heaven | Heaven Sent Sentiments

Tag: heaven
- 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 testomnial 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 differnce 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 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
- I’m poor, are you?
  
  Posted at 7:44 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on July 20, 2018
  Happy Friday!! It’s going to be an amazing weekend! My husband and I are getting away, just the two of us, to celebrate our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. 🙂 Actually, our anniversary date is July 24th, but he will be in San Francisco for business all next week, so this weekend is ours! Praise God!
  
  I did it again. I couldn’t help myself, I read ahead in my devotional today and stopped on July 21st, which really spoke to me.
  
                  “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” (Matthew 5:3).
  
      I don’t know about you, but I have read the Beatitudes several times and have been inspired and encouraged by the blessings listed by Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus’ message, to a large group of potential followers, is what it really means to follow Him and be a part of God’s kingdom. Of course, living up to these standards is possible only through faith in Jesus, the son of God, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
  
  This is where Chamber’s devotional titled, “The Doorway to the Kingdom” really kicked Matthew 5:3 into a whole new way of thinking for me:
  
                  “‘Blessed are the poor in spirit…'” This is the first principle in the kingdom of God. The underlying foundation of Jesus Christ’s kingdom is poverty, not possessions; not making decisions for Jesus, but having such a sense of absolute futility that we finally admit, “‘Lord, I cannot even begin to do it'” (Chambers, July 21, emphasis mine).
  
  Friends, I am humbled to say that at times I have left several things at the altar of God and taken back portions of them to help them move along, without trusting God’s provision and timing. Anyone else like me?!
  
  *I’ve taken a job when I didn’t have peace in my Spirit. Guess what? The job wasn’t right for me, but God was faithful in working it out for my good in spite of the fact that I was the one that put myself there in the first place!
  
  *Another time, my Spirit let me know that a friendship of mine was not on the healthy side anymore and that I should take a step back and re-evaluate with prayer. But, I rationalized that we had been friends a very long time, so I gave her the benefit of the doubt. Feelings were hurt, trust was broken, and the friendship was severed in a wearisome way. Clearly, the Holy Spirit was trying to take a different path that would have ended in a more positive way, but I failed to heed the warning.
  
  Those are two examples of how “poor” I really am and how much I need Jesus every day to begin to do everything He created me to be: submitted to Him, relying on Him and His timing, and allowing Him to accomplish His work in me.
  
                  “Then Jesus says, “Blessed are you…” (5:11). This is the doorway to the kingdom, and yet it takes us so long to believe we are actually poor! The knowledge of our own poverty is what brings us to the proper place where Jesus Christ accomplishes His work” (Chambers, July 21).
  
  Are you poor? I am! I desperately need Jesus every day to “make me what He teaches me to be” (Chambers). With perseverance and the Holy Spirit, I move forward like the Apostle Paul, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14, NIV).
  
  Thank you Jesus for all that You do and all that You are!
  
  God’s blessings,
  
  Shanon
  
  Chambers. Oswald. “My Utmost For His Highest.” July 21st, “The Doorway to the Kingdom.” Discovery House Publishing. Updated edition, 1992.
  
  Fire Bible: Global Study Edition. New International Version, Life publishers International, 2009.
  
  Images: “Sermon on the Mount.” Wikipedia
  
  “Happy 25th Anniversary.” e-cards.com
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  Posted in A-Ha Moments | 7 Comments | Tagged Beatitudes, God, heaven, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Joy, life changing, Matthew 5:3, Sermon on the Mount
- Unopened gifts?
  
  Posted at 6:14 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on June 25, 2018
  I apologize that my post is a few days later than usual. I have not been feeling well lately and was a bit overwhelmed by the end of the school year chaos. Phew! God is Amazing and blessed this school year and (shhh…just between us) I’m already praying for next year: the teachers, students, and staff that will be coming together for the fall term. My youngest daughter would say, “Summer barely started, Mom, let’s not talk about the next school year yet!” What do you think she would say if I told her I’m already praying for her future marriage and husband? 🙂 We need to pray ALWAYS and WITHOUT ceasing, right?! AMEN!
  
  What a blessing church was yesterday. It’s amazing how God knows exactly what we need to hear and His timing is perfect! The whole message was an answered prayer to me but, the beginning really penetrated my heart:
  
  I really needed the simple, yet profound, meaning of that message. A gift is something that is given, willingly to someone, without payment. I’ll admit, especially on days of good health and ease, it is easy for the days to fly by without giving much thought to the gift (a new day) from the Giver, God.
  
  God did far more than give us a new day, though. God gave us the ultimate gift: Jesus!
  
  John 3:16
  
  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
  
  Jesus died to give you and me the following gifts willingly, without payment:
  
  Grace: But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. (Ephesians 4: 7 NIV)
  
  Salvation and Faith: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—( Ephesians 2:8 NIV)
  
  Righteousness:For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! (Romans 5:17 NIV)
  
  Peace: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7 NIV)
  
  Joy:I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (John 15: 11 NIV)
  
  God’s Word: For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. (John 17:8 NIV)
  
  Holy Spirit: Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38 NIV)
  
  Eternal Life: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NIV)
  
  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2Corinthians 9: 15 (NKJV)
  
  Talk about the Ultimate gift-giver!! God wrapped up unconditional love, peace, joy, eternal life, faith, grace, mercy, and so much more through the gift of His son, Jesus Christ, all for you and me. Wow!!! Have you opened the most life changing, love giving gift that our Creator has for YOU?
  
  I pray that you have, if not a heartfelt, sincere prayer combined with a surrendered heart is the next step.
  
  Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
  
  I encourage everyone (new believer’s as well) to keep seeking God, praying, loving others, and spreading the JOY of Jesus to others.
  
  ***
  
  Today is a gift from God. How will you spend today? The two greatest commandments are to Love God and Love people (Matthew 22:37-39).
  
  Love God: I encourage you to spend time in prayer, the Word, or outside in the splendor of His Creation thanking Him for All His blessings. I spent my morning praying, reading my devotional/bible, and writing my heart and soul for Jesus. All the glory to God! My favorite companion, Sasha, our German Shepherd snoring by my desk. A treat, a little love, and she is in puppy bliss for a short while. 🙂
  
  Love people: Love on your family, friends, and all of the people God has placed in your life. Help and encourage others. Smile. Make eye contact when you speak to others. Ask God whom you can bless today. First and foremost, I’m going to ask God to show me who I can bless today, there is so much hurt in the world and many people need extra love and attention. Spend time with family and friends as much as I can. 🙂
  
  Enough about me, how are you going to spend your day? I’d love to hear it!
  
  Thank you for coming to the table. Jesus has many seats available and He has saved a seat for you. Accept His free gift of salvation and invite others. All are welcome, no one is turned away.
  
  May God bless you,
  
  Shanon
  
  ***
  
  “Everyday is a gift from God.” Image from Pinterest.
  
  “Jesus, the gift of God.” Image from Share a Verse wordpress.com.
  
  New International Version (NIV)
  
  Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
  
  Shreve, Mike. “Nine gifts Jesus died to give you.” Charisma magazine. 22 December 2014.
  - I highly recommend Charisma magazine, I love it!II
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  Posted in A-Ha Moments | 2 Comments | Tagged Christian blogger, heaven, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Joy, life changing, love, obedience, unopened gifts
- Jesus at the Wheel
  
  Posted at 3:27 AM by Shanon Crenshaw, on June 1, 2018
  God gave me an amazing revelation the other day. Imagine driving down a dirt road, across beautiful farmland, in a truck with Jesus at the wheel. You are a newly saved Christian, leaning right against Him on the truck bench seat, absorbing every parable and Living Word He shares with you.
  
  Oh no, serve left! There is a pot hole in the road! You grab onto Jesus and while you do that you look down and notice He is also holding you tightly by His right hand. You settle down as you realize just how safe and secure you feel holding His hand and in His presence. Like a Father with His child. A few more content and Word inspiring miles go by.
  
  You spy a herd of cows up ahead, blocking the road, but do not feel afraid because of how close you are to Him physically and spiritually. Two peas in a pod, your Savior and you. The cows easily move out-of-the-way as the truck moves further down the dirt road.
  
  Time and miles go by. Feeling pretty confident in yourself, you scoot a little bit down the truck bench seat, but still in reach and hearing distance of your Savior. Danger ahead! A car just swerved right in front of the truck! Just in time, you grab onto His robe and also hear the whisper of His voice, “I am with you.”
  
  Settling down, your mind reassures you that you are okay, even though you are not as close physically and spiritually to Jesus as you used to be. Because of this, you feel okay to move a little bit further away. God is still with you, your mind reassures you.
  
  This time you scoot to where you are on the edge of the seat, ready to grasp the handle on the door. You are farther from Jesus, but closer to the door that opens up to the world that is based on your confidence, independence, and decision-making. Jesus will not be behind the wheel of your life. You will be.
  
  Ah ha! Now, you are driving your own truck, making your own decisions, and Jesus is somewhere in the backseat of your life. When you are lost, you may ask Him for directions, but for the most part you navigate your own life. Your will be done. Right now you are feeling pretty proud of yourself.
  
  One day you decide to throw caution to the wind and drive without much thought to where you are going. Or who you are going with. No cares in the world. Independence feels great and the miles are moving right along. Driving along, humming to yourself, you realize you made a wrong turn. Flashing lights and road blocks signify the end of the road up ahead. Your life flashes before you. What happened? Where did I go wrong? Jesus take the wheel….
  
  Jesus, take the wheel
  
  Take it from my hands
  
  ‘Cause I can’t do this on my own
  
  I’m letting go
  
  So give me one more chance
  
  And save me from this road I’m on
  
  Jesus, take the wheel
  
  ***
  
  I am so thankful that Jesus gave me this revelation. Several times, over the course of my life, I have been in this particular situation. I give Jesus complete surrender and control in my life only to find myself inching away or even trying to gain some of the control back when life gets hard, doesn’t go my way, or I get tired of waiting for His will or timing. What Jesus showed so clearly to me is that He never changed or moved. I did. He was always behind the wheel of my life, from the beginning of my salvation, and waiting for me to surrender to His perfect will and timing.
  
  Thank you Jesus, that YOU have never given up on me (and You)! Your mercies are new every morning and You are always ready for us to turn back, repent, and be in complete surrender to You. Your promises and truths are evident in your Word:
  
  Deuteronomy 31:6 New International Version (NIV)
  
  ⁶Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
  
  Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version (NIV)
  
  ⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
  
  Jeremiah 29:11-13 New International Version (NIV)
  
  ¹¹For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹²Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
  
  Hebrews 13:8 New International Version (NIV)
  
  ⁸Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
  
  Isaiah 41:13 New Living Translation (NLT)
  
  ¹³For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
  
  May God bless you, my friends!
  
  – Shanon
  
  ***
  
  -New International Version (NIV)
  
  Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
  
  -Image from: http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/jesus-take-the-wheel/photos
  
  -“Jesus Take the Wheel.” Carrie Underwood. https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/carrieunderwood/jesustakethewheel.html
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  Posted in A-Ha Moments | 0 Comments | Tagged bible, blessing, blessings, Christian blogger, God, heaven, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus take the wheel, life changing, obedience, savior, spiritual, writing
- Obedience and Faith in Action
  
  Posted at 8:43 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on May 4, 2018
  Shout out to Grandma Marji, Happy Birthday!! May 1st was her birthday and I sure do miss her wisdom and our very long phone conversations! I imagine her sitting on the golden steps of her mansion, healed from all the world’s afflictions, with the saints gathered all around her as she shares her story. “When I wake up in the Land of Glory, With the saints I will tell my story, There will be one name that I proclaim…” (Big Daddy Weave). Love you Grandma and we cherish your sweet memory. 🙂
  
  ***
  
                  It’s May!! The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and new growth can be seen everywhere you look, including here. Over the next few weeks my blog will be evolving–becoming more interactive and conversational. Still figuring it all out, but as you recall from my last post, “No Condemnation Construction Zone,” I am being changed from the inside out (painful, but soo good for me!) so it will be reflected here. On board? Good! Glad to have all of you coming along side me!
  
  ***
  
                  I started writing this post on the first of May, as you may have guessed from what is written above. I was several paragraphs into a message about world values compared to God’s values and I stalled. Nothing. Not one more word came to mind. I prayed for guidance from the holy spirit. I stepped away from my desk and took a break. I tried to look at other resources to gain insight and inspiration. No matter what I did I could not continue with what I had started. At this point, the best thing to do is let it go and come back to it.
  
  ***
  
                  Today, while I was reading my daily devotional, “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers, I felt compelled to read a day ahead. God spoke to me in a powerful way in the May 5th devotion:
  
                  “If Jesus ever commanded us to do something that He was unable to equip us to accomplish, he would be a liar. And if we make our own inability a stumbling block or an excuse not to be obedient, it means that we are telling God that there is something which He has not yet taken into account. Every element of our own self-reliance must be put to death by the power of God. The moment we recognize our complete weakness and our dependence on Him will be the very moment that the spirit of God will exhibit His power” (Chambers).
  
  The moment I read this I felt convicted and felt a strong need to be in prayer, and in complete surrender to God. My doubt is not in being obedient to God, it is the stumbling blocks that I am allowing to get in the way of complete surrender. In all honesty, I am broken. My natural tendency is to be shy, introverted, and to myself. In large groups, especially around people I don’t know, it may take awhile for me to warm up. I don’t put myself out there easy. My personality seems to be the opposite of what a blogger should be, at least that is what I believe.
  
  This is where my stumbling blocks come in–it is not natural for me to talk about myself, be on social media, or to encourage others to read what I have written. However, I feel as though I should do some of these things and then, when I do, I question my motives–because I feel uncomfortable. Boy, the enemy loves that!! Then I get off balance and question what God is doing in my life, “that we are telling God that there is something which He has not yet taken into account” (Chambers). God knows me and all of my shy/awkward tendencies. Yet here I am, pouring out my heart to the world and sharing all of my brokenness. Praise God that He alone knows my heart and how much I desire to do His will. At least I am in good company. One of my favorite books of the bible is Hebrews, especially Chapter 11, which I call “the hall of faith.” All the people featured in this chapter had enduring faith in God and relied on His promises. However, many of them initially questioned what God was speaking into their lives.
  
  1) Moses doubted the way he could speak (Exodus 4:10) and was concerned about conveying God’s message so God allowed his brother, Aaron to be his spokesman. “He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say” (Exodus 4:16 NLT). The power of God was unleashed when he stepped out in faith and relied on the promises of God. Not only was Moses the author of the Pentateuch, he set the Exodus in motion. Obedience and faith in action!!
  
  2) Sarah and Abraham laughed at God’s promise that they would give birth to a son in their old age. Abraham and Sarah had been faithful to God in the past, but this revelation brought about by three visitors, was almost too much for them to believe. One of the visitors, speaking to Abraham said, “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah will have a son!” (Genesis 18:10 NLT). With the birth of his son Isaac, Abraham’s faith in God grew so much that he was willing to sacrifice his promised son if God asked. Obedience and faith in action!!
  
  Those are just two of the amazing members of the hall of faith, and I encourage you to read the whole chapter. It is all very inspiring and profound! God knew all of their concerns, limitations, everything about them, and called them to do mighty things for His kingdom. Faithfulness, obedience, and faith in action. I am so very thankful that the holy spirit called a halt to what I had began writing this week. I needed this breakthrough and the time I spent with God this morning. While I was in prayer, God also reminded me of something my Pastor Mike shared during his sermon last Sunday, “Don’t make the mistake of thinking that being uncomfortable is being out of the will of God” (Sumner family Church). Between my blog last week and what I am writing this week, God has blessed me in so many ways and showed me how much I need Him and I am right where He wants me to be, flaws and all. Thank you Jesus, for all that You do and all that You are!
  
  I would love to hear your story. Have you ever been where I am? What scriptures motivated you the most?
  
  ~Shanon
  
  I love, love this song. We sang it in church last Sunday. I think of those who have gone to heaven before me, and I think of the day when I meet Jesus face-to-face and tell My story. Big Daddy Weave, “Th e Only Name (Yours Will Be.)
  
  ***
  
  Big Daddy Weave. “The Only Name (Yours Will Be). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1ETEv-NWpc
  
  Chambers, Oswald. “My Utmost for His Highest.” Discovery House. Updated edition, 1992.
  
  New Living Translation (NLT)
  
  Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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  Posted in Conviction, God at Work, Reflections/Stillness | 5 Comments | Tagged bible, blessing, blessings, Christian blogger, God, heaven, Hebrews, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Made new, obedience, reflection, Revelation, spiritual
- No Condemnation Construction Zone
  
  Posted at 3:30 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on April 27, 2018
  This has been a very hard week for me. I have come face-to-face with insecurities I thought I had worked through. Self-doubt. (Can you really do this?) Perfectionism. (I want to know how to do it all right now and do it well.) Self-judgment. (Assessing my lack in regard to others achievement.) At that time, my day-to-day life was comfortable, and I knew what to do when each of those insecurities tried to creep into my mind and derail what I was doing or working on. Also, I learned to avoid situations or set limitations to people who were negative and/or critical. Essentially, I used the tools necessary to become the best version of myself. What I didn’t realize, is that when God calls us to higher expectations, old doubts may surface as well.
  
  God had new plans for my life. I guess you could say I’m under construction, every day striving to be more Christ like. Getting me out of my “comfort zone” and into the realm of the unknown was the biggest challenge He has given me. It shook the very foundation I was on. Believe me when I say that I did make progress where I was and I did change for the better. But God was taking me to a new place and a new level.
  
  “Just write what the Holy Spirit prompts you to,” I’ve told myself a lot. Got it. I can do that until the enemy steps in, “You? Technology is not your friend, remember? You don’t know your widgets from your…and besides who’s going to follow you?” Lies, lies, lies and for a short time I actually gave some of those thoughts consideration. I’m not going to lie, I got a little defeated and lost the joy God was bringing to my life through writing.
  
  I have heard it all from the enemy this week and I have decided to fight against his condemnation in several ways:
  
  1) I am going to fight with the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. I am committing these particular truths to heart:
  
  Philippians 4:13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (NIV).
  
  Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (NIV).
  
  Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,” (NIV)
  
  I need to remember Who I am working for: Jesus. As much as I would love to have a broad audience, I have to write for Him first and let Him invite those to the table that He wants to. I need to rely solely on Him and keep Him first in all I do.
  
  2) JOY!! “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart, Where? Down in my heart…” (Child bible songs). Do you remember that song? In my prayer time yesterday, God placed it on my heart to meditate on it and I decided to take it one step further. I wrote Joy, in red, on the inside of my left wrist as a daily reminder. Writer’s block? JOY! Indecisive teenager at home? JOY! Widgets and technology problems? JOY! Joy above all circumstances and emotions because joy is a central part of our spiritual salvation and personal relationship with Jesus. Luke writes, in Acts 2:28, “You have made known to me the paths of life; you fill me with joy in your presence” (NIV).
  
  3)Keep on, keeping on. You know what? I do not know it all. My writing will not be perfect. I have so much to learn. I am committing what I do to the Lord every day, seeking Him first and asking the holy spirit to guide me. Also, every day I plan to work on something new and develop the skills necessary to complete what God started in me. 🙂 I love, love this quote from Steve Harvey:
  
  “The higher you climb there’s going to be opposition. New level, new devil. Just keep rolling and pushing through. What God has for you is yours if you don’t quit before the finish line” (Pinterest).
  
  Thank you, thank you for being on this journey with me. We are all learning and growing together, which is why God wants us to share stories and fellowship with each other. Love you guys! It wouldn’t be an awesome ending if I didn’t share a song with you. Casting Crowns, Voice of Truth. Listen here.
  
  All the glory to God. ~ Shanon
  
  ***
  
  Casting Crowns, “Voice of Truth.” You tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwsvqVmFV6Y
  
  “God at work construction tape.” Fun Express.com. https://www.funexpress.com/god-at-work-construction-zone-tape-13743109.html
  
  “I’ve got the Joy in my heart.” Child Bible Songs. http://childbiblesongs.com/song-04-ive-got-the-joy-in-my-heart.shtml
  
  Ministry Quotes. Steve Harvey. Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/235735361719480813/
  
  New International Version (NIV)
  
  Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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  Posted in God at Work | 8 Comments | Tagged bible, Christian blogger, heaven, Holy Spirit, Jesus, life changing, Made new, obedience, spiritual
- Mercies in Disguise
  
  Posted at 3:30 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on April 20, 2018
  Crimson, gold, and orange leaves swirled through the tires of my Jeep on a cold November morning as I made my way to church. While listening to the radio, and wrapped in the warmth of my car, God gave me a revelation on answered prayer. What if where we are right now (or where our loved ones are right now) IS the answer to our (your) prayers? In essence, God may be allowing circumstances to happen. This answer may look like many things:
  
  * the stillness and silence of God
  
  * a difficult boss
  
  * a hard teacher
  
  * prison time
  
  * hitting rock bottom in an addiction
  
  We need to rest in God’s timing and know that He is at work. Are we doing what we need to do while we wait? Praying, believing, seeking, praising, having faith. The “difficulty” that is being experienced may be the breakthrough needed for an answer to your prayer. God can and may use trials to build up your faith, answer different prayers, open doors, and perform miracles. Difficult and desperate times also “force” us down on our knees, arms stretched wide, with a willing heart and a need for dependence on God like we have never experienced before. The Apostle Paul spoke of grace through trials in 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 (NIV):
  
  ⁹But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
  
  ***
  
  This revelation brought to mind a circumstance I have been praying for: confidence for my daughter Savannah as she begins her journey in middle school. If I speak of God’s will and I am praying for Savannah to have confidence, then I have to trust God and what He is doing in her life. She is having a difficult time in English right now and “doesn’t like” the format of the class. I can remember feeling the same way in some classes when I was younger, but it was through those teachers and classes that I learned and grew the most. I am really trying hard to step back and see her struggles as an answered prayer from God, to give her confidence in her abilities and the tools to face challenges head on. It is a fine line to help , for sure– and I admit I have crossed the line and helped in some ways too much. But, now that God has given me this revelation about answered prayers, I am praying for more of His guidance and discernment on how to help, when to help, and when to back off completely. I see that she has always belonged to Him, and He has entrusted me with her. He knows her story and I do not want to alter or change the plan or growth He has for her life.
  
  Moving forward, I believe that God will always answer my prayers (in His time), and I need to see each test, triumph, difficulty, or blessing as a part of God’s plan for all of those He brings into my life. I do not want to take the lesson away. Have faith that God has heard your prayer and believe He is at work. Today.
  
  ***
  
  I would love to share an excerpt from a favorite song of mine, “Blessings” By Laura Story.
  
  What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
  Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
  What if trials of this life
  The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
  Are your mercies in disguise
  
  To hear the whole song by Laura Story, tap the link, Blessings
  
  Love you guys!!! All the GLORY to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
  
  Laura Story. “Blessings.” AZlyrics. https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/laurastory/blessings.html
  
  New International Version (NIV)
  
  Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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  Posted in A-Ha Moments, Answered Prayers | 0 Comments | Tagged blessings, Christian blogger, heaven, Jesus, Revelation
- Birthday Blessing from Heaven
  
  Posted at 3:30 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on April 13, 2018
  A birthday cake. Rocky road ice cream. Red hot candies. These were a few of my mother’s favorite sweets, all lovingly put together by her three daughter’s hands. My mother loved rainbows–and their covenant meaning of God’s promises–so we drew several pictures and taped them to the walls in the dining room. Have you guessed my mom’s favorite color yet? Blue, the very reason there is a light blue frosted cake on the table. Yum!
  
  A Polaroid (gasp!) picture of my mother’s thirty-first birthday. My sister prominently stands, smiling, next to our marvelously decorated table. Now, I know you may be asking, “Where can I find the brown flowered cups, plates and bowls beautifully placed on the brown flowered table-cloth?” It is early 80’s chic…and will probably be coming back in style next year. Just you wait. Such is the circle of life…and trends.
  
  Now, back to birthdays. Birthdays are significant to me. Share your birthday with me and a hug, high-five, or some type of card/gift will surely come your way. When someone whom you know dies young, birthdays are personified by like a thousand! “Do not resent growing old. Many are denied the privilege.” Once I read that Irish proverb, I’ve always taken it to heart. It’s NOT because I am 23% Irish–as discovered by my ancestory.com results–it’s because it is true. What an awesome blessing LIFE is! Another day, another year to live the life God created us to have for His purpose.
  
  ***
  
                  Every once in a while I have had a birthday that was discouraging. The thirty-second year of my life started rainy and gloomy, very much like my feelings that day. Depressed and discouraged, I made my way to my bedroom closet, a place of refuge and prayer for me. Lying on floor, in a position of complete surrender, I cried out to Jesus in desperation. I missed my mother especially on this birthday, it was as though her absence was magnified a thousand times that day. I have no idea why. I asked God, in complete faith, for encouragement from her. What He did for me, that evening, was nothing short of a miracle.
  
  My dad came home from work that evening and handed me a birthday card. He said, “I don’t know how I ended up with this card, but here it is.” All pink and white it said, “WITH LOVE, Daughter, FROM MOM. (By the way, if you look really closely, you can see where my dad wrote in “& DAD.”) Can you believe that?!? God heard my prayer for encouragement from my mom and blessed me with a card “from” her in heaven! I write all of God’s answered prayers and blessings down, I encourage you too, as well! Here is what I wrote, that day, on the inside of the card:
  
  This card is very special to me. The Lord truly loves you and does use people/situations to encourage you. I was having a very sad, depressed day. It was my birthday and I was missing my mother so much. I was praying to the Lord and asking for encouragement, something from my mom to encourage me on my birthday. My dad came home with this card (not his first choice) and said, “I don’t know how I ended up with this card, but here it is.” It was not a mistake, the Lord used my dad in a way to edify me, he was the giver of hope that day by way of the Lord. I am so thankful for my dad and the Lord– He truly listens and hears His children.
  
  Amen Praise the Lord!
  
  ***
  
                  I am now forty-six years old and I remember that birthday as though it were yesterday. It helps me to recall fondly my mom’s thirty-second birthday with rainbow drawings, a blue-frosted cake, and the reminder of God’s promises for us. Luke 11: 9-13 (NIV) says:
  
        ⁹“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
  
  ¹¹“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for^[a] a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹²Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
  
  I encourage you, like I shared last week, to pray and seek God daily. Look through the eyes of faith and see what He will do. Commit the prayer to your heart and rest in the power of God. Be sensitive and listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit; He may not only answer your prayers, He may use YOU to be the answer to someone else’s!! 🙂 From the heart of Dr Maya Angelou: “Be the rainbow to someone else’s cloud.”
  
  Inside view’s of the card:
  
  
  
  New International Version (NIV)
  
  Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
  
  Angelou, Dr. Maya. “Be the rainbow to someone else’s cloud.” https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/30/maya-angelou-oprah-rainbow_n_5413544.html
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  Posted in Answered Prayers | 8 Comments | Tagged birthday, blessing, cake, Christian blogger, heaven, Jesus

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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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Proverbs 3:5-6 New International Version (NIV)

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