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Welcome! I'm really excited that you have stopped by. I'm sure that you're just as busy as I am but still want to find enjoyable ways to fill your life with God-centered things. Well, you've come to the right place. Whether you have 5 minutes or 35 minutes, there is something here for you. Through each post, I hope to guide you towards the one source for which we can depend on. Subscribe and invite your friends so that we can all grow closer to God together!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

How Accurate is Your Perception of Yourself?



How often have you taken the time to reflect on how accurate your perception of yourself and your life is?

The window to my room is open allowing the cool rain air to seep into my room. The scent is familiar and fresh. At this moment, the sound of rain drops is calming. It is consistent and repetitive, slowing my heartbeat. In this peaceful state, I wonder about some of the decisions on my plate and whether or not I will be able to make the best decision.

What is the basis of my decision making? Then it hits me. How connected am I to my one true source for making decision? I chose God because he knows me best. He has the most accurate perception of who Shana is. Unlike myself, whose ideals and vantage points change depending on feelings, Jesus's vision of me is never changing.

I must say, there are definitely days when I don't feel quite myself. I feel disconnected. I scan through the definitions of myself that I have gained over the years to appease my sense of loss. So many times I am left with more questions than answers. I am still learning about who I am and what makes me tick. That's why it is such a good thing that there is someone who knows me better than I know myself.

So, as the rain drops fall on the leaves and blades of grass, I take comfort in the knowing I don't have to answer all of my questions. There are going to be plenty of hard decisions ahead in which I will wish to have a concrete understanding of myself in order to make the best decisions. However, that is not my role. My role is to allow my character to thrive only in Christ. There are some aspects of me that need to die anyway. Why waste time holding onto what the Lord is trying to chisel away?

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14-15

Teaching Bible at my school I have learned quite a bit about sheep. Yes, they have minimal intelligence so they are 100% dependent on the shepherd for life. They live for the sound of the shepherd's voice, going where ever is it. The shepherd knows every sheep by name, by its features, and personality. He plans ahead for the future of the sheep. In the end, he will do anything for his sheep. Such a bond.

How perfect of an analogy. The Shepherd knows each of us by name, by our features, and personality. He could pick us out of a crowd. He will do anything for us, including guide us in our daily lives. Help us make the best decisions possible. Purify our character.

There is no reason for me to stress over my character as if I have control in it. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:8-10

Time to give God back the reigns. He is much better as leading my life than I am.

What do you think is God's perception of you and your life?

~Shana


photo credit: dmelchordiaz via photopin cc

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Not There Yet




     Earlier this week, I posted on how God was the only way to get through my hard week. I would have to choose to draw close to him and then he would comfort me.

     Well, as this week comes to a close, I can not say that I feel back to my chipper self. I continue to feel the weight of my trials upon my shoulders. So, what could I possibly have to say to you then?

God is alluring.

     Each night before going to sleep, I took some time to spend it with God. I did not know how to let him in completely, but I wanted to learn more about him. Each night the desire to learn increased to the point that I felt it in the middle of the day. I would anticipate bed time so that I could spend it with him.

     Now I see how God was drawing me to him in an unexpected way. I was expecting the usual: come to me, don't stress about work, or trust in me. Instead the Lord took the same message and wrapped in a different package. It worked! I came to the feet of Jesus, gazing into his marvelous eyes. Now I feel comforted and I compelled to trust him to take me through this tough time.

     This week God has reminded me that he is full of surprises and fully capable of handling me. Without even realizing it, I was being comforted.


My God is AWESOME!

How has our Lord drawn you to his side? I would love to hear about it!


 photo credit: New Talent Modelling via photopin cc

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Today Indeed was Rough!

   


     I must say, today was a rough day. So much so that all I wanted to do was hide away from it all in my room. So, when I got home this evening, that is exactly what I did. Yet, it was not as satisfying as I had hoped it would be. I felt a nagging in my heart to open it up to God and allow him to comfort me from the trials experienced at work.

     Despite my carnal desires, I have chosen to spend some time with God. The verse that came to mind was Mark 14:38 which says, "The spirit is indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." I am a living testimony of how true that verse is. When you think that you will have power over the sin you are currently struggle, remember YOU DO NOT! In retrospect, I see how God could have comforted me earlier had I opened my heart up to him.
"I can do all things through CHRIST which strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
Only through the power of God are we able to conquer even the smallest of things like sitting up in bed and talking to God instead of watching TV.

     I employ you rise above any pride that may be holding you back from letting God in at this very moment. Our Lord is right there ready to help you to be victorious. He desires to share blessings upon blessings with you. You may make the wrong decision at times, however keep the words of Paul in your heart:
"Nay, in all things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Romans 8:37

Can you recall a time when you were not sure you wanted to spend time with God, yet in the end it was rewarding?

~Shana



photo credit: Silvia Sala via photopin cc

Friday, May 16, 2014

The Consuming Desire: Control

Short thought of the day.



After experiencing so much in our lives that is out of our hands, we humans seek to gain some sort of control: manipulation, lying, drugs, stealing, stubbornness. We do whatever it takes to receive comfort and control. 

Yet we are not put at ease by our own efforts.

God it is not easy to loosen my grip, but I shall give you more control right now. I will remove finger after finger till you have all of my life--all of me. My goal: die to self till you are completely in control.

In what ways has God tried to teach you how to let go?

~Shana

photo credit: domi-san via photopin cc

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Superhuman Breath

     Imagine taking a deep breath and your lungs are filled with a type of oxygen that not only sustains your life, but repairs it as well. As each molecule flows through your organ, it heals every other molecule it comes in contact with. After a while you lungs are in perfect order with all the scars of pollution erased.
     
     Breathing would take on a whole new meaning. As much as it comes naturally, it would become associated with restoration.
     
     Jesus breathed into us the breath of life. Before sin that breath gave us life in the purest form. Perfect lungs, perfect heart, perfect brain, perfect kidneys. Perfection. However, so much has changed since Eden; all except Jesus. He is still the life giver. When he breath enters our body, it heals everything it comes in contact with. Seeking to only leave behind perfection.
     
     I think I can find rest in that. Whenever we think of perfection, we think of a forever unattainable burden. Let us not forget we have no control over the power of Jesus, all we need to do is surrender to Him.

     For the past couple of days, I've been thinking about how I rest in the Lord. I see now that as calming as it is to take deep breaths, I want peace from taking in Jesus into my life. I want to find rest in that. Rest that is attainable no matter where I am. Praise the Lord!
     
   

Do you think it is easy to allow God to restore your life?
Share your thoughts with me.

~Shana


photo credit: VinothChandar via photopin cc

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

My Sanctuary

"Moses had a mountain. Elijah had a cave. Daniel had an open window. Christ had Gethsemane."

Each of these men, had a special place for just them and the Father. After reading Finding your Gethsemane written by Victoria Rosa, I was inspired to write about my own special place. 

 I have fond memories of the times that I spent in the sanctuary of my home church. I would wait till all were gone and it was just me. By then the deacons had turned off the lights, so only the stained glass illuminated the aisles. After laying in silence for a short while, I would make my way over to the chocolate colored baby grand piano. After carefully opening it, I would take a deep breath and allow my piano fingers to trickle along the keys before beginning a song.




I felt in control. Why? Because if I was sad, I could cry. If I was happy, I could grin from ear to ear. If I was mellow, I would silently play. There was no one to judge me or tell me I was wrong, just me and the Lord. I recall having many conversations where I poured out my heart to my Savior. 

Looking back, I see how that period of time helped to build the relationship I now have with him. It was like our weekly date. Excitement would ooze out of me the closer Sabbath came. Not only did I vent, but I praised Him as well. He was the reason for all the good in my life and I saw that. When I prayed to him, he heard me and comforted me. Then He would teach and lead. I can' t necessarily say that I have a current special place, but I know that I will find one again when the time is right. Until then, I will hold tightly onto the one that brought me closer to my King--my Gethsemane. 

 *What is your special place?*




~Shana

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Reflective Weekend

Dear God,

I get it. You gave me a pretty clear message this weekend and I didn't miss a thing. When I fall down, get back up. I need to make a habit out of drawing closer to you instead of relying on my feelings.Finally, I need to delight in your presence, especially on Sabbaths.

This was the first communion I have had in a long time. Thank you.

You love me. That is fact and I see that. I feel it, but I'm glad and reached out before I felt the warm and fuzzies. I live the principle of love.

Now take me into this new week with strength. You have promised that in your word. Ps. 28:7

Forgive me for my short comings and help me to let go of those short comings.

I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

~Shana


In what ways has God spoken to you recently?

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Creator and Redeemer

     God has spoken creation into existence and the same power is flows through the Word of God to recreate and transform us if we are willing. 
     There is truly power in the name of Jesus. For we don't have to work and slave to be transformed. We don't lack a part in the process, but our part cannot be compared to all that our Father does daily to transform our insides. 
     We marvel in the beauty of what creation is and more so what is was originally. Why? Because it is just so beautiful, awesome, majestic, breathtaking, exciting, and more than meets the eye. Well, God's redeeming power is also majestic, breathtaking, exciting and more than meets the eye. 
     Holy holy is the Lord God Almighty! 
     Each day, allow God's essence to ignite your transformation and relationship with Him. He wants to be with us. Not just here and now, but for all of eternity.


Shana