Author: Shannon k hinson
bible.com/bible/116/rom.15.13.NLTBe Still
Lately I’ve been feeling a bit unsettled. Following the advice of one of the marketing reps at the publisher of my book, I joined Twitter. (Which is quite interesting) Ron and I don’t even turn the TV on in our house. Twitter is FULL of news, whether it’s true or not… who knows. So between Twitter, Facebook, Gab, Instagram and Clouthub there is a bombardment of information / disinformation. Keep in mind, I’m a person of love and peace with a sensitive heart.
Last night I had an unusual night or scrolling through social media platforms and the divisive HOT topics blow my mind. On one platform one guy just asked a simple question which was followed by over 200 comments arguing. I could not even read through them all it unsettling me in such a way. I try to be attentive to the Holy Spirit’s quiet voice and it was like He was saying “Peace! Be Still”.
Another unsettling matter is marketing my book “Rooted by the Water”. If you know me, I’m not one to seek attention or a spotlight. I’d rather be a “wall flower” and just blend in in the background. But what’s the point of writing a book if you don’t try to sell it. So I find myself way way out of my comfort zone. God laid on my heart the willingness to write the book, which is quite amazing because I’ve spent most of my life not sharing my shortcomings. God is surely STRETCHING me! However, I continue to think on what the Holy Spirit says “Be Still!”. It’s not about me, it’s about giving Glory to God.
This morning I had the sweetest time of fellowship with the Lord as I sat on the back porch for my quiet time. The temperature was cooler and birds were singing. As I sat there several worship songs filtered through my mind and I began to softly sing. As adoration and praise for God filled me, tears began to flow and peace settled in. Time in prayer and reading Psalms further strengthened me. It’s amazing what time spent with the Lord can do for you as He helps refocus on what’s important. No wonder we are encouraged to “Be Still”.
Now let’s get this day rolling. I have a meeting with two other Authors to brainstorm marketing ideas. If you only knew how un-nerving these things are for me, but God is with me and I will continue to Be Still in His presence. I challenge you all today to set time aside for the Lord to just be with Him in quietness and trust.
Psalms 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
www.shannonkenleyhinson.com
galatians.bible/galatians-6-9Happy Monday. Let’s do this 💓🙏😊
Don’t give up!
As we wrap up this week and get ready for a new one, I want to encourage you all to NOT GIVE UP! Keep PRAYING! Keep PUSHING! Keep MOVING FORWARD! Keep BELIEVING!
As I have prayed for many needs this week (some mine & some for others) and have encouraged several in some of their struggles: one lady told me even though she doesn’t feel God working or “see” Him working…. she KNOWS in her heart that HE IS WORKING and NEVER STOPS WORKING! She is right! Sometimes prayers aren’t answered in the way we expect but we can’t give up HOPE!
Faith shows the reality of what we hope for: it is the evidence of things we can not see. Hebrews 11;1 (NLT) The Amplified Bible states it this way “ Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen(the conviction of their reality – faith comprehends as fact what can not be experienced by the physical senses).” So even when we don’t see our prayers being answered, we simply trust in and put our faith in God who is able to do far more than we ask or imagine.
From personal experience I can say that God does not always (well honestly… quite often) answer our prayers in the way we request. For example. last Monday our son had his annual appointment with his specialist. We had prayed HARD for IMPROVEMENT. God gave us STABILITY. It wasn’t exactly what we had prayed for BUT IT WAS STILL GOOD! Sometimes God answers in ways that we can’t understand but as our Abba Father, HE KNOWS BEST!
As we close this week I’d like to pray for all who read this……. Dear Heavenly Father we thank you Lord and praise you for all that you are and all that you are doing in our lives. Even when we don’t understand, we choose to trust you! You are the all powerful, all sufficient, ever present, loving, merciful, gracious, HOLY God. There is NO other. We give you all glory, honor and praise. We confess our sins and acknowledge that every single day we need you! Holy Spirit guide us and direct us. Use us for Your glory! Teach us to pray and walk with you in a close fellowship where we always hear your voice saying “This is the way, walk in it”. I lift up the many needs to you: sickness, broken families, addictions and many other issues. You are our Healer, our Deliverer, Strong Tower. Savior! We run to you and are safe! Put a hedge of protection around us and our families. Help us to be humble and full of love, yet Bold to declare Your gospel. In Jesus name I pray Amen!
Tomorrow is August 1 and starts a new week. Start your week in The House of the Lord! Keep Believing! God is faithful… always!
Eliminating Clutter
During the last few weeks my husband Ron and I have been working on various house projects. In order to even start these projects we had to get rid of unnecessary clutter. I cleaned out a walk in closet that we could NOT walk in. Lots was thrown out and some donated. We also went through this process in the garage in this humid SC heat! It’s a process but was much needed.
Our hearts can be the same way. Over the years we can push things down deep in our hearts that we don’t especially want to deal with. Things like past hurts, un-forgiveness, poor choices…. and the list goes on. Clutter isn’t fun to sort through but it’s much needed to free us to live “lighter and fuller” lives. (both spiritually and physically) I had to address some “heart clutter” this morning during my quiet time with the Lord. I’m so thankful that He is always willing to listen and forgive. I quite often ask the Lord to search my heart and expose things I need to address.
Psalms 139:23-24 “Search me, God, and know my heart: test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Have a Blessed Thursday!
www.shannonkenleyhinson.com
Faith over Fear
We have arrived at the day of the annual eye specialist appointment. I’m thankful that neither of my guys ( husband or son) seem to be phased by this appointment, but I wrestle with it every year.
I woke in the wee hours of the morning, tossing and turning. I couldn’t get comfortable however worship songs filtered through my mind. When I got up and went out on the porch for my quiet time with the Lord I saw the verse of the day was Hebrews 13:8 NIV “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”. As I read the whole chapter of Hebrews 13, comparing translations, I prayed for reassurance and peace.
As I wrestle with my emotions / feelings, I’m choosing Faith over fear. Trusting God for a GOOD REPORT! Thankful for Joshuas resilience. He amazes me. So help us pray today ( God knows all the details). Praying for peace, reassurance and a GOOD REPORT. God is good and so faithful… ALWAYS!
Never out of sight
It’s hot as blazes on the Carolina border today. I went to the Carowinds watermark with a friend. While laying by the wave pool a toddler came up to my chair crying. She couldn’t find her Momma. A few minutes passed by and her Momma came and got her. Being a parent, I’m sure her Mom never lost sight of her baby girl.
That short episode got me thinking. Sometimes we’re distracted, busy having fun and lose sight of safety. It’s comforting to know that God never loses sight of us. His eye is always on us.
Being visually impaired, I have lost my husband or friends in the store before. It’s kind of un-nerving. During those times I will often pray, “Lord help me find Ron (or whoever I’m with) and every time, sure enough… I am found. Check out Psalms 139, one of my favorites. Have a great weekend.
Lets try this AGAIN!
Right at this very minute I want to scream but instead I just choose to laugh to release pent up frustration. I “thought” I had published a new blog post BUT it’s no where to be found. Technology and low vision don’t always mix. It takes me way longer to do what the average normal sighted person can do BUT that’s ok. Where there is a WILL there is a WAY, even if it takes doing it multiple times to get it right. At some point, it will publish.
My previous post (that hasn’t yet posted. Who knows if Word Press has to approve before it’s finally gone through. Time will tell) Anyways….. my Blog post was Titled “Share the Journey”
Have you ever stopped to think about the MANY people you pass each day, have opportunity to interact with and bless? Opportunities arise at every turn. Just walking out to your mailbox you might see a neighbor passing by. Just think about it: people in the grocery store, Chick-fila line, traffic that fills the streets with people in a hurry to get to their destination. All those many people are facing some type of battle whether they acknowledge it and share it with you or not. No body has it all together even though most try to make it seem like they do. Life happens to all of us.
We can choose to Smile, share a kind word, let someone in front of you in the congested traffic. You may be the only one speaking positively or kindly to someone in a whole day. Think of the impact you can make! Let’s make our communities better by “Sharing our journey” and finding time for others. You will never know what a difference kindness can make. People matter…every single person you see! We are in this Together!
On a side note, my website went LIVE today. So exciting. Check it out at http://www.shannonkenleyhinson.com
rootedbythewater.blog 