Daughter of the King

Today I was thinking about how exciting it is that Christmas will be here on Sunday. It made me think of wonderful Christmases past. This year I miss my Jason and Aubrie. It will be the first time in a long time that not all of us will be together. I am so thankful for a family that loves hanging out together. The fact is that I saw them in August for a few hours but I miss them NOW! I would gladly exchange all of my gifts to get to have them home for the weekend. You see, I am blessed beyond measure. I have four wonderful kids and five AMAZING grandkids and the one most over-the top bestest ever husband in the whole wide world! God has truly blessed me, so for this year I will be grateful that most of my kids will be home and the ones that won't be will be in a loving environment of their very own. I am so thankful that each and every one of my kids and grandkids know and serve Jesus, the reason for this wonderful season! Merry Christmas and have a Wonderful New Year! Shan

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcise

I can remember the first time that I met each of my precious children. After only four and half hours of hard labor Amber was born into our lives. When Amber was born she didn't cry but she opened her eyes wide and looked around in the delivery room. The Dr. was surprised because it was so bright because of the lights yet she still was taking it all in. She was so beautiful. We were on cloud nine. Then there was Jason. He came out so angry! He was mad that someone had interupted his life. Before he was all of the way out he grabbed my hospital gown, pulled himself up and screamed. He was upset and let the world know it:) He too was absolutely gorgeous. Again, we were on cloud nine. Then there was James. James was upset when he was born but it wasn't an angry upset it was a little pooched out lip upset. He cried and cried. I remember hugging him. He was so sweet. Another big beautiful baby (10 lbs. 2 ounces and 23 1/2 inches long). Three for three. How could life get any bet

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:15-16 NIV Esther, the heroine of the Jews, for her time. She had the life, right? The life of a Queen? But that wasn't her whole story. Her story began when her parents were murdered and then she was taken (by the King's guards), at a young age, from her cousin to be placed in the harem to be "trained" or prepped to see if she "was good enough" for the King to choose her to be his Queen. Oh I forgot to add that she didn't even get to keep her given name, her identity was changed too. In our world she would be considered a victim, she would spend her whole life in counseling trying to figure out why it all had to happen to "her" aka me

The Lord has been speaking to my heart about prayer. He speaks to me in snippets some days. He know that I can grasp it better in snippets :) There have been a few things bothering me lately. I was thinking about going to talk to one of my friends about it and He told me to wait and pray about it. He will change the situation. He is the Healer and the Redeemer and the Restorer. So that is what I am going to do about it. I am going to pray daily over the situation and watch God take care of it. He also has been challenging to increase my prayer life. I used to pray a lot more and I saw the evidence of that investment. So I am asking for God to help me to be more diligent in praying and seeking His face. Trusting and believing. I am excited about this because I know that He will move in a mighty way. The last time He talked to me about my heart's desires was five years ago. Wow, I had no idea how God could and would move on my behalf. We have gone through a lot of battles since t

Somedays it is just the little things that mean so much! Today I got to take care of three of my grandkids. I got to enjoy a cup of coffee! I get to go over to some friends' house for dinner tonight! And there will be homemade mexican food :) I am thankful for jalapeno poppers that my sweet husband is making even though he already worked eight hours cooking for others! How awesome is that? Tomorrow I get to go to church and worship! I love my worship team! I really like exclamation poiints...hee hee probably a little more than I should but I get excited easily :) I am extremely thankful for wireless internet access!!! I am really getting excited for Christmas. I am getting really, really excited to shop with my girls the day after Thanksgiving! Of course on Thanksgiving day we will get to do a puzzle and this too excites me. I know that none of this is in order but I just wanted to share with you some of my happy thoughts for the day. When I really should be doing homework :P Ba

For brethren to dwell together in unity! DO you remember that old song? I was thinking about it today. It is an old song set to Jewish style music. When I was a kid and singing it people would get excited and clap in beat together. That is how it feels when we fellowship or "hang out" with our family from The Bridge! Last night I taught the kids and to hear the kids run up to one another and pat them on the back or get excited and hug each other it! I love to hear their laughter and excitement to see each other. That is how it should be whenever it is time to gather! Unity! You don't have to be someone's best friend to support one another. Sometimes it is just a prayer said or an encouraging word that will minister to a person. Sometimes it can be a smile and wave from across the room, or a hug of comfort and to shed a few tears together. But there is just something special when brothers and sisters in Christ dwell together in unity! You are an important member of

There is a song that we sing in church called, "To the Ends of the Earth." It goes like this, "Jesus, I believe in You and I would go to the ends of the earth, to the ends of the earth. For You alone are the Son of God and all the world will see that You are God, You are God." I love this song. It is done by Hillsong United. You can find it on You Tube. Anyhow...I was reading an online new article about a shooting happening in a church back east. The article was sad but not as haunting as the comments that followed. There were a few good comments reminding others to pray for the wounded and the church body and then there were the comments making fun of the people who believed in God. Their words were so filled with anger that someone believed in Deity at all. There remarks were scoffing and hateful to say the least. It wasn't the people behind the posts that upset me. What bothered me was that they scoff and ridicule the stupid people for having faith and th

I love the Lincoln Brewster song Today is the Day! It is such a joyous song. Today is the day You have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Today is the day You have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. And I won't worry about tomorrow I'm trusting in what You say...Today is the day! Of course we know that the basis of this is from scripture. This is the day the LORD has made;We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 We all have days when it is easy to rejoice in the Lord and then there are those days when we have to make a choice to rejoice! Remember to start looking for the little things to rejoice over on those days! We all have things to be thankful for! Go turn on some praise and worship or some Lincoln Brewster and refocus on the King. It will place everything else into perspective. Rejoicing with you, Shanin

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!Psalm 34:8 NKJV Have you ever sat down and ate the most scrumptious brownie or piece of chocolate cake? It was so rich and yummy...did you have to twist someone's arm to get them to try a piece? NO:) That is the way our lives should be. Our lives should be so different from others that people would look and see that we have something that they need or want! If you live a sour, bitter life no one will want that! But if you live a rich and full life you will have the opportunity to share Christ! So remember when you are out and about...think about that yummy, gooey chocolate dessert...and share you life with anyone who looks hungry :) Tasting, Seeing and Trusting! Shanin

While we were camping last weekend on Saturday night there was a fabulous electrical storm. I could tell that there was a storm brewing earlier in the evening so I had gotten up and put everything that couldn't get wet away. When it first started to hit, our youth and a few adults went to the top of Mt. Harrison lookout to watch the storm. Jason and I stayed behind at our campsite. We had a fire going so we did not want to leave it unattended. At first we saw a few strikes followed a few moments later by a loud crash of thunder. We oohed and awed over the fantastic light show. Then one gigantic flash of lightning happened with a thunderous boom. It was so loud and happened so sunddenly that I reached out and grabbed my husband and yelped. We decided that we had better go to the truck and watch the show from a safe location. Then came the down pour. More crashes then just as fast as it started it ended. I could see another set of clouds coming quickly. We took advantage of the brea

24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29 NIV You know, I think that Thomas gets a bum rap in the christian world. He is known as "Doubting Thomas." When I read this passage what I think is that Thomas is just human. As a matter o

This past weekend it was our turn to clean the church. There have been times when it was our turn to clean that I let out a sigh...you know the sigh...the one that says that you wished that you didn't have to clean that big building! Well, I was cleaning the kitchen, doing the dishes. I was thinking to myself about how many dishes there were to do this week and I would have to go home and clean my own mess. Then I actually listened to myself think these thoughts. I got to thinking about how I should change my attitude. I started worshipping as I was wiping the tables in the fellowship hall. I was singing my lungs out, (which for those of you who know me knows that this is not an uncommon thing for me to do), and the Lord started speaking to my heart. I repented about my attitude. I then realized what a privilege it was to clean GOD'S HOUSE. Not just a church building but the place where GOD'S PEOPLE come to worship Him! I started thinking about the Levites in the temple.

This week, behind my place of employment, I found that the apricot tree had broke in half from being so overloaded with fruit! The landlord told us that we could pick all of the fruit that we wanted because he was going to just take it and burn it. So I picked a whole box of apricots. Earlier in the day I asked the Lord to help me with a cool craft for the kids. I then had the idea of making apricot freezer jam for our craft. I would tell them the story about the tree and link it to the bible story of burning the trees that are not fruitful. We are known by our fruit. I told them how the apricot tree was not going to be able to provide fruit any longer because that part would die. The whole time we were outside cutting the fruit up and preparing it for jam. We also talked about our orphanage in Uganda. The kids have such a heart for the kids in Uganda at Cornerstone. Then one of the kids popped up and said, "Could we send our jam to Uganda to the kids?" I explained that we co

This weekend is my 30th year reunion for my highschool class. I am exicted to see old classmates and friends. Just going back to our old stomping grounds is exciting in itself. Of course I won't have enough time to do everything or see everyone but it will still be a lot of fun. In preparation for this event I have pulled out a couple of our year books trying to jog the old memory. It has been fun to be reminded of people that I haven't seen in years. But I think one of the things that I am most excited about is seeing our friends, Dan and Linda Jackson. We will be staying with them. We have a great history with Dan and Linda. When I was a little girl Linda taught me in Sunday School. Then when Jason and I grew up and we were married we taught their boys. Whenever we needed to talk to anyone safe they would be who we would think of and call. I have to smile because Dan and Linda have been such great mentors to us. I love it because whenever we do get to stay with them Linda

John 5:1-14 NIV Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” But he rep

20 We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. 21 In him our hearts rejoice,for we trust in his holy name. 22 Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,for our hope is in you alone. Psalm 33:20-22 NLT Isn't this great news? If we place our trust and hope in the Lord we will not be disappointed. I cannot tell you how this really makes a difference in my life. When things aren't always "fair" or "just" I can trust that the Lord sees it and will handle it for me. I need not to get all worked up or bitter over injustice, if I trust in Him! He can handle it without my help! And He can take care of any situation so much better than I can! Especially when I stay out of the way! Thank You Lord that your unfailing love surrounds me and that I can place my hope in You! Shanin

“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” Mark 9:50 NKJV Have you lost your saltiness? Have you lost your zest or flavor for Jesus? Don't let the business of life drain the very flavor of your life out of you. But how do I stay full of life? Read the Word. Even when you don't feel anything, just do it! God will speak to you. He so desires for you to keep those lines of communication open with Him. The liar of this world will try to discourage you or even simply wear you down gradually, but keep you guard up! Read the Word, spend time with Him. I promise even if you don't remember what you just read for that moment it will come back to you when you need it! Ask Jesus to help you to understand and absorb it into your heart and mind. Have salt among yourselves! Be at peace with each other! Fellowship with other christians! Work at your relationships and don't let the ene

I am excited because tomorrow I get to go worship at The Bridge. What is the Bridge you ask? It is a place where people of different walks meet together and fellowship! We like to hang out with each other even though we are all very different from each other. Why? Because we have something in common. The common factor is Jesus. He is big enough to unite us together as one big family. If you don't belong anywhere and need a place to hang out, come visit with us! We would love to add a new family member to the Bridge. It is the place we meet where it is about connection, not perfection. Peace Out, Shanin

“Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them . 11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. 12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand

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

God is faithful! When everything seems to not go right, I can depend on God. He is there through thick and thin. His Word is everlasting and true. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King His love endures FOREVER! Forever is a very long time. Longer than I can fully grasp. He loves me, He will love me forever! He loved me while I was being knitted in my mother's womb. He knows everything about me! He sees my heart, the good, the bad and the ugly and He still loves ME. The good news is that He loves you too. No matter where you are now or what you have done or will do, He loves you. He will love you forever. Will you return His love? He is the only sure thing. He is our peace. He is everything. Just call out to Him. He can hear your cries and your heart. He is just waiting for an invitation from you. Do it. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their p

Have you ever had a hard time with a particular issue that seemed to rear it's ugly head at you and kind of make fun of you? I have. And at the beginning of the year I told that Lord that I was going to commit to give this certain challenge to the Lord. Then it magically got better! NOT~ it seemed to be even more in my face the first few days so I really worked hard at making this new habit of laying it at the feet of Jesus. I had this plan, whenever it got more difficult I would wear my mp3 player playing worship music. I did great for the first two and half weeks! Then last week I let it win the battle for the day. Oh how I mourned in my heart that I had lost the battle for a day but then I realized there was good news! Jesus has provided a clean slate for me to start over! I just had taken my eyes off of Jesus and let it wander back to the very thing that I was trying to give to Jesus. I was struggling for control instead of trusting Jesus to take care of me and the situation. S

There is a song that we sing in church and it is titled, "Sing To The King." I love that song! It is written by Billy Foote & Charles Silvester Horne. The lyrics are awesome! The chorus goes like this: Come let us sing a song, a song declaring that we belong to Jesus, He is all we need, lift up a shout of praise, sing now with voices raised to Jesus, Sing to the King. Have you ever struggled with self worth? Have you ever felt unloved? If you know Jesus you never have to feel that way again. Why? Because you belong to Him. Oh you may have those days that the enemy will throw those thoughts at you but all you have to do is spend some time with Jesus to know that you are loved. The great part about belonging to Jesus is that once you know Jesus you are part of God's family. When you are a part of God's family, then you belong to this great body of believers aka siblings, that have your back. I came from a messed up family so I missed having a family that ju

14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Phil 2:14-16 NKJV Last night I was shopping at a few different stores getting ready for my kid's class on Wednesday night(I taught on Jacob and Essau). Whenever one of the clerks would ask, "How are you tonight?" I would smile and say, "Awesome thanks!" I was surprised at the response at EVERY store. Each one would be taken back and then smile and say, "We don't hear that very often!" or "I wish that more people would respond that way!" Then it opened a door for conversation of what I was doing with what I was purchasing. I walked right through that open door and would tell them the story (th

22 Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. 23 But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” 26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down befo