#waymaker – Page 4 – rootedbythewater.blog

Facebook suspension 😳Really?

August 27, 20226 Comments

The saying goes, “There’s a first time for everything.” That doesn’t mean I wasn’t shocked when I received an e mail today telling me my Facebook was being suspended for violation of its standards. Really Facebook? What might I ask do you dislike about my posts? I share uplifting, positive, inspiring blogs and posts to encourage people. I looked at the so called FB standards. To my knowledge I have not violated anything. Do I promote violence? NO! Do I promote hate speech? NO! Do I promote profanity? NO? Geez… I don’t even gossip on there! On the contrary I speak life and encouragement This is quite perplexing.

The thing that bothers me is that my blogs on WordPress are shared through social media. Many of my followers see my posts through Facebook. I started blogging as a continuation of my story. Life doesn’t stop after publishing my autobiography., “Rooted by the Water“. (You can find it on Amazon) In a sense, it’s actually just the beginning. God continues to teach me so much about His grace and strength through my brokenness. It’s amazing to me when I see posts from other people going through hard times and depression, that I’m given an opportunity to speak life and love into their lives. It’s a privilege to pray for their needs. Just recently someone I met online years ago thanked me for always encouraging others. This past week I had the most views on my blog than I’ve ever had before. What did I write on this last week? I wrote on the 2 year anniversary of my brothers ongoing miracle after having a bone marrow transplant in 2020. I’m honored to be part of his miracle by being his donor.

I know social media gets a bad rap. I get it really, but it allows me to connect with people in ways I don’t ordinarily have. Being hearing impaired and legally blind I am limited in interacting with others. Social media is an opportunity to connect with others and share the love of Jesus.

I have disputed their decision. We will see what happens . But in the meantime they have silenced me. However, I will continue to write and continue to encourage people to not give up. I will Shine on! If you enjoy my blogs help me keep spreading the love of Jesus and the hope He give by sharing my blog with others.
Thank you for journeying with me. God bless you all!

The Treasure of Brokenness

August 16, 20224 Comments

This morning I woke up smiling with a song playing in my heart. I love when that happens. “God is healing someone,making a way for someone, God is up to something right now.” I wasn’t sure the lyrics in my heart were the right lyrics so I looked it up. I wasn’t too far off. I got on our church website to check the music from this past Sunday. You can check it out for yourself at http://www.centralnc.org The lyrics were “He is healing someone, He is saving someone, God is doing something right now.” I’m not sure the name of the song.

I love when the Lord ministers to my heart through music. It’s also kind of amusing because being hearing and visually limited, I get parts of it then make it my own version. I know I’m an “Oddball” but that’s okay. There is nothing wrong with being your unique individual self.

Yesterday a friend and I met for our first week of Bible study. She lives a few houses down from me, so I walked down for our first study together. We are doing Kay Arthur’s Bible study, Lord I Want yo Know You I’ve done the study before on my own but I thought it would be good to do it with a friend. There is nothing as refreshing as studying Gods Word. Hebrews‬ ‭4:12‬ says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (NLT).

This particular Kay Arthur study we are doing is a study of the names of God in the Bible. God reveals His character and attributes about Himself with each name we study.

Yesterday we discussed Elohim, God our Creator. We talked about the purpose for our existence. According to God’s Word, we were created for His glory. See Isaiah‬ ‭43:7‬, “Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.’”(NLT‬‬).

One of the beautiful things about doing a Bible study with someone is the opportunity to share. I was open as I shared my frustrations of my hearing and visual issues. In all honesty I told my friend I didn’t think I would be the person I am today if God had not allowed me to be “broken”. God has brought me to a place where I must rely on Him rather than myself. I shared with her about a devotion I came across last week about Gideon. (Judges 7) In a nutshell, God had to reduce Gideon’s men so only God would get the glory in the victory. God reduced Gideon’s men to 300. That’s a fraction from what he started with. They each had a horn and a torch in earthen vessels (clay jars). The 300 broke into groups of three. When the horn sounded they broke their earthen vessel and the light shined through.

Sometimes God has to bring us to brokenness so His light shines through. A place where we can’t rely on our own strengths but have to fully rely on Him. It’s a hard place to be but He surely brings victory and is glorified.

There are treasures found in brokenness. It is when we can’t do it that God pouts His strength into us to enable us to shine on for His glory.

It would be so easy to sink in despair and stay in my comfort zone. A place where I’m not worried about what I can’t or can’t see, can or can’t understand. A side note, I see some of the signs but can’t always see the right hand shape with sign language, so I miss parts of what I should be seeing. When talking and listening to conversations, I understand parts of it with my cochlear implant processor but I also miss many parts. I know in my heart, God did not create me to live in my “comfort zone” where I’m not challenged and used. I was created to bring glory to Him, my Elohim, my Creator. As I soak in Gods Word, He restores me and enables me to rise up again. He is our victory. And just like that song I woke up to that was playing in my heart….“He is healing someone, He is saving someone, He is doing something…right now”! Be Blessed.

Check out my autobiography “Rooted by the Water” for more of my story. Find it on Amazon and other online retailers.

Pictures used in this blog were found on Pinterest.
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Thankfulness

May 30, 20221 Comment

As I sit on the back porch this Memorial Day morning I’m thankful. I’m thankful for the freedom to sit here with my dog Joy and listen to the birds singing. I’m thankful for the brave men and women who serve our country and for those who gave it all for our freedom. I’m thankful for Jesus who renews our hope each day.

Yesterday at church I was reminded to offer up sacrifices of praise to God, even in the waiting and frustrations of life. Lord let me always be mindful to PRAISE YOU anyway!

Lately I have felt so weighed down by life, the world, issues with my “state of the art” cochlear implant processor. As the list of concerns goes on, I can find myself overwhelmed. But yesterday at church as I listened with tears rolling down my face, I was reminded to be thankful in the waiting period even though it seems I’m always in a waiting period. All I can do is pray, praise and trust God to move. Our country, our world, society at large is so broken because it rejects Jesus. I can’t do anything about it but pray and allow God to use me in whatever way he desires to bring about healing in our world. Let’s pause today and be thankful. Let’s pray continually and give thanks because our God is faithful.

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

He never stops working

May 18, 20222 Comments

This evening I went outside after dinner to water my plants. It’s been so hot today and the next several days are supposed to be the same. While I was outside I lost track of time and by the time I came in Wednesday night prayer was almost over. I caught the last few minutes online as the praise team was singing “Way Maker”. I love this song and especially the part that say: ”Even when I don’t see that your working. Even when I don’t feel that your working. You never stop you never stop working. You never stop, you never stop working .” I love that and it’s so true. We can rest in the knowledge that even when we don’t see it or feel it, God is always working to bring about His perfect will.

This is a good reminder for me. I have prayed hard for over 13 years about a certain situation. Every year we endure an appointment with an eye specialist and every year I pray for improvement. As I waited at home to hear how the appointment went, I walked with a friend and we prayed together. My husband finally texted me saying, “Praise God it’s stable! No change and same prescription!”. While this isn’t the exact answer I was hoping for it is still a good report. I do know that God can turn any situation around so we keep believing and keep praying for improvement. God is our creator who can make something out of nothing. He can renew nerves, and bring about optimal eye health. My heart is full of thanksgiving for stability. After my friend left I sat down at the piano to play some worship songs. I played, “You deserve the glory” and “Tremble”. I played them over and over as I waited for the report. Thank you Jesus for answered prayers. This is behind us until next years appointment. One day this will be behind us for good but while we wait for that day we will keep praying and thanking God. We are so thankful for praying family and friends.

If you are praying and have not received the answer yet I encourage you to not give up. God is faithful and always on time. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Keep the faith and keep hope alive. God is faithful always.

You can find out more about my story in my autobiography, “Rooted by the Water”. My life story of Gods power at work in my weaknesses. Find it on Amazon and other online retailers.