. I wonder how that made Mary and Joseph feel? I am sure there were a million things going through their heads that day. This precious little boy in her arms...the son of God. The Savior of the world. The Hope for all generations. I am not for sure if Mary even had an inkling of what was to behold for their little family's future but it would break her heart. He came to save the world in exchange for His life and a mother's heart.

Take a moment to think about the birth of Christ this season. It wasn't just a cute center piece for your fireplace mantle. It was a life changing event for Mary and Joseph and the whole world, including you and I.

Have a Very Merry Christmas,

Shanin

Created for a Purpose

2010-11-22T14:23:00.000-08:00

Have you ever stopped to think why or for what purpose were you created? I have. When I lead worship or just sit in the quiet and play the piano and sing, I know why I was created. I was created for worship!

I remember one night when my kids were little. I was a tired mama and my husband was at the mill sacrificing and providing a living for his family. I had spent my day cleaning and raising my brood. The evening came and I was conversing with God. Well, actually probably more whining than anything :) and I told God, "I don't get it! You gave me a voice and a desire to sing and I have no place to use it."

I will never forget His response."Shanin, when you sing songs about Me to your babies, you are doing what I want for you to do!" From that moment on I cherished everytime I sang to my kids and with my kids. I realized that, that was my ministry at that time in my life. I loved it when they would sing at the top of their lungs in the car, I loved it when I would say a word and they could sing a song with that word in it! What a change in my heart and vision! In one instant I realized that it didn't matter how big my ministry was but that I was simply to do it well! I raised worshippers for the King! Wow what an honor!

Now I get to lead my grandchildren in worship. I remember dancing with Hannah when she was seven months old to "Fields of Grace." I am truly blessed. For I was created for a purpose and so are you! You have a purpose and ministry on this earth. It might not seem big to you but it is HUGE to God.

Singing with Purpose!

Shanin

Thankful

2010-11-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

I am so blessed by this wonderful family that I have been given. The love of my life and I were blessed with three awesome kids by birth and then we were blessed with three more by marraige of our daughter and sons. Later in life we were blessed a fourth time by adding another daughter and three instant grandkids in addition to our two grandgirls! Above and beyond our full quiver we had a few extras, along the way, added to our brood. Occassionly we get to hear from one of them here and there, which always blesses us.

Today I am thankful because I found out that one of my "football" boys is coming home for Thanksgiving. God has given me a special love for this young man. He is a good friend to my youngest son. I love it when Jason and I get to see him. What fun it will be to have the "boys" watching football together and enjoying a feast in celebration of Thanksgiving! It makes my heart, well...just happy!

Thank You Lord for blessing us with such a great family!

Shanin

Ahhhh November!

2010-11-01T14:19:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! We had our harvest party this weekend and it was a huge success! Now that October is over I get to look forward to November and December! My two favorite holidays are fastly approaching.

Today I am sitting at my computer, sipping a chai tea and listening to Christmas music. I know, it is a tad early but I started a month or so ago. I only listen to instrumentals as of now because it is a little too soon for the whole carol! LOL I love the holidays. I love giving to others. I love making crafts, I love cooking or baking. It brings back such strong memories of good times with my husband and kids when they were little. How fast time flies by. Now I get to make new memories with my adult children and young grandchildren.

So in the honor of Thanksgiving I have so much to be thankful for! My family, my church family and friends, my job. I am thankful for beautiful music and a hot cup of tea. I am thankful for great memories of days gone by and for the opportunities of future memory making. I am so very thankful for my relationship with Jesus Christ, my Savior and God.

I challenge each and everyone of you to take a few moments to reflect and to be thankful. We are so very blessed.

Thanking Him Today,

Shanin

Have a Little Faith!

2010-08-20T13:34:00.000-07:00

This week hasn't been the best of my weeks. I started the week off with the news of there being a possibility of not getting something I have been promised for quite a while. A little disillusionment happening there. I started to get upset, actually I did get upset for a bit and then one of my friends at work reminded me to have faith. LOL We were in different rooms but close enough to hear each other. This is actually how the conversation went : Hey, Shanin, don't get upset yet, you have to have a little faith. My reply was silence but a little smile inside to myself. Then I heard the same voice from the other room say, "You have faith, dontcha?" I smiled again (this time on the outside but a small smile still) and replied, "Yes" (very weak yes but still thinking to myself that I had faith that this one woman would screw me over again). Then I heard one more sentence after a pause, "I know you have faith." This time it brought tears (good thing that I was alone in my own cubicle!) God is so good to remind us to have faith and hope. I then made a decision to trust God whatever or however the promise manifested or didn't manifest. However it turns out I will trust God to work it out for my benefit.

Then later in the same week I witnessed some injustice. Injustice is something that aggravates me. I have witnessed injustice in this very avenue many times now and this week it was getting really old. God encouraged me again with someone different this time. She looked up at me and said, "Have faith!" I smiled and said something positive (dripping with sarcasm) like, "It would take a miracle!" She smiled again and said, "Miracles happen everyday! You just have to look for them. Have faith!" A message of hope and expectation!

God is so good to me that he sends messages of hope to me when I need them the most! This week the messages of hope and faith came from totally unexpectant messengers! This even made it even greater! God knew that I needed the encouragement and He knew how to deliver it in the perfect package! The words that were used were perfect for me because it was just confirmation to what God has been speaking to me in the past two weeks!

So today I am going to pass on that message of hope and expectation! Have a little faith. It is contagiouos and Jesus said that if we only had faith the size of a mustard seed He can do awesome things! So here is my grain of mustard seed and I am willing to share it with you if you need a little jumpstart of your own! God is working! We might not be able to see it at the moment but He has a plan! So hang in there with me! Have a little faith because something is getting ready to happen! In the meantime if something encouraging has happened your way please share with us!

Here's to Hope in Him!

Shanin

I Am So Thankful!

2010-08-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

Today I am so thankful for a church family that loves to hang out together. We are getting ready for our church family campout. We will laugh, play games, visit and eat together! I am looking forward to some of the entertainment by James and Jason aka the Sadler Brothers ;)around the campfire. I even look forward to the shout outs of "Hello the Camp!" from our friends the Churbas. I love hearing the kids playing together and going on adventures, making memories. And never shall I forget the round of "Ride, ride, ride that pony!"

I am looking forward to our annual gathering and just getting away from it all! We will have service up on the mountain and back at church. We wouldn't want to leave anyone out.

Just wanted to share how awesome it is to attend The Bridge. Not just inside the church walls but outside of the "walls" too!

Shanin

I Am Blessed!

2010-08-06T15:21:00.000-07:00

I was reading a blog from another friend and she said something that really spoke to me. Today I am going to share that with you:
"You want to know the title that I yearn for the most? The title that drives my parenting? The title I want more than any other is "The Mom Whose Kids Love and Serve God"

I love this because it was my goal in life too. God gave me this great priviledge of raising three of the greatest kids in the world. There were some days that it took everything that I had to succeed but I wouldn't trade even one of those days for anything. You see I might not have always been the best mom but I loved/love my kids so very much and I so desired for them to have their own relationship with Jesus.

There is a scripture in Proverbs 31 that says, "Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also and he praises her." Let me tell you...the word of God is true! Do your best, ask God for help! Be faithful in raising your children to live godly lives it pays off in the biggest ways! Does this mean you will never have bad days? Nope. There were days that I felt like a failure but I serve a God that buys back our mistakes! He is the greatest parent and He will direct you!

Today all of my kids are grown and married. There is nothing that blesses my heart more than when I am leading worship and I look out and see my adult children worshiping God. They have truly risen up and blessed me many times! I have a wonderful husband that was right there with me raising the kids too. He taught my sons how to treat their mom and their future wives. He set the standard for my daughter in what a husband and father looks like. Again, I am truly blessed!

So today I wanted to take time and say thanks to Julie for reminding me of the gifts and successes that I have today. Hang in there, you will succeed in your goal! I want to thank Jesus for so blessing me with my husband and kids! Thank You Lord for giving me the opportunity and for helping me to succeed in raising Your servants.God is so good.

For Future Generations Serving Christ,

Shanin

Restored Beauty

2010-08-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we had the privilege to serve our youth group on their retreat! We drove three vehicles for roughly about twelve hours to stay on the beach for three nights! It was great. I got to cook and clean as part of a team with my husband! It truly was an honor to see our youth and youth leadership in action! They made a declaration to take a "Stand" for the Lord.

One day while I was walking on the beach I looked down and saw a beautiful piece of a sea shell. It was broken but still so pretty. I talked to the Lord about how people don't get excited over the broken shells but they still behold a beauty. I started to think about how a person could use a pretty but broken shell and I thought of many ways! Then I stopped and thought about how we are broken. Some of us are more broken than others. Some of us look pretty good on the outside but when you turn us over you can see where the seagulls of this world has gutted us. But if a person can look beyond the brokeness you can see the beauty inside. Sometimes you have to look a little deeper than with others but the beauty still resides. When we let the Father polish us, or sand off the broken edges we can be used for beautiful purposes!

Aren't you glad that Jesus sees the beauty in us? I sure am! I am glad that He looks beyond our brokeness and sees a purpose for each and everyone of us! We need to remember this when we look at people. We need to look a little deeper, beyond the brokeness and see the gold nuggets deep inside. Some takes a little more mining than others but the gold is there! We just need to let the Refiner refine us!

Back to our youth, I am so proud of them. They are going through some transitions right now and in the next few months, but they all have decided to take a stand. Because of their stand they have renamed their youth group, "The Standers." I love it! You know how easy it is to make promises when away from your surroundings but when you return you tend to slide back into your old place? Well, since being back I have already seen some standers taking a stand in their natural environment! I have already seen some opposition and peer pressure too but they stood their ground! Again I am so proud to be their pastor and friend. They have led by example! SO I am challenging the rest of you to take a stand in your surroundings. Even if you feel like a broken shell on the beach surrounded by sand, take a stand! Don't worry, the Father will pick you up and use you! He has a purpose for each of us! He sees our beauty. You are not alone. We can stand together.

Standing For Him With Them,

Shanin

Expectations

2010-08-03T14:59:00.000-07:00

Abbie is my youngest grandaughter. She is four years old. Her enthusiam is awesome! Well, last night my daughter took Abbie and here sister, Hannah, out to ride their scooters. Abbie takes off and gets a ways a way and comes back to her mom with her lips pulled up away from her teeth and says, Mom, do I have any bugs in my teeth?" Amber laughed and told her no. Abbie then responded, "Well, it could happen! That could happen when you go really fast!" LOL I had to laugh.

Shouldn't we expect things to happen? I think that sometimes we get dragged down with the weights of the world so very much, that we stop expecting things to happen. It can be safer that way but look at what we miss out on! We could miss something as great as getting bugs in your teeth from going so fast! I think that we need to expect great things to happen! God wants to bless us and somedays we miss the great little blessings because we stop looking for them. I want to get excited over the little things again! I have been so busy between school and work that I have missed out on some awesome things! But I am looking with expectation again and watch out! Because I am going to get to see some pretty amazing things I am quite sure! Do you want to join me?

Lord renew my mind and restore my "vision" so I can see EVERYTHING that You have in store for me. From the big things to the little things or visa versa. I am expecting You to do great things in my life and the lives of others! In Your Powerful Name, JESUS! amen!

Expecting Great things!

Shanin

In the Name of the Lord Give Me Pudding!

2009-09-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

I have to share a story about my three year old grandgirl. Abbie had asked her daddy for some pudding. It was late in the evening and she had already eaten dinner. Her daddy explained to her that she had already ate and it was getting late. She asked very nicely again and he told her no. She turned and started to walk away slowly and then she turned around, she stretched her little arm out with her hand extended and said, "In the Name of the Lord give me pudding!"

I laughed and laughed when I heard the story. Oh my goodness...Abbie is one of the young ones in my Wednesday night kids class. She always participates in the stories and craft. She usually has a story of her own to add. She prays with passion and sincerity for others. We have talked about the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ...she listens! But the next part is the best...

So I asked my son-in-law what did he say in response and this is what he said, "I gave her pudding!" I laughed and laughed and asked why. He told me, "She invoked the Name of the Lord!"

I know that God must of laughed and laughed at that whole scene. It must have tickled Him that this little three year old believed in His Authority so much that she exercised it for pudding! She took a leap of faith. I just wish I could have had this on video.

I'm not saying that we should invoke the Name of the Lord lightly but I know that when my husband teaches on something and someone goes out and does it or tries it that it really is exciting and encouraging. Abbie did just what she had learned about the power of the Name of the Lord...now that might have to be fine tuned but I am sure that it made the Lord happy.

We should be hearers and doers of the Word. We should step out in faith and try it! We should have the faith of a three year old! We need to practice what we learn and put it into action. God will have grace on us when we need it and I believe that if our heart is right before the Lord He will even giggle at us once in a while...He loves us. He desires for us to walk in Him. We are his kids!

So let me end this post by saying, "In the Name of the Lord give me pudding!" LOL

Shanin

Camping and Family Fun!

2009-08-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

Last week was our Church Family Campout! It was so much fun! I have to tell you though it was freezing weather! The first night I was miserable but the fellowship with our friends and family made it worth it.

I am thankful for a great group of people who can take the not so best circumstances and look beyond it to have a great time! We sat close to the fire, we had a great community meal, and then the entertainment was awesome! LOL We had a guest impromtu performance by Jason Lee, James and Zach. They sang us some pretty funny original songs inspired by the present company of that adventure!

Later the kids had all gathered in a circle playing sing song games and then they started "Ride, Ride, Ride That Pony". I have never laughed so hard before....before long many of the adults had joined in the fun! Jason Lee and Carrie broke the ice by participating. Before too long even our Pastor Jason, Kurt Churba and Pastor Jason joined in the song/dance. We have video to prove it!

We made many great memories last weekend. I have to tell you that I don't even remember the cold that much...the warm memories of friends, family and fun so out weighs the bitter cold. I am so blessed by attending and serving in our church body. I am so glad that I go to a place where you don't have to be perfect to be loved...and a place where we can have fun together. We stick together through thick and thin, good times and bad times. A place where there is always a party!

If you don't belong to a church family like I have described please look until you find one. There is nothing that can replace this kind of unconditional love and fellowship. A place where you can have people love you and pray for you...laugh and cry with you...walk through hard times with you...a place to worship together in a safe environment no matter how you look or how much money you make. They will love you just for being you! An extension of Jesus. He is the One that brings and ties us altogether. He is the One that you really need to know!

Praising Him!

Shanin

An Opportunity to Practice!

2009-07-24T10:11:00.000-07:00

Wednesday night in kid's service it was Tammy's turn to teach. I was a helper. She taught on the Fruits of the Spirit. We team teach so whenever she talked about one of the fruits she would ask for examples from the kids. They gave great examples. When we started talking about self-control and patience I kind of cringed inside because I thought, "Man I bet I have to practice this in the next few days because we are teaching on it!"

Well sure enough, the "opportunity to practice" came by the next morning. When the inccident occured I handled it very calmly...then the situation esculated and I felt a stirring rising up inside of me. I prayed under my breath and walked away! YAY! In the long run I had the victory! By the next morning the situation was resolved and I didn't display rotten fruit but the great Fruit that God had equipped me with! God equipped me with Self-control!

Well, I didn't have to wait long after that opportunity until another "opportunity to practice" came about! It was an opportunity that usually causes me grief and strife...accompanied by fear. Fear is not of the Lord. We talked about this in our kid's class! Peace is of the Lord. He equipped me once again! I then rebuked the fear and asked God to give me His Peace. He did! I did have to choose to have that peace but God is so good that He helped me. YAY! Victory once again. Now that situation is not resolved YET but God is in control and I have peace reguardless of the circumstances that surround me. I will praise Him!

Later that same afternoon I saw my grandaughters. They told me that they had practiced self-control on the playground! I told them about me getting to practice too and they smiled from ear to ear.

I am so grateful that I serve a God who equips us so very well. He knew that those very opportunites would be arising before they ever happened and He was gracious to remind me, (and all of us), of what He has already equipped us with! His gifts are amazing. Are they magic? NO...but they are there. We just have to choose to exercise them. One more thing...I love it because God equips us all, old or young. Yes, sweet victory.

True Are His Promises...He Said So!

2009-06-23T21:14:00.000-07:00

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:13-14 NKJ

When I was leading worship this week I was singing the song "Unchanging" one of the verses goes like this,"True are Your promises, true are Your promises, You never change, You never change O God."

I thought how very true that is! His promises never change. And then I thought about how grateful I was that God made me the way I am. I am so thankful that God made my husband the way he is too! I had to laugh...we have both said at different times that the reason we stayed married when we were young was because we were both so stubborn that we were determined to make the other one leave first! Then I got to thinking about how God really did create my husband and I, both, with a determined streak! And that very quality has kept us from giving up on the promises of God to be seen here in Burley, Idaho and in our lives. There have times when one of us has been down and wanted to throw in the towel but the other one was there to encourage and pray for one another. I am so thankful that I serve a God so great that He knew what character traits that I would need to pastor and to be determined to not give up on the promises He has given us! I am thankful that He gave me a determined mate not to give up on me or us!

Later in verse 16 it says that "in Your book they were written, the days fashioned for me. When as yet there were none of them." God knows what we face and He has equipped us! He has given us His Word and even blessed us with character traits or giftings to handle or finesse each and every situation. He never changes and that means I have to be the one to change. He is with us! He will walk with us. Not always do I understand everything but this I know...that He has a plan and He IS my hope! I love You Lord Jesus.

Edify and Exhort!

2009-06-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! Proverbs 15:23 NKJ
But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
I Cor. 14:3 NKJ

Tonight I was reminded of how important exhortation and edification is! They say that for every negative thing spoken that it takes ten positive things to counter balance it. The enemy loves to whisper lies to us...he loves to tell us anything to tear us down or distract us. How can we counter that? By the Word of God! That is exactly what Jesus did when the devil was twisting the Word of God in the desert! Jesus spoke the truth! He quoted the Word of God right back at him! We need to fill ourselves up with His Word so that when the devil starts tearing us down or discouraging us we can counter attack with the Truth! We can build ourselves up with His Word of God.

Read His Word. Store it up in your heart. Then when you see someone that is hurting you can speak encouragement and health to them! You can administer comfort and hope to them! God's Word never fails. It is salve to the wounded. He is the healer! He is our hope! He is our defender!

So arm yourself and be ready to administer first aid to those who are in need of love, exhortation and encouragement! Remember...a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

Shanin

Tell the Truth in Love

2009-06-04T19:58:00.000-07:00

23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue. Prov. 28:23 NKJV

Rebuking or correcting someone is never fun. I would much rather work, or be friends or spend time with someone who will tell me the truth or how they really feel than to hang out with someone who will flatter or lie to me. It might not "feel good" at the point of correction but I would not have to worry about how they "really" think or feel! Correction, when done right, brings about health!

I used to work with a lady that everyone in the office was afraid of! I wasn't because I knew that Shellie would shoot straight from the hip! She would tell me the truth! I never had to worry about her stabbing me in the back. I knew right where I stood with Shellie all of the time. I also worked with another lady. She was always nice to me and complimenting me but she would then turn around and cry to others about how I treated her. She was one I could not trust!

I am thankful for the people in my life who loves me enough to tell me the truth in love. Without those people I wouldn't have grown to where I am today. My husband was very faithful in telling me things that I didn't want to hear but being patient and loving by helping me in those areas of my life that needed "sanding." I wasn't always receptive or loving back but he loved me enough to help me!

Don't run from telling someone the truth. Stop and pray and ask God to help you to tell them the truth in love. I made a decision at one point in my life to not be a man pleaser and to commit to pleasing God. For me that meant sometimes keeping my mouth shut and just praying and other times it meant that I had to speak the truth. Is it fun? No but I would say that my friends know that I love them and I will tell them the truth...if you struggle with man pleasing or being in fear of someone not liking you if you tell them the truth that is not of the Lord. His desire is for us to be conformed in His Image. Lots of times that means there has to be some "sanding" to get to that smooth surface! Sometimes we get sanded and other times we have to do the sanding....ask Him for help and He will help you. Just remember to tell the truth in love not "love" to tell the truth!

Woo Hoo!

2009-05-31T07:09:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

I am on my way to our Sunday Celebration Service. I get to go worship the Lord this morning with my church family! I love it!

Just thought I tell you all to have a blessed and wonderful Sunday! Take advantage of our freedom to be able to worship Jesus freely and openly without fear of persecution!

Constructive or Destructive?

2009-05-30T20:48:00.000-07:00

1 The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish pulls it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1

This is so true! When I was younger I worked hard to "build" my house but then I would "pull it down" with my mouth in a matter of moments. Everything that I would work for would be undone!

Words and actions are so important. How do you treat your husband? Do you respect him? I have friends that really do respect their husbands and you can tell by their actions and words. Then I have friends who say they do but then they go do things that say the very opposite. They will say mean things or degrading things about their husbands or talk down to their husbands. It is so sad to witness. I can't even imagine being the person at the opposite end.

I am so blessed to be married to a wonderful husband! Is he perfect? No, he is human but he treats me like a queen and I love treating him like a king! Has it always been that way? No, but over time we worked together to improve our marriage and to grow together in Jesus. The biggest change happened when I stopped concentrating on the wrong things that he did or looking at the things that he needed to fix and just looked at fixing me. I know...you might be thinking, well, you don't know my husband! You're right, I don't, but I do know that there is no way that you are perfect either and when you work at fixing you and step out of the way then God can work on his heart. Please understand that this no way is meant for cases of infedelity or abuse. If that is happening go get help! Jesus would never want you to take abuse!

May I suggest if you are in a hard place in your marriage...pray! Pray for your husband and pray for God to change what is needed in you. When you start having a hard time with your mouth...pray! And then pray again! It will make a difference. Look for a way to treat him the way you would like to be treated. After time it will pay off! If you love him and treat him with respect he will desire to treat you the same way. Think about how you sound...how you act...it will take some time to change things but with prayer and action things will change.

Before you speak, stop and think...is this going to help me build my house up or will it tear it down? Be wise and build your home up! Don't be foolish and undo everything you have worked on in a matter of moments with a few words out of frustration.

Offended? Don't Go There!

2009-05-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

God's desire for us is for us to be healthy and flourishing and fruitful. In Matt. 12:20 it says, A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering which He will not snuff out, till He leads justice to victory. NIV The enemy loves for you to be offended so he can get you to isolate!

So what stunts our growth or separates from the vine?

I. The Offense
Like mold the offense starts to grow and spreads all over you. It's a trap! It's the trigger on the mouse trap. It robs you of your blessing while you are in the trap. However, the offense is an opportunity for growth and release. How to escape from the trap is forgiveness.

II. Admit The Offense To Yourself.
We have all been trapped and we have all trapped. In Luke 17 Jesus tells us that it is impossible not to be offended and it's impossible not to often people and He teaches that it is hard on both ends. You are not the only on that this has happened to.

III. Admit The Offense To The Other Person.
Let's state this very clearly...Admission is not accusation!!! You can never know what their motive was! Generally they were oblivious or careless or hurt. How often have you "plotted" to hurt someone? Most usually it is a misunderstanding and the enemy uses it for his advantage (to set that trap). Please make sure that your heart is right with the Lord before going to do this. LOVE needs to be your motivation. Don't go to "confront" the person...go in love.

IV. Forgive The Offense.
God forgave us for so much how can we not forgive for so little? Be mature, make the first move, right or wrong. We have to make the choice to will forgiveness. When we forgive, it releases the issue to God so He can take care of it. When we forgive that is letting the vine dresser to lift us up out of the mud. He then washes the mold off and stakes us to the vine so that we can produce fruit.

Unforgiveness cuts us off from the nutrients of the Word, Prayer, Worship and Fellowship.

V. Get Back Into The Game.
Once we get out of the mus we need to get back into the exercise of reading the Word, praying, worshipping and fellowshipping which equals ABIDING!

Pray for God to reveal any unforgiveness in your life. Unforgiveness is like poison and as it courses through your veins it kills you! Do not let the enemy plant a seed of bitterness in your life.

Condemnation or Conviction?

2009-05-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:31-34 NKJV

The difference between condemnation and conviction.
con·dem·na·tion 1 : censure, blame
con·vic·tion 2 a: the act of convincing a person of error or of compelling the admission of a truth b: the state of being convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth

If we feel condemned it isn't from the Lord, it is from the enemy. You can recognise his voice when you hear things like, "You are so stupid, you did it again!" or "Now you've done it! You blew it so bad you will never recover or be forgiven!" Satan tears you down. He will do anything to kick you or keep you down.

Conviction bring about correction! The Holy Spirit convicts us. Not condencending but truthful. The Lord loves us and wants to bring about correction and restoration! It can sound something like this: "Don't do that! My Word says....come back to me. I love you." "It's not too late! Take care of this now before it gets bigger."

Whenever you you feel condemned don't go with it! Say, "Satan, leave me alone...I am a child of God and I am forgiven." If he reminds you of your past remind him of his future! Quote scripture! "If God is for us who can be against us?" Go and search out some verses to help you next time and when you hear the lies of the enemy use it on him!

If you are feeling convicted run to Jesus. Repent and ask for help. He is waiting with open arms. He isn't waiting to hit you...He loves you. He is waiting to forgive you and pick you up in His loving arms.! Don't wait...the sooner the better!

Running to Him,

Shanin

Celebration Time!

2009-05-26T20:09:00.000-07:00

Hello! I am so excited! Remember yesterday when I wrote about God talking to me lately...well last night I was reminded of all of the babies that I have got to have part in their lives because of answered prayer. I was thinking that I really should record each birth because I don't want to forget any of them and I am sure I have forgotten some.

Well today I went to get my haircut. My hairdresser was cutting my hair and it was kind of quiet for a few moments. She said, "Well,.....(a very long pause)I just took a pregnancy test and I am pregnant!" I squealed, "Oh thank You Jesus!" She went on to say that she thought it was funny because it was in March when she last cut my hair and I prayed for her and then it was today that she took the pregnancy test and it happened to be the day that she was to cut my hair!

God is sooooooo good! I went back and looked where I blogged on the day that God created the opportunity for me to pray for her to conceive...March 18th. I am so grateful that I serve a God who still answers prayers today and opens wombs. I am so excited that He has blessed me so much that He would allow me to participate in praying for these women.

I just had to share with you of God's faithfulness and goodness. I will give you updates as they come....

Can You Hear Me Now?

2009-05-25T18:16:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I bet God says that to us..."Can you hear Me now?"

How often do we stop to hear His voice? Lately a few "things" have happened to me...like one day I was going into McDonalds and an old coworker just came to my mind. I thought to myself, "Hmmm I haven't seen him in a long time, I wonder what made me think of him"....I continued my way into the fastfood joint and as I was getting ready to order I see this very same young man walk past me! I said, "Hey!" We exchanged a few words and he left. Right after that I was talking to the Lord about seeing my friend. I told God that I realised that He had been trying to speak to me and tell me about things so I could be prepared for those, (what I call...), God appointments. I told the Lord sorry for not being tuned into His voice and thank You for not giving up on speaking to me and arranging ministry opportunities.

I love talking to the Lord and I love hearing His voice...I just need to make sure that I don't get "so busy" that I get out of the "network"....my "Network" goes everywhere with me...I have even better coverage than Verizon gives...I just need to "keep my ringer on" and not turn my "phone to silent."

"Can you hear me now?" (smile)

Shanin

Redemption

2009-05-24T19:45:00.000-07:00

Just a quick praise...I have had the priviledge of sharing Jesus with a few friends lately. God is good...He is moving and healing and saving today. It is exciting to see a hunger for the Lord. Refreshing to witness redemption and then a gratefullness for redemption. The bible says in Luke that to who is forgiven much loves much. I have had so much forgiven in my life and I love Jesus. I only want my friends to experience the same redemption that I have received. It is exciting to see it first hand. Thank You Lord for that gift.

Fruity Pebbles

2009-05-18T20:38:00.000-07:00

For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. Luke 6:44

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. I Peter 2:4-5

I have decided that fruity pebbles isn't such a bad name! We as Christians are living stones and we are to bear fruit. We aren't the big cornerstone because that is Jesus. We are to be like Christ and we are being built up together!

So what kind of fruit do you bear? Good fruit or bad fruit? Everyone bears fruit. What kind of stone are you? Are you a stepping stone? Do you have rough edges that need smoothing or polishing? Are you a "chip off the ol' block?" I certainly hope to be. I want to look like Jesus and I want to be very fruitful bearing good fruit for Him. I desire to be used by Jesus. I want to lead others to Him....even if they think of me as "fruity pebbles"

Blessing Time

2009-05-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

Hello! Tonight I am going to start your week with a blessing!

May Jesus bless you and keep you throughout the week. I pray for favor and grace to shine on you everyday. I bless you with insight as you work with others, that you would be able to speak encouragement and life into their lives. I bless you with joy and peace...joy to be your strength and peace to calm you when you start to get anxious. I bless you with a sharpness of mind to capture every memory that you will be making. And I pray for you to sow seed every where you go and may it fall on fertile soil and take root. Finally I bless your eyes with the ability to see with His vision and that you would be so sensitive to the Holy Spirit that you wouldn't miss one divine appointment. May you see the fruit of your faithfulness this very week....amen

It's a Beautiful Day!

2009-05-16T20:58:00.000-07:00

Today I am so thankful for sunny weather! We did yard work under the blue skies. I am so thankful that we got so much accomplished today!

I am thankful for friends who dropped in to see us! I am thankful for a young man who dropped in to see us! He used to play football with my son and for my husband. We love this young man like one of our own. I am thankful for our associate pastors who dropped by. I am just thankful for good friends and church family.

I am thankful for good kids! They help us, love us and we just have a good time together! I am so very proud of each and every one of them and their families.

I have so much to be thankful for! I could never list it all. I just want to take a moment and thank God for everything that He has given and provided for me.

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. Psalm 150:1-6

Seriously Folks, BE JOYFUL!

2009-05-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. I Thes. 5:16-17

Always be joyful....hmmm....I am glad that joy is not happiness. We can draw joy from knowing our Lord and not from our circumstances. Joy is something that I have been blessed with. Thank You Lord for Your joy.

When you are having a hard time priming the old "joy pump" go to verse 17. Be thankful in all circumstances. Start looking for those things to be thankful for...got a high electric bill? Thank You Jesus that I have electricity! Without electricity you wouldn't even have that bill...I, personally, love having electricity! Today I am even thankful for a few extra pounds (choke)that I have put on because that means that I have had an abundance of food...and in a few days I will be thankful for those sore muscles I will have from walking to lose those extra pounds because I have good legs to walk on! (remind me of that one later, smile)

It is God's will for me to be thankful and joyful. The circumstances in which I have I can grow and learn from and most importantly learn to lean on Jesus more! When you are in the midst of something hard it doesn't say that it will be easy but we serve such a big God that no matter our circumstance we can be thankful and have joy! And for that I am grateful!

Shanin

The Revealer of Secrets

2009-05-14T19:24:00.000-07:00

Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:20-22 NKJ

One day I was reading this portion of scripture for my devotions and I thought to myself and prayed to the Lord, "God, I have seen you do many things. I have seen provision in miraculous ways and I have seen Your hand heal people but I want You to reveal secrets to me." I didn't think anymore about it until later that morning my daughter called me. She told me that my granddaughter had been having absolutely terrible breath. Immediately a thought flashed through my mind, "She has something stuck up her nose!" I told my daughter that I thought that the Lord told me that she had something stuck up her nose. My daughter started laughing...I said, "I'm serious!"

She laughed and said, "Oh, I know you are serious and I believe you but that is funny!" She immediately called the doctor and made an appointment. When she got there she told the doctor that her daughter had horrible breath and they had brushed her teeth and everything but it was still horrible and she believed that she had something stuck up her nose!

Sure enough he was able to pull something gross out of her nose. He then said, "I want to know how you knew that. I have to pull something out of some kid's nose every week but you are the first person who ever knew what was wrong! Most people just bring in their kids because they think that they are sick or they can't stand their breath any longer."

She told him that her mother told her...LOL. Not how I knew...

I was so excited because God answered my prayer. He revealed a secret to me! I certainly would have never thought of that on my own! Like Daniel, I serve a God who is the revealer of secrets!

Prospecting for Gold!

2009-05-12T09:25:00.000-07:00

Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed [this] to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:17-18 NKJ

I love this because Jesus was and is a gold prospector. He looks past the person's appearance and into the heart. He sees things that we often overlook. He saw that this Simon had gold nuggets lying below the surface! He renamed Simon, Peter or Cephas...the rock! He saw things that others didn't see...He saw the potential, the gold.

We need to look beyond the surface in people. We need to look deeper and see what potential lies waiting to be developed or discovered. We need to pray and ask God to show us! We need to prospect for gold!

How many "Peters" are there out there waiting to be discovered and used for the ministry? I am so glad that God looked beyond my surface and saw something of value inside of me.

Lord Jesus, help me to look beyond the outside or the appearance of people. Help me to see what You see. Help me to help others find You. Refine us.

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-09T14:46:00.001-07:00

Yay! Tomorrow is Mother's Day!

Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband [also], and he praises her: Proverbs 31:28 NKJ

I am so blessed that I have reached this point in my life. My kids all serve Jesus and that was one of our ultimate goals when parenting. It is such a blessing to look out into our congregation on Sundays and see them worshipping the Lord.

Tomorrow three of my four kids, and spouses and grandkids will come over for a bbq! My James is in California bringing home Kaylin! YAY! Anyhow my loving husband bought me a new blackberry for Mother's Day.

We will give out roses to all of the mom's (spiritual and physical) in church tomorrow. Another blessed year of being a mom. It truly is my greatest accomplishment in life. God has blessed me so much. I would say that parenting is the hardest thing I have ever done but the best thing at the same time. The rewards far out weigh any and all sacrifice. I am so thankful that even though that I didn't do everything right and that I made mistakes that I serve a God who buys those mistakes back! I am grateful to my husband who I would have never made it without him! And to my kids who forgave me when I did make mistakes and still love me!

A Pizza Blessing

2009-05-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

Funny title I know...let me explain it a little further.

A few years ago God had been speaking to my heart about heart's desires. He told me to make a list no matter how big or small. I wrote down several things and everyday I would go back over them in prayer and talk to the Lord about my list. I was amazed at how fast some of them were answered and the ways that they were answered. I think that some of the smaller ones excited me even more than the bigger ones! Why? Because I knew that only God knew what was on my list and it was just confirmation to me!

One day on the bottom of my list I listed "a slice of pepperonit pizza." I was hungry for pepperoni pizza and I was broke. Now I didn't give it anymore thought because I thought it was frivilous to a certain degree...it certainly wasn't a need! That very day my boss called me to his office and said, "Shanin, I feel like buying pepperoni pizza for everybody for lunch today! Will you please go order it and have it delivered?" I got so excited because I knew where this "feeling/idea" originated! God had pepperoni pizza, ordered, paid for and delivered just for me!

Now every now and then God blesses me with pepperoni pizza. Laugh at me if you wish but I know that it is something that God does just for me...it happened again just today. I spent my lunch in Math lab studying for my algebra test. On the way to work I thought that I would pick up a personal pan pizza to take back to work. Then I remembered that I had a coupon for a pizza that would make it cheap but bigger and I thought that I could share it with a couple of my co-workers. Well, when I got to Pizza Hut the lady told me that when they were making my order they made a mistake and would I be willing to take the mistake at no cost to me? Yes! Well, guess what? It was a pepperoni pizza with jalepenos which happens to be one of my most favorite pizzas of lately! Thank You Jesus! I took it back to work and shared it with my co-workers who were all very excited to have pizza! And I was tickled because I knew Who it was really from and Who ordered it just for me...Thanks God!

Your Tongue Can Bear Fruit!

2009-05-04T15:21:00.000-07:00

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”
21 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:20-22 NKJ

I have a funny story to tell you. Many years ago when my daughter was in fifth grade I had this big rubber tree plant that I loved. It was in a big pot and I made sure that the kids didn't rough house around it and I would dust the leaves and water it regularly. The plant would spit at you if you walked by it and my daughter hated it. She hated it because it would spit and she hated it because "I gave it too much attention!" LOL Well, she told me I am going to kill that plant...I told her she couldn't touch it...and she didn't but every time she would walk past it she would say, "I curse you in the Name of Jesus and you will die!" I would laugh to myself never believing for one moment that, that plant would die! Guess what? It died! I tried everything to keep it alive...I still laugh to myself because I know why it died! So does she! She is a grown mom now and she smiled and told me the other day, "Would you like for me to kill your plant for you?" That little turkey! We both laughed remembering my rubber tree plant!

Jesus cursed the fig tree because it didn't bear fruit. You know it is so important to be fruitful. Sometimes in order to be fruitful we have to be pruned and that never feels good and it doesn't even look pretty when you look at my trees or bushes but you know the result is amazing! After you come out of the pruning the new life is so beautiful. Stick close to the vine and draw your strength from Jesus!

The second thing this scripture talks about is faith. My daughter had the faith that my rubber tree was going to die! Funny as that is...it really did die. Our tongues can edify us and help build our faith or the tongue can tear down your faith! We need to be careful what flows out of our mouth! It needs to be fruitful and life giving. Our tongues need to encourage others and help build other's faith. Speak the Word! It never comes back void. It is the truth! It is alive and breathing.

One of the things I do when I get ready to pray for someone is to tell them of the times that God has answered prayers just like the one we are getting ready to pray for! It not only builds their faith but it stirs something inside of me too!

Faith is amazing...it only takes a little bit to grow...like the Word says that faith like a mustard seed! Have you seen the size of a mustard seed and how big the plant gets? God is amazing and I am so glad that I serve Him!

Prayer Book

2009-05-02T07:36:00.000-07:00

This last Wednesday night I was teaching "my" kids in church. I team teach once a month with other gals. There are three of us that take turns and all three of us get one night off a month.

I taught on prayer. Now all of "my" kids know how to pray! If you need a prayer answered ask them to pray because they never forget to continue to pray and I am convinced that when they pray God listens! They have faith that God will answer their prayers.

We talked about a lot of instances in the bible when there was something impossible and when they prayed God moved in their behalf! Prayer works! Prayer changes things!
Then it was time for the craft!

I had made up some blank books (like scrapbooks) and I let them decorate the cover with the paper from the wallpaper books. Then in the inside cover and front page they had two different scriptures about prayer to paste in. Then they were to write who they wanted to pray for inside the book on the pages or if they couldn't write then they could draw a picture that would remind them of who to pray for! They worked hard on these books, boys and girls alike. I finally had to make them quit because it was time to clean up and leave but I told them that they could work on them at home.

Yesterday was the ladies day out at lunch. Amber came and told me that Hannah (my granddaughter) had worked on her prayer book everyday. She took time to draw lines and then to write all of the names of everyone who she wanted to pray for. This included all of her cousins, both big Grandpa and little Grandpa and both Grandmas. And last but not least she listed Molly. Molly is her Grandma Sharon's dog. My daughter told me that everynight she takes her prayer book to bed and prays through the whole thing! How cool is that? Hannah is in kindergarten and she is a prayer warrior!

From generation to generation...we are raising the future generation! Hannah is just one of "my" kids and it is only a bonus that she is actually my granddaughter. I am so honored and priviledged that I get to teach "our" kids about the Lord. It is the best thing in the world when you see them grasp it and do it on their own! YAY God!

Who can you influence or teach about the Lord? Do you teach Sunday School? Youth Group? It is hard work but you have something to offer. If you feel that you don't know a lot then start studying! It is a great way to learn the bible....start young...teach the three year olds! All of the ages are awesome. We have a need today in our country. We need to teach our future generation about Jesus and how to be leaders. We all have an important role. And let me tell you there is nothing better than to teach the kids so go and sign up!

Yikes! Pray for me!

2009-05-01T19:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I got my algebra test score from Tuesday back...not good...a 60% I need to pass my test this tuesday very badly! So please pray for me to understand and retain what I need to know!

On the bright side I have a praise! My sweet husband brought me home tulips! He then made dinner for us too. I LOVE FLOWERS! I love tulips too! I am so excited! It was so sweet of him to buy them for me and I didn't have to fix dinner either!

So I guess that is about it for tonight. God is so good. I am thankful that I serve a big and gracious God. With Him anything is possible. Even algebra ;0]

So peace out and type ya tomorrow.

Shanin

2009-04-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

13 For You formed my inward parts;You covered me in my mother’s womb.14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.15 My frame was not hidden from You,When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. Psalm 139:13-16

This portion of scripture is so awesome to me. He formed me! He knew me while I was in my mom's womb (I started to write uterus but womb sounds so much nicer).He knew what color of eyes I would have and how my hair is wavy...He knows about all of my days...good or bad. He knows my name...pretty cool that God knows me!

Apology!

2009-04-28T14:41:00.001-07:00

Sorry that I have been sporadic on my blogging recently. I am in the final two week stretch of my college classes. I am a little stressed to say the least. So after this week I should start to blog a little more consistently. I have two more chapter tests in algebra and one final test. I have one final project due tomorrow in my business class. One of my algebra tests are tonight....I have a credit card audit being done at work on Thursday and a huge certified mailing that needs to be done not to mention my daily chores! LOL I am thankful that I have a ton of people praying for me and I have the bible to draw on when those overwhelming thoughts approach....I have the mind of Christ! And we all know that Jesus was a algebra expert! SO I should be fine! In the meantime I am studying...so I will update you all on my busy life in the next day or so...keep praying, smiling and praising!

Shanin

Cup of Tea?

2009-04-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

I love tea! All kinds of tea. I love iced tea (not sweet tea), and hot tea. I like fruit flavored teas, earl grey, cinnamon tea. I like Lipton, Bigelo, Red Rose, and Tazo. I like every kind except for plain green tea...I do like flavored green tea though.

I guess that you could call me a tea collector. I have a big watermelon basket filled with tea bags. I love to keep a big selection of tea so that when I have guests drop by I can offer a cup of tea. I also love to have a cup of tea on a cold evening.

So this whole post was really just about tea...I thought that you might like to know just a little something about me. If you would ever like a cup of tea you know where to go! Good conversation and a cup of tea is hard to beat!

Moved with Compassion

2009-04-22T20:47:00.000-07:00

35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38 NKJ

Jesus walked and lived among the people. He saw all of the disease, sickness and injuries. It didn't repulse Him. He had compassion for them. He did something about it. He healed them but even then He recognised how many that were weary and scattered. Jesus loved them so very much. He addressed their physical and spiritual needs. They needed a shepherd, someone to love and guide them but there were so many...He instructed His disicples to pray for laborers to care for the people!

It is the same today. So many people ravaged with disease, sickness, hopelessness and despair. Children without parents, parents addicted to drugs and anything that will mask their pain. Homeless people, the hungry, the Aids epedimic...the list goes on and on. They are weary and scattered and they need a shepherd. They need hope, they need a Savior.

We need to pray for laborers for the harvest. There are so many that needs hope and love. I am so thankful that I serve a big God that has compassion for everyone of these people. He is not repulsed by them, He loves them. He loves them so much that He made a way for every single one of them/us, not choosing one over the other...He died for everyone! So join with me in prayer that there would be laborers for the harvest. Pray for compassion. That we would see them through His eyes.

A Scooter!

2009-04-21T15:37:00.000-07:00

My grandaughter will be soon celebrating her 6th birthday and she wants a scooter. She has asked for one from her daddy and mommy. I know that the odds of this happening are pretty great! She is so sweet. Her daddy would bend over backwards for his girls if he is even given an opportunity to do so. He loves his "little princesses" and would do anything for them as long as it didn't hurt them in any way.

This reminds me of the scripture Matthew 7:9-10 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Our Father so wants to bless us. He also desires that relationship with us...not a genie in the bottle relationship but a Father to His kids relationship. I know He loves it when I talk to Him about anything...big or small. If we enjoy blessing our kids with awesome gifts, and we are evil....how much more does God love to bless us, His kids!

Take time and get to know Him. He is better than any earthly Father could ever be even the best dads!

Looking forward to watching Hannah ride that scooter this summer!

Shanin

A Trained Athlete

2009-04-20T14:49:00.000-07:00

On Saturday my friend and I drove to Idaho Falls for a body building competition to watch another friend compete. We have watched this friend be disciplined day in and day out with her diet and workout. She would go to lunch with us and eat her salad while Jenni and I ate whatever we ordered and not once did she complain. She would be tired and sore and still get up at 3:45 am and do her cardio workout and then after work she would lift weights.

On Saturday we got to see the event that she had sacrificed for, the competition! It was so much fun to watch her do her routine. She looked amazing. The hard work paid off! She took first in her heavyweight division and fourth in the Masters division. She didn't get her pro card which is her ultimate goal. Afterwards we all went out for a little celebration at a favorite restraunt. She did spluge a little but I saw her today and guess what? She is training for next year. She will keep training until she reaches her goal. She has amazing dedication, vision and discipline! She is focused on finishing the goal of her pro card. She has maintained her focus.

If we, as christians would be so dedicated and disciplned! What goals would we accomplish? You know, we are running a race. A race that we need to finish! We need to train and be disciplined in reading the Word and following Jesus. We need not to give up when we get "sore" from the "workout!" We need to remain focused on the ultimate goal of finishing the race! Pray for one another. If you see someone struggling come along side them and root for them! My friend said that it meant so much to her that she could hear us yelling for her. She says that, that helps immensely! Be faithful in "working out" follow your "diet" diligently. It will pay off! The best fan we have is Jesus. He is there rooting for us. He desires for us to finish the race. And to finish well. If you fall down, get back up! We can do it!

See you at the finish line!

Shanin

God Used a Nobody!

2009-04-16T18:16:00.000-07:00

55 When Saul saw David going out against the Philistine, he said to Abner, the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this youth?” And Abner said, “As your soul lives, O king, I do not know.” 56 So the king said, “Inquire whose son this young man is.” I Samuel 17:55-56 NKJ

I read the bible story about David killing the giant, Goliath. I love it because God used, David, the shepherd boy to kill the giant. His much bigger brothers and warriors of the King didn't kill the giant nor did King Saul who was head and shoulders above the rest. David, the youth who was the family errand boy, killed the giant bully.

Who was David? He was the youngest boy in his family. He tended the sheep. He would bring lunch to his brothers who fought for the King. That is where he heard Goliath taunting and making fun of the Israelites. This made David mad! How dare he say those things about the children of God! Now David had killed a lion and a bear while tending the sheep with God's help...God would surely help him defeat the giant that was defying the armies of God!

Goliath actually thought it was an insult that they would send the boy to fight him, the mighty Goliath! I am sure it was even a bigger insult when David brought a sling and five stones to fight the giant...but David had God on his side! David slayed Goliath with God's help. He used Goliath's own sword to cut his head off. Showing that God doesn't save with swords or spears but the battle is the Lord's!

Now let me tell you this...David was no longer known as the shepherd boy...from that day forward the name David was known in the land. David, a man after God's own heart. Maybe Saul didn't know who David was...but God did. God used David...a nobody who really was somebody. God knows your name, no matter who you are...and He can use you too.

Yeah!!!

2009-04-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

Well, today we had an awesome Easter service. We had great worship, message, then baptism. We had ten people get baptized!

I have to tell you about some of the people who got baptized. One young man who asked to be baptized had told me earlier that until recently he thought that getting baptized was just a christian tradition. He realized that it was an act of obedience. He desired to get baptized! I am excited because I know that God is working in his life.

One of the little girls just recently accepted Jesus as her Savior. It was during our Heart of Worship service. When we opened up time for prayer she came forward and said that she wanted to accept Jesus! I was so excited! BTW her parents just recently rededicated their lives to the Lord. Her dad, mom and sister were also baptized today!

Two of the young boys baptized today I have had the privilege of knowing since birth. Alex and Gabriel already have a strong foundation in Jesus.

My daughter-in-law chose to be baptized today. She is an awesome example of Jesus. She loves Him so very much and it shines like the stars in my girl....

For every person who was baptized today there is a great testimony. For that I am thankful.

Then after service was the big Easter Egg Hunt! Wow were there a lot of eggs to gather! The kids made out like bandits! I saw several with bags of eggs and candy! Then we were off to the fellowship hall for food and fellowship.

I am so thankful for my church family. I am thankful that Jesus died so that we can live. Enjoy.

Shanin

He Has Equipped Us!

2009-04-10T18:39:00.000-07:00

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. II Cor. 10:3-6 NKJ

There is so much good stuff in this passage of scripture.

I. We need to remember that our fight isn't against flesh and blood. It is a spiritual battle.

II. The good news is that God equips us to fight the spiritual battles! We have His authority and His Word to equip us.

III. He gives us the strength to pull down the strongholds and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God!

IV. We need to bring every thought that isn't of the Lord into captivity to the obediance of Christ! This is the battlefield, our mind! When we align our thought patterns to the Word of God. Not every idea is from the Lord! Amazing, I know... but when something starts creeping in that is when we need to take it under knife point! If we cut it out right from the get go and not entertain it then it won't have time to grow and mature into fully developed sin!

V. Then practice! Live day by day in righteousness and when you mess up go before the throne of God and take care of business and keep going!

Easter Preparation

2009-04-07T12:50:00.000-07:00

For the past few weeks at church we have been announcing that we needed plastic eggs for our Easter Egg Hunt that we will be having following our Easter Sunday Service. I needed 1000 eggs and individually wrapped candy to fill the eggs.

All the while my husband and Matt have been cutting and sanding crosses for the lesson and craft for the Children's Ministry Service.

God is good. When I carried all of the eggs in last night we had over 1500 eggs! YEAH! The cross craft prepping was finished as well.

Wednesday night we will be dying eggs for our craft for the kids and on Thursday night the Ladies will have their night out and we will be making some beautiful flower baskets to invite people to our Easter Service.

Saturday will be our Costco day to shop for the buffet luncheon.

The most exciting part is this...we are baptizing ten people this Sunday! How exciting is that? God is so good!

We will have worship, celebration and some eggciting fun on Sunday. (Sorry I know it was lame but I couldn't resist!) We will be sharing a buffet luncheon or feast following service and hunt. Now I am praying for visitors and salvations! That would make it the perfect celebration.

I am so grateful that Jesus died on the cross for me. We have so much to celebrate. And I am glad that Jesus likes to party too! I know He does...and I do too!

Palms and Praise

2009-04-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Palm Sunday. Our children's ministry opened our celebration service with song and palms and it was awesome! We sang "O Praise Him" and they first walked and then ran down the isle waving their palm branches as they jumped and sang in worship. I cannot even imagine how this must have made Jesus feel! I know that I got teary and excited watching them and singing with them!

You are never too young or too old to worship! Our young ones certainly know how to worship the King! The bible says that if we don't worship Him the rocks will cry out! How fortunate we are to live in a country where we can still worship the Lord God openly without fear of persecution. Please don't wait until it is too late to worship Jesus. He is so gracious. It doesn't have to be done in a "certain" or "right" way. He just desires for us to make a connection with Him. Each person may worship Him a little differently. The important thing is that we do worship Him.

If you don't know Jesus, I would urge you to make Him Lord of your life today. It is so simple. You don't have to be in a church! All you have to do is confess your sins, tell Him you are sorry and ask Him to be your God. Then be sure to tell someone! We want to celebrate with you! It is important to get into a church fellowship so you can learn more about Him and so that you can be encouraged. I would love to pray for you if you made this important step today...just send me a post and I will celebrate with you.

Bedtime Stories

2009-04-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight I watched a great movie called Bedtime Stories. It is an awesome movie that I highly recommend.

I love the beginning of the movie when the son pretended and played. He did so many things in the make belief world. In one of the scenes the dad opened up the ice machine to find his son inside sitting on the ice with his coat on. The dad laughed and picked him up out of the ice. The dad loved to see his son pretend and play.

I remember when our kids were little. They put on shows for us, they would pretend and have a great time together. My husband I enjoyed watching them play everything from house to young riders. We had the rescue rangers in our house on more than one occasion.

We would encourage our kids to dream big. Whenever they would say what their lifetime occupation would be we would make a point of telling them that they could accomplish their dreams or goals. Amber wanted to be an artist and a mommy and a princess. I am safe in saying that she accomplished all three of those titles! At different times Jason Lee would be a banker or police officer. He currently works at a bank while going to school. James, (when he was three), wanted to be Popeye when he grew up....he would even practice walking with his arms out to the side because of his big muscles! LOL. James is still in college however I think his long term goal has changed! We would bless our kids by introducing them by saying, this is my son Jason Lee or James, the doctor. We wanted them to know that we loved them and supported them and believed in them.

I am saying all of these things to say that our Father loves to see us dream. I am sure that He enjoys seeing His kids pretending, playing and having a good time. The Lord desires us to succeed in Him. Sometimes we tend to think of God as all work and no play. He is our Dad and He loves us! He wants to bless His kids!

Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:9-11 NKJ

God has great things planned for us. He is patient while we are growing in Him. He desires to bless us. He loves us so much more than we can ever dream. He is better than any earthly Father can ever become. Take time to talk with Him. Read his Word. He has some great stories...the only difference is that they really are true.

Chocolate Cake

2009-04-02T18:46:00.000-07:00

8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
9 Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.
Psalm 34:8-10 NKJ

If you are enjoying a really good piece of chocolate cake and you have a more of it sitting on the table with plates and forks do you really have to tell someone or make someone to eat it?

Jesus is like really good chocolate! If you live your life with Jesus, He is so good that you won't have to make anyone desire Him. When you worship Him others will see how awesome He is! He is sooooo good and if you share His goodness others will want Him too.

Oh taste and see that the Lord is Good! He really is good! Blessed is the man (me!) who trusts in Him! Those who search after Him will not lack any good thing!

Now, who would like a piece of really good chocolate cake?

Good or Bad Commercial?

2009-04-01T20:04:00.000-07:00

What kind of commercial are you? That is my question for you tonight...when you watch a beer commercial it is never some old fat guy laying on a couch watching tv and drinking a twelve pack of beer...it is the built guy that has it all together and when he cracks that beer open beautiful women fall from the sky...

So back to the question...what kind of commercial are you? Are you a christian that looks like you are sucking on sour pickles? Are you bitter and resentful? Are you always negative? Or are you happy and content? Do you represent Jesus well? When people look at you, they look to see if this Jesus is for real and if it really works.

So are you a good commercial or a bad one? It's your choice.

Let me end with this quote that Abraham Lincoln once said, "Most folks are as happy as they make their minds up to be." Represent!

Jesus, Her Baby Boy...

2009-03-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:51-52

Earlier in Luke chapter 2 it says that Mary kept all of these things in her heart and she pondered them...that was when the shepherds came to worship Jesus, her baby boy...she had already had the angel come and announce her pregnancy, His birth. Then they had brought Him to the temple and Simeon prophesied over Him then Anna. Then when He was twelve He had gone to the temple and sat with the Pharisees and not only understood them He asked them questions! They were amazed by this Jesus...her baby boy...

She pondered all of these things in her heart. Her baby boy, Jesus, the Messiah. Like the song says...when she kissed her little baby, she kissed the face of God...oh Mary did you know?

I cannot even imagine the heartache she must of kept in her heart...her hopes, her dreams....her little boy...her baby boy...Jesus. Jesus the Messiah...the One that would be crucified to save us all.

You Are An Important Part of the Team!

2009-03-30T21:34:00.000-07:00

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
I Cor 12:15-19

I had read this passage in my devotions a few days ago. I was mulling it over in my mind and when I was worshipping on Sunday with my worship team I thought of it in a different light. I was thinking during practice that I was sure glad that Churba was back this Sunday. Churba plays the percussion. He had been sick the Sunday before. His instruments are the "pretty parts" of our team. When He is gone we still function but it really leaves "holes" in our worship. It is the same when one of our singers are gone or when the guitar is gone or the drums...we are a team! When one of us is gone there is a hole, plain and simple.

It is the same with the body of Christ. We all play an important part! When one of us is missing we can still function but it isn't the same! Something important is missing! God gave us each special gifting that complements each other. Do not let the enemy convince you otherwise! You have an important place in the Kingdom of God. When you let the enemy place bitterness or offense or anything that keeps you from fellowship you are cheating yourself and others. You count!

So today I am here to affirm your ministry. Whether it is serving in the kitchen or cleaning the church or praying or giving a comforting word or preaching the sermon you have an important part to play. Please be a team player for God! We count on you!

Let me end with this example of ministry.

Hannah ran up to a friend of mine who has only come a few times and hugged her and told her that she missed her! My friend later told me how much that meant to her and made her feel so loved. Hannah is five and she ministered that day in a very important way! If Hannah can minister to someone so can you and you might not even know how important something you might not even consider to be ministry can effect others!

I'm Back!

2009-03-29T17:00:00.000-07:00

I'm Back! I have been out of the loop for the past few days because my friends came to stay with us. I have to tell you that we had a great time together. We laughed and laughed. We shared things of our lives that we might have missed. We laughed some more. We prayed and shared things that the Lord had been doing...we laughed some more.

It is so great to have good friends that you can pick up right where you left off the last time that you were together. Good friends that you can laugh or cry with...friends that you can call night or day to have them agree in prayer with you.

So today I am thankful for great fellowship with friends. Really they are more like family!

Open My Eyes....

2009-03-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

Open my eyes, Lord. I want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch Him and say that I love You. Open my ears Lord and help me to listen, open my eyes, Lord I want to see Jesus.

That is an old song that I haven't thought of in a long time. I was looking up all of the passages in the bible that had something to do with eyes. Jesus touched many eyes so that people could see with their physical eyes. He healed many people with spiritual blindness too. There is one passage that said that if they would only open their eyes and listen with their ears that He would heal them.

That made me think....Lord Jesus, open my eyes, and my ears so I can see and hear and be healed. Help me not miss out on one thing that You are doing! Adjust my vision. I want to see everything! Jesus help me to not miss out on any opportunity of ministry. Help me to see ministry opportunities. Help me to enjoy Your beauty. I want to see You and to see what You are doing...I want to see Your hand move. I want more of You.

In All I Do Let Me Honor You!

2009-03-25T21:29:00.000-07:00

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. I Cor. 10:31-33

Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God! This pretty much sums it up. If everything we did, we did to glorify God how much better life would be! If I made sure that whatever I did glorified God, and I worked at not offending people so that nothing would stand in their way of receiving salvation how much more could I accomplish? I know that I have offended others...sometimes I have used the excuse of God's grace to excuse my behaivor, especially when I was younger.

I hope that I have never offended someone and stood in their way of Jesus. Lord forgive me if I have ever done that, and if I have been at fault for keeping someone from seeking You then please redeem what I have done. Lord Jesus, please help me not to be on the "lookout for me" but to seek Your will at all times. Help me to keep the long term goal in focus and help me to be a good example for You! I want many to be saved for Your glory! In all I do let me honor You, amen.

Love Is...

2009-03-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud.5 Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. 6 Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. 7 Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures. I Cor 13:4-7 NCV

What the world views as love and what the Word says is love is vastly different. In the world you can fall in and out of love so easily...if you "aren't happy" then bail. Here it says that love is not selfish. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done, ouch that one hurts! There have been times when I have been guilty of this...not proud of it but it is the truth.

I am thankful that God loves this way instead of the world's way. I am so thankful that Jesus loves me and doesn't keep track of when I mess us...I am so glad that He doesn't want our relationship to be "even and fair." He loves me right where I am.

Jesus please help me to love the way You love. Help me to see people through Your eyes. Give me compassion, help me to be righteous. Thanks God!

We Are Family

2009-03-21T20:36:00.000-07:00

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1 NKJ

It sounds kind of corny but I am so excited that it is Sunday tommorrow and that means church! I love my church. We are a family. God has so blessed us.

What better thing is there than to worship God with people that you love? You don't have to be in church to spend time in the presence of God but I love to worship with my church family. There is just something special about "dwelling together in unity." It truly is a blessing. It really is good and pleasant!

One of the really great things is that I know if I am having a hard time, or if I am having a bad week, I can call any one of my church family and they will pray for me. If I needed them to come over they would be there. And likewise for them. We have each other's back! We can laugh together or cry together. We like hanging out!

Thank You Lord for a great church family. Thank You that we can come together to worship You.

A Sword for the Lord!

2009-03-20T06:29:00.001-07:00

Last Wednesday night I taught on Gideon to the kids. It was great fun! I talked about God calling Gideon, "oh mighty man of valor" while he was working at night to hide from the Midianites. I then told them how Gideon later gathered the army and God told him how to choose the men and when it was said and done there was only
300 men. I told them how they went and followed God's instructions on how to conquer the Midianites.

Then we got to the part where they smashed the pitchers and yelled "A sword for the Lord and of Gideon!" We practiced this in class. I even smashed a pitcher (by accident but it had great effect!)It was so much fun. We did our craft and went home.

On Monday night my grandkids were in the back yard playing and I hear a voice yell "A sword for the Lord and one for Gideon!" I had to laugh. It wasn't quite right but it still stuck. I knew if I was laughing that God took great joy in it also. So today that is my story..... "A SWORD FOR THE LORD AND OF GIDEON!"

Have a great day!

Feeding On His Faithfulness

2009-03-19T21:48:00.000-07:00

1 Do not fret because of evildoers,Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD,Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;Do not fret—it only causes harm. Psalm 37:1-8 NKJ

First of all if you are reading this I would encourage you to read the whole chapter of Psalm 37. It is an awesome chapter!

I would like to testify how I have seen this at work in my life! I have seen evil people who lied and plotted against my family come to nothing because God took care of us. We had to commit our actions and our life to the Lord because in the world's eyes there was no way out. But I am here to say that I saw God take what looked like impossible circumstances and turn them around without us slinging mud! He defended us! We had no other choice but to rest in the Lord. Fretting and worrying wouldn't get us anywhere but perhaps crazy! Truth prevailed! It wasn't overnight but God did bring the truth.

After the victory we had to make a choice not to be angry and allow bitterness to take root in our lives over this betrayal. It wasn't easy because you would think that you were making progress and then I would hear the anger in my voice when I spoke of the incident. Then I would release it to the Lord and will forgiveness again. When you forgive it allows healing and it allows God to deal with the situation because you aren't in the way!It is an ongoing process.

I can hardly wait until one day when I get to see how God finishes and finesses the details of this part of our lives. I know that there is more to come because I am just seeing the tip of victory. God will complete the work that He started! And when He does I will share it with you!

I am so glad that I serve such a mighty God. Thank You Lord for defending us and bringing the truth to light. Thank You for giving us Your promises and thank You for seeing them through. I love You.

A God Appointment

2009-03-18T18:45:00.000-07:00

This week a great thing happened. It is what I call a God appointment. I needed my hair cut so I took advantage of a day off and went to my hairdresser. She is a really nice gal and I have been going to her for my hair for a few years now. Well, during the course of my haircut she shared with me that her and her husband have been trying to have a baby with no success. I told her that I would pray for her before I left.

At that point I started sharing stories of others who I have prayed for whom God has given babies. God is so good. You see by sharing God's greatness it does two things...it builds faith in the person I am getting ready to pray for and it stirs my heart too.

Tonight I want to praise God for some of the miracle babies. A couple in our church who had been barren for 16 years....thank you Jesus for two beautiful boys. For my friends in Oregon who God miraculously provided their son. At a workshop last year I taught on heart desires and prayer. A gal came up to me afterwards and asked me to pray for her to conceive. About eight weeks later she showed up at my work with her mom. I asked her what she was up to and she told me (in all smiles) that she had just returned from her doctor and she was pregnant! Thank You Jesus for a beautiful baby girl. A few years back I prayed for another hairdresser and I heard recently she had a baby boy. God is good!

I am so excited and so honored that God arranged for this appointment. I can hardly wait for the call...to tell me once again of God's greatness. It will happen and when it does I will post about it! Then you can rejoice with me!

Freed from the Chains

2009-03-14T15:16:00.000-07:00

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Gal. 5:1

Why is it that when Jesus fres us from our bondages we sometimes will go and put the chains back on? It must be something that we all struggle with or God wouldn't have written in the Word of God to tell us not to do!

Look at the Israelites for one example. They were slaves to the Egyptians and cried out to God to save them. When God delivered them from slavery whenever it got tough they wanted to go back to Eygpt! To the people who beat them and murdered their babies. I think that is crazy but I have done the very same thing before. I think that the familair is comfortable to us. So the old bondages are comfortable but we need not to go back to what Christ has freed us from!

I have a relative that God totally delivered and saved. This week we got a call from her. She put back on the chains. She is miserable again. It wasn't like she remembered. It didn't happen overnight. The devil was patient...he slowly regained ground. How sad.

Jesus paid the price for our freedom. Don't pick up the chains and wrap them around your self again. Take advantage of the freedom God has granted you. When things get tough and you think about the "good old days" get in the Word. Read the truth! It isn't the way you tend to remember...you wanted out for a reason the first time. Don't let the enemy recolor it pretty because it isn't. Bondage is bondage. Don't let what Jesus paid for you be for nothing. Stay free...and then go find someone else who needs to be freed.

Freedom comes at a price but anything worth anything costs....

Shanin

Sow the Seed Everywhere!

2009-03-08T20:09:00.000-07:00

But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept [it], and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." NKJ

Jason and I have been in Idaho for almost fourteen years now. We love it here. Has it always been easy? No. Has it been worth it? Yes, even if it was just for one it would have been worth it....however many have been saved.

I am most excited when I look back over the past couple of years. Now first, let me tell you that the last two years have been hell on earth in some aspects. We have been through some trials but I would like to say that God never left us through those times. We did get discouraged but we never gave up...not because we didn't feel like it on some days but because we desire to finish the race that God has set before us.

God has spoken some promises to our hearts. I know that He will deliver on those promises...how? I don't know but I do know that I serve the God who can do the impossible! We are starting to see the tip of victory! I am so excited! I can only imagine (or maybe I can't) of what God is starting to do...like I said earlier, when I look a few years back NOW I can see God's hand moving! One couple came to Jesus. They truly gave their lives to God, their whole family! They brought another family that was part of their family, (did you get that?). They too accepted Jesus...I remember the first Sunday their son received Jesus. We were all excited and shared it with the parents and they smiled and I am sure thought, "What just happened? Now what do we do?" LOL Then their family came to know the Lord within weeks of the son's salvation.

Like I said, it has been a few years now...they have pursued Jesus and grown! They have sown the seed everywhere. People have seen the dramatic changes in their lives. Some didn't like it. Now we are starting to see the harvest. In the past three months they brought another family who needed a Savior. They have embraced Jesus and our church. In the past week two more have accepted Jesus! WHOOPEEEEEE!!!! We are celebrating!

I am starting to see the snowball effect. You know the best part? Most of these salvations are the men first and then they lead their wives. Jesus is healing marriages. They are hungry for Jesus. They had something that didn't work and saw something that was working and decided to give it a try.

Let me say this. I have seen many accept Jesus and many not stay with Jesus. It is the ones who choose to be discipled that really walk with Jesus. They have something solid to hang on to when the hard times come, and they do.

So let me finish with this....sow the Word everywhere! Some sow the seed, some water it and some harvest it. It is a team effort. But do not forget to fertilize the seed once it takes root. Water them too...and please remember to pray for our babes in Christ!

Celebrating New Life!

Shanin

Don't Forget to Set Your Clocks...

2009-03-07T20:09:00.000-08:00

It is spring forward time! So we will have more daylight hours starting tomorrow... The older I get the more time it takes to adjust to the time difference.

I would like to celebrate the new time change with a praise. I received a raise yesterday! God is so good to me. In these times of uncertain economic conditions I have a wonderful job. God placed me where I work at just the right time. He was so in control. I am so glad that I was obediant and stepped out in faith. It was scary at the time but God was so patient with me. He directed my path.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path...how true.

SO today I am here to say that I serve a really big God who is in control of everything. I just have to trust Him and not try to take over!

Spring time here we come!

Shanin

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff!

2009-03-03T21:06:00.000-08:00

13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. Mark 10:13-15 NKJ

I love this scripture because I love working with children. But we are kids too. I have been thinking...scary I know...how many new believers or people who are checking out Jesus or the church do we try to implement "rules" on them right away? Are we rebuking them or rebuking those who bring them? Does it really matter how they are dressed? Does it really matter what kind of make-up they are wearing? Jesus will change the important stuff as a relationship develops but if we are quick to forbid them for even coming to Him just as they are won't we be held accountable? Please notice that I said, "the important stuff."

In other words, don't sweat the small stuff. Leave it to God to speak to them at the right time. You might be instrumental in that or you might not be...I know that there are some things over the years I have changed in my life that might never would have bothered me years ago...Jesus was patient with me, He loves me. He brought these things to my attention and changed something in my heart. I am thankful that there were people in my life that loved me enough to overlook my immaturities and not make it an issue. Because of their love for me and Jesus they gave room for Jesus to work things in my heart without further injury.

If Jesus can overlook the small stuff, can't we? I don't want to get in the way of "kids" coming to Jesus. I want to see them crawl into His lap and for Him to bless them....the other stuff will come in time!

This is the Day That the Lord has made...

2009-03-02T21:20:00.000-08:00

I WILL rejoice and be glad in it...

There are those days that I have to choose to do this. I have to make the committment to "will" to rejoice and be glad in it! Most usually after I decide that I am going to choose to worship the Lord those days turn out to be some of the best days! I think that the devil so desires to distract us from what God has for us that he would do anything to mess up a great day in the Lord!

So the next time your day is going downhill quick...stop and make the decision! It helps me to say, "This is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it." You might have to repeat it with clenched teeth at first but it will sink in and then your day will have a better "look" to it!

Amazing Love....

2009-02-28T10:33:00.000-08:00

One night a few years ago I was on my way to watch a football game. It was out of town and I was in a hurry to get on the road. Well, right before I left I heard the Lord tell me to take a couple of IB Profen with me. I asked Him, "Am I going to get a headache God? Because if I am I can just pray for that right now." Again I just felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to bring some IB Profen.

Now I have to be honest with you...there are times when I hear something and I just think, "Oh I am just making that up in my head" but over time I have learned to listen and step out in obediance. So I stopped on my way out the door and grabbed two or three IB Profen and placed them in my pocket.

Now when I got to the game I saw one of my co-worker's and friend who was there to watch the game too so I walked up to Him and asked, "Hey, Tab, do you have a headache?" He looked at me and said, "No, why?" I explained to him that the Lord told me to bring some to the game so I was looking for who might need it! He looked at me and smiled and shook his head and kind of laughed...but he knew me and the Lord so that was fine.

Well, at half time one of the football players came back onto the field and ran up to the grandstands and yelled, "Does anybody have any IB Profen?" I jumped right up and yelled, "Yes, I do!!!!" He gladly took the IB Profen. I turned and smiled at Tab! He laughed and shook his head again. I was so happy that I had listened to God. He used me!

I knew this young man. I love this young man like he is one of my sons. I was talking to the Lord afterwards about the whole event and this is what the Lord said to me, "I love this young man even though he doesn't know Me.I knew that he would have a headache and I love him so much that I didn't want him to hurt so I had you bring the IB Profen"

I cried. Jesus loved him so much that He had me bring IB Profen for a young man that doesn't even know who He is. How awesome is that?

I am so thankful that I listened and just didn't shrug it off. I still love this young man. I pray for him often. My desire is for him to one day meet my Savior and make Him Lord of his life too.

I wonder how often God does these "little things" for us? You see in many ways I was blessed even more than the young man because God allowed me to be used in a small way but at the same time it was a huge way(at least to me). It truly blessed me. God loves us so very much that He doesn't even want us to hurt...amazing...amazing love.

7 Steps to Choosing Joy

2009-02-25T20:36:00.000-08:00

Joy: (noun)the emotion evoked by well-being, success or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. A source or cause of delight.

Rejoice in: Have or possess. More at Joy.

Joy and Happiness is the perfume that when you pour or splach it on others you can't help but get some on yourself! Joy is an attitude so...Choose Joy!
Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice! Phil. 4:4

Step One. First you have to make the decision to choose joy. Some days you just have to say, "Today I WILL rejoice!" We have a reason to rejoice because we have hope. Our hope is Jesus! He is our salvation, our Redemption! For that alone we can rejoice. There are days that I need an attitude adjustment. I make the decision of whom I am going to serve.

Step Two. Change your focus. When you focus on Jesus then all of the other stuff falls into perspective.

Step Three. Wash yourself in the Word and His Promises! Phil. 1:6 ; Jer. 29:11; Romans 12:2

Step Four. Start thanking and praising God with your mouth! Give thanks for everything! If you absolutely can't think of anything then quote the Word. Thank Him for something in someone else's life. The enemy won't want to stick around if you are praising God!

Step Five. Train your thought patterns and your mouth. Remember you are a witness for God...good or bad witness, it is your choice! Use your tongue as an attitude gauge.

I think that the two biggest road blocks to joy are unforgiveness and fear. Examine your heart and see if you struggle with either of those things. Ask God to help you.

Step Six. Do not entertain fear! Fear is sin. Anything that you are more afraid of or love more than God is an idol, you are worshipping yoursef. OUCH. I know...I struggled with fear for years. A good con-man (satan) sets up the scam with something you want or love and makes it appear that if you don't get it or do it then you will get hurt. As soon as you feel trapped like this, examine it! If you don't have joy this scheme will work on you. This doesn't mean that you can't have things that you enjoy or activities that you love to do...just keep it balanced! Be grateful!

Step Seven. Practice! Rejoice as a constant discipline! Refuse to worry about things. Understand that Jesus gives peace to those who trust Him and ask for His help.

Remember to focus on Jesus instead of your circumstance. He is our strength and our reason for choosing joy. So Choose Joy!!!

So Thankful...

2009-02-24T20:08:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful that I serve a Gracious God.

On Sunday we sang a song in worship that says, "Great is Your faithfulness O God, you wrestle with the sinner's heart. You lead us by still waters and to mercy. And nothing can keep us apart. So remember Your people remember Your children remember Your Promise O God. Your Grace is enough, Your Grace is enough, Your grace is enough for me. Great is your love and justice God, You use the weak to lead the strong. You lead us in the song of Your Salvation and all Your people sing along."

I am so thankful that I serve a God that does wrestle with my heart issues. He loves me so much that He won't give up on me...He desires to protect me from the things that injure me. He so desires for me to draw even closer to Him. His Grace is enough! Those areas where I come up short His grace covers me...His grace covers those bare spots.

Then the second verse talks about Great is Your Love and Justice God, You use the weak to lead the strong. This is so amazing but true to me. He uses me! It never ceases to amaze me that He uses me to help others. He helps me to help others. Without Jesus I am nothing but with Him I can help others! He gives me the song of His Salvation! Jesus really has placed a song in my heart...whenever I am worshiping Him it does place a lilt in my step...I am thankful that He has lead me to His salvation. I am so thankful that His Grace is enough...His Grace is enough for me!

So Thankful for His Grace!

Shanin

Choosing to Believe that He Loves Me!

2009-02-22T21:39:00.000-08:00

13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 NKJ

Unless...big word. I would have lost heart unlessI had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living...

How many times have you lost heart? There have been times when I have lost heart so I found this one verse very interesting. It stood out to me...we have to believe that the Lord is good and we will get to partake in His goodness! He desires good things for us so if we would just believe that, and I mean really believe that God loves us and desires great things for us. When we buy into that truth then when things aren't going right we will know that it will be okay because God has a plan for us! A good plan! A plan that includes the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!

So do not lose heart! Beleive that God loves you and that if He loves you then He desires to bless his kids and that includes you and me! YAY!

Living and waiting to see even more goodness of the Lord in the land of the living...

Living Large in Burley!

Shanin

The Sledding Hills of Life

2009-02-21T20:14:00.000-08:00

Today we went up to Magic to sled. This was a birthday event for my daughter-in-love. I noticed a couple of things while we were there having fun.

One thing was that there was two main ways up the hill. One was the easy way and one was the hard way. One was that you could walk and drag your tube or the other way was that you could take the tow rope and once you hook up the tube to the rope you just ride up to the top.

There were three lanes down the hill. One is slower, one is fast and then the middle lane was fast and you would catch a little air.

The rules were simple. No taking cuts in line. You can only sled down in groups of four or less. Once down at the bottom of the hill you hurry off of the sled lanes so that you don't get hit by other sledders. Sled down the hill only in the lanes provided. Play nice. For those who followed the rules it was really fun!

Well there was one boy who would drag his tube really fast and hit people in the back of the legs with his tube and they laugh and say, "sorry!" Well, later this young man (boy)decided that once he was near the top of the line he turned around and thought that it would be funny to slide his tube down the place where people were lined up the mountain for their turn to sled. One man had to jump out of the way and the boy was headed for the crowds at a high speed when two young men tackled his tube. It didn't stop him but slowed him down and he then hit a tree. My son said he hit it hard but not as hard if they wouldn't have tried to stop him. My son also said that he was sure that it probably smarted when they tackled him but if they didn't he would have injured many and himself even more.

I have told you all of this story to say there are some kids or people in life who think that their path will be fun! They don't weigh out the consequences of what might happen to themselves or others. If you see someone doing this try to stop them. You might not stop them but you might at least slow them down before they hit a tree in life.

My next statement is this. If you are someone who thinks that the ride would just be fun and not hurt anyone that is not true. Your actions always effects others! You might miss a tree this time but next time you might not be so lucky. You might think, "Well I just want to have "fun" while I am young and later I will straighten my life out." You do not know when your life might end. It might be today...please make wise choices.

Now let me address those who were having fun and following the rules. There are no guarantees there either. You might do everything right and something still might happen and you end up injured or hurt. The same is true in life. Your life too can end at any moment, even if you are doing everything right. Please make Jesus the Lord of your life.

Jesus is the only for sure thing in life. With Him, you are guaranteed eternal life with him after this life here on earth. When you choose Him you can be assured that He will go with you down the slopes of life. Fun times and hard times.

Thanks for listening to me ramble today...if you are one who is walking on the edge...please choose Jesus. He loves you and life with Him is never boring.

In the Dark and Scary Places He Goes With Me!

2009-02-20T14:46:00.000-08:00

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:24

When I was a little girl I didn't like this passage of scripture...it scared me to think that I would have to walk through that deep dark valley with those huge ugly shadows of death...now I love this passage of scripture! Not because I want to walk in those hard places but because now I realize that I have God to walk with me and to protect me. He has that big old rod and staff to protect me...not that He needs that, (it is the picture of the shepherd), to protect me because HE IS GOD! But it is comforting that He can whack any bad guys that might be waiting to get me with that big old staff...or club (that is the way I like to think of it )

It really does comfort me that God is with me wherever I go...I really don't have to be afraid because I am HIS girl! He protects me wherever I go...He is right there before me and behind me...not only is He there in the scary places but He goes everywhere else with me too. Sometimes I think that He just likes to skip with me in the fields because that is what I would like to do! He likes it when I spend time with Him....He likes it when you spend time with Him too!

Are there any places where you are scared to go? He will go with you...you don't have to be afraid or scared of the evil that is lurking because the evil is very afraid of the Lord. His light will shine bright around you and chase away the darkness....it trembles at His voice! So take Him with you wherever you go...you will both love it!

Glad to be His Girl,

Shanin

For This Purpose...

2009-02-19T09:46:00.000-08:00

15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. Acts 26:15-16

I love Saul/Paul's testimony. He was a murderer of the people who believed in Jesus. He was famous for killing the very same people who served this Jesus who was now appearing to him. Amazing...but God knew that Saul/Paul did everything that he did with passion, determination and whole heartedly.

How many people do you know that don't know Jesus that are total hell raisers? You know the ones that you think are hopeless to ever become a God fearing person...man, those are people that when they do find Jesus they serve Him with just as much passion because whatever they do they do it with their whole heart.

The bible says to love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind and strength. Pray for these people. Love on them. If God can change Saul into Paul then He can change anyone's heart. Ask God to show you who to pray for then don't give up!

Book Review- Romance

2009-02-14T06:56:00.001-08:00

Today I am going to suggest that you read a great love story. The book of Ruth (in the bible) is a short love story. It has death of loved ones, respect and love for her mother-in-law and then a journey to a foreign land where she finds love once again. It is a redemptive love story that everyone should read! Ruth goes to work in a field to glean food for her and her mother-in-law where she meets the land barren Boaz. Boaz is an older man who is a compassionate and caring man.

Will she find true love with Boaz? Will her mother-in-law approve of this relationship? Or will another man step in the way of this budding romance?

This is a "have to read" romance approved for any age!

Shanin