Heaven Sent Sentiments

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  • Monthly Archives: October 2018

    • Ember in Darkness

      Posted at 5:50 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on October 26, 2018

      let the light of christ shine

      Happy Friday, my friends! The last one of this glorious month of October. It was unusually dark this morning as I was backing the car out of the garage to take my daughter to school. I did a double-take of the time to make sure we were heading out at the same time. Yup, 7 a.m. Praise God, it’s Friday!

      Slowly, making the way to school, I reflected on a quote that I read last night, in my Reader’s Digest, that was stuck in my memory. It’s by Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kuber-Ross:

      “People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”

      Immediately, after reading that quote, I thought of Jesus. He is the light within me. If I think of myself as that stained glass window, and His light as shining in me, how much more do I shine when life is good and joy is filling my heart?! It’s easy, right?

      But what about the cloudy, gloomy days? Does my light flicker and wane as the cares of this world blow blustery around it? Or do I feed the flame with the light of Jesus and the Word of God to shine brighter and brighter inviting others to share in the glory? I pray so!

      I want all of the broken pieces of my life (the broken dreams, heartbreak, and stained glass picture with lightdifficult times) to shine as a beautiful stained glass mosaic as a result of the glory of God with the light of Jesus shining from within me. To do that, especially during dark days, I have to add fuel to the flame. I do this by reading the Word of God, praying, singing along to worship music, and fellowshipping with other believers.

      “Where is your “gloomy, cloudy” place today? Where do you need the light of Jesus to shine? Christ is God’s plan to dispel darkness–by sending His son, the Light of the world, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, NIV) Seek Him, He is waiting for you with open arms. And unlike the rising dawn and setting sun, His light will never go away. He is everlasting!

      All the glory to God,

      Shanon

      Image of “Let There Be Light” stained glass picture by Clare Forster

      Image of “Let the light of Christ Shine” candle image by southernspiritonline.com

      Kuber-Ross, Elisabeth. “Reader’s Digest Quotes.” November 2018 edition. Print.

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      Posted in Reflections/Stillness | 4 Comments | Tagged Christian, ember, hope, Jesus, light of Jesus, light of the world, redemption

    • Broken Into

      Posted at 4:48 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on October 23, 2018

      a new day

      Hello, my friends! If you have been following my blog for the last two weeks, you know I have been battling migraines. In particular, the last ten days pretty much confined me to bed because of intense vertigo. I couldn’t drive, read or write much at all, and did the absolute bare essentials of my daily necessities.

      All I could do was lay in bed, pray/spend time with the Lord, and watch TV. And if you know me well, you know I don’t sit for long or watch much TV. I prefer to stay active and keep busy. This was hard for me, and not just because of the physical symptoms and limitations. Spiritually, God was about to reveal an area of pride in my life. Yeah, I know. Sneaky pride. Blah!

      new creation in christ

      God was at work in me, sanctifying me, I realized this after everything was stripped away: my family responsibilities, my bible reading/studies, my church small group facilitator responsibilities, and even most day-to-day routines like driving my daughter to school, were gone.

      You know the most devastating realization I had when all of those “jobs” were taken away: my self-worth and identity went right along with it!! I felt like a failure, and not worth much of anything. In honesty, my deepest level of pain was the realization that my identity was in me and not in Christ.

                      “Sin is the despairing refusal to find your deepest identity in your relationship and service to God, writes theologian Tim Keller. “Sin is seeking to become oneself, to get an identity, apart from Him. What does this mean? Everyone gets their identity, their sense of being distinct and valuable, from somewhere or something…Human beings were made not only to believe in God…but to love Him supremely, center their lives on Him above anything else, and build their very identities on Him. Anything other than this is sin” (Voskamp, The Broken Way, emphasis mine).

      God used this week and a half illness to strip me of everything, to get to the root of my sin, to break into my selfish desires, and to equip me with His love and the power of the Holy Spirit to become a new creation in Him.

                      “Love is the willingness to be interrupted. Love is the willingness to be broken into. There are never interruptions in a day–only manifestations of Christ. Your theology is best expressed in your availability and your interruptability–and ability to be broken into. This is the broken way. This is all love. And I hadn’t known–I will only love as well as I let myself be broken into” Ann Voskamp, The Broken Way.

      God knows everything about you and me. He has searched us and is familiar with all of our ways. (Psalm 139: 1-4 ) He knows of your worries about paying the bills. He knows the struggles you have with your drug-addicted child. He knew I would be sick for several weeks, and lying in bed for most of it. You know what, though?! God wastes nothing! He is at work, He is always with you, and He has a plan, “to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

      He used those moments when I was lying in bed, full of tears and in desperate need of Him, to break into me and reveal to me that my true identity is in Christ. Only Him, nothing in this world.

      No person, job, responsibility, or material thing. Somewhere along the way, I got out of balance, and my worth became mostly based on what I did, if I couldn’t earn my way, I wasn’t worth much to anyone. The father of lies and the enemy of my heart, ran rampant with this insecurity of mine, as I’m sure you can imagine. We all have sin, doubts, and insecurities. Praise God that He uses everything, including His intense love for us to change us daily, from the inside out.

      Remember this, my friends, no matter what you are going through right now, He knows.

      You are loved.

      You are His.

      He is always at work.

      He keeps His promises.

      God healed me, my friends. Prayers were answered! Through the evaluation of a different doctor, I was diagnosed with migraine-induced vertigo and an ear infection. I was given two different prescriptions for my ailments, and I am almost back to normal physically! I can drive!! Thank you, Jesus!!

      However, praise be to God that my heart and identity were changed forever because of Him.

      ALL the glory to God,

      Shanon

      Image of “2 Corinthians 5:17” by mybible.com.

      Image of “A New Day” by the Christian Broadcasting Network.

      Voskamp, Ann. “The Broken Way. A Daring Path into the Abundant Life.” Zondervan Publishing. Print. 2016.

       

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      Posted in God at Work | 3 Comments | Tagged broken into, Christian blogging, Healing, Jesus, pride, sin

    • Restful Migraines, Part Two

      Posted at 7:21 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on October 13, 2018

      peace is not the absence of storms...

      Good morning!

      This post will be short and sweet today because I am still having migraine problems. It appeared to me that my migraine that started on Friday (10/5) was over on Monday (10/8). It was a very long weekend and I stayed in bed the whole time. I don’t know what was worse staying in bed or the head pain, I was about to climb the walls, I was so restless!

      Monday was better, but Tuesday was perfect. I felt like my old self, and I was knocking off many items on my to-do list.

      Wednesday dawned and first thing after I dropped my daughter off at school, I went to a bible study at a friend’s house. Everything was going well, until towards the end. I could feel the headache coming back. My friends prayed for me and I packed up and left.

      About an hour later, I had to pick up my daughter from school. While I was waiting, I was feeling worse and worse. I called my Aunt, who is an RN, and she suggested I make an appointment with my doctor because this came on suddenly for me and I have no history of migraines.

      I was able to get an appointment for Monday and cleared my schedule for the rest of the day to rest. Nothing worked to ease the pain, so I asked my husband to take me to urgent care the following morning.

      Thursday morning, after the doctor’s assessment, I was given a “migraine cocktail” which consisted of three shots. One for nausea, one for pain, and one for sleep. It did help, my migraine went away, but I am still suffering with other side effects.

      I am still keeping my appointment for Monday because I still don’t feel well. I still don’t know why I am going through these migraines. Please pray for me.

      My reading, writing, and driving are still affected because of the migraines. If I made mistakes in my writing, please blame it on the migraine, LOL!

      I was encouraged today by the October 14 devotional in Jesus Calling by Sarah Young:

      Be prepared to suffer for Me, in my Name. All suffering has meaning in My kingdom. Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust in Me. Bearing your circumstances bravely–even thanking Me for them–is one of the highest forms of praise.

      When suffering strikes, remember that I am sovereign and that I can bring good out of everything. Do not try to run from your pain or hide from problems. Instead, accept adversity in My Name, offering it up to Me, for My purposes. Joy emerges from the ashes of adversity through your trust and thankfulness.

      I trust You, Jesus. Thank you that You are always with me. Give wisdom, guidance, and discernment to my doctors on Monday morning. Thank you for loving me!

      All the glory to God!

      Shanon

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      Posted in Healing | 2 Comments | Tagged Christian blogger, Jesus, migraines, Resting in jesus

    • Restful Migraine

      Posted at 4:50 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on October 8, 2018

      resting in christ

      Hi, friends, how are you today? The last several days had me laid up, mostly resting, because I had the worst migraine I have ever experienced! I couldn’t read, I couldn’t write, or do much of anything, but rest.

      God certainly got my attention, my heart was telling me to take it easy, but my flesh was saying: just. one. more. thing! Here is what I learned:

      *If the Holy Spirit is telling me to rest, I need to slow down! I don’t know all that is going on in me physically, mentally, spiritually, etc.!! However, the Holy Spirit does. If I would have heeded the warning, maybe my migraine would not have happened or have been so severe.

      *I also learned that a life out of balance, no matter what it is, is still out of balance. It could be related to work, my children’s activities, family obligations, church activities, or some of all the above, but if I am spread too thin, all areas suffer. Especially my relationship with Jesus, because He has to come first.

      He is the root of my being, and my life grows and prospers out of the foundation of Him in my life.

      My prayer life, every morning, anchors me and is the foundation of my day. I realized that last week, that changed, and, wow(!) what a difference to my whole week! My mornings beginning with prayer, are a “must” for me. 🙂

      In light of my restful weekend and time spent with Jesus in prayer, I want to share, once again, my blog: “Don’t fret, rest!”. It spoke life into me again when I re-read it.

      All the glory to God,

      Shanon

      Image of “Come to me….” by Bible Study Tools. “33 top bible verses about rest.”

      Don’t Fret, Rest!

      Posted at 7:06 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on July 3, 2018

      4th of july

      Hello everyone, happy summer!! Here in the Pacific Northwest, they say summer doesn’t technically start until after the 4th of July because our temperatures are still on the cooler side and we have cloudy days. However, that all changes tomorrow…

      Today, I was reading my devotional, “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chamber’s and it was so good that I read ahead. Again. Do you ever do that?! Sometimes I can’t help myself, but I also believe the Spirit prompts us forward to speak to us for a particular reason or situation. Soooo…

      Happy early 4th of July!! Yay!! Barbecues, family, friends, ice cream, and maybe a few sparklers thrown in just for the fun of it. Be safe and celebrate the independence of this amazing country we are fortunate and blessed to call home.

      ***

                      I’m going to change gears here and focus on Chamber’s devotional titled, “One of God’s Great Don’ts.”

      “Do not fret–it only causes harm.” Psalm 37:8

      Do you fret? I wasn’t sure just how much I did it because, honestly, I couldn’t remember exactly what it meant. According to the online dictionary, it means, “be constantly or visibly worried or anxious.” Yup, we were once very close cousins. Anxiety used to be a very big part of my life. In fact, I would say it affects many family members as well. Remember, cousins? 🙂 I believe many traits can be generational, whether it is a tendency toward anger, anxiety, depression, jealousy, etc. Those traits are all sin and the opposite of what Jesus wants us to have which is the fruit of the spirit.

                      “Worry always results in sin. We tend to think that a little anxiety and worry are simply an indication of just how wise we really are, yet it is actually a much better indication of just how wicked we are. Fretting rises from our determination to have our own way. Our Lord never worried and was never anxious, because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God’s plans. Fretting is wickedness for a child of God” (Chambers, July 4th, emphasis mine).

      The sentence that really convicted me today is the one I emphasized. Have my own way… If I am praying to God and seeking His help, worry should never enter the equation, right? He has searched me and knows me (Psalm 139:1) and He knows all the days ordained for me (Psalm 139:16).

      God knows everything and He is always with me. I wasn’t alone when my dad was recovering from triple bypass open heart surgery, He was right there. When my doctor told me the extra testing she did, because of my family history of cancer, saved my life, God was right there. He moved mountains, to make sure I was right where I needed to be, to be healed. Three months before my doctor made her discovery, my husband was just about guaranteed a promotion–after a year of extra work towards it- and a transfer that would have taken us from the West Coast, where my doctor was, to the East Coast, where no one knew my family history.  Thank God He didn’t give us our heart’s desire at that time!

      Remember, God and God alone is the only one that truly knows all that you are going through and has the best plans for you and how to get you through it.

      for i know the plans...

      When God moved mountains to keep me on the West Coast, it was literally life-changing and eye-opening for me. I realized He has all of my days. I want God’s plans, not my plans. If a trip is canceled, He knows what’s best. A job that fell through, He knows what’s best. A missed promotion, well you already know that one. I’m sure you recognize the pattern here. Trust me, I know it isn’t easy. I just take it one day at a time, leave it all at the altar, and know He keeps His promises.

      We will end our conversation with the final thoughts from Oswald’s July 4th devotional. “Set all your opinions and speculations aside and “abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about whatever concerns you. All our fretting and worrying is caused by planning without God” (Chambers).

      ***

      rest in the arms of the lord

      Are you resting under the shadow of the Almighty? I pray that you are! His arms are stretched out wide to give you love, comfort, and rest for your weary souls. He is waiting, rest in the arms of your Lord.

      May God bless you,

      Shanon

      ***

      Chambers. Oswald. “My Utmost For His Highest.” July 4th, One of God’s Great Don’t’s. Discovery House Publishing.  Updated edition, 1992.

      Fire Bible: Global Study Edition. New International Version, Life publishers

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      Posted in Conviction, Healing | 0 Comments | Tagged anxiety, Christian blogger, Jesus, Rest in the Lord, restful migraines
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    • Shanon Crenshaw

      Shanon Crenshaw

      God is first and foremost in my life. I LOVE: my husband Steve, daughters Suzanne and Savannah, my AMAZING family and friends, the majestic beauty of the Pacific Northwest, traveling and camping, a GREAT cup of coffee with my morning devotionals, and my Sumner Family Church family. :)

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