Tag: scripture
james.bible/james-1-12Mental “snapshots”
Thanksgiving has come and gone. While I intended to blog on Thanksgiving morning, I only got one paragraph down before putting my iPad away. This year was just different without my Dad who passed away last March. It was also our first Thanksgiving without our son Joshua, who is enjoying his new life in Arizona. Yet we still gathered together, a small croup of three: me, my husband Ron and my Mom.
I’m a deep soul who is always reflecting and thinking deeply. I wondered what it would have been like to gather that very first Thanksgiving. Very different groups of people came together to share. Imagine that in todays world! Such sharing today would be a breath of fresh air.
In todays society people are so caught up in themselves, their families, their friends, their church… and of course their traditions. While there is nothing wrong with these things, let’s be mindful to include others. Many families are mIssing loved ones and friends who have passed on. Many are lacking the resources and a caring embrace.
Imagine sharing of yourself, your time and your heart. Include others outside your own circle of people. People matter! All people!
Many times over the years we have invited others to join us on Thanksgiving. Sometimes they did not have a family and others had family too far away. This year with my cochlear Implant processor not functioning correcting and the upgrade scheduled to arrive in a few weeks, we opted to go to Cracker Barrel. Mom and I preparing all that food for three people wasn’t ideal. Everything currently is an exercise in patience and grace as I try to understand conversation with faulty equipment and low vision.
We didn’t take any pictures this year but I took “mental snapshots.” Some of these snapshot include: gathering the night before Thanksgiving with my brothers family for chili at Moms., meeting my precious newborn great niece, a crisp beautiful morning as we picked Mom up to go to Cracker Barrel, the cozy fire snapping in the fireplace, one plate of a delicious meal, a nice nap in the sun at Moms afterwards, making turkey cranberry sliders for dinner, and just a all around heart full of gratitude in the goodness of God.
Let’s challenge ourselves this holiday season to be doers of the Word. Be conscientious and thoughtful of everyone around us. Let’s make a difference.
Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com
2corinthians.bible/2-corinthians-3-17
bible.com/bible/59/job.23.10.ESV
Came across this GEM today in my quiet time. 🙌😊🙏
Flying the Coop
Almost one week ago half of my heart left for a long road trip to Phoenix with no set plans on returning. He just said, “I will be home for the holidays.” While as parents we were and still are excited for Joshua. The whole point of raising children is so they can be independent. Letting go is such a struggle though. The first few days my emotions were a rollercoaster; happy sad, so so and sad again. I’ve always been a “hands on” Mom. The last driving day of his road trip I texted him to tell him I was saying extra prayers for an extra long day on the road. He texted me back saying “extra prayers yes please. Not extra texts,”. Knowing that he and his friend have reached their destination lifts the load and makes my heart feel lighter. He seems to be adjusting and happy.
Having an empty nest is a strange thing. It’s like I need to reinvent myself or find a new purpose Joshua and Ron told me to write another book. I told Josh and his friend Coleman they gave me lots of stories to write about but it would be counter productive. Josh said “ Do it! It would be a comedy!”. I said,” Not from a mothers perspective”. I do remember being that age though and sometimes experience is a very good teacher.
I’ve had some powerful times with the Lord since Joshua left almost a week ago. As I was looking in my notes on my iPad I came across one titled “On the Wall”. I had forgotten it was still on my iPad. When he was in his late teens we went though a rough patch with him. He stayed with his grandparents for a short time. While he was there we repainted his room so when he came home it would be a fresh start. Our friend Charles was doing the painting and I asked him if I could write scriptures on the walls first before he painted. Under the paint on Joshuas bedroom walls, I wrote scriptures that I pray over him. I put all those scriptures in a note on my iPad and revisited it this week praying the scriptures over Joshua again.
This week my scripture I am praying for him is 2 Thessalonians 1:11 “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.” NIV
While he is on the other side of the country, I know God is right there with him. I’m so thankful for our Abba Fathers love for us. God is faithful always!
To read more about my story living with hearing and visual limitations check out my autobiography “Rooted by the Water”. Available on many online retailers such as : Amazon, Barnes &Noble, Books a Million, Target, Walmart and Westbowpress.com.
Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com
Scattered
Bear with me! I’m about to take a whole different direction here…. This morning as I continued my study on Job, I asked the Holy Spirit to guide me through chapter 14 and reveal things I needed to get out of this. As I read and compared the AmericanStandard Version and New Living Translation, I was trying hard to focus. In all honestly my mind was also going in multiple directions. The human mind is a very interesting thing especially if you are deep and constantly thinking. I know I will have to spend more time on this chapter because the main thing standing out to me right now is….our days are few and full of troubles 😂 I know it’s not funny but I’m chuckling just a bit as I think how true that is.
As I prayed I was honest with the Lord about my thoughts being so scattered this morning, although He already knew that. Psalms 139:2 NLT, “You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.” I’ve just got to stop right there. It’s mind blowing how our Abba Father knows us so well…. I mean everything about us, He fully knows. As I prayed and thanked Him for his sovereignty, power and unfathomable wisdom, I just sat in Awe!
One of the things my mind was distracted by this morning was our son Joshua’s upcoming trip to Phoenix, Arizona for who knows how long. He and a friend are going out there for training for a new business opportunity. If you know our story and how close we are you would know my emotions and thoughts are all over the place concerning this. Joshua and his friend are excited and we are excited for them as they go try something completely different.
As a “Momma Bear” I’ve thought of ways to help him get ready for his trip. I have no doubt his dad has too. I think of every case scenario and want him prepared. As I thought about all this, the Holy Spirit brought Matthew 7:11 to mind. “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”
I know we can REST in our Heavenly Fathers care, knowing that He has everything covered. He loves Joshua even more than we do and is more that capable of taking complete care of him. Agree with us in prayer that God will go before him and be his rear guard. Pray for God’s favor on this new adventure. Pray for safety and healing. Yes Healing! I will never stop asking God for complete healing . Also pray for a group of Christians to fellowship and learn with.
I better bring these scattered thoughts captive. Be still my heart… God has all of this covered. Job 14, I will be back for you.
If you’re interested in our story, you can find it in my autobiography, “Rooted by the Water” by Shannon Kenley Hinson. Sold on Amazon, and other online retailers: Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Target and Walmart.
Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com
Be thankful for the journey
As I sit outside on this beautiful October day, I find myself thinking deeply. I’m beyond grateful for the Holy Spirit prompting me to be mindful and thankful.
The Bible tells us to be anxious about nothing. Truth be told I need help on that one. Oh yes, I pray often but do I offer those prayers with thanksgiving? Ummm… not really. Do I offer those prayers with an anxious heart? Yes! In my humanity I do.
As I prayed this morning I redirected my thoughts and prayers. I rather said, “ Thank you Lord for the opportunity to pray about this situation. Thank you that I know you will answer according to your perfect will”.
Yesterday at church Pastor Loran Livingston reminded us of Psalms 27:13 “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” NIV. Lord help me to wait patiently and expectantly for you!
As I woke this morning one of the songs from worship yesterday was playing in my heart. The chorus has been playing in my heart and mind all day.
“ There’s no doubt about it I’m on my way home
I’m not yet where I’m going
But I’m a long way from where I was, I hear a choir of angels Cheering me on. I’m not yet where I’m going
But I’m a long way from where I was”
As I continue with this day my focus has moved to a different line of the song… “I hear a choir of Angels cheering me on….” And I’m thankful. So thankful to know God is working and faithful always! So thankful that “this too shall pass”. Whatever it is that I’m dealing with… the various things that cause me to be anxious…I will choose to set my eyes on Jesus, knowing that He leads me forward in His truth and with His protection. I will choose thankfulness as I journey on.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 NIV
Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com
You can find my autobiography “Rooted by the Water” on Amazon and other online retailers: Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Target and Walmart
Comforting others
I’m sitting here thinking deeply after finishing up my morning quiet time with the Lord. Last week I started a new Bible study by Kay Arthur, “ Trusting God in times of Adversity.” It’s a study of the book of Job in the Bible. Todays reading was on Job chapter 6 when Job replies to his friend Eliphaz. As I read my mind took a little detour.
Being a part of an e-mail prayer group I’m aware of many prayer needs. People face devastating things daily. Intercession is one of my spiritual gifts so I take to heart these needs as I pray throughout the day as God brings them to my mind.
Sometimes I feel so empty inside and think, what can I possibly do to help others in their hard times. I acknowledged this morning that feelings have nothing to do with it. Faith has nothing to do with the way we feel about something. Lord help me to strive to have Biblical faith to have ASSURANCE of things hoped for and CONVICTION of what I do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)
I also thought deeply of how to comfort others in their times of difficulty. I recalled this verse, “who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4 ESV).
I know God’s very presence comforts me and He always listens to my prayers. He brings something along to light up my face with a smile. We can do these things for others: be there to give physical support, always have a listening ear, do something to brighten their day.
If truth be told, everyone is fighting a battle daily that most know nothing about. Let’s be a beam of light in the darkness and lift their load. People matter! Let’s make a difference in the world for the glory of God.
On a side note, I got a new shipment of my book “Rooted by the Water”. Reach out if you’d like a copy. It can also be found on online retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Target and Walmart
Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com
job.bible/job-5-9
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