bible | Heaven Sent Sentiments

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- Least of These
  
  Posted at 11:23 AM by Shanon Crenshaw, on December 7, 2019
  That scripture came to my mind this week when I was reading an encouraging story about Mother Teresa. “In Mother Teresa, the Wino, and Me” Robert F. Baldwin recounts his story of meeting Mother Teresa and hearing her speak in an auditorium several years ago:
  
  “During her talk, she told us how she and the members of her order, the Missionaries of Charity, seek to recognize Christ in the poorest of the poor.
  
  She told a story of how one of the sisters had spent an entire day bathing the wounds of a dying beggar who was brought to them from the streets of Calcutta. Mother Teresa’s voice dropped to a whisper as she told the hushed auditorium that, in reality, the nun had been bathing the wounds of Jesus” (Baldwin, Robert F.).
  
  In the bible, in Matthew 25: 34-40, Jesus speaks more in-depth to how we are to treat those we come in contact with:
  
  “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
  
  Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
  
  “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'”
  
  The story that Robert Baldwin wrote brought tears to my eyes and deep emotion to my heart. I do try very hard to do what I can for others; whether it is kind words, a warm hug, sympathetic ear, monetary help, food, etc.
  
  But the big a-ha moment I had was the visualization of the nun and how I imagined her lovingly, with a tender touch, cleansing the wounds of this dying beggar as though she was actually bathing the flesh of our Savior!
  
  In all honesty, I have never “seen” helping others through that lens–perspective or viewpoint– before.
  
  It makes perfect sense though, doesn’t it?! Because God is omniscient (knows everything), omnipresent (present everywhere), and omnipotent (has unlimited power). God sees everything, is a part of everything, with unlimited power.
  
  My mind and spirit, through this incredible revelation, reflected back to some of the ways I had helped in the past and I saw it differently–through the Words of Jesus in Matthew 25:40.
  
  When I gave warm clothes to the shelter, He was the recipient of a slightly used coat with a brown scarf.
  
  When I had the chance to serve and feed the hungry in the park? Yeah, He was there, in line, between the young family and an older lady.
  
  I pray that I never forget the story of Mother Teresa and the nun. I want to approach each day in a way that whomever the Lord brings my way, I’ll do my best to help them as though it was My Lord.
  
  To do this I am:
  
  *Committing to pray daily for the Lord to comfort those in need and to give me the eyes to see how I can serve those all around me and whomever He directs me to.
  
  *Next, I am committing to ACT and BE OBEDIENT to what the Lord calls me to do. Set my feet in motion and love, share, serve, spread the Gospel of Jesus, etc. to the lost and hurting world.
  
  Help me to become more like You every day, Lord. May I be Your hands and feet on this earth, spreading the Gospel and the love of Jesus to everyone! Amen!
  
  All the Glory to God,
  
  Shanon
  
  Works Cited:
  
  Baldwin, Robert F. “Mother Teresa, the Wino, and Me.” Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stories of Faith. Published by Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC. Print. 2008.
  
  Matthew 25:40 “Every life is worth the same to God, PRICELESS!” crosscards. Web. 6 December 2019. https://www.crosscards.com/cards/facebook-ecards/12072015-matthew-25-40-social.html
  
  The Beauty of truth: faith, Hope, & Love. “Christ has no body but yours…” perfectthewayyouarerightnow.com. Pinterest. 7 December 2019. Web. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/161848180332707038/
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  Posted in A-Ha Moments | 0 Comments | Tagged bible, Christian, God, Jesus, Least of these, Matthew 25:40
- Worshipping While Grieving
  
  Posted at 11:29 AM by Shanon Crenshaw, on September 27, 2019
  Love. Death. Faith. Those three words have been the basis of many poems, songs, and hymns throughout the years. One young Irish immigrant by the name of Joseph M. Scriven had a profound and life-altering time with each one of those subjects. In fact, it was the combination of all three of those circumstances that ultimately created the poem that was turned into one of the most beloved hymns of all time.
  
  Joseph M. Scriven was born in 1819 in County Down, Northern Ireland, to Captain John Scriven and Jane Medlicott, whose wealth afforded him the luxury of a college education. He began Trinity College in Dublin at the age of sixteen and several years later earned a Bachelor’s degree.
  
  During his early twenties, many changes were on the horizon for Joseph. Among them, he had new prospects for a career with his degree–teaching and tutoring. Also, he had discovered and developed a relationship with God through the beliefs and teachings of Plymouth Brethren, a church and congregation that focused, “on the individual’s direct relationship with God and the emphasis this placed on personal responsibility. They met in simple meeting rooms for the Lord’s Supper and to join in prayer and preach the Gospel” (Plymouth Brethren Christian Church). Finally, he was in love and engaged to be married.
  
  Then severe tragedy struck.
  
  “At age twenty-five, Joseph Scriven decided to leave his native country so he could migrate to Canada. He left due to a twofold reasoning; the religious influence of the Plymouth Brethren and the accidental drowning of his fiancée the night before the scheduled wedding.” (Glenewinkel, Darren).
  
  During the mid-1840’s Joseph Scriven settled in the Woodstock/Clinton area in Canada and began working as a teacher and private tutor to earn a living. Also, he once again began meeting the Plymouth Brethren group that was near where he lived in town.
  
  Over the course of several years, he was asked to privately tutor Theodore Robert Pengelley, the ten year old son of Robert Lamport Pengelley and Lydia Eliza Emily Roche. While working for this family, he lived with them for the next five years.
  
  It was during this time that he had the pleasure to meet and get to know Mrs. Pengelley’s niece, Eliza Catherine Roche. Over time, their affection for each other grew and they became engaged in 1859.
  
  Before their coming nuptials, Miss Roche wanted to be baptized with full water immersion. Port Hope History provides more details surrounding that time:
  
  “It was conducted in Rice Lake in April 1860, with the ice barely gone. Eliza, who was already seriously ill with consumption, was thoroughly chilled by the experience, developed pneumonia, weakened over a four-month period and died on the 6th of August 1860. She was buried in the little cemetery beside the Pengelley chapel.”
  
  Her death changes Joseph Scriven’s life forever. He has now suffered the loss of two fiancée’s and at the age of thirty-nine, dedicates the rest of his life to not only being a bachelor but to servanthood in the name of Jesus Christ.
  
  He takes up residence with a widow in the town of Port Hope, Canada, providing for her the rest of her life. Also, he lives barely above the poverty level, giving everything he has to all those in need. And, every chance he can, he preaches the Gospel not only in a little church but in the streets of town.
  
  And finally, he writes poems and hymns. He began one such poem with these words: “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief to bear!”
  
  Once he finished this poem he titled, ‘Pray Without Ceasing,‘ he made two copies. He gave one copy to the widow, Margaret, he lived with. He sent the second copy to his mother in Dublin, Ireland, because she was in ill health and he thought those words would comfort her.
  
  And indeed they did!! It is believed that probably through his mother the poem was made public because Mr. Scriven worked so hard to be humble and not bring any attention upon himself. All that was needed now was a musical accompaniment.
  
  Composer Charles Crozat Converse,” wrote the music inspired by the poem,’ Pray Without Ceasing’ for what became the hymn ‘What a Friend we have in Jesus.’
  
  During the remainder of his years, he suffered from ill health and poverty, and yet he still always put the needs of others before his own. At the age of 66, he passed from this earthly life into the waiting arms of his Friend and Savior, Jesus!! Amen!
  
  What a friend we have in Jesus,
  all our sins and griefs to bear!
  What a privilege to carry
  everything to God in prayer!
  O what peace we often forfeit,
  O what needless pain we bear,
  all because we do not carry
  everything to God in prayer! (Hymnary.org)
  
  All the glory to God,
  
  Shanon
  
  Author’s note: If you would like to know more about this amazing man, I highly encourage you to check out http://porthopehistory.com/jmscriven/ where a lot of the information was provided for me in regard to writing this blog. I could not include all of it, and there are even a few pictures, too!! I promise you won’t be disappointed! 🙂
  
  Bibliography:
  
  Glenewinkel, Darren. “What a Friend.” Preparing for Eternity.org. Web. 26 September 2019. http://preparingforeternity.org/hymn_stories/what_a_friend.shtml
  
  Image of “Pray without Ceasing” by my bible. https://mybible.com/covers/715om
  
  “Joseph Scriven.” http://www.cyberhymnal.org.
  
  Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. Factual history and origins of the church fellowship and community. Web. 26 September 2019. http://www.plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org/about/
  
  Port Hope History. org. “Joseph Scriven, 1819-1886.” Web. 26 September 2019. http://porthopehistory.com/jmscriven/
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  Posted in Testimonies of Hope | 0 Comments | Tagged bible, Christian blogger, Christian Testimony, Joseph Scriven, Pray without Ceasing, What a friend we have in Jesus, Worship God after loss
- Testimonies of Hope: Icoze Mafella
  
  Posted at 8:00 AM by Shanon Crenshaw, on September 20, 2019
  There are several ways the Holy Spirit communicates with us. One way is a deep inner knowing–you know without a shadow of a doubt that what is being shared with you is from the Holy Spirit. There is a strength and a conviction (strong persuasion or belief ) to the knowledge you are given.
  
  From my experience, along with what I just mentioned, the “message” seems to grow as time goes on. It may start off small, and then grow bigger until I can’t ignore it anymore. I know….sometimes God has to practically hit me over the head with something to get my attention! 🙂 I’m getting much better, though!
  
  Captain Icoze Mafella, a strong Christian, was gearing up on Friday, September 28, to pilot a plane for Batik Air Flight in the same manner he had many times before.
  
  But today was different.
  
  All day he had felt unsettled about something, he didn’t know why. Here are more details of that day:
  
  “After landing in Palu, Indonesia, he felt “a voice in his heart” telling him to make this a quick stop. Mafella told his crew to break for just 20 minutes before taking off again. He also requested permission from the control tower to depart three minutes ahead of schedule.
  
  Just as the plane took off, an earthquake struck the island. Mafella says he saw the asphalt “moving up and down like a curtain blowing in the wind”” (Charisma, magazine).
  
  Captain Mafella’s heeding and obeying of the promptings of the Holy Spirit saved the lives of over 140 people on his flight that day. What began in him as an unsettled feeling grew into the Spirit prompting him to make it a quick stop.
  
  He elaborated more with Assist News: “It is important that we hear the voice of God. And whatever happens we must be calm, not in a panic, so that we can clearly hear the voice of God coming to us by the Holy Spirit” (Charisma, magazine).
  
  Praise God!! I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit works on my behalf. Amen!!
  
  All the Glory to God,
  
  Shanon
  
  Charisma magazine. “Pilot Saves Hundreds by Obeying the Spirit.” January 2019. Print.
  
  Image of “Henry Blackaby’s quote “God speaks through a variety…” by Quotefancy. https://quotefancy.com/quote/1713746/Henry-Blackaby-God-speaks-through-a-variety-of-means-In-the-present-God-primarily-speaks.
  
  Image of Isaiah 11:2 by Pinterest. Saved by Helpthosewho. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/428264245804481400/
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  Posted in Testimonies of Hope | 2 Comments | Tagged bible, Christian blogging, christian testimonies, Holy Spirit, Icoze Mafella, Jesus
- Community of Shared Hope–Quotes
  
  Posted at 8:00 AM by Shanon Crenshaw, on September 11, 2019
  Mt. Rainier from my neighborhood
  
  Hello everyone!! Happy Wednesday, one of my favorite days of the week! My daughter and I get to wake up just a little bit later in the morning because it’s a late start for school and that makes the morning even better. Yay!! Did I ever mention that in the Crenshaw household, we love our sleep and are more night owls than early birds… 🙂
  
  Anyway. Today when I was preparing to write, I came across some quotes on “hope” and I could not stop reading them–and before I knew it I had spent the better part of a half-hour reading them. I guess hope is contagious after all. I wanted to share a few that I discovered with you! Enjoy!!
  
  “Hope itself is like a star–not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.”
  
  –Charles Hadden Spurgeon
  
  “The difference between hope and despair is a different way of telling stories from the same facts.”
  
  –Alain de Botton
  
  “Hope is a renewable option. If you run out of it at the end of the day, you get to start over in the morning.”
  
  –Barbara Kingsolver
  
  “However long the night, the dawn will break.” –African Proverb
  
  “This day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays.”
  
  –Ralph Waldo Emerson
  
  Of those, I believe my favorite quote is the one by Charles Haddon Spurgeon. It is so true that when life is going well and on track we don’t think too much about needing hope. Throw a crisis into the mix and despair/hope are teetering together on a balance, weighing heavily on the shoulders of the one facing adversity. But, like Spurgeon says, this is when the star of hope has the brightest chance to shine!!
  
  Another favorite, sorry, had to share:
  
  And, like Alain de Botton says, the difference lies in how you are telling (or viewing) the same facts of the story: are using the lens of hope or the lens of despair? The choice, as hard as I know it can be, is ours to make.
  
  ***
  
  What about you? What is your favorite quote on hope? I’d love for you to share it with me!! God bless you!
  
  All the Glory to God,
  
  Shanon
  
  All of these quotes were from 290 hope quotes that will empower you- Wisdom quotes.
  
  http://wisdomquotes.com/hope-quotes/ Web. 10 September 2019.
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  Posted in Community of Shared Hope | 3 Comments | Tagged bible, Christian blogger, Community of Believers, Faith, Hope in God, Hope in Jesus
- Praise Despite Despair
  
  Posted at 1:06 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on September 9, 2019
  Despair–have you ever experienced it? I have. It is the complete loss or absence of hope.
  
  There are many times I can remember letting it become a “foothold” in a situation until sadness, depression, or discouragement slowly enveloped my whole being and hung around like a black cloud just above my head. Because it followed every I went, it affected everyone around me: family, friends, and co-workers.
  
  I remember one situation in particular. One of the last classes I took, before I received my Bachelor’s Degree, was an Advanced Creative Writing class. I was to write a twenty to twenty-five-page fiction, non-fiction, or poetry piece.
  
  I chose to write a non-fiction memoir. Our only “real” grade–1,000 points for the term– would come at the end when we turned in our finished piece. However, we would twice receive full credit–of fifty points each–if we simply turned in the right page count at different milestone sections.
  
  Our first milestone section would be the first ten pages. I worked hard on it and received full credit for all ten pages, but my teacher was not impressed. Based on her comments/questions, it didn’t seem as though she even read my paper. Now, I know writing is subjective, but if I can’t get her to understand my point of view, how am I going to pass this class?! My whole grade is basically her opinion of my writing.
  
  This hit me really hard and had me questioning everything. You see, I never wanted to be a writer. God planted that seed (writing) in me a few years ago and it led me to getting my degree and, eventually, to where I am now.
  
  For several days, after I read her comments, I thought I must have heard God wrong. I can’t write and who would want to read it, anyway?? Must have been a mistake. I was so discouraged. At this point, I was wondering if I should just quit because if I couldn’t pass this class, how would I get my degree and move forward with the plan God had for my life?
  
  Over the next several nights, I decided to keep working on it and see where it went. Through lots of tears, prayer, faith, and perseverance I kept taking small steps forward. This is where I leaned on and trusted God a lot. Faith in action.
  
  Slowly, the dark cloud began to lift. The more I put my faith in God, the one that planted the seed of writing in my heart, the easier my next steps became and I could sense the Holy Spirit guiding me and my writing. He never left my side and His presence was as strong as ever!
  
  Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
  
  A huge breakthrough happened as a result of this testing–I received a 100% in the class–but more importantly, my relationship with my Savior changed. When I am on the cusp of despair, I lean into Him and lay it all at His feet so much sooner than I used to. Daily.
  
  ***
  
  I can relate to the despair felt in this story about Martin Luther. He was the German theologian and religious reformer who was a catalyst of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation (Brtainica.com). It just goes to show you that all people can experience extreme despair. Check it out:
  
  “There is a story about Martin Luther going through a period of depression and discouragement. For days his long face graced the family table and dampened the family’s home life. One day his wife came to the breakfast table all dressed in black, as if she were going to a funeral service. When Martin asked her who had died, she replied, “Martin, the way you’ve been behaving lately, I thought God had died, so I came prepared to attend His funeral.”
  
  Her gentle but effective rebuke drove straight to Luther’s heart, and as a result of that lesson the great Reformer resolved never again to allow worldly care, resentment, depression, discouragement, or frustration to defeat him. By God’s grace, he vowed, he would submit his life to the Savior and reflect His grace in a spirit of rejoicing, whatever came” (Graham, Dr. Billy. Pages 316-317).
  
  I read this story today in my daily devotional and it reminded me that God is everywhere at the same time (omnipresent), all-powerful (omnipotent), and all-knowing (omniscient). Why should I despair?! Know one is looking out for me the way He is, so I am going to rely on Him daily for all I need one day at a time. In the same way, my brother, Martin Luther, did. What about you? 🙂
  
  All the glory to God,
  
  Shanon
  
  Britanica.com. “Martin Luther: Biography, Reformation, Works, and Facts.” July 28, 2019. Web. September 9, 2019.
  
  Graham, Dr. Billy. “Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional.” September 9th. Pages 316-317. WORD Publishing. Print.
  
  Image of “The Dark Cloud- The Black Wallflower in Wonderland” https://thewallflowerinwonderland.com/2017/04/14/the-dark-cloud/
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  Posted in God at Work | 3 Comments | Tagged bible, Christian blogger, Faith, Jesus, perseverance, Praise despite despair
- Testimonies of Hope: Morning Glory!
  
  Posted at 8:00 AM by Shanon Crenshaw, on September 6, 2019
  Good morning everyone! Happy Friday!! I’m heading out camping this weekend with my family one last time before the rain and colder temperatures set in during the fall and winter months. We are going to the same campground as pictured above. I love getting outdoors and resting in the peace and serenity of God’s Creation–so restorative and beautiful.
  
  ***
  
  Have you ever considered the thought that all the work God is doing through you and in you is not just for today, but for eternity?
  
  In all honesty, these two testimonial quotes really broadened my thoughts, perspective, and hope in light of all God is allowing me to go through here in relation to my spending eternity there with Him in Heaven. Take a look:
  
  Dr. Billy Graham writes, “I have a friend who lost his job, a fortune, his wife, and his home. But he tenaciously held to his faith–the only thing he had left. One day he stopped to watch some men doing stonework on a huge church. One of them was chiseling a triangular piece of stone.
  
  “What are you going to do with that?” asked my friend. The workman said, “See that little opening way up there near the spire? Well, I’m shaping this down here so it will fit up there.”
  
  Tears filled my friend’s eyes as he walked away, for it seemed that God had spoken through the workman to explain the whole ordeal through which he was passing, “I’m shaping you down here so you’ll fit in up there.”
  
  After you have “suffered a while, make you perfect…settle you,” echo the words of the Bible (Graham, Dr. Billy 154-155).
  
  While I was reading that testimony, it opened up my heart and mind to ALL God is doing not only in my life but to those around me as well. I’ve got to admit oftentimes I think only of what God is doing through me today, and how, through Him, I can make a difference in this world. I never gave much thought to the fact that He is shaping me down here to fit in in Heaven!! Amazing!
  
  Consider, also, this quote that Victor Hugo said of death:
  
  “When I go down to the grave I can say, like so many others: I have finished my work, but I cannot say I have finished my life. My day’s work will begin the next morning. My tomb is not a blind alley. It is a thoroughfare. It closes in the twilight to be open in the dawn” (Graham, Dr. Billy 104).
  
  I find so much hope in these testimonies. They assure me that, because I have salvation through Jesus Christ, all that I am going through has a purpose, even though I may not know it here on earth.
  
  Joy is coming and nothing is wasted!! Can you imagine it?! What will YOUR first morning be like with Jesus?
  
  Running and skipping around pain-free? Hugging loved ones you haven’t met yet or seen in a very long time? Finally, shaking loose from the bondage of addiction? Eating foods/meals that disease has prevented you from having? Yes, I imagine good food/meals in Heaven, after all, Jesus ate a piece of fish with some of His disciples after His resurrection (Luke 24: 40-43), right?? 🙂
  
  Oh, the Glory to be revealed that day!! Until then, keep using me, Father, for Your Glory!!
  
  All the Glory to God,
  
  Shanon
  
  Graham, Dr. Billy. “Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional.” March 27, pg.104. May 3, pgs. 154-155. WORD Publishing. Print.
  
  Image of Romans 8:18 Pinterest. Hope for tomorrow’s counseling. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/50806302026658068/?nic=1
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  Posted in Testimonies of Hope | 2 Comments | Tagged bible, Christian, Christian Testimony, heaven, Hope in Jesus, John 3:16
- Testimony of Hope: ‘The Solid Rock’
  
  Posted at 8:00 AM by Shanon Crenshaw, on August 30, 2019
  Edward Mote was raised in the early 1800’s in London, by his pub-owning parents. Often neglected and left to his own devices, his Sundays were spent playing on the streets of this bustling city. “So ignorant was I that I did not know there was a God” (Terry, Lindsey).
  
  The years went by and young Edward became a carpenter’s apprentice, honing and practicing the skills necessary to eventually open his own cabinetmaking shop in Southwark, a suburb of London.
  
  During these same years, he began attending Tottenham Court Road Chapel where he heard a sermon by Minister John Hyatt. “He soon learned by Hyatt’s sermons that Jesus Christ could take away all the fears of life and give him the peace of heart and mind that he had long desired” (Terry, Lindsey). He was baptized at the age of eighteen, and became a devoted churchman, seeking God and desiring that one day he may be a pastor of his own church.
  
  ***
  
  We are leading up to my favorite part of his testimony: how God can take any moment–even that of a mundane walk to work– and transform it into a life-changing, all for God’s glory moment!!!
  
  Let’s continue…
  
  While walking to work one day, Edward began to think about writing a hymn. Even before he had reached his cabinet shop, he had the chorus (and I’m almost positive you’ve heard it before):
  
  “On Christ the solid rock I stand;
  
  All other ground is sinking sand.”
  
  By the end of his work day, he had four stanzas completed.
  
  “My hope is built on nothing less
  
  Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
  
  I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
  
  But wholly lean on Jesus name.”
  
  The hymn that we recognize now as, “The Solid Rock,” was Mote’s lyrics set to music composed by William B. Bradley in 1837.
  
  Mote continued his carpentry work for quite a few years and was quite successful at it, so much so, that his material success at this job, was used in a such way by God, to allow one of his earlier dreams to come true.
  
  “Yet the real dream of this devoted disciple was to become a pastor of a church. Because of his financial means, he took on the project of providing primary funding…of a nice church building in the village of Horsham, Sussex, England for the Baptists there” (Maxey, Al).
  
  Upon the completion of this church, the congregation wanted the deed of the building to go to Edward Mote. He would have nothing to do with that. His desire was to the pulpit and preach. “I do not want the chapel; I only want the pulpit, and when I cease to preach Christ, then turn me out of that” (Maxey, Al).
  
  For over twenty-one years, Pastor Mote preached at the Baptist church in Sussex, England, never missing one Sunday, and never was he “turned out of the pulpit.” He faithfully preached the Good News of Jesus Christ every chance he could.
  
  Due to ill health, he retired from the pastorate at the age of 77 and passed away a year later. He is buried in the churchyard of this beloved church where God gave him the desire of his heart– to preach.
  
  ***
  
  Are you hoping and believing that God can turn an “ordinary moment” in your day into a life-changing, all for God’s glory moment?! I am!!
  
  Because God can use an ordinary person, like me (and you), for His Glory!! The Bible is full of examples and that’s why I love testimonies’ like this!!! Amen?!
  
  To do that, just like Pastor Mote did, surrender your life and heart to Jesus Christ, seek Him daily through prayer and His Word, and live each day Trusting His Guidance and Provision and Promises.
  
  Who knows, maybe one day your testimony will change in this way:
  
  “While driving in my car on the way to work, suddenly, I had the desire from God to….”
  
  All the glory to God,
  
  Shanon
  
  Image of: “Build on the Rock- Life, Hope, and Truth.com
  
  Image of: “Dear Lord…” by Pinterest and prayables.
  
  Maxey, Al. “Precious Hope of Pastor Mote” Reflections. Issue #584. 9 August 2013. Web. 29 August 2019.
  
  Terry, Lindsey. “Story Behind the Song: ‘The Solid Rock.'” The St. Augustine Record. 10 September 2015. Web. 29 August 2019.
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  Posted in Testimonies of Hope | 4 Comments | Tagged bible, Christian blogging, Hope in Jesus, hymn "The Solid rock", Jesus Saves, Life changing testimonies
- Community of Shared Hope
  
  Posted at 9:00 AM by Shanon Crenshaw, on August 28, 2019
  my mom, Sue
  
  Good morning!! It’s going to be a great day! 🙂
  
  Yesterday, while my coffee was brewing, I was opening up the mail and came across a pretty big envelope from the American Lung Association. It was filled with Christmas cards, notepads, and gift tags that immediately filled my heart with hope.
  
  Hope because of Jesus, and His significance for the season, but also the hope that one day a cure will be discovered for all people afflicted with lung disease and lung cancers.
  
  You see, it wasn’t a big surprise that I received mail from the American Lung Association. I have donated several times in memory of my mom, Sue, who died way too young from lung cancer. My hope and prayer is that one day no one will struggle to breathe or hear the dreaded news that their cancer is terminal.
  
  While looking through and reading the cards, one quote and the beautiful image on it really spoke to my heart:
  
  So today, I continue to hope. Hope for a cure for these dreaded diseases, and know that I can place all my trust and hope in God:
  
  What are you hoping for today? Where is God showing you He is at work and has a plan for you? I’d love to hear from you! 🙂
  
  All the Glory to God,
  
  Shanon
  
  Images of “Hope….It is often in the darkest night…” by American Lung Association. Quote be Richard Evans.
  
  Image of “Romans 15:13 by bibleversestogo.com
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  Posted in Community of Shared Hope | 4 Comments | Tagged bible, Christian blogger, hope, Hope in Jesus, Jesus Saves, Power of Christ
- Wait! Don’t Publish That!
  
  Posted at 6:21 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on August 26, 2019
  Hi everyone!! What a crazy day it has been! I’ve been writing today in between various back-to-school appointments with my middle school daughter. You know the fun ones like getting her schedule, paying all kinds of fees, etc. Most importantly though, I get a chance to spend time with her and there aren’t too many school years left where I get to do that. I cherish this time.
  
  The reason it has been crazy is that I spent a huge chunk of time writing about our trip to Scotland and the churches there only to not have a clear confirmation from God that He wants me to share it now. Does that make sense?!
  
  Every time I go to write the conclusion, edit it, and polish it up with pictures, I have no peace about publishing it.
  
  I have been mulling over it for the last 45 minutes trying to figure out if it’s from God or what. Seriously?! The more I thought about it, the more uncomfortable I felt. God finally put me out of my misery, and the Holy Spirit led me to read something I had written in my bible back in January 2017 from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young:
  
  “When you seek my face and my will–searching for guidance–I may show you the next step on your journey without revealing the appointed time for you to take that step. I want you to trust me enough to cling to me and follow wherever I lead, whenever I choose. Your times are in My hands.”
  
  Wow! God really spoke to my heart. The timing was all wrong in what I was writing–that’s why I didn’t have peace. No matter how many times I tried to fit that square peg into the round hole, it was not going to work!! I am so thankful that God is so persistent with me and doesn’t give up!!!
  
  Who knows, maybe some day I’ll share with you what I wrote–on God’s timeline of course. 🙂
  
  However, here are a few of the pictures from our trip to Scotland!!
  
  All the glory to God,
  
  Shanon
  
  Young, Sarah. Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence. Thomas Nelson Publishing. 2004. Print.
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  Posted in A-Ha Moments, Conviction | 3 Comments | Tagged bible, Christian blogger, God's timing, God's will, Holy Spirit, Jesus
- Spiritual Vitamins
  
  Posted at 4:51 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on April 15, 2019
  Good morning my friends! What a beautiful day! This morning I was reflecting back on the last several years of my life, and I realized the ONE fundamental change that God made in my life.
  
  Almost five years ago, on June 23, 2014, God gave me the desire to read the Word of God every single day.
  
  I was on summer break from my college classes, and God laid it on my heart to read every page of the bible from beginning to end and date each time accordingly in His book. God stirred something powerful in me from that moment on, I couldn’t get enough of His Word!
  
  I have done this several times since then, and I love to reflect back on the different dates in each book (from several translations), notes /prayers I wrote on those days, and I am SO thankful to God for giving me this desire.
  
  Let me say this was purely a gift from God and obedience on my part. Praise be to God for the work HE is doing in me. I am eternally grateful!
  
  This is the revelation I had today:
  
  Reading the bible every day and applying its principles and Truths is similar to the fountain of youth, in my opinion. Let me explain when looking at pictures of myself now and from years ago, I look remarkably different!
  
  There is a sparkle and lightness to my eyes, and a “softness” to my features. My smile is deeper and more inviting. My heart is lighter, yet more full of love and compassion. I sleep better, no longer carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. I have a spring in my step, knowing the God I read about daily is walking beside me and holding me by my right hand. He is my Creator and I trust Him with every day of my life.
  
  ***
  
  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve read the bible throughout my life in a sporadic pattern until that beautiful June day when God told me He wanted more of me. He changed me that day, in every way.
  
  I believe there is definitely a strong correlation between a well-worn and read bible and a more youthful, less stressed person! I know, because I see it in myself!
  
  Reading the bible every day has become a necessary part of my morning routine, and it keeps me healthy, much like brushing my teeth does. 🙂
  
  I encourage you to start reading your bible every day. God wants more of You!! He wants all of you!! It’s your spiritual vitamins! When used and applied daily, it will reduce anxiety, calm your mind, and change your life from the inside out like only God can!! Amen!!
  
  All the Glory to God,
  
  Shanon
  
  Image of the well-worn bible by His Truth, my voice
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  Posted in God at Work | 4 Comments | Tagged bible, Christian, Jesus, life changing, Sanctification, spiritual vitamins
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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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