#Jesuslovesyou – Page 2 – rootedbythewater.blog

Never Forsaken

March 24, 2025March 24, 2025Leave a Comment

Yesterday I was in awe at how God works. Waking early, I had time in prayer and tuned in to our early church service via blue tooth tech oncology so I could try to listen while getting ready for church. I usually do this to see if I can “follow” Pastor with my Advanced Bionics Marvel cochlear implant processor. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to follow the sermon. Of course I didn’t get it all but I got enough to know it was a powerful Word and we were attending the second service in person. Add a sign language interpreter, and all the pieces I missed came together.

My friend who was interpreting asked me before service how I was doing. She had read my last blog and we had texted during the week so she knew it had been a rough week. I told her I had listened to the first service and didn’t want to cry during the second one. She understood. The thing is, while I had listened to the first service I missed the fact Pastor wasn’t feeling well as he was preaching. He had been experiencing vertigo and was advised by more than one doctor not to preach. However, Pastor was determined to “deliver” the Word of God! And “Deliver it”, he surely did. Talking about an example of perseverance!

What really hit home for me is that he somewhat “echoed” what another friend had texted me earlier in the week. (I shared this in my last blog so go back and read it if you’d like.). God is with me, no matter what I’m feeling or experiencing. I am never alone! As I listened to part of the service a third time this morning, I thought I heard him mentioned 2 Corinthians 4 so I paused the message to go look up that chapter. This verse stood out to me: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) Ok Lord, I hear You!

I scrolled back up a few verses and Bingo, I believe he touched on the following scripture. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.” 2Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭12‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) This passage of scripture made me cry. I feel this often. Pressed on every side but God!

This past week I’m not sure why it was so “rough” but God understands even though others can’t quite grasp it, and for the most part, not many try. I’m not complaining, just being real. Pastor also mentioned we can’t really fully understand what another is going through: miscarriage, divorce, etc.unless we ourselves go through it.

Yesterday was like a “healing balm” as the Lord showed me, He has not forsaken me. He has not left me alone. He knows every hurt, every thought and every feeling. I’m beyond thankful to the Lord and for His servant Pastor Livingston, who though he was weak with vertigo yesterday, he was determined to deliver the Word God had given him. We too can be determined to press through our momentary afflictions. God has us. He will never let us down. He will strengthen us to rise up yet again.

God gave me another beautiful reminder of His love yesterday. We had returned home from church and having lunch. I decided to go out on the deck since it was a beautiful day, even with the pollen coating everything. I had been out for maybe 20 minutes when Ron came out to let me know some friends were at our house. We had not seen them in quite a while. They stopped by because Trish had bought me a shirt and on the front of the shirt it said in sign language “Jesus Loves You”. I was so touched at her gift and God message to me again! I am loved! God is with me! He won’t let me down! Trish and her husband Billy came around 3;30 pm and went home around 8:30 pm. God also used them to minister to another friend who came by. God is so faithful!!

Thinking back on this last week I see it was God carrying me. I had shared with Ron my feelings of sadness and being overwhelmed even though I press though. I don’t “show the world” my daily struggles. I can’t control people, make others care or control situations. However, I can control my response. I can pray for discernment to know how to tread through “tricky situations”, and so I do. You can too.

Many are going through trying things but let me remind you, you are never alone. God carries you when you are too physically or emotionally tired to move forward. God will carry you! You are not forgotten. Press through this week and be a blessing regardless of your situations. Pray for each other and spread encouragement and words of life. You are loved! You are not forsaken! Be blessed.

Www.shannonkhinson.com

Life Celebrations

March 13, 2025March 13, 2025Leave a Comment

Ron, me and Joshua serving at RiceNBeans.

Yesterday was a full day of serving and just celebrating being together and my husband Ron’s birthday. Ron’s birthday and my Dad’s Heavenly birthday are on the same day. It’s always bittersweet as we celebrate Ron’s life and reflect on Dad’s life and new life in Heaven with Jesus.

Ron is very low key with celebrations. He says, “I have you and Joshua. God gives me all I need.” That’s true but we wanted to celebrate him anyway and we have been all week in little ways. If you knew the course of his life, he has overcome so much. A lifetime of stories and testimony, but those are his to share. We are beyond thankful for him and all he does for our family. He is also a great friend to others. I’ve never seen anyone who will listen to others problems just to let them “vent”. I admire that he takes the time for people and to listen to their troubles. I have much patience but that one is beyond me. I’ll stick with serving and encouraging and he can be the
Tele-sounding board. I know he worries about me and Joshua, with our visual and hearing issues. I always tell him, we are fine. God has us all. Nothing surprises the Lord. Just give each day to Jesus and let Him take care of it all. Sure enough, H e does.

Yesterday was also a time of reflection. Grief is one of the oddest things as it hits everyone differently. Some grieve so deeply and mourn. I’m different but don’t know why. My grief is more a reflection of Dad’s life and all the memories made: good and bad. Life happens to all of us. Dad was one of the best listeners. I reflect on his love for Mom, and our family. I reflect on his love for people and serving. I reflect on the hidden kindness he showed people. He loved to bless people as God had truly blessed him. In all this reflection, my heart was full as our son Joshua joined us in serving with RiceNBeans last night in Rock Hill. Ron and I serve our homeless friends each Wednesday but this was Joshua’s first time. Serving as a family is something special, as I used to serve with my parents at a Food Pantry. Loving on others who are hurting is a priceless gift.

Yesterday when I woke up the photo memory that was on my iPad screen was a picture of Dad reading to Joshua when he was about three. Ron says I keep too many pictures on my iPad but I love these photo memories. They make me smile. I looked back over many photos with Dad in them and oh my goodness, the memories! These reminders bring joy to my heart. I also have a lot of mental snapshots in my mind of things experienced in life. There are so many life lessons in those memories.

The one thing I really want to emphasize here is we never know when we will take our last breath. Everyday we have new mercies and opportunities to show mercy to others and walk in God’s love. Are you doing that? The day Dad died, it was a shock. We had taken him to the hospital then went down the road to celebrate Ron’s birthday dinner, fully expecting to go back to the hospital and take Dad back home. God had other plans: He changed Dad’s residence to Heaven. Dad was spiritually ready. He loved the Lord and lived for Him. We didn’t get to say goodbye though. Make sure you are ready to meet Jesus. He loves each of us so much. None of us are beyond the reach of His forgiveness. Check out Romans 10:9-11. “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”” ‭(ESV‬‬). I would also like to emphasize that no matter the age of your children, we should live out our faith in God as a testimony to them. We pass along a legacy of strong unwavering faith and service to God. Children see that, no matter their age.

Bottom line, celebrate today, those who are with you and those who have already finished their race. We can be a blessing everywhere we are. That does take humility and a JOY (Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last) mindset. It’s the best way to live life. If you like this blog post, feel free to subscribe and share. I write at least once weekly but sometimes more. Sometimes it’s funny, other times deep but always transparent. I love when people can be REAL with no pretense. What you see is what you get. That’s the way I live. My hearts desire is that I will be a reflection of my Savior and bring glory to His name. Be blessed!
Www.shannonkhinson.com

Get out of that pit

January 23, 2025January 23, 2025Leave a Comment

It’s been about a week since my last blog post on joy. This week has found me being more physically idle so my compression fracture can heal. It’s been one week in the back brace and three more to go. The intriguing thing about being idle physically is that my mind has gone all over the place. There was the historical inauguration of President Trump on Monday. Tuesday I had an appointment with my audiologist for a mapping for my cochlear implant processor. A few changes were made in my processor programs via computer and volumn turned up so I can hear my husband Ron better Side note ~ I told her I might end up complaining about hearing him better because he is a talker 😂 I did score better on word comprehension. However sentences are still a challenge because of the rate of speech. My audiologist will send my mapping and test scores to Advanced Bionics specialists in California and get their feedback on how to help me progress. The rest of the week has been uneventful.

I did decide at the end of 2024 to read through the Bible this year with the English Standard Version. I chose a Chronological online Bible and was surprised when it went from Genesis to the book of Job. That’s definitely not in order but I’m seeing a pattern here. Genesis ends with the end of Joseph’s life. He went from favored son to despised brother,, slave, prisoner, to ruler of Egypt. The next book the Bible reading plan had me read was the book of Job. Again I see favored Job , then trials, tribulations and afflictions, to richly restored again. Today as I was reading the following verse stood out to me. “He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.’” Job‬ ‭33‬:‭28‬ ‭(ESV‬‬). Pit… for some reason that stands out to me. After reading about Joseph’s account of actually being thrown in a pit by his brothers: Then I see Job literally being in the pit as one thing after another happened to him, but he maintained his integrity.

God’s way’s are so much higher than we can begin to understand. Why do bad things happen to people? That’s one of the questions of life for all ages that no one can really answer. The book of Job goes on to say : “Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man, to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be lighted with the light of life.” Job‬ ‭33‬:‭29‬-‭30‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) There’s that word Pit again. Sometimes God has to bring us out of the “pit” we get ourselves in. Sometimes we have to make an effort to get out of the “pit” we find ourselves in. Other times we need a helping hand to get out.

I’m going to veer slightly off topic here but you will see how it connects so bear with me for a minute. I recently finished reading an awesome book. I believe I mentioned it a few blog posts back, so if you follow me you might remember me mentioning the book. At this moment I’m not going to name the book because if you read it this will give away a suspence filled moment. Two young girls snuck out of the house and went running carefree through a grassy field. They didn’t see a hidden pit that had once been a well, which had dried up. The girls fell to the bottom and one of the girls died from the impact. The other girl couldn’t get out. She noticed a bit further up the inside of the dried up well were steps along the wall, but she was not big enough to reach them. She called and called for help but no one heard her. Then came to torrential rains and the well began to slowly fill with water. She thought she would drown, but the rainwaters lifted her until she was able to reach the steps and climb out. I found that bit of story so intriguing! How many times do we find ourself in a hard situation, then something else happens and we think that will be the end of us, but somehow God uses it for good. Sometimes (okay oftentimes) life just doesn’t make sense. There are so many Pits people find themselves in. It could be an ugly divorce, losing a loved one, having a disabled child, living with limitations, accidents, mental health issues, health issues, suicide…. The list goes on and on. I know some people who have multiple issues above. How can people get out?

First let’s look at another verse in Job. “For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.”
‭‭Job‬ ‭34‬:‭21‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) God sees us where we are. He is El Roi the God who sees me. He is with us always. We are never alone. Second, God is ready to help you. It might be a supernatural kind of help. It may be help coming from a friend, family member or co-worker. Be willing to receive help if you need it. Third, God gives us strength to help ourselves. Faith takes action. I’ve seen some people who fall in a pit but do nothing to get out, instead they give excuse after excuse. You’ve got to learn to move forward and do your part. Lastly, I want to remind you that God brings peace. You may feel turmoil in your life but God is Prince of peace. Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ says: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
‭‭( ‭ESV‬‬) He is mighty! He is our Peace! He is a wonderful Counselor. Call out His name, Jesus. He will help you out of your pit. He will set your feet upon the rock. He will promote you and sustain you through your trials. I don’t know how but He will. Trust Him. I have to do the same.

This morning as I was praying, I just opened up and was very real with the Lord. He knows me completely anyway and I believe He delights when we come before Him with honesty. It was a little bit of a rough morning. I woke up with some pain in my back from the fracture. My eyes were very dry and crusty because I had trouble getting the eye ointment in that I have to use nightly, due to five eye surgeries. I went into the kitchen trying to open my very dry eyes. Squinting, I turned on the coffee maker to make a pot of coffee. I thought the pot was in place but it was not. Before I knew it coffee was all over the counter. I quickly turned it off. Grabbing the back brace I put it on then proceeded to clean up a big mess. Finally getting the mess cleaned, the dog fed and let outside, I sat down and just poured out my heart like that coffee that went all over the counter. My lament went up to my wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace. I began to praise God for all He is, for His provision, for His healing that we’re still waiting to manifest in the physical. People will never know the things we go through. We don’t complain, we just do it. We all need healing. We only have one driver in our family so some things are pushed aside. God knows and as I poured out my heart I felt His peace. He is the Prince of Peace.

In the next two days I will finish the book of Job and I know how his story ends. God restores him and blessed him beyond his original blessing. God will bless us too. Be faithful in the pit and make efforts to get out of it. God will see you through. Don’t give up! You are loved!

Www.shannonkhinson.com

Enjoy the Journey

October 29, 2024October 29, 2024Leave a Comment

I am sitting here kind of chuckling because in this highly divisive time we are living in, I’m sitting here getting ready to blog about “enjoying the journey”. Trust me, we sure can. Deep breath hang here with me please. Life is definitely not a “bed of roses” as they say. When we have a “bed of pretty roses”, rest assure there are some thorns in there as well. You’ve got to find ‘em and clip ‘em. There is always something or someone who is waiting to steal our peace and joy. The trick is to find those things and just “steer clear” of them. For example, if the news you watch leaves you feeling unsettled, turn it off and tune in to God and His Word. That is the surest way to welcome peace into your life. I’ve done that recently. Well honestly I make a point of prioritizing my time with Jesus. I just function much better when I make that daily choice.

Yesterday as life would have it, Ron and I were getting on each others nerves. If you’ve been married over 30 plus years, you will understand. Sometimes we just don’t see “eye to eye” and respond accordingly. Well it just so happened I was wearing a shirt that said “Spread Kindness”. Our son Joshua came up to me and read my shirt out-loud. I said “Yes, and it starts with me”. It’s important to see yourself honestly and how you come across to others and make adjustments accordingly. I know when I’m being a bit short with someone. I actually ask the Holy Spirit to check me and show me when I’m wrong. I always want to be humble and teachable. That too is part of enjoying the journey.

There are always conflicts to navigate. Conflict resolution is part of the journey. I don’t prefer to avoid people but can certainly do without the sticky issues. Politics is one of those. Oh my goodness! What a divisive topic and people are “diehard” party followers. I choose to vote policy. This afternoon I got on social media and saw some people debating on a post I had shared. Oh boy! As I read through the comments I began to sing I Speak Jesus. As I read the comments, I tried to picture each person and their hearts. I spoke PEACE over them all and explained my point of view. That is part of conflict resolution, hearing the other person. You don’t have to agree with me, I just ask you to look at the policies and see what you agree with and vote accordingly. Respecting others point of view is necessary for enjoying the journey. Together we stand, divided we fall.

Another aspect of enjoying the journey is not getting stuck on your emotional rollercoaster. Today our Bible study group wrapped up a lesson on lamenting. God invites us to humbly pour out our feelings to Him so He can help us sort through the emotions and disappoints and move forward. In this weeks lesson one of the things that stood out to me was using the words YET I will. Habakkuk”s prayer in chapter 3 is an eye opener. Here’s the second verse, If you have a chance look up the entire chapter. It is refreshing. “I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.” Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭(NLT‬‬) Then a bit later in the chapter it says, “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.”
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬-‭19‬ ‭(NLT‬‬). Can I just say WOW. There are three “even thoughs” then a YET I WILL. It is like a flashlight beam of HOPE in an otherwise dark dark night. YET I WILL rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful of the God of my salvation!

Jennifer Rothchild taught this particular week in “When you pray”. (Lifeway study) She is blind and her message was very enlightening. She challenged us in day 5 of this week to write our own version of Habakkuk (lament): Even though___, even though___, even though____, YET____, He enables me to_____. Can you fill in those blanks? Oh my! What an exercise that was. Let me be honest here. Here is mine.
Even though I don’t understand why You allow me to live with hearing and vision loss and it brings loneliness and sorrow: Even though You have allowed our son to be born with similar issues and it honestly breaks my heart though Lord you know I push it down, way way down and deal, Even though we live in a fallen evil world where deceiption and sin are in our faces at every turn and Your people are holding on to You, YET I will trust in Your sovereignty, Your love, wisdom and perfect plan. You enable me (us) to over come through Your power. You never leave us and You never forsake us. We are Yours and You are ours. Amen! And I was wearing another shirt today that says Stronger than the storm Gotta love it. It’s all part of Enjoying the Journey. Walk with Jesus. Let Him show us the way. Let Him correct us when we are wrong. Let Him encourage us and comfort us in our weaknesses so we can comfort and encourage others in the same way we have been comforted.

Enjoy the Journey.
Be blessed!
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