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Finding Peace on the Battleground

August 15, 2024August 15, 2024Leave a Comment

Do you ever feel like the “odds” in life are stacked up against you? Life can feel like a battleground from a spiritual perspective (and political and cultural as well. Just being real but back to the topic) Society’s acceptance of evil as good is constantly thrown in our faces. It wears on those who desire to live with integrity. You know the lies, the propaganda, sexual nonsense and just down right “darkness”. What are we to do? Read on~

There are all different types of “battlegrounds”. Mine can be a constant drip from the enemy… you can’t do this, you can’t do that, you will never be enough, and the list goes on. You know the drill. Surely I’m not alone. You can take authority over the enemy and tell him he’s a liar and to go back to hell where he belongs! Just being honest here. We can and need to do that. There is power in the name of Jesus to break every single chain, lie and deception. It’s our right as Children of God, to stand in the authority and power of the name of Jesus.

There is the battleground of anxiety and depression. Sadly, in this day that’s always lurking. You take one look at the world around us, see the lack of leadership, censoring of speech , the thrust of acceptance of evil things, etc. and worry raises its ugly head. Listen to me here. I recently felt anxiety rising in me and I immediately confessed it to the Lord. Having hidden God’s Word in my heart over the years the following scripture came to mind. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬ ) You see, I knew I was feeling anxious about something I had absolutely NO control over. I realized God did not want me to be anxious but rather confess that anxiety, thank Him for the ability to bring it to Him in prayer, knowing that He was the one who could change whatever. Sometimes that change is me, and trust me, I’m all for a divine change from my Abba Father. In that particular case, God gave me such peace when I bought my worries to Him in prayer and He did work in the situation and I’m trusting Him to continue working it all out.

These are just a few examples of battlegrounds. God does not leave us helpless to face these things alone. Check out the following scripture: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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,”2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ (NKJV) We’ve got to guard our hearts and minds.

I came across a really grea devotion in Read&Pray devotion from August 13 (they are all awesome and you can find information about the devotion book at the following link ) https://centralnc.org/read_prayer_devotional One statement that really stood out to me was: “Sometimes earthen vessels have to be broken , so the enemy sees the light and knows he doesn’t stand a chance. “ That is so true. You see, it’s when we are broken and the light of Jesus shines through us, that’s when the enemy takes notice. The enemy can defeat us in the flesh BUT when the Holy Spirit operates within us, the enemy doesn’t stand a chance. Thank you Jesus!

That does take admitting our need for Jesus. We have to drop our pride. There is no place for pride in life, especially on a battleground. We surrender to Jesus and He empowers us to overcome. The Bible tells us in Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭21‬, ”Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. (‭‭ ‭NLT‬‬) God never said it would be easy, but rather we are to take up our cross daily and follow Him. Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬ tells us “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”(NLT‬‬)

The multiple battlegrounds are inevitable, but we can rejoice in it all knowing the battle is already won! Glory to God! We can rest in the assurance that Jesus is with us, we will not fall. I actually bought a bracelet recently to remind me of that when I’m out in the world, doing life. When that sense of overwhelming weariness strikes, I need only to look at this bracelet and be reminded that God has me. He has you too. Sometimes we just need to sit quietly in His presence and soak up the peace and strength He pours into us. Rest in Him! Keep reading God’s Word! Pray continually and give thanks in all things! It makes all the difference in the world! Be blessed!
Www.shannonkhinson.com

My new stainless steel bracelet. “God is within her, she will not fall” Got it on Amazon

Stuck at a high Mountain? Pray

August 6, 2024Leave a Comment

I woke up this morning planning to go work out with a friend but that plan got scratched. So here I sit, praying and having my quiet time with the Lord. Funny how He uses early morning quiet times to nudge my heart and bring hidden things to light.

In dealing with life, I have the tendency to just ”dig in my heels” and push through. Living with hearing and visual issues is hard enough but watching your grown son deal with similar issues is a very HARD thing. This morning I read a devotion about taking on Jesus yoke. One of the scriptures was Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬: “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (NLT‬‬) Do you carry a heavy burden too?

Ok I’m going to be a little “Raw” here. Rest? Life is a daily struggle just dealing with my own issues but then to see our son deal with his….It’s like running into a mountain that is too HUGE to even imagine getting around. Something insignificant came to light recently but it was like a “cork”popping off a well of hurt, disappointment and anguish. I can deal with my issues but I can’t really help someone deal with theirs. That’s something God has to do.

This morning when I opened my iPad, it had created a video from some pictures in my album. It was like going down memory lane in our family and watching Joshua grow into a remarkable strong young man. The video had pictures of our little family of three and Grandma and Grandpa, our prayer Team. Grandpa is no longer with us, and that still leaves a “hole”. Joshua sure did love his Grandpa.

So as I prayed this morning, I let it out. God knows! He wants us to bring our burdens to Him and find rest in Him. I also came across scriptures I had put aside in my notes section of my IPad. One of those scriptures was Zephaniah‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ that says, “The Lord your God is in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”” (NKJV)

Last Sunday Larry Green was singing a song that says “there ain’t no mountain high enough, to keep my praise from going up. In everything give thanks”. Wow! That sure is a challenge but starting each day with the Lord in prayer and His Word is the way to go. Last night I got on amazon to order a bridal shower gift. I decided to browse Christian bracelets and came across one that says “God is with her, she will not fail”. I ordered it and will wear it as a reminder that God is indeed with us, strengthening us. He foresaw our whole lives before they began. He knows the ending and every step until we reach that point. Deep breath! It’s ok to show your vulnerable side. It shows your humble and human. I take comfort in transparency because it shows me I’m not alone. It’s sad a lot of people have too much pride to show weakness. It’s a blessing to be able to genuinely be there for people knowing what it’s like to endure. I truely believe that brings joy to our Lord when He sees us love, encourage, listen and pray for each other.

Mom and I recently went to a little shop in Pineville NC. We had passed it many times and Mom wanted to check it out. (Truth be told, I can’t see well enough to read the signs of stores well and had no clue what it even was.) We went in and saw the loveliest lady. She said she sells things for elderly people when they downsize their home. The items were a beautiful mix of home furnishings and antiques. As we went into one room there was a beautiful prayer tree. I had never seen one before. There were tags that you could write a name on of someone needing prayer, then attach it to the tree. Mom wrote on a tag and placed it on the tree. I wrote on my tag and handed it to her to place on the tree. We wrote the same persons name. 💓God knows and I know He will answer with His very best.

I do not usually share such personal things, but perhaps this will encourage you. I also don’t typically share prayer requests with just anyone simply because some people just want to know your business but don’t really care. It’s just the truth. But God knows. As I’ve been writing this another song came to mind. I had the honor of learning how to play this on the piano and I so wish I had stuck with it but my piano playing season ended. But the memory of the song still remains. I will attach the YouTube video below. It’s an Elevation worship song , titled “Do it again.”

Be blessed. Keep praying. Never give up!
Www.shannonkhinson.com

What are you waiting for?

August 4, 2024August 4, 2024Leave a Comment

I can be sassy, bold, funny and serious at times. Today calls for a bold serious tone. Bear with me….There seems to be a lot of people “on the fence” there days. People want to dabble in society with all its “look at me”, “see what I have”, “see my accomplishments” or maybe “I really want what they have”. On the other hand, some sit in church Sunday after sunday, while the message goes in one ear and out the other. There are many who say they are Christians but their choices, attitudes, language and actions don’t reflect Jesus. It’s almost like they come to the Lord’s table, grab some “food” (the message) and throw it back on the table. Something isn’t right there.

I know I’m not the only one who notices these things. If this describes you or people you know, what are you waiting for? What will it take to make a true decision for Christ? Every morning we awake with a new day to make the right choice. We can’t do it on our own. We need the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction. We need grace.

Every morning I have a routine and it’s a life saver. I wake up, feed the our dog Joy (she will stare me down until I feed her), make a cup of coffee then sit down and pray. It’s not always a smooth flowing prayer but I make an effort to seek Jesus with the “first fruits” each day. King David wrote in Psalms 5:3,“Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” (NLT‬‬) Yes, we need to wait expectantly for His answers. They aren’t always what we want but I guarantee the answers will be what is best in the long run.

Truth be told, last night when I went to sleep I was a bit unsettled. I made the mistake of checking out news (online) in the world before I went to bed. Why did I do that? With the tensions escalating in the Middle East and the political unrest here during an election year, I’d say a “storms brewing”. The mainstream media is absolutely disgraceful. If they would only tell the truth, nothing but the truth, without a hidden agenda. Sorry but I call it like I see it. I’’m not going to veer off course down a political rabbit hole. I will advise that whatever you hear, read or see, question it. Pray abut it and seek God’s discernment. God is sovereign and can be trusted! So pray!

Let’s be extra careful who we listen to. Whether it is friends, society, influencers, pastors (they aren’t all teaching the true Word of God), the anchorman, etc question everything. A sure fire way to know the truth is to seek if it lines up with God’s Word. If it is contrary to God’s Word, there is your “RED FLAG”. We should be listening to Jesus every second of everyday. Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ says, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (NKJV‬‬)

God is faithful and true! He can be trusted with every single concern that we have. It’s vital to place our hope in Him without wavering. It is important to “Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Hebrews‬ ‭12‬‬:‭14‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Today is the day of salvation. Jesus is coming back soon! Are you ready? If not, what is the holdup? The events surrounding us today match up with events of the last days. See 2 Timothy3. Verse 5 of that chapter troubles me, “having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬) You may ask ,“Why does the Lord tarry in His return?” 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (NKJV‬‬) God gives us chance after chance. He is so rich in love, mercy and grace. If you haven’t done so, surrender to Him today. He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. (1 John 1:9 ) God sent His only son Jesus to die in our place on the cross, so that we can have forgiveness and live with Him forever. See John 3:16

Jesus loves you! He’s waiting with open arms for you to come to Him. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. If you are already a Child of God, spread the Good News of Jesus. The world is in dire need of Hope and that is only found in Jesus Christ. Join with me in praying for our world, our country, our leaders, for Israel and for blind eyes to be opened to the truth of God’s Word. Be blessed and better yet, Be a Blessing!!

http://www.shannonkhinson.com

Strength from weakness

July 30, 20242 Comments

Have you ever wondered why God uses the weak to show His great strength? Some of the most incredible testimonies of God’s mercy, grace and power come from those who endure the greatest “tests” in life. I just love how God works. ‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬ tells us,“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;” (NKJV‬‬) Then again in Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭29‬, “He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.” (NKJV‬‬)

I will be honest. When I wrote the title of this blog last week, I meant to publish it a couple of days after my last blog titled “Transformed” I had scriptures in my notes to use but God has taken me to look at this blog from a different angle. Different scriptures are coming to mind and as I look them up, the blog is indeed changing. You see, I’m just a weak vessel in dire need of “filling” by the Holy Spirit daily. We are nothing until God pours into us. We are weak, weary, tired,incapable but with God, it’s a whole different story. I’m so thankful.

It is such a wonder to see Isiah 61 in the present. Beauty from ashes, Joy instead of mourning, praise instead of the spirit of heaviness. Here is the scripture: “To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”” Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭3‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬)

I get it! I see God at work in things around me. He doesn’t tend to call those who have it all together. He equips those He calls. They are most likely a weak humble vessel but He equips them to do His work. I want to share one breif example that happened a few months ago. While ministering at RiceNBeans, another staff and I were talking to two men waiting at the bus stop. These people live in poverty, while others are homeless. My friend was interpreting for me so I could understand the conversation. It was so neat to see one man ministering to another. We were there to minister to them but God uses them to minister to us. I remember the man telling the other man that God has an appointed time for us to die. He said he had tried to take his life several times, but he was still alive because God was not finished. Talking about a testimony of God’s perfect timing and molding that man to see “HIS”hand on his life. Another man said he was so blessed because he knows Jesus. God pours into these precious people. He will pour into you also.

Do you see what I’m seeing? We are created to bring glory to the Lord. We do not glory in our selves or our own accomplishments, rather we crucify our fleshly nature. Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ says, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. (NLT‬‬)

God is so so faithful! Last Sunday at church as we sang the last song, tears rolled down my cheeks. We were singing “Great is they faithfulness”. If you are a believer you probably know the song. For those reading who might not know it, part of it says: “morning by morning new mercies I see, all I have need thy hands have provide, great is thy faithfulness Lord unto me.” That is so incredibly true. Every single morning God pours out fresh mercies on us. Years ago I came across Lamentations 3: 20‬-‭24‬; “I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”” ( ‭NLT‬‬)

Wow! I will honestly say, this blog took a completely different turn from what I thought it would be. However that is great because I never want blogging to be what I want to say but rather what God gives me to say. It won’t always be on the timetable I desire. (I meant to do this last week but God had me wait) I am not perfect and struggle daily As a matter of fact I apologized to my husband yesterday because my attitude was off. I saw it and was not happy with my responses. Living with hearing and visual issues can be wearying. It is frustrating to do things according to when others are ready. I wanted to get the grocery shopping done early but I don’t drive so I had to wait until late afternoon. Waiting is the story of my life! Last night our son Joshua was frustrated because he wanted to be able to just get in the car and drive himself to the gym rather than wait for his friend who was delayed a couple of hours. It can be a “walled in” kind of feeling, but God! Joshua was also preparing for a test but had trouble seeing the book font. He took pictures of each page on his iPad so he could zoom in to see. Where there is a will, there is a way! Amen! God uses our weaknesses to mold our character. Oh if you only knew….

I will end with this last scripture: ”That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus. He is our strength, our fortress. He will never let us down. Be encouraged. Whatever you are facing, God has you! You are loved!
Www.shannonkhinson.com

‭‭

Transformed

July 25, 20242 Comments

A little over a week ago, the title “Transformed” came to me. As I read the Bible I came across different scriptures and added them to my notes but wasn’t sure how the Lord would enable me to tie it together. Instead of an overload, I think I will break it up over a few days.

From my own perspective, transformed is being totally changed, hopefully for the better. There are so many things that can bring about transformation in people: friends, influencers, your interests, music, entertainment, what you immerse yourself in, etc. There are too many things to name. What you allow to mold you is evident in your choices, attitudes, speech and responses.

Last Sunday, I listened to our early church service online as I was getting ready for the late service. Thank God for Bluetooth technology. With my recent cochlear implant processor adjustments, I’m doing a little better comprehending but I’m not consistent. On the way to church I told my husband Ron and son Joshua, what I thought the service was about. Afterwards we realized I had done pretty good following. (I missed some big chunks of it but got the main things.) Joshua asked why there are so many different teachings on Jesus. I answered, “There are false teachings thrown in with scripture. The devil is the father of lies and deception. He will give you a “grain’ of truth and twist it. You will know truth if it’s from the Bible; adding nothing and taking nothing away. When opinions, politics, special interests, etc. are thrown in, that is a “RED FLAG”.

Our society and world are full of deception and lies. There is the redefining of marriage and sexual nonsense. There is the watering down of truth to not offend. It is imperative that you read the Bible and know the truth. 2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ tells us,“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NKJV‬‬) Do you see it? Scripture transforms us, not the other way around. Be careful the Bible translation you read. They don’t all have the same verses and some verses are left out completely in some translations. Have you ever noticed that there are updates to translations in the Bible App? That troubles me since the Word of God does not change.

If you profess to be a Christian, let me ask you this. If people observe how you live during the week, the things you post on social media, your speech, how you treat others, your attitudes: do they see Jesus in you? We are to “Shine for Jesus”. It is Jesus in us who transforms us. Check out 2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭10‬,
“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.” (NLT‬‬)

I challenge you to spend more and more time in prayer and studying the Bible. It will change you from the inside out. 1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ says, “And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.”(NLT‬‬) That should be our goal.

I’m going to stop here and pick up on this soon. Take the time to pray over and digest these truths. Don’t take my word for it. Open up your Bible and seek the face of the Lord. He will meet you there. You are greatly loved. Be blessed and better yet, Be a blessing.
http://www.shannonkhinson.com

Keeping on ~

July 21, 20246 Comments

Time truly FLIES! I “blink” and three years have gone by. This past Friday marked my three year anniversary of blogging with WordPress.com This has become a passion of encouraging others to face life with Jesus. Blogging started out as a continuation of things God has taught me through living with limitations. It continues to be a time of sharing my journey which I first shared in my autobiography Rooted by the Water published in 2021 through Westbow Press. (You can find it on Amazon in print and ebook format).

By the grace of God, in the past three years I have written 213 blog posts with 6,964 views. All for the Glory of God! It’s an honor to share the things the Holy Spirit reveals through nature and life in general. Oh the lessons He teaches me as He refines and sharpens me. Convicting me at times, humbling me and cheering me on. I’m grateful for this process He has me in. It’s my hope and prayer that Jesus love and care are seen through the words He enables me to write.

The Bible tells us to “let our light shine”. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭16 (NKJV) So I write. I am astounded that Rootedbythewater.blog is read around the world. Each week the blogging site tells me in what countries it is viewed. I am not saying many people read it, but it humbles me that God uses this gift He has given me to touch someone here and there: in China, another in England, Nigeria, France, Canada and so many countries. (There have been a couple I’ve never heard of. Looking them up, turns out they were small countries in Africa.) The majority of views are here in America.

The times we live in are evil. It’s a worldwide peril. In a sense, it’s like being out at sea on a stormy night. With darkness and raging winds and waves surrounding, we strive to catch sight of a “lighthouse” to guide us to safety. In these times, let Jesus use you to “shine” for Him. I’ve always had this hidden gift but God has chosen to bring it out during the last three years for “such a time as this”.

We all have God given talents. Whether it’s music, dance, acts of service, teaching, encouraging, speaking life and so many more….. whatever your gift may be, will you offer it back to God? Can you pray, ‘Lord I’m so humbled and thankful you chose me to have this gift. I give it back to You, asking You to enable me to use it for Your Glory, not mine. Lead me through the Holy Spirit to encourage someone today and lead them to You. Help us to overcome this evil world with the blood of the Lamb and Word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11)” I pray that you can surrender and pray that prayer with me. God is at work all around us. Join in this labor of love! It’s all for Jesus! He’s worthy of it all!

Here’s to many more blogs or whatever else He calls me to do. As long as He continues to pour into me, I will continue to pour out. It’s all for Jesus! 🤟🏼❤️
Www.shannonkhinson.com

Grab a Shovel!

July 14, 2024Leave a Comment

Yes you read that title right! The title is inspired by a post my cousin Craig Kenley posted. I asked if I could quote him.and he said “yes “. He said, “It’s a deep hole America and everyone has a shovel.” Now that’s is truth. We all have a responsibility in this mess called life. What do we do? The answer to that lies in which mess we are referring to.

There are a lot of ‘“Holes” out there. Which one do you find yourself in? There is a “Hole’ called “Depression”. There is another “Hole” called “lies and misinformation”. Oh my goodness! You could really open up a “can of worms” exposing all the types of “Holes” people fall into. Alrighty, let’s name some more: Financial holes, deceptive holes, political holes, censorship holes, addictions, affairs, evil sinister holes and the list goes on.

First I want to touch on the “Hole” America finds itself in right now. The “Hole” has been getting deeper and deeper for YEARS, but with the decline of common sense and intergrity in our country, it’s taken a nose dive. The country I grew up in is no longer recognizable. It really doesn’t matter what “Party” you are aligned with. Sinister greed and power infilterate all levels of our government. It is spiritual, whether you agree or not. It is what it is. Our Founding Fathers created a government with “checks and balances”: The President, Congress and Supreme Court. The darkness and censorship of truth, has infiltered all those branches of government to the point many can not be trusted. We have a Justice in the Supreme Count that can’t even define what a woman is. Is there any wonder that we are where we are as a country? Our current President and Congress care more about Ukraine than they do American citizens. The care more about the illegal immigrants than they do American citizens. This should NOT be! Our media spews out half truths and down right lies and people with no common sense just “eat it up”. Journalist have a responsibility to report truth! Do they? You tell me!

Yesterday I was at a birthday party in the late afternoon when someone said Donald Trump had been shot at a rally in Pennsylvania. I was stunned to say the least. I got my iPad and got on Twitter X to see what was happening. I also got on Facebook and there was nothing. Isn’t that a bit odd? One platform is censored, the other more for freedom of speech. We have a right to a free election. It is election season and our current President has had our borders open wide. Drugs, human trafficking and violence abound. The powers want those illegals to have a right to vote in our election. That should NOT be! Oh my word people! Open your eyes to what is and has been going on for a long time. Stop listening to the lies and start digging for truth. Don’t believe everything you hear. God gave you common sense and expects you to use it.

The devil is deceptive and is the father of lies. Are you listening to him? Whether it be politics, spiritual or personal, it’s time to get out of the “Hole”, whichever one you find yourself in. If you have your head in the sand, it’s time to get out. It’s past time!

I’m not saying be rude or offensive, I’m saying, learn how to have a civil disagreement without it ending a friendship. Learn how to win without cheating. Learn fairness, integrity, truth and practice those things. PRAY PRAY and PRAY some more! If you notice people struggling, whether it is spiritual, relational, or whatever….. you can help “dig them out” with encouragement. You can “throw a life line of prayer”.

Recently I had a conversation with someone who has been in a “hole” for eight months. I will not reveal the person or situation but I will say this, I told that person it was time to “get out of that hole”. I used the example of listening to the lies of the devil that are contrary to the Word of God. I used the example of them falling into a “hole of lies”. I said, “Every time you believe or accept another lie from hell it’s like the devil pouring more dirt on your head. Enough! It’s time to get out”. The person changed the subject and I said “O no you don’t! You are going to deal with this! It’s time”. Do you want to know what happened? As I prayed with this person, there was a breakthrough! Prayer changes things. It changes you and me. We don’t pray for our will but God’s Will be done. He knows what is best. Surround yourself with praying friends, family, people who care and want to see God’s best for you and your family. (That’s quite the run on sentence but sometimes it’s needed to keep the momentum) You can be that kind of friend for someone in a “hole”.

As for the mess our country is in. ..It is vital and I do mean vital, that we Pray for our country, our leaders, and our election process. It is vital that our elections are fair for the American citizens. I am not against those less fortunate, as a matter of fact I help cook for the homeless in our community each week and serve them in the elements (heat, rain, cold) It is a honor and privilege to serve others and I don’t take that lightly. However, flooding our country with illegals to use them for illegal votes is wrong! Silencing Americans is wrong. Inciting violence is wrong. The powers that may be and media are beyond hypocritical.

The Bible warns us about the last days and that is where we are. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” ( ‭NLT‬‬)

There is no time like the present to surrender your life to Jesus. We can not fight this battle alone. It must be fought on our knees in prayer. We must live a life of obedience to God’s Word! God’s Word is contrary to the flesh and things of this world. God wants us to walk in love and kindness. Hate can’t drive out hate. Only love can do that. We must unite in prayer and love. The battle belongs to the Lord and He has already won it! There is a song we sing in church and part of it goes like this, “Almighty fortress You go before us, nothing can stand against the power of our God. You shine in the shadow, you win every battle. Nothing can stand against the power of our God.” I’m going to post a video link so you can hear the whole song. Sing it out! Rise up! Grab your shovels and dig! Help dig out friends, family and people fallen into “holes”. Help dig them out with prayer, love, encouragement, and common sense. When people are ugly, show kindness. Overcome evil with good! Now DIG!

Www.shannonkhinson.com

Socks or no socks?

July 11, 2024Leave a Comment

Another “off the wall” blog post ~ This happened today and it’s too funny not to share. And who knows…. My sense of fashion might be off. What do you think?

This afternoon I had an audiologist appointment to make a couple of changes to my Advanced Bionics Marvel (cochlear implant) processor. A side note~ I am so thankful for Lakeside Audiology in Fort Mill, SC. They go over and beyond to help me hear my best. Advanced Bionics is the cochlear implant company I chose years ago and they are excellent. My Audiologist shared my file with the AB Audiologist and some slight changes were recommended Today was the day of my appointment to make those changes.

Two friends and I had a long lunch before my appointment, then one dropped me off and my husband Ron met me there. Ron walked in the Audiologist office wearing gray/black shorts, black athletic socks and black flip flops. I thought to myself, “Oh Goodness!” We talked for a few minutes then I said ,”Ron black socks and black flip flops look like something an old judge would wear. He took one sock off and I said, “No socks look better”. I asked the lady across from us what she thought, but she didn’t speak English. So he ended up taking the black socks off. I told him if they didn’t stink I would put them in my purse for him. That foreign lady probably thought we were the strangest thing.

The Audiologist called me back to the office and Ron came along with me. She made a couple of changes then I went in the sound booth to listen to various beeps. When I came out, we talked for a short time to test out the changes. I am hearing Ron better. We then told her about the socks incident and she was cracking up. We are the real deal, no pretense! I’m still laughing.

When we got home I realized his socks were still in my purse. I told him to put one back on so I could take a picture. He might suspect it will appear in a blog, but I just won’t send it to him. I’m curious though on the socks or no socks question. Our son can pull it off but he is in his mid twenties and his leg aren’t that white. There’s your chuckle for the day. Hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week and weekend.
Www.shannonkhinson.com

Who is your enemy?

July 9, 2024July 9, 2024Leave a Comment

Don’t be offended by the title. Sometimes it’s important to ask the hard questions.

This is an “off the wall” topic but it settled in me this morning and has me thinking. While I don’t profess to have enemies. If I take a closer examination of certain attitudes, there is work to be done. Sigh…. There is always something to work on, but that is life.

Last Saturday I moved wrong and pulled something in my lower back. Sunday morning I watched church livestream from the church Facebook page, with pillows prompted up behind me. The service is closed captioned on the Facebook page so I zoomed in on the captioning, attempting to follow with what I was hearing with my cochlear implant. All went reasonably well until the caption froze. It froze on the word “Let’s” and that word stayed on the screen for the remainder of the service. I shifted approaches and zoomed in on Pastors face, trying to lip read him and catching a few clues when the camera was on the sign language interpreter. So I got the first half of the service but not so much the second half. At the end of the service, a notification dropped in from the Bible App. A man from church had posted his notes from the sermon. God sent Sergeant D’s notes to the rescue. The man can take some GREAT sermon notes. I am thankful as they filled in a lot of “blanks” of things I missed. Pastor talked about Godliness. One thing in the notes that “hit home” was we should treat people with the same attitude that we treat Jesus! Whoa! Do I do that? I would like to say yes, but truth be told, my attitude towards some situations and irritations fall short. Feeling conviction, I had to address and confess of this to the Lord. Which brings me to my title, “Who is your enemy?”

You might think of enemies as in war, people who want to harm you, people who want to exclude you, people who just “rub you the wrong way”, people with opposing beliefs, people with opposing political views, and the list goes on. But really, who is the enemy? I will tell you it is not the person with the attitude or the person who is being harsh or offensive in some way. The enemy is the devil, plain and simple. Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭12‬ says, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”(‭‭ ‭NLT‬‬)

I failed a test a couple of weeks ago. I usually don’t let people bother me and simply smile and carry on but….. A nice new gym recently opened near us. My husband Ron and son Joshua both anticipated the opening and joined it. I go to a smaller gym that is also close by. Ron said I could get a one time free trial at the new gym, so I agreed to go check it out. The girl who was working the front desk was rather rude and would not let me in. She said if I came in with Ron I would have to pay $15! I don’t pay that for a full month at the gym I belong to. Side note, they do give out cards for a free one day pass to try the gym, she was just not being nice. Ron asked to speak to the manager and she said she was the manager. I said, “forget it” and we left. Fast forward a few days, someone had given Ron a free pass for me and talked me into going again. We walked in and the same girl was at the desk and looked surprised to see us back. She then asked for my id, which I did not have. I don’t drive and can’t remember the last time I had to show my id. She was unwavering so we went home to get my id. Seriously…. All this to just try a gym! I told Ron that she would run off new business if she was rude to people like she was to me. I was ticked off. Ron told me to just get my id and we would go back but honestly a business is as welcoming as the people who greet you. We went back with my id and another girl was at the front desk. However, the rude girl did come up once again. I guess she thought we were a problem. Wow! Really? Ron is a paying member. I wanted to give her a piece of my mind, but Ron was nudging me in the leg. I looked at the rude girl and said, “I brought my id and by the way, Kindness is a good business policy”.

I would never think of this girl as an enemy but the way she treated me brought out an unpleasant side of me. That so rarely happens but I realize my attitude was not right even if she was rude. It shouldn’t have gotten to me the way it did. I confessed to the Lord, “I failed that one and I’m sorry.”

The best way to avoid such responses is to be persistent in prayer. I should have offered up a prayer asking God to help me respond in a way that glorified Him. Maybe she was having a bad day/week/month/year. Who knows! The fact remains, no matter how people are towards us, we can choose to respond with the same attitude we would have towards Jesus. The only way we can do that is by having a strong prayer life and actively pursuing God in everything. As the following verse says, we can dress ourselves in humility. 1 Peter 5:5 says “In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.””( ‭NLT‬‬) Here’s a couple more verses for you. “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.” 1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Let’s choose to respond in love. Start your day in prayer and keep your focus on Jesus. He will get you through whatever comes your way this week. When you fall short, confess, repent and Press on. God bless you all!
Www.shannonkinson.com

Morning Squab Fun

July 6, 2024Leave a Comment

Opening the dining room blinds this morning, I noticed the Squabs (baby Mourning Doves) were very active and have grown so much. I grabbed my iPad to video them. They are such a wonder to observe. They really do make my heart happy. The Momma Dove sits all regal while her Squabs “carry on” with their activity. It is truly the neatest thing to watch.

Yesterday when I looked out the window, the Momma had left the nest but the Squabs were there. I told my husband Ron, the Momma was possibly watching from somewhere in the yard. I’m guessing from their size, they may be near the time to leave the nest. I was telling my Mom about them yesterday and mentioned how I’d like to clean the front porch once they have learned to fly and leave the nest. I told her, “ I’m going to put a pause to any more “dovey” reproduction plans until I get my porch cleaned. “ Every time I get ready to pressure wash the porch we see a new nest. They are messy but they are also worth the mess with how precious they are.

Life is like that in so many ways. Sometimes our “plans” are put on hold for whatever reason. We have to wait until the “busy squab-messy” season has transitioned to resume a “normal” life. (If there is such a thing) We are in a season like that. Our son moved back home in April and has been in a full time Massage Therapy program. He has given up driving and sold his car, due to his visual issues. He’s trying out his hearing aids once again to see if they might help him understand better in class. That’s yet to be seen. He hears some voices better than others. I am so proud of him. He’s not perfect, far from it actually (but aren’t we all) but he has humbled himself and is doing his best with what he has. He’s learned to “laugh” at what life throws. He has a resilience and takes his frustrations out in the gym.

Like the Momma Dove, we as parents are there while he’s learning to transition and handle what life throws. He is a marvel to watch and he makes my heart smile. Ron has been so awesome with him, willing to take him wherever he needs to go. The things you do for your “squab” but it’s worth every second. God has a plan and we are trusting Him every step of the way. I will be the first to tell you, it’s not easy. It can be hard. As a parent you want to “fix things” but God is the one who is leading. Sometime we need to stay out of “His” way and just pray and trust. That’s where I am at this point.

I know God has us. He is trustworthy and won’t fail us. He has a plan and we are holding tight to His hand. God has you too! Whatever your situation, you can give it to Him and trust Him to strengthen you as you wait for His plan to unfold. Jeremiah 29:11-13 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”(NLT)

If you liked this blog post, please subscribe and share. It’s interesting the way blogs come to life. I will see something, read something, or something might ha and God speaks to my heart. Those are the times I write. It usually happens once a week, sometimes more. I am coming up on my third anniversary of blogging and have posted over 200 blog posts since July 18, 2021. The blog is a continuation of my journey that I shared in my autobiography, “Rooted by the Water”. You can find it on Amazon. I am considering writing a fiction novel, but awaiting on confirmation from the Lord concerning that. We will see where He leads. Life sure does give much fodder for story line.

God bless you all and have an awesome Saturday. I will post on my Facebook page, the video I took of the Squabs this morning. Check out my page on Facebook, Rooted by the Water.
Www.shannonkhinson.com

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