#rootedbythewater – Page 22 – rootedbythewater.blog

You move me Lord!

April 30, 20222 Comments

Have you ever truly been moved by God? He moves me in so many ways; reading the Bible, listening to worship music, being still in His beautiful creation, time in prayer and much more.

This week God has stirred my heart with a song I heard in church last Sunday. A lady sang In Jesus Name (God Of Possible) by Katy Nichole. I am sure I’ve heard it before but for some reason it really struck me this week. As a hearing and visually impaired person, I learn music a bit differently. I looked up the lyrics and found a video with lyrics on YouTube. As I listened to it over and over I cried at the beautiful meaning of the words and how true they are. This was one of those songs I just had to have in my music library so I bought it. As I played it over and over I didn’t realize I was singing out loud. My cochlear implant processor is connected by Bluetooth to my iPad, so I could hear the music but no one around me could. My husband and I had a good laugh later when he told me I had given him a concert. I thought he was outside but he was in the home study room and just closed the door.

Being rid of distractions can help me to focus intently on Jesus and just savor all that He is. Since I don’t drive due to low vision, I’m home a lot. When I’m alone I sing and pray out loud. It helps me focus. As I worshipped by singing In Jesus Name (God Of Possible), I thought of how this applies to every single situation and person. If you don’t know the lyrics look them up. You won’t be sorry. It starts with “ I speak the name of Jesus over you. In your hurting, in your sorrow, I will ask my God to move”. Let me pause right here for a minute. This world is full of sorrow, pain and people crying out for help. The world is also full of distracted, self absorbed people who are too busy to care. We can and should intentionally slow down and take the time for the sea of humanity around us. Take the time to pray for them and speak Jesus name over them.

Another part of the song goes like this: “I pray for your healing. Circumstances to change. I pray that the fear inside will flee in Jesus name. I pray that your breakthrough will happen today. I pray miracles over your life in Jesus name.” Let’s let those power lyrics sink in. There is such incredible power in the name of Jesus. We can’t even comprehend it. God allows us to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus name. Let’s spur one another on to stand firm in faith and in the power of the Holy Spirit, boldly speaking the name of Jesus. Let us not be timid or afraid but rather hold firmly to the hope that we have in Jesus. As we speak the name of Jesus and pray in the name of Jesus, we will see God move for His glory. Who is with me? Let’s do this! In Jesus name!

If you’d like to read more of my story please check out my autobiography “Rooted by the Water”. It’s a true story of how God has enabled me to overcome great difficulties, not by my own strength but through His strength made perfect in my weaknesses. You can find it on Amazon and many other online retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, Target and Walmart.
Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

Greatest Gift Ever!

April 13, 20226 Comments

This year my birthday happens to fall on Good Friday. I’ve felt this blog post swirling in my mind today and I just had to get it in writing. As I type this with tears rolling down my cheeks I can honestly say I am moved beyond words at the greatest gift I’ve ever received… my salvation.

This Friday we remember Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for us. He took my place, your place. He who had no sin became the perfect sacrificial lamb to save us from everlasting condemnation. It’s so hard for me to wrap my mind around the enormity of what Jesus did for me and you.

The movie “The Passion of Christ”, gives a glimpse of what the crucifixion may have been like. I have seen this movie and I had the hardest time watching what Jesus suffered for us. Can you even Imagine such love?

Last Sunday our Pastor had a crown of thorns that he showed us. I was hoping he would come close enough to where I was sitting so I could get a view of it. I can’t see very far with my low vision limitations but he came close enough so I could see. Thorns hurt terribly. I know this because we have rose bushes and I have to prune them back each year. I can’t see the thorns well but they go through my gloves every year when I cut the roses back and it’s painful. Just think, not only were Jesus hands and feet nailed to the cross, a spear stabbed into his side, but also the crown of thorns pressed onto his head. Jesus died the most horrible death so that we could live. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (ESV) Salvation is the greatest gift of all and it’s FREE! Romans 10:10 says, ““For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”(ESV‬‬)

Not only this but on the third day God raised Jesus back to life! Easter Sunday is coming and it’s RESURRECTION DAY! Jesus is alive and is sitting at the right hand of God interceding for us. Jesus is constantly praying to God for us and when God looks at us he sees the blood of Jesus. This is such an incredible truth that it’s hard for me to put into words. Do you know Jesus? He loves you and desires to have a relationship with you. The Bible tells us in Romans‬ ‭8:11 “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”(NLT)

As I’ve been writing this blog an awesome worship song has been playing in my heart. “What Mercy Did For Me”. If you’ve never heard it before I encourage you to download it and listen. It’s beautiful and so true. Here’s the lyrics.

What Mercy did For Me

… I was hopeless, I knew I was lost
And death and darkeness were my only songs
I needed someone to come rescue me
And mercy heard my plea
… And Lord, You found me
You healed me
You called me from the grave
You gave me Your real love
I thank You Jesus
You washed my sins away
And now I’m living, and I got forgiven
You came to set me free
And that’s what Your mercy did for me
… You gave me beauty for my guilty stains
And now I’m living day to day by His grace
So excuse me if I can’t contain my praise
‘Cause I know that I’ve been saved
… Lord, You found me
You healed me
You called me from the grave
You gave me Your real love
I thank You Jesus
You washed my sins away
And now I’m living, and I got forgiven
You came to set me free
And that’s what You mercy did for me, oh
… And every morning mercy will restore me
I will proclaim
And even if the world may fall before me
I will proclaim
… ‘Cause Lord, You found me
You healed me
You called me from the grave
You gave me Your real love
I thank You Jesus
You washed my sins away
And right now I’m living, I got forgiven
You came to set me free
And that’s what Your mercy did for me
… That’s what Your mercy did for me (oh, I’m so grateful for Your mercy)
That’s what Your mercy did for me (You saved me and raised me, Lord)
And that’s what Your mercy did for me (Your so faithful, Lord)
And that’s what Your mercy did for me
And that’s what Your mercy did for me
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Joshua Adam Sherman / Crystal Yates / Drew Ley / Micah Tyler / Drew Hudick / Mills Ward / Delaney Brooke Ramsdell / Kaylee Grace Turner / Albert E Sr Brumley

Be blessed my friends and I pray you too receive the greatest gift ever! Jesus!

Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com
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TikTok anybody?

April 8, 20224 Comments

I can hear it now, “Surely she’s not going to write on this subject”. I surely will and ask you to hear me out. Please keep reading.

Last May when my autobiography “Rooted by the Water” came out my publisher suggested promoting on social media platforms. In the process of doing this I have discovered some writers groups. One of these groups has amazing suggestions of how other self published authors successfully promote their books. It was there I found out about Booktok which is a part of TikTok.

When I first considered different options for promoting I saw how very expensive hiring a professional publicist and marketing pro can be. The beauty of Tiktok is that it’s free promotion but you have to do the work and learn the system. Doing this with low vision is so time consuming!

The thought of TikTok itself was so intimidating because as someone who does not watch tv I can be easily blown away by things people post. I’ve never seen such vanity and cries for “look at me!” I’m like, “You people need to cover up! My goodness! Know your worth!” It’s an understatement that I was shocked at what some people post but I learned how the system works and would quickly scroll on past the offensive ones.

As I learned, I found the “discover” section where you can search what you’re looking for. I search for Booktok, Christian TikTok, true story, Christian Booktok, deaf blind and many more. As I typed these things in to search, great videos came up of Christian books, people sharing devotions, words of encouragement, worship music, nature and more. Therein lies the beauty. The videos are very very short and repetitive, so if I don’t understand it I just listen again. I began to realize it’s a great auditory therapy resource for practicing with my Advanced Bionics Marvel cochlear implant processor . I just make sure what I’m listening to is something I want to keep hearing and not offensive.

Actually creating the videos is a whole different story. It took me years to accept my limitations with hearing and vision issues. It took many more years to admit them and be open to help from people. Then God put on my heart to put my story in writing to encourage others and give glory to His name. Writing my book took me two years and many tears. When my book released last May, I thought “Whew! I’m done!”. Little did I know it was the beginning. What I had hidden for so long, finally accepted and finally put into writing…. people were now reading. Talking about being uncomfortable! Making videos to promote the book takes that discomfort to a whole new level. I am not about promoting me but I will promote what Jesus is to me and how He helps me. As I try to come up with content for videos I see I can use this tool to encourage others to look to Jesus which is my purpose. It’s not about writing blogs, making videos, and selling books but rather opportunities to share Jesus!

If you are on TikTok look for me and follow me @shannonkenleyhinson and I will point you to the best thing ever, Jesus my Lord! You can find my book, “Rooted by the Water” on Amazon and other online retailers. You will laugh, you will cry, and more than likely shake your head in disbelief. It’s transparent and I give God all the glory.

http://www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

Labels? No thanks!

March 30, 20227 Comments

Using labels for medical purposes is inevitable. I see the need to use them, however I also see the negative impact once labels are given. A person should never be defined by his or her impairment or disease.

I personally have been labeled deaf and legally blind. It is what it is, but I don’t own it, My point is, yes I do have these limitations but I don’t let them define who I am. There is such a range of functioning with any label. As a legally blind person the label makes it sound like I see nothing. That’s so wrong. Sure I don’t see normally, as a matter of fact at my last eye appointment almost five years ago my vision was 20/400. So, do you think I use a white cane and seeing eye dog? I actually don’t. My visual impairment is due to my optic nerves being abnormally small. All the stimuli doesn’t get through my smaller nerves to tell my brain what I’m looking at. Is it blurry? Thankfully no, it’s just not big enough to know what it is. Size, shape, color and lighting help me figure things out. So I see things as they get closer.

Hearing loss has such a wide spectrum of functioning as well. Some people can hear nothing, some can hear a little with hearing aids. I got an Advanced Bionics cochlear implant in 2008. This technology helps me to hear environmental noises, some speech, nature sounds and music. I can’t understand it all but it’s better than nothing.

Some people may not have issues with labels. Labels might create comfort zones where they have excuses not to try anything out of the ordinary. On the contrary I am the opposite. Labels make me feel like I’m in a box and am limited by the expectations. I’ve alway liked to defy the odds and try anyway. Life is too short to sit on the sidelines and let everything go on around you.

Labels denote what one can’t do, what’s broken or wrong with them. So instead of saying I’m deaf and legally blind I prefer to say I can hear some and see some too. Only God and I know how much.

Recently I was trying to find out about services for an autistic young teenager. I was asked if he was high functioning or low functioning. I would rather say, “ What are his abilities and social skills?” to find the right placement where he would be most comfortable . I am mindful to keep it positive so people have a feeling of acceptance. So instead of labels that depict what’s wrong or can’t be done, let’s focus on the positives of what can be done. Sometimes a positive change of perspective is very helpful.

Check out my autobiography “Rooted by the Water” available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, Target, Walmart and Park Road Books. My story of learning to live triumphantly despite disabilities, through Gods strength and lessons He has taught me along the way. Be inspired!