Jesus | Heaven Sent Sentiments

Tag: Jesus
- Seasons of Change
  
  Posted at 6:27 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on May 1, 2020
  Hello everyone! It has been weeks and weeks since I’ve posted. I apologize for that. I wish I had a really great, big “reason” to share with you, but I don’t. All I can say is this, God is at work in my life and is taking me into a different season.
  
  Season. My first response to that word is leaves changing in the Fall or how the Summer sunshine can initiate vacation plans or beach trips. After all, there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens…(Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV).
  
  But, Spiritual changes are what I am talking about, and going through—lessons on perseverance, faith, trust, prayer, and knowledge.
  
  Sixty days ago today–yes, I said sixty–I began a life and Spirit changing bible study by Jennifer LeClaire titled, “Transform: A 90-Day Spirit Prayer Challenge”. Here is a peak at the study from her website:
  
  “The 90-Day Spirit Prayer Challenge is a series of teachings, insights on praying in the Spirit and pray-along sessions that will encourage you to stay on track with what God said He wants to do in this prophetic word” (LeClaire, Jennifer).
  
  Daily, during the last sixty days, I have been watching each video, journaling and writing down scripture, and most importantly, praying in the Spirit for an hour each day. I can not put into words how much this Spiritual Prayer Challenge has transformed my life. Physically, mentally, spiritually….in ALL ways.
  
  I’ll admit, that it has been very challenging, but that fact has made me even more determined to keep my eye on the prize and to persevere with each prayer and scripture I learn.
  
  This morning, during my prayer time, the Holy Spirit reminded me of where I was this time last year. In Peace with where God was taking me during that season. I was getting ready to speak in front of a hundred people, two days in a row, for my church’s annual Divine Design Mother’s Day Celebration. There is no doubt in my mind that, that whole experience and season was God-ordained.
  
  Just in the same way, this one is.
  
  God carried me through that season with His Wisdom, as I placed my faith in what He was bringing me through during that time. And that is what I am doing today. Right now, I am not writing as much on my blog, but I know Who is bringing me through this chapter and this season. And, oh, what a season it is!!
  
  On day eleven, week two, of this bible study, the Holy Spirit revealed to me what one of my “next steps” will be in the future. A confirmation of what was revealed to my husband the very weekend I spoke at Divine Design last year. Stay tuned…I can’t wait to share what God is doing in my life, in His timing….:)
  
  All the Glory to God,
  
  Shanon Crenshaw
  
  Works Cited:
  
  Image of Ecclesiastes 3:1 by kingjamesbibleonline.org.
  
  Leclaire, Jennifer. Transform: A 90-Day Spirit Prayer Challenge. Web. January 2020. https://schoolofthespirit.tv/courses/transform/.
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  Posted in God at Work | 2 Comments | Tagged Christian blogger, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Jesus, Prayer
- Held in His Hand
  
  Posted at 3:41 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on January 2, 2020
  　Over the last few years, my new year has begun the same way: God gives me a new scripture to focus on and on the first of January, I answer the same set of questions in my journal. I look forward to these questions in the same way that I greet a dear friend; ready to ponder not only the newness of a fresh start but the bold anticipation of what my dear friend and Savior Jesus, have in store for me this year.
  
  Here is an example of the questions and the first one I answer:
  
  What is my one prayer for this year that seems impossible, knowing that “nothing is impossible with God”?
  
  Last year, on January 1st, 2019, I stepped out boldly in my prayer to God, and you know what?! He answered my prayer in His timing, towards the end of the year, AND it is continuing to unfold!! I am so excited to see all that He has in store through this answered prayer as I continue to rest and wait on Him. Praise God!!
  
  I honestly believe that stepping out boldly and completely giving this “impossible” prayer to Him, allowed me to surrender ALL to His will and allowed me to rest and wait.
  
  The more I do this, as hard as it is for my flesh, the more joy and peace I have in the midst of each difficulty. The Bible says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13. Amen!
  
  Maybe one day I will share the prayer that I spoke about above, but for now, I’m going to change gears and share the details of the scripture the LORD chose for me to focus on for 2020 and a little bit about why it is so profound to me.
  
  ***
  
  On December 31, 2019, I was reading my bible and spending time in my writing room with God, focusing on His Word. I was reading a chapter in the book of Psalms when this scripture jumped out at me:
  
  If the LORD delights in a man’s way,
  
  He makes his steps firm;
  
  though he stumble, he will not fall,
  
  for the LORD upholds him with His hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)
  
  I KNEW, without a doubt, that THIS was my scripture for 2020. I immediately wrote it down on a card and put it in the same spot on my desk where last year’s scripture was placed. I will meditate on it all year.
  
  Next, I asked the Holy Spirit to share with me the significance of God’s Word and to share what He would have me learn from it.
  
  Immediately, my mind went back to the difficulties and bedrest the Lord had me on– off and on–over the last several weeks of this year. These “stumbles and bumps in the road” caused by migraines and sinus infections, caused me to miss out on opportunities in writing and church activities because of severe vertigo, blurred vision, and headaches that only medication and bedrest could relieve.
  
  BUT through it ALL, I knew God was holding me by my right hand AND I trust Him through all of it!!
  
  Was it easy?! NO! My flesh kept reminding me what I was missing out on and how I was missing deadlines in writing and not keeping up with what I set out to do etc….
  
  But, I was sleeping and resting in God and that is where He wanted me to be or I wouldn’t have been there, right?!
  
  So, during my convalescence, I prayed, worshipped, and rested joyfully in the LORD knowing that He is still at work and everything I go through He can use for His Glory!!!
  
  This brings me to the next revelation that the Holy Spirit revealed to me in regard to Psalm 37: 23-24.
  
  Last March, at our annual ladies’ retreat, God revealed, through a prayer I received over me from our Pastor’s wife, that “If I get weary or out of step, get back in line.”
  
  During the weeks I was dealing with these migraines and sinus infections, I was especially weary about my writing. I felt like I had to keep on my writing schedule or I would be failing at what I believe is the call God has placed in my life. I don’t want to let HIM down, but how can you write when you can’t read?! My eyes were so bad!
  
  So I turned back to this journal entry and the prayer dated March 23rd, 2019. These were the words that Kim Price, our Pastor’s wife, spoke to me:
  
  I have a call on my life. Be obedient. Keep my eyes on God. Trust Him. If I get weary or get out of step, get right back in line.
  
  These words were so strong in my heart and in prayer for me, that I immediately wrote them down when I returned to my seat. There was more to the prayer, but the other details are resting between me and God.
  
  During the last few days, when the Holy Spirit revealed this scripture to me and some of the details behind it, it gave me a completely different perspective of what I had been going through with my illness.
  
  It reminded me that: I need to keep obedient to God and let Him direct my steps. I need not worry about anyone else’s standards of failure if I am being true to what He is calling me to do each day.
  
  I need to begin my day with Him and ask Him, what to focus on. He will never steer me wrong when I place Him first!
  
  In conclusion, I know we live in a Fallen world. Bumps in the road will happen and I may stumble. But, I will continue to hold THE steady hand of the One Who holds my calling, my days, and my life–the LORD my God. Amen!
  
  All the Glory to God,
  
  Shanon
  
  Image of Psalm 37: 23-24 by Heartlight. “God directs and restores Godly people.” Heartlight Gallery.
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  Posted in A-Ha Moments, God at Work | 1 Comment | Tagged Christian blogger, Christian Testimony, Faith, Jesus, New Year New Hope
- 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
- Thanksgiving 1988
  
  Posted at 11:25 AM by Shanon Crenshaw, on November 26, 2019
  “Enter his gates with Thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” (Psalm 100:4-5 NLT)
  
  A table full of food and laughter. Joy. Family memories. Those recollections, and so much more, bring a smile to my face and my heart as I recall Thanksgiving 1988 at my Aunt Irene’s house, as we crowded around a makeshift table in the living room and shared so much more than a meal.
  
  I came across this picture several days ago in an old family photo album. Remember the ancient version, where you had to peel back the page and “stick” the pictures on to adhere, and then smooth it carefully back down so nothing wrinkles?! Yeah, that kind. I even have several Polaroid pictures tucked into this album which really makes me feel older.
  
  Oh, the nostalgia of it all.
  
  This is why this particular Thanksgiving stands out to me. Three women– my mom, Aunt Irene, and family friend Carol Ann–would pass away from cancer much too young, and leave a legacy of memories that live in the details emerging and felt from this picture.
  
  There is no way my sixteen-year-old self could have imagined the short window of time each one of my family members had beyond that beautiful Thanksgiving day. Precious times. Precious memories. This is why, creating relationships and spending time together is so important to me.
  
  Here comes the cliché and cheesy part, so cover your ears and recite, “la-la-la-la-la” if you don’t want to hear it, BUT, it is so true that relationships and spending time with those you love are the most important and lasting aspect of your life!
  
  Honestly, I look at this picture and reflect on the people, love, and amazing memories that were created. Because I know, deep in my heart, that we were created to love just as Jesus loves us (John 15:12).
  
  Our God created us to love, fellowship, and care for all of the people He brings into each of our lives. Is it easy? No, but it is worth it and when we surrender our hearts and lives to Jesus, He gives us all we need to accomplish any task He places before us.
  
  “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3 NIV)
  
  This Thanksgiving, I urge you to take some time and be thankful for that moment. That special time God has given you to love, create memories, and focus on the people that He invited to the table around you. There is no accident or coincidence in that.
  
  Live. Love. Forgive. Laugh. Be in the moment. Be thankful. Share the love of Jesus with all of the generations seated at the table and change ALL of their tomorrows.
  
  Perhaps, just like me, you may not be given another chance. The Thanksgiving I shared with my mom, Aunt Irene, and Carol Ann in 1988 was the time last we were all sharing a meal together. I am eternally grateful to God for that time of love, laughter, and memories.
  
  I would like to close with a prayer by Joyce Meyer from her, “The Power of Being Thankful” devotional:
  
  “Father, I am grateful for the relationships I have with the people in my life. Let your love flow through me as I purpose to strengthen these relationships. I thank you that I can do my part to build healthy, life-giving, stress-free relationships.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.
  
  All the Glory to God,
  
  Shanon
  
  Meyer, Joyce. “The Power of Being Thankful.” Stress-free Relationships, November 19. Faith Words Publisher. Printed. November 26, 2019.
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  Posted in A-Ha Moments | 0 Comments | Tagged blessings, Christian, grateful, Jesus, Psalm 100:4-5, thanksgiving
- Newly Created in Christ
  
  Posted at 1:02 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on November 21, 2019
  George Washington’s Mount Vernon August 2018
  
  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
  
  I love history, especially when I am able to visit places that I was only first introduced to through the pages of history in grade school.
  
  I remember, during the summer of 2018, when my family was blessed to go to Washington, D.C. We had the pleasure of touring Mount Vernon, the family home of our first U.S. President–George Washington.
  
  Before we could enter his house, we were waiting on the front porch–the very one that proudly and distinctly faces the Potomac River.
  
  View of Potomac River from Mount Vernon, August 2018
  
  I stepped out of line, walked to the very edge, and centered myself right at the end of the porch. I closed my eyes, silenced my inner thoughts, and imagined our first U.S. President, standing right where I was, pondering and thinking over leading the U.S. to victory in the American Revolutionary War.
  
  The feeling was so surreal. I tried to absorb and imagine all of the conversations, dreams, and family memories concealed in the walls of this 262-year-old mansion. Oh, if those walls could talk!
  
  In reality, I love historical buildings of any kind–whether they are in ghost towns, city centers, or even old European castles and the grounds on which they are built.
  
  However, the buildings are just physical pieces often made of wood, nails, plaster, etc. The “bones” or structure of the old building are usually kept the same, but the inside is updated and changed by the new owner.
  
  In reality, the inside is the most important part, because this is where LIFE happens!
  
  Relationships are formed.
  
  Memories are made.
  
  Lives are changed!
  
  I believe the same thing happens when we turn over our lives to Jesus and inwardly He creates something new in us (2 Cor 5:17). Our physical bodies stay the same–our height doesn’t change, our nationality doesn’t change, and our gender doesn’t change.
  
  What does change is the inside of us.
  
  “As new creations, Christians share his glory (3:18) with a renewed knowledge of God (Col. 3:10) and a transformed way of thinking and behaving (Ro. 12:2) that begins to reflect God’s holiness (i.e. moral purity, spiritual wholeness, separation from evil and dedication to God’s purposes, Eph. 4:24)” (Fire Bible Commentary for 2 Cor. 5:17, page 2203).
  
  How amazing is that!! As a Christian, you are brand new on the inside! The Holy Spirit gives you new life, and you are not the same anymore. “This is not a superficial change that will be quickly superseded by another novelty. This is an entirely new order of all creation under Christ’s authority. It requires a new way of looking at all people and all of creation” (2 Cor. 5:17 commentary, page 1967, NLT).
  
  Wrapping this up, all of the feelings I felt at Mount Vernon had more to do with the people and relationships that I imagined in all of those rooms and less with the physical presentations throughout the house.
  
  Because the reality is this: the best things that happen in life occur on the inside. Whether it is in a house, a building, or each individual person. And the One that changes everything is Jesus!
  
  My question to you is this: does your new life with Jesus reflect this new perspective? I pray it does because the love, life, and light in you have the ability to affect and shine in every relationship in your life! Everywhere you go any house, any building, any castle in Europe!
  
  All the glory to God,
  
  Shanon
  
  Works Cited:
  
  Fire Bible: Global Study Edition. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Commentary. New International Version. Life Publishers International. 2009. Print.
  
  Life Study Application Bible. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Commentary. New Living Translation. Second Edition. Tyndale House Publishers, INC. 1996. Print.
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  Posted in God at Work | 0 Comments | Tagged 2 Corinthians 5:17, Christain Blogger, Christian, Jesus, New Creation in Christ
- Called Home
  
  Posted at 1:26 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on November 7, 2019
  my mom, Sue
  
  Born Again. Those two words give insight into the complete identity of my mother, Sue. She proudly wore a gold necklace with a charm bearing those words, together with a gold cross, for as long as I can remember. They were a testament to her, and the world, of Who she belonged to–Jesus Christ.
  
  ***
  
  Years and years ago, I can remember an off-handed comment a clerk made while we were paying for items in the checkout line at a store. The gentlemen helping us must have been about sixteen years old. Upon noticing my mom’s necklace, their conversation began like this:
  
  Clerk: “Born again, huh? What’cha do, die?”
  
  Mom: “Yes, as a matter of fact I did. I died to my old self and now I am made new in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…”
  
  What I remember most about that conversation is not just what was said, but the matter to which my mother explained her relationship with Jesus through the fruit of the Spirit: love, patience, kindness, joy, self-control, faithfulness, etc. She in no way gave into the negative connotations that were underlying the manner in which the conversation began. Only God knows the eternal details of the conversation that day, but I believe seeds were planted that day–in me as well as him.
  
  That is just one example of many in the daily way my mom lived her life in a relationship with Jesus. Her born-again life.
  
  ***
  
  On November 7, 1990, my mom met her Savior face-to-face, and that born-again gold necklace that she had worn faithfully for years was removed for the last time from her neck and given to me.
  
  I treasured her necklace and wore it several times throughout the years. But it wasn’t her, and I discovered that if I really wanted to feel close to my mom it was through the Word of God, and my relationship with Him that I felt her the strongest.
  
  The reasoning is very simple: her faith in God was the most important thing that she shared with me every day of her life.
  
  Her death from this world didn’t change who she was, the removal of her necklace didn’t change who she was, and her physical presence in my life didn’t change who she was because: she is a child of God, her death marks the beginning, not the end. In the words of Billy Graham:
  
  “One day you’ll hear that Billy Graham has died. Don’t you believe it. On that day I’ll be more alive than ever before! I’ve just changed addresses.”
  
  And that is what I choose to believe about my mother today, the day she went home to heaven. She is more alive in heaven than she ever was here on earth! I imagine her reunited with all of her loved ones and meeting all the sisters and brothers that had gone on before. Rejoicing and praising the Lord, just one heartbeat away from me. Amen!!
  
  If you spend any length of time with me you know two things: I love Jesus and I speak about my mom often, and all the others that have gone to heaven: my Grandma and Grandpa Corbin, Aunt Irene, Grandma Marji, Julius Marcus, Aunt June, my father in law Donnie, our good friend David Gideons, among several others.
  
  I continue to share the memories and love of each one because they had (and continue to have) such an impact on my life. They are not here on this earth, but I will see them again.
  
  I would like to close this with a poem, “When Mom was called home,” that my older sister Melanie wrote at 2:30 in the morning on August 22, 1991–written about nine months after our mother died. If my memory serves me correctly, she just woke up in the middle of the night and wrote it out.
  
  The tears I cry,
  
  Are not in vain,
  
  The tears I cry,
  
  Are tears of pain.
  
  The day I died,
  
  my soul cried out,
  
  I asked my God,
  
  what’s this all about.
  
  I heard God say,
  
  In a quiet voice,
  
  Don’t cry my child,
  
  Let your heart rejoice.
  
  The pain you had,
  
  Is no longer there,
  
  Come into my arms,
  
  Because I care.
  
  For it is my will,
  
  and you shall see,
  
  That your family will have,
  
  Both you and me.
  
  Your life on earth,
  
  Filled the world with love,
  
  Because I once sent you,
  
  from heaven above.
  
  You touched the world,
  
  and showed you cared,
  
  You leaned on me,
  
  and I was there.
  
  I gave you support,
  
  you gave me your mind,
  
  I made you a person,
  
  so special and kind.
  
  You asked me into your heart,
  
  And I came in,
  
  I forgave you for,
  
  Your life of sin.
  
  I promised I would never,
  
  Leave your side,
  
  And you promised me,
  
  my love you would always abide.
  
  I am now calling,
  
  you home my dear,
  
  I hope I have made,
  
  The answer clear.
  
  Thank you, Mom, for sharing Jesus with me. With God and His faithfulness every day, I continue to share the Good News of Jesus every day. See you again someday. Love you.
  
  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3: 3
  
  All the glory to God,
  
  Shanon
  
  Works Cited:
  
  Image of “Born Again” means to be a Christian. trumpetcalling.org. web. 7 November 2019. https://trumpet-call.org/2018/08/24/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-born-again-christian/
  
  “10 brilliant things Billy Graham said about heaven.” Premier Christianity. 22 February 2018. Web. 7 November 2019. premierchristianity.com
  
  Wallace, Melanie. “When mom was called home.” 22 August 1991. Print. 7 November 2019.
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  Posted in God's Blessings | 3 Comments | Tagged Born Again, Christian, Healing after death, Jesus
- 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
- Testimonies of Hope: Luis Palau
  
  Posted at 3:36 PM by Shanon Crenshaw, on September 13, 2019
  The first time I heard the name Luis Palau, I was driving around town listening to the Christian radio station, K-Love. Several times a day they feature a segment called, One Minute of Encouragement, where Preachers/Teachers share scripture and words of encouragement to everyone. For some reason, I’ve always found Luis Palau’s to be the most uplifting to me, so I was intrigued when I came across a story in Charisma magazine featuring him–“Latin America’s ‘Billy Graham’ Reflects on His Legacy as He Struggles With Stage 4 Cancer” by Joshua Olson.
  
  In all honesty, I knew next to nothing about this amazing man of God, before I read this article. The beginning of his ministry is one of the most inspiring and hopeful that I believe I have ever read. This is what I discovered to be the most profound, here’s the excerpt from the piece:
  
  “He vividly recalls the first person he ever led to the Lord. Palau was 18 years old and teaching a Sunday school class in Cordoba, Argentina, for 10 young boys. The quietest boy, Marcos, lived with his grandmother and came from a broken home. Palau confesses to this day he has no idea how Marcos came to church that Sunday, since his grandmother was not a Christian. But Marcos had questions for “Senor Palau,” and the young Sunday school teacher led him to pray the sinner’s prayer and accept Jesus in his heart.
  
  About a week later, Palau received devastating news. Marcos had been riding his bicycle in the road and horsing around with a streetcar. His bike twisted beneath him and dragged him beneath the streetcar’s wheels. Marcos was killed.
  
  “When he first received the Lord, I was so excited,” Palau says. “And the Lord took the little fellow home so quickly. But to me, it got into my blood: Once you experience leading people to eternal life, everything else is puny foolishness by comparison. … If you experience leading someone to the Lord, you don’t need anyone to kick you in the pants and tell you, ‘Go and do it.’ It comes from your DNA. It’s part of your life” (Olson, Joshua).
  
  I had to read those words several times. So many emotions flooded my heart and mind. This is what I took away the most after reading those life-changing paragraphs:
  
  Reflected in this article is the truth to the fact that God can take tragic circumstances, which occur to all of us, and use them as trajectory to not only save one man’s life, but possibly generation upon generation.
  
  Doesn’t that give you the chills?! I cried in joy and awe as I thought of that grandmother–does she know that the death of her grandson potentially helped propel–through God first and the obedience of Palau and his ministry team–an Evangelical Ministry, that since 1960, “have shared the gospel with an estimated 1 billion people in 48 countries” (Olson, Joshua).
  
  God knew all the details of this encounter, and how, through obedience, many lives would be forever changed.
  
  I am so glad that God knows the big picture of everything going on in my life and is willing, when I surrender to Him, to guide all of my steps and use me according to the plan He has for my life.
  
  I am reminded that everything He brings me to, whether good or difficult, has a purpose and I may never know all the details. I do trust in God because He does know the whole story.
  
  Continue to use me today, God, in everything that may come my way. Give me Your wisdom, guidance, love, and provision so that I can help spread the Gospel of Jesus to all of those around me. Amen!!
  
  All the Glory to God,
  
  Shanon Crenshaw
  
  Image of St. Augustine quote by @ahniart–Amy Kirk–“You are to pay special attention…”
  
  Image of Jeremiah 29:11 by–Bible verse of the day. daily verses.net. https://dailyverses.net/jeremiah/29/11
  
  K-Love radio station. One Minute of Encouragement. 13 September 2019. http://www.klove.com/ministry/1-minute-of-encouragement/
  
  Olson, Joshua. “Latin America’s ‘Billy Graham’ Reflects on His Legacy as He Struggles With Stage 4 Cancer.” 1 July 2019. Web. 13 September 2019. https://www.charismanews.com/world/77006-on-fire-but-not-consumed
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  Posted in Testimonies of Hope | 6 Comments | Tagged Christian blogger, Christian Testimony, Evangelism, God is Faithful, Jesus, Luis Palau
- 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
- Community of Shared Hope- School Blessings
  
  Posted at 8:00 AM by Shanon Crenshaw, on September 4, 2019
  Yesterday, September 3, was my youngest daughter’s first day of eighth grade. It included one of her least favorite things–picture taking. It all started about eighteen years ago when our oldest daughter started kindergarten. I decided to make a sign with her name, grade, and the date for her to hold onto while we took pictures together. We do this every year–all the way through senior year!! Woo-hoo! Great fun when you are six. Not so much when you are fourteen.
  
  However, she likes to make mom happy so she obliges–and pulls her best friend in to join the fun. 🙂 Yay!!
  
  I love both of these young women and I pray for all my daughters (biological/friends) daily. One of my favorite “blessings and pure joys” of my week occurred right after I dropped them off on their first day of school.
  
  They were early, so the sidewalk they were walking on was pretty empty. While I was waiting for my turn at the light, I was able to watch them walk towards the gym together, side-by-side, and hold the door open for one another, as they disappeared into the halls. I was silently praying for their friendship, school day, and the year while they walked.
  
  What a blessing. I will cherish that snapshot in time forever.
  
  Every day, after I drop my daughter off at school, I pray– for her, the students, the staff, and the entire school campus. I make it a daily habit and I believe we all should. This year, I’m going to take it a step further and say a quick prayer for every school I pass while I drive around town.
  
  Would you join me?? Our schools desperately need the Guidance, Protection, Provision, and Mercy that only our Lord Jesus can bring. Amen!! Thank you.
  
  All the Glory to God,
  
  Shanon
  
  Image of Back to School Blessing provided by Pinterest–Prayer for Anxiety https://www.pinterest.com/pin/513973376202503729/
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  Posted in Community of Shared Hope | 6 Comments | Tagged Back to school prayer, Christian, Christian blogger, Jesus, Pray for our students
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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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